Leonara’s POV
I woke up with throbbing pain in my head. My hands instinctively reached out of my head to press it.
“Nara”
I hear a concerned soft voice from Ansell, which forced my eyes open, and I got to see his blurry face in front of me.
He can’t stay away from me even in this state. Part of me wished o could have stayed unconscious.
“How are you feeling now?” He asked.
“I was fine before you brought me here” I retorted, looking away.
My mission was still blurred, and I had to blink several times to try and bring things into focus. I felt drained and tried like my brain wasn’t fully awake. My mind struggled to process anything clearly, whether it was the previous incidents or the way I reacted.
Now it feels like actually lost control and overreacted. It seems like some spirit has taken control over me and I was thrashing around without thinking properly. I even collapsed on his feet, which I am sure must have boosted his ego.
Signing heavily I sat up slowly. Ansell moved forward as if to offer his help, but I stopped him immediately. I don’t want his support. He has already done a lot for me.
I took me few minutes to sit up properly, and through Ansell maintained his distance as I wanted, his watchful eyes never left me, ready to step in if needed.
Suddenly, a tickle in my throat made me cough loudly, and I struggled to breathe properly.
My hands reached out for the water, but before I could touch it, I saw a glass of water in Ansell’s hand, offered to me. Even though I wasn’t exactly in a position to argue, I swatted his hand away and poured myself a glass of water.
My hands trembled uncontrollably as I brought the glass to my lips. After a few sips, I began to feel somewhat more composed.
When my head turned to place the glass back on the side table, I found that Ansell was still holding the glass of water. His hold on the glass was so tight that I was amazed it hadn’t shattered yet. I knew he was seething with anger, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
I folded my legs and hugged my knees, resting my cheek on my arms, intentionally turning my head away from him.
“I am fine, you can go, Ansell” I said, looking out of the window, which was straight in line with my sight. “And you have broken me completely, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. I am not in a position to escape you or even stand on my own” though I was not facing him yet, I could tell that his intense gaze was on me, and he was listening to every word I said. “If you want, you can chain me to the bed, just like you said”
My words seemed to have little effect on him, as he remained in his spot without moving.
My eyes suddenly fell on my left wrist, which was just in front of my eyes and this is when I noticed a bandage wrapped around it. I saw a first -aid kit on the table when I took the water from there. I am sure he must have tended the wounds.
After a few minutes, he walked around and sat in front of me. I turned my head away in the opposite direction, resting my other cheek on my arm.
“I understand that you’re angry with me, Nara” he said softly, breaking the silence, “But…”
“Just go away, Ansell, I don’t want you around me” I whispered but the silence all around must have allowed him to listen to me.
“Ok” he resigned . “but only after you hear me out”
My head lifted slightly, my eyes meeting his as he sat closer to me.
“You haven’t eaten since yesterday’s lunch”
Yesterday’s lunch? That means I was out for the whole evening, night, and morning.
“Have your brunch and take your medicines. I promise I will leave the room and won’t return until evening ” I could hear the promise in his words as he said but what caught my attention was the word medicine.
It reminded me of the number of tablets that I found in Desy’s drawer. I couldn’t believe that I was in a situation where I needed those tablets.
“Why do you want me to have tablets?’ I asked him, “Wasn’t it you who wanted to see me in the same condition as your sister?” He stayed silent as I asked, “Now that I am in her shoes, why don’t you leave me alone?’
He licked his lips nervously, seemingly unsure of how to respond.
“Things change with me” the words came out of his throat with much difficulty.
“People do as well” I told him, indicating that my stone eyes were fixated on him.
He let out an exasperated sigh and briefly closed his eyes. It was the first time I had seen him at a loss for words.
“You need food and your medication” he said, bringing back the topic.
“To survive, right?” I questioned him, but he remained silent. “Thank you for your concern, but I don’t need it”
“Nara”
I felt his palm resting over my elbow but I shrugged it away. He once again sighed before licking his lips, preparing himself.
“It hurts me to see you in this condition. I know I have done a lot. Neither I can change it not you can trust me but I will do as you say, have the meal and medicines” his voice was very gentle and softer than usual.
“I have already told you what I want, Ansell. Yet, you’ve placed a condition on it that I can’t fulfill ” I informed him.
“Yes, and if you want that to happen, then you would have to accept my condition and accept me” he stated firmly, as if there was no other way around it. Nothing else could convince him to release my brother except to accept his absurd wish.
I hugged closing my eyes. I don’t have any hope for him.
“But for now… ” My eyes shot open and he licked his lips one again. “If you listen to me, I will let you meet your brother”
“What?” My legs instinctively moved downward, a surge of newfound energy coursing through me.
“I will give you fifteen minutes with him. You can talk to him but I swear to kill him right in front of your eyes if you two try something against my wish”
A rush of energy and happiness overwhelmed me. I tucked my hair behind my ear and used my shoulder to wipe my face.
“Take me to him” I said out of excitement.
“I think you haven’t heard me properly ” my body halted, “You need to have your meal and take your medicines if you want to meet him”
I gulped, disbelief evident in my eyes. Of course, he couldn’t grant me anything without demanding something in return.
With a resigned nod, I muttered, “Fine”
He hurriedly left the room, and my heart raced with anticipation. I was finally going to meet my brother again, and this time, I would get answers to all my questions.
With newfound energy, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and rose, heading slowly toward the bathroom to freshen up. After brushing my teeth, I took a quick bath, as I didn’t want to waste unnecessary time.
When I came out of the bathroom, I found Ansell sitting on the bed with food, patiently waiting for me. I could see dark circles under his eyes which were clearly showing that he hadn’t slept the whole night and likely hadn’t eaten anything either.
Walking to the bed, I sat in front of the food tray and folded my legs. I knew what I needed to do to meet my brother. The desire to meet him made me take the first bite immediately while he stared at me.
I was eating in haste without caring that his eyes were on me all the time. In my attempt to finish the food as soon as possible, a little bit slipped out of my lips and before I could lift my hand to wipe it off, his thumb cleaned it.
His gaze lingered on my lips, and my eyes dropped to his forearm, where I noticed dried blood and the letter ‘L’ carved into his skin.
No one else but he himself could do this and it was not there in the morning.
“Why did you do that?” I asked, eyeing the wounds.
“Because of me, you got hurt. That’s why” he said, as if it were something normal.
A shiver ran down my spine and I could feel goosebumps rising on my skin at the mere thought of it.
“You are psycho” I stated bluntly, unable to help but voice the fact.
“Indeed, I am” he replied, his gaze locking with mine. “And whatever sanity I have left, it’s because of you”
I moved my face away from his thumb and focused on finishing my food. Once I was done, he brought me tablets and a glass full of water. Without throwing a tantrum, I accepted it from him and gulped it down.
After doing what I expected, I looked up at him with the hope of keeping his promise and taking me to my brother.
I know he didn’t win me to meet William but now he was bound by his promise and I know that he is a man of his words.
Giving me a long look he pulled out his phone and dialed a number, before ordering over the call.
“Get him cleaned up and give him a bath. Someone is coming to see him”