The expo is background noise. I don't care about revolutionary machinery anymore. I don't care to even enjoy Jace on the screen. The call ended all my interest. I focus on my hands and channel the anger surging within. How could he be so dumb? I'm seeing him and no one else. How could he be that mean to me??

I thought he would understand...but he made his own narrative. I hate him! Why would he think that low of me? Why would he hurt me like that? If he loves me...he needs to act like it.

I brood until the sun sets. The strawberry orange sky hold patchy clouds. The muffled ocean writhes. The captivating scenery removes me from reality and into a wonderland. The mansion is high off the ground. It overlooks the beach. I strain my neck as far as possible to see how low it drops. I'm unable to see past the wrap-around deck.

There's a recap of all the expo announcements on the TV. There were 25 in total; each is on a ranked list.

"Now, the sea-pactor has to go as number one as groundbreaking, but there are some doozies." The broadcaster laughs harshly. "The pfilter is, of course, last on the list. It has a horrible design, way too bulky, and will affect the environment worse than actual plastic!" The guy is riled up about this. "But, let me not get ahead of myself. The ranking will continue right after these sponsored messages." A Tesla commercial plays on the screen.

The room's door pulls inward. Helen comes in with dinner. Spaghetti, cheesy broccoli, steak, and a slice of freshly baked bread. She sets up a dinner tray across my lap. When the food is placed atop it, she asks, "would you care for a drink?"

"Yes, I could use some wine." I give a half smile.

"Mr. Harrison will be in shortly." When she exits, I put my hair down, swoop it behind my shoulders. Then tend to my face. There's not much I can do since there are no face wipes. I rub my eye area in case there's crust, then use a napkin to pat my face. I sigh.

There's nothing much I can do with these bandages. I check the smell of my breath. I'm good. The sound of footsteps from the hall sends my nerves into a spiral. I breathe heavily. My eyes watch the door apprehensively. My heart hums like a trapped bird.

"Thank you, Helen." I hear Jace outside the door. I twiddle my thumbs hastily and adjust my hair once more before picking up a fork. The sound of the swinging door is intimidating. I keep my eyes on the plate of food. As for my breathing, I try to control it, but the monitor plays the culprit. Its high tone echoes the room. "I thought you were getting better?" His dress shoes tap the floor. Jace walks to the front of the bed and halts.

I glance at him for less than a second; his concerned voice matches his expression. "I am."

"The monitor says otherwise. I'll call my doctors."

"No, I'm okay." I hold eye contact this time. Jace's emerald eyes blink once. He has two glasses of wine in his hands. "I'm just not sure what happened, that's all." I labor my breathing to tame the monitor.

Jace goes to sit the glasses on the bookshelf. "I'll explain everything." He takes off his navy blazer and drapes it across a chair. His Adam's Apple flexes through the cloth of his turtleneck. Jace sits, legs apart and shoulders forward. His hands clasped in front of him. "Your doctor misdiagnosed your head injury as a medication reaction. There was internal bleeding in the brain. Bleeding that was present prior to your coma."

I gaze into his aesthetic eyes. "Did my doctor notify you of this?"

"No, I have an informant."

"Which is just a fancy name for a spy."

"It is." His deep, seamless voice agrees. "The informant kept me aware of your condition and delivered the flowers. Did you like them?"

"I don't understand why you'd have someone spy on me."

"Is it truly spying if the other is worried?" His tender voice befuddles me.

"It is," I reply bluntly.

Jace sits back in the chair and crosses his leg. This position is so picturesque, like he's posing for a modeling shoot. "The hospital's imaging scans failed to detect the inner bleeding. This was either due to negligence or out-of-code tech. My investigator will determine the truth in time. You almost died, Madison. Thank God my team was well equipped...you were close. Our next chat would have been dull. I enjoy your zing too much for that outcome." I scoff and stare down at my plate. "Any more questions?"

"The tip you left me. What did it mean?" I poke the fork into the cheesy broccoli.

"What do you think it meant?" he asks earnestly.

"I'm not sure."

"You must have a theory..."

"I think..." I play with my food like a baby. "I think it meant something more than a tip."

"Tell me what you think it meant." Jace's stare incinerates my skin. I avoid looking at him and decide to glue my sight to the plate of food. I spear the broccoli with the fork. "Madison?"

Butterflies detonate within my stomach. The way he says my name is so distracting. So delicious. I force myself to collect my words. "You know what I'm hinting at...don't make me say it." I keep my eyes down and fend off blushing the best I can.

"You think it meant something sexual?" My cheeks flame...I wish they'd stop. It's embarrassing. "Look at me." He commands. When I don't obey, he leaves the chair and strolls over. I force my sight to stay on the plate and disregard him beside the bed. In my peripheral view, his belt is leveled with my face. His monstrous, unbelievable lower half enraptures my mind. Jace digs a hand into the mattress to support his weight. He leans towards me and uses his other hand to twist my face his way. "You don't listen." He huffs through his nostrils. "The tip was for good conversation. If I wanted sex, I would've gotten it."

"Someone's conceited."

"I prefer the word assertive."

I give a brief laugh. "What makes you so sure I'm that easy?"

"Because you're the one making things sexual." His large, hot hand withdraws from my face. I battle my lids from drooping sensually but fail. Jace grins at how much I yearn for his touch. I can't hide the hunger in my eyes. "And you still are." He mutters. "I wouldn't want you bedridden longer than needed." He straightens his posture, so he's no longer leaning. "Eat."

I drop my fork to defy him; I'm sure to be sassy with it. "No."

Jace examines my lips, then my eyes in a playful manner. "I'm glad you're not lifeless. You were worth the trouble. Are you single?"

"I have a boyfriend."

"Let me guess...that boy from the hospital?"

"His name is Brad."

"No, I used the right term. A man has self-control, not blind rage."

I look him up and down with a scowl. "As if you never lost your temper, don't glorify yourself."

"In my teen years, yes...as an adult, no. In my line of work, willpower is key. There's nothing I can't endure."

"Wow...your ego is inflated." I shake my head. "I feel bad for you."

"Or...maybe you haven't met a real man." Jace simpers.

I watch him walk to snatch his blazer. He swings it around and slips his arms back into it. "You'll be here until my doctors clear a discharge. If there are any errands you require, tell Helen. She'll inform my assistant." The billionaire brings my glass of wine to the nightstand, then steps to the door with his. "Goodnight, darling."

I'm too crossed to respond. I gape at the door once he's gone. Jace has no clue what he's talking about. He doesn't know Brad...or who I haven't met. This is what I meant about him being unrelatable. His wealth has him too arrogant and self-centered.

I glower at the wood door. I finish the plate of food just in time to witness the horizon engulf the sun. The ceiling lights automatically whirl on. I guess they're solar based. The bulbs are golden in tint and broader than a foot's length. I move my plate to the nightstand and grab the wine. A text jingles from my new phone.

Lil: You still okay?

I sip while typing: yeah

Lil: Have you talked to Jace yet?

Me: Yeah

Lil: And?

Me: He explained everything

Lil: How did he know about your condition? Is he actually Tony Stark 🤔😂

Me: 😂😂

He has an informant.

Lil: Informant?? Wth! Do they work at the hospital??

Me: Probably...idk

Lil: Why go that far, tho?

Me: To show off his power 🙄

Lil: Idk...you're alive cus of him; that's more than a power play.

Me: The $500 mystery is solved. It was for good conversation, not sex.

Lil: hmmm 🤔

Me: What?

Lil: I'm trying to figure him out. Has he tried anything?

Me: no

Lil: Did he flirt with you?

Me: A little.

Lil: Did he show any concern?

I anxiously look to the side. If I answer honestly, I'll never hear the end of her trying to match me with him. I'm with Brad and would rather date a humbled man than a smug one. Me: No. I drink a big swig of wine.

Lil: That's odd...considering how much he did for you.

Me: it's just a favor.

Lil: yeah, 🙄 the biggest favor in the world. Did you thank him?

Me: I forgot to...

Lil: Well, you better next time. I threatened him if he didn't save you 😅😅 so make it a double thanks

Me: Will do.

Lil: Text me the address.

Me: Crap 😐 I forgot that too. I'll ask in the morning.

Lil: Alright

Me: I'm gonna head to bed; it's been a long day 🥱

Lil: It has 💞 ttyl

Me: 💞💞

#Romance
#Love