Days blurred together for Ethan, the passage of time lost in a haze of pain and fever. He slept a lot, his brief moments of lucidity punctuated by Thatcher’s gentle ministrations with his medicine or Dr. Lee’s quiet, clinical check-ups.

Diana’s voice reached him daily, a soothing but unintelligible murmur. Yet it was the nights that became his favorites. In his dreams, he felt a smooth, cool hand gliding across his forehead, fingers gently threading through his hair bringing him a sense of relief and calm.

One afternoon, as the sun cast a warm glow through the windows, Ethan stirred from his restless sleep. Diana was by his side, her fingers nrushing his hand.

"How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her voice trembling.

"Better," he mumbled, his voice rough and his throat sore.

"Thank God.I was worried sick about you."

"I'm fine.I will be fine"he lifted himself gently on a pillow while scanning the room "Where is Miss Lacks?"

"Arizona you mean?"she relplied laughing a bit to herself leaning onto a pillow and started whispering
"She is in her office all day,searching for I don't know what.She mumbkes and carries pappers all day but at night she stays with me.We talk a lot.She's wonderful"

"Yes,I suppose so."

Diana looked at him, her eyes shining with gratitude. "She's really helping us, Ethan. She's different from her father. I can see that now."

Ethan sighed, his mind torn between love and suspicion. "I know she's been good to us, but it's hard to forget what her father did."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Arizona walked in, carrying a tray with fresh tea and some light snacks. She smiled warmly at Ethan, her eyes lighting up when she saw him sitting up.

"Good to see you awake, Ethan," she said, placing the tray on the bedside table. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," he replied, his tone guarded but polite.

"Good," Arizona said, her smile wide and luminous."I brought Diana something to snack.You have to take your medicine then young lady and then you know the drill."

"Arizona gave me books to read these days,Ethan.I've been reading them to you every day.I read after my adternoon snack."

Ethan eyes scanned Arizona with suspicion and smiled faintly.

"That's amaizing."

Diana turned to Arizona and asked her on s childlish tone
"If I'm allowed I will take this tea to my room."
"Yes,sure"
Diana stood up in a brief movement and left the room winking mischieviously at Ethan.

"Her room?" Ethan asked suspiciously

Once they were alone, Arizona sat down beside Ethan, her demeanor softening. "She's a bright girl," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Yes, she is," Ethan replied, his gaze meeting Arizona's."I just don't want her to be too keen of this place."

Arizona stood quiet not sure of what to answer.

"Can I go somewhere to freshen up?I really need to wash myself.I feel like I've been în a blur the last days."

"Sure,the bathroom is face to face with this room.Do you need help?"

"No.I can manage."

Arizona watched him with a mix of concern and admiration. As he made his way to the bathroom, she couldn't help but notice the determination in his steps despite his weakened state. She stood by the door, ready to assist if needed.

Inside the bathroom, Ethan looked at his reflection in the mirror, taking in the dark circles under his eyes and the cuts and bruises that marked his face. He turned on the faucet, letting the cool water run over his hands before splashing it onto his face. The sensation was refreshing, bringing a moment of clarity to his foggy mind.

As he cleaned himself up, his thoughts kept drifting back to Arizona. Her kindness and the way she had taken care of Diana stirred something deep within him. He couldn't deny the attraction he felt anymore.

He gathered all his strenght and restrain and made his way back to the  bedroom.He was expecting to find Arizona rehearsing on ways to start a converstion with her.
Instead he was greated by Thatcher's calm gaze
Thatcher brought a tray with dinner and set it down beside Ethan. The aroma of the warm meal was inviting, and Ethan realized just how hungry he was.

"I've brought you some dinner," Thatcher said, his tone gentle. "You need to keep your strength up."

Ethan nodded, grateful. "Thank you, Thatcher."

Thatcher smiled briefly before his expression turned serious. "Arizona wanted me to let you know she's in her office, handling some business. She said she'll check on you later."

Ethan's gaze flickered towards the door, a mixture of curiosity and concern in his eyes. "Is everything alright?"

"She's dealing with a few things to make sure everything stays calm," Thatcher explained. "But don't worry. She's got it under control."

Ethan nodded, though his thoughts were still preoccupied with Arizona. He wanted to talk to her, to thank her properly, but he understood she had responsibilities to manage.

"She really cares about you, you know," Thatcher said quietly begore leaving the room "Arizona. She's been working tirelessly to make sure you both are safe and taken care of.You are not like other lovers she had..."

"I'm not her lover."But before he could finish Thatcer was already long gone

Ethan stared at the closed door, his mind racing. He wasn't Arizona's lover, but Thatcher's words had stirred something within him. The way Arizona had taken care of him, the way she had looked at him—it all felt different, more intimate.

After finishing his dinner, Ethan felt a renewed sense of energy. He decided to check on Diana before settling in for the night. He made his way down the hall to her room, knocking gently before entering.

Diana looked up from her bed, a sleepy smile on her face. "Hey, Ethan."

"Hey, kitty," he replied softly, sitting on the edge of her bed. "How are you feeling?"

"A bit tired," she admitted, rubbing her eyes. "The meds make me sleepy."

Ethan nodded, understanding. "Let's make sure you've taken everything you need for the night.Have you eaten?"
"Yes.Thatcher brought me food,Dear him."

Diana handed him her pill bottle, and Ethan carefully measured out the dose, making sure she swallowed each pill with a sip of water. "There you go. All set."

"Thanks, Ethan," she said, her voice already growing drowsier. "I think I'll sleep now."

"Good idea," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "Get some rest. I'll be right down the hall if you need anything."

"Goodnight," she mumbled, already drifting off.

He returned to his bedroom, the house now wrapped in a peaceful silence and a misterios shadow cast by the city light through the window.
The room was dark and the only light was a small burning tip.He took in the small silhouette standing near the window before breaking the silence.

"Care to share that ciggarette?"

Arizona laughed sofltly answering

"Didn't think you would smoke."

She turned slightly, offering the cigarette. He took it, their fingers brushing briefly in the dim light. He took a drag, the smoke filling his lungs and continued.

"What are you working so hard on?Diana said that you stay in that office all day."

"I try to figure some things out.I need to bring justice."

"How?"

"Oh,let's not talk about this now.It can wait."
She recovered the ciggarette from Etahn and inhaled deeply before whispering.

"I heard you were an English teacher once."

He took a drag from the cigarette, letting the smoke curl around him as he listened to Arizona's question.

"Yeah," Ethan said, exhaling slowly. "I was. But those days feel like a lifetime ago."

"How are you holding up?"

"After my mother died everything changed.I became someone I could not recognize,but it had to be done.Diana needed me there."

He the turned to Arizona analysing her soft features in the moonlight.

"What's with this serious questions?"

"I want to know you better,Ethan,the real you,the one behing this strong mask."

"Then it would be fair if I put some questions,right?"

"I suppose so.."
Ethan took another drag from the cigarette, his gaze fixed on Arizona as he weighed his next words. The room was cloaked in shadows, the only illumination coming from the dim light filtering through the window.

"Alright," he said finally. "Why are you really here, Arizona? I mean, beyond the fact that you’re helping us. What’s driving you to go so far?"

Arizona exhaled a plume of smoke, her eyes searching his face as if weighing her response. "It’s complicated. I guess I’ve been trying to fix things in my own life, and helping you and Diana is part of that. Sometimes, it’s easier to focus on someone else’s problems rather than face your own."

"That's why you bring lovers into your life?"

Arizona caught his gaze curious and smirked

"Are jealous?"

"Not at all.Just pure curiosity"

"Curiosity,huh?"she giggled "Let's say I like to unwind myself somehow when I feel trapped.And I always feel trapped.It's a golden cage being Conrad's daughter,you know?So yes,I did have my fair share of lovers but not since..." she stopped to take the ciggarette bud to the nearby ashtray feeling Ethan's gaze burning her skin.

"What did Lacks made of you?"Ethan mumbled

"He made me the perfect employee.He made me fearless.He made a weapon for business."

Arizona took another drag from the cigarette, her eyes meeting Ethan’s with a mix of vulnerability and defiance. She placed the cigarette in the ashtray, the soft glow illuminating her face.

"I’ve become very good at hiding behind a mask he builded" she said, her voice softening.

Ethan’s gaze remained steady as hr approached her with steady steps

"What’s behind the mask, Arizona?"

Her lips parted as she inhaled deeply,caught off guard by their sudden proximity.
She squinted her eyes trying to figure out the man în front of her and responded with a hint of delight

"Not curious enough to find out?"

"Curious,but still cautious"

She lowered her head starring at her hands, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"You know," Arizona said, her voice almost a whisper, "sometimes it’s easier to stay hidden behind the mask than to face what’s underneath."

Ethan reached out, gently lifting her chin with his fingers so that their eyes met."Let me see the real you.I can't trust you otherwise,Arizona."

Arizona’s eyes locked with his, the vulnerability in her gaze evident. "And what if the real me isn’t what you expect?"

"I think I know how to handle unexpected."

She inhaled deeply, the air between them charged with anticipation. "You’re very direct, you know."

"I’ve learned that sometimes being direct is the best way to understand each other"

"And still you chose to avoid me,to accuse me,to spit words at me."

Ethan's face flustered with shame at the memory of the words he shouted at her,he lowered his gaze and tried to gather his words.

"It hurt me,Ethan,you know...When he beat you ....every blow pierced my heart."

Ethan’s gaze softened as he listened to Arizona’s words. The depth of her emotions was palpable, and he felt a pang of regret for the hurt he had caused her. He reached out, placing a hand gently on her arm.

“I’m sorry for the things I said,” he said quietly. “I was scared. I didn't mean to hurt you.”

Arizona’s eyes met his, her expression a mixture of vulnerability. “I know you were. But it doesn’t change how it felt. I was trying to help, and your anger... it cut deeper than you know.”

Ethan’s touch lingered on her arm  "I’ve been trying to protect Diana and I took it out on you. But now, seeing you here, trying to make things right… I see that I was wrong.”

Arizona’s eyes softened, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “It’s alright. I know your reasons. But if you really want to understand me, then maybe it’s time we both let go of our masks.”

Ethan nodded and sat on the side of the bed

"Fine.You've got my attention,Miss Lacks."

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