"There is only one kind of shock worse than the totally unexpected: the expected for which one has refused to prepare."― Mary Renault, The Charioteer

Fulminate (v)- Cause to explode violently with loud noise.

Adrianna's POV:

I stood there; frozen, unmoving.

My limbs were seemingly stuck to the floor as I took in the woman in front of me with widened eyes.

She was dark haired, a bored expression plastered on her face as she scrutinized me with narrowed eyes. Her skin perfectly tanned, her red lips pursed in a thin line.

She seemed rich as she was dressed in immaculacy. A white sleeveless dress, a Chanel bag clasped in her arms. Her cold blue eyes screamed of pretentiousness. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt.

My eyes traveled down. A pair of cream Louboutin shoes adorned her feet.

Whoever she was, she was rich and pompous. I had never seen her around before.

"Who are you?" She raised an eyebrow as she threw the question at me nonchalantly, her voice held a mocking edge to it.

I decided that I didn't like her.

"I am the personal nurse to Mr. Ares Estevan," I introduced myself politely, "May I ask you who you may be?"

A taunting smirk graced the corner of her lips.

So, she was the kind of person who liked to think of themselves as high and mighty.

"Nurse huh? You're so young..." She sighed, "I am Britney Davis. You can call me Ms. Davis."

My mind connected the dots instantaneously.

She was Ares' ex.

It was my turn to narrow my eyes and examine her like a hawk.

This was the bitch that left Ares because he had gone blind.

I knew something wasn't right from the moment she decided to ruin my day with her presence.

"I am Adrianna Campbell, Mr. Estevan's personal caregiver," I mimicked her smile, which caused her smile to drop and make her glare.

"I am sorry?" She blinked.

Was she thick in her head, "I am his nurse, caregiver, whatever you wanna call it."

The expression on her face was comical. If it wasn't for the shoo-the-bitch-away situation, I would have laughed and toppled onto the ground.

"I see you you guys have met each other,"

Archer's voice travelled, causing me to look back.

The brothers descended down the stairs, Ares looking more regal than ever as he carried himself gracefully. My mouth watered immediately as I recalled the events from two days ago.

I remembered being so delightfully sore after his spanking session. I had to admit, the red marks looked pretty good on my ass. The mark was probably still there. He was so amazingly rough.

"Ares!" I cringed at her high pitched voice as I felt her shoving me and launching herself straight to his arms.

Fury pumped within me as I glared a hole at the back of her head. Archer just stood awkwardly, his eyes darting from me to the hugging couple.

"Britney," He rasped in that sinful voice of his, the same voice that made me want to drop my panties and say 'Give it to me daddy'.

The fact that this bitch was his girlfriend, made my blood boil.

She was hugging him, he was calling her by her name. She had the privilege of hearing her name without masked nonchalance or disapproval.

Call me immature, but hey I was supposed to be the main girl here. I refused to be the side character.

It wasn't supposed to happen. Nopitty N.O.P.E.

She stuck on him like a leech, rubbing her face on his white shirt clad bicep. Archer cleared his throat awkwardly as she finally pulled back and let my man breathe.

"I missed you so much!" She exclaimed in a honeyed voice.

See, the thing is, I never called women bitch. It went against my morals. I was a bitch myself, I believed that being a bitch came with a privilege, the possibility of everyone respecting you and take you seriously when the time came.

Hypocrisy was where I drew the line to this small pledge of mine.

Britney was a hypocrite, I couldn't tell if Ares thought it too but I knew that from his face that he wasn't very comfortable with her presence.

"Uh- Britney, why don't we talk upstairs?" Ares said uncomfortably, his body rigid.

"At least let me hug you for a little while more," She pouted, "I am quite enjoying it here."

"The man is clearly uncomfortable," I glared at her as I crossed my arms. She looked taken aback, but quickly masked her shock with a scowl.

"Who are you to interrupt us?" She questioned.

"I am his nurse and it's my duty to look after him."

She rolled her eyes, "Ares, can't you tell her something?"

"Adrianna is right," Archer decided to cut in after what seemed like a long time, "Let's get you settled and then we can talk-"

"Settled?"

"Archer!" Britney gasped, "Did you forget to mention that I am here for two days?"

My eyes snapped towards Archer who was now sheepishly scratching the back of his neck, "Oops?"

Oh the merry!

I scowled at the woman who was probably far older than me but acted like a teenager in general as she went back to hugging Ares.

Let's just pray I don't commit a murder meanwhile.

__________________________

"The house looks so much better than the last time I saw it!" Britney exclaimed as she eyed the huge chandelier in excitement. I rolled my eyes as I followed them closely, my hands clenched tight.

She's saying all those display of luxury and she has never seen a chandelier in her whole life?

Please.

She was such an ass-kisser.

"Thank you," Archer piped up, "I renovated it."

My eyes darted to Ares who was oddly quiet. He just seemed to be lost in his own world, his world of darkness.

I frowned.

I looked at Britney again who was subtly touching Ares' arm as they walked together to his room. Ares was stiff, no signs of comfort whatsoever.

Her advances weren't unnoticed, in fact, I kept her under rigid scrutiny. If she tried to do something else, I would rip her hair off.

"Oh," Her voice went flat, "I guess it's beautiful. Ares, do you still take that evening walk everyday? Visit the lake? It used to be our favorite hangout spot."

My skin scorched as I heard her words.

I knew what she was trying to do. It was an old psychological trick. Evoking beautiful memories and deceiving a person into believing that everything was still the same.

Often used by the toxic person in a certain relationship.

"No," Came Ares' straightforward answer.

I knew Ares wasn't interested in her as of now whatsoever, his body language and monosyllabic answers to whatever rubbish question she asked was enough giveaway.

My eyes darted to the woman who was clinging to him like a fucking ape and all I wanted to do was to kick her and leave a hickey on his neck so that she knew he was supposed to be my fuck.

"Uh, Ares, don't you think it's a bit crowded here?" She questioned sweetly all while shooting daggers at me through her eyes, a favor I returned with 100 times more intensity.

Archer kept quiet, probably sensing the tension in the air that could be cut through a knife.

Ares raised an eyebrow, "Do you want to go to a place that's quieter?"

"I think we should discuss everything in your room, I have a lot to tell you," She purred.

"I suppose so," He sighed, "Archer, Ms. Campbell. If you'll excuse us?"

Britney tilted her head and shot me a smirk.

I swear to god if she decides to provoke me one more t-

"Okay brother," I looked at Archer with disbelief. Surely, he wasn't going to leave his beloved brother with this witch?

Archer gave me a nudge as he decided to walk.

I fell along with his steps, tilting my head one more time to see Ares entering his room along with Britney.

"They'll be fine," Archer assured me, but something was telling me that it wasn't going to be fine.

Ares suffered from PTSD, it was clear the night he had nightmares.

Britney was a part of his trauma too. A lover who had left him when he needed her the most. Him being in that room with her only added to my worries.

She might trigger him.

"I highly doubt that," I mumbled, "I am worried."

"Hey, Adri," Archer's soft voice did nothing to ease my nerves. I looked up to find admiration shining in his beautiful grey eyes, "It's alright. I know you are really worried for Ares and being his nurse it's your responsibility to look after him, but I believe this is something he has to face himself."

I disagree.

Ares was strong, he didn't need anyone to fight his battles, but still, that didn't mean he didn't need assistance. Even someone so strong as him needed a company.

Someone who could help him fighting the demons in his head.

That was why I was here, to help him fight.

"I will be in my room," I muttered as I headed to the opposite direction of Ares' room, to mine,

"See you later."

"See you," He shot me a charming smile as he made his way down the stairs.

I kept my eyes trailed over him as he hurriedly made his way down the stairs.

As his form disappeared behind a column, I hurried to the opposite side of the story, where Ares' door was located.

I let out a sigh as I pressed my ear on the closed door.

"...so what Ares? It still doesn't change the fact he was your brother..."

Brother?

"....Was, Britney. He is no more. I don't want to hear anything about him. He died 13 years ago."

"....At least have some respect and pay his memorial a visit... I knew that Liam was forging papers, are you still mad at him after all these years? I want us to get us back, Ares. As a business partner and partners."

My fists clenched.

Same old 'take me back I have changed' drama. I watched enough soap operas to know how these things worked.

"...He was greedy. I just want to remove them from my memories. Why must you do this to me? I don't want those back, is it so hard to understand?"

"Why Ares? I admit that I made a small mistake, I left you and I am sorry for that. We were so good together. I admit it took me some time to figure out what I wanted. I want you, I want us. We were so powerful together, we were the subject of envy-"

"Are you done?"

A moment of silence ensued.

"No! I am not done! Ares, please think about it, I know it might be hard for you to manage the company-"

She was pushing it now.

"It's not hard for me, Britney. I am blind, not comatose or suffer from a memory loss. I can manage myself and the company fairly well."

"I hate the fact that you try to do everything alone despite the fact that you are clearly not okay! Ares, please. I am here to make amends. I know I did a mistake, it was solely out of vengeance-"

"Why do you get to be vengeful? I am the one who's suffered, I am the one who lost half of my family, I am the one who lost my eyesight.... Why does people around me get to decide how should I feel and how should I be taken advantage of!?"

"Do you not think I suffered too?! I bore with you for a long time, with your condition and all-"

That was it.

Scarlet enveloped my vision as I gritted my teeth, slamming the door open. Britney seemed taken aback, whereas Ares just seemed.... beaten.

"Get the fuck out," I gritted out, "You are harming my patient."

"Excuse me?! I am trying to converse here-"

"If I report to his foundation that a seemingly lunatic woman is causing him discomfort, it might earn you a shiny and hefty lawsuit. Before, I am compelled to take that step," I breathed, clenching my jaw, "Get the fuck out. Now."

She huffed, mostly in disbelief, darting her eyes from me to Ares.

"Okay fine!" She huffed, "When this kid is done, call me. We will talk like mature adults."

I crossed my arms.

She walked past me, keeping her glare on me.
"You can speak to him all you wish," She halted in her steps, tilting her head to me, meeting my eyes, "As long as it is done like a civilized person."

"And you will teach me what civility is Ms. Andria?"

"Judging from your conversation earlier, you do need a proper lesson in manner and etiquette," I narrowed my eyes, "I would be more than happy to teach you that."

"Y-You!" She huffed, her sneer was soon replaced by a smirk of her own, "I know you are attracted to Ares. Do you hope that this can take you to his bed, hm?"

I gritted my teeth. I wasn't protecting him because I wanted to sleep with him.

I was protecting him because he had fought long enough.

"I don't need to stand up for someone for them to take me to their bed, Ms. David," I purposely misspelled her name, "You would be lying to yourself if you believe otherwise."

Over the years I had learnt to master the art of intimidation. It was a necessary tool to survive in a world full of wolves awaiting their prey.

Intimidation lurked underneath one's eyes.

And I was more than happy to use it on her.

"You are just a mere nurse," She spat the words like caring for people was a lowly profession, "If you are hoping to bed Ares and woo him to secure your future, you are direly wrong. Ares isn't someone like that."

"It might be something you are used to," I shrugged, "Not me."

"Whatever bitch," She rolled her eyes and walked away.

I let out a sigh, letting myself into the room, taking in the gloomy interior.

"Ares?" My voice was a shaky whisper as I looked around, taking in the neatly arranged interior.

"You were eavesdropping,"Came his hushed voice from behind me. I turned and saw him exiting the balcony.

"I was worried."

"Why does everyone feel the utter necessity to interrupt in my life when it's not their cue?" He clenched his jaw as he leaned on the sofa.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, "I didn't want her to trigger you."

"It wasn't necessary," He gritted out.

"It absolutely was," I gulped as I took slow steps towards him, "She was behaving in an inappropriate manner."

"You are too brave for your own good," He sighed, "Like a little firecracker. Don't you think I am well enough to handle myself?"

I licked my lips as I walked towards him. His hands rested on the backrest of the sofa as one of his hands was tucked into the pocket of his black pants.

"Whatever she said, it's not true," I tried to keep my voice steady, but failed.

He remained quiet.

"She didn't suffer. You did. You lost your family, your eyesight- probably along with a lot more things."

I took a deep breath.

"It's okay to let go sometimes, Ares. It's okay not to be strong the whole time. It's okay not to be courteous to someone who has hurt you. You have fought long enough. You don't have to suffer alone."

He tilted his head, a shadow was casted over him. He looked trapped in his head, as if an illusion of memories surrounded him.

"Ares-"

"Often I think it was better to die."

I halted, my eyes widening. The surrounding became awfully quiet as the sound of my heartbeat became deafening in my ears.

"Often I wish for death. It would be easier than this."

I clenched my fists. The tip of my toes felt as if they had been prickled.

Without words, his hand came up as he slowly unclasped his mask.

My mouth fell agape as he slowly lifted his head, the light illuminating the right side of his face.

My eyes widened as I took him in.

Flesh.

All I saw was visible flesh, covered by a thin skin that looked artificial.

It was burnt, distorted- yet it looked like it had undergone some cosmetic surgeries, the bone structure was intact, the muscles were a bit hollow.

He was presenting the rawest part of him. The most vulnerable part of him, the one he hid behind his mask.

He was still magnificent.

"Sometimes, I am grateful that I didn't have to see this with my own eyes," Ares mumbled, his face remained cold, yet I could see the self pity shining in his eyes.

"Take a good look, Ms. Campbell and then tell me if she, too, suffered or not."

What could I possibly say?

Whatever I would say, even if it was truth, he wouldn't believe me.

The truth was, he was still one of the most beautiful human being I had ever the opportunity to lay my eyes on.

He was still Ares. The man who lived in my mind.

"You are still beautiful, Ares," I whispered, "Trust me."

"I am tired of liars, Ms. Campbell. The last thing I need is your pity and a lie out of it."

"I would never pity you," I was on the verge of tears, I didn't know why, but him pitying himself bothered me a lot, "You saved me once. I know that you are strong enough. Why would you need my pity?"

Without giving him an opportunity to utter another word, I strode towards him, until only a hairbreadth distance remained between us.

A moment of silence passed as I felt his warm, labored breath fanning my forehead. I reached out and gently touched his marred flesh with my fingers, tracing every rough edges.

I could hear my heartbeat mingling along with his.

I needed to let him know that I meant every word I had said. He had to believe me.

My heart palpitated frantically as I stood on my tippy toes and pressed my cold lips to his warm ones.

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It's 4:11 AM. Idk what I just did. Will probably edit it out later.

Pls comment and vote.