Affair With The Arrogant CEO

He approaches the hospital bed and touches her shoulder gently, like he still couldn’t believe she’s okay. “I hate to leave you like this...” She smiled softly, her heart warms up with joy after what Madelyn had told her. “I’m okay, Ethan. Really, don’t worry.” She tries to give him a thumbs up, but she winced as a sharp pain shoots through her wrist.

“You don’t have to pretend with me. I know you must be in pain.” She smirked, defeatedly. “That’s what all these fun painkillers are for. And I really am fine...” She quickly swipes away the tear that escaped from the corner of her eye. “Just a little emotional.” A wave of sadness swipes her away. Ethan cups her cheek, gently wiping her tears with his thumb. “I’m here for you, Isabella. Whatever you need. Just ask.”

She pursed her lips and coked her head to the side. “If you don’t mind... could you stay with me? I don’t want to be alone tonight.” He smiled, softly and nodded. “Of course. Let me just make some arrangement...” He excused himself and sauntered out. Isabella smiled, as she looked at the ceiling. They had less than two weeks and she had to make the best of it.

A few minutes later, Ethan returns with a wheelchair and an extra blanket. “I have an idea but I need you to trust me.” She nodded as she smiled. “I trust you, with all my heart.” He smiled and leaned in to brush his lips over hers in a sweet kiss. “I can only hope to be worthy of it.”

He carefully helps her out of the bed and into the wheelchair, tucking the blanket in her lap. Then he pushes her out into the hallway. “You sure you know where you’re going?” She asked curiously. She wondered what he had in stock for her. “Honestly, not. But its the journey that matters, right?”

“And the company.” She smiles over her shoulder at him as he pushes her into an elevator. Soon, they arrive at the garden on the top floor. “What’s this place?” Her mouth hangs open as she wanders her eyes around the garden.

“The hospital’s tranquility garden. It’s closed to the public, so we have the whole place to ourselves.” He pushed her to a stop by a water fountain, and the two of them settle on a bench together, the blanket over both of them. “How’re you feeling? Are you cold? Do you need another blanket?” He examines her face to search for any facial expression. “I’m fine. I feel much better now that you’re here.” She leans her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes and taking a shaky breath.

“I just keep thinking... if we’d drafted further into the other lane... if we’d been driving any faster. Ethan, I was so scared. I don’t remember much, but I know I called for you...” Her words stabbed him right in his chest. How could he not be there for her? “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to answer.” He grips around her tightens. “I couldn’t think about anything else until I saw you were okay with my own eyes.” He lifts her knuckles to his lips and gives them a kiss.

“I’m so relieved that you wanted me to stay tonight. I wasn’t sure how I was going to bring myself to leave. “What’d you tell Madelyn?” His eyes darkens, then he shrugs his shoulder. “That I needed to finish taking care of some stuff here, and she should head back without me.” Isabella giggles then bites her lip. “Am I ‘some stuff’ now?” He returns a smile. “No, because I could never ‘finish’ taking care of you. At least, I thought I couldn’t.” He swallows hard, and his gaze grows distant. “You don’t have to think about that. It didn’t happen, okay?” But she could tell from the looks in his eyes that he couldn’t stop thinking about it. “but... what if it had?”

“Then I’d be grateful I met you. I have no regrets, and you shouldn’t either.” He sighed and shook his head. “Isabella, when you say stuff like that... I can’t lose you. I just can’t.” She put her hands on either side of his face, forcing him to loo her directly in the eyes. “You didn’t loose me, Ethan. I’m right here. So you’d better get used to it. Because I’m not going anywhere.” He reaches out to touch her, gently trailing his fingertips over her cheek, her lips.

“I can hardly believe that you’re here, staring at me.” His hand slides to cup the back of her neck, gently guiding her until their forehead were pressed together. “Ethan, make me feel good.”