The expensive mistake.

Awake

Tricelle’s eyes fluttered open, the sterile smell of antiseptic filling her senses. It felt like awakening from a deep, unsettling dream, but the heavy weight on her chest told her this was all too real.

Blinking against the harsh fluorescent lights, she caught glimpses of white walls and faint beeping machines. She was in a hospital, and confusion enveloped her like a thick fog.

As memories gradually pieced themselves together, a flash of chaos invaded her mind. She remembered the man, the sharp pain, and the chilling realization that her life was on a thread. But what came after was a blank canvas, overshadowed by the piercing stab wound that had almost taken her from the world.

“Welcome back,” a soft voice broke into her thoughts. It was a brunette doctor, her face a mixture of concern and relief. “You gave us quite a scare. You’re lucky I and surgeons got to you in time.” The doctor stood near the bed watching Tricelle.

"I am Doctor Elene."

“W-what happened?” Tricelle croaked, her throat dry and scratchy.

“You were attacked. Stabbed, to be precise,” the doctor replied, her tone calming. "You’ve been unconscious for a few days. Mr Black was by your side the whole time, but—"

“Mr Black?” Tricelle interrupted, her heart sinking. Did he see her like this? She felt embarrassed and vulnerable, she was always in control of her own life, and now she lay there alone.

“Yes, he has been in and out since you arrived.” The doctor hesitated, her expression revealing more than words ever could.

“Many people were worried about you. Your coworkers, friends, family… But it seems no one slipped in to visit except for—”

“Eric.” Tricelle’s heart raced as spoke his name. He had come into her life so suddenly, and yet he stayed… “Why?” She whispered to herself.

She hadn't been able to forget Eric's captivating azure eyes and the charm that masked a more dangerous allure... Despite the dangers, she felt an inexplicable connection to him. But was it just the thrill of the chase?

“Can I see him?” she asked her voice steadier than she felt.

The doctor hesitated, casting a worried glance at the door. “I believe, that his going to storm in at any minute… I texted them as soon as you woke up.”

Tricelle looked around the room, on the table near her bed was a single vase with Iris flowers. The beautiful light blue flowers, seemed to make the room seem more...safe.

“ Did anyone else come?” Tricelle asked looking at the flowers.

“Like I said, your family… didn’t visit. Just Mr Black.”

Determined footsteps, came closer from a distance, Elene glanced at the door.

Eric appeared, cloaked in an aura of power and relief. He looked out of place in his tailored suit among the crisp white sheets and sterile environment yet utterly at home in his skin.

His handsome features were etched with concern as he stepped closer to her bedside. “Tricelle,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “You're awake...”

Doctor Elene glanced between the two and smiled.

"I have a few rounds to make, I will leave you for now." Eric gave her an appreciative nod before the left the room.

Tricelle watched Eric for a few seconds before she spoke.

“Can I ask you a question, I heard your voice in my dreams, were you here when I was awake?”

Eric smiled, “You gave me a direct order to go and get Mister Fuzz”

Tricelle, shocked tried sitting up, but the pain in her side made her groan in pain.

“Slow down!” Eric sounded concerned and angry at the same time.

“My cat!” Tricelle gasped trying to ignore the pain.

“He is safe and taken care of.”

Tricelle looked at him surprised. “How?”

“I have my ways,” he said, not elaborating further. His hands found hers, warm and steady. “You shouldn’t have been attacked. You could have—”

“Died?” she interrupted, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “You don’t get to be angry with me, Eric. Just because I’m tangled up in your world doesn’t mean I wanted this!”

Eric froze, his eyes narrowing. “How do you know this was because of me?”

“Why else? Since I met you, my life has been spiraling out of control.”

“I wasn’t the one who put you in danger, the lawsuit, your family, your father’s murder everything was going to happen with me or without me,” he shot back, his eyes darkening. “You’re not just a pawn in the game. You mean something to me.”

"Murder?" Tricelle said her brow raised.

"Sorry accident." Eric corrected himself.

Tricelle felt too weak to ask him what he meant.

“Why did you come? If no one else cared to check in…”

“Haven’t you figured it out?” he murmured, his gaze piercing into hers. “You intrigue me. I came because I was worried, and I want to help.”

The weight of his confession tugged at her heart, intertwining hope with fear. “And what do you feel, Eric?”

He leaned closer, his voice a seductive whisper. “That you’re unlike anyone else I’ve met. In a world where loyalty is scarce, you’re the one I would protect—at all costs.”

Tricelle searched his eyes, and beneath the veneer of a ruthless mafia boss, she saw a vulnerable soul, someone willing to fight for her

She looked away when the tension between them became too much.

“I love the flowers.” She said trying to move the conversation.

“I know, I noticed your bedroom was light blue, so I figured that it was your favorite color.”

“You saw my room?” She asked curious.

“Well, you just told me, Mister Fuzz… So I and Anton went to investigate what it meant.” Eric said with a grin.

"I want my cat..."Tricelle said with a hint of sadness.

Tricelle started to feel dreadful, about her apartment. She couldn’t go back. Everything seemed to be unraveling before her eyes.

“I want to get out of here,” Tricelle said barely in a whisper.

With a solemn resolve crossing his face, Eric nodded. “I’ll do whatever it takes. But you have to promise me one thing.”

“What?” she asked, fear mixing with anticipation.

“Promise me that when you’re ready to walk into my world, you won’t be afraid. Because I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Tricelle smiled, the thought of him caring about her made her heart skip a beat.

“I just need to phone, my mother or Anne… I can’t go back to my apartment.

Eric’s face hardened.

“No.” He said his voice hard. “They can go to hell.”

Tricelle stared at him, she knew he was right, but what choice did she have?

“I can take care of myself,” she shot back, the defiance swelling within her, even as the fear nipped at her heels.

He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. “This isn’t a debate. I don’t want to force you. But staying with me is safer.” There was a vulnerability in his voice that caught her off guard.

Tricelle swallowed hard. “And what makes you think I want to stay with you? You may be a protector, but you’re also dangerous.”

“True,” he conceded, a hint of a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “But I promise you, I’m only dangerous to those who pose a threat to you.”

There was a devilish charm in Eric’s smile, and Tricelle felt an uncharacteristic flutter in her stomach. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“It’s supposed to make you trust me,” Eric replied, his tone softening.

“You’ve seen what could happen if you’re alone. You could have died that night. I won’t let that happen again.”

A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered the menacing smile on the stranger's face, as plunged the knife into her side.

Eric's presence felt both reassuring and overwhelming, a paradox that tugged at her heart. She lowered her gaze, contemplating the gravity of her next words.

“I will stay with you… but we are … keeping our distance from each other, no more …deals.” Tricelle said softly.

Eric smiled at her choice of words.

“I will seal no more deals,” Eric said with a grin as he leaned forward, his face inches from hers.

“Deal?”