The CEO's Fated Mute Lover

8. Ariana’s Visit

Rose

I prepared the tub with hot water and added some chopped herbs into it. It would help in soothing Nolan’s body. I gestured to Leah afterward, trying to tell her that Nolan should prepare for his bath.

“Master, the bathtub is ready. You should take a bath, it will soothe your body” Leah said. Nolan smiled in return. I don’t know whether he found what Leah said funny. Grabbing his hands, I walked us to the bathroom. I was about to leave and give him privacy when he held my wrist trying to coax me into joining him.

“Let’s take a bath together. You are also hurt” I wish I can but Leah is behind the doors. And we have other plans to do. I managed to make a disagreement sound before rushing my way outside.

As I shut the door behind me, Leah voice revamped to my eardrum. "Thank God you are able to take care of Master. I can’t imagine what he would have gone through if you were not here with him."

I smiled. Yeah. I'm lucky indeed.

"Sorry for eavesdropping. I saw your notebook. You wrote all sorts of treatment plans. I’m more than convinced you will make him see again”

I nodded in answer. That is the motive. To heal him. What will be the use of my profession if I can’t help him. Knowing the blindness is not permanent.

“But I think you should let him know your plans. You know, so that he will support you in accomplishing your mission ”

She’s right. I should let him know. But then it will raise question. He will ask when did I learn all that. How will I answer all his question.

Don’t worry Rose. You will be able to pull through it. My inner voice assured.

When Nolan got out of the bathroom, I gestured Leah to explain everting to him. “Master, Ma’am has something to tell you” She commenced forming her lips into a thin line.

“What is it about?” he asked as he sat in-front of the vanity mirror. You would think he can see.

“Um..” She spread me a glance nervously. “She wants to perform some treatment on you. It will help your body and maybe your eyesight. It’s a herbal method. We believe that it will help you” he didn’t say anything as Leah finished explaining. Nervousness crept into me. What if he notice something.

“As you can see I’m all better now. And I’ve booked an appointment with my doctor”

“That’s good Master. But sometimes it’s good to try out home remedy too. Who knows it might speed up the recovery process”

“And who said I’m going to recover?” His question made my heart skipped a bit. The question I was dreading to hear.

I gestured to Leah to hold on while I write something down. I passed the paper to her. And she read it out to him. “Master, Ma’am said she believes your blindness is not permanent. She did a research. And knows a little about Chinese techniques. She will try her best to help you as your wife”

I pray it will convince him. I silently prayed. “Is that so? Why didn’t I know anything about that Ariana? Ask her why didn’t she informed me she knows something about medicinal herbs”

Leah and I shared a look. “She didn’t have a chance but she wants you to give her the chance to show you her skills”

“Alright then. Let’s see how it goes” I did a little dance. I don’t why I felt the inner joy.

After Leah left. I performed the needle treatment on him . I rubbed some smashed herbs on his eyes, covering his face with a thin cloth. I know he would feel the coolness of the herb. It will make him feel better. According to what I had learned, needle treatment would usually start to work in 14 days.

After washing off the herbs, I packed the used materials and prepare to take them out and fetch some pills for Nolan when he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"Honey there is something under the bed. Please get it for me."

I did as told. I fished out a small wooden box. It looked exquisite. I wonder what it was. "It belonged to my grandfather. It was actually his most important stamp. If you can find a safe spot and hide it. And please don't mention this to anyone. Will you do this for me?"

I was taken aback by his words. The same stamp Jason wants to take it in his possession. I know how important this stamp is for Nolan. Everything happened before my eyes in the cemetery. I have never expected Nolan would trust me this much and leave it in my hand. I will guard it with my life. Putting the box into my precious medical kit, I decided to find a hiding spot out of the building tomorrow.

**

Morning came and I went to the kitchen, to prepare some herbal soup for Nolan while applying ointment on my forehead. I could still feel the pain on my forehead but didn't allow Nolan to know. I don’t want him to worry. Or much to say to raise question.

I was engrossed in my work when I heard a familiar voice. “My dear sister. How is Nolan?" I was a bit startled as I turned to face my sister.

Ariana was standing right behind me. Arms folded. She always shows up unannounced. “Oh... it slipped off my mind. I’ve forgotten you can't talk." She snatched away my notebook, flicking through the pages.

"My dear, you better try your best to make Nolan recover. Or I'll make sure father sells that crappy little clinic."

I wanted to protest but I don’t want to waste my time. I’m preparing Nolan’s medication.

I poured it on a bowl and proceeded to walk past Ariana when she blocked my way taking the bowl from my hands, "I'll take the soup to him this time. You just stand by and watch. Oh, I may need your help if he notices our differences."

The fact that I couldn’t do anything was killing me inside. Ariana always has that powerful effect on me.

Nolan was seated on his usual chair. He turned towards us as he perceived the fragrance of the soup. smiling.

I couldn't describe the bitterness I felt when I saw how happy Ariana was when she was smiling at Nolan. He had never smiled at her like this. Ariana squatted on the stool next to him and took a hold of his hand before she began feeding him.

I was still standing at the door with a bitter and broken heart. Back in our house, I used to hide in the corner and looked at Nolan secretly when he comes to visit father.

The soup was made to heal Nolan’s eyes and it was quite bitter. I usually give him candy when he finish. But today, I didn't even budge. "Honey. No candies today?" Nolan asked.

Ariana threw me a look. I gestured at the tray where the candy was laying on. She unwrapped it and took it to his lips. Normally, Nolan will hold my hand. So he did that with Ariana giving it a light squeeze.

"Honey I thought your hand was hurt that day"

I remembered there was a cut on the back of my hand. I quickly rushed to them careful with my step. Ripped off the plaster from the back of my hand, and sticked it on Ariana’s other hand.

Ariana exchanged the hand. "Oh it is the other hand. Hope you’re better now? Does it still hurt?"

I couldn't bear to watch anymore. I left the room and went downstairs to the kitchen, eyes filled with tears. It took Ariana more than ten minutes before she finally got downstairs, her eyes were vicious and threatening,

"What did you just do b***h? Did you skip the band-aid thing on purpose? Are you expecting Nolan would recognize me that way? Cinderella and her f*****g band-aids? Remember, Nolan only loves me and he will only marry me. You're nothing but a substitute."

“And stop looking at me with that eyes of yours. Just do your job as soon as possible. I don’t want to wait anymore”

If she knew she would reverse back, she should’ve married him as planned. It’s not like he can see at the moment. Why making me suffer. Knowing I can’t talk. She wants to use that to her advantage.

I only stared at her without saying a thing. I know she hates when I stare at her in some kind way. Whenever she tries to do something to me, I would always stare back at her with my clear green eyes I got from my mom. She pinched my wrist with two pointy fingernails letting out a hiss "What are you looking at mute? Remember your position and don't cross the line. Or I swear I'll destroy you!"

I don’t know how she would do that what I know is that, I won’t allow her to accomplish her task. I won’t let father sell the clinic. That was the only memory and possession I have left to remind me of my grandfather and my mother. Even if I’m not going to get Nolan, I should at least have the clinic in my care. It is very important to me as my own life. Losing it will be the last thing I would do.

When I walked upstairs, I heard Ariana mumbling to herself, "What a fool... Healing a man who would never be hers"

I bite my lower lip and pushed the door open with my elbow. Ariana would never understand how much I love Nolan. I had a crush on him since I could remember . If I can, I will give my eyes to him, not to mention taking care of him every day. I couldn't suppress my tears anymore when I thought of what Ariana said.

Nolan would see again. And when that happens the woman who will be with him would be Ariana. Mistakenly, I let out a sound when tears dropped from my eyes. "Honey why are you crying?" I shook my head and forced out a smile, but Nolan’s fingers somehow touched my forehead.

"Did you get hurt? Why didn't you tell me? How could Cody lie to me?" I wanted to tell him that I was the one that stopped Cody from telling him and it was not Cody's fault, but he can’t see my gestures.

Pulling me into his arms, he pressed his cold lips against my forehead. "I'm sorry Ariana. I couldn't even protect my own wife..." I shook my head. I don’t care how people treat me as long as I will be with him, I’m not afraid of anything as long as he’s here with me.

When I looked up, I saw tears in his eyes. His eyes were as blue as the ocean. I remembered the first time I saw him. He had only been a young boy back then. I remembered myself wondering how could someone have such a striking pair of eyes. His eyes had been so bright and beautiful.

I promised myself secretly that I will bring the starlight back into his eyes again. Nolan suddenly lifted me in his arms, "I know I can't see anything. Would you be my eyes?” He lifted me up bridal style and walked us to the bed. I rested my face against his chest nodding silently.

The way Nolan put me on the bed was so gentle, he traced his fingers from my brows to my lips. My eyes widened. I know in his mind all tenderness and love were all for Ariana. But it doesn’t matter. Right here, right now, I am with him. That was enough for me

Lifting my body up a bit, I connect our lips together.