After the incident with Leon, I found myself staying in the hospital for a few more days to recover from my injuries. The pain gradually became bearable, and I regained the ability to do basic things on my own, which made me feel happy and more independent. During my hospital stay, Ace, Alex, and Cher visited me every day, providing me with much-needed emotional support.
I couldn't help but feel relieved that the boys behaved themselves whenever Cher was around. It was a comforting thought, considering the complications that could arise given my recent intimate encounters with both of her brothers. However, I knew I had to eventually tell my best friend about what happened, but the timing and the right words to explain it all seemed daunting.
Finally, the day came when I was discharged from the hospital. To my surprise, they insisted I return to the mansion where Cher used to live, even though I protested against on several occasions. They explained it was for my safety, and deep down, I knew they were right. As long as Leon remained on the loose, I couldn't help but fear for my life.
As I packed my things, I couldn't shake off the feeling of disbelief and regret about being involved with someone like Leon. "I can't believe I was with that scum bag," I muttered to myself.
"Are you ready to leave?" Cher asked with a warm smile as she entered the hospital room. I managed to nod my head in response, relieved to finally be discharged. "I am, can we get McDonald's on our way home?" I requested, craving some comfort food after the ordeal I had been through.
Cher chuckled at my request, "Of course! I'll tell Alex to make a stop at the drive-thru." Her presence and humor were a welcome distraction amidst the seriousness of the situation. "Alex is picking us up?" I asked, a bit surprised. Cher nodded affirmatively, "Yes, he insisted on it. Ace is busy preparing the room for you in the mansion. My parents are currently out of town, so you and my brothers will have the whole place to yourselves."
Oh no. This is not good. I can already see how this is going to end.
Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts. Stay away from the boys and they will stay away from you I told myself in my head.
"You girls ready to leave?" Alex's voice boomed as he entered the hospital room, drawing my attention to his appearance. Alex looked incredibly handsome and fresh, wearing a stylish black leather jacket over a crisp white shirt and dark jeans that fit him perfectly. His confidence exuded charm, making it easy to see why he was so popular with people around him. Despite the no-smoking rule in the hospital, he had a lit cigarette in his hand, seemingly unfazed by the restriction.
"There's a no smoking rule," I pointed out, gesturing towards the poster on the wall beside him. Alex lazily smiled at me, taking a casual drag of his cigarette. "That's if you read it. I didn't read it," he replied nonchalantly, as if rules were meant to be broken. I rolled my eyes, knowing it was futile to argue with him about it.
As we made our way out of the hospital, Alex showed his gentlemanly side by holding the door open for me, which I appreciated.
"Stop at McDonald's, Lily wants a burger," Cher instructed Alex as we were driving home. "McDonald's is unhealthy. You need to eat something with vitamins and proteins for fast recovery," Alex retorted, although he still turned into the drive-thru of McDonald's per Cher's request.
"Don't play doctor here, Alex. That's Ace's job," Cher teased, emphasizing her brother's area of expertise.
At the drive-thru, I placed my order for some fries and burgers, craving the comfort food after my hospital stay. Once we had our food, we continued on our way home.
As we pulled up to the mansion, I gasped in awe at the sight that greeted me. The hallway was adorned with a stunning display of a million sunflowers and roses, stretching all the way to the stairs and leading to the room I would be staying in. It was a grand gesture that took my breath away, and I could feel the love and care Ace put into arranging such a beautiful welcome for me.
"He literally went all out," I said, amazed by Ace's thoughtfulness. Cher smiled fondly, nodding in agreement. "He's always been that way, going above and beyond for the people he cares about," she said proudly, clearly touched by her brother's gesture.
"He is such a fanatic," Alex commented, referring to Ace's grand gesture of adorning the mansion with an abundance of flowers to welcome me home. The flowers were a breathtaking sight, and I couldn't help but appreciate the thoughtfulness behind it.
"Please, she almost died. The least she deserves are flowers," Ace defended his actions, emphasizing that the gesture was a way of expressing his concern and care for me.
"Welcome home, Lily," Ace greeted me warmly. "Thank you," I replied, feeling grateful for their support during my hospital stay.
Alex, being the considerate one, offered to help me bring all my belongings upstairs while I settled into the kitchen, eager to devour my McDonald's meal. The comfort food tasted even better after a long day, and it felt great to be back in the familiar surroundings of the mansion.
After finishing my meal, fatigue washed over me. "I think I'm heading to bed early," I announced to Cher, who nodded in understanding. "Good night, sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, her caring nature shining through.
I bid goodnight to the others and made my way upstairs to my room. The room was cozy and beautifully arranged, thanks to Ace's efforts. Taking a moment to appreciate the serene atmosphere, I decided to unwind with a shower.
The warm water cascaded over me, soothing my tired muscles and washing away the day's stress. I took my time, indulging in the calming sensation. As I stepped out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and moved to the vanity to carry out my skincare routine.
I carefully applied moisturizer, feeling a sense of self-care as I pampered my skin. The events of the past few days had been emotionally taxing, and taking care of myself felt like a small but necessary act of self-love.
With my skincare routine completed, I changed into comfortable pajamas and settled into the soft sheets of the bed. The room was dimly lit, creating a cozy ambiance that encouraged relaxation.
Lying there, I reflected on the past few days' events-the hospital stay, the time spent with Cher, Alex, and Ace, and the unexpected connections that had formed. It was both exhilarating and overwhelming, and I couldn't help but wonder what the future held.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude for the support I had received from Cher and the boys.
Suddenly, I woke up in the middle of the night, my heart pounding rapidly from the haunting nightmare of Leon. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself, whispering "Breathe" as a reminder to stay composed. My throat felt dry, and I realized I was thirsty. Deciding to get a glass of water, I slowly got out of bed and quietly made my way to the kitchen.
As I neared the kitchen, my senses heightened when I heard faint noises coming from inside. Panic began to set in, and my mind raced with thoughts of possible intruders. "Oh my god, is there a burglar in the house?" I questioned myself, not wanting to wake up the boys if it turned out to be a harmless sound.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I took off my slippers, trying to move as silently as possible. I tiptoed my way into the kitchen, the darkness adding to the sense of mystery and unease. The noise became more audible as I approached, sounding like someone was banging on something, perhaps a table.
My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I prepared to confront whatever awaited me in the kitchen. The adrenaline surged through my veins, my mind filled with various scenarios. "What if it's just a mouse?" I pondered, trying to rationalize the situation, but the fear still gripped me.
Summoning all my courage, I took a deep breath and gathered my strength to face whatever was causing the commotion. With a swift move, I jumped into the kitchen and yelled, "Ayyyy!" It was a combination of fear and an attempt to startle whatever was there.
To my surprise, the noise abruptly stopped, and in the dim light, I saw a figure standing by the counter. My heart was still racing, but as my eyes adjusted, I recognized the silhouette of Ace.
A naked Ace.
"Lily? What are you doing here?" Ace asked, clearly taken aback by my sudden appearance.
My mouth fell wide open.
There on the kitchen counter, Ace was fucking another girl.