Chapter 36 "Love emerges."

Elena narrating

After everything that had happened, being stuck in this hospital bed was boring. Damon had left and hadn't returned yet. As I woke up, I searched for him with my eyes, but he was nowhere to be found. As I turned around, I came face to face with a bouquet of lilies and a very sweet note he had left for me. Damn, I was in love, and that was as clear as my silly smile and bright eyes while reading that letter and holding the bouquet he gave me. Despite being a mobster, he could be kind, and I thought he deserved a chance, even after forcing me into marriage.

The nurse entered the room. She was already familiar to me, and we used to chat sometimes during our shifts. She brought a tray with new dressings to be changed once again. Oh, what a hassle! Now I understand the patients; lying in bed is terrible, eating this lousy food, and changing dressings all the time.

"You're a lucky woman, doctor. Besides being handsome, he's also romantic, doesn't let you go, huh?" She looked at the lilies and commented on Damon.

"Yeah, maybe lucky, or maybe not." I smiled.

She helped me take a bath, wash my hair, and then change my dressings. I confess I couldn't wait to get back to Damon's house. I never thought I'd refer to it as "my house," but somehow, we seemed accustomed to each other's presence, even though we couldn't stand each other. It all happened so fast that I couldn't even explain it to anyone, not even to myself, the way we got involved.

Love has never been a priority for me. I've been hurt in this life, abused by others in that horrible place I used to call an orphanage, and I always thought love was just a word invented by humans. In other words, love didn't exist. But he, that blue-eyed mobster, made me see what I thought I'd never see or feel—love.

Yes, maybe it wasn't the most conventional way. It felt like I was in those romantic comedies where the heroine was forced to marry by contract and then fell in love, but it was real.

Feeling his scent provided me with so many different sensations. I thought of him all the time, thought of making love to him, something I'd never done. I wonder how he would be in bed?

I have no idea; I believe he's experienced, but I'm not. I don't know if I should take it that far with Damon, after all, we were married, but none of it was real. Yet, I couldn't stop thinking about being intimate with him. I was going crazy, waking up at night feeling hot, dreaming about him all the time. What the hell was this feeling?

I'm afraid. Afraid to show my vulnerability to him, afraid of him knowing the depths of me. For a long time, I was just a medical student who never knew her parents and always studied to have a better future. My aunt, who's in heaven now, unfortunately, a kind soul who took me out of that orphanage and taught me about values, also taught me that I couldn't just trust people, that I had always been too naive, as Damon says I am. And I'm afraid he'll take advantage of that, take advantage of me, or something.

I tried to look presentable when Damon arrived here, all dressed up, but he didn't show up. I waited for hours, wondering if he had someone else.

Here they come. The unhealthy thoughts - I thought to myself.

I kept thinking about that crappy report about the clinic. It was worrying me so much... I know Damon had to kill that guy, but I was so afraid the clinic would collapse, something I worked so hard for, amidst studying and working. And here we had investors; I depended on them to support this place and save so many lives.

Finally. I saw that tall, handsome man entering the door of the room I was in. Instantly, I smiled shyly, and at the same time, happily. How things change; yesterday I hated him, and now, I want to hug him and never let go. I forgot he was a mobster, the leader of a gang; I forgot everything. I was just being guided by my heart.

"Sorry for the delay; I had to take care of some things," he said.

"Hmm," I replied. "What things?"

"What's wrong?" He laughed. "Where do you think I was, you crazy girl?"

"I don't know. Maybe you got tired of me and found some distraction."

"Elena... stop it. I don't have a distraction. Especially now, when we're starting to understand each other."

"I don't know, Damon. One moment it was just a marriage of convenience, and now we're starting to have feelings involved. And besides, I saw how those women at the party were eyeing you. You're desired, I don't know if we'd work out; it would be hard for you to be faithful."

"I'd be faithful forever for you. If someday, Elena, you are capable of loving me, I'll be waiting for you."

Our eyes met, and I could see the sincerity in his words. It was hard for me to accept that someone could be faithful, especially someone involved in shady business like Damon, but there was something about him that made me want to believe.

"Damon, I don't know if I can..." my voice faltered, and I didn't know what to say.

Before I could continue, he interrupted me with a soft and affectionate kiss. It was as if, at that moment, all my doubts vanished, and I could only feel the connection between us.

"You don't need to say anything now. Let's go at our own pace, no rush. I'll be here, waiting for you, for us," he whispered against my lips.

As we embraced, I realized that life had a curious way of surprising us. A forced marriage that, against all odds, was turning into something much more significant.

From afar, those were the most beautiful words I've ever seen. So, I think I should give him a chance. I know we got to know each other in the wrong way, and he was very rough with me at various moments, but the man who was here now, by my side, couldn't be the same as that night. He deserved a second chance; maybe people deserved a chance to show who they are.

"I can't stand being here in this hospital anymore."

"Calm down, my wife; you'll be discharged soon."

Our gazes met, his mouth fit into mine, and we kissed, for a long time, by the way. I felt one of his hands caressing my arms, while the other held my waist. I didn't care if someone could come in here and see us; I just wanted to enjoy the moment.

I wonder what it would be like if I had rejected the marriage proposal if this kiss hadn't happened. There are so many doubts that only time could answer.

I know many things about mobsters. That they're not good, that they're cruel, murderers, etc., etc. But I tried to believe that he wasn't like that, he was different from all of them.