Chapter 3

I peer through the murky grey blinds of his hospital room. I don't know why I'm hiding, it's not like he can see me. He's asleep, the machines around him working hard to keep him alive. The cut on his head is bandaged and the doctor managed to stop the bleed from the stabbing. If I wasn't there to control the amount of blood he lost, he'd be dead right now.

I study his face noticing how peaceful and innocent he appears when sleeping. His chest rises and falls steadily and I don't know why but I feel relieved. Relieved to see him breathing normally again. I don't even know this man. Alex.

That's what his name is.

I overhead the nurse mentioning it to a doctor previously. Apparently he isn't a stranger to a hospital bed. I can't help but stand there a little longer than I should, I feel drawn to his aura.

Why do I care? Because I saved his life?

He could have been anyone.

I blow out the breath I'm holding, exhaustion washing over my body. My phone begins to buzz inside my pocket and I pull it out, smiling at the screen. I answer the call and lift the phone to my ear.

"Hey Justin."

"Hey baby. Are you done with the police yet? I can't believe you saved some guys life." He chuckles in disbelief on the other end. I was questioned by the police multiple times, repeating over and over again everything that I saw. I nibble on my bottom lip as I continue to watch Alex.

"Yeah, I know. It's crazy. I miss you." I say softly, the sound of his voice causing me to crave his presence.

"Do you want me to come and get you? I can drive you home."

I shake my head, remembering how we'd both been drinking at the restaurant a few hours ago. Neither of us are in a fit state to drive, especially not after tonight. One person almost dying in front of me is enough to last me a lifetime.

"I'll get a taxi, I still feel a little tipsy." I chuckle quietly, reaching up to caress the heart shaped pendant on my necklace. It was a gift from Justin for our first year anniversary. He'd taken me to a restaurant downtown before we took a walk along the beach. That's where he gave me the necklace, I love it. My fingers trail over the smooth chain and I smile, a warm fuzzy feeling settling inside my stomach.

"Do you want to come over and stay at mine?"

I can hear the suggestive tone in his voice and I grin, biting down on my lower lip.

"Sure. I'll see you soon."

"I'll be thinking about you."

With that, he ends the call. I put my phone back into my pocket and run a hand over my face, taking one last look at Alex.

Do I leave a note for when he wakes up?

I shake my head, feeling like an idiot.

"You don't even know him Ariana, get a grip." I mutter, tearing myself away from his window. I walk away before being stopped in my tracks, a figure standing in front of me. I almost collide into their chest and I pause, blinking. He's tall, very tall. I glance up and make eye contact with a pair of dark intense ones. He's older, possibly in his forties with creases around his eyes and mouth. Despite his age, he has thick dark hair, swept back into a short ponytail. His stare is fixated on me, head slightly tilted as he studies me. I take a step back, noticing how his posture and stance screams authority.

Is this a friend of Alex's? Maybe his father?

"I'm sorry," I mutter an apology and step around him, his strong cologne wafting around me. It's too strong and I grimace, the scent giving me the start of a headache.

"Are you the girl who saved Alex?"

I pause, blinking several times before turning back around. He speaks with a heavier accent than Alex but it's almost identical. I can't help but notice he's dressed in all black, gripping onto a leather jacket identical to his sons.

"Yes I am. I'm Ariana." I say quietly, glancing over his shoulder to take another look at Alex. He's still sleeping soundly.

The man holds his hand out towards me, his skin smooth and tanned. I blink in surprise before clasping his hand with mine. His grip is firm and he carries a strong hand shake.

"Thank you Ariana, you saved his life."

I shake my head, shrugging off his words.

"Anyone would have done the same. Anyway I best get going." I say quietly, my gaze dropping to the floor. I don't know what it is, I couldn't hold eye contact with him. His stare unnerved me. He drops my hand and takes a step back, ending the conversation between us.

I take that as my cue to leave.

*****

I briefly fill Justin in on what happened and he pulls me between his legs, wrapping his arms around me. I immediately settle my head against his chest, the sound of his breathing calming my nerves down.

"You're so strong Ariana. I'm glad you weren't hurt. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. Next time I'm walking you straight to your door." His words are firm, serious.

I give him a small smile in response and sigh, the image of Alex lying on the floor in his own blood still flashing through my mind. I need to stop thinking about him, about all the blood.

It isn't healthy.

Instead I pull back and study Justin, a smile on my face. His blue eyes are drinking me in shamelessly, lips tugging upwards into a smirk as he knows what I'm thinking. I reach up and tangle my hands through the strands of his soft brown hair, loving how it feels between my fingers. Justin immediately yanks me further into him, his head dipping low. When his lips crash against mine, he wants access to my mouth straight away. He lets out a low groan and I sigh against his lips, my muscles relaxing.

"I haven't stopped thinking about you, about this." Justin murmurs down my ear, biting the skin and gently tugging it. I close my eyes and enjoy the moment, enjoy him. His kiss causes me to relax further into a sleepy state as I realise how exhausted I am. I rest my head against his shoulder, my eyelids fluttering shut. Justin lets out a disappointed sigh before his arms wrap around me. I can't help but feel bad for him but the events of the night have caught up to me.

I let him lie me back down onto the bed, placing a blanket over my body. Only seconds pass before I drift off into a sleep, Alex's face so vivid and life-like in my mind.