Chapter 3 WOUNDS AND WONDERS!

AIDEN'S POV:

I groaned in pain, the pressure in my arms only growing worse, but I know it is just a matter of time, and I will soon start getting better. But the real trouble wasn't the pain-it was the girl beside me who couldn't keep calm for a second. From the way she stared at the steering wheel, it was obvious she was scared. It seemed like she had never seen blood like this before, but then again, I couldn't help but find it amusing to watch someone react like that to a little mess.

It was a relief she agreed to take me to her house instead of the hospital. Going there wasn't an option. By tomorrow, the wound would heal on its own, so what was the point of going? It would just freak her out more if something miraculous as this happens.

"Humans never cease to amaze me with their inability to believe that our kinds exist. " I muttered under my breath.

After driving for a while, we turned onto a remote road, passing through rundown houses and rough terrain. I was too tired to care, and honestly, the wound would be gone by morning. I lost track of time, my mind wandering, not realizing I had dozed off until I heard her voice.

"Hey," she called, her voice cutting through the quiet.

I stayed silent, curious to see how she'd react.

"Hey, can you hear me?" she asked again, panic creeping into her voice.

I didn't respond, but I could still hear her.

"Veronica always says that I'll get myself into trouble I'll never be able to escape from by acting without thinking. The day is finally here, now I have a dead man in my car," she said to herself.

I could sense the panic in her voice.

"What do I do now?" she continued, sounding desperate. "I can't spend the rest of my life in jail... No, no way." Her voice was shaky. "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness..." she repeated, walking out of the car. With great effort, she opened the door to my side.

"Hey, you-is this how you repay me for rendering to you?," she begged.

I couldn't contain the laughter that bubbled up inside me. "What does that even mean? Is that what you will tell a dead body?" I chuckled.

She looked at me, clearly flustered, but I couldn't help but notice her calm beauty. Her blonde hair framed her face softly, and the glasses she wore added a quiet elegance to her look.

She's a human, Aiden. You can't admire them, a voice inside my head whispered.

"You know what?" she said, her voice dripping with frustration. "I can't help someone in distress and then end up in distress myself!"

I smirked. "The salt and water?" I asked, never one to apologize.

"Very annoying," she muttered under her breath.

I manoeuvred with great effort to get out of the tight, creaky old car. We stood in front of her door while she struggled with the lock.

Does she struggle with everything? First the car and now the door knob I thought, watching her. I couldn't help but feel she knew exactly what I was thinking, though she didn't say a word.

"Sit here," she said, guiding me to a couch the moment we got inside. "I'll be right back."

She disappeared into a small room I assumed was the kitchen. Her sitting room is indeed tiny. Everything about her space was small, and looking around, it hit me that she probably lived hand-to-mouth.

"Uhmm, here. Sorry it took me a while-I had to boil the water," she said, rushing back with a bowl containing water and a small towel on the other hand.

She had changed into something more comfortable gown. The printed skirt she'd worn earlier made her appear bigger, but now I could see she was a curvy woman.

"Keep the water and salt on the table," I instructed, the authority in my voice still there despite the discomfort in my arm.

MIA'S POV:

I couldn't help but stare at him for a moment. The light from the room illuminated his face, and I couldn't stop noticing how handsome he was. His sharp cheekbones made his features even more striking.

"Keep the water and salt on the table," he said, his tone commanding.

The way he spoke so authoritatively made me scoff, but I decided to let it slide. He then took off his stained shirt, revealing his bare chest, and I had to force myself to look away. But occasionally, I couldn't stop glancing at his abs as he cleaned his wound. Even in pain, he still looked incredibly attractive.

"Hold this," he said, handing me the bowl of dirty water and the salt.

Like an idiot, I took it, returning to the kitchen and glancing around my small space, feeling a little embarrassed. I had nothing to offer him. The kitchen was bare. Quickly, I made him a milkshake, grabbing the two slices of bread I had left for breakfast before work tomorrow.

"Hey," I called, walking back to the living room where I found him snooping around, inspecting my humble home.

"You live here alone?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Doesn't look like more than two people could fit here."

His words stung, and I bet he noticed my slight frown. I set the meal in front of him, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Exactly. The house is too small for even one person," I replied, doing my best to brush off the comment.

I was sure he could tell I was bothered because he quickly backtracked. "Look, I didn't mean it like that. I was just..."

"It's fine," I interrupted, trying not to let it get to me. "By now, I've figured out that you're the kind of guy who speaks his mind and likes things done your way."

I sat down at the end of the couch, trying to keep things casual.

"Here, please manage this. I don't have any cooked food in the house," I said, showing his food as I got up , remembering that I had analgesic in the lower cabinet of my cupboard. I stood up, squatting down to retrieve it.