Hailey's POV:
When I entered inside the hospital room the first thing I
saw was a white bed where a very fragile and old man
was laying with an oxygen mask on his face.
He was sleeping, his breathing was slow and light.
My eyes beginning to sting with tears when I looked at
him. Just looking at his state reminded me of my
Grandma.
When I was 10 years old my Grandma died, leaving me
all alone in this huge world. She was my only best
friend, my savior and my mentor. She took care of me
like my real mother would have taken. When I was a
baby she was the one who was always there not
Melanie. My mother just started to play a role after
Grandma died.
I was devastated after her death and that lead me to
fell in depression. I was so close to her that her death
broke me apart. The school was already hell and after
her death I started sinking in the depression because
there was no one to console me.
Later I started having nightmares. They were horrific
and every night I had to see that the people I love most
will be leaving me all alone in the world.
And as usual I hid it from everyone and the condition
got worse. My pleas and screams turned so loud at
nights that my mom and dad find out. I had no other
option but to tell them truth.
After that my dad took me to see psychologist and I
was diagnosed of MDD (major depressive disorder). And
I had to take session every week to get better, the
nightmares decreased gradually but they never went
away completely. I still have a fear of losing people I
love and whenever there is death my mind takes me
back to those the past. Sadly, I can't control my mind
while I was asleep.
I was brought out of my thoughts after hearing Chase
voice "Granddad, wake up. Someone is here to meet
you".
Slowly, his granddad opened his eyes and looked at
Chase with confusion. Chase smiled at him and tilted
his head in my direction making his granddad follow his
gaze.
I gave him wide smile and said "Hi".
He removed his oxygen mask and put it on the bed and
I walked closer to his bed.
"Chase who is this pretty girl?". He asked him.
"She is Hailey Edward". Chase said glancing at me. My
heart beat accelerated hearing my change name.
His granddad eyebrows scrunched in confusion so
Chase said "My....wife".
His granddad eyes widened and then a smile broke on
his fragile face.
"Are you David's granddaughter?". He asked me.
"Yes. I am his granddaughter". I replied.
"Great, come sit here". He said making Chase got up
from the chair and telling me to sit.
Chase narrowed his eyes at his granddad and grumbled
something in annoyance. I giggled and planted myself
on the seat so I could be near to his granddad while
talking to him.
"I hope my friend didn't have to point his old pistol on
your head to made you marry my grandson". He said
making me laugh.
"No. He didn't use any villainous trick to persuade me
to marry your grandson. He left the decision on me and
I did what I felt is right". I said.
"Good. I must say I am very happy with both of your
decisions if his grandma was still alive she would be
ecstatic to see you both bind in a beautiful relationship".
He said with the sad smile.
I smiled at him and Chase was thinking about
something hard with his eyes narrowed and deep staring
at nothing particular.
His granddad noticed how Chase has zoned out from
the conversation and rolled his "He is a bit off but I
assure he could be nice when you talk about his favorite
sport football or if you would bake him something that's
made up of chocolate. He has a sweet tooth".
I stored that in my memory, it was the first thing I get
know about Chase Edward.
"He can get upset on small things like a small kid so
you can scold at him if he doesn't cooperate". His
granddad said with mischievous smile.
"Hey! Don't feed her lies". Chase intervened.
His granddad ignored him and proceeded to tell me his
embarrassing stories.
I laughed at every story that his granddad told me
because they were hilarious.
"Now you know what to expect from your children in
future". His granddad said making Chase blush like a
tomato and being a stupid girl I didn't get his joke.
The nurse came to check on him and gave him his
medicine. After few minutes he was asleep and we
decided to leave.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~xxxxxx~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When we came back to the house and Chase
disappeared in his room, leaving me alone. To pass the
time, I watched TV and stayed in the lounge.
We had breakfast fast six hours ago and it's four in the
evening. My stomach was growling for half an hour.
I was scared to ask Chase anything and make him
angry on me. I was sad that he didn't care enough to
ask me if I want lunch or tell me that I can use his
kitchen if I want too.
With no other choice than using a kitchen I went inside
and hoped that my mother-in-law will not get angry on
me for snooping in her kitchen without her permission.
I found some cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pasta and
chicken mince in kitchen.
Cooking and baking is something which I enjoy doing.
When I was kid I used to help my Grandma in the
kitchen a lot.
I boiled the water and put the pasta in it then let it boil
while I cooked the chiken mince in the pan then added
some salt, black pepper, red chillies powder and
chopped garlic with some tomatoes in it.
After that, I prepared the creamy white sauce to pour on
it.
I took out the dish from one of the cabinet and spread
the layer of pasta then poured the minced chicken on it.
After repeating the process until there was no pasta and
minced chicken left.
The last thing was creamy sauce that I poured on top
of it and dusted it with grated cheese.
I put the dish inside the oven then arranged the plates
knifes, fork and spoon on the kitchen counter.
After ten minutes, I pulled out the dish from the oven
and the final product looked something similar to
lasagna and I hoped it will taste as good as it looks.
Should I go and ask him if he wants to eat?
He probably will throw the plate on my face if I disturb
him.
I shook my head and dismissed the thought of asking
him ready to pour some on my plate.
But then I stilled again. It is basically his house, his
food and I should ask him even if he will get mad on
me.
I should go and ask him.
I made my way upstairs and knocked on his doors few
times but didn't receive any answer so I twisted the
doorknob and peeked inside.
Chase was sitting on his bed with some papers and
books spread on his bed. His head was bobbing up and
down that's when I noticed he was wearing
headphones.
He was looking so handsome and concentrated on
whatever he was working on making me stare at him
star struck.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped up and caught me staring at
him. I gulped scared to death as his eyes narrowed at
me.
He removed his headphones and placed them on a bed
then got up and started making his way towards me.
"What are you doing here?". He asked in a stiff voice.
"I....I came here to.... uuh ask you if you want to have
lunch". I asked shuttering and taking a step back from
his bedroom door.
He intimidates me, I don't why? Maybe I'm scared of
him.
But there is also something which push me to get to
know things about him.
He frowned then glanced at the wall clock in his room
and his eyes widened.
"I am really sorry. I was busy with the college
assignment and forgot about lunch. Give me five
minutes I'll order something for you". He said looking
upset.
"No". I said making him frown.
"No?". He questioned with scrunching his eyebrows and
I find this small act cute.
"I have.....prepared something using some food from
your kitchen. Do you want to.... eat with me. If you
don't, I can bring it for you here". I said stuttering.
"No thanks I am not hungry". He replied.
I nodded my head and went back to kitchen with the
sulking face. I wasn't even expecting him to join me
and eat with me.
Picking up the spoon I spooned the small amount of
pasta and placed it on my plate then took the bite. I
sighed in relief when I realized that it doesn't taste bad.
After five minutes I heard footsteps coming down and
Chase appeared in the kitchen.
I was instantly straightened and glanced at him.
He made his way where I was sitting and sat on the
stool across me. Then he glanced at the pasta and
picking up the spoon he took the small amount and
poured it in the empty plate for himself.
I was beyond shocked and forgot that I was eating
before he walked in the kitchen.
Oh god if he didn't like it?
He will throw it on you. My mind taunted.
He took the first bite and swallowed it without
complaining I relaxed a bit and started eating.
We ate in a silence and I didn't risk opening my mouth.
"Did you make it?". He asked me catching me off guard.
"Yea... yeah". I replied.
"It was good". He said then left the kitchen before I
could thank him.
But his simple compliment made me smile like a
Cheshire cat. The smile didn't leave my mouth even
when I was washing plates and cleaning the kitchen.
Around six o'clock my in-laws arrived and they were
now sitting in the lounge with me.
My father-in-law smiled and asked me "Did you meet
my dad?".
"Yeah Chase took me to meet him in the morning. He
was very nice and friendly". I told him honestly.
My mother-in-law asked me "Did you like the room? I
decorated it myself".
I replied "I loved it! Thank you so much for giving me
such a beautiful room".
She lovingly looked at me and said "No. You don't need
to thank me dear. You are like a daughter to me and it
wasn't even nothing much".
For her it might be no big deal but for me it was very
special. I was never pampered by people like this before
so least to say I was tremendously enjoying it.
The tears brimmed in my eyes when I realized that she
could be a mother figure in my life that I had missed all
through my life. I can create a bound with her and learn
how to be a good wife for her son.
I looked at her and thought maybe this could be my
dream family that I wished all these years to have.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~xxxxxx~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Week later )
I have been married to Chase Edward from one week
but my life doesn't seem a lot different from my old
one. Except that I don't receive snide remarks here and
there from Emily anymore.
I was in the library/study of my father-in-law. He told
me I can read anything I want. His study have a large
collection of romantic books that belongs to Allison.
She is Chase elder sister that I have yet to meet.
My father-in-law told me she took some favorite books
of her with her when she got married but some are still
here in his study.
But now that I was inside the study I realized that they
were placed on the top of the shelf. My 5"4 height made
it impossible for me to let me reach to them. I ran my
eyes around the study in the search of something that
will give me few inches to allow my hand to reach the
top.
My eyes landed on a small stool in the side of the corner
and I dragged it near the shelf. Putting my right foot on
the base of the stool I tried to stand on it and after few
attempts I succeeded.
I read the titles of the books and smiled but then I
glanced down and my face paled. The stool looked read
to break under my weight and that made me nervous. I
thought It must be broken that's why it was laying in
the corner.
I wanted to hit my head for being so stupid. I looked at
the books in my hand and put them back in a shelf.
Before I would get down from the stool it broke and I
fell down on the floor.
In the process of saving myself from the fall I scraped
my hands and elbows and they started to bleed.
The tears burned in my eyes and that was when the
study room opened and Chase entered inside.
"What's going on here". He said walking towards me
and I wiped my tears.
I didn't want to seem like a kid in front of him by
showing him my crying face.
He kneeled down and looked at me suspiciously.
"What are you doing in here?". He asked me.
"I was just taking the books to read". I said slightly
flinching at the pain in my hand.
He looked at the broken stool and then he looked back
at me.
Then he laughed at me and I forgot everything about
pain, staring at his face in awe.
"You tried to pick those books by standing on the
broken stool and fell down". He said making me
flustered with embarrassment.
"You are so small. You should have asked me instead of
trying yourself. Did this stool help you to reach to the
books?". He asked standing up and giving me his hand.
I placed my hand on his palm but when he tried to pull
me up I cried in pain.
He stopped pulling me and kneeled down back to see
my foot.
"Are you feeling pain in your foot?". He asked me and I
nodded.
Then his eyes landed on my elbows and hand that were
bleeding.
He cursed under his breath then picked me up in bridal
style.
My heart started to beat faster at the closeness of our
bodies and my face felt hot.
He put me on the large study table.
"Don't move. I'm coming back". He said making his
way out from the study room.
After few minutes he came back with the box of first aid
kit and placed it on the table beside me.
He opened the first aid kit and took out the alcohol
swipes and cleaned the scrapes and cut then put the
ointment on them.
Then he took my foot and pressed the swollen place.
"Ouch". I hissed in pain.
"It's not broken. You might have twisted it when you
fell down". He said then pulled out a nude color sock.
"What's this?". I asked him and he rolled his eyes at my
question.
I was wearing skirt so he moved it up to my knee easily
then pushed that sock on my swollen foot.
"This is a compression sock. Wear it for a day or two".
He said patting my knee.
I smiled at him and he smiled back at me. Everything
freezes around us and we stared in each other's eyes.
My heart beat accelerated the gap between our faces
was closing.
Then suddenly his cellphone rang and he pulled it out
from his pocket.
"Yeah, I'm coming". He said.
My smile vanished when I realized he was leaving.
I wanted to spend some more time with him.
Chase didn't leave right away. He remembered about
the books. Without any support he picked the books
from the top of the shelf then placed them on my lap.
"You better not try something like this again, you might
end up hurting yourself badly". He said before leaving
the study.
I was just staring at him in daze and confusion.
He helped me, smiled at me and in his own way told me
to take care of myself.
___________________________________
Chapter Six
Hailey's POV:
It has been a weeks living with Edwards. Everyone in
the house are very nice and friendly with me except
Kate.
Kate is Chase twin sister. She always gives me death
glares which scared the hell out of me. She make snide
remarks about my appearance and clothing and for me
she is like an Emily number two.
Just like every morning I got up at eight and hurriedly
got ready to go downstairs in the kitchen and give
mother-in-law (Eva) helping hand while she prepare
breakfast in the kitchen.
When I reached downstairs in the kitchen she was
almost done with all the breakfast. I asked her if she
wants me to set the table and she nodded her head with
the small smile.
I took the coffee tray from her hands and put them on
the table.
It has been my routine, helping Eva in the kitchen while
she prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for all of us.
I picked the coffee cups and placed them on everyone's
side of table. Kate likes to drink orange juice in
breakfast so she is the only one in among us who
doesn't like coffee.
Everyone came in the dining hall and took their seats.
"Good morning". I said with the small smile.
My father-in-law replied "Good morning, dear".
I waited for Kate and Chase reply but as usual both
ignored me. Sighing, I picked the bowl of cereal and put
the milk in it then started eating it.
We all ate in the silence. After the breakfast was done
my father-in-law left for the office. Chase and Kate went
to their rooms to get ready for college.
I cleaned the table and washed the plates when they
came downstairs dressed in fashionable clothes.
Kate's Attire
Kate was wearing a black min skirt with off-white crop
top and knee-length black boots. Her straight brown
hair were left open and her face was flawless as
always.
There was black bag dangling on her shoulder while she
was talking someone on phone.
Then my eyes moved to Chase, he was wearing a dark
blue fitted shirt with black pants. His face was as
always perfect, clean and beautiful. His brown hair was
mess look like he had just rolled out of bed.
The sneakers he was wearing were black with some
logo in white. The bag he had with him was in simple
black color slung over his left shoulder.
My mother-in-law informed me that Chase and Kate
goes college. Kate is studying fashion designing which
completely suits her personality. Chase is studying
business and it happens to be his last year, more like
three months in his graduation.
After kissing their mom on the cheek they both left
without even glancing at my way.
It hurt a bit but I have to accept it that I was never a
part of this family and I will never be.
After cleaning the kitchen I went in the backyard where
have a small decorated garden. This garden is the best
part of the house and I came here a lot to read in the
peaceful calm atmosphere.
I took the empty chair that was sitting in the corner and
sat on it. I opened the book and lost myself in the story.
The book I have with me wasn't mine. It belonged to
Chase elder sister. She doesn't live with us because
she's a twenty five years old happily married woman
with two beautiful kids.
The story was good and it made me cry and laugh at
the same time.
I didn't realize that it was evening already but the dark
approaching clouds give it away.
I got up from the chair and made my way inside the
house to see my mother-in-law watching TV. She asked
me to sit with her and I did.
After one hour of watching her favorite show she asked
me to help her in the kitchen and I did without asking
anything.
After the dinner was ready I excused myself and went to
my room. I took the shower then blow-dried my hair.
Picking out my nicest black long skirt and long sleeve
red top from the closet I changed into them and went
downstairs again.
The doorbell rang making me run towards the door to
open it because I know who it would be.
I opened the door and saw Chase and Kate standing
with the scowl on their faces as they glared at me.
I didn't know what I have done wrong to make them
angry but I took the step back and opened the door
wider.
Kate entered first purposefully hitting my shoulder with
her bag and making me stumble.
Chase entered in the house without even noticing me.
I shut the door and went back to the dining hall.
After fifteen minutes Chase came downstairs changed in
fresh set of clothes. He told his mom that his dad won't
be joining us tonight for dinner.
When Kate came downstairs I was setting the table
while Chase was just talking about his friend to his
mother.
When I was done setting the table all of us took our
seats and started eating.
We were almost done when Chase cellphone rang loudly
breaking the peaceful atmosphere around us.
Chase picked up his phone putting his spoon down and
said "Hello dad".
Then he was listing his dad speaking. Suddenly he was
up from his chair and mumbled a hasty "Okay" before
ending the call.
"Mom we need to go hospital. Granddad need us". He
said looking scared.
In few minutes his mom and he left for the hospital
leaving Kate and me alone on the house.
Kate and I waited for them to come home by lounging
on the couch in living room.
After hours of waiting Kate was sleepy and went to her
room while I stayed awake.
At some point I must have dozed off.
Because next when I woke up it was due to the noise of
some one entering inside the house.
I sat up on the couch and rubbed my eyes to see
clearly. Chase was standing staring at me with daze
look on his face.
"What are you doing in the living room?". He asked me.
"I was waiting for you to come back". I replied.
He looked taken aback at my response and "I am going
to my room. Mom and dad needs some time alone so
they might not be coming back tonight"
I nodded my head when I wanted to know more but one
question was on the tip of my tongue.
"How is your granddad?". I asked him.
"He left us". He replied sounding hollow.
I was too shock to react myself. When I was able to
stable myself on my feet I turned around and saw Chase
making his way upstairs to his room.
I wanted to comfort him and tell him that everything will
be alright. But I knew he needs time alone.
After doing my daily night routine I changed into my
night shirt and pyjamas then went to my bed.
Thinking about Chase and what he would be feeling
right now I fell asleep.
The dream started with me standing in the middle of a
beautiful garden. It looked familiar but I couldn't
remember where I had seen this place. Then my eyes
caught a silhouette standing behind the tree hiding from
my view.
I took the step forward and looked closely to see my
dead grandma. I took the fast steps towards her but
she started running away from me deep in the forest.
I followed her and suddenly got pushed down on the
sticky mud of forest. Then I heard the ear piercing
scream of woman and my eyes snapped open.
My eyes looked around at the room taking in my
surroundings I realized that I was still in my room
breathing heavily and shaking like a earth quake.
It was just a dream, Hailey. Just a dream!. I repeated
the same words in my head hundred times to calm my
wildly beating heart.
I got up from the bed pulling off the quilt from my body
as I was suddenly so warm. I saw the empty water
bottle on my bedside table and groaned because now I
have to make a journey downstairs to fetch some water.
Opening my bedroom door I made my way out of the
room but stopped dead on my track when the weird
noises landed in my ears.
I followed the noises and realized that they were coming
from Chase bedroom. I twisted the doorknob and
entered inside his room to see him only dressed in his
shorts.
He didn't notice me and I stared at his bare chest and
muscled back in astonishment. I have never seen a
barely dressed man before if you wouldn't count the
time when I accidentally entered in my cousin room, he
was laying on his bed only in shorts but we'll he was
three so I guess we were not that embarrassed after the
incident.
My eyes followed his strong biceps then my train of
thoughts got wreck when I saw what he was doing.
He was repeatedly throwing punches on a black bag
that was hanging in the middle of his room.
The expression on his face was murderous and anger
was following from his body. Now I noticed the rigidness
and tightening of his muscles. My eyes followed from
his arms to his hands and widened in horror.
Blood! Oh My God He is BLEEDING!
Without thinking twice I rushed to his side and placed
my hand on his bicep making him freeze at the touch of
extremely cold hands.
"Chase, please stop". I pleaded him staring at his angry
face.
His body relaxes allowing me to access the injury of his
hand. I felt sick to my stomach after seeing so much
blood. My hands started to shake but I pretend to be
calm.
His right hand was bruised, bloody and swollen. The left
palm was bleeding due to the long slash in the middle.
I didn't know where he got that slash from but my
question was answered when I caught a broken vase on
the side of the bed.
I dragged him to his bed and forced him to sit on it.
Then I went downstairs to search the first aid kit and
find it in one of the cabinet I ran back to his room.
I knelt down on the floor and took his hand to clean it
with some wet towels that I fetched from his washroom.
When the blood was clean I poured some alcohol on the
cut and heard Chase hiss in pain.
At his pain I felt the tears brimming in my own eyes but
I kept them from falling.
After applying the ointment on his cuts I wrapped the
bandage on his both hands and tied them.
My horrible past had taught me how to patch up all the
cuts and bruise but I never knew it will come in handy
for tonight.
When I was done I looked up at his face. His face was
free from any sort of emotions except pain so much
pain that was shining through his eyes.
My heart was crying for him I wanted to do something
to make him forgot all the pain.
I hugged him and felt him stiffen around my arm's. I
waited for him to feel some comfort but he was still
rigid like a statue. I pulled away from him and got up to
leave the room when he stopped me.
He hugged my waist, snuggling his face in my stomach
when I felt him shaking and crying.
The tears I was holding flowed out like a river and my
hands went to his head running through his hair to calm
him down.
I had no idea how long I stayed still and let him cried
while holding my waist like a little kid. But after
sometime I found myself stepping away from him and
pushing him on the bed in a laying position.
I pulled the quilt on his body and sat on the bed beside
him.
"Chase, go to sleep". I mumbled making him close his
eyes.
"Lay beside me".He mumbled and I did what he asked
me to do with my frantically beating heart.
He turned his body to me and pulled me towards his
chest with his hand on my waist then snuggled his head
on the hollow part of my neck.
I felt the tears dropping after one another on my neck
as he cried while my hand just leisurely ran through his
soft hair.
Later he fell asleep while I stayed awake beside him.
When I was sure he was deep in sleep I removed his
hand from my stomach and slipped out from the bed.
I was not sure why I did that but I placed the soft kiss
on his forehead.
"The pain always go away with time. You just need to
be strong and I know you are strong". I mumbled.
Picking up the broken pieces of vase I dumped them in
the trashcan and cleaned the floor so he won't get
anymore injuries when he'll wake up in the morning.
I didn't see him as a wimp for crying in pain on his
granddad's death. Tonight my respect increased for him
seeing him so honest with his emotions.
Because I know very well how it feels when someone
you love get snatched away from you by death.
I was glad he let himself broke down in front of me
because keeping these emotions pent-up in your heart
will make you miserable just like it did to me.
_____________________________________
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