Beautifully Damned

twenty-eight: enchante

                          pretty little birds by sza

Imogen.

I felt a little foggy, but I could make out where I was. My eyes scanned the room, seeing the people scattered everywhere. It took me a minute but the first thing I said was what I could think I of. Their faces were priceless, I couldn't help it.

"I'm joking" I laughed, seeing the relief in their eyes, "Clara?" I asked, meeting confused gazes again

"Kidding" I sang

Yasmin hugged me hastily, eliciting an 'ouch' out of me. My eyes quickly met the green ones that flashed at me, Maxime. I smiled softly, greeting everyone but not taking my eyes off his. He trailed towards me, kneeling at my bedside.

"I'll get the doctor" Antoinette said

I held his hands, watching him kiss mine. I brought my attention to his tears, wiping them from his face.

"Don't do that, you almost gave me a heart attack" he laughed

I laughed with him before his face grew serious, "Do you remember what happened?" he asked me

"Not really, what's wrong?" I asked

He looked to Yasmin "Your parents, they're coming" she responded

At that point everything went silent, I could hear my heartbeat in my ears. It felt like I was gonna pass out but zoned in as I heard a voice. I heard my monitors start to beep loud and clutched my chest. That was a sentence I did not expect, damn near giving me a heart attack.

"Calm down, please chérie, breathe" I heard Max beg me

I kept my eyes on him, as the doctor walked in. My breathing stabilized, and the doctor gave me a work up, doing tests for my brain function. Max stayed by my side and caught me up to the events of the last week. He and Yasmin spoke eggshells around that night so my interest was peaked. My phone was nowhere to be found and I was getting tired.

I laid my head back, making him panic, "Cherie, hey, you okay?" He stroked my cheek

"I'm okay, I want ice chips" I spoke

"We'll go down to the cafeteria" Yasmin spoke, dragging Antoinette out with her

She walked out, leaving he and I alone. His eyes traveled down my bed, taking in my wires and bandaged stomach. There was this look on his face, I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I knew he was conflicted.

"Hey" I spoke

He looked at me, "Come here" I spoke

He leaned in, "What is it?" He asked

"Closer" I whispered

He moved so that his face was inches from my own. I leaned up, even through the pain, and gave him a kiss. Our mouths connected like puzzle pieces, as if he surrendered to the kiss. I broke apart and leaned my forehead onto his own.

"I—" he was interrupted as the door opened

My mother and step dad walked in with a teddy bear and flowers. I quickly turned my head at their arrival. Without my knowledge, a big smile found its way on to my face. My mother started weeping as they came to hug me, I strained at the pain I felt but I was happy.

"Imogen! Oh—" my mother dove into my arms again

"Hi Mom, hey Dad" I spoke

"Honey you have no idea how terrified we were, I mean when we heard—" my Step Dad said as my mom wiped her tears

I looked over to Max whose eyes were on them. He stood tall, with his arms crossed. Yasmin stood by my parents, shaking her head at them as if they were keeping something from me. I furrowed my brows, thinking of what could've happened and I just couldn't remember.

"Guys, I'm okay, really. Stop crying mommy" I started, I cleared my throat nervous to continue, "I'd like you guys to meet Maxime Prince...my boyfriend" I said

Their eyes left me and found his. The silence was deafening for what felt like hours. Seriously you could hear a pin drop

"Hello, Maxime Prince" He broke the silence, extending his arm for them to shake

"Hi, Sharron" My mom said

"George" My step dad shook his hand

I coughed, "This isn't how I wanted you all to meet, but nonetheless, here we are" I said

My mom walked to my bedside, as George and Maxime spoke. Yasmin made a face and I almost rolled my eyes, I sat up.

"Charlie?" She questioned

"Mom" I spoke

"Well for what it's worth we never liked the guy" She said

My mom and I sat and reminisced about my time in Paris, after I had to beg her not to talk about that night. She'd asked me if I loved Max and I quickly changed the subject, not wanting to think about that right now. Soon enough I'd fallen asleep.
————

I woke up to Maxime speaking to a doctor. His arms were crossed and he nodded his head. I took a sharp inhale, alerting the both of them.

He dismissed the doctor and walked towards me, "Good morning beautiful" he said

"Hi" I sang

"So your parents settled into a room at the hotel last night. The doctor said they'll be discharging you today" He said

I sat up, "And how long until I can travel? I'm supposed to leave in a week" I said

"Well, recovery is a 3-6 weeks so I've made the arrangements and informed Dominique so you'll have to take a few vacation days" He sat next to me

I started to get out of bed, wincing at the pain. He quickly stood, stabilizing me, "It's okay, I got it" I breathed out

He pulled out the sweats he brought for me. Draping them over me, I sat back on the bed waiting for the doctors to bring the discharge papers.

My doctor soon walked in, giving me a prescription for antibiotics, and making me sign discharge papers. Max insisted on me using a wheelchair but I refused and chose to walk. We walked to the car, he hauled me into the back seat.

I leaned in his shoulder, "I'm so glad you're here" I spoke before dozing off.
******

Y'all think Imogen couldn't have had amnesia? Be lucky I love you guys because the other version of this chapter would've had you crying lmao