A Dangerous Temptation

Chapter 103

         

      

     I stepped in quietly behind the others as the elevators slid close.
   His mother glanced at him, looking sad and angry.
  I could barely breathe, not wanting to be in the middle of their family drama.
  Why the hell did I let Jarvis convince me to come here?
  And what was I still doing here?
   I was a fool, that I was pretty sure of. 
  It was a real pleasure when the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened.   

    I stepped out last, behind Jarvis, looking around nervously.
  Jarvis and his mom supported him until he sat comfortably on a couch.
   "Miguel," she drawled, her voice full of disappointment.
   "Why? You better speak up because I know you must have done more to provoke him like this."
   She gestured to his body.
  He glanced at me and swallowed.
    "Look at you."
  She looked as if she was going to cry any moment now.

   Miguel groaned, unbuttoning his shirt.
  Isabelle gasped when she saw the cut and bruises on his torso.
  My eyes widened.
  Oh My God.
  "Your husband did this to me," he muttered.
  She sat beside him, trying not to touch him but touching him anyway.
   "When? How?"
  He groaned, looking uncomfortable with her questions.
  It took all my willpower not to push everyone away right now and hug him.
   "Go clean up. Right now, Miguel. We are going to the hospital!" Her voice shook.
  I could already spot tears in her eyes.
   "I am not going to any fucking hospital!"
  He pushed away and stood, leaping to his room slowly.
  His mother sighed, smiling sadly.
  "Um, you know the way he is," Jarvis smiled reassuringly at her.
  She nodded, laughing quietly.
  "I do."

   "Thanks so much, Jarvis." She looked up at him, smiling gratefully.
  "I really don't know what he would do without you, here in America."
  Jarvis chuckled, scratching the back of his head nervously.
   "Well, I try. I try to keep him out of trouble."
   He glanced at me.
  "Don't mention, Isabelle. And besides, she's the one who's to thank. I would have been stranded without her."
    Jarvis wagged his index finger at me.

  I swallowed nervously, walking slowly towards them.
  Okay, Kesha. Here goes nothing.
  I faked a smile as I stopped beside Jarvis.
  "Hey, honey. Thanks so much."
   "Can I have your number? I think I owe you a big favor."
   She smiled and stretched out her phone.
   "No, It's nothing. Thanks."
   "But thank you."
    She smiled at me, surprised.

  "Yeah. Like I said, it's nothing."
  I smiled, nervously.
   "I could clean him up if you don't mind."
  Gah, what the hell was wrong with me? Pushing your luck, girl?
  "No, don't worry. He will go to the hospital. He's just very stubborn."
    She shrugged, trying to cover her embarrassment with a smile.

  "Why, Isabelle? Kesha, here is a medicine student so I'm pretty sure she knows a thing or two about first aid."
    He winked at me and I offered him a small smile.
  Her eyes went round and her smile widened.
   "You're Kesha? As in Kesha Ravi Raymond?"
  I smiled, surprised she knew me.
    "Yes."
    "Oh my goodness."
  She grabbed me and squeezed me into a bear hug.

  I gasped and returned her embrace, laughing.
   "Wow. Kesha?" She laughed, holding me out at arm's length.
   "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."
  I smiled, nervously.
  Okay?
   "You too, ma'am."
  She laughed more and my heart ached.
   Her laugh could heal a sick child.