T's & C's (don't) Apply

27. (Don't) Take the Blame

Independance might've been my second name because I hated anyone else doing anything for me. I quite liked doing things for others but hated getting anything in return. So, having Ethan at my side, extra caring, and taking care of me was slightly uncomfortable. 

I appreciated his concern and was grateful to him, but I only had a little whiplash. My hands and legs still worked, and nothing was broken. However, Ethan thought it necessary to go as far as feeding me water. 

"Are you sure you're fine to travel?" Ethan asked for what felt like the millionth time. "It's quite a long journey." 

"Certain," I assured him. "Two hours won't kill me." 

"And you'll be fine in the car?" Ethan looked at me with concern. "It's only been two days since the accident." 

"A mishap," I corrected. "Accident sounds way too serious." 

"It was an accident, Clo. An accident that you shouldn't have been in but thanks to that little..." he trailed off and took a deep breath. 

"I'm perfectly fine," I assured him with a smile. 

"I'm relieved but seeing you uncomfortable with that brace... I feel awful for you." 

I reached for the neck brace. "I'm not a fan of it either but it should be gone in a few days." 

"Not less than five days," Ethan warned with his eyes. "And you need lots of rest. That's why I think you should stay with Nan until the end of the week. She'll feed you and make sure you don't lift a finger."

"I have to get back to work." 

"I can talk to your boss," Ethan retorted. "And since he's partially responsible for this, the least he can do is give you a few days off." 

"I told you that it's not Kai's fault," I said honestly. "He didn't force this weekend's job on me and he wasn't the one who was driving." 

"Yeah, but he asked you to help his girlfriend so she could trust him better." 

"I still chose to do this job," I pointed out. "I chose to get in the car with her. I chose not to let her see him when she insisted. I need to be held accountable for my actions too." 

"There you go defending him again." Ethan sighed and looked a little annoyed. "Anyway, the important thing is for you to rest or I won't stop nagging you." 

"More than you are now?" 

"You have no idea." 

"Fine, I promise to rest and take care of myself," I promised. "But I'd do that better in the comfort of my own place." 

Ethan nodded. "As you wish. Wait here while I pack the car and then we can leave." 

I truly appreciated Ethan. He was an amazing friend and the only person I could fully rely on. I was also glad that Ethan never told my family or even his nan about what happened. He felt that my family needed to know, especially since they lived so nearby.  However, I knew my parents would've been dramatic and somehow made me it about them. So, for my peace, I decided until and unless I was on my deathbed, my parents didn't have to know much about me. 

I also thought it wasn't fair to blame everything on Kai when he didn't expect this to happen. Rosalind was mostly to be blamed because of how erratic and childish she behaved. 

As we sat in the car, I was eager to get back home and head back to work. I hated sitting and doing nothing for too long. I needed a task to do or I felt utterly useless. I glanced at Ethan who drove with soft music playing in the car and smiled to myself. It was very difficult not to fall for him because of how caring he was toward me but I also felt guilty that he wasn't able to spend as much time with his Nan because of me.