Chapter 4 3

Chapter Three

Karen placed two glasses of milk on the round table before taking a seat on an empty chair across from Colton. They chose to have breakfast by the swimming pool area. It was a bit less lonely to eat now that she had company.

"How was your sleep?" She asked as she placed bacon and a slice of bread on his plate.

She took extra care in making sure he ate well since he needed to take less than ten tablets a day. His stomach needed to be filled.

"Not that good. I had to wake up every 3:30 in the morning to take medicine then after that, I found it hard to fall back asleep."

When she saw that he needed to take medicine at that hour, she decided she would be the one to give it to him. But he didn't allow her, so all she could do was respect his wishes.

"You only have to take that medicine for one more week. Just endure it for a little while, okay? And if you want, you can call me, let's talk. It might help you sleep." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, trying to make him feel at ease.

The more comfortable she became around him, the easier her job seemed to be. Right?

"Why did this have to happen..." He bitterly whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.

She added another slice of bread to his plate, noticing he seemed to have an appetite. She thought he might actually be enjoying their meals together.

"It's because you are so strong. If it were someone else, they probably wouldn't be able to handle the pain. I was reviewing your medical background and all I can say is, you are a very strong man, Colton." He briefly looked up at her, then returned his gaze to his food. "I salute you for being brave and for being able to endure all the pain you've been through."

"It took a lot of strength for me to fight for my own life. That was one of the hardest parts of my life... to survive. I was thankful to God for giving me a second chance to live again. I should be thankful for all the pain, right? Even if I can't walk and can't do the things I want to do."

She didn't know why, but there was a sense of joy in her heart knowing he had overcome the challenges life had thrown at him. He was brave and strong enough to survive. For her, Colton Altaraza was the man!

"That's one of the things that people should always remember: to be thankful to Him because we're alive. Whether we're happy, sad, or in pain, we should still be grateful to Him, because even in those moments, we're still here and free to see the beauty of the world." She took a sip of her milk, and Colton was looking at her now. His gaze was starting to weaken her knees. "A-and I believe you will walk again and be able to do everything you want." Then she smiled shyly at him.

"It will take a lot of hard work and time before I can walk again."

"Time passes quickly, Colton. Besides, I'm here... I'll be with you and help you until you can walk again."

"You might get tired of it."

"Of course not." She assured him. "As long as I know you still need me, I won't leave you, unless you ask me to. It's something you seem to be good at, asking nurses to leave." She murmured the last sentence.

Colton smirked at her. "Because I don't like their service."

So, she needed to make sure she excelled in serving this man? So she wouldn't be dismissed.

"That's why?" She nodded.

"And they were all trying to act cute around me." There was a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Howell's nurses may all be pretty, yes, but they'll never meet my standards, no matter how hard they try to be cute."

"You know the owner of Banchero's Medical Center?" She asked in amazement, her eyes sparkling.

Howell Banchero was her boss, but she didn't see him often in the hospital. She had a secret crush on him, like all the nurses at BMC.

"Yes, he's a close friend."

"Really?" Her interest in their conversation was piqued even more.

"Why? You seem quite interested in him." His gaze scrutinized her. He caught on quickly. "Are you secretly admiring him?" His tone was more intense now.

"Everyone admires him. He's a good doctor and-"

"And he's soon to get married, so stop your admiration for him." He said irritably. She wasn't aware of that news. "You better keep his marriage thing to yourself. It's private."

She nodded gently and finished her meal. She didn't pay much attention to Colton, who was just watching her. She couldn't help feeling uncomfortable with the kind of look he was giving her.

Karen had been wanting to dip her feet in the pool for a while now. She saw that they cleaned the water every day even though no one was actually swimming. She and Colton spent more time in the swimming pool area because he liked the atmosphere there.

She approached the edge of the pool and reached down to touch the water.

"Do you know how to swim?" Colton asked from behind her.

She turned to look at him and gave a restrained smile. "Yes, I love being in the water, especially in the open sea. I love the ocean."

"Me too."

"Hmm?"

She sat at the edge of the pool, bent her knees, rested her chin on them, and looked at him.

"I love the ocean and everything associated with the deep blue sea."

"Do you know how to swim?"

"Of course, it's one of my favorite sports." He said proudly.

Curiosity suddenly struck her.

"But why did I see you for the first time..." His gaze on her became intense, and she couldn't quite figure out what that look meant. "Um, you were unconscious."

What she wanted to say was that he looked like he had drowned that night and lost consciousness.

"My body was too weak at that time because of the pain."

"I guess, after that..." She gestured towards his bandaged leg. "That's what happened?"

Colton nodded. "But I have no regrets about what happened to me. I actually feel proud of myself."

Karen was now confused. He doesn't regret what happened and he's even proud of it? Why? Is there something special behind what happened to him?

"I'm glad to hear that from you. But I am wondering what really happened to you that night..."

Colton shook his head. "It's very confidential, K."

She understood and smiled with a touch of reserve, included in that smile was his calling her K. Is that his endearment for her? Why does it sound so good? It made her heart dance in happiness every time she heard Colton call her K.

"So," she thought of something else they could talk about. Over the past few days, she noticed that Colton seemed less gruff, and he rarely raised his voice at her. Perhaps talking to him about things was helping. "When you're able to walk again, what is the first thing on your list that you want to do?"

"To have a hardcore sex," Colton answered truthfully, making her face turn red!

Why does he have to be so bold?

She couldn't help but cover her face with both hands. She really felt her cheeks warming up at his response. She was the one feeling embarrassed!

"Colton, come on!"

"Why?" She could hear the amusement in his voice. "I was just answering your question."

With a bit of exasperation, she removed her hands from her face. Her lips parted slightly as she saw him seeming somewhat satisfied, watching her reaction.

"Besides having a h-hardcore s-sex..." She struggled to say the words, as it was such a private and sensitive topic for her. "What else do you want to do?"

"Swimming."

His attention shifted to the swimming pool with its blue water, matching the tiles on the floor and the light blue walls. It really did resemble a calm ocean, no waves that people were sometimes afraid of, yet it still provided a thrill.

"You really like that sport, huh?"

"Yeah, so damn much." There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come. "When I was a kid, all I ever wanted when I grew up was to join a swimming competition in the Olympics... but my parents never let me, not even once." The bitterness in his voice was evident, but his face remained stoic.

"Why not?"

Colton gave her a quick glance before returning his attention to the water beside her.

"Just because they wanted me to focus on my studies so I could help them and my brothers manage our business, including Villa Altaraza. My parents are very strict when it comes to our business."

The anxiety that came over her at the thought of Colton's parents being strict didn't escape her. Maybe she should prepare herself for their arrival next week?

"So, you didn't fulfill your childhood dream because of your parents?"

"I didn't, but what I did when I grew up really made them mad at me."

"What did you do?" She asked, her interest in Colton's life growing.

"That's when I started my career in the United States Navy." His lips formed a sexy smirk.

God! Why did he have to be so attractive when he smirked?

Karen's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth slightly agape as she suddenly found herself admiring him even more. He was already good-looking, that was a given, but his job really impressed her. She was fascinated by men who served in the military; she saw them as real-life heroes, and Colton was one of them?

"Wow," That was the only word she could manage.

"I let my parents dictate my actions when I was young, but not when I grew up and could make my own decisions. With or without their consent, I will do what I want with my life." Colton's eyes lowered to his injured leg, and he smiled sadly. "They're blaming me now for what happened to me."

She gently placed her hand on his bandaged leg, lightly caressing it. She knew he wouldn't feel her touch, but she noticed the slight relaxation in his posture, as if he didn't expect her action.

"Your parents are just worried, that's why they reacted that way to what happened to you." Her voice was gentle.

"No, they're not. I feel like they'd prefer me to be like this, so I can't go back to my job."

"Don't think like that. They're angry because they don't want to see you hurt, because you're their child, after all..." She continued to caress his leg gently, trying to provide some comfort.

"They should've at least understood what their son wanted. I won't let them dictate my dreams this time."

Karen sighed. It was hard to argue with someone who seemed so resolute, but she would try to offer a suggestion to extend their conversation.

"It might also be good to help with managing your business. There's water here too. That's what you want, right? You can swim anytime."

"No, I don't want to manage our business." He said firmly. "I have my brothers to do it for me. What I want is to continue my career in the Philippine Navy, not to sit all day and do paperwork inside the four walls of a fucking office." She winced at the intensity of his disagreement with managing their family's business. "Let's stop talking about it. My decision about what I want in life won't change."

"But remember, your parents love you."

Colton groaned at that, causing her to bite the side of her cheek to keep from smiling. He really seemed vehemently opposed to that idea, and it made him look cute yet incredibly attractive.

"When you meet my parents, you won't say that again."

"You're really tough on them." She stopped caressing his injured leg. "Are you the youngest son?"

"Yeah," he muttered softly. "And you?"

"Uh, I'm the oldest."

"The oldest is usually the breadwinner of the family. Are you one of them?"

She gave him a small smile. "Yes, that's why my job is important to me, because my siblings are still studying."

"Where are your parents?"

"They're gone."

She tried hard not to let her sadness show in front of him when she remembered her parents. She didn't want sympathy from other people. Her parents passed away just before she graduated from college. It was a very sad and painful time in her life. She should have been celebrating her achievement for graduating summa cum laude, but she didn't. They didn't. Instead, she and her siblings mourned their loss.

"Sorry to hear that, K."

She forced a smile, trying to assure him that it was okay, but deep down, it really wasn't. Her parents had left her with a great responsibility, but she was managing and would continue to do so for her siblings.

"It's okay," Those words were often the biggest lie she told to cover the weight on her shoulders.

"Where are your siblings?"

Is he genuinely interested in her life, or is he asking out of pity? She didn't want that. She didn't want anyone to feel sorry for her.

"Let's not talk about-"

"Where are they?" He repeated in a heavier tone, just as heavy as his gaze on her, making her nervous.

"Where are they?" He repeated, his tone heavier, matching the weight of his gaze on her, making her uneasy.

She swallowed hard, avoiding his eyes, focusing her attention back on the pool, her hand quietly playing in the cool water.

"T-they're at our aunt's house in the province."

"How many siblings do you have?" His voice remained heavy and serious.

"T-three," she stammered, feeling the intensity of his stare.

"They're all studying?" She nodded silently, afraid that if she spoke again, she wouldn't be able to control the trembling in her voice. His gaze was making her heart race, and she suddenly felt it hard to breathe. "And you're the one paying for their education?"

"Y-yes," she managed to reply, a quiet sense of pride welling up inside her for putting her three siblings through school. "Raissa is in grade school, Raquel is in high school, and Rachel is in college."

"You managed it?" The amazement in his voice brought a smile to her heart.

His face might show how tough he is, but the wonder in his voice contradicted his stoic expression.

"Of course, and I'll continue to do it for them." She gave Colton a playful side-eye, and he simply raised an eyebrow in response.

"Summer is coming up..."

"Yea, it'll cut down on expenses." Karen chuckled.

"You're far from them. When do you go home?"

She sighed. She didn't get to visit her home in Samar often. Aside from it being far, she preferred to send her travel allowance to her siblings instead.

"I don't go home that often. I hope to make it back this summer."

"They can visit you here."

She quickly shook her head. Just thinking about how much it would cost made her cringe, and she'd have to buy plane tickets for her three siblings.

"I'd rather send them the money than spend it on tickets for them to visit. We can video call. That's enough."

"Don't worry about the expenses. I will be the one-"

"Colton,"

"I will be the one who will pay for their plane tickets to come here," he declared, his voice firm and authoritative. "You should spend more time with your siblings. I'm sure they miss their big sister." And with that, he turned and wheeled himself away, leaving her stunned by his sudden decision.