ARDUOUS NIGHT

Ivan contemplated for a while. Kaye was currently sitting on the car with him sleeping soundly. He fasten her seatbelt to make sure she's safe before he drove out of the parking lot.

It was almost midnight so Ivan didn't want to disturb her parents. He sent them a message to let them know that Kaye was with him.

Maggie, who was getting into the bed after drinking a glass of water, saw Ivan's message. Her lips curled into a sweet smile before she get into the cover and gave her husband a hug.

When Ivan reached their house, everyone was asleep. Today's weekend so he's at the Harley mansion. He carried Kaye to his room and put her on his bed. He took of her sandals and bag. He looked at her sleeping face before getting up to get a basin of warm water and face towel.

Ivan wanted their helpers to dress Kaye but he knew she didn't want anyone to see her secrets. Even if Ivan hadn't seen the reality, base on the doctor's description it's really bad. He didn't want see judgement in anyone's eyes. In the end, he helped her change her clothes.

Ivan took of her blouse slowly. His patience being tested as well as his endurance. When he saw the scars on her neck down to her abdomen, getting lost under her jeans, Ivan swallowed hard. "It must've hurt you so much. You've suffered enough. I won't let anyone hurt you." Ivan whispered.

He wiped her with the wet cloth to freshen her up. Kaye stirred for a moment but she went back to sleep like nothing happened. Ivan wiped the sweat on his forehead that he didn't know has formed.

Next, he put on the large shirt that he got from his closet, just enough to cover her bottoms. He unzipped her jeans and removed them slowly from her body. Ivan's breathing came in a rush. He gritted her teeth to remain calm. When he saw the scars on her thighs, Ivan was in agony. It was painful looking at her.

He looked at her beautiful face, sleeping soundly on his bed. "Why wasn't I with you that time? I let you down again and again. You're right. You must hate me." His whispers were soft so Kaye wasn't disturbed at all.

Ivan finished wiping her body after a long time. He made sure to cover her with a thick quilt before turning on the AC. He returned all the stuff she used and put her clothes on the washing machine to clean it. He took a shower to clean himself and to relieve him off the pain.

After taking a shower, he went out to dry her clothes so she can wear them the next day.

Ivan was exhausted from this tasks. Undressing Kaye drained so much of his energy. He couldn't help but glance at the woman on his bed. "I love you Kaye. Whether you're Therese back then or the Kaye now, I still love you." Ivan whispered before kissing Kaye on her forehead.

Kaye frowned and turned to face him. Her eyelashes fluttered that made Ivan held his breath. Kaye looked at him with a sleepy eyes.

"You have to sleep. Don't tire yourself." Kaye whispered to him with a smile on her face. After that, she fell asleep once again.

"You're such a sleepy head." Ivan chuckled before going to his closet to get some clothes.

He took a gray sweatpants and a white shirt. He like sleeping half naked but since Kaye is with him, he didn't want to scare her the moment she wakes up.

Ivan sleep on the other side of the bed. He's looking at her lovely face. Since he was young, he wanted to grow sooner so he could take her away. When he first laid his eyes on her now that she's a grown woman, he had thought countless times of this moment. Waking up beside her was something he had been dreaming of.

With Kaye beside him, Ivan soon fell asleep. Kaye felt something warm beside her. She snuggled closer to feel the comfort. She slung one of her arms on Ivan's chest and burrowed her face in the crook of his arms.

Ivan instinctively wrapped his arms around her to keep her warm. The night was silent. Only the peaceful sound of breathing can be heard inside his room.

Kaye had beautiful dream that night. She dreamed of Ivan carrying her to his room, taking care of her and sleep beside her. When she was young, she looked up to Ivan's younger self. Now that he's a man, she still looked up to him, but something private can only be dreamed of.

Both of them slept soundly until morning came. The sun's rays, hit Kaye's eyes from the window. She rubbed her eyes slowly to scan the room. What greeted her instead was a warm chest, an arm wrapped around her and a handsome face sleeping soundly beside her.

Kaye's eyes widened. He was too shock to utter a word. Her mind was a mess. She tried recalling what happened the night before and it registered to her that what she thought a dream wasn't dream at all.

Kaye tried moving his arms around her but Ivan tightened her hold. "Don't move around sweetheart. I'm still sleepy." Ivan spoke while his eyes were still close.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm not your sweetheart!" Kaye pinched Ivan's arms that instantly awakened him.

Ivan looked at Kaye who was still lying on his arms. She's looking up to him and he was staring down at her face. Ivan's first thought was 'My wife is really beautiful.' but when he saw Kaye's angry face, his smile faltered. 'My wife is angry.'

"Wipe that smile off your face and explain everything to me. EV-ERY-THING!" Kaye emphasized the word to let him know this matter was a serious case.