Keep A Secret II

Aaron leaned back in his car, still clutching the wound in his stomach that was now throbbing violently. His mind tried to focus on the middle-aged man who had just gotten out of the car and was staring at him fiercely. The man walked slowly towards him. Aaron could feel his heart racing, his brown eyes blinking, his vision starting to blur. He had tried to endure all the way but now his body was starting to weaken.

Unlucky! Not now. Not here. Please... - thought Aaron.

Harry gripped his shirt. His eyes flashed with anger. While the girl beside him cried out in panic.

He's gonna kill me. - thought Aaron.

Aaron gave up.

-----

Mai looked at Aaron who was fast asleep, he looked very tired, his redshirt that was covered in blood had been changed before. Luckily Aaron brought a change of clothes in his car. His face still looks pale but looks calm, at least he's not in pain anymore.

Aaron was lying when he said he was fine. Aaron must have endured the pain so Mai wouldn't panic. The man almost fainted in front of her house but he still insisted he didn't want to be taken to the hospital, he even insisted on going home. Mai had no choice but to tell her parents that Aaron was injured not because of fighting with thugs as mentioned before but because Mai accidentally stabbed him.

Mai's parents' faces immediately paled. History will repeat itself. They were worried about the consequences of Mai's actions but Aaron assured them that he would not sue.

Her father called a doctor from the nearest 24-hour clinic and as Aaron said earlier, the wound wasn't deep but he was losing a lot of blood. Mai asks Aaron to stay at her house, begging to be more precise. She was worried that Aaron would pass out on the street if he kept forcing his way home so pale and weak.

Mai couldn't sleep all night. The nightmares returned, scaring her to close her eyes.

Why should something like this happen again? This time I hurt him. - thought Mai.

Mai kept blaming herself, cursing her stupidity and carelessness. Her eyes were open since one in the morning, just rolling to and fro on her bed and pacing around her room.

The clock is spinning very slowly, it's like morning has never come. Then finally she couldn't take it anymore.

Early in the morning, Mai had gone to the guest room just to see Aaron who was sleeping. Meanwhile, her parents were arguing outside the room about the next step.

"If he gets into our house, we'll be in big trouble," Harry grumbled.

"We can't just leave the kid alone Harry. The doctor said it wasn't too bad. I'm sure he'll be fine. He seems like a strong kid." Rose said as she calmed him down.

"I'm thinking about the impact on Mai. Oh my God! How about they sue her and put her in jail." said Harry.

"Didn't Aaron say he wouldn't sue Mai," said Rose.

"Do you believe his words?" said Harry.

"I believe," Rose said, she sounded very sure.

"I can see it, he looks sincere. If he wants to sue Mai, why to bother taking Mai home, he should have taken Mai to the police station. Besides, he said he wouldn't tell his family about this." Said Rose again.

"It's ironic. He used to be so adamant that the accident was Mai's fault but now he wants to cover up Mai's mistake. I can't believe it," said Harry.

"I will make things clear. I will protect our daughter," said Harry again.

Mai choked to hear her parents talk. Her father was right, no matter how many times Aaron assured her that everything would be fine, she still felt worried. After all, such wounds are easy to hide. Mai's body shivered again, she was afraid.

"Something's wrong?" said Aaron. Aaron's voice startled her.

Mai turned and found Aaron had woken up from his sleep.

"Your face looks tense," said Aaron.

"You're awake? How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?" Mai asked back.

A low moan was heard as Aaron tried to get up, causing Mai to resist the man's movement and look at him worriedly.

"Ah don't wake up yet. The doctor said you shouldn't move much, the wound could open again later. You're right the wound isn't deep but it's still a serious wound. Once again I'm sorry." Said Mai.

Aaron corrected his sitting position, this time he did so slowly. He just smiled. No matter how many times he said it was okay, Mai kept apologizing to him. Aaron was at a loss for words.

"You waited for me all night?" said Aaron.

Mai shook her head.

"I can't sleep," she said quietly.

"Did you have nightmares?" said Aaron.

Mai nodded.

"Sorry," said Aaron.

Mai almost choked on her saliva when she heard the apology.

You're not the one apologizing, Ron, this time it's not you. - thought Mai.

"Can I have a drink, I'm thirsty," said Aaron.

Mai deftly took the glass on the nightstand beside the bed and gave it to Aaron. The young man gulped down its contents, proving that he was thirsty.

"I'll get your breakfast. You must be hungry right," said Mai after putting the glass back down.

"Mmm...That's not necessary. I'll just have breakfast with you. I think I've been troublesome enough." Aaron said he was embarrassed.

He was treated like a sick person. Yes, he is still sick, but this is at someone's house, at a girl's house again. At least he had to save his pride.

"What's so troublesome? You're like this because of me. Let's just say I'm making amends." Said Mai.

"Then how should I make amends for my mistake?" Aaron asked back.

"You never give up huh." Said Mai while pouting.

There was a strange feeling in her heart. Gradually she began to forgive Aaron. The disappointment and anger had disappeared somewhere but she didn't want to admit it.

"I'll keep trying to win your sympathy so you'll forgive me," said Aaron.

"What if I don't want to?" Said Mai.

Aaron smiled.

"I'm gonna keep trying," said Aaron.

Mai was silent for a while.

"Yes, I forgive you." Said Mai.

"Really?" Aaron said with an expression of disbelief.

"Did you forgive me or did you have to do it because you were afraid I would sue you?" Said Aaron again.

Mai was choked, her face turned pale.

"If... If I... I don't forgive you... you will sue me?" Said Mai.

"According to you?" said Aaron.

Mai was silent, she bit her lip, feeling scared then she saw Aaron chuckling softly. Mai looked at Aaron with a confused expression.

"No... How many times do I have to tell you? I don't blame you, Mai, let alone demand you. You don't have to force yourself to forgive me just because you feel guilty. Just take your time, I can wait. It's two different things. It's okay." said Aaron.

Mai choked. What does it mean? He doesn't mind my stupid mistakes and he doesn't mind if I can't forgive him. Why do I even feel bad? It seems that I was the one who has been cruel at this time. - thought Mai.

"That... That's not fair to you," said Mai quietly.

"Given what I did to you 12 years ago, this is nothing. Your father is right. It's just like a punishment for me. You used to be accused of something you didn't do and now... You did something. " Aaron said with a chuckle, laughing at his fate.

"It's just like karma... For me... I deserve it." Said Aaron again.

Mai was glued, so that's the reason? That was the reason Aaron forgave and didn't care about her stupid recklessness. Aaron took it as a punishment even though Mai didn't mean it. And Mai remembered her father's cruel words to Aaron before calling the doctor here.

Sometimes her father scolded and lectured Aaron about the past while the man was in pain and bleeding. Mai was afraid that her father would let Aaron bleed to death at that time.

Aaron also just gave up last night as if he deserved it. Maybe her father was right, her 12 years of suffering, her family's hardships. That cruel slander. There was a debt the Porters had to pay, a debt Aaron had to pay.

But seeing Aaron surrender and take all this for granted without defending himself in the slightest made Mai feel like a heartless person. She was so sorry.

"Are you okay?" Aaron asked her, he was worried to see Mai silent in front of him.

Well, Aaron looked even more worried about her than he was himself. Since last night Aaron has asked countless times if I'm okay. Doesn't that guy see who's not doing well here? Who's hurting right now? - thought Mai, she was excited to death.

"There's one thing that worries me," the man said.

"You won't be traumatized by this incident, will you. How do you feel? I'm worried you'll have nightmares or have another panic attack... Oh, wait... You've already had nightmares last night. I'm sorry. Wanna talk about it? You can tell me anything. I'll help you---" said Aaron again.

"Stop it!" Said Mai suddenly.

"Please stop. You make me feel even more guilty." Mai said she couldn't take it anymore.

This is beyond her expectations. A selfish little boy, who made her sad and traumatized for years, who made her disappointed and angry after knowing the truth of why she was like this.

Why is he being generous, not selfish, forgiving, and even tends to surrender in front of her father?

Why even worry about me and care about me? Is he really sincere? Is he for real or is he planning something? My dad said the Porters couldn't be trusted. Is Aaron different from his family? - thought Mai.

"I didn't mean that," Aaron said, he felt bad.

Mai didn't answer. The girl looked up, preventing the tears from flowing down. Why did she even want to cry?

Oh my gosh, why am I so whiny, - she thought.

But how could she not be this crybaby when the person she had harmed was being nice to her, too kind. It wasn't that Mai wanted Aaron to scold her or blame her, it was just that she felt bad, embarrassed.

"Are you crying?" Aaron seemed to notice Mai's strange behavior.

Mai shook her head and turned her face away.

"Hey... Look at me. Are you okay?" Aaron reprimanded her again but Mai didn't budge.

Aaron's hand reached out, wanting to grab the girl's hand but then stopped, he hesitated.

"It's not your fault. It's just an accident, Mai, just pretends I'm unlucky," said Aaron.

"Yeah, I'm the one who pissed you off." Said Mai, her voice sounded hoarse and unclear.

"That's not what it means," said Aaron.

Aaron became confused himself especially when he heard the girl sobbing softly. He meant to cheer her up, but he said the wrong thing. Aargh! It was better to face the thugs than to face one woman. He was so wrong.

"Come on..don't cry...it's okay...I'm sorry, I won't say anything reckless anymore," said Aaron.

Why is he the one apologizing? Sorry for what Aaron didn't know.

"Forget it...just forget it," Aaron said, he persuaded Mai.

"Oh yeah, you said you wanted breakfast. Are you hungry? I'm really hungry, you know." Said Aaron again.

Aaron changed the subject. Mai was silent for a moment then wiped her tears. The girl nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I'm hungry." Said Mai.

Aaron chuckled inwardly, not expecting Mai to be diverted so easily. Funny, just like a child.

"Yeah, let's eat," said Aaron.

The girl nodded again and immediately stood up from her chair. Aaron removed the blanket covering his body, then slowly lowered his legs. He took a breath.

"Want me to help?" asked Mai who was still there and watching him.

"No... I can do it," said Aaron confidently.

Just getting out of bed had to be helped, he wasn't that weak. Aaron raised his body slowly, wincing at the pain in his stomach but that didn't stop him. He took a deep breath when he managed to put his feet on the floor. The wound in his stomach was throbbing, the painkiller effect must have worn off.

"You...are you okay?" Mai said she was worried when she saw Aaron silent while holding his stomach. The man just stood still, his brow furrowed, his eyes even closed for a moment.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I just... mmm...." Aaron said, he looked around.

"you first." Said Aaron again.

Mai also frowned.

Why him? Does the wound hurt? - thought Mai.

After all, Mai had offered to bring her breakfast here but it was rejected.

"Hurt?" asked Mai directly. Aaron shook his head and smirked.

"I'm going to take a shower first," he replied.

Mai looked away.

What! Guess what's wrong, it's just scary, - Mai muttered to herself.

"Yeah.. I'll be waiting in the dining room." Said Mai.

Aaron nodded.

Mai also wants to take a bath first in her heart. Oh my gosh, she just realized she met Aaron with a face that had just woken up and had not taken a shower. Her face must be wrinkled, embarrassing. While the man even though he had abrasions and bluish bruises on his face, was still handsome. Uh wait why is she even paying attention to his appearance and why is she also judging Aaron's appearance. Stupid. Mai became nervous and embarrassed herself.

"I'm out," said Mai then immediately ran away from there.

Aaron took a deep breath and groaned softly and sat down on the bed again. The wound in his stomach hurts, his whole body hurts too. He had fought last night, the wounds on his body were not only stabbed wounds but also bruises of who knows how many. He didn't want to look sick in front of Mai. The girl was overcome with guilt, Aaron didn't want to add to it.

Haaah... Why is he even worried about other people. He should have thought of himself now.

Suddenly his cell phone which was placed on the table rang. Riven called. Aaron patted his forehead, he forgot to tell Riven.

What's the reason for this? - thought Aaron.

Aaron considered and let the phone continue ringing then stopped. A message came in after, from Riven with a string of demanding questions. Aaron quickly typed the answer.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you. I'm at Anderson's, I have work to do. Forgot to tell you."

I hope Riven believes my reasons, - Aaron thought.