2: Shadow

"I don't know how I've survived without you, all I know is I did it without much success"

Ai

***

I park my car at the supermarket and step out, realising it's almost eleven p.m. Instead of finishing my work or watching Netflix in bed, I find myself here. Nova will hear about this later.

I grab a basket and head to the bread section, swiftly picking up two loaves of rye bread. I also indulge in some snacks like Doritos, Skittles, gummy bears, chocolate, cookie dough ice cream, and eight boxes of butter popcorn. Popcorn is my guilty pleasure—delicious, fluffy, and oh-so-tasty. Although, I must say I don't like sweet and salty popcorn. Who came up with that flavour?

With my items in hand, I pay at the counter and leave the supermarket. I quickly walk back to my car and put the bags in the trunk. Just as I'm about to get into the car, I hear heavy breathing and coughing nearby. It's hard to see clearly in the dim light from the lampposts.

"Hello, is anyone there?" I call out, trying to locate the source of the coughs.

Cough, cough.

Following the sound, I notice an alleyway. The dim lamplight helps me see a figure on the ground, struggling to breathe. Without hesitation, I rush toward the alley and find a man in pain with blood on his t-shirt and the ground around him.

"Hey, are you okay?" I ask, sounding concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just go," he responds, his voice strained.

Normally, I would have listened and left. Being in an alleyway at midnight is not where I want to be. But seeing the blood and his obvious discomfort compels me to help.

"I can't leave you like this. It looks painful, and you're bleeding," I assert.

"Don't bother, someone's coming to pick me up," he grumbles.

"I don't see anyone, though," I counter.

Reluctantly, he agrees, "Fine."

I help him to his feet, offering support by putting my arm around his shoulder. Together, we make our way to my car, and I assist him into the passenger seat before getting into the driver's side.

"Are you comfortable?" I ask, glancing at him.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replies.

With his hoodie hiding his face, I can't make out much about him. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I ask for his name.

"Why should I tell a stranger like you my name? You could be a stalker," he responds sceptically.

"Trust me, I'm not a stalker. I am a doctor, though. Besides, if I were a stalker, I wouldn't be asking for your name because I would already know it," I assure him.

"Blake," he responds, still struggling to breathe.

"Well, Blake, I'm Skylar. Nice to meet you," I introduce myself.

"Yeah, very nice," he replies sarcastically.

The rest of the journey is filled with grunts, heavy breathing, and an uncomfortable silence. Finally, I park the car in the driveway and quickly get out to help Blake.

"Nice place," he comments as we enter the house.

"Thanks," I replied.

I guided him to the ground-floor bathroom due to his pain, promising to return shortly after fetching the first aid kit. In the kitchen, I find the kit and bring it back to the bathroom.

"Blake, can you—" I start, but my attention is momentarily captivated by his shirtless form.

I can't help but admire the sight before me, taking in every detail of his striking appearance. His well-toned muscles, sculpted through dedication and hard work, are visible beneath his skin, speaking of strength and athleticism. His defined V-line leading to his abdomen emphasises his toned physique, a result of his disciplined fitness routine. Intricate tattoos grace his arms, each with its own story hidden from my curious gaze.

Moving past his physicality, I shift my focus to his face, where masculinity and symmetry intertwine to create a captivating sight. His chiselled jawline exudes ruggedness and confidence, while his straight nose adds a touch of refinement. Proportionate ears frame his face, a subtle detail that adds to his overall attractiveness.

But it's his eyes that truly mesmerise me, drawing me in like a whirlpool of emotions. Those enigmatic grey orbs hold an intense gaze, as if they can perceive more than what meets the eye. There's a mysterious allure in his eyes, a sense that they possess wisdom and experience beyond his years. With just a single glance, they have the power to leave anyone breathless, yearning for more.

Lost in my thoughts, I'm abruptly brought back to reality, questioning the effect this stranger has on me. How is it that his mere presence can evoke such a strong response within me? I try to shake off the enchantment, reminding myself that my focus should be on helping him, not succumbing to his undeniable charm. Yet, the magnetic pull remains, casting a spell that proves difficult to resist.

"Are you just going to stand there and keep staring at me, or are you going to assist me?" Blake's voice interrupts my reverie, accompanied by a knowing smirk.

"Pfft, you wish I was checking you out," I retort, attempting to regain my composure.

I walk toward the counter, placing the first aid kit on it. Carefully, I take out the disinfectant and cotton wool. "This might sting a little," I inform Blake as he sits there.

Approaching him, I begin to clean his wounds with the disinfectant, fully focused on my task. Using a needle and thread, I carefully stitch the deep gashes on his body.

"Wait a minute, what are you planning to do with those?" Blake interrupts, pointing to the needle and thread.

"I'm going to stitch your deep gashes to prevent infection," I explained matter-of-factly.

"I'm not sure if I should trust a stranger to patch me up. What if you make a mistake or make my wounds worse?" Blake expresses his concerns.

"That won't happen because, as I mentioned before, I happen to be a doctor," I reply, rolling my eyes.

"You're quite the know-it-all, aren't you?" he says with a hint of sarcasm.

"I am, which means you should do everything I tell you," I retort with a touch of sass.

Finishing the stitches, I carefully wrap bandages around his stomach and forehead. Since he's sitting on the counter, I have to stretch on my tiptoes to reach the top of his head, struggling a bit due to his height.

Once the bandages are secure, I stand upright again, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. However, before I can even consider leaving the bathroom, Blake surprises me by wrapping his arms around my waist. I look up at him, my mind racing with questions about his unexpected action, but he beats me to it by capturing my lips with his own.