First-Aid Kit

Thinking about the delightful freedom that awaited in her future, Amayah perked up and asked him, "By the way, where's the first aid kit?"

Nolan answered her with a moody silence. It seemed she just had to go on another treasure hunt by herself.

Rummaging through the room, the only thing she found was a tattered old bandage.

She recalled that Nolan's medicine was always sent up by the servant; this was definitely another thing she'd have to inquire about.

Before she left the room, she put the bandage on Nolan's cheek. When she pressed it on Nolan's wound, the pain caused his temper to flare once more.

Apologizing, she walked towards the door hurriedly, not before informing him, "I'm going to find a first aid kit. Don't worry though, I'll return with both food and medicine for you."

Nolan turned away, muttering, "Do as you please. It's none of my business, so there's no need to keep me informed."

"Fine." Amayah hadn't expected him to be grateful anyway. She turned and left the room.

Once she was gone, Nolan lifted his hand to rip the bandage off…

And yet, for some reason, he didn't.

***

As Amayah strode down the second-floor corridor, she happened to come across the same servant she met earlier when she went to ask for another meal for Nolan. Amayah boldly asked her about Nolan's medical supplies.

The maid coolly replied, "My lady, any supplies you wish to use will first require the permission of the Butler."

Amayah hadn't expected that even a simple request like this would require someone's approval. Although the old butler, Mr. Alfred, was really sweet and she was sure he wouldn't deny her, the problem was that right now he wasn't at the mansion. He's taking a half day off today. He informed her about it previously when she saw him leaving the mansion when she came back from work. How was she to ask him for anything now?

"Can't you do something about this, Ms. Cora?" Amayha requested reading her name from the name tag on her uniform.

The maid's eyes glittered mockingly, as if to remind Amayah that she was no one to her. "If it's so urgent, my lady, you can always go out and buy the supplies yourself."

But if Amayah left the house now, what if Nolan went to do something by himself and got hurt again?

What could she do now? She can't even leave his current wound untreated in fear of more.

Having no other option, she walked out of the mansion.

She wanted to stop a taxi, but there were none to be seen in near sight. Sighing, she could only use her legs.

After walking for some time and distance, she finally saw a drug store across the street.

She entered and walked through the store, finding some different basic medical supplies like adhesive tape, band-aids in several sizes, elastic bandage, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, tweezers, scissors, disposable instant cold packs, alcohol wiped, plastic non-latex gloves, small flashlight, thermometer, etc…

Lastly, she bought a big enough plastic container that would be able to fit everything and went to the register.

She hadn't brought her wallet with her, but luckily she had the habit of keeping emergency cash in the watch pocket of her everyday wear just in case some day her wallet got lost or stolen. It came in handy today. She took out a neatly folded $100 bill from her pocket, unfolded it, and handed it to the cashier.

Amayah told the cashier to pack everything she'd bought in the plastic container itself. The cashier did so and returned the bag and the change to her.

As Amayah returned to the mansion by foot again, just as she was about to climb the stairs, a maid came to her and informed her that her food delivery was here at the door.

Amayah nodded and asked her if she could take the first-aid kit to their room. The maid hesitated at first but eventually agreed.

Amayah walked up to the door, received the takeout from the delivery man, and headed straight up to the second floor.

***

Amayah brought the food back to Nolan's room on the second floor. "I'm back."

Nolan harrumphed coldly at the sound of her voice.

Thinking that he must be starving half to death, she frantically said, "Sorry to have kept you waiting. I've brought you something to eat."

"I thought you were having so much fun that you wouldn't come back," Nolan muttered bitterly.

Amayah winced. From now on, she'd be lucky if all she got was more acerbic treatment from the servants. Having fun, indeed!

"Don't you misjudge me, I came back to you as soon as I obtained a first-aid kit. No delays whatsoever." Remembering something, she added, "Oh, did a servant bring you a first aid kit?"

Nolan nodded. "She did."

"Oh…" Amayah looked around. Not seeing it anywhere in sight, she asked, "Where did she put it?"

"It's with me," Nolan replied mysteriously.

"Come here," he ordered right after.

She did, and as she walked closer, she found the first aid kit torn open at his feet. All the bandages, disinfectants, and salves lay strewn across the floor.

She looked wearily at the culprit. Had he been a poltergeist in his past life, delighted in the torments of others?

Nolan looked as arrogant as ever as he said, "Remember this: I don't need anyone's charity."

At first, Amayah had been annoyed, but his words made her ponder. He had been emotionally stable when she'd left the room earlier—that was how she had managed to put the bandage on his cheek.

After some thought she asked, "When the servant came by, did she say anything unpleasant?"

Hearing her speculating question, Nolan's fingers tightened on the bed frame.

Amayah noticed that slight change and understood what must have happened to make him angry.

She could see that accepting any kindness due to pity from anyone represented the height of shame for Nolan, so she didn't press the issue. "Alright, I'll respect your wishes. But please let me clean your wound for now, otherwise it will get infected."