Recovery

[Present time]

"Make sure to eradicate the people behind Aria's healthcare team. I can't afford to get caught. Kill them once she is out of the hospital. If you don't accomplish the task, I'll kill you yourself." Prince turned off his 2G cell phone, the one he used when contacting his men. He parked his car at the safe space, and unbuckled his seat.

Today, reporters have drained down their energy asking questions to Prince Gomez.

It has been the seventh day since the news blasted out, fortunate enough to dissipate the doctors who treated Aria. No one should know about her.

It was Aria's last week in the hospital, too. And she can now stand.

Before he even climbed down of his car, Bryce called. There he goes again with his nosy antics.

Prince swiped right. "What now?"

"Aria is leaving the facility, right? Do you order someone to take care of the doctors?"

Prince scoffed. "Do you think I'm stupid to leave that out? Of course, I did. I'm not dumb like you are, Bryce."

Bryce sighed. "Enough with the nonsense, I want to ask you where would you put Aria?"

Prince frowned. This guy has been madly in love with Aria that he couldn't handle his job properly. Prince didn't answer, put on the mask and cap, and continued, "You know, Bryce, I know you wanted to see her. But look at her being hesitant to come near me. You were the one she wanted to avoid, stop right there, alright?"

Prince gave the room pass to the information counter. He headed straight to the elevator.

"I just wanted to know if she's okay and the child she's bearing. Is it wrong to ask about it to you?"

Prince was going to answer, but someone else ride inside the elevator. From what he's wearing, Prince knew she's a prestigious journalist. This isn't good. Prince lowered down his phone and hung up the call quickly.

The girl's hair tied in a bun, and a pen was holding it intact. Prince didn't move an inch, but the woman turned to him with a questioning face.

"You're Prince Gomez, right?" The woman asked with a wide smile.

He didn't answer. It's time to pretend once again.

"I'm sorry?" He answered. The woman checked his mask and cap, certain about who she's talking into. Prince ignored her for a bit, knowing it'll die down, too. Their curiousness was at the very edge, and one small step, they'll reach the bottom of the cliff.

"Oh, I must have mistaken."

The journalist turned back to the elevator. Prince knew she isn't here by coincidence. This woman needed to stay away from Aria, or they're doomed.

When they reached his floor, Prince was the one who stepped out. He feigned ignorance to the woman, who pressed the close button, and stayed inside the car. Prince knew what she's planning. Based on her actions, it must be a joint operative detective, pretending to be a reporter, and following him inside the hospital.

Prince sighed, dialed something on his 2G cell phone, and clicked his tongue.

"Check the electricity generators down at the basement. You need to be there before the police come. They're actually inspecting me of what I am doing." Prince had to recover Aria from her room, and deliver her down to her car. Prince acted calm, surveying every civilian walking down the hallway, and scrutinized every doctor and nurses.

They're not acting odd.

Prince whispered, "Surround the hospital with our men. If you don't do it alongside the task I'm ordering, all of you will receive a bullet in the head."

He turned to her room, defiant about going inside without even warning. Even though there were police officers around the area, Prince wouldn't be afraid. There were snipers and lasers pointed right at their skulls, just waiting to get blown off.

As soon as he closed the door, Aria slipped her feet on the furry soles. Prince tucked in his cell phone inside his pockets, and reached out, touching her feet. Aria adjusted her legs down, and finally, wore it.

Aria was okay now. She can walk. Her IV drip will be removed later.

Prince looked up at her, wearing off the cap. Aria sighed, beaming. She gripped the pole, saying, "Thank you."

He stood up, hoisted her out of the bed, and held her steadily. Just a flint of touch and her body hairs stood up on one end. Prince let go of her after a moment, and Aria longed for that brusque arms. She has a dark desire for Prince to hold her waist, pulled her closer, or even let his breath lingered close to her forehead.

All of those moments she missed with Bryce… she wanted to do it with Prince.

Prince asked, "You're going to get discharged today before lunch, right?"

"Hmmm, I don't have anything to pack in, except those flowers you got me," Aria revealed. Prince turned to the side table, seeing the stem of the flowers were dunked inside a huge water bottle. It's still fresh, but some of it was wilted.

Aria hitched the blinds up, seeing the sunrise from the horizon.

"The thing is: I'm worried about where to go. I can't come home since…" Embarrassment flushed through her cheeks. She doesn't know how to say it to him. Aria doesn't want to be humiliated because of her home.

Look at her, and how Prince presented himself. There's a huge difference between the two of them.

Aria has nothing to offer.

"Why can't you come home?" Prince stared at her back. In fact, his heart thumped louder. The police might barge in here unnoticeably. Prince hasn't gone anxious till now happened.

"I just…" she trailed off. Prince has known the look of her house. He had seen the pictures, and from what Bryce has investigated. It was something got pitied upon, but not to the point Prince should be too soft to help. He had to remind himself that this woman… he will kill her.

"I'll drop you off to your house, if you want to," Prince reckoned.

Aria turned to him with a bewildered expression. What kind of pay did this man expect from her that he kept on helping her? Did she have to show a favor in exchange?

She held onto the intravenous pole for a while.

Prince shrugged, adding, "I have the weekend off from the law office and my business is taken care of my family."

Isn't he a bit too much for a stranger?

"You are a prosecutor or a lawyer, Mr. Gomez?" Aria rolled down the pole to the foot of the bed, reaching her, closing the gap by an inch only. She blinked. Prince turned to her bare face, smiling.

"I am a prosecutor. 5 years in the field and it's exhausting." She's not as nosy as Avery was. It must be because her sister was a diligent lawyer who dealt with a lot of cases from the first time. Aria, on the other hand, didn't seem to know what kind of family she's in.

Aria nodded. "Impressive. I never thought a prosecutor would save me out of an unknown street."

Aria walked past ahead of him. She took a seat down on the bed while Prince observed every action she made.

"That's what my deal is, Mr. Prosecutor. I don't want to come home, so… just drop me off from where you saved me."

Just when he's about to answer, the lights turned off suddenly.