Chapter Eight: Ivy to Vica

Ivy felt a sudden pain in her head and opened her eyes with a lot of difficulty. She winced in pain as her head hurt so badly.

She darted around the room and the place seemed so unfamiliar to her. The lights illuminated through her weak eyes and she hurriedly shuts them.

She struggled to get up with her eyes still tightly shut when a pair of firm hands yet soft and tender held her down.

"Stay put! Nurse Inna would soon be here, "a gentle voice said to her.

Ivy didn't know what made her obey, but there was something about that touch that caused her heart to skip a beat.

She finally opened her eyes to see a handsome face with irresistible hazel eyes, smiling at her. She didn't understand what would cause a guy to smile that much at a total stranger.

" Mr. Berardo? '' a young woman, dressed in free black pants and a Lab jacket walked in. She had on glasses that matched her profession very well, Ivy didn't need anyone to tell her that was a nurse. Her hair was tied up in a neat bundle.

She did her necessary check, starting with Ivy's pulse and heartbeat, then her eyes. Gave her some tablets and Ivy took them with a lot of skepticism.

She darted at the young man and the nurse, then at the young man as though she was seeking some sort of approval to get the medication.

" Oh oh. Miss Russo, it's not harmful and you aren't allergic. It's for the headache, " she explained with a sweet and genuine smile.

Ivy turned to the young man for approval and he nodded his head in the positive wondering why she did that. Ivy took the tablets and swallowed them, drinking a little water.

" No, have much more water, it's good for your health. " the nurse chirped in, maintaining her smile.

Ivy deed as instructed. " Great, " the nurse exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands. "OK, Mr. Barccio, make sure she takes her medication on time. Don't let her eat much, being unconscious for 6 days is quite a long time. Her system needs some recuperation to function properly. "

" Thank you, Nurse Inna. " The young man said, politely. " I'll do as instructed, Dreco will walk you out. " the young man said, extending his hand for a handshake.

The nurse left the room smiling at Ivy, who looked at them in silence. Ivy struggled to get down from the bed.

The young man rushed to hold her down, " Stay steel you aren't strong enough to coordinate any movement. "

"Does that include relieving myself on the bed?" Ivy questioned with hatred.

The young man cracked a chuckle, " Is that so? I'll assist you then, " He offered politely.

" No! " She objected sharply. "I can manage just fine. " Ivy went on.

" I see! And can you find your way around? " The young man asked, raising his eyebrows.

Ivy's mouth dropped open but she had nothing to say, so she swallowed hard.

" Exactly, " He seemed too excited. And Ivy didn't like that.

" Where is the restroom? " Ivy asked with a smug expression.

" I'll assist you, " The young man offered, carrying her in his arms.

Ivy couldn't resist, she sat comfortably in his arms. He walked her to the bathroom and let her down after opening the door.

He attempted to follow her inside and Ivy glared at him and he blushed.

After standing outside for a while Ivy didn't come out of the bathroom. Xavier became worried and knocked on the door twice and got no response from inside.

" Hello??" He called out and still no response. He tried opening the door it didn't open. " Yeah she locked it from inside," he let out with an exaggerated sigh, ruffling his right hand through his chestnut brown hair, and the other on his waist.

He was scared she must have passed out in there, " Maria! " he called, knocking on the door, " Maria! Maria Russo, " he called softly, but still got no responses.

" I'm coming in now!!" He informed at the top of his voice, but still had no response. " I'll break the door,"

He stepped backward, preparing to hit the door full force. He wasn't paying attention to the door and didn't notice when Ivy opened the door, so instead of hitting the door, he fell into Ivy's arms.

In a split second, all he could see were the unusual amber eyes. He swallowed hard when Ivy bit her lower lip.

" You sure do feel comfortable there, don't you? Why not take a nap?" Ivy said with a smug expression, raising her eyebrows.

Xavier rolled his eyes, still not letting go, " What took you so long and why didn't you respond to any of my calls?" he asked, with a slight frown.

" I think those questions should be directed to the architect who constructed the house with soundproofing," Ivy retorted, letting him out of her embrace.

She walked past him, with a warping. " You could at least show some gratitude, Maria Russo," Xavier said, folding his arms.

She smiled over her shoulders hearing how he referred to her. " Vica would do," She said, avoiding the issue that he had raised.

" Huh?" Xavier asked with a surprise look.

" Ludovica, shorts for Vica. Hope it's clear now," she explained further.

" Okay… Got it! Vica," he answered. Ivy smiled, she loved the way he pronounced the name, he caressed each letter with his tongue which left her wondering how Ivy would sound in his mouth.

" Where are my belongings," She asked, looking around the room.

" Vica," he called.

"What? I need my bag and where are my clothes," She retorted.

" Would you calm down? Doesn't it occur to you that I saved your life?" he asked, frustrated by her actions.

" Death is everyone's secret wish, I'd rather you left me there for the vultures to feed on my remains." She responded indifferently.

" This is your new room, your clothes have been burnt. And the bag as well." Xavier felt hurt by her words. He still didn't understand why he felt that way.

" Your belongings are in the drawer," he explained, further pointing towards the drawer. Vica rushed toward the drawer and rummaged through it in search of something.

Xavier didn't say anything, he watched her in silence. She couldn't find whatever she was in search of, she sighed and closed the drawer.

" Looking for this?" Xavier asked, holding up a locket. Vica rushed towards him and seized it from his hands.

" Don't touch my things!" She said, with a scowl.

" Excuse me?" Xavier wondered why she acted so strange and aloof. " You owe me your life, "

" Take it then! " She retorted, folding her arms under her breast. " You can take the damn life! What good did you do for me? "

Xavier sighed, he felt very exhausted by her attitude. " My name is Xavier Barccio Berardo, " he introduced himself even though she didn't ask, he had this guts feeling his life was about to take another turn.

Vica, shocked by the way he changed the subject, smiled inwardly. " Right! "

" We are going to pick up your broken pieces," he informed, with an intense stare." Take a shower and come down for dinner, after which I'll show you around the mansion. " He walked towards the door, with a smile on his face.

Vica was silent for a while. Yes, things were falling into place but she doesn't like the way it's moving too fast. And she hates that she has been smiling too much around him.

" Thank you," Vica said, meekly with her face down.

Xavier didn't say anything, he just nodded and walked out of the room. He didn't even look back to see the expression on her face, but he felt she was smiling.