FIVE: WOUND DRESSING

SERENA

"And what could that be?" Gabe leaned forward, placing his right hand on the bedpost. He seemed a little bit eager to hear what I had to say.

I looked at him, deep in his eyes, my eyes void of any emotions because all I felt at that moment was just pure hurt and I wanted revenge so badly, and I definitely was going to get it, no matter what it took me.

"please state in this contract" i flung the papers back to him before i continued.

"That for the two years we would be married, there would be no emotions whatsoever, what we have will be strictly business, and if one breaches that, the contract will be called off immediately, and I don't care if we haven't gotten to the two years deal" i said as i looked up at him.

"Agreed?" I crossed my arms and leaned back on the bedpost.

Gabe seemed stunned at first but quickly composed himself. He let out a little cough, and took the papers from the bed. He skimmed through it for a while, before closing it back.

"Agreed!" He simply said and then he turned around.

He walked towards the couch, and picked up the black suitcase, straightening up his suit.

"Alright then. I'll draft a new contract, and send it through one of my men for you to sign" he added as he began to walk towards the door, not taking a glance at me.

"I'll also speak to Dr. Guilio to always check up on you till you are ready to be discharged, and we can then move on with our plans" and with that, he walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

For some reason, i felt some type of way. Maybe hurt? Was this because he never looked back at me as he left? I had to idea,but i didn't really care. All I had in mind was what I wanted to do to Ariel and Stephan.

I wanted so much as to skin them alive, and hold their flesh in my hand while they begged for mercy, which i would never spare.

I looked around me, the walls of the hospital irritated me so much, and the beeping sound of the heart monitor annoyed the hell out of me. I hated hospitals because they always irked me. The thick smell of medicines and antiseptic always made me feel like throwing up, and now i was going to be stuck here for days, weeks, or even a month.

The thought of that made my throat heavy with disgust.

I adjusted myself back into my bed, laying my head on my pillow, making sure i was really comfortable. I tried to ignore the pains i felt in my torso.

"This will all be over soon" i muttered to myself, trying to blink back tears.

I closed my eyes, trying not to think of anything. I wanted to shut my eyes a little and get a good sleep. Just then, the door to my hospital room slid open, making my eyes shut open.

"Gabe?" I almost called, expecting to see him back here.

But it was a lady who popped her head out.

"Can i come in?" She asked,her face holding a beautiful smile.

"Yes_yes" i answered, trying to sit up.

"No…no!" You can't do that. She rushed over to me, stopping me from sitting up, it was then that I took full sight of her.

She was dressed in a nursing outfit, with her cute little nurse cap dangling on her head. She held a small stainless tray, and in it were objects to clean a wound, like scissors, cotton wool, and the rest.

Guess she was here to clean my wound.

"You do not need to sit up okay? I am just here to clean your wound" she raised the little tray up. I nodded, and placed my head back on my pillow.

"Thank you" she said, and simply nodded. She went ahead to dress the wound around my torso, making sure to be gentle, and not cause me much pain.

She placed the little tray on the table when she was done, and wrapped fresh and clean bandages around my torso.

"Thank you" I muttered trying my best not to scream out in pain.

"You're welcome. All you need to do is rest, and I'll come here at intervals to check up on you" she said with a smile.

"How long am I going to be here?" I asked, just wanting to know how much longer I could survive in this hell hole.

"Hmm, around two to three weeks" she replied with a wide smile, and my eyes widened in shock.

"Three weeks?!" I almost screamed out as I lay on the bed completely stiff. "That's a whole lot of days" I muttered, worry laced in my tone.

"So sorry Mrs. Jones" she said, and my brows immediately furrowed.

I felt a bit, no, i was offended a lot by how she addressed me but i knew she didn't exactly know what happened. "Please don't refer to me as that, i am Ms. Cordinni" I corrected her.

She seemed to be taken aback at first, but quickly smiled and replied. "Oh, i'm so sorry about that Ms. Cordinni. This would never happen again" she said, and I simply nodded.

She talked about a few things, basically telling me how to use the drugs given to me, and right after that, she picked up the little tray, and walked out of the room.

I looked around trying to reassure myself that everything would be over soon. I just had to heal quickly, and I would be out of here. I picked up my phone that was on the nightstand, and began to scroll, checking if there were any updates. I stared hard at my phone, hoping to see a particular message pop in.

I didn't want to believe Gabe's words just yet. I wanted to have the benefit of doubt. I wanted to see Stephan's message pop up, asking why he hasn't seen me. I knew the pictures were real, and gave me a response to everything I needed to know, but I just couldn't bring myself to believe it.

Stephan had betrayed me?

"Stephan, please tell me all these are lies" I tried to blink back the tears.

Messages never came in, calls never came in. I kept on checking my phone for hours, but no single message.

I stared down at the pictures scattered on my laps. As much as I tried to stay strong, the thought of Ariel and Stephan betraying me, brought tears to my already swollen eyes. I wanted nothing more than to see them beg for mercy at my feet.