Subtle care.

Berielle's POV:

I brushed off the piercing pain from my leg as I tried my best to get out of his beastly grip. However, compared to him, my strength was nothing. Instead his fingers were practically digging into my waist, causing me to wince.

"You are hurting me. Let go." I said harshly but I was so overwhelmed by whatever is going on with my lower body that it felt like I was begging him.

"You are coming with me." He announced. The tick in his jaw was evident as he practically dragged me out of the building. I had to look behind to check if anyone saw us but it was a massive relief that there wasn't a single soul in the hallway.

However, the question that arises is, what the hell is he doing here? As far as I am aware, Zen has nothing to do with the entertainment industry. Well, it's not that I know him too well.

He opened the car door for me, but my stubborn ass did not obey his orders immediately as I continued to stand there, bearing the pain.

"Get in the car, Elle." He pointed at the passenger seat. Meanwhile, his eyes were bloodshot. He was definitely filled with wrath and it tempted me to mess up with him further.

"I am not your slave who you can order around." I retaliated, "This is China not your England. So, you better stuff that attitude back."

I was about to walk away but he held my hand, "Say one more word and you will see the worse of me." His tone was low and deadly. Trust me, he did not need to shout to show who the real boss is.

"You are getting in the car, Period." His British accent was getting more evident. Without giving me a chance to comprehend what was going on, he literally pushed me inside the car, causing my leg to cramp up and wince in pain.

He paused but hurriedly stepped inside the car and stepped on the accelerator, "We are going to the hospital." He informed me.

"We are going nowhere." I inhaled and exhaled loudly to calm myself, "You are dropping me back to my apartment or I am jumping out of this car." I threatened him.

"Elle, for once- just for god's sake-" His patience snapped as he gritted his teeth. However, he did not complete what he was about to say and left me hanging. Meanwhile, although the cramp at first was intense, suddenly all the pain started to subside.

My breathing started to even out, I wasn't sweating anymore and everything felt better. My muscles relaxed to some extent and I am sure Zen also felt the change in me, thus, he glanced at me and let out a sigh of exhale. Even though he was rough with me earlier, I was able to see that he was extremely worried about me.

All of his actions had only one goal- to ensure my safety and well being. For some reason, I could not help but feel moved. Maybe it is because we have some history between us, I do not feel uncomfortable showing this side to him as I did when I was with Duan Yan.

There was not an exchange of a single word between us and soon, the car stopped in the narrow street of my apartment. I was fully sure that he was going to drag my ass all the way to the hospital, that's why it came as a shock to see that he actually brought me to the apartment.

I did not bother to thank him as I stepped out of the car and made my way to my apartment. Soon, I heard soft footsteps that were following me. I could not help but bite the inside of my cheek.

"Please, leave." I turned around and said to him.

He had his hands tucked inside the pockets of his well tailored pants and there was this nonchalant look on his face that I hate. However, what caught my attention was his eyes. They kept on roaming on my body- I mean not in a perverted way but to really make sure whether I am okay or not.

"You promised me at the cafe that you will not bother me anymore." I reminded him.

"Will you believe me if I tell you that I have been really trying my best to keep my words?" He asked. There was this helplessness in his tone that really stuck with me.

"Then, what were you doing at the company? The only explanation that makes sense is that you followed me all the way there." I accused him.

Zen took a step closer to me, "How should I assure you that I was really there for some work?"

My eyes narrowed instinctively as I judged him.

"Trust me, I am not lying. You can even ask the HR of your company. I really had a meeting with them." He emphasized.

"Why would you do that?" Suddenly something clicked, "Don't tell me.. Are you actually snooping around my work now?" I was shocked to know that he can go to this extent.

"No, no. Don't get me wrong." He exhaled and looked away, "I might be obsessed with you but I would never come in the way of your work. I have always supported you, Elle. I might not have said that in the past either but I have always rooted for you, for your dreams."

Why are his words stirring the softest spot in me?

No, no. I should not let myself get carried by him. He is a disaster. He will ruin me.

"Whatever." I brushed him off and made my way to my apartment.

I thought if I did not pay attention to him, he would leave me alone. However, he still followed me.

"Are you a stalker? Zen, I am warning you. I will not tolerate such behaviour anymore. I will call the police and report you." I threatened him. Well, it's not like this is going to work on him. Even though he is in China, I am sure his reputation here is as strong as it is in England.

"We need to talk. You cannot avoid me forever."

I exhaled and opened the door. I do not want him in here but this is not going to work on him. I dropped my bag on the bed and went to fetch myself a glass of water. He eyed every movement of mine.

"What? Do not expect me to be courteous. I am not going to offer you anything." This is really mean of me. I know it. But who cares.

"Come here." He patted the space on my bed and stood there, waiting for me.

There was something compelling about that gesture. I want to go against everything he says but I found myself under some kind of spell as I did exactly what he wanted me to.

I sat there and what he did, not in my wildest dream I expected him to do.

He went on his knees and placed my injured leg on his thighs.

"Hey." I panicked and tried to pull myself away from him but my strength did not even bother him. In the next second, he pulled up my trousers and checked on my injury. The surgical mark has faded. Well, it took me a great deal of plastic surgeries to come to this point.

"Haven't you fully healed yet?" He inquired, "Why were you in pain earlier?"

His question caused me to choke on the lump that is forming in my throat. He never came to see me at the hospital. I was fighting death at that time and most of all, I was his wife. No matter how distant we were, there is no justification to his actions.

"Elle, I asked you something. Please, answer me."

"I don't know." My tone was laced with frustration.

"Haven't you been visiting the hospital?" He inquired.

"I have been fine. I don't know what happened earlier." I opened up to him. Meanwhile, he subtly started to massage my leg. My nails dug into my palms as I tried my best to stop myself from breaking in front of him.

It's been two years since that accident but I am still stuck in that time. Every time it rains, I panic and my leg hurts but this time I can't even dance. This is so fucked up. All the things that I have loved, they have been taken away from me.

A tear fell from my eye and dropped directly on his arm. Zen paused and looked up. His eyes are the epitome of wrath and indifference, I saw emotions in them.

He instantly wiped them away, "Does it still hurt?" His words.... they were soft and so calming like he was putting an ointment on the wounds.

"It doesn't." I shook my head.

"Then, why are you crying?" He settled next to me and held my hand.

"Can you please stop treating me this way? I prefer it that way."

He paused, "I will book an appointment for you at the doctor's and send you the details. You should go there and get yourself checked. Otherwise I will take you there personally."

Maybe I should really pay a visit to the doctor. I need to see what is wrong with me.

I glanced at him. If he paid even half of the attention to me when we were married, trust me, I would have been head over heels for him. However, fate is too cruel to me.

I sighed and stood up. Just the idea of spending one more second with him was suffocating.

Zen bit his lower lip and got up with a disappointed look on his face. I did not need to tell him that it is time for him to leave. He left on his own, without any resistance and I am grateful for that. I need some time to pull myself together.

After I was left alone, I plopped on the bed, "How am I going to dance with this leg?" There was still mundane pain.

Furthermore, a message from Duan Yan was also shining on the screen of my mobile.

"Even if I will be crippled with the pain, I have to do it." I said, determined and stood in front of the mirror. I exhaled loudly and started doing what I needed to do.