Tender

"I love you, Mélie. I love you." Damien Jaeger repeated the words that I never thought I'd hear.

I smiled through the oxygen mask as I stared at him, his eyes tender and melancholy.

"Dam-"

"Don't say anything, Mélie." He stopped me as I tried to speak, "Just rest."

"We can talk when you're in a condition to."

I nodded weakly at him and closed my eyes, drifting into a deep sleep.
~

Damien Jaeger walked into my hospital room with a bouquet of tulips and planted a silent kiss on my forehead. I smiled at his reproach, still not used to this new side of him. Sitting up on bed, I took the tulips and brushed it against my lips. This was his 15th bouquet in 3 weeks.

"Feeling better?" He asked.

I nodded in affirmation.

"A little fresh air would be nice."

Damien Jaeger stood up from his chair beside me and installed himself on my bed. His large figure wrapped me in an embrace and my heart fluttered at his touch.

"Wanna get out of here?" He asked, to my surprise.

"Really?" This was the same man who refused to let me pick up a cup because the doctor didn't ask me to.

He chuckled, "The doctor said you can be discharged from the hospital."

"That's wonderful!" I beamed happily. I was already tired of lying in this hospital bed.

"Damien?"

"Yes, Mélie?" He answered quietly. I was still snuggled up in his chest and his large hand stroked my hair.

"What did you do to Wong?"

Damien Jaeger stiffened. I heaved a breath, "Damie-"

"You don't have to worry about him, Mélie." Damien Jaeger cut in, "All criminals have to pay for their crimes."
"It's the right thing to do." He added.

I frowned at his reply. Mister Wong was the mastermind behind my kidnap. He had orchestrated the whole kidnap stuff to get back at Damien Jaeger for hitting him at the Opera house. My face always paled as I imagined the horror I would have faced in his hands. I didn't know how dangerous mister Wong was, but one thing I knew was that he was a pervert.

"Mélie." His voice interrupted my thoughts, "Stop thinking about everything, okay?"

He moved his fingers to my sharp jawline and dug his eyes into mine. Without speaking, those eyes reassured me and gave me a sense of security. The atmosphere felt intense and my eyes moved to his lips, daring not to stare back at his eyes.

A light chuckle escaped his lips and he bit his lower lip. An act which I found extremely seductive. My heart beat faster. Damien Jaeger's fingers trace my jawline.

"Mélie." He called my name again, this time in a low whisper.

"Yes?"

"Look at me, Mélie." He said.

My eyes pierced into his in absolute obedience but went shut as Damien Jaeger closed the inch that separated us. His lips landed on mine and I felt the butterflies in my stomach bloom as we kissed. It was a soft kiss but held up an intense emotion which my soul craved so dearly. Slowly, he drew away, bringing the beautiful kiss to an abrupt end. I protested inwardly but said nothing. My eyes were still shut, too shy to stare.

"Open your eyes, Mélie." He commanded. Still, my eyes remained as they were. He chuckled, "I didn't think you'd be this shy."

"You must have been really drunk that night then."

"What?!" My eyes flew open and I caught a naughty smirk on his lips.

"What are you talking about, Damien Jaeger?" I feigned oblivion. His eyes flashed with mischief and my cheeks turned crimson.

"Stop it!" I blurted out, digging my face into a pillow to hide my blush. His taunting chuckles teased me.
~

The car came to a halt in front of a large Condo. Damien Jaeger, who was on the wheel, dropped from the car and opened the door from him. I gave a sad gaze at the wheelchair beside me, wishing I could get down from the car without having to use it. Unfortunately, the doctor's instructions were clear- that I would have to use the chair for another week before using my feet again. The 20 feet fall had left me with broken bones and torn muscles.

I gasped when Damien Jaeger lifted me into his arms, "You don't need that." He said, gesturing to the wheelchair beside me. I grinned widely at him and turned my sight to the Condo, "I bought it when the doctor said you could be discharged."

"Really?" I asked in surprise, "Didn't he just tell you that earlier this morning?"

"Of course."

Damien strode into the Condo with me still in his arms. The front door opened without him needing to touch the knob, welcoming us into the exotic interior of the Condo. The walls shimmered with glossy white paint and black leather furniture which added to the shininess of the room. Flower vases sat on silver stools with leafy green plants in them. The floor was tiled in white and black in a mirror pattern.

"Is this comfortable?" Damien Jaeger asked as I stared at the interior of the house. My silence must have given him an answer, "I could get a better place if you don't like it."

"Are you kidding? It's beautiful!" I exclaimed and he gave me a satisfied smile.

"You should smile more." "It suits you."

Damien Jaeger said nothing and walked over to the couch where he dropped me carefully before taking up space beside me on the couch. I adjusted the collar of his black shirt which I must have disheaved when he carried me. His hair was not styled with grease as it usually was during the day time, allowing his bangs to fall on his forehead.

"There's something I need to tell you, Mélie." He announced, "It's about Ella, Natalie and Stacy."

The smile on my face turned upside down as I noticed the troubled look on his face, "What about them, Damien?"

He heaved a deep sigh and stared at me. What truth was it that troubled Damien Jaeger this way? I asked myself and braced up as his lips parted open.