And there, she meets him.

Her destiny.

A voice vibrated bringing peace and the feeling of being protected inside me, the fear that was bubbling in me was subsiding but everything vanished all of a sudden.

"Ahg! Ahg!" I jolted struggling to look around as I was blinded by bright white lights, I tried to pull out the thing that was latched into my nose but my hands weren't listening to my command.

Everything around me was spinning and blurry, I tried to pull myself up but I couldn't move an inch, my body wasn't listening to me, it seemed like it was paralyzed.

I shut my eyes tightly as the beeping sound that reflected around made my head burst with an unspeakable amount of pain like I was being hammered continuously.

"Hey...." A slurry voice called out, I glanced at the blue and blurry image with fear, they kept whispering things but I couldn't concentrate.

She meets him.

Her destiny.

"Those... Those words... Who..who was it?" I managed to let those words out feeling the pain of being penetrated with razor-sharp needles on my neck.

"We...ar..here... relax. Just a night....mare." A vague voice buzzed around but I was unable to comprehend what they were mumbling.

I could feel their hands on me as they pushed me backward. I struggled under their hold as anxiety creeps inside, it felt like I was being shoved forcefully deep into the deep dark blue sea where I couldn't inhale.

"No!.. No! Go...away." I cried helplessly under their hold gasping for air, I was caged in my own body.

But everything went in vain as there was this sudden stinging sensation on my arm after which I felt the life drawing out of me.

"Who... was.. it? Who...who's words were..those?" I whispered feeling dizzy, it was the feeling of vanishing into the colorless soft breeze of the air.

A thin horizontal strand of blinding white light was all I could see before everything went dark.

***

"How long its been?" I asked looking at Lilly who was blubbering, Emily placed a hand on my shoulder in a comforting way. They looked like a living ghost putting me at guilt.

"Twenty-six days," Said Emily, I nod staring at the shining white floor at the very vague image of mine.

"How is Kiara doing?"

"She's fine, Bri," Emily answered.

"We..we thought we lost you," Lilly hugged my left hand dropping white crystals of teardrops. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I am the one responsible for everything that happened to you, one stupid action of mine nearly costed your life. Don't forgive me, punish me Bri! Punish me!" She sobbed, I wiped her face shaking my head.

"Can I get a mirror?" I requested.

"No, not now. Give your body some time to recover before you could see yourself, please." Emily pleads.

"Give me the god damn mirror!" I grit immediately regretting as my chest was on fire, but they wouldn't budge.

"Fine," I look towards my right where I found a surgical steel tray, I know it was presumptuous of me to throw everything that was inside, but I was incapable of controlling.

I stroked my bruised reflection, I couldn't recognize myself anymore, the tray slipped out of my hand as I closed my eyes that were filled with hot unshed tears as an overwhelming sense of sadness and cloud of fear squeezed my soul and made me feel heavy.

The long strands of the brown hair that used to waver beautifully whenever the air surged past me were nowhere to be seen, everything was gone.

It was solely replaced with a thick white bandage, my eyes were on the deepest shade of purple. There were cuts and stitches everywhere. My neck was strapped with a brace and my right hand with a sling.

"You endured a severe head injury and doctors had to operate you for four critical hours, you were unconscious for all this while living through the support of the ventilator." Lilly sobbed continuously.

"They-they gave you th-thirteen hours, if-if no-"

"Please stop, I can't take it anymore. Please, I beg you." They understood my situation and gave me some time and space to calm down.

"Would Kiara recognize me? She wouldn't hate me, right?" Even the thought of such a reaction out of Kiara scares the living light out of me, I could survive a major accident such as this but not a drop of her hate and disgust from her towards me.

"She's your daughter, she would love you unconditionally as you do. She visits you every day and wouldn't eat until she sees and kisses her mom." Emily consoled wiping my tears and her words calmed me.

"Lay down and loosen up Bri," Emily said, lowering me ever so lightly hovering the blanket on me after which she adjusted the position of my bed.

"Lilly? Em?" I mumble. "I-I keep hearing a particular voice and specific words. Who.. was it?" I desperately needed to know who the person was. I looked at them hopefully but they froze on their spot.

Lilly stepped towards me and placed a lingering kiss on my forehead with a smile but her eyes were saying another story, a sad one.

"You'll know, sleep for now, hmm?"

***

Three months later

It's been three months since I regained consciousness and every day I put up a fight to stop thinking about everything that transpired that day.

The physical and mental depression that I was going through due to the post-traumatic stress disorder was subsiding because of the medical attention I had been receiving, there are therapists, physicians, and psychologists who were assisting me and the care I was receiving from my people. They would fill my hospital room with flowers, scented candles, and chocolates creating a warm and cozy environment.

Everyone would visit me every day saying things to cheer me up and of course my Kiara who was presently staying with Gia and George.

I still remember what she said when we first met after I regained my consciousness that made the entire room burst out with laughter.

'Mama, you loowk like my fawvorite little alien, Sparks!'

But, a person's name was missing from that list, Ian Longwood.

That cold-hearted, arrogant, barbarous bastard never bothered to bestow me with his presence, and it bothered me.

While I was battling for my life here, he would have probably been busy with a meeting. I understand I had no right to be mad at him, yet there's this fragile part of mine that he protected, nurtured, and helped it heel when it was broken and damaged at times looks at the door everyday for him.

I would check my new phone that Blaze gifted me to see if he's left any message, a work-related message would have elated me, but no, I got none.

"I'll try to walk, you can leave me now," I murmur, swatting Lilly's hands away. We were in the open garden inside the hospital premises, this was the first time I was allowed to step out of the hospital room after my accident.

"Slow and steady, okay?" She says releasing me, I blinked my eyes.

I took baby steps with rippling feet as my sandals dug into the grass smiling happily as I successfully walked for a few feet.

The smile lasted for less than a few seconds as my trembling legs couldn't carry me anymore and I crumble down.

"Christ!" I hissed as the pain slowly seeps through my left ankle.

"Bri!" Lilly rushes towards me. "You okay? Are you in pain? God, I shouldn't have left you."

I shut my eyes for a few seconds before opening "I'm fine-" I cut myself off staying silent for a few seconds, the air around me felt heavy and my heartbeat ignites rapidly, it's him, I could feel him.

He's here.

My eyes frantically looked around the little crew of nurses who were panicking looking at me along with other patients who gathered around, but there was no sight of him, I sighed taking hold of Lilly's hand lifting myself convinced that he wouldn't come.

But I fall back right on the ground bringing Lilly down with me, "Careful." She whispered getting up.

I lift my head helplessly, the glittering evening sun that was slowly disappearing hit me as the crowd parted away for someone, I stared at the person who stood protectively in front blocking the light away, who's eyes were fixed down right at me.

Looking at him made me emotional and I just wanted to coop up and cry my heart out, but I controlled peeking at him as he walked towards me dropping his grey coat on the ground and scrunched down.

"Raine," He called out, listening to his voice after all this while filled my heart that was void and vacant all this while.

"Who let her out?" He asked in a low threatening voice glaring murderously at the nurses that made them squirm under him. He looked dangerous like a raging beast.

"I was the one," Lilly spoke up in a low tone in return Ian puts his hand forward stopping her fisting his other hand, he wasn't even looking at her.

I frown pulling my brows together, "I was the one who forced them, sir and you need to calm down." He's behaving like he cares when he wasn't there when I was suffering.

He gave me a pointed look or more like a glare as he slowly traced his hand around my waist that made my stomach dip and breath stop in my throat with heartbeat racing up and the other hand under my knees scooping me into his arms handling me like a delicate flower.

"Mr. Longwood," I looked at Lilly subconsciously asking for her permission who gave me an approving nod.

"Shhh," He hushed, I stare at him clasping onto his white shirt as he moved forward carrying me like I was a delicate piece of artwork that would shatter if not handled with care, he twists his head down engaging his blue eyes with mine with a sensual look before looking away.

Unintentionally, I press my face against his chest melting into his warm embrace spreading my lips into a soft yet tired smile, I look away when his gaze falls on my gleaming face but he chooses not to comment on it.

Everyone's looks were directed towards us that made me uncomfortable, I thighten my hold on him.

"Thank you," I mumble as he placed me on the bed, I released him from my hold though I don't want to, he didn't reply instead moved towards my feet and gently tugged my sandals off my feet and examined it by running his hand over.

I tried pulling my legs away but he gave a firm look gesturing me not to, meanwhile, my self-consciousness kicked in and I pulled my hoodie cap over my head.

Ug, I look like a ghost.

He took a few steps forward when he noticed my action and pushed the hoodie off me, there wasn't an ounce of difference with the way his eye captured me. My heart swelled at his gesture.

"Never hide away from me, you get that?" He whispered cupping my chin tenderly, I blink seeking solace in his words.

"No chocolates? No flowers?" I asked in a teasing tone for some unknown reason his presence lighted up my mood and made me happy.

"People bring flowers to meet a person who's deceased and you're pretty much alive, Raine." He said, his eyes were twinkling with an evil glint, smirking arrogantly.

I gaped at his words scrunching my nose. "You are so mean and rude, Mr. Longwood."

"That's no way to talk to your boss. Where's your professionalism, Miss?" He asked bringing back the dominant and bossy side raising his eyebrow with a static expression.

I roll my eyes, "But, isn't this a hospital?"

"Here's your food!" Lilly exclaimed along with a lady holding my food tray, I groan.

I noticed both of them exchanging a look that said different stories, Ian's face held pure anger whereas Lilly's face dimmed immediately.

Why is he being so rude towards her?

I have to talk to him, this behavior of his is not acceptable.

Lilly left me with him saying that she had promised Kiara that she would bring her to me, which I very know is far from the truth.

Things were becoming complicated.

I tried shoving the spoon with a quivering hand but stopped when I heard him sighing.

"Give it to me," Ian said, pulling the spoon away.

I tried to open my mouth to decline, but he beat past me.

"Raine," He warned in a low tone without blinking.

I looked at him as he stirred the soup before bringing it close to my lips, gesturing to me with his blue eyes.

I part my lips darting right at him and wince when the hot soup touches my bruised lip.

"Relax." He whispered in his alluring voice scooting closer caressing his thumb soothingly over my lip. His eyes were boring into mine heating the atmosphere around us.

"Mr. Longwood." I whimpered holding my breath closing my eyes feeling him, his warmth, his infectious calmness, and as always his presence alone was enough to placate me.

I flutter my eyes when he tried moving his hand away. "No," I grabbed his hand as tightly as possible laying my head on his palm, he let me without any questions looking deeply into my soul.

Every passing second with him, every breath with him, every heartbeat with him was beautiful.

"I'm here with you." Was his word and that was all I desired.

"Raine?" He called, his expression was quite serious.

"Hmm?"

"What happened that day?"