It's been three miserable weeks since the accident that ripped part of Emery's life away and her brother was still deep in his comatose state.

The hospital bills were piling up as the day went by and Emery was at her wit's end. She had spent her entire savings from vlogging on her brother's overly expensive medications and right now, she was totally drained. Financially and emotionally.

But in high hopes, she and her Aunt contacted distant relatives for help—with no luck as both of them had anticipated.

'We're sorry Em, things aren't going well but we'll get back to you.' She received this same response every time but they never did.

Then again, the majority of them were all the way across the continent and funding a patient abroad was out of their pockets.

"You should go before Diana leaves the shop. Don't worry, I'll stay here with him."

Emery turned to her best friend and gave her a soft smile. She wanted to tell her to go home and get some rest but knowing how stubborn Natalia was, there was no talking her into leaving her boyfriend's side. The highschool sweet-hearts were connected at the hip and no one dared to separate them.

"Thanks, Talia, I will be right back." Casting another glance at her brother, Emery scurried out of the recovery room.

The tears threatened to spill as she walked the busy streets of Clifford Hills but she braced herself against the onslaught of pain.

Even after sending her curriculum vitae to numerous companies, she was yet to receive any response. But Emery deemed the delayed reply to be understandable seeing as she had just gotten out of college. Even with a first-class degree.

Taking in the bustling activities going on around her, she felt like screaming out her pains to the universe. Why is life so unfair!

Lost in her chaotic mind, Emery did not see the incoming Rolls-Royce which was making a turn and thus crossed the road.

"Watch out!"

That one sentence from a pedestrian brought Emery out of her senses before it was too late.

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

Miles Dekker who was arguing with his ex-fling on the phone was brought out of his rage by a pedestrian's call before he could knock down the absentminded lady who had double-crossed his path.

"What's wrong with you? You almost killed me." Out of frustration, Emery snapped at the stranger.

Miles looked sharply towards the direction of the audacious voice, intent on putting the girl in her rightful place. It was not his fault that she was not paying attention to her surroundings.

However, no censure took place because whoever the hell was the timekeeper of the universe went on strike the moment striking russet eyes met his sapphire ones.

It was her hair that stole all of Miles's attention at first. A thick mop of lustrous afro which was flat twisted on both sides and pinned down in a bun.

Boldly, Miles let his gaze travel down and he practically heard his breath caught. Her delicate oval-shaped face was dusted with color, her expressive brown eyes complimenting a dainty nose and full glossy heart-shaped lips. And the way the late afternoon sun hit her skin made her appear to be a bronze in the flesh.

Indeed he was astounded by the sight of the little angel before him, and for the briefest of seconds which seemed like hours to him, he was held spellbound.

That was until the girl spoke. Again.

"He's not even going to ask if I'm alright. How rude of him." Her voice was brittle as if she was holding onto her last restrain of breaking into tears.

But there was a hint of inbred pride in there as well. One which threatened to override his manly ego.

Goddamn his whoring mind. What was he thinking, checking her out when he should actually be checking up on her?

Clearly, the girl was no damsel in distress with her blunt words, but out of purchased humanity and time consciousness, he threw his phone on the dashboard and rushed out of his car to check up on her.

Miles cast a quick look at his headlights and thanked his good luck. He had just bought that baby last month.

"Are you alright?" he asked the little spitfire who was hunched over the sidewalk.

The girl was sure to shoot him a thunderous glare. Well, that was a first. Girls normally fell under his charm at first sight.

"I'm fine, it was just a scratch," Emery stressed but her right knee was throbbing.

At least it was nothing serious. Miles reasoned, greatly relieved.

Miles was about to call it a day when the girl stood upright and he got a full view of the whole package. Her tapered waist framed shapely hips which were accentuated by the skinny jeans and fitted blouse she wore.

Damn. At this point, Miles felt bad for not rendering a helping hand earlier. Besides, some nosy poachers were watching and he was certain someone had even taken a video or picture of the incident.

Leave it to society to make your life miserable even when you are at your worst.

Miles took a peek at his Rolex and cussed under his breath. Great. He was fashionably late for the family meeting as it was.

"Miss, if you don't mind, I'd like to take you to a hospital for a checkup. This might be more than a scratch." He pointed to the leg that she was desperately trying to hide from him.

What the hell is wrong with her? She couldn't even stand straight on her right leg and yet when he asked if she was alright, the little minx had lied to him.

Emery balanced her body on her good foot as she considered the man's offer. She tried to decipher the reason behind his sudden caring attitude but came up with nothing.

On second thought, the man did look familiar but she could not put a name to the modeled face.

"Miss?" Miles called the dazed girl out of her trance.

Though he was used to women drooling over him, the manner in which this girl was watching him made him feel uncomfortably bare.

I just had to ogle him.

"I'm fine. There is no need for a hospital." the look the man gave her made her flush.

Snap out of it, you have a boyfriend for love sake. The reasonable part of her chided.

"It was nice of you to offer though."

Emery turned from the stranger but before she could take another step, her bad knee buckled beneath her, eliciting a wince from her. Curse her traitorous bone.

Miles was behind her in a flash, gathering the stubborn girl in his arms before she could hit the paved ground. Her anguish stirred something deep within him, rendering him helpless for the first time. It was as if they were both bonded by an unforeseen force as they stared lastingly at each other. And buried deep within those misty eyes of hers, Miles beheld an untold pain.

"Niña terca," he mumbled under his breath. "It's a hospital then." His voice was stern with finality.

Emery glared at the man. Thanks to her college roommate, she knew the man just called her a stubborn girl. He was the one who was being stubborn by insisting on taking her to a hospital.

That was the least of her worries though. She did not appreciate strangers touching her. Not without her consent anyway but this man just did that.

"A piece of advice, Mister?" Miles looked down at the girl in his arms, one brow raised at her question.

"And what would that be?" his tone was light but he was definitely annoyed that she was wasting time.

"Never touch a lady without her consent. Whether it is to lend a helping hand or not. You don't want to get sued. Now put me down, I can walk." She tried to wiggle her way out of his undeniably warm arms.

It took great reflex on Miles's part to not drop the annoying young lady. He stared down at the girl in disbelief and cursed under his breath.

God so help her cause if she continues to run that little mouth of hers like that, he would not be held accountable for his actions.

"Miss, my reputation is at stake here so please stop fussing and let me take you to a hospital."

His reputation?

The nerve of this man. He almost killed her and he is worried about his darn reputation?

Shaking off the foreign things her alluring vanilla scent and mere essence was doing to his senses, Miles rushed her over to the passenger side of his car.

He settled her inside and even dared to strap her seatbelt on. Much to the girl's dismay. But before she could protest, he shut the door in her cute little face. That should shut her up.

Emery starred conflicted after the man as he rounded the car to the driver's seat. There was no time for her to wonder about. She had to get to the bakery before her Aunt closed the shop for them to try their luck once again. But here she was, being bossed around by a complete stranger!

"Look I have no time for a hospital Mr..."

Impatiently, Emery waited for the man to disclose his identity but his gaze was fixated on the road, his jaws locked tightly in place. And whether it be out of anger or concentration, she had no idea.

"I'm taking you to a hospital so save your breath girl." he barely glanced at her before he drove off.

Did he just call her a girl? Undoubtedly, Emery knew her height was a bit insulting for her age but she sure as hell had the physique of a grown woman.

So how dare this inconspicuous male specimen called her lesser than that?

"I have a name mister and it sure as hell isn't girl," She mumbled.

Miles faked a cough to stifle a smile and focused on the road. Of course, he knew damn well that she was no child. Heck, her physique alone gave that away. But if she was going to act sassy with him, then he could also play along.

For the rest of the ride, she seemed to recoil back into herself but her eyes were sharp, following every turn he took. She was wary of him as a stranger and he applauded her for that.

Surprisingly, he did not enjoy her silence. Yes, she was annoying with her moral lectures but it was endearing to have someone talk so openly to him without sugar-coating things-in fear of being in his bad books.

Minutes after an awkward silent ride, he pulled up into an empty parking lane in Clifford hospital which was the closest to where the incident took place.

Miles turned in his seat towards her. "Sorry if I hurt your feelings earlier. That was not my intention. I'm Miles Dekker by the way and you are?" he held out a hand.

The girl's surprised look gave Miles the impression that she had heard of him. From the tabloids no doubt. And anything written about him in those scandal sheets was enough to scare any decent woman off.

She was probably not into corrupt men. Such a shame.

Indeed, Emery had heard of the name Dekker and to say she was shocked to be in the presence of not just any Dekker, but the notorious Dekker was less of an expression.

But out of courtesy and the sudden urge to get her business with this man wrapped up and done with, she put forth her hand.

"Emery Delado. Nice to meet you."

She took his offered hand in a light shake. It was a mere touch but they both felt something foreign from that one contact. A tingle that could pass for a spark.

And while Emery sat there confused by her body's reaction to a complete stranger, Miles was rattled from the unfamiliar reaction. In all honesty, he did not appreciate the needy feeling it left him with hence he was the first to pull back.

Sliding on his distance mask again, Miles shifted his gaze from her. "Come on, I have things to do." he scurried out of the car and went over to help her out.

"I bet I have better things to do," Emery said under her breath.

Before she could object to the man's mode of transport, he hunched over and scooped her into his arms. A soft gasp left her when he hoisted her up without warning and she quickly wrapped her hands around his neck for stability.

Even with all the layers of clothing, Miles felt the tenderness of the girl's touch but his reaction to it was masked. His features were stiff as he strode towards the elaborated health facility.

Well, he initiated this mode of transport so he can suck it up. Emery mused upon catching a glimpse of his sullen look.