Unexpected

Chapter 19

It has been two weeks now that Vanessa was at rest. Most of her injuries were healed, except for the bruised ribs. They were improvements, it hurt less when she breathed. However, she could feel tenderness in the area and bending over or carrying stuff were painful.

She was constantly on edge, Jered being her favorite victim. He was roaming over her all the time, which annoyed her. Being stuck with your ex snooping at you sucked. She wished sometimes she could make him disappear. Hence her being mean to him on purpose. But he was being patient, taking care of her, her need, helping her. Not that she would say it out loud, but she was grateful for his help.

It had been two weeks of her staying in the guest bedroom after refusing to share a room with Jered. Two weeks of him going nut over her refusal to address the issue between them. Whenever he tried, she would brush him off or completely ignore him. The kiss they exchanged at the hospital was the last to date. He didn't thought it would be that difficult to win her back, even if he knew she was doing it on purpose to push him away.

He went to her room to check on her only to find her asleep. She looked so small. She had lost a few pounds. He sat on the bed beside her ad caressed her hair. He didn't stop when she opened her eyes.

"Can you stop being a creep?"

"..."

"Argh! Jered! I'm talking to you. Go away, let me be."

"..."

"Are you suddenly deaf or what?"

He ignored her question and said "I receive a call from the lawyer. The judge has decide to keep Trevor in preventive detention, prior to the trial."

"Oh okay. Good." She replied, sitting on the bed rest.

"Are you okay?"

"Take a guess genius."

"You know being mean to me won't push me right?"

"Then what will? You're so annoying."

"Nothing" he replied with a small smile.

She rolled her eyes at his answer "Yeah right."

He watched her struggle a little to get up and go to the bathroom but he knew better than to interfere.

"Don't you want to go out? We could go to a restaurant or something."

"No"

"Sweetheart please."

"No, now go away."

He sighed and left the room. He came few minutes later with lunch.

"I'm not hungry."

"You have to eat to take your medications. Stop acting like a child a little."

"Are you insulting me?

"I'm just stating the obvious. Just missed the kicking feet."

"Why do you have to be a smartass?"

"You love that ass sweetheart."

"Fhm!"

"I'll be back in a few" he said living her with the food.

Vanessa ate looked at him leaving. She had been doing her best to avoid having a serious discussion with him. Yes she loved him, but she was still hurt by his reactions and what happened with Trevor. She was afraid of the repercussion of that discussion. She was afraid of saying things that would definitely drive them apart. She wanted him but wasn't sure it was actually a good idea.

The next day, Jered came with a present for her, since it was her birthday. He kept it in his pocket while entering the room.

"Morning sweetheart" he greeted joyfully.

"Hi" she said morose.

"You're okay?" he asked sitting in the chair next to her.

"I am. Thanks."

"What do you want to do today?"

"Stay in bed all day"

"Oh, may I join you then?

"Funny!"

He took the box from his pocket and put it beside her. "Happy birthday sweetheart".

Vanessa looked at the box suspicious. It was a small box, like the ones carrying ... ring! A ring, he got me a ring! She thought suddenly scared to take it. Things were pretty messed up between them. It was no way for him to propose. "What's in the box?" She asked.

"Open it"

She hesitated before taking it, her hands shaking a little. If it was really a ring, was she ready to say yes? If not? What would happen?