Sera carefully grasped Aiden's arm, trying to steady him as he swayed with heavy steps out of the elevator. His arm felt unusually warm, and his temperature worried her. Her eyes never left his pale features, and fear ignited in her chest every time she saw him in pain.
She quickly got into the car and sat behind the wheel. Her hand trembled as she gripped it, and her breathing quickened. She touched the brakes gently, as if afraid to hurt them, and her cheeks burned as if she had a hidden fever.
Beside her, Aiden lay almost reclined, his head swaying, his eyes slowly opening and closing. His voice came out as faint, fading breaths:
"Trust... yourself."
Sera bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her tears, then whispered in a trembling voice, almost pleading:
"Yes... yes, I will... Just stay with me, Aiden... Please don't close your eyes."
But his eyes slowly closed, and he slipped into a silent coma.
She drove fast, ignoring traffic lights and the panic that choked her throat. Every passing second felt like it was tearing at her patience.
At the hospital, time passed with a deadly slowness.
Sera sat on the edge of the chair, her hands clasped in her lap. She stared at the closed door as if waiting for it to give her back her breath. After minutes that felt like an eternity, the nurse came out of the room, bringing a glimmer of hope.
Sera, in a choked voice, her heart hanging on the answer:
"Please... How is he?"
The nurse smiled gently:
"Don't worry. We stitched the wound and hooked him up to IVs... He'll wake up soon. He arrived just in time."
Sera gasped in relief, and tears streamed down her face without her realizing it. All the fear, all the tension, all the silent roads she had driven, turned into a single tear.
Sera sat silently beside the bed, watching the drops of saline slowly seep into Aiden's veins.
Her eyes moved between the IV tube and his relaxed hand, which seemed lifeless, then ascended to his face, which was tinged with paleness.
His dark, almost bluish strands of hair fell gently across his forehead.
She sighed deeply, stood quietly, then leaned towards him.
She extended her hand hesitantly, as if touching a dream, and gently ran her delicate fingers through his hair with tender affection.
She whispered in a broken voice filled with confused emotion, her fingers touching his long eyelashes that resembled the shadows of an unfulfilled dream:
"Is what I feel... the truth, Aiden?
Is my heart deceiving me, or have you become... more than just someone I met?"
She paused, looking at him.
After moments of silence, his fingers moved slowly, as if responding to Sera's heart's call.
She immediately noticed, her eyes widening in surprise, and she jumped from the chair lightly, grasping his relaxed hand and leaning towards him with anxiety filling her voice.
Sera, in a trembling voice:
"Aiden! Can you hear me? Are you okay?"
He slowly opened his eyes, heavy as if carrying all the fatigue he had endured.
She looked at him, and her eyes met his dark ones, holding the blackness of night and the clear blue of the sky after a storm.
He gave a weak smile, and said in a faint but warm voice:
"Sera..."
Her tears flowed without permission, with a spontaneity that belonged only to moments of truth:
"Aiden... You're a real problem. You almost made my heart stop."
He tried to sit up slowly, and Sera helped him without hesitation. He looked at her with eyes holding a warmth she hadn't known from him before, then leaned a little closer, his voice faint, as if speaking from a distant inner place:
"Sera... How did things get to this point?"
She thought he meant his health condition, so she replied, trying to sound composed, but her voice carried something of tension and surprise:
"At first, I thought you were a criminal... I mean, you looked scary... And when I looked closely, I saw blood, and I was afraid you... might have..."
He laughed quietly, his voice breaking with pain, but his smile never faded:
"A criminal? Your imagination is too wild, Sera."
She smiled shyly, then whispered:
"You really scared me, Aiden... more than I expected."
They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of medical monitors filling the room with gentle beeps, harmonizing with what they felt.
Sera quickly opened the car door from the driver's side, took a deep breath as if gathering her courage from the air, then turned towards Aiden with wide, tense eyes, and said in a tone she tried to make confident but that still trembled slightly:
"Get in... This time, I'm driving."
He raised an eyebrow slightly, looked at her with gentle surprise, then smiled and said in a low voice hoarse with fatigue:
"Weren't you about to faint from fear a moment ago?"
She gave a short, nervous laugh, and ran her hand through her hair, tucking it behind her ear nervously, then said with spontaneous honesty:
"I was scared... and I still am, believe me... My heart is pounding as if I'm going into battle. But you just got out of the hospital, and... and I... I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt again."
She held out her small palms in front of his face, open and clearly sweaty.
"Look... look for yourself. My hands are sweating as if I've touched fire. But, as you can see, I'm here... standing in front of you, and I'm going to drive."
Aiden, who was wearing a crisp white cotton shirt with sleeves reaching mid-arm and a simple round collar, looked at her hands then at her eyes, and a slight smile formed on his lips. Over the shirt, he wore a black sleeveless jacket with a hood that fell lightly on his back. His black sporty pants made his movement more comfortable, and his white sports shoes were strikingly clean, as if he hadn't taken a step in them since leaving the hospital.
He calmly put his hand in his jacket pocket, letting the breeze playfully tousle his hair, which blew slightly across his forehead.
His eyes... fixed on her face for seconds without saying a word.
Sera, feeling his gaze pierce her heart, shook her head slightly, pushed another strand behind her ear, then said in a tone that combined shyness and gentle reproach:
"Why are you staring like that...? Get in, and don't try to be clever... One wrong move, and I'll make you sleep a week in the hospital this time."
He laughed softly, a faint laugh but with a hint of comfort and warmth.
Sera was flustered for a moment, and her gaze quickly slipped to the steering wheel, hiding her smile that she couldn't suppress. Then she muttered in a low voice as she placed her hand on the steering wheel:
"Aiden... don't say anything that makes driving harder."
Sera's phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence between them in the car. She quickly looked up from the road and glanced at the screen.
"Ellen?" she whispered in surprise, then answered immediately, putting it on speaker.
Sera, in a tone mixed with worry and bewilderment:
"Ellen, what is it?"
Ellen, standing in front of the institute building, clutching her wallet tightly, spoke quickly in a tense voice:
"Sera, you know I left late today, right?"
Sera, with soft sarcasm as she tried to focus on the road:
"Oh, of course, only today? You're truly a symbol of commitment."
Ellen, in a sudden outburst, raising her voice:
"Always, always, okay! The professor asked me for my entry card, and they refused to give it to me without my guardian present!"
Sera tightened her grip on the steering wheel, sighed deeply, then quickly said:
"Call Mom, Ellen."
Ellen, hesitantly and in a softer voice:
"I think she went out... and left her phone at home."
At that moment, a car's lights suddenly flared in front of them, making Sera lightly press the brakes in confusion.
Sera, with sudden fear:
"What? Where did that car come from?!"
But Aiden's hand calmly reached out and gently placed itself over her trembling hand, then he turned the wheel slightly to help her steer.
He said in a low voice, his eyes half-closed, with a strange reassurance in his tone:
"Don't worry... Everything's under control now."
From the speaker, Ellen's voice slipped through again, her tone shifting to curious mixed with surprise:
"Sera... Are you in a car? And whose voice is that?!"
Sera was extremely flustered, her face turned red until it looked like steam was rising from her ears, then she stammered in a low voice as she swallowed:
"Ellen, call... Rina!"
Ellen:
"Rina's in a lecture."
Sera, sadly, as she looked back at the road:
"And what am I supposed to do now? Fly, for example?"
Ellen, in a sarcastic, dramatic voice:
"Should I go and bring someone and say my perfect family didn't come? Am I supposed to stay hanging in front of the institute like the Statue of Liberty?"
Aiden laughed softly, a laugh that was like a gentle breeze amidst the chaos. Sera turned to him in surprise, her wide brown eyes with a faint sparkle, a mixture of embarrassment and gentle annoyance.
Aiden, in a hoarse, quiet voice filled with pure warmth:
"Let's go to her."
Sera, quickly and anxiously:
"But... you just got out of the hospital, you can't—"
He interrupted her with a small smile, the corners of his mouth barely turned up, and said calmly:
"I'm fine, Sera. Believe me."
Ellen, from the phone, in a voice full of her usual challenge and drama:
"So? Miss World Businesswoman, are you coming or not?"
Sera, turning the steering wheel with determination:
"I'm coming, Ellen... coming! And starting tomorrow, I'll buy you a real rooster to wake you up screaming every morning!"
Aiden laughed again, looking out the window. His eyes shimmered with a sad sparkle, as if something stuck in his heart refused to come out.
His world... a world full of chaos and secrets, while Sera's world seemed warm, filled with family and love. Yet, there was a point where their worlds met, quietly, without noise... just as his hand met hers moments before.
He rested his head against the car window, and the faint light filtering through the glass reflected on his hair, which fell smoothly over his face as if trying to hide his fatigue. He closed his eyes slowly, as if wanting to escape from something unseen.
Sera, noticing his distraction, looked at him with genuine concern, and whispered tenderly as she watched his tired features:
"Are you okay? If you want... I can take you home first, then go to Ellen."
He didn't open his eyes, but he replied in a tired, faint voice, as if the words themselves exhausted him:
"Ellen needs you now, Sera... Don't waste your time for me."
Then he continued in a low tone, with tired sarcasm mixed with sad bitterness:
"If I were you... I'd consider myself the happiest person in the world. But me?... Strange, I forgot I don't deserve it."
His words were light as murmurs, but heavy enough to shake her heart. Sera continued to look at him, her brown eyes holding a thousand questions, the curiosity of the whole world hidden in her gaze, but she said nothing.
Minutes later, the car stopped in front of the institute. Students' eyes followed the parked Lamborghini Huracán Evo, admiration clear on their faces, and whispers began to scatter like spray.
Ellen, who was standing by the door, didn't miss the moment, and launched her usual playful sarcastic remark:
"Look, look... at the people! "
Then she put her hand on her face in a theatrical gesture and continued with feigned astonishment:
"I wonder... what will Sera arrive in today? Our private jet? Or a helicopter?"
And she burst out laughing alone, as usual.
Aiden, having regained some of his usual curiosity, turned to Sera and asked quietly:
"Where's your sister?"
Sera pointed at him with her finger, joking without looking:
"Do you see that girl laughing alone as if she escaped from a cartoon movie?"
Aiden smiled and replied, following her gesture with his eyes:
"Yes."
Sera laughed lightly:
"That's Ellen, my sister. My mom calls our house a bunch of lunatics."
Ellen, having noticed their gaze, transitioned into live acting with a sarcastic theatrical announcer's voice:
"Ladies and gentlemen, now for the moment of truth! Who is the mysterious guest who will get out of this car?! Is it a movie star? Stay tuned after the break!"
Then, with perfect timing, Sera opened the door and got out, followed by Aiden with calm steps.
Ellen stared at them in amazement, her eyes widening as if she had seen a ghost. She rubbed her eyes twice, then gasped:
"Is that... Sera?! And that... that policeman from that day?!"
Sera quickly approached her, cutting short the moment of bewilderment:
"Ellen, hurry! I'll get you your entry card before the door closes!"
But Ellen didn't move, her eyes still fixed on Aiden, as if she was waiting for a star to descend from the sky.
Aiden laughed softly, which increased her confusion.
Sera, calling loudly:
"Ellen!"
Ellen, having regained some of her sarcastic spirit, said dramatically, placing her hand on her heart:
"Excuse me, Miss... and handsome Sir, I'm waiting for my idiotic sister... who will be getting off the helicopter now."
Sera put her hand on her face in despair, and lightly tapped her forehead:
"Ellen! Move!"
Ellen, laughing and walking in with her:
"Okay, okay... I don't have time anymore, just tonight? Tonight I have many... many questions."
Sera went in with her while Aiden remained outside waiting, his eyes silently watching the place.
Sera, having turned to take one last look at him, whispered audibly:
"My sister... is eccentric."
Aiden didn't reply, but he smiled, a small, deep smile, as if he understood everything.
Sera got into the car and closed the door quietly. She placed her hands on the steering wheel, then sighed softly and said, as if talking to herself:
"Today I have a confession session."
Aiden smiled lightly and said, looking at her:
"Because of me?"
Sera answered without taking her eyes off the road, in a voice that held sincerity and calmness:
"Not entirely... It's not just about you. We, as a family, weren't used to opening our hearts to each other. But after my father's death, we became closer, and more aware of what we felt. Today's session isn't a trial, but an opportunity... to be honest."
When they arrived at the building, they exited the elevator, and Sera stopped, extending the key to Aiden, and said with a worried tone:
"Will you be okay by yourself? What if your condition worsens?"
He looked at her with a reassuring gaze and said calmly:
"As long as you're here, I'm not alone."
She paused for a few seconds, then said:
"What if the door is locked?"
Aiden took out his phone and handed it to her:
"Give me your phone number."
She looked at him for a moment before typing it, then he immediately sent her a short message, and said with a slight smile:
"Now, the door code is with you, Sera."
He quietly entered and closed the door behind him, leaving Sera standing for a moment, overcome by a strange feeling... she didn't know if it was worry, or the beginning of something deeper.
Aiden entered his apartment; the door wasn't locked as he thought. He threw his keys on the table, his steps heavy. He sat on the sofa and took a deep breath as if air was passing through a perforated chest.
With a calmness tinged with collapse, he said in a raspy voice:
"Why did you come here?... I thought my relationship with you was over."
His father's voice came from a dark corner of the room. His voice was sarcastic, calm, even eerily relaxed:
"Aiden... This blood on the floor... Wait, don't tell me you hurt someone?"
Aiden looked at him without moving his body, his eyes half-closed, no fear in them but silent burning:
"What if I did?"
But his father gave a sideways smile as he stepped inward with strange lightness, his eyes searching for some confirmation. Then he said in a reassuring, relaxed tone, as if he had received good news:
"Ah, no... It's your blood, right?"
Aiden didn't reply, he just slowly raised his hand, not to confirm but as if his body was confessing on his behalf. The mark of the medical solution was still visible.
His father said with a sigh, as if relieved of a heavy burden:
"If you were in the hospital... Well, at least you didn't do another stupid thing."
Aiden scoffed, closing his eyes:
"Looks like I'm still living up to your expectations."
His father added, ignoring his sarcasm:
"The psychiatrist called me. He said you suddenly stopped your appointments. Did you decide that insanity is enough?"
Aiden opened his eyes and gave him a blank stare, then said in a dead tone:
"Still better than silence with you."
His father's voice, steady but laden with unspoken words: "Aiden... you must remember. There's a part of your past... you can't run from it forever."
Aiden doesn't answer.
He sits on a worn sofa, his body slumped slightly forward, as if a weight on his chest prevents him from breathing.
His dark, almost bluish hair hangs over his forehead, covering his eyes like a heavy shadow.
But he looks from behind the strands, his gaze like an ember under ashes, holding what cannot be said.