As her back hit the floor, her legs collided against the edge of the bed. One of her arms had a huge cut from the shattered glass and was bleeding badly. The pain from her throbbing arm kept her conscious. She bit her lips hard as she tried to stand, grabbing hold of a table for support. Another loud thud echoed through the building. At that moment, the alarms in the hotel rang, and she could hear a staff member speaking urgently through the PA system. “All guests please evacuate the building through the emergency stairway on the sixth floor. Leave all valuables behind! This is an emergency!”Seconds later, the announcement ceased as the hotel was again thrown into darkness. The backup power was gone.Maia endured the throbbing pain as she stood up slowly. She dragged herself towards the door and hurled it open with all her strength.Moments later, the door slammed shut behind her with a bang as the strong wind continued to blow. The corridor she was in was covered in shattere
“What is it?” Aiken turned back to Maia.“Please be careful.”“Don’t worry about me! Make sure you take care of my sunglasses, I’ll come get them when I’m back. You should take a break while you can!” Aiken said, flashing an OK sign to reassure her.“Of course,” Maia promised.Aiken then left with the others to help the locals.After what seemed like hours, the winds began to clear up. However, the rain still showed no signs of subsiding.The rapid water currents were strong and rushed toward the lower areas in the town. Most of the roads were flooded.Maia looked out through the windows. She saw that the tide was as high as a two-story building. Numerous residential areas around the hotels were completely destroyed.Maia’s fatigue started to set in and she slowly drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, a woman in the room screamed, “Look! A child! There’s a child in the water!”“Oh my God! It’s really a child! Is there anyone else who could swim here?”“All the good swimmers left to
Maia was taken aback by his question and stared at him with a puzzled look.Cedric just smirked and said, “If you’re dead, how could you take revenge on me?”Maia frowned at this as she realized now was not the right time to start arguing. She bit her lips and threw one of her arms around him.As Cedric felt her arm tighten around his waist, he started to swim towards the rescue boat. Every time he exerted force, he could feel a ripping pain coming from his back. The only thing that helped Cedric with the pain was the thought that he had to make sure that Maia would get to the boat safely.When they got onto the rescue boat, Cedric immediately checked on the wound on Maia’s arm. Maia had been in the water for a long time, and her arms were already starting to turn purple from the lack of blood circulation.“Hand me the first aid kit.” He took a look at her infected wound and frowned.One of the rescue team members quickly handed Cedric the first aid kit. He took it and started
Maia already knew that news would get out when she and Cedric came to Eldertown. What she did not expect was how it was all blown out of proportion.Maia bit her lower lip and moved quickly toward the direction of the hospital. She did not want to attract any more unnecessary attention.The moment she got to the entrance of the hospital, a pack of reporters swarmed around her like hungry hyenas. They bombarded her with questions, one after another.“Ms. Maia, what business do you have in Eldertown?”“We got news that Mr. Larkin is hospitalized. Is that true? Could you give us any information about that?”“Ms. Maia, seeing that you’re wearing the evacuee tracksuit, does that mean that you were trapped in the hurricane along with Mr. Larkin?”The public knew very well what kind of relationship she had with Cedric. Now, the two of them were seemingly together in Eldertown. The reporters could not wait to get their hands on the latest gossip about the couple.With cameras flashing i
As Maia didn't know how to react, Jordan covered her by thanking the doctor. When the doctor was gone, he said, "I'll go settle the medical bill for Cedric's surgery."Maia nodded and asked, "Jordan, when do you think the airport will resume operation?""It's not badly affected by the flood, but I think it might take a week at least.""I think he needs a week to recuperate after the surgery. Can you help me arrange a chartered flight to bring him back to Prismara when the airport resumes operation?" She wouldn't need to deal with him once he returned. "Sure." Jordan nodded. "Leave it to me."After Maia thanked him, she headed toward Room 508. The fifth floor was so quiet that Maia could hear her footsteps. When she walked into the room and saw the worn-out man lying on the bed, she thought of how he protected her as they were about to hit the billboard.Maia let out a bitter chuckle and asked, "What is this all about? Some sort of atonement?" She looked away and prepared to leav
"And no one knows me better than you do,” Cedric reasoned.Maia snapped, "You jerk!""I am one," he said readily.If he could be with her again by being a jerk, then he was willing to become one forever."Cedric, I'll pay for your medical expenses. But if you think I'll care for you, you have another thing coming!" Maia shoved him off and broke free. Although Cedric's life was not in danger, his injury was rather severe. Her push made him gasp and frown as he felt the sharp pain in his back. Maia took a few steps back. "Cut the act, okay? I'm not falling for this again." She would not go near him after finally breaking free from his grip. She then turned around and headed away. He wanted to give chase but could only watch her go out of sight. His pale face let out a bitter smile. "I'm back for you, but you don't need me anymore, huh?"…Maia walked toward the elevator. When she passed the nurse's station, she stopped and thought of his coughing and the push she gave h
Seeing Maia join them at the table, Aiken chuckled in embarrassment and handed her a fork and a knife. "Here you go." As they ate, Jordan said, "I need to rush back to the hospital as they might need help. Aiken, stay here and keep Maia safe."Aiken nearly choked. "Hey, am I your son or your servant?""Don't argue with me, okay? Jesus. How could anyone want to be your fan?" Jordan said."Okay, okay, I'll take care of her,” Aiken conceded. Jordan's phone suddenly rang. He picked up and said, "Hey, Dr. Ingram."The urgent voice of the head of the hospital said, "Jordan, Mr. Cedric's wound has torn open, but he refused to let us help him!"Jordan instinctively glanced at Maia. "Can you hear me? Jordan?" Dr. Ingram asked anxiously. Since everyone had found out that Cedric was in his hospital, he couldn't afford to have anything terrible happen to him. "Calm down, Dr. Ingram. I'm listening," Jordan answered. "Is there a way you can reach Ms. Maia? We need her help!" Sudd
"Then sit still and don't move. Otherwise, you’ll mess up my wound." What he said sounded so reasonable that she couldn't make a retort. "You…"Seeing this, a nurse nearby quickly pushed the wheelchair toward the ward. When they were there, the doctor promptly examined Cedric's wound, which was now a bloody mess again. Maia clenched her fists slightly, finding it hard to believe that Cedric could endure the pain until now. Cedric cooperated with the doctor while fixing a gentle gaze on her as she was present.Trying to ignore it, Maia asked the doctor, "How's his condition?""He must not disturb the wound ever again. If not, it might get dire!" It was the first time the doctor met anyone with so little regard for their life. "Okay, thank you, guys." After Maia thanked them, the medical staff left the ward.As the room smelled of blood, Maia went to open the window a little and kept her distance from him. Seeing her so far away, Cedric grew upset and thought of ways to g