Something About Us

The policemen arrived a few minutes later, their presence a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy of the room. They moved with practiced efficiency, their voices low and professional as they gathered information. They explained the situation, outlining the steps they would take to apprehend the intruder, their words a clinical recitation of procedures that did little to ease the raw, visceral fear that still clung to the air. The man, now bound and unconscious, was taken to the hospital for treatment before being transferred to the police station.

The guys decided to bring Heather to the hospital for a thorough check-up, a necessary precaution after the trauma she had endured. On the way, they called Heather's aunt, Marjorie, their voices subdued as they recounted the events of the night.

By the time Marjorie arrived at the hospital, her face etched with worry, Heather was already sleeping in a private room. Her eyes, usually bright and warm, were clouded with concern as she looked at her sleeping niece.

"How is she?" Marjorie asked, her voice a hushed whisper.

"She fell asleep not too long ago," Jess replied, his gaze lingering on Heather's peaceful face.

Marjorie caressed Heather's head, her touch feather-light. "I should have insisted she come with us," she murmured, a hint of guilt in her voice.

She sat on a couch near the bed and sighed, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. "What about you, Rhys, are you okay?" She looked at him, then at his hands, wrapped in bandages. "Your hands…"

"Yeah," Rhys replied, his voice distant, his gaze fixed on Heather. He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, his touch feather-light. He'd been by her side since they arrived, a silent guardian.

Heather wouldn't calm down, her body trembling even in sleep, so Rhys decided earlier to sit next to her on the bed. She hugged him tight, like she was afraid the man would return if he wasn't there.

Rhys assured her he wouldn't go anywhere, his voice a soothing balm against her fears. When she finally calmed down, she fell asleep, but whenever Rhys tried to get off the bed, her grip on him would tighten, a silent plea for him to stay. He just let her hold him, a silent promise of protection.

"The reporters must have already gotten wind of what happened," Marjorie said, her voice laced with concern. "I'll book a suite at GY Hotel. Heather will stay there for the meantime."

"Mm…" Rhys nodded, his mind already calculating the logistics. "I'll stay with her there."

"Okay, I'll go ahead so you can rest. I'll come back tomorrow morning."

"Okay, Auntie."

After Marjorie left, Rhys found a comfortable position, closed his eyes, and fell asleep, exhaustion pulling him under. When he woke up the following morning, he was surprised to see Heather watching him sleep, her eyes filled with a soft, gentle light. 

"Morning," Heather smiled at him, her voice a quiet murmur.

Rhys pulled her close, hugging her tightly. "You scared me last night. Thank God you're alright."

Heather chuckled, a hint of confusion in her voice. "Why, what happened? And why am I in a hospital gown?"

"You don't remember what happened?" Rhys asked, his heart sinking.

Heather shook her head, her brow furrowed. "Tell me."

Rhys didn't know if Heather genuinely couldn't remember or if she was teasing him. It would be best if she didn't remember, so he decided to fabricate a story, to shield her from the trauma.

"You fainted last night. I heard a loud crash from your room, and when I got there, you were already unconscious on the floor."

"Really?" Heather asked, her eyes wide with surprise. 

"Yes," Rhys replied, his voice firm.

"Why would I faint, though? I felt fine yesterday before I fell asleep. I don't feel anything weird now, either."

Rhys shrugged his shoulders, his expression nonchalant. "I don't know. But I'm glad you feel fine now." He ruffled her hair as he got up. "Stay there. I'll call the doctor after I go to the loo."

"Okay," Heather replied, her gaze following him. 

As Rhys went to the bathroom, Heather tried to recall what happened last night. She remembered her phone beeping, indicating she received a text message, but she couldn't remember anything after that. That must have been when I fainted, she thought. Aahh, forget it.

After her check-up, the doctor confirmed to Marjorie and Rhys that Heather's subconscious mind had likely repressed the trauma, a form of psychological amnesia to shield her from the horror of the night. He stressed the importance of avoiding any triggers that might shatter this fragile defense. They both agreed, their faces grim.

"The doctor said you can be discharged now. Auntie Maggie's just finishing up the documents so we can leave," Rhys said, his voice gentle.

"Cool," Heather replied, her voice light, her eyes bright.

Marjorie entered the room a few minutes later and gave Heather a cardigan. "Let's go."

The three of them left the hospital and, on their way to the hotel, Marjorie informed Heather that they'd be staying at GY Hotel for the meantime. 

"Wait, you mean just Rhys and me? What about you and Uncle Tony?" Heather asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"We'll stay at home, dearie," Marjorie replied, her voice soothing.

"Why can't I just stay with you guys? Who will take care of Dave?"

"Your Uncle Tony and I are working on something," Marjorie said, her voice deliberately vague. "Don't worry about Dave, I'll take care of him."

After parking the car, Rhys donned his disguise before going up to the room with Heather and Marjorie.

"Tony and I will take care of the case. Don't let her watch the news. We don't know what will happen if she sees it," Marjorie whispered to Rhys, her voice urgent. 

"Understood," Rhys replied, his gaze serious.

Marjorie left after she prepared food for Rhys and Heather, leaving them alone in the suite.

"Can't believe she'd let you stay here with me," Heather said as she laid on the bed, her voice laced with amusement. "I mean, a man and a woman sharing the same hotel suite."

"Why? Are you scared something will happen between us?" Rhys teased her, raising an eyebrow. 

"Pssh. As if," she replied, turning around and playing with her phone, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

"I'll just get your luggage outside," Rhys said, heading towards the door.

"Kay," Heather replied, her voice distracted.

In the living room, Rhys called Jess on his mobile phone.

"Hey, Jess. Could you do me a favor? Can you guys send me a couple of clothes? I'll be staying here at GY Hotel with Heather while things aren't settled yet."

"Sure, man. You want us to come over?" Jess asked, his voice filled with concern. 

"Yes. That would be great," Rhys replied, a hint of gratitude in his voice.

"Cool. See you in a few."

"Thanks again, bro."

"No prob."

The rest of Lux arrived thirty-five minutes later, their presence a welcome distraction. They brought snacks, card and board games, their laughter filling the suite. Heather was surprised but glad for the company. She was already getting bored of playing on her phone and watching television.

They played and watched movies the rest of the day, their camaraderie a comforting presence. When it was time for Jess and the others to leave, Heather was a bit sad, wanting to prolong the normalcy of their company.

"Don't be sad. We'll come visit again," Dave said, patting Heather's head.

"Okay. Take care on your way home then," Heather replied, her voice warm.

"Rhys, we'll come pick you up tomorrow morning. The manager said the CEO wanted to talk to us about something," Jess said, his voice serious.

"Okay," Rhys replied, nodding.

When the guys left, Heather and Rhys cleaned up the room and arranged their things in the closet. Heather then had a shower and changed into her PJs. 

"I'll sleep on the couch. Shall I close the door?" Rhys asked as he came out of the shower in his own pajamas.

Heather looked at him from the mirror and replied as she was putting on her moisturizer. "Okay, just leave the door slightly open."

"Okay. Good night."

"Good night."