Thalia groaned softly as she tried to sit up from the bed, but the sharp ache in her body warned her to stay down. She didn't respond to the pain — she simply obeyed it and sank back into the sheets.
A moment later, a familiar voice murmured beside her.
"I'm… sorry."
Her eyes fluttered open. She turned her head slowly and stared at him. "What?"
Vicious looked uncharacteristically hesitant. "I said I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
Silence lingered between them before he cleared his throat and asked gently, "Do you want some water? Do you need anything?"
"Water," she muttered. Her lips were dry. "I'm thirsty."
He helped her drink, and she realized just how weak she felt. She had been unconscious for two days. When she held the knife against her stomach before, the blade had scratched her — blood had spilled, and the doctors had stitched her wound shut while scolding her for being reckless.
She said nothing.
"Are you hungry?" he asked after a moment. "What would you like to eat?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
He tried again and again to coax an answer from her, but she remained silent. Eventually, he sighed and stood up.
"I'll be back."
In the kitchen, Lily approached him quietly. "Do you need anything, sir?"
"Go stay with Thalia," he replied without looking at her. "She shouldn't be alone."
Lily nodded and left. Meanwhile, Vicious cracked eggs into a pan, preparing something himself. A rare sight — the mafia boss cooking.
Soon after, he carried the tray into Thalia's room.
"Take this as an apology," he said as he set it down. "I made it for you."
"I'm not hungry. Eat it yourself."
"If you won't eat," he said with a hint of warning, "then I'll have no choice but to feed you."
She didn't refuse but she didn't agree either. She simply let him.
He lifted the spoon to her lips, and she accepted it in silence. Lily excused herself quietly.
Vicious attempted conversation. "Does your head hurt? How are you feeling? Are you still dizzy?"
No reply.
"I know you have every reason to hate me," he said finally, his voice low, "and I deserve it. But don't forget you also had a role in what happened."
Thalia's eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to make me feel better, or trying to make me feel worse?"
He didn't answer.
"Just leave," she muttered. "Thank you for the food."
He set the spoon down, but didn't move. "I'm staying. I don't want you to be alone."
She glared at him then glanced down. "You look… casual today. Sweatpants?" She scoffed. "Where's the black suit? The tie? The mysterious aura? Oh my God."
He almost smiled. "I'm not going to work today. I want to spend the day with You. that's why I am causal"
"As if," she snorted.
"I mean it," he said seriously. "Even if you don't believe me — I don't want anything bad happening to you. I… wouldn't know how to feel if something did."
Thalia looked away, pressing her hand over her stitched stomach. He reached out instinctively. "Easy."
She rolled her eyes. "What a jerk… you're actually funny. Never knew you had a human side."
"I'm serious," he said quietly.
She hummed in disbelief and said nothing more.
Later, Lily entered with fresh bandages. She nudged Vicious aside and sat beside Thalia, speaking gently as she worked.
"Sir Vicious has been taking care of you since the moment you collapsed," Lily said. "The whole time you were unconscious nearly a day and a half he didn't leave your side."
Thalia scoffed. Lily says "Maybe the boss is starting to like and appreciate you. No. That's just one of his tricks. He acts caring so women think he's good. He always wants something in return. Thalia replied.
"You never know, Miss Thalia," Lily replied softly. "He seems calmer now. Gentler. Maybe you should avoid provoking him further. What happened was… terrible."
She finished bandaging Thalia. "By the way, all the worker he sent them he re-employed them back"
Thalia frowned. "Why?"
"I don't know. Sometimes the boss is… unpredictable."
Two days has passed Lily is talking to Thalia and Vicious entered. He stopped at the foot of the bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"My wounds are healing. I'll be able to get up soon." Thalia replied.
"No," he replied sharply. "Forget that. You're not moving yet."
She raised a brow. "Why?"
"I want to take you somewhere," he said. "I have something to show you."
"Where?"
"You'll see."
Lily gave Thalia a subtle nod go with him.
Hesitantly, Thalia followed. Outside, he opened the car door for her. She hesitated then got in.
They drove in silence.
Arriving at the airport, Thalia's eyes widened. "Why are we here?"
He didn't answer. He simply walked toward a private jet and gestured for her to board.
"No," she snapped. "I'm not entering that. I don't trust you. For all I know, you'll sell me off for human trafficking or something"
Vicious turned to her, expression firm but calm. "Stop imagining nonsense. Yes, you don't trust me. I know that. But I'm giving you my word nothing bad will happen to you. This is a surprise. Come."
His voice softened. "I'm right here."
Thalia hesitated then stepped inside.
The cabin was empty. Just the two of them.
"It's my private plane," he said casually.
She spun around to leave but the door sealed shut.
She tugged at the handle. Locked.
Realizing she had no choice, she slowly turned and glared at him.
He simply smiled.