Anne was out to deliver some pastries while Dexter was all alone in the house. He was on the phone with Treasure, smiling and giggling softly at their conversation.
Looking at him, you'll find it impossible he was attacked last night because of how he was smiling so cutely on the phone. His body still hurts yet he tried his best not to show it in his voice while he was talking to Treasure.
He told her he was perfectly fine and she shouldn't worry too much about him.
"Dexter, I was thinking if we could meet up at the waterfall," Treasure said to Dexter on the phone. She was in her room lying down on her bed.
"umm… well… I…" Dexter couldn't find the right word to say other than no.
On a normal day, he wouldn't have hesitated to say yes because he liked spending time with her but now, he's unwell and he could barely move. He was too weak to go outside.
Most importantly, he didn't want Treasure to know he was attacked last night and if Treasure should see him in this condition, she'll know that something is definitely wrong with Dexter. He was also lying down on his bed in his room. He hasn't gotten up from that spot.
"…or are you busy?" Treasure asked Dexter hoping he'll say no because she really wanted to see him.
"Ye.. Yes… I am supposed to help my sister out with baking. She's a baker that's why" he quickly came up with an excuse.
"Oh, it's cool," she said on the phone, trying not to sound disappointed. Although, she was at least happy she finally has a friend to talk to.
"I guess have to call you back later," she said.
"wait don't hang up just yet," Dexter said. "I still want to talk to you," he said softly.
Treasure smiled. Hearing Dexter's soft voice on the phone made her blush. If only she was seeing his face right now, she would've stopped anything she was doing and allowed Dexter to talk to her. He looked really cute and he wanted their conversation to go on and on.
"you're busy right now and I don't wanna disturb you." Treasure said.
'shit!' Dexter exclaimed in his head. He just remembered that he told Treasure he was busy.
"Oh yeah, you're right. We'll have to talk later" he said in a low tone.
"bye Dexter," she said.
"yeah bye Treasure," he said and she hung up.
Shortly, Dexter heard a noise in the living room and he had the idea that Anne was back. He lazily got up from the bed, feeling like a big bag of wheat as he went straight to the living room.
He saw Anne browsing her phone with an expressionless face. She just arrived home and she had been thinking about what Dexter said about her being a coward.
Anne missed Carl so much but she'd rather die in silence and stay away from Carl than be happy in his arms just because she was scared of getting her feelings hurt.
"Sis, you're back," Dexter said and Anne lifted her head to see her brother standing opposite her.
He was still shirtless and probably hasn't gotten his bath yet. However, Anne was on a white round-neck top and denim trousers.
"Dexter," Anne called, walking towards him. "have you eaten anything since I left?" she asked him feeling very concerned.
Though she was still mad at him for disobeying her but she wanted him to be fine and strong again. He's her brother after all. Anne is only three years older than Dexter yet she acts like she was his mother. She cares for him like how a mother cares for her child and she scolded him for his wrongs just like how a father would scold his child.
"hmm… I'm not sure if I'm still allowed to ask that question anymore since you're now a grown-up. You said it yourself that you're no longer a kid" she said sadly. She missed her little Dexter.
Dexter sighed "you know that's not what I meant"
"Please, sit let's talk," he said, motioning his hand for Anne to sit down on the couch.
"let me help you," Anne said, assisting Dexter to sit on the couch because she knew he wasn't strong enough.
Dexter groaned in pain as he down on the couch.
"Don't worry, I called a doctor and he'll be here any time soon" Anne said gently patting his back.
"Anne, I'm sorry," Dexter said out of the blue and Anne rolled her eyes.
"For God's sake, I truly am," he said earnestly.
"You're sorry for what exactly? Because you did so many things" she said emphasizing the words 'so many things'.
She was still mad at him yet she was also sorry for being too hard on him. She knew that Dexter was right about giving him his own space too.
"You're right. I'm sorry I made you worry so much about me" Dexter said sincerely. He was really sorry.
"but is that the ONLY reason why you're sorry?" Anne raised her brows.
She had already forgiven Dexter but she wanted him to plead with her more for making her feel so worried and scared about him.
"And... I'm sorry I called you a coward even though it's true," he said, feigning a pitiful look that made Anne laugh.
"I'm sorry too my little devil. I know I'm being too overprotective but it's because I love you so much" She said.
"I understand, so have you forgiven me?" he pouted.
"Yes, I have. I just want you to get better for me." Anne said.
Dexter smiled. "I will... I'm glad we've made up. I can't afford to live in this cruel world without my loving sister by my side."
He felt happy and lucky to have Anne as his sister because of the sacrifices she has done for him.
"so you just admit that you can't live without me" she grinned, feeling like the best sister anyone could ever wish for.
"unfortunately" Dexter laughed and suddenly, he felt a sharp stabbing pain in his stomach.
"ow!" Dexter groaned loudly. The sudden sharp pain he felt was so severe that he curled his toes.
"Dexter!" Anne shifted closer to him rubbing his back. "what happened?" she asked worriedly.
"I… I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. First, it was my chest." He muttered, placing his right hand on his chest.
"and my chest hurts more when I take a deep breath… and I'm starting to think that I… I have a fractured rib due to the attack from last night"
"God no" she whispered with a sad look on her face. She was scared and worried.
"This is all that girl's fault and look at how you're suffering," Anne said like she was about to cry.
"Anne, please let's not talk about that again," Dexter said.
"you're hurting and it's making me upset!" she lamented.
"Anne, no need to worry. Everything will be okay I promise," he said. He could see how worried she was and he didn't want his sister to be distressed.
Anne hugged Dexter and he reciprocated the hug by hugging her tight forgetting about the pain he was feeling.
Their warm hug made Dexter feel a lot better. After a while, he gently tapped Anne's back so she could disengage from the hug which she did.
Anne gasped "Dexter, you're bleeding!" her eyes widened to see Dexter's bloody stomach.
Both of them, especially Dexter had no idea of how the blood came about because he didn't have a deep injury. Their tight hug must've triggered the blood oozing out from his stomach.
Dexter gestured his hand for her to look at her shirt and she saw her white shirt now stained with his blood.
Anne was speechless. Her stained shirt was not her problem, she was only worried that Dexter might have a fractured rib.
Suddenly, they both heard a knock on the door
"Thank Goodness, the doctor is here," Anne said rushing to get the door.
She opened the door and the doctor who treated Dexter in the hospital the first time he got attacked came in.
********