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CHAPTER 29 - Injured
Neither Zale nor Pearl knew how that had happened but a simple move pressed his lips to hers.
Her heart raced wildly in her chest as she stared wide-eyed at him.
With their bodies pressed against each other, he could feel her heartbeat increase exponentially just the same way he did.
Quickly, Zale pulled off of her and rolled to her side on the ground as he sat up quickly and turned away from her.
In the same vein, Pearl sprang up into a sitting position and she too turned from him
They were both too bashful to look at the other person. And for both of them, this was the first time being in such a compromising state.
Placing a hand over her chest, Pearl chanted inwardly, praying for her heart to stop beating fast.
After a few minutes had gone, Zale turned his body to face while keeping his head lowered and gave his apology.
"I am sorry," he said scratching the back of his head. "It was my fault."
She felt her cheeks burn from how sweet his deep voice sounded when he was embarrassed. Not only that, her mind took her back to when it happened and the look on his face.
It was priceless.
She found herself blushing instead, letting out a soft giggle.
"Huh?"
He lifted his head, wanting to see what was funny. At the same time, Pearl turned in his direction. As soon as their eyes found each other, they shied away once more.
A few minutes passed before Zale stood up and went to her, offering her his hand.
"It isn't ladylike for a female to be seen sprawled on the ground. Come, I'll help you up and not look if you want."
She felt her heart skip a beat once more at how gentlemanly he could be. The first of any she had seen.
Nodding her head, she took his hand, watching as he turned his face elsewhere, keeping to his word.
"Thanks."
No sooner had Pearl given her thanks and pushed up on her feet than a loud yell well from her lips as she lost her balance once more.
Acting on instincts, Zale turned around quickly and caught her before she went falling down again.
With her body wrapped in his arms and her face pressed against his chest, Pearl felt her face turn as she listened to his heartbeat.
"Pearl," Zale's worried voice rang out as he tightened his hands around her body, trying to keep her up.
"What is wrong?"
Her eyes went wide. She had almost lost herself in his racing heartbeat and had almost forgotten her pain until he asked and made her stand.
Another yell escaped her lips and to his surprise when he looked at her face, tears glistened in her eyes with a single drop rolling down her cheek.
"What's wrong?"
"My leg."
Ignoring any other words she was going to say, Zale immediately carried her up in his arms and rushed over to the field close to a big stone so that she could relax on her back.
Placing her gently on the ground, he went to work and lifted her gown a little bit to check her legs.
"Where does it hurt?"
She pointed at her ankle, giving him access to examine her properly.
After a few minutes of touching and screaming, he breathed out and looked at her with a grim expression on his face.
"Is it that bad? It can be a strain, right?"
"No. I am sorry to say but you just sprained your ankle really bad."
"What?"
"I know because I had something similar with my left wrist a long time ago and it is pretty swollen Pearl."
"How ironic. To think Scarlet had hers a few days ago and now me."
"I am sorry but I need to take you home first to get you treated," Zale explained and got ready to pick her up when she lifted both hands in front of her to stop him.
"No."
'What? Do not tell me you want to refuse as Scarlet did?"
"That's not it. It is just, I can't be seen carried home. Ear disturbing rumours would circulate. I do not want that. I would rather wait. It is almost dark. Once the sky blackens, then yes."
"Can you hear yourself?" Zale frowned at her. "This is your health we are talking about."
"It would be fine if you let me rest up first. It wouldn't even be up to an hour. Please."
Without answering her, he picked her up and began to walk towards her basket, against her protest.
With all of her struggling, Zale was forced to let her down and allowed her to walk as her only condition to return home.
With the pain in her foot, she assisted herself with a big stick and his hand. Before long, darkness was upon them and they had a long path to cover.
Angry at her stubbornness, he picks her up bridal style once more and increased his pace.
"You're stubborn," Pearl commented and puffed out her cheeks.
"Says the stubborn one. Relax in my arms and do not make me drop you. It is already dark and hardly anyone is on the road. Let's go home."
"Stop shushing me."
"Wrong accusations, I did not do anything."
"You did. You did not let me win. If you had I wouldn't have fallen and sprained my ankle."
"Haha," he burst into a peal of laughter at her reasoning. "Then that would be considered cheating won't it not?"
"Whatever, you are to blame."
"Keep pouting like a child. I love it."
Aside from the fact that she was hurt, staying this late with her meant any chance of him staying outside of the bone man's shop today was ruined.
Yet, he could not bring himself to leave her. All his thoughts were roped around how hurt and lonely she was from Scarlet's issue and now her leg that needed immediate attention.