~~Daniil's POV~~
I looked down at Ashley's vulnerable self lying on the bed, inflamed with self-gratification. Why did I help her? Out of compassion? 'Pffft…as if.' Whenever Daniil offered his help, there was always something in it for him. In this case, you'll find out when she wakes up.
"Are you sure we shouldn't take her to the main hospital?" The doctor suggested, getting up from beside her as she had been setting a line.
"It's not that serious."
"What do you mean? Her vitals are bad," she insisted with writhes on her forehead and eyes shone in disbelief.
"Why don't you ask the patient herself when she wakes up?" Like hell, Ashley would assent to that.
"Look. There's only so much I can do in the infirmary. What if something happens before we get the chance to ask her?" she still protested firmly.
"She'll soon be up." She gawked at me, either astounded or appalled by my rather confident and calm reply. I knew Ashley didn't need a hospital; she should save her concern for later.
I excused myself to find Archer. The next phase of the whole plot was already in motion alongside me striding to the faculty building.
In the Faculty Building…
"Hey, Daniil." Archer who was standing in front of the sports master's office approached me the moment he sighted me. "Where are the other team members? Didn't you get a text to meet here?" he bombarded the very second he spanned our distance.
"What text?" I questioned with raised shoulders.
"The text that said we all should assemble at the sports master's office for a special announcement. It also said no one should step in until we were all here," he narrated. "You didn't get one?"
I shrugged apathetically.
"You didn't get one?" he reechoed.
"Show me the text."
"Yeah, sure." He took out his phone from his pocket. In seconds, the confidence he beamed with dissipated, getting replaced by confusion. His furrowed brows gave him away.
"Archer?" It was taking too long to get a text clearly sent not too long ago.
"Give me a moment please."
Silence…
"That's strange. It was right here," he mumbled to my hearing. He raised his eyes to me. "Where'd it go?" 'And how the fuck am I supposed to know that?'
"Who texted you?"
"I don't know, it was an unknown number."
"You mean you rushed down here based on information gotten from an unknown source?" I didn't fail to express how absurd he sounded, through my tone.
"Anyone could have, right?" he said in his defense.
"Yeah right. You rushed down here with so much a sense of urgency that you forgot to put your dog on a leash, huh?" I derided.
"The hell do you mean?" His brows went creasier, assuming a more serious expression now.
"Relay this to Hana. The next time she pulls that stunt again..." I paused and took two steps forward to eliminate the space left between us, then leaned in to whisper, "she'll get to learn that a mad dog stands no chance against a wild beast."
He tilted his head to me now, bringing our breaths in contact as I was still leaning in.
I smirked and straightened up, my hands now sitting comfortably in my pockets.
"What nonsense are you on about?" It was as if he suddenly recalled the cold air between us; he was shooting me a hard glare now.
"Check things out for yourself. Infirmary. Room '29.'" I turned around and walked out in the direction I came in.
I couldn't care less about the petty squabbles between these lousy couples but a cake without the icing would be boring, I thought. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. I simply loved to stir up conflicts within, between, and amongst people. For some reason, sitting back and letting them squirm out of the turmoil I put them, left me feeling exhilarated. My lips curved in a wily smile.
Back in the Infirmary.
I slid the door slightly open and stole a peek at Ashley still lying comfortably on the bed. I waited. Like I knew she was soon to awaken.
And… She did.
I noticed sluggish movements on her part and retreated as quietly as possible. Through the narrow passage created between the door and its frame, I watched her. Typical of Ashley, she pulled out the line connected to her body fiercely and leaped on her feet. Considering how much force was used, I figured it'd be pretty difficult to walk immediately and would fall, but instead of jumping in to help, I kept watching.
As speculated, it was quite difficult to navigate her way through. She barely managed to hold herself up and opted for extra support, lurching towards the window.
Just then, I slid the door wide open and walked in. She paid me no heed until her hand failed to grab the window frame, and I caught her from falling. "Easy." She shut her eyes briefly then reopened them with caution this time.
Our eyes met.
Those eyes that stared directly into mine were unusually void of disdain, or any hints of fear. For the record, she didn't seem surprised or befuddled like she expected me to be here. Quite obvious her memories either returned or never left. She wasn't allowed to forget; my efforts would go down the drain if she did. I needed to etch my actions firmly onto her heart to get maximum results.
She tried to let go and almost fell when I caught her a second time. Without scolding or questions, I led her to sit on the bed. "I stepped out to call Archer. He'll be here soon." I deadpanned and walked out almost at once
'The job is done.' A rogue smile curved my lips, walking majestically out the room.
Ashley was done for now. She wouldn't be able to get me, and the guilt I just planted off her head so easily . She'd feel bad and beat herself for always trying to get away from the same guy who just saved her from danger. At the same time, she'd cuss and whine, feeling the most infuriated that I of all people happened to be her savior. Leaving without saying much would play the trick. It would give her the impression I only want her to feel safe if I left her peacefully to Archer. But instead of feeling safe, the pangs of conscience will feast on her soul.
I stood outside and just leaned on the balcony with my forearms, in the wait for Archer.
I scoffed inwardly when I heard running footfalls from beside me. I tilted my head in its direction and confirmed Archer almost losing his breath. Ashley was actually in room '10' and not '29.' The Infirmary was not like the hospital; there were no records of students' entry and checkout as nothing intense was meant to occur there. Any student could simply walk in, page a doctor, nurse, or matron from whatever room, and they'd come running. If you were searching for someone, you'd have to get the room number.
I waited patiently until he noticed I was there, and rushed to me. He shot me laser beams probably realizing how I sabotaged his efforts in getting here on time. He caught on fast. My eyes leisurely fell on his hands already balled up in hard fists; his knuckles protruded sharply. While he was probably fighting the urge for a face-off, I fed on the fury his eyes emitted; a lazy smile barged in on my lips as a result.
'Ashley is softhearted. Everything will happen as anticipated.' Now there was one more feeling I could exploit – remorse. It won't be long until Ashley fell hopelessly for my schemes.
I walked away feeling accomplished. Making her my date for date night was gonna be a cakewalk now!