"Ivy!" a deep, muffled voice brought me out of the darkness "Ivy!"
My body began shaking from side to side, "Ivy!"
I felt a hard smack on my cheek, jolting me awake. I blinked away the blurriness in my eyes to reveal Zeus leaning over me.
"W-what happened?" I croaked.
"You fainted," Zeus stated, "I didn't know you could get any paler than you naturally are, but you looked like a ghost."
I felt a deep tug within me, followed by a sharp pain around my hip. I glanced down to see the color of my skin turning different deep shades of purple and blue. I must have hit the ground hard. I tried sitting up but instantly felt dizzy, having to sit back down.
"Easy," Zeus warranted, "You hit the ground hard. It was as if your soul left your body."
Confused, I blinked, "I'm sorry, I never meant for you to deal with that."
"You're apologizing for fainting?" he commented.
Knock, Kock, Knock
"Come in," Zeus invited.
A woman carrying a large tray of fresh fruit and a charcuterie board placed it between Zeus and me. The other was carrying a large pitcher of water and two glasses.
"Is there anything else you need, sir?" one of the women asked.
"No," he hooked his head, "Thank you."
Just as quickly as they came, they were gone. I looked down at the food, hearing my stomach roar.
"I think I was hungry," I said while shoving slices of salami in my mouth.
"I thought so," he agreed, "You looked weak and tired when you arrived."
"I've been dealing with a lot," I evaded, "This so so good!"
I consumed grapes, mozzarella, bread, and pepperoni, barely chewing before swallowing because of my hunger. I nearly cleared the plate full of food. While licking my fingers clean, I saw Zeus smiling and pouring a glass of water.
"Good?" he asked.
I wiped my mouth as my cheeks flushed red, "Sorry, I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"You don't need to keep apologizing," he smiled, "You didn't do anything wrong."
I took a deep breath before chugging my glass of water. It was all so satisfying. My foggy brain began to clear as I felt my body regain its strength. Between the cocaine and alcohol, I don't remember the last time I ate a full meal such as this.
I rubbed my hip, wincing in pain. The bruising was growing darker by the minute.
"I have some ointment for the bruising," he said while grabbing a small tube from my nightstand, "I use it after the gym if I push myself too hard. It helps with the swelling and pain, too."
"Thank you," I hushed.
He placed the white tube in my hand as I removed my dress. Shocked, I saw how massive the bruise was as it wrapped around my hip towards my butt cheek. I opened the tube and pushed out this clear gel.
"Agh!" I winced while trying to rub it into my bruise. I didn't know a bruise could hurt so much.
"Would you like some help?" Zeus offered.
I looked at him; there was sincerity and worry in his eyes. I nodded in reply.
"Ugh! I winced, pulling away from the pressure of his fingertips.
"I have to rub it in," he said.
I looked at him with tears in my eyes, "It hurts."
He waited for me to stop trembling before trying again. I closed my eyes, biting my bottom lip in pain as he rubbed the gel firmly into my hip. The vibrating painful sensation began to throb the longer he applied pressure.
"Please!" I cried while wrapping my arms around his neck, "It hurts!"
"Shh," he hushed in my ear, "Calm down."
I choked back my sobs as he began working his way around my hip towards my ass. I whimpered like a hurt puppy in a feeble attempt to hold back my cries of pain.
I felt his warm palm lightly hold my bruised hip. I felt a warm peck on my cheek, "See? All done."
I tried regaining my composure while sniffling. A warm, fatherly hand touched my cheek, gently wiping away my silent tears. I saw the look in his eyes change. What he wanted was me.