She tried to open her eyes, but they were heavy, as if a rock was placed on her eyelid.
She could feel the sun's rays penetrating through the room, making her feel so warm, and she wanted to go back to sleep even when she tried to stay awake.
She stirred as ugly pangs of pain protested through her body, making her want to cry.
The pain was second to none, and it felt as if she had been thrown into hell.
She just couldn't understand what was happening as the rays of the sun flashed on her face.
This time she tried to blink and shut her eyes quickly as the powerful rays kept dancing before her.
Slowly her finger traced where she was lying on, and she realized that it was a soft surface and not the road she had fallen on.
The soft surface made her realize she was lying on a bed.
Slowly, this time around, she gathered all the strength she could muster and flung her eyes open.
The white ceiling was a sharp construct to the dark night sky she had seen when she passed out.
And for a split second she thought she was dead.
She managed to turn to the other side of the bed and the white walls greeted her, and she thought she was in the hospital.
Annette couldn't understand what was happening to her. She was still feeling that numb pain in her and her legs felt so heavy.
Finally, she tried to sit down and look groggily in the room.
She blinked several times trying to steady her gaze and understand her surroundings when her hand traveled through her head and stopped at the thick bandage over there.
"You are awake." A deep baritone voice said. The voice was so deep and sexy, so melodious that one could sit all day listening to this person's sexy and enchanting voice. It was.
Slowly she turned around trying to make out where the voice came from, but she saw no one. She knew she was in a very large room, but she still couldn't make out the features of the room.
As the pain died down, the voice called again. And once more Annette looked around and fear clutched at her heart.
The thought that she was in hell with the devil,then it came to her mind or maybe Roxanna, that wicked woman, had kidnapped her to kill her finally.
"I will call the maids to bring your medication for you and something to eat."
And that was when her eyes finally caught the figure that owns the voice.
Standing before the floor to ceiling window which overlooked the balcony was a tall man who had his back turned to her, his shoulders were so broad, and they rounded down to huge powerful and admirable biceps, he had long white sleeves that were rolled up his arms.
She squinted and saw that both hands were heavily tattooed.
A fat, expensive cigar dangled from his thin sensual lips which could even kiss life to a dying woman and his other hand was thrust into his pocket exhibiting, every vibe she could think of.
From just looking at the side of his face she knew he was strikingly handsome, his strong jaw led to a well chiseled face.
She swallowed immediately, drinking the beauty of this perfect stranger.
She was so dumbfounded that even when he turned around to stare at her, he felt like she was staring at a Greek god.
He was in his late 40s but had a boyish look, that look which many women, no matter how stubborn, won't resist.
He dragged the cigar, inhaling the air from it momentarily before releasing it with so much style and poise.
Annette hated men that smoke, but this one was different.
"So why did you want to kill yourself?" He asked.
She was already feeling so safe with this man who cared so much about her. Then he said the next word that made her almost go crazy.
"You should have used a rope, perhaps, or drown yourself in the river. It is less painful than jumping down from that height. "
Annette almost rolled her eyes in anger, but the pain in her head returned.
"Where am I ?"she asked in a small voice which was like a whisper.
He stared at her for a while before he moved to a table which held a wine flute and a bottle of whiskey.
"You should be saying thank you. "He raised the glass of whiskey to his lips." Not asking me stupid questions like I am your son. "
Annette let her eyes fall to her fingers which were entwined on her lap.
"Normally I don't help strangers, but because it was raining, I decided to take you to the hospital. "He said after taking a sip. "Then later on, bring you here."
"Thank you," she said, feeling so grateful to him. "Thank you so much, if only I can ever repay you for all you did for me."she said again." You gave me back my life. "
He chuckled softly, a sweet but wicked chuckle then he fixed his gray eyes on her.
"You don't have to thank me that much. "
"No I have to." She said as memories of what happened flashed through her head.
"I could have lost my life last night if you hadn't come to my rescue. "
He cocked an eyebrow and looked like he wanted to laugh.
"Last night, you say ? Who told you were brought in last night?" He shook his head and a smile played on his lips.
"I took you to the hospital Wednesday last week, and today is Friday, so do the math. "
Annette's eyes flew wide open.
"What !" she stuttered." I have been unconscious for 9 days?"
"Yes, my darling," he said.
And she frowned, quite angry. Why was he calling her his darling?
With the smile tugging at the side of his lips, she knew he had called her that on purpose to make her feel uneasy with him.
"I am not your darling, but I can do anything to repay you."
He said nothing for a while as he dragged on the cigarette and puffed out thick smoke.
"Anything you say,"he asked in a small voice and she nodded numbly.
"Fine." He said, his hand still in his pocket as he walked back to the window and when he looked at her gone was the kindness in his eyes, and it was replaced by fire she didn't know where it came out from.
"Then marry me."