"I went to the military to learn discipline, not to treat your friends," Gabriel walked into David's bungalow protesting.
"You owe me. Plus, this is my best friend. She was stabbed," David explained as they quickly walked.
"Then you take her to the hospital, baby brother," Gabriel still protested.
"And say what, exactly? That my psychotic ex girlfriend stabbed my best friend because of me?" David asked.
"What? What drama do you attract?" David asked.
"Just go in there," David opened the door to Asia's bedroom then left.
Asia found herself in bed. She looked around then noticed the knife. She would kill David, for sure.
She watched man enter the room with a medical kit. He was in military fatigues, complete with the cap. He had a warm smile, nothing like what I would expect from a soldier. He had dimples.
Asia watched as he walked, steps calculated, almost as if he was matching. Six foot three. Handsome, brown skin, brown eyes. Yes, she was staring, completely oblivious of the pain. She had thrown out all the decorum as even her mouth stood ajar. That there was a man out of this world.
"Hey Asia. I need to pull out the knife." He spoke, deep rich voice, while he wore gloves.
"Will there be pain? Where is David?" Asia asked.
"In a meeting. Close your eyes. I will be done in seconds," he spoke, pulled it out fast.
"Ouch!" Asia cried in pain.
"Good girl. You are to remain in bed till I say otherwise." He commanded.
The man secretly stole glances as he worked . He moved the dress high enough to access the wound. That meant the black laced nickers were visible. He knew Asia but hadn't seen her for ten solid years. She had been so small, at her father's funeral.
How did she blossom into such a lovely young woman? And also, how couldn't she recognise him? Maybe it was just the pain. Maybe she would recognize him soon. Her mad sister knew him. He smiled and cleaned the wound.
Gabriel cleaned the wound while Asia winced at the pain. He spoke briefly in that deep voice that seemed to serenade Asia.
"So, what happened?" Gabriel asked, just to strike conversation.
"David happened. Ouch!" Asia muttered.
"David?" He asked.
"Yes, Mr David Mara, MD Mara Holding. This is his fault and I tell you, doctor, he will pay for it!" Asia said, determined.
Gabriel laughed as if Asia could be joking. He saw fire in her eyes as she cursed out David. He felt fire, but not in his eyes. In a place way lower than the eyes. He chastised himself for being unprofessional.
Gabriel shook his head and focused. He sealed the wound, adjusted the pillows to Asia's comfort and asked her to rest. She thanked him, shut her eyes and was asleep in minutes.
Then a dream. Mrs Rivers came to visit Asia, cheerful and happy she was alive. Then she pulled a knife out of her handbag and went for Asia's neck. Asia screamed hard and woke up. The doctor was there. Smiling.
"I want Asia," Gabriel stepped out and called David.
"Get in line, brother. Asia is not a thing." David sat up at work, toyed with the keys.
"She is the finest woman I have ever seen. I want her," Gabriel insisted.
"No." David said, nonchalantly.
"Is she dating ?" Gabriel pushed.
"No," David said, his mind far.
"Do you want her, brother?" Gabriel was resilient.
"No and fuck you." David said as Gabriel laughed.
"I will ask her out," Gabriel said and quickly hang up.
Asia is the one reason I could kill you, brother. Tread with caution. I warn you. David texted the brother and meant it. If he thought, even for a second, that, Gabriel's interest could be sexual, he wouldn't have asked for his help.
David was not back till just past midnight. There are days that were longer than others but that was a burden he would carry till, no, unless another Mara married a Rivers.
It would never be David and he had made peace with that. If there was no marriage between a Mara and a Rivers, the wealth would be forfeited. It was a blood covenant between two best friends and it could not be revoked.
Whoever honoured the agreement would produce the heir and take all. David was used to it all but wouldn't do it for the wealth. He was never greedy and only Asia knew that.
Asia wasn't getting well, not soon enough. The wound was deep. Yet it was not till a week later that her mother went to visit her. This annoyed David to his bones. Why couldn't her mother even just pretend?
David's mother loved her children genuinely. She also enjoyed the money and that was fine.
Why was Mrs Rivers incapable of loving her own? She only loved the money. Yet for Asia, David could do nothing to put Mrs Rivers in her place. He had thought of sending Violet to prison for stabbing Asia but his family had held him back. He had thought of firing Allan but unless Asia agreed to it, she would murder him.
"Baby, how are you feeling? Is David taking good care of you?" Mrs Rivers whispered.
"Mom, I am fine. I expected you days ago, you know. Even Mrs Mara was here," Asia said, rested back in bed.
"I was busy keeping your sister out of jail," she was lying and Asia knew it.
"Maybe she should have gone to jail. Tell her to vacate my house. I am done playing nice," Asia said, sighed.
"Asia, she is your sister!" her mother reproached her.
"Tell her to remember that, away from my house. If she is not out in two days, I will have her thrown out," Asia was known to be firm.
"Only if you are marrying David. My girl, take advantage of this. You are in his house already. He ..." Oh the nagging.
"Oh, Mother. Let me rest, I beg you," Asia fell back in bed.