Hellbound Heart

Frowning at the bright white ceiling she was looking up at right now, Elle kept still as her mind tried to recall what had happened. This was not the usual view she was used to seeing upon waking up. Elle then slowly looked around in confusion. Wait… this is… she is in a hospital? Or perhaps a large clinic? What in the world was she doing…

She sprung up to a sitting position, only to have her head spinning. She quickly squeezed her eyes shut and stopped moving, taking in steady and calming breaths before opening her eyes again. And it was then that she noticed the IV drip taped to the back of her hand.

The door swung opened.

Elle slowly looked to the door, reminding herself not to move too quickly this time, and saw Sebastian entering. Time seemed to halt for a moment when their eyes met. He was still dressed in the clothes she had seen him in from last night. And he looked grumpier than usual.

His expression slowly softened upon seeing her sitting up, before saying something to whoever it was that was standing outside the door. He entered after closing the door and approached her quietly.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, he casually reached out and placed his hands on her forehead, as though wanting to check if her temperature was back to normal.

Elle felt her heartbeat picking up speed at his gentle touch. But she quickly distracted herself and opened her mouth to ask. "Why… what happened?" she looked at him curiously. She did remember that she suddenly felt so unwell before she fell asleep in his arms. But it should not be something so serious that warranted her to be rushed to the hospital. She believed it could have been just a cold or a fever as she had already started feeling as though she was going to fall sick the night before. Could it be that it happened to her again? That ache in her heart? But she should have at least woken up if that happened.

"You have a fever." He answered simply. His hand then moved to her neck, feeling her temperature there as well.

His answer had her blinking. "Oh… and?"

"The doctor said, you'll be fine."

Her brows creased and then her lips parted in disbelief. "You mean… I only have a fever and nothing serious had happened?" 'Then why am I in the hospital?' was the unsaid question in her mind. Elle wisely held back and bit down on her lips.

He nodded. "You still need some rest. I think your temperature is still a bit higher than normal." Sebastian commented in a rather serious manner.

"Sebastian." Elle caught his wrist. "You didn't rush me to the hospital just because I had a fever, did you…?" she phrased it in what she hoped to be a milder fashion.

It was his turn to frown. "Can't I?" he looked like he was genuinely questioning what was wrong at what he did. "You're sick. Humans… go to hospitals when they are sick, or they will…" he trailed off, stopping himself from saying anything more.

Elle bit her lip. She did not know whether to laugh or cry right now. And what was with him talking like he was an alien or non-human? She needed to be brought to the hospital or she will what?

"You really think of me as the ultimate weakling, don't you? I've been through many fevers and I survived them all without getting hospitalized, Sebastian. Even without anyone's aid. I'm not as weak as you think I am." She told him. She knew these words were unnecessary and even petty, but she could not help it. She was still mad at him.

Being reminded of last night and everything that had happened between them had her mood worsen in the blink of an eye.

"If you say so," was all he replied and shrugged noncommittally, causing Elle to feel even more ticked off.

"For your information, I have been training in martial arts as one of my home lessons ever since I was thirteen. And believe it or not, I'm pretty good at it. My teacher even said that I would have a chance to win some top awards if I were allowed to compete." Elle blushed after blurting these words out. She used to never say words like these. She was never the type to tell others about the things she could do like some proud and spoiled brat. Lord… Sebastian seems to just keep bringing out the worse in her.

"Why are you not allowed to compete?" he asked, slightly tilting his head as though he was suddenly interested. She was actually expecting him to throw out a mocking 'really?'.

Looking away, Elle answered. "My father just doesn't allow it. I don't know why. He never gives me any explanations and just decides on everything on his own. He had forced me to pursue dancing instead when he saw how good I have become." Elle did not realize that as she was explaining, a small sneer had appeared on her face. But Sebastian who was looking obviously noticed it.

"So, you stopped training in martial arts?"

"I've trained by myself in my room secretly. I am still practicing just because I don't want to forget what I've diligently tried to learn for years. I doubt this skill will come in handy someday anyway." She shrugged as though she did not care.

"Why do you doubt it?"

"I had initially desired to learn, thinking that I could protect myself and my sister if I become good at it. However, I couldn't do anything in the end. Even if I turned out to be the best, I doubt I could fight vicious men with my fists and kicks. I should've learned how to shoot guns instead. That would be far more effective…" Elle pressed her lips tightly together, realizing how she was suddenly talking a lot more than usual. "Well, anyway. Let's go home. I don't want to stay here anymore."

She reached for the drip on her hand and attempted to pull it out, but Sebastian caught her hand.