Chapter 45
Wendy adjusted her white shirt and turned to face Stanley.
The phone was still on the nightstand, the ringtone playing over and over. Yet, Stanley didn’t even glance at it. He didn’t pick up
Jessica’s call
That was probably the first time he had ever done that.
Stanley, tall and lean, stood up and removed his black suit jacket. Underneath, he wore a white shirt, but there was a large stain
on the back–blood. Wendy’s mind flashed to the lash Glinda had struck him with earlier.
That lash had cut deep into his skin, but his resolve was unshakable. He didn’t show a hint of pain on his face.
The wounds needed to be treated or they could get infected.
“I’ll get the first aid kit and take care of that for you,” Wendy said.
Stanley turned his head to look at her, his lips curving into a small, teasing smile. “A moment ago, you wouldn’t even look at
- me.
Wendy bent down to grab the first aid kit. “I just didn’t want Grandma to worry.”
Stanley sat down on the bed.
“Take off your shirt,” Wendy instructed.
Stanley obeyed, removing the white shirt to reveal his well–toned upper body.
It was the first time Wendy had seen Stanley shirtless. His broad shoulders and slim waist, the muscles firm and defined, were
nothing like the exaggerated abs of a gym junkie. Instead, he had six well–defined abs, dignified and subtle. His V–line disappeared into his black pants, held in place by an expensive, cool–to–the–touch black leather belt.
The sight was almost too much, and Wendy’s face flushed a deep red. She didn’t know where to look.
Stanley’s voice broke the silence, deep and teasing. “Now we’re even.”
Wendy blinked in confusion. “Even? What do you mean?”
Stanley smiled. “Earlier, I looked at you. Now, you’ve seen me.”
Wendy’s face turned an even brighter shade of red. “I didn’t look!”
Stanley raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you blushing?”
Wendy felt like slapping herself. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have helped him at all.
She carefully applied antiseptic to his wound. The lash had been deep, and the red blood against the pale flesh was unsettling. There were signs of inflammation from the lack of treatment.
1/2
She tried to be gentle, careful not to cause him more pain..
+20 Bonus
Stanley’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “This mess was caused by Jessica. I apologize for her behavior.
Wendy’s long lashes fluttered. He was apologizing for Jessica? It was clear now–he saw Jessica as his own.
“Is this how you always clean up after her?” Wendy asked, bitterness lacing her tone. “She’s already gone so far as to involve Grandma. Who knows what she’ll do next? You’ve spoiled her.”
Stanley’s gaze darkened. He realized that Jessica had changed, become someone unfamiliar.
“She wasn’t like this before,” he said quietly.
Wendy paused, applying pressure to the wound. “What was she like before?”
Stanley’s mind wandered back to that girl from the past, a soft smile crossing his lips. “Before… She was very lovable. I liked her a
lot.”
He said Jessica was lovable and that he liked her a lot.
Wendy felt a sting of irony. What did that make her?
She had always wanted to ask him–what was she to him? What did their past together mean?
All he seemed to care about was Jessica; the “Big Brother” had completely forgotten about her.
Wendy’s hand trembled, and the cotton swab dug into his wound.
“Ow!” Stanley winced, his face paling from the sharp pain. “Wendy, did you do that on purpose?”
Wendy’s eyes flashed. “Does it hurt? I hope it hurts so much you cry!”
Stanley froze.
What did he do to deserve this?
Women were so unpredictable!
