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The Blind Girl and the Cold Mafioso

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Episode 11

When Luiza returns with the compress and medicine, she hands it to him to take and puts the compress on his forehead.

Luiza

I'm going downstairs to make him some tea so he can sleep and regain his strength. He'll feel better tomorrow.

Ingrid

Alright, should I stay here?

Luiza

Yes, ma'am.

She leaves and the compress on his forehead is no longer cold. I reach my hand to replace it, put on the new one, and then use the towel to dry his face. But when I touch his face, it's incredibly familiar – the stubble, how his skin feels, even the shape of his mouth.

Sebastian

Ingrid?

Ingrid

Hi?

Sebastian

Stay with me!

Ingrid

I'm here, Sebastian. Was it you who kissed me in the pool?

Sebastian

No, you can't, you hate me!

Ingrid

Did you kiss me last night?

Sebastian

I want to... kiss you.

He's not making much sense, but I need to be sure. I leave the room and go downstairs, arriving in the kitchen where Luiza is finishing the tea. I approach her.

Ingrid

Luiza? Could you write down Secretary Jonatan' number here?

Luiza

Sure, but why do you need it?

Ingrid

To ask him to buy some medicine.

Luiza

No need, I'll call the pharmacy.

Ingrid

I'd prefer for him to buy it; it'll make me feel more at ease.

Luiza

Alright.

She writes down the phone number and then goes upstairs to give the tea to Sebastian. I call and ask the secretary to come and bring the medicine. He arrives half an hour later and I open the door.

Jonatan

Here are the medicines, ma'am. Maybe it's better to have a doctor come and examine him.

Ingrid

I suggested that, too, but he insisted on just resting.

Jonatan

I understand.

Ingrid

Secretary Jonatan? Did you come to the house last night?

Jonatan

No, ma'am, why? Was there a problem?

Ingrid

No, could you come closer for a moment?

Jonatan

Of course.

He comes closer and I touch his face. It definitely wasn't this face I touched in the pool, not to mention the secretary is shorter than Sebastian.

Ingrid

Can I ask you a question?

Jonatan

What's going on, ma'am?

Ingrid

How old is Sebastian?

Jonatan

He's 28, why?

Ingrid

Just curious. I hope this conversation stays between us.

Jonatan

But why?

Ingrid

Considering that you lied to me about being the one with me in the pool, I think you owe me this.

Jonatan turns pale and immediately confirms.

Jonatan

Alright, ma'am.

Ingrid

Good. Thank you for the medicine.

Jonatan

You're welcome!

I walk to the couch and sit there, remembering everything that happened since the pool. Why didn't he tell me it was him? Why pretend to be Secretary Jonatan? And why lie about his age? But then I think again and realize he never lied. It was me who jumped to conclusions about him – I believed he was old because Helena said so, and I believed he was the secretary because the secretary confirmed it. He never told me any of those things.

But the blame isn't only on me; after all, he made me continue to believe those things by not denying anything. He's just as guilty as I am. Then I remember that I kicked him out last night, and shortly after it started raining. He got soaked because of me, and now he's sick because of me too. I'm a horrible person; I made the man ill.

Luiza comes downstairs.

Did the secretary bring the medicine?

Ingrid

Yes, it's right here.

I show it to her and get up to go upstairs.

Luiza

You don't need to go upstairs.

Ingrid

Yes, I do. Could you make some chicken soup? A warm and hearty meal can help. My mother used to make it for me, and please add fresh herbs to enhance the flavor of the soup.

Luiza smiles and replies.

Luiza

Yes, ma'am, I'll make it with care.

Ingrid

Thank you, Luiza.

Luiza

Do you need help going upstairs?

Ingrid

I can manage.

I slowly climb up and approach the bed, exchanging his compress and feeling his sweaty shirt. I hesitate initially, unsure if I should take it off for him to sleep more comfortably. After contemplating, I reach out my hand to undo the buttons, slowly opening them. My face warms up, and I immediately step back, realizing how foolish I am. I'm not even looking at his body; the man is unconscious due to the fever, and here I am, embarrassed about removing his wet shirt.

Ingrid whispers to herself, gathering courage to finish unbuttoning the shirt. However, it proves to be more difficult than she thought. She attempts to turn him over, but it's challenging. After all, Sebastian is 6'2" while Ingrid is only 5'6". She struggles to maneuver him, eventually managing to remove one of his arms. As she tries to take off the second one, Sebastian opens his eyes, lifts his hand to the nape of Ingrid's neck, and kisses her on the neck.

Ingrid

Sebastian? Stop!

Sebastian

You are so beautiful.

I don't know how that weak man with a fever manages to make such a quick move, laying me down on his bed and getting on top of me. He continues kissing my neck, squeezing my breasts. When he starts to lift my shirt, I push him away and call out to him.

Ingrid

Hey Sebastian, stop that!

He seems to come back to his senses for a moment and backs away.

Sebastian

Ingrid? Ahh... I'm sorry.

He tries to stand but feels dizzy. I help him and lay him down, covering him. The good thing is that he just took off his shirt. I put the cold compress on him again and he falls asleep. I stay by his side, watching over him the whole time. Night falls and Luiza comes to bring the soup. I try to wake him up so he can eat, but he's sound asleep. I tell Luiza to keep the soup so I can warm it up for him if he wakes up.

Luiza

Are you going to spend the night here, ma'am?

Ingrid

Yes, you can go rest.

Luiza

But you haven't eaten anything.

Ingrid

I'm not hungry, I promise I'll have a hearty breakfast tomorrow. Right now, I truly have no appetite.

Luiza

Alright, ma'am, but if you need anything, just call and I'll come right away.

Ingrid

Okay, thank you. Now go rest.