The first sense that welcomed me, was smell. The strong disinfectant was wavering around my nose. As my eyes were still closed, I could feel the brightness seep through my eyelids. The room was silent, except for the continuous beep. I'm alive, I thought to myself. The last thing I remembered was being consumed by darkness, I thought I was dying.

All the power I had in me was gone. My body felt heavy like a tonne of bricks. My hand, my head and my body felt like it was stuck, unable to move. Squinting my eyes, I slowly opened them. Only for my vision to be blurred.

I closed my eyes, blinking a few times, attempting to restore my vision. I opened up my eyes again, slowly it was getting less blurry. Few seconds later my vision was restored and I was able to get a better look at my surroundings.

The colour white was evident in this room. A light green blanket was draped over me. A monitor with an IV rack was standing to my left, a wire travelled under the blanket.

Moving my hand, a sharp pain stabbed me. It dawned on me that the wire was connected to a needle, which was infused in my skin.

It clicked in my mind that I was in a hospital. How did I get here? What happened after my world turned black? So many questions were popping into my mind.

I turned my head to the right and I suddenly felt like all my pain had gone. Sound asleep in a grey armchair, was Alexander. Leaning back on the chair, with his arms crossed over his chest. His head falling to the side, with his soft, wavy brown hair effortlessly covering his face.

Even fast asleep in an uncomfortable position, he looked striking. I had the urge to go and run my hands through his hair, getting rid of the scruffiness. Just Alexander's presence, without him looking at me, enabled a warm glow inside of me growing by the second. Floating around my stomach were the butterflies.

With his eyes closed, Alexander moved his head, his eyes then slowly opened. Our eyes reunited, it took a while for Alexander to comprehend I was awake. He then shot up from the arm chair, standing beside my bed, he draped one arm around me and holding my other hand.

"You're awake." Alexander consoled with his forehead leaning against my head. His soothing voice danced into my ears, making me feel relaxed. Closing my eyes, I take in all the warmth feeling I received by his comfort.

I opened my mouth to speak, but all that escaped was a croak. The dryness in my throat had overpowered my sense to talk. When Alexander noticed he hurriedly turned to the cabinet on the right side of my bed.

With his hand shaking, he poured water into a plastic cup. Propping me up, he held the cup close to my mouth. The straw found its way into my mouth. When I took my first sip of water, it glided down. I never felt so satisfied with water in my life. It felt like the Sahara Desert finally had a rainfall. Taking a few more sips, I leaned back, backing away from the cup. Alexander put the cup back, and continued to comfort me.

"What happened?" I let out in a whisper. I lifted my head to meet Alexander's eyes.

His soft, warm, hues of his eyes melt into my soul. His inviting eyes welcomed me, as if they have been familiar with mine from day one.

"I don't know how much you remember," Alexander said in a soothing tone, "Charles had you in his grip. His arms over your neck, he was so close to strangling you. He had a knife to your throat. He was trying to take you, but what he didn't notice the was police had entered the property and was behind him. I tried so hard to keep him distracted, I was scared he was going to hurt you with the knife. Then the police saw an opportunity and shot him in the leg. When he fell, he dragged you down with him. You blacked out, I thought I lost you-"

Alexander couldn't carry on. His lips were trembling, he was shaking with fear. It was clear to me how hurt and broken he was, at the thought of almost losing me. I squeezed his hand, to calm his trembling. He slowly started to gather himself with the touch of my hand.

It then occurred to me what actually happened. All the memories come flooding back. I remembered finding out Viv and Charles were married. They had this ludicrous plan to take all the money and business Alexander built over the years.

"Alexander! There's something you need to know, Charles-"

"I know," Alexander reassured me. "After the police were able to search his property and office, I found everything. All the deals I signed with him were fake. It was only a matter of days before his whole plan was going to go ahead and take all my money."

I was lost for words. My suspicions were right.

"Where are they now?"

"Charles is in hospital getting treated for the gunshot in his leg, but he's under police custody. As for Viv she got away. The police are trying to find her. Louisa, you saved me, if it wasn't for you, I would have lost everything." The softness in Alexander's voice surrounded me.

"I couldn't let that happen to you. You didn't deserve this," I whispered smoothly nuzzling my head into Alexander's neck. I inhaled, taking in his sweet scent.

I felt him take his hands away, backing away from me, heading towards the exit. A sudden coolness overwhelmed my body, I needed his warmth to make me feel safe.

"Wait!" I pleaded, stopping him from leaving. "Don't go. Stay with me? I need you."

I softened my eyes at Alexander. I could tell he was reluctant. There was nothing more I wanted, except for him to hold me in his arms.

"Um, Sarah should be here soon. She's at the police station, they're questioning her. I've called Calum he should be here soon as well," Alexander said in a low tone, facing the other way trying not to make eye contact with me.

I felt like I had been stabbed in the heart. Why did it pain me for him to be so distant? It was clear to me that I didn't want Calum, I wanted Alexander. I opened up my mouth to respond, but he turned around to open the door.

As Alexander opened the door, Calum was there standing on the other side. His face consumed with worry, he walked past Alexander, grabbing on to my hands. He kissed my knuckles then my forehead, frantically.

"I'm so glad you are safe," Calum said with tears forming in his eyes. "Your boss called me, told me what happened. I can't believe some idiots were trying to rob the office."

I furrowed my brows and cocked my head in confusion. I then looked at Alexander, subtly shaking my head. He shook his head back to me; it clicked in place that he lied to Calum.

"I'll leave you guys," Alexander mumbled. "Louisa take some time off, I've given you extended leave. You can come back after your wedding."

Hearing Alexander say that was alien to me. It was like it pained him to say that. I pleaded with my eyes for Alexander to stay, but he chose to ignore me.

"Um, Calum, can you please get me some fresh water please?" I quickly asked.

Without responding Calum nodded, taking the jug, speeding out of the room. I gazed towards Alexander, I didn't take my eyes off him, I stared until he was forced to look back into mine. His posture relaxed as if all his strength was keeping him from looking at me.

"Don't go." Is all I let out.

Alexander took a deep breath in, he closed his eyes, and exhaled. When he opened up his eyes, he strided towards me, cupping my cheeks with his gentle touch. Our eyes scanned over each other, both darting towards each other's lips. We were like magnets, slowly edging closer and closer. Alexander's supple lips brushed over mine, I gasped at the tantalising electricity shooting through my body. I edged myself closer to bring his lips on to mine.

The door handle creaked, causing Alexander to abruptly take his hands away from me. He created distance between us, putting his hands in his pocket. Calum entered the room; with the water I didn't need.

"Here you go baby, I got you fresh water," He said focusing on the jug.

"Thank you," I whispered looking at Alexander. He was forcing himself not to look at me again.

"I'll be on my way," Alexander said forcefully smiling. "Take care Louisa, I'll see you after your wedding."

"It's Alexander, right?" Calum questioned, stopping him from leaving.

Alexander extended his hand to shake Calum's. "Alexander Pierce."

"Thank you for looking after Louisa." Calum extended his hand towards Alexander.

"Don't worry about it. She's my assistant, it's my job to make sure she's okay."

My eyes don't leave Alexander, I saw his genuine presence, he cared deeply about me regardless if I was his assistant. In the back of my mind, I felt the same. I cared for Alexander so much that I put myself in danger, and I would have done it all over again.

To my dismay, I couldn't think about Alexander like this anymore. I was getting married soon, I had to give it my all with Calum.

"I really appreciate it, I hope to see you at the wedding," Calum beamed, as he was none the wiser.

Alexander chuckled and nodded. Without saying another word, he opened up the door. Shooting me one last look, he left.

Why did it pain me so much for him to leave? It felt like he took a piece of me. I felt empty without him. I broke out my thoughts with Calum setting himself besides me. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer, just how Alexander did a few moments ago.

I stared into the distance; water seeped out of my eyes. This wasn't the same. I felt safe and warm in Alexander's touch. Right now all I felt was nothing. I was nauseated by the thought of it. I pinched the back of my hand, trying to take this feeling away from me.

I couldn't help but feel what I felt with Alexander. My mind wandered to Viv's knife cutting words.

'She'll never betray the man she's in love with'

It can't be. It was impossible. I couldn't be in love with Alexander, it should have been Calum.

Every time I forced myself to believe that I was in love with Calum, it felt unnatural. With Alexander, there was no thinking about it, it was like second nature. These thoughts needed to be gone from my head. I was getting married soon I couldn't continue to think about Alexander.

A/N

Louisa is okay! And the first person she sees is Alexander and it's him who she wants...

They want each other so bad!

And Calum has no idea... yikes!

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Love _xxAMxx