Daniel put his arm around my shoulder, grabbing the cash that the presenter offered him in a duffle bag for winning and guided me down from the ring. I could see from the corner of my eyes, the guy was fuming, he was practically murdering us with his eyes. He was furious over losing a match and he looked to be out for blood. I just hope he'd stay away from us. A shiver ran through my spine as I turned away to look down. The crowd started to mob around us, cheering. Daniel pulled me closer to his side protectively. He guided me through the crowd, shoving the people aside until we exited the warehouse where we saw Thomas leaning against his car.

"It's the champion duo's!" Thomas announced, throwing his arms in the air with a grin. I rolled my eyes as Daniel narrowed his at him. "Ok so I know what you're going to say but I had to bring her here, you were going to get yourself killed" he instantly explained himself, his grin disappearing.

"She just got into an accident yesterday dipshit! She could have further injured herself tonight!" Daniel exploded. Thomas flinched at his words.

"Daniel, you need to calm down, he did nothing wrong, I would have found out sooner or later" I tried to calm him down.

Daniel looked at me before sighing, his head falling onto my shoulder as he dropped the duffle bag. I ran my fingers through his hair to soothe him. It worked since he started to loosen up and become less tense. I mouthed for Thomas to leave since Daniel was calm now. 'Thank you' he mouthed before giving me a nod and hopping into his car. I watched as Thomas drove off. We stayed in the same position for a couple of minutes until Daniel stepped back. He seemed tired like he just wanted to collapse. My heart hurt at the fact he barely had any sleep, he probably had some serious bruises, a black eye, a cut on his bottom lip and eyebrow, and he had dried up blood on his face.

"How about I drive us?" I suggested.

"Are you sure you want to drive after what happened yesterday?" Daniel asked hesitantly.

"Yes I'm sure, I'm not broken" I reassured him.

"Then where are we going to go? I can't go home looking like this" he queried, tilting his head with a frown.

"Trust me on this one" I smiled.

Daniel contemplated on it before handing me his keys. He put the bag in the back before we both got into his truck and I drove down the road, knowing exactly where we could go to avoid being questioned. I know that both my mother and grandmother were going to be pissed when they find out I'm not at the hospital. I'll have to deal with that tomorrow and figure out what excuse I'm going to make unless I can get there before any of them visit me or any of the nurses would check on me in the morning.

I think I'd rather try the second one then face the wrath of my mother. I'd just have to get her to not come in so early. I know the nurses won't come in until lunch but my mother would come in early with my grandmother. I'll have to message them and come up with something to give us time. It took us fifteen minutes of silent driving to get the place. I smiled as I parked in the car park at the side. The sign illuminated brightly, the red lights flickering at times. Daniel raised a brow when he glanced at it.

"A motel?" he questioned. I nodded in response.

"This way I can make sure you're treated and are alright before we go back tomorrow, we can spend the night here" I explained as I got out of the truck. I headed inside, past the pool out front, with Daniel following in tow with his duffle bag in hand.

"Uh hi, I'd like a room for two please," I said to the guy at the front desk behind the window. He glanced up from the raunchy magazine he was reading. I'm not even going to comment on that.

"One bed or two?" he asked with a monotone. I was about to say two but Daniel had other ideas.

"One" he instantly replied.

I gave him a sideways glance. He just shrugged and smirked. Daniel took out some of the money in the bag and gave it to the guy. I grabbed the keys off him and we exited to go find our room at the bottom level. Once I found our room, we entered the cozy-looking room with one queen-sized bed. Daniel chucked the bag onto the chair in the corner of the room while I walked into the bathroom to run the spare cloth they had under the water. I walked out to sit in front of Daniel on the bed. He glanced at the cloth in confusion.

"What are you doing?" he questioned.

"I'm going to clean up the dried up blood on your face" I answered. I dabbed the cloth on his face while he watched my movements.

"Why are you doing this?" Daniel asked. I paused, tilting my head with a frown. "Why are you here trying to look after me when I refused to go to the hospital and after what you just found out about me?" he elaborated after seeing the confusion on my face. Now I see what he meant.

"Because I believe there must have been a reason as to why you did it, you've shown me the kind and caring side of you and the dangerous side of you, you always have a reason for your actions" I explained softly.

"You're too good for me, sometimes I think I don't deserve you" he mumbled. I shook my head, removing the cloth from his face once it was cleaned from any blood.

"Sometimes I wish you could see what I see whenever I look at you," I said.

"What do you see when you look at me?" Daniel asked. I smiled up at him.

"Someone who cares so much about the ones closest to them that they would do anything, even risk their life for them" I expressed.

I pecked him on the lips before getting up from the bed. Luckily Daniel had stopped bleeding but I'd have to ask reception if they have a first aid kit I could use to hopefully disinfect his wounds. That's where I was going to go now. I'd also have to check if he broke any ribs. Luckily I learnt a thing or two from my mother when it comes to this kind of treatment. I'm probably not as great as a professional doctor, of course, but this is better then not getting checked up on to see if he was alright. He needed someone to help him and I was going to be that person there for him.

I left the room to quickly go grab the first aid kit. The guy at reception simply slid over the tin box without even glancing up to look at me. He kept his earphones in while still reading the magazine he had before. I rolled my eyes, snatching the box in my hands before heading back to our room. The room was empty so Daniel must be in the bathroom. I could hear the water running in the shower. I took this moment while he was inside to take my hoodie off so I could look at myself in the mirror.

I checked my shoulder to make sure that the stitches hadn't opened. It was still slightly sore but bearable. It was a relief to see that the stitches were still intact but I couldn't help the frown that had come across my face as I kept staring at it. I was told it would scar. I know it was inevitable to come out of it without some kind of permanent scar to remember the night by. I guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. My eyes travelled down to my arms. I winced at the cuts, even the one on my head. I had to put butterfly bandages on them.

"You still look beautiful." I jumped, spinning around and quickly grabbing my hoodie to cover myself since I was only wearing a black bra.

"Damn it, you weren't supposed to see me like this" I cursed under my breath.

I blushed, looking down. I didn't want him to see me at my most vulnerable, even though he has countless of times. Daniel strode across the room, shirtless, exposing the many bruises littering his upper muscular body. He didn't seem to care about them but I did. Before I could ask him what he was doing, he placed his hands gently on my hips to turn me around to face the mirror again. I watched as he reached around me to take the hoodie from my hands to place behind him on the bed.

He then rubbed my upper arm and brushed soft kisses against my shoulder. I leaned into his chest, sighing in content. "Do you see what I see?" he whispered into the corner of my stitched up shoulder. I shook my head. "I see someone who's strong, kind-hearted, fearless, funny, and overall sexy, your scar won't change that, it'll just show how vigorous you are" Daniel professed. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my lips.

He always knew how to make me feel better, he always said the right words. I wish people could see the real him but they've already made up their mind about him before even getting to know him. I feel lucky to have gotten to know him after the day we met. I'm glad I didn't let Evelyn control the way I perceived him and scare me away. I guess it's true what they say, that only we can control our own happiness, not anyone else. I believe I made the right choice that day by choosing to continue to see him after the wedding.

I turned around in his arms to lean up and kiss him. I then pushed him onto the bed to check on him. He laughed at the change of mood while I put my hoodie back on. I ignored his laughter as I sat next to him on the bed, bringing the first aid kit closer to me to pull out the supplies that I needed to treat him. I made sure to check for any broken ribs first just incase while he was still shirtless. I had to try and not get distracted by him. Occasionally, I averted my eyes but focused on treating his wounds. There were no ice packs but maybe I can go get some ice and put it in some cloth for his bruises just so he won't be uncomfortable or wince every time he moves to stand up.

Time flew by fast. After I finished putting the bandages on him and I finally got some ice to place on his bruises, a yawn escaped past my lips. My eyes started to droop close. Daniel noticed and suggested we go to sleep since I'd have to wake up early in the morning to get back to the hospital on time. I climbed under the blankets with Daniel, who decided to sleep shirtless, before turning on my side, curling up. Daniel brushed my hair out of my face and kissed my cheek before deciding to go to sleep.

I fell asleep for a short amount of time but awoke when I heard deep breathing before the bed dipped. Before I could get up, I heard footsteps exiting the motel room. I sat up, still a bit dazed from just waking up. Looking towards the now empty side of the bed towards the closed door, I frowned. Something was troubling him. He must have had a nightmare because I could tell he woke up so abruptly but judging by the deep breathing, it must have scared him. He was in such a hurry to get out of the room, I didn't have time to get up to check up on him to see if he was alright.

I swung my legs over the bed and got up to exit the room. Daniel was there, outside the motel, sitting on the lawn chair while smoking. He was staring at the pool that was illuminated by the lights in the water. I hugged myself as I walked up behind him. "Can I join you?" I asked. He blew out a puff of smoke before giving me a nod. I sat on the lawn chair next to him with my legs to my chest, staring at the calmness of the water. "Wanna tell me why you're out here? Or what's wrong?" I inquired.

"It's nothing" He lied. I looked towards him.

"Daniel if you need to talk, I'm here for you, don't shut me out, not now" I pleaded. He was silent for a second before sighing.

"I had a nightmare" he confessed. "But it was nothing" Daniel added. He put out the rest of his cigarette into the ashtray on the table next to him. I quickly got up to stand in front of him when he stood to go back inside.

"Daniel, I know it's not nothing, it's obviously troubling you," I said softly. He ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back as he let out a huff of agitation. He then sat back on the lawn chair. I patiently waited for him to say something.

"It was of the night my father died except you were there instead of him and I was in the driver's seat" he explained. I think I know where this is going. "I felt the same thing as I did that night, fear, it consumed me when I thought I'd lose you in the crash in my dream because I couldn't save you in time" Daniel continued, his breath shaky. I didn't know what to say because he partly opened up about his father.

"But you did save me in time, you always do, you won't lose me" I tried to reassure him.

"I don't want to imagine if I did" Daniel muttered, looking to the side. "I already lost someone who was like a best friend to me in a car crash, I didn't want the same to happen to you if the crash had been much worse" he divulged. I sat in front of him, on the same lawn chair.

"You're father was in a car crash?" I asked slowly, trying to process what he was telling me. He gave me a small nod.

"When I was seven, we were heading out to attend a family birthday party for my father but because I was stubborn and a brat, I kept pestering them that I didn't want to go...and for one moment, one single second, he turned to look at me sitting in the back, he didn't see the drunk driver cross the road and collide into us" He explained. I let out a small gasp. My heart hurt hearing him talk about the incident. I can imagine how horrible that must have been. He's had to live with the memory for years. He hesitated to continue but I grabbed his hand into mine to reassure him that I was here for him.

"Next thing I knew I awoke upside in the car, fear consumed my every thought when I saw my mother unconscious with a gash along her head and my father in the front seat with a shard of glass sticking out of his stomach and multiple injuries, all I could hear was their shallow breathing...when the paramedics came to rescue us, I thought we'd all be saved but because he insisted on saving my mum and I first, they weren't able to save him in time, the hospital tried but he lost too much blood. That's why I got into fighting when I was old enough, to feel something, anything other than guilt because most of my life I've felt empty, the money I got were a bonus to support me and my mum" He finished, stopping in between to take deep breaths.

It was silent between us, the crickets chirping in the background. I was trying to process all of what he just told me. He let out something that was really personal. Now I understand his reason for getting involved in something so drastic as underground fighting, even though it's morally wrong but I can see why he did it. I can also see how my involvement in a car crash would trigger the memory back up again.

"Do you still feel that guilt today?" was all I could ask. He nodded, confirming it.

"And now I feel guilty for your accident because I could have prevented you from going with him but I let you go with him, what if I hadn't known where you were or if we didn't get there in time?" He answered, sounding frustrated, his voice raising slightly. And now I know what's been bothering him all over yesterday and the reason he agreed to go to that fight. He wanted to get rid of the familiar feeling of guilt. I understood how it felt to feel guilt every day, it's painful and tormenting. But he had no reason to be when both crashes weren't his fault, none of it was, it was nobodies fault, it was bad timing.

I cupped Daniel's face into my hands so he could face me. "Listen to me, firstly for my situation, it was my decision to go with him in that car, no one could have predicted what would have happened after but you came and saved me, if anything you should be feeling proud and brave for doing what you did when there was no one else there to come to my aid" I stated, trying my best to wash away the guilt he was feeling at the moment. I didn't blame him, I blame myself but I can't go back and change what happened, I can only be relieved it wasn't much worse.

"Secondly, what happened with your father wasn't your fault, nor was it his, it was the drunk driver, you were only a kid, you couldn't have done anything, you were in that crash, your father died a hero saving you and your mother first, and you know what? I think he would be proud to see how far you've come today...so what I'm trying to say is you shouldn't feel guilty over something you can't control nor predict" I said softly, meaning every word. He stared into my eyes before leaning forward to crash his lips against mine. It surprised me at first but I kissed back after the initial shock.

"What did I do to deserve someone as perfect as you?" he whispered against my lips. I let out a giggle.

"I'm not all perfect" I mumbled. It was true, not everyone who acts perfect and seemed perfect, actually are. I've not been one hundred percent honest with him when he completely has with me, tonight proved it. He was being open with me. I should be too. 

Daniel noticed that I looked distracted and scrunched his eyebrows together with concern etched on his face. "What's wrong?" He asked, leaning back to give me space. 

"I know it's a little late and bad timing but you've been honest with me, I want to be honest with you" I admitted. 

"Is this about what happened on Christmas Eve?" he asked. I nodded. That day he respected that I didn't want to talk about the guy that had slapped me. I could tell though he had many questions going through his head. I was scared to tell him the truth. I was in denial myself. I didn't want to think about it but sooner or later I'll have to, it's inevitable. 

"You don't have to say anything if you're uncomfortable, I can wait until you're ready?" Daniel offered. I smiled and shook my head.

"No, I think I'm ready to say everything now," I said, trying to be confident. Daniel nodded, waiting for me to speak. I took a deep breath and gathered enough courage to spill everything. "The guy that came to my house in Christmas Eve, his name was Eden, I was told that night that Eden was sent by my father because he was about too soon get out of jail on probation, he wanted to see me, he hasn't visited yet but I can tell my mother worries every time someone rings the doorbell and she doesn't know who it is" I started. I shot him a quick glance to see that he was patiently waiting for me to continue. He was being respectful. It eased my nerves. 

"You see we didn't move here because of a new job or because we wanted a change of scenery, we moved because we didn't have anywhere to go, we couldn't live with my grandmother forever, that's why Evelyn helped me out and told me about the house down the street from hers that was on the market for two years before we moved in. My father...he was at one point happy and then all of a sudden, when I was only fourteen, he changed. He became mad at the world, turned to gambling and drinking, wasting our money away because he always lost and got mad at us for it..." I trailed off. I took a deep breath. Daniel noticed my distress and pulled me into his embrace, rubbing my back in a comforting manner. 

"You don't have to continue if you don't want to" he mumbled but I shook my head. He didn't let go of me but I didn't mind since it helped calm me down. 

"My mother tried to protect me from seeing him drunk and yelling but I always heard, I always watched from my the doorway of my room at night. She wanted what was best for us and kept hiding away money to save up to leave, I tried to help with whatever I could earn when I was old enough to work while in school. Then one day, I had been with my close friend who knew about everything. I was sleeping over and I got a call at 3 am telling me that my mother was in the hospital from inhaling too much smoke and had gotten second-degree burns on her back, which she had to later get treated for. 

Apparently, when I rushed to the hospital that night, the police guarding her room, who was also my uncle notified me that my father had set ablaze our home because he was now in debt with some seriously dangerous people and my mother couldn't give him any money. He went to jail while my mother recovered and I stayed with my grandmother who helped pay the bills for her. After that we tried to move on, forget, start a better life. People expected me to be ok, people expected me to be perfect without any problems and I did, I pretended that I was, nobody asked" I finished. It was quiet between us. I was nervous about what he would say, think, react to this. Evelyn still doesn't know anything, she only knows the lie I told her. Only one person knows the truth. Now Daniel is the second person to know but I don't want to regret it.

"Your father is a dick for what he did" he muttered into my hair. He pulled away to hold me at arm's length with his hands resting on my shoulders. He was trying to be careful with the one that was stitched up. "I will always protect you, I won't let him get close to you or your family, he'll have to fight me if he tries" he declared. 

"You can't always protect me" I pointed out.

"I can try" he stated with determination. 

I felt relieved that he wasn't going to leave me like others usually would. They all say they don't want a girl who has so much baggage. I didn't need someone to constantly give me advice, I just needed someone who would listen to me. Maddie was that person. Everyone else just expected me to fix them then they'd leave. That's partly another reason as to why I didn't like the guys that Evelyn set me up with. Some of them would give me a pat on the back and say 'forget about it' like it was that easy. They weren't genuine, they just wanted me to stop talking so they could try and win me over with some pick-up lines. I always hated it. I rebelled most times, only no one knew until Maddie found out and helped me. I just wasn't all better.

"So you're not going to leave me?" I asked, wanting to confirm. Daniel furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Leave you? Why would I leave you?" he asked as if it were an outrageous thing.

"Usually people leave when I tell them about my father, they get scared and runoff, they don't want to be with someone or be friends with a girl who has 'too much baggage', they wanted me to be perfect" I quoted. 

"Well fuck those people, you are perfect the way you are, they can't tell you shit about how to feel or how to act, nothing is going to change I feel about you, this just further proves how brave and strong you are" he affirmed. 

"I'm not" I denied.

"You are, you just don't see it yourself but in my eyes, that's all I see" he stated. 

"Thank you, for accepting all of me" I smiled. He gave me a grin in return.

"Thank you for putting up with me" he joked. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "We are two fucked up people, living up to people's shit expectations but together we are real and true" He professed. I looked down, feeling my cheeks heat up. He was right, we were in a way living up to people's shitty expectations of us both but when we're around each other, we can be open and not hide anything, not anymore now that we've revealed everything from our past.

I had an overwhelming urge to kiss him so I did. I leaned up and pressed my lips against his, wrapping my arms around his neck. He smirked against my lips before wrapping his arms around my waist while kissing back. He leaned back onto the lawn chair to lie down while climbed on to straddle his waist. His hands drifted down to my thighs, sending shivers down my spine. I shocked Daniel by biting his bottom lip to urge them open. When he did willingly, our tongues tangled against each other. 

"Hey! You two lovebirds! This place isn't for making out! You have a room for that shit!" the guy from the reception shouted. We instantly pulled away to look over at him standing not far from us.

"Alright, keep your panties on, we won't stay out here" Daniel waved him off. The guy growled in annoyance before walking back inside while I giggled at the scene. 

"You shouldn't have pissed him off like that," I said as I sat up. 

"Eh, he'll get over it" he shrugged. 

Daniel sat up to wrap his hands around my thighs to hold me in place. He then got up making me yelp, holding onto him. My legs were wrapped around his torso as he carried me inside our motel room. As soon as he closed the door, we both began kissing again that wasn't just passionate but hot and sensual. I felt my back hit the mattress while Daniel hovered over me. "I want you" he whispered against my lips.

"Then what's stopping you" I replied with a mischievous smirk. He took a moment to stare into my eyes to see if I was serious when I was. He grinned before pressing another kiss to my lips. 

"I love you." I halted the kiss, frozen in place at what Daniel just said. This was the first time any of us admitted it. I pulled away from him to look at him in the eyes this time to see he was being serious. He looked nervous. 

"What did you just say?" I asked, trying to process his words. He scrambled back to sit at the edge of the bed and put his head in his hands. I sat up and placed my hand on his shoulder. 

"Forget that I said that, I slipped up, fuck" he cursed. 

"No! You didn't slip up, I was only in shock, you caught me off guard but I feel the same, I've wanted to tell you since New Years but...I love you too" I proclaimed. He turned to look at me and I gave him a smile to show him I was being honest. 

"You're serious?" he asked. I nodded. 

He instantly cupped my face into his hands and kissed me again but this one was more gentle. I laughed as he pulled me onto his lap and tickled my sides. He both fell back onto the bed but I lied on top of him. He stopped to brush a strand of my hair behind my ear. We leaned in again to kiss. It was a rough and intense night but ended perfectly because this time there was no one and nothing to interrupt us.