35 35

In a mere wisp of thirty minutes, the old racer and her few belongings were settled into a spacious bedroom with a floor to ceiling view of Central Park.It was, according to Michael, the best view in the entire building.Nolan reluctant had to admit to himself, although Henry Wong was not to his taste, he did treat his own extremely well.Ellie moved with obvious discomfort now that the morphine was wearing off.Nolan was happy that when she was settled into bed with an IV drip, a nurse had come in and injected the drug to make sure Ellie had another dose.

Henry had thought of everything.Ignoring the pang of anger that this wasn't something he could do himself, Nolan conceded to keep the peace.As Ellie looked up at him blearily he touched her face, "Henry's a good man.He offered me a room, adjoining yours so I can be close to you if you need it.It's generous but I think I'll keep to my apartment because it's closer to the university.But I do have clearance from Henry to come visit every day.So I can see you after work like I did when you were in the hospital.And Deul texted me to say he wanted to check up on you before he heads back to China."He tucked the covers in so she was cocooned.Her unfeeling legs repositioned in a way where she would be comfortable."Now I know you're exhausted so best for you to get some sleep.You're going to need your beauty sleep."

Ellie smiled with a slow lift of her lips."I should be doing this to you."

Nolan patted her head, "For now, no.But now that I see Henry is treating you well, I can be off.I'm going to see a witch.Dr. Amrati recommended her to me as someone who could help us get out of this mess."

"It's not a mess."Ellie said trying to keep her eyes open."This is a nice way to be, Nolan."

He noticed that her eyes while he was talking were focused on the door behind him.He felt a slow dread, did she expect the beast to make an appearance?He didn't know if Henry Wong's anger had dissipated enough for him to greet her properly.Nolan could see Ellie was just hanging on to consciousness.He fluffed her pillows before kissing her cheek."I'll see you tomorrow."

As he was leaving, he saw Michael was approaching Ellie's room.As Michael saw him he bowed, "Mr. Wong has made arrangements for a nurse named Maud to serve the mistress of the house.I hope this is to your satisfaction, Mr. Chen.I know her quite well from her service with my wife and recommend her with flying colors."

"Oh just call me Nolan, Michael.I'm nothing like Mr. Wong.I haven't even finished college."

"Oh that's nothing to be ashamed of, my boy.I didn't either.I inherited the job from my father who did so from his."He straightened and continued on his trajectory.

Nolan couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for the man.He was already carrying for his ailing wife and now was responsible for another invalid.Although the man had every reason to be bitter, he had kept his courtesy and even complimented his sister.A model servant, like all who served the Wong household.Ellie would be well cared for here.

But the more pressing matter -- Nolan was off to catch a witch.

=//=

It had taken Henry a good half hour run to get his annoying brother-in-law from his head.When he had been confronted, he had been reading the book that Nadia had picked out for him.He had received it that morning with glee.The writing in the inside cover had been scrawled in her own spidery handwriting:

I think of you only.

And it was accompanied by a purple lipstick print instead of a signature.Lips he knew well.

She was thinking about him.Only.Holding his present and remembering the way she touched him, he had been filled with visions of what he would do to her when she finally let him. He knew in the mysterious supermodel he would find the happy ending he had always envisioned for himself.She was more than what he'd wanted.The final jewel in his crowning achievements.

Then to snap him out of his reverie, that impulsive stupid hey-I-almost-killed-her-but-i-didnt boy had bumbled in with his kneeling pleas and shaking vaguely pitiful threats. Like a pug out in the rain for too long, what a show!Other than his pouting lips, Nolan Chen seemed to have lost all genetics shared between himself and his sister, a real diamond in the rough.