When There Is Nothing Left But Love

He nodded with a sigh. “You’re safe. That’s what matters.” He looked down at my bloody feet. A frown crossed his face. “You walked all the way here?”

I nodded, too, my head hanging low. “My phone’s not with me, and I don’t have any money. I can’t get a taxi!”

“Can’t you call me to get you?” He closed his eyes in frustration and then sighed. “Forget it. I didn’t think this through.”

He led me to the sofa and went to get the first aid kit. Then he knelt on the ground, placed my foot on his knee, and started cleaning the wound.

When the cotton swab came into contact with the wound, I winced from the pain and sank back into the sofa. He let out a loose sigh. “It’ll be over soon!”

To reduce my pain, he blew on it several times while applying the ointment. I got a little distracted seeing him at work.

I should not be staying with him. Sally was right. If word got out that there was something between us, the Fullers and the White family would be subjected to public opinion. The outcome would be much more horrifying than what we imagined.

“What’s on your mind?” He said, looking my way as he kept the first aid kit.

I retracted my feet as I watched him put away the kit. And then I watched him sit next to me. I watched him pour me a glass of water.

There was a pause before I answered, “Marcus, you… don’t have to come here again!”

He paused, his dark eyes gazing at me. “What do you mean?”

won’t hesitate to help you. But for now, Aunt Sally’s right. You and I are but a single man and a single woman. We have such a close relationship… and if anyone with ill intentions starts to spread rumors, both the Fullers and the White family will be dragged into the

not have said those words. I should not have said them so

been said

grim. “What are you worried

“I owe you too

what other people will say, then I can stay away from you. But know

kept my head low as I muttered. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I… can’t

not have the courage to commit it.

staring at me, his eyes unreadable. “There’s no way to hide it. I

looked at him in alarm, not understanding what he said, “What does

chuckling. “Let’s talk about it when you feel better. Right now, the Independence Day celebration is coming to an end. I’ll be real busy soon. I won’t have as much time to spend with you. You’ll have to take

the desire for sleep were beginning to creep on me.

and announced, “I’m going to rest!”

had a dreamless

had been coming to the residence. Because my

he really understood me inside and out. He knew how to keep my mood in check.

project management. Since I just

other jobs. It was almost impossible to have fixed working hours because I had just