The world worked on a beautiful axis, spinning perfectly around the sun. The moon spun around the earth and the earth spun around the sun. No matter what happened, the universe would never break it's pattern.
Each day, no matter how bad, only lasted 24 hours. And once that time was done, a new sun would rise on the horizon, washing away everything, yet nothing.
The sun had set over the horizon just as many times as it had risen the following morning. Yet no new day was able to bring back the light that once glowed in Raine's eyes.
It had been two weeks since Xavier's world had shattered completely, the moment he brought Raine's lifeless body to the hospital. Two weeks since he saw her chocolate brown orbs smiling up at him. Two weeks since he had heard the melody of her voice. Two weeks since he had smiled.
When Raine arrived at the hospital, she wasn't breathing, nor was there a pulse.
The doctors had to work wonders to revive her, putting her under a heavy dose of medication to help her body fight and heal all of the wounds that had been tattooed all over her body.
Xavier hadn't left the hospital. Not for a day, not for an hour, not even for a minute.
The company that had been his top priority ever since forever, now meant nothing to him.
Jordon had called Cindy back from Toronto to manage the company, setting aside all of Xavier's meeting and halting all of the deals that were waiting on Xavier's approval.
Jordon had also tried hard to get Xavier to come home, even for a night, but Xavier did not budge. He couldn't leave the hospital. He couldn't leave Raine.
"Mr. Thorn, I can stay here with Raine while you go and catch some rest." Jordon convinced. "I assure you, no harm will come her way."
"No." That was all Xavier ever said. "I won't leave Raine, not even for a second. If you or the others would like to leave, then be my guest." He stated, leaving no room for argument.
Because of Xavier's presence at the hospital, Jordon had arranged a full security team to secure the building, paying full attention to any person that stepped within the boundaries of the hospital.
It was the talk of the town. Xavier Thorn, the CEO of the most powerful company in all of America, a man who never took a single day off of work, was on a leave with no signs of returning.
Although he knew he had responsiblilties, he couldn't seem to accept that they would be anything more then what Raine meant to him.
"Mr. Thorn?"
Xavier raised his head to find the doctor waiting patently for him.
"Dr. Khan." Xavier said, standing up from his seat.
Dr. Khan had been the one to treat Raine as soon as she entered the hospital that night, covered in blood and barely alive. He'd done his best to treat her, but to Xavier, even that wasn't enough.
After four long hours of surgery, Raine had been brought back to life as the flow of blood surged through her veins once more with each pump of the heart. The injuries of the outside had been long fixed but the external injuries were something that even Dr. Khan couldn't do anything about.
Xavier remembered the moment when the doctor had unleashed possibly the worst news of Xavier's life.
"Ms. Woods is in a coma." He had said, keeping his emotions astray from the conversation.
"What?!" Xavier had shouted. "What do you mean she's in a coma!? Wake her up!" He had demanded.
"I'm sorry Mr. Thorn. My team and I have done the best we could. She's lost quiet a bit of blood, when you brought her to the hospital, she was barely alive." The doctor tried to explain.
"I don't give a damn! It's your job to save her!" Xavier said, his temper rising with each passing second. "Save her! You hear me?!" He demanded, inching closer to him. "Save her or I swear to god, I'll kill you all!" With that being said, Xavier leaped from his spot, grabbing the doctor's shirt harshly.
To Dr. Khan's good fortune, Jordon was quick to pull Xavier off. "Mr. Thorn! You need to calm down!"
"Don't fucking tell me what to do!" Xavier roared, yanking himself away Jordon and turning back to the doctor.
"Mr. Thorn, I understand that this isn't easy for you, but you need to understand that with the severities of her injuries, it's a miracle that Ms. Woods is even alive." The Dr. Khan stated, causing Xavier's heart to drop.
"What do you mean?" Xavier asked in a low voice.
"Her blood levels when she was brought in were incredibly low, along with the rest of her vitals. Her pulse was almost none existent and her breathing was barely cutting it." He informed. "Along with that, Ms. Woods seems to have gone through a severe head injury. The lower back of her head reportedly collided with the glass coffee table according to police reports, resulting in damages to the cerebellum."
"But it can be cured right?" He asked worriedly.
"Well, we don't know the severity of the damage that has been done. We've done an MRI and some CAT scans. There is some swelling in the lower posterior regions of the brain and we've medicated her, in hopes of getting the swelling to reduce."
"So she will be alright?"
"I cannot deny, nor confirm that." Dr. Khan said, dropping his head. "We've kept her in observation. She's in a comatose condition and we cannot predict when she will wake up. The true diagnosis can be done once we know what her status is but like I mentioned before, we cannot say anything until she wakes up."
* * *
It had been two weeks since that conversation and nothing had changed. Raine was still there. Sleeping heavenly in that pale hospital room with her eyes hidden behind the her eyelids, refusing to open.
She was in a deep sleep and waking up didn't seem like it would occur anytime soon. But like always, Xavier's stubborn nature wouldn't allow him to believe in the words of the doctor. She had to wake up and she had to do it now. With that in mind, Xavier had made it his mission to recruit the best doctors in not only the country, but the world.
Raine's medical reports had gotten analyzed by some of the best minds in the world over the two week period, but none of the doctors could provide Xavier the good news he was looking for.
And over the course of two weeks, Xavier had found himself loosing control over his mind, body, and soul. He tried to work, but he couldn't. He tried to eat, but he couldn't. He tried to sleep, but he couldn't.
Raine.
A girl who didn't exist in his life a couple of months ago had now become his world and he couldn't deny that.
He couldn't deny the way his heart beat a little faster every time his saw her precious eyes, or the warm fuzzy feeling the erupted in his chest with her every smile. She was like a spell. Like a magical potion that Xavier would happily drink any day.
"Mr. Thorn?" Said a nurse as she walked out of Raine's private room in the VIP ward of the hospital. "You may go inside now, her checkup is complete."
"How is she?" Xavier asked with desperation.
"Vitals are still the same. She's healing but at a slow pace."
Xavier gave the nurse a soft nod before barging into Raine's room.
She was just the way he had left her the hour before, the day before, the night before, and the week before. Nothing seemed to ever change, however Xavier couldn't help but hope that one day he would enter her room and be greeted by the sweetest chocolate colored eyes that Xavier would fight the world for.
He sat down on the small stool that stood besides her bed. Gently taking her cold hands into his warm ones and lacing her fingers with his. He brought her hand up to his lips, kissing it softly, silently pleading her to wake up with his heart instead of words.
"Raine?" Xavier whispered. "Please wake up Raine. I need you." He said brokenheartedly. "I need you Raine. You have to wake up. For me. Just please. Please wake up." He begging.
He had never wanted something so badly in his life. He had never begged for anything so desperately before. Being brought up in an elite family, never had he waited for any of his wishes to come true. Money could buy anything.
But if that was true, why was Raine still asleep?
Why couldn't Xavier's money wake her up?
He had never realized this before. Everything he wanted, he got with a snap of the finger. But Raine? She was priceless. The papers notes with dollar signs printed on them, could never be worth anything compared to her.
His thoughts were interrupted when there was a subtle knock on the door, followed by Jordon entering the room.
"How is she?" Jordon asked glancing at the fragile girl who lay on the bed. Although he hadn't known her for long, even Jordon had grown accustomed to her bright smile that she greeted him with every morning.
"The same..." Xavier mumbled, before standing up and walking towards him. "What brings you here?"
"I had a couple of important updates from the company." Jordon started. "The Zimmerman partnership for appliances has been put on hold for a month until you are personally there to address the terms and conditions."
"Ok." Xavier nodded with no due interest. "Any update on a suspect?" He asked. It had been a question Xavier threw at Jordon every morning he walked into the room.
He wanted the identity of the person that had put Raine in the condition she was in now. He wanted to know who had stolen her smile and the glow of her brown eyes. But most importantly, he wanted to know who had messed with him.
Hurting Raine was equivalent of hurting Xavier, and he wasn't the one to let people cause harm to him or those he cared about. Not now, not ever.
"Not much." Jordon said with a grim look. "I had some private investigators look around and they found traces of rocks in surrounding buildings. The same rocks that were found in Raine's apartment. My guess is that whoever pulled this off, had help from other people." Jordon theorized. "They ambushed Raine's apartment and then the mastermind, whoever that is, tried to kill her."
"I'm gunna kill him before he so much as lays a finger on Raine." Xavier said, clenching his hands.
"I assure you that we will find out very soon." Jordon assured. "And I might have a link that makes it easier for us to find out who this person is."
"WHAT?!" Xavier demanded. "Tell me now!"
"Mr. Thorn, it's really in---" Jordon began, only to be cut off when the door abruptly opened, revealing Mathew who was guarding the hospital.
"Sir?"
"What is it, Mathew?" Xavier asked tentatively.
"There are some people here, wanting to meet Ms. Woods."
"People?" Xavier questioned with a frown.
"Shall I let them in?"
"No. I'll go meet them first." Xavier stated. "And remember one thing very clearly. No one, and I mean no one, gets access to meet Raine without my permission. Her safety is my top concern at the moment."
"Of course Mr. Thorn."
"I'll talk to you in a bit." Xavier said, looking back to Jordon before leaving.
Just as he made his way to the waiting room, his eyes widened in recognition at the sight of Raine's two friends.
Daisy and Mike were standing hand in hand with worried looks on their faces. And just as Xavier approached them, their eyes trailed up his body, noticing the torn up shape of a man known well for his professionalism.
"Daisy." Xavier said softly. "Mike." He stated with a monotone voice. "I---"
"Where's Raine?!" Mike demanded, not even letting Xavier finish his thought.
"She..." Xavier looked down in embarrassment. How was he to tell the two souls that their best friend, who's wellbeing he had assured, was currently laying in a coma? "She in the ICU."
"The ICU?!" Mike said in disbelief. "Move it, I'm going to meet her!"
Mike tried to push through, but Xavier held him back. "She...She in a coma Mike. She won't wake up."
"A coma?!" Daisy and Mike both said at the same time, overcome with shock.
"What the hell happen?!" Mike demanded.
"Someone broke into her house and... I don't know. Someone attacked her." Xavier announced painfully.
"This is all your fucking fault! She was safe while she was living with me, but no! You just had to steal her away! What do you think huh? Just cause you're a rich CEO, a freaking billionaire that you can buy whatever the hell you want?!" Mike raged with anger. "This is all your fault Xavier Thorn! And I swear to god, if anything happens to Raine, I will not spare you!"
"Stop it Mike!" Daisy urged, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Stop it?! Daisy, you know very well this is all his fault." He spat, throwing daggers at Xavier with his glares. "Raine was happy and healthy when she was living with me. At least she wasn't alone! I was taking care of her! But he couldn't see that, couldn't he?! You some of a b---"
Just then, Mike grabbed Xavier's collar, shoving him against the wall. Xavier's back collided harshly with the wall, causing a groan to escape from his mouth. Daisy screamed in horror, rushing up to Mike to pull him off. But before he could do a thing, Xavier yanked Mike's hand, twisting it backwards as Mike cursed in pain.
Thankfully, Daisy's scream had alerted the others and Cole, Mathew, and Jordon came rushing to the sight, ripping Mike off of Xavier's body.
"Stand down!" Cole shouted, pressing Mike's head against the floor.
"No!" Daisy screamed. "Stop it! Please, I promise he's harmless."
"Is that all you got?!" Xavier said, kneeling down to Mike who was simply glaring at him.
"Please Xavier. Please just let him go." Daisy pleaded.
"If you weren't Raine's friend, I'd personally kick you out of here myself." Xavier spat, looking towards Mike as he fixed his collar.
"Let them go." Xavier said, turning towards the security team. He glanced at Jordon who look back at Xavier worriedly.
"If you can't handle being in a hospital with maturity, then I suggest you leave right this minute." Jordon stated, looking at Mike with disgust. "If you would like to see Ms. Woods, you may, but you need to leave afterwards without creating a commotion."
As Mike was freed, Daisy turned to Xavier to thank and apologize for Mike's crude behavior to which Xavier gave a slight nod.
Mike and Daisy eventually left the waiting room, following Cole who lead them to Raine's private room.
"He was right, you know?" Xavier said, defeat clearly lingering in his voice. "This is my fault."
"Mr. Thorn, this is not your doing." Jordon tried to convince. But even he couldn't miss that shards of guilt that swirled in Xavier's cold blue eyes.
"I could have protected her. I should have protected her." Xavier said with hatred. Hatred for himself.
"Mr. Thorn, blaming all of this on yourself will do no one good. We both know that you've been trying your hardest to protect Raine since the day she set foot in you're life. You saved the cafe, you bought her a safer house, you've made sure all of her needs were met."
"Then why is she laying in the hospital right now, Jordon?! Can't you see that I failed her." He asked with anger. Anger towards himself.
"If this is anyone's fault, then it is of the person that attacked Raine. And that is none other then the mystery man who's been after Raine for a while now."
"I need him Jordon. I need him." Xavier breathed out.
"I assure you that we will get a hold of him very soon." Jordon said with determination. "He will pay for the damage that he has caused Raine."
* * *
It had been a long day.
A long, miserable, painful, and lifeless day for Xavier.
It was week three and nothing had changed.
Xavier was still camping out at the hospital, unable to leave Raine for even the quickest minute. He'd practically moved into the hospital, doing all of his daily routines there instead of going home. He was so afraid.
Afraid that if he left her, she'd slip away forever. Afraid that if he left her, someone would snatch her away. Afraid that if she woke up, he wouldn't be there to witness the sun falling on her mystical eyes.
Eyes that gave Xavier life.
"Mr. Thorn, I've brought some more clothes for you." Jordon said as he walked in with a suitcase. "You may go take a shower, I'll be looking out for Raine."
Xavier nodded, walking up to Raine and pressing a kiss on her forehead before heading out to shower and getting ready for yet another day of waiting.
He'd be waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting but she just wouldn't wake up. She wouldn't open those gems for him to see. She wouldn't reveal her seas which he would willingly drown into. But he didn't' care. He knew she was there. She was alive. Her heart was beating and her lungs pumping air. He knew she'd come back to him. He knew she'd wake up. He knew she'd be fine. But most importantly, he knew she was his.
Losing hope and giving up was something Xavier Thorn simply wouldn't do. Raine was going to be fine. He just knew it. The only thing was, that he'd have to wait. And he would. He'd wait a eternity for her.
After taking a refreshing shower, Xavier entered Raine's room once more.
He sat down besides the sleeping beauty. His eyes trailed her face, mesmerized by her beauty. Although she had gone through so much, nothing could lessen her beauty.
Her wounds were almost healed but the scars still showed. His fingers inched up to her forehead where a huge gash had once cut open her skin.
He grabbed Raine's hand, pressing his lips against her fragile fingers as he closed his eyes, focusing on the soft beeping sound that had been his reassurance that she was alive.
"Wake up Raine." He whispered. "I miss you." His eyes were closed as he clutched her hand, holding it against his heart as if pleading to her with his heart beats to wake up. His words may not have reached to her but for some reason, he believed that the rhythm of his heart could convey the message that he had longed to pass onto her.
"X-Xavier?"
The sound was faint and weak, barely audible to anyone. But to Xavier, it was everything. In a fraction of a second, his eyes flew open, meeting another pair of eyes that he had yearned to see for weeks.
The browns of her eyes were still just as sweet as Xavier had remembered them. He wanted to get lost in them and never find his way out. He wanted to drown in them and never be saved. He wanted to see himself in them, every day, every minute.
"Raine.." He breathed out. His heart beating so fast that he was afraid it would beat out of his chest. "On my god, Raine." He said again, almost unable to believe that she was awake. She was really awake and in front of him. "You're awake Raine! Thank god you're awake!" He said, unable to contain his excitement.
"X-Xav...Xavier-r..." Raine managed to let out once more.
She felt the throbbing on on the back of her head and fragments of pain as she stretched her arms, reaching them up to her head.
"Raine." Xavier said once more. "Are you hurt?!" He said, realizing the immensity of the pain that she must be feeling. "Stay right here, I'm gunna go grab the doctor." He notified before rushing out of the room and yelling for a doctor.
* * *
"Mr. Thorn?" Dr. Khan said as soon as he was done going through the routine tests with Raine, checking up on the severity of her case.
"Dr. Khan, how is Raine? Is everything alright?" He asked, unable to disguise the worry in his voice.
"Well, there's some good new and some bad." The doctor began. "The good news is that no severe damage was done to her brain. No signs of amnesia or any other effects on the rest of her body. All of the swelling in her brain has reduced significantly."
"Thank god." Xavier said, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "But what about the bad news."
"Ah, yes." Dr. Khan said, looking down at the file in his hands. "She may experience difficulty balancing which can affect the way she walks. Of course they are temporary things and will heal as time progresses but make sure she isn't unattended, especially when she's walking down stairs or crossing the street." Dr. Khan stated.
"Don't worry about that. I assure you, I will not leave her alone." Xavier assured. "Anything else I should look out for?"
"Bedrest is strong advised. Make sure she gets a lot of rest and keep an eye on her during the nights. Head injuries usually have an effect on sleep cycles. I'll give you prescriptions for all of the medication she needs."
"Thank you so much Dr. Khan."
"Mr. Thorn?" Jordon said, walking up to Xavier and the doctor. "Sorry to interrupt, but do you think it would be possible for Raine to get discharged."
"Ah, yes." Xavier said, turning back to the doctor. "Is it safe if I take her home. She does have a threat and I don't want to take any risks but keeping her here."
"I'll inform the hospital staff and they can start the discharge papers." Dr. Khan notified with a smile.
"Great." Xavier said contently. "Can I go see her?"
"Of course. Just make sure you don't put too much stress on her mind."
"Never." Xavier said before heading back into her room.
For the last three weeks, he had stepping into her room every day, hoping, praying, and even pleading to see bright eyes staring back at him. But every day, he'd been disappointed at the sight of her shut eyes and limp body.
But today was different.
When Xavier entered her rooms, his eyes fell on the girl with chocolatey eyes that were looking back at him with so many emotions in them that he couldn't help stride up to her. Cupping her face in his warm hands, he leaned down, pressing a kiss on her forehead, allowing his lips to linger there for a second too long.
"I missed you." Xavier whispered.
"I missed you too." Raine whispered back. Her voice just the melody that he had craved so badly to hear.
"I'm not leaving you Raine. Not now, not ever." He said.
"Don't leave me Xavier." She said weakly. Her eyes on the verge of tears.
"Never." He whispered.
"I don't know why and I don't know how but Raine... If there's anything I know, it's that I need you. I need you so freaking much." He said, unable to keep his feeling concealed.
"I just need you." He whispered, holding her in his hands.
______________________
A/N: Hey Guys! Sorry for delay! But I hope it was worth the wait! What did you guys think of Raine's time in the hospital but most importantly Xavier's time in the hospital? Isn't Xavier just the cutest?! Anyways, we still haven't figured out who Raine's attacker is and how he related to Raine's past. But have no fear because all of your questions will get an answer in the next part when we truly learn the truth behind Raine's past! Stay tuned!!
Question of the Day: Who's ready for Summer Vacation?!
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