They spent the rest of the night in silence and the next morning, he was discharged, they left the hospital without saying any words to each other except it was necessary, Nicole couldn’t let Rafael be on his own while he was hurt so she decided she would stay with him at least for the first day.
Nicole watched over Rafael for the next two days, she canceled all business plans and have him take rest, made sure to not leave his side for long, and tended to his wounds, he was out of it most of the time, the doctor had said he hasn't been getting enough sleep, she felt bad because she knew she most likely is the cause of it, she and her sister, which is why she tried to make it up to him, she fed him and made sure he got enough sleep, by the third day, he was looking better, so she decided it was better to return home, she had told her parents what happened and where she was so they didn't worry.
"Time to go back home,"
She said out loud picking her stuff from the room she has been using, she didn't dare go into the room she shared with Rafael, he didn't either, he hadn't said much to her, he ate what she brought for him, took his drug and spent the rest of the time either sleeping or watching TV, she had wanted to talk to him about his call but she couldn't get the courage to.
"Nicole? Are you leaving?"
Rafael asked as he walked into the room without knocking, she turned around to face him, he looked so much better than he did a few days ago.
"Yes, you are better now, and you have people to serve you, I am no longer needed here,"
She said and those words hurt her more than she could let on.
"No, don't leave,"
He said and she felt a little leap of hope but that didn’t last, she reminded herself that she was not the one he knew.
"I have to, that's what you want,"
She let out bitterly.
"I don't want that, I fucking don't want us to be apart, I have been miserable without you, you came into my life and showed me just what it means to have someone in my side, now I can't live without you, I don't want to break things off with you Nicole, I don't care what anybody says, I love you and want you in my life,"
He let out, she just heard him wrong, there was no way he just said those words.
"Could you mind saying that again?"
She asked wanting to make sure her brain wasn't playing tricks on her again.
"What? I can't live without you because that is true,"
"Not that, the other one,"
"Which other one?"
"I,"
"I love you?"
"Yes, that, did you really say that to me?"
She asked hoping, no, wishing that they were true.
"Of course, I did, I love you, Nicole, isn't that obvious?"
This had to be a dream, first, he was calling her Nicole and now he said he love her, she was dreaming and she will hate it when she wakes up.
"It's just a dream,"
She whispered to herself but he heard her, got off the bed, and walked to where she stood, she stared at him as he took her hand in his good one.
"It's not a dream Nicole, I love you for real,"
"You don't, you can't, I am not who you think I am,"
"Yes, you are, you are the woman I love, you, Nicole, no one else but you, and I want us to be together, please don't leave me, I promise, I don't have any other motives, I just don't want to be alone anymore, I have been a loner for so long, you came into my life and showed me just how it was like to have someone on your side, you are the only one I have Nicole and I don't want to lose you over a mistake that helped me, you helped me, you saved me, please,"
He pleaded, her tears were coming in lots of streams now, she couldn't believe it, this was really happening, Rafael really loved her, loved her, not Natalie, oh no, Natalie, she couldn't do this.
"I am sorry Rafael, I can't accept your love, I can't be with you, you are my sister's man, I have done enough already,"
She said those words that broke her heart, he looked hurt at first but that didn’t last as a determined look took over.
"I don't belong to Natalie, we were never truly a couple, the only times we shared kisses were few, I had more kisses with you the few times we met than with your sister, I didn't fall in love with Natalie, I fell in love with you, I don't want Natalie, I want you, you Nicole, just you, Natalie isn't even here, why would I want to pick someone I don’t know over someone I know and love?”
He asked.
"Rafael,"
She whispered, his words, they were so convincing.
"Can't you stay with me? Can't you love me?"
He asked, raising her eyes, she met his and all her resolves and conflict fell away, only him mattered at that moment.
"I love you already Rafael,"
She whispered. If only he knew just how much she loves him.
"Really?"
"Yes, I tried to tell you in Hawaii but you were so mad at me and didn't listen to me,"
"I am sorry about that baby, I was hurt, I thought you played me, I got hurt because you already meant so much to me, I wanted us to start a family, finding out that day had ruined that plans in my head and I didn't know how to take it, I am sorry Nicole,"
"No, don't be, I am the one who should be sorry for putting you through so much pain,"
She said.
"We can make it up to each other by staying together and bringing happiness and making each other happy, you want that too right?"
"Yes,"
Nicole whispered, that was what she wanted, what she hoped for and now she was going to have it.
"Is this for real Rafael?"
"Yes, baby, it is, I want to be with you and you want the same right?"
"Yes, I do,"
"Good,"
He said and kissed her, tears welled up in her eyes again as his lips met hers, she misses his touch so much, he carried her up despite his hand and dropped her off on the bed kissing her.