The stinging on my nose spread to my face as I groaned.

My body was exposed, on the cold floor of the bathroom.

It didn't feel nice at all.

My hands felt weak at my side.

I needed to crawl back to the shower seat but how do I crawl exactly?

With my legs not working.

And my phone wasn't close by to make any calls.

I couldn't help but curse under my breath. 

Why couldn't my legs move now.

Even if I held myself up with my arms, the railing is too far for me to reach.

What about the walls, let me go closer to the walls.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a sharp bang, heavy footsteps heading my way.

My eyes widened.

Wait! Was that Ivan.

But I'm not wearing anything!

The bathroom door was open and his form came into my view.

“Sophia-” His voice was panicked and sharp.

With my wide eyes, I watched him come in.

His eyes widened as he saw me sprawled on the floor, exposed.

His eyes snap away instantly. He turns around, one hand covering his eyes, his ears flushed red.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know you weren’t… damn it!” His voice sounded so strained. “Are you okay?”

My lips trembled as I shut my eyes tightly.

“Don't look. Don't you dare look.” 

My voice was shaking due to the humiliation I felt.

He saw me naked.

I hurriedly, tried to cover myself with my hands.

Why now? Why did this have to happen now, with him?

Ivan's back was still turned to me when I heard his voice again.

“There's a towel on the hook right behind you. Can you reach it?”

Following his directions, I stretched my arm towards the towel but I wasn't close enough to it.

“No. My arms… I can't.”

My face was flushed from my embarrassment.

Him standing there with his back turned added to it.

I heard him curse under his breath. “Crap.”

Then he slowly walked backwards, closer to me.

My eyes were wide as saucers.

“W-What are you doing?”

His hands reached for the towel and he placed it beside me, still looking forward.

“It's here. I promise I'm not looking.”

I grabbed it with trembling hands and covered myself. Then I steadied my breath and looked up at his back.

My teeth were clenched. 

“Okay. You can… look now.”

My voice came out soft and shaky.

Then he turned and knelt beside me. His eyes were focused on my face, nowhere else.

For that, I was grateful.

“I'm going to lift you, alright?” His voice sounded like he was out of breath.

I nodded, my cheeks burning. My voice small. 

“Okay.”

I heard him exhale a shaky breath before he carefully picked me up, his arms supporting my back and legs.

Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

My heart was racing and I momentarily forgot about the pain.

My head was resting on his chest and my wet hair touching his shirt.

But all I couldn't think of was his heart beat.

It was fast. Very fast.

It was soothing that I wasn't the only nervous one.

He laid me gently, on the bed and I covered myself with the blankets.

“Let me get something to clean you up with.”

Clean me up with?

I didn't have time to think about that.

Because when he left, I hurried cleaned my damp body with the towel. 

I avoided my face because of the blood, opting to ask Ivan for a tissue once he got back.

Then I covered myself with the blankets again.

He came back in no time with some basic medical supplies and sat beside me without a word.

My face was still burning from embarrassment.

He reached for the first aid kit and tore open a sterile gauze pad.

Ivan wiped the blood away with a clean gauze, moving carefully, like I was made of glass.

He pressed a cool compress gently against my nose.

Sharp stabs radiated through my nose and cheekbones, the pain pulling at the corners of my eyes but I didn't pull back.

As I watched him treat me, I bit my lower lip and his eyes followed the movement.

He used his thumb to pull my lower lip out of my teeth, softly and I let him.

“You'll hurt yourself again.”

I sighed. “How did you know I fell?”

“I was downstairs. I heard the sound of your fall…” he looked into my eyes and glanced away. “And your cursing.”

“Luckily, your nose isn't broken.” He said.

“Right.” I laughed mockingly, my heart tightening. “I can't even take a bath myself without it ending so eventful. It's so frustrating.”

“It's okay. Next time, call me.”

My eyes snapped to his, my momentarily feelings fading away.

“Call… you when I am taking a bath?”

“No, what I meant was. I'll stand outside in case of anything since you don't want a caregiver.” He sounded flustered.

I let out a forced laugh. “That would be really awkward.”

To that, he didn't answer.

Instead, he put the medical supplies away and walked into the bathroom to bring another towel.

“Can I dry your hair?”

I nodded slowly at his question.

Carefully, he patted down my wet hair. He was gentle, and calm. It felt soothing.

“Where is your hairdryer?” He asked after a while.

I looked around. “I don't know. Check in the dressing table.”

When he checked, he saw it immediately and used it on my hair.

Soon, I ran my fingers down my dry hair.

Then I whispered. “My pajamas…”

He returned a minute later, holding a soft-looking sleep gown and... a neatly folded pair of underwear on top.

My cheeks burned hotter.

“I figured you’d want... everything,” he said, eyes avoiding mine.

I nodded, gripping the clothes like a shield. “Thanks.”

He turned away and I realized he was giving me space to change while keeping me close.

“Don't peek.” I warned him before dressing up.

I heard him hum.

I became conscious, trying to tone down the sound of shuffling because it was awkward.

This man and I were going to get married in the future and these things would be natural.

I tried to convince myself but ended up with weird thoughts.

“I'm done.” I told him.

He slowly turned to me, with red ears.

Noticing that, made it even more awkward.

He took the towel away and tucked me into bed.

“I'm not sleepy. I just woke up, actually.”

“Then dinner?” He suggested.

“I'm not really hungry.” I replied, realizing that I was not helping matters at all.

“Then…” Ivan looked at me.

“I'll review my book. I need to update anyway.”

I was a dedicated novelist. Although it started for fun. I had gathered a lot of fans on the way.

“Okay.” 

“Could you help me get my laptop?”

“Where is it?”

“There…” 

Ivan sat beside me for a while before he stood up.

“I'll be right back.”

When he left the room. I buried my face in my palms and screamed silently.

I just had to fall on that stupid bathroom floor while I was taking a shower.

No, no!

It's not stupid.

Feeling a sudden sharp pain from my nose, I pulled back, remembering that it wasn't in the right condition.

Ivan thoughtfully remodeled it for me.

I heard a small knock on the door.

“Did he send someone?” I mumbled under my breath.

“Come in.”

Ivan walked in holding some documents and a… blanket?

“I'll stay with you throughout the night, if that's okay with you.” His green eyes watched me.

What?

“A-Alright.” I could do nothing but give my approval.

My breath caught. He said it so casually, yet my heart reacted like he’d just confessed something.

I watched him as he settled on the couch, flipping through some paperwork.

We both worked tirelessly into the night.

But my eyes kept drifting to him. And I caught his gaze more than once.

Even with the pain in my nose and the shame still clinging to my skin, I felt a little safer with him across the room.