After dropping my drawing pencil onto my sketch book I slowly leaned forward to rest my head on my desk. I then started to gaze at the bracelet Henry gave me...

A few days after the 'accident' I noticed that Kai had changed a little. And I couldn't help but wonder why...

I twirled the bracelet around my wrist a few times before my phone started ringing. I turned to look at the Caller ID... it was Luca. I remembered putting his number in my phone after the accident. I was a little surprised he was reaching out to me during his recovery.

Besides, how did he get my phone number?

"Luca?" I asked.

"Hey Hazel!... I have a favour. I have a package I'm having a difficult time with. I can't bring it inside my apartment..."

Then why call me?

"I have no one else to help me. My mom is in New York and Natalie is in Italy."

"What about your friends?"

"You are my friend" I scoffed almost hanging up.

"Hold up! I'm sorry... I really don't have anyone else... they're more business acquaintances than friends... please..."

I hesitated at first, but since I didn't have anything else going on in the afternoon I agreed. When I hung up I got ready to commute to his place.

*

When I arrived I went through 2 security gates and then another check point with a guard who looked like he could kill me with his pinky finger. I was alarmed by the amount of surveillance in his apartment complex... I couldn't help but wonder how many celebrities or rich people lived here?

When I finally arrived at his place I was greeted by a large statue-like package outside his front door. What makes him think I could drag this inside?

When I saw Luca I was surprised. His hair was a mess and he had some food stains on his shirt... He showed me a little dolly to put the package on and I was relieved. I carefully loaded it and dragged it inside.

"What the hell is in here?"

"A stone sculpture of myself," I laughed, thinking he wasn't being serious. When I looked up at him his expression didn't change.

"You're not serious?"

"I couldn't refuse this gift..."

"Who gets..." I then shrugged... I wouldn't understand rich people's hobbies ever. When I looked around his place I saw fast food wrappers and crumbs scattered everywhere...

"How long have they been away for?"

"A few days..." I nodded.

"I know... it looks pretty disgusting here... but every time I try to open something it explodes on me... and it's still hard to pick things up" I nodded, understandingly.

"Isn't there anyone else that can help you?"

"I considered calling for a professional cleaner but... last time that happened they found out my identity and took some of my belongings to auction off online..." my eyes widened in shock...

"Then... no one else?"

"I don't give my address to just anyone..." my heart was now pounding a little. I realized the situation and nervously patted the back of my neck. There was a brief silence between us. Whether or not he intended to... or if this was his plan, I couldn't just leave him.

"Let me help you, then."

"You don't have to. I just couldn't have this sitting outside of my apartment."

"I insist..." I started walking forward but he grabbed a hold of my arm with his good hand.

"You don't have to live like this until they come back home..." he paused slightly and then released me as I rolled up my sleeves.

"Where are you cleaners?" he pointed towards the kitchen and I got to work... shortly after cleaning I looked in his empty fridge. I knew it was convenient ordering out but he still needed to eat a little better during this time.

"Let me go buy you some groceries too."

"Huh? No, it's okay. I can order any food I want from here..."

"No doubt..." I sighed to myself. Did he know how to take care of himself?

"Besides, I don't go grocery shopping."

"Never?"

"I don't have a need to. If I'm not out on business or at shoots, I'm usually sleeping in a trailer..." the more he spoke the more I pitied him. Even if I thought that his money made his personality a little over the top and invasive... he still didn't have a home to come to regularly and enjoy this space.

Even though I had lived in a tiny apartment I definitely wouldn't trade it for this kind of luxurious lifestyle. Nothing could replace my love for a warm cooked meal, a full cabinet of spices and dried herbs, and a variety of snacks and beans.

Maybe that was my own projection... but still.

"Just give me your wallet." But maybe he could eat a few homemade things while he was here... I don't know what was compelling me to do this for him, but for some reason he reminded me of Kai and maybe even Jackson. A little lonely but able to wear a mask to conceal that loneliness...

"Hmm... are you that serious about us?"

"I'm not taking money out of my own pocket to stock the fridge of a grown ass man." I walked over to him and brought my hand forward. He then walked over to his bag and presented me with a black credit card. I nearly dropped it...

The idea of carrying something this valuable scared me...

"Don't you have... something smaller?" he smirked at me.

"That's the smallest I own..." I sighed and then turned away.

"I'll be back..."

After coming back from the grocery store I unloaded all of the fresh produce into his fridge. He was peering over me curiously. I placed some bananas on his island in the kitchen and he looked at them like he spotted a rare, unknown item.

"They're good for you. Try them in oatmeal..." he nodded slowly. When I moved him away from the kitchen I then told him: "there are items here that can make up easy dishes. You can also eat fruit on its own. I have boxes of salad for you too... I'll make you a casserole you can heat up and eat."

He seemed skeptical of my cooking abilities but after observing me for an hour in the kitchen and eating the finished product he seemed to be enjoying his food.

"This is actually delicious."

"You have a way with words..." he gulped down the food at a fast speed.

"You're going to get an upset stomach. Slow down..." he nodded and it was quiet between us again.

"You said your mom would be back in a few more days. This should last until then..." he looked up at me as I spoke: "you should also really do something about your hair..."

"So does that mean you'll be helping me with a bath too?"

"Why not? I can even join you." he nearly coughed out his food. I laughed afterwards. "That's what you get for teasing me all the time." I then cleared up his dishes and he looked up at me shocked.

"What? Did I actually render you speechless?" I smiled at him and then did some dishes... it felt like he was burning a hole into my body... I could tell he was staring at me so intensely... when I finished, I walked up to him again.

"Well, lets go.."

"What?" he asked as I lifted his good arm up and led him forward. When we got to his bathroom I left to go find a chair. I dragged it inside. I placed it next to the round bathtub. The height was perfect.

"Well, sit down..." he followed my orders almost too obediently without saying a word. I wondered why he was being so docile... I then grabbed a few towels and transformed him into a human burrito and chuckled.

I grabbed a cup nearby and ran the water until it was lukewarm... he laid back, looking up at me as I began to wash his hair...

Even though I knew this was a bit crazy of me to do because of some of the trouble he's given me... but I couldn't help but think about the reason for his accident. He told the driver to swerve and avoid the child that ran out into the streets to catch their ball.

He may be annoying and persistent, but he didn't seem like a terrible person to the core... this was my way to pay it forward I suppose...

"I'll rinse now, close your eyes..." he did after fixating his gaze on me after quite some time... when we were finished I gently lifted his head up and brought a towel forward to dry his hair.

Afterwards, I unraveled the towels around his upper body and when I was preparing to clean up after he reached out and gently held onto my wrist...