I didn't realize I was in love until my heart almost stopped thumping the moment I heard the sound of a crash on the other end of the phone.

I didn't realize I was in love until I was running barefoot out of my house, looking downright insane to get to the hospital that Colby told me about.

I didn't realize I was in love until I felt the dread of not being able to see Christopher's face in my life ever again took over every fabric of my body.

Yes, I have finally come to terms with my heart that I am in love with Christopher. As much as I tried running away from the truth, I accept it now that I couldn't. I realize at this moment that my feelings for Christopher had been deeper and stronger than I thought they were. I know that I have to stop fighting against that feeling because I can't pretend anymore that I am not in love.

With whatever experience I had with my father, I always thought I could keep my heart protected from falling in love. I always thought I would spare it from all the pain and suffering that my mother endured. I always thought I would never give anyone the power to hurt me like my dad did to my mom. However, I realize now I have come far away from that phase. I never thought I would feel this way for anyone. But everything changed for me with the arrival of Christopher in my life. He changed me and my perception of love. And I can't keep denying it anymore.

Christopher made me already fall for him, and now there is no going back.

I climb the stairs of the hospital hurriedly when I see Colby coming. I took a taxi on my way to get to the address that he told me about on the phone. I have been in a state of panic and shock since I left the house. All the time on the way to the hospital, I just kept praying to god, hoping that Christopher would be safe. I don't know what I'll do if something happened to Christopher. I could never forgive myself for it. Shut up, Nicole! What the hell are you thinking? He is going to be fine.

"I am sorry, Nicole. It might have sounded pretty bad." Colby gives me an awkward smile and says. "But Christopher is fine now."

"Where is he?" I ask him immediately. Thank god, he is fine! I feel a sense of relief with what he said, but that's not enough for me. I need to see him with my eyes to get confirmation that he is actually okay.

"Come, I'll show you." He says and walks in as I follow him. "Doctor said there is nothing to worry about. Fortunately, he didn't have any major head injury." He states as I walk next to him. I don't say anything because I want to see Christopher first.

"I know what happened between you and Christopher," Colby says after a moment as we walk through the long hallway. I purse my lips in annoyance with what he brought into the conversation. I don't have to be a genius to know that he is talking about the whole Sophia thing.

He sighs. "Sophia is my cousin. I have known her for such a long time. She is capable of pulling such dirty tricks and I am well aware of the lines that she could cross to get what she wants." He glances at me and says. "I've seen it."

"If you would have asked me this a few years ago, I would have said Christopher was just like her. Vicious and conceited. Similar in every way and perfect for each other." I look at him as he says that. "But after what happened in Spain..." He trails it off and I know what he is trying to say. "Staying in Coma for four months and losing memory forever has affected him. It has changed him a lot. He is a better man now, Nicole. He is not the same. You should believe him." He adds with a sad smile.

We soon reach in front of a room and when I take in the surrounding, I see Max talking over his phone near the window at the end of the hallway. Colby turns to look at me and then says. "I'll wait outside with Max." I nod and smile at him before going in.

As soon as I enter the room, I see Christopher sitting on the bed with his back resting against a pillow. He has his head down with a bandage over his forehead and a purple bruise over his cheek. His right arm has been bandaged too. I notice that he doesn't seem as bad as I've imagined him to be and I am grateful to god for it. Christopher looks up at me when he hears my footsteps and our eyes lock. And it almost feels like we are seeing each other for the first time. Everything around us seems to fade away, leaving just two of us gazing into each other's eyes like all this time we have been waiting just for this moment.

After what seems like a really long time, I force my legs to sprint towards him. "Christopher...I am so happy to see you alright."

He grins and looks at me. "And I am happy to see you standing here in front of me."

"How the hell did this happen?" I instantly grab a chair and sit next to his bed.

"I guess I took the rule 'don't use a phone while driving' too lightly." He chuckles softly, saying it.

"I can't believe you are making a joke out of this? It's not at all funny, Christopher." I shake my head in disapproval. He had a freaking accident, and he is joking about it? Does he even know the seriousness of the situation? When I look back at him, I see him gazing at me with an unexpected gleam swimming in his eyes.

His lips tug upward as he gives me a wide smile. "It feels so unreal to have you here, Cole." His eyes search through my face and then the smile drops from his face as he says the next line. "I thought you would never let me see you again." I could sense the pain in his voice and it brings out all the bottled-up emotions in me that I have been carrying ever since I heard about his accident.

"I am so sorry, Christopher. It's all my fault... I should have believed you." I shake my head and look down in embarrassment. "I had met Sophia the day Richard came with her to warn me. I knew her intentions were cruel from the way she talked to me before leaving. I should have listened to you. I knew you were right. Yet I acted so blind. I don't know... I don't know why I was being so stupid, not being able to understand the situation, and jumping to stupid conclusions. Not trying to see the truth when it was right in front of me. I don't know why I was being ridiculous and a total bitch...I messed up everything. I guess I have some serious issues. Christopher, you should..." Before I can finish the sentence, Christopher's lips cover mine. I gasp, but don't protest. And I must admit I am completely surprised by the intensity of it. It's a hard kiss. Definitely not the one to be shared in a hospital room. His lips move against mine desperately as he puts his good arm around my head and pulls me closer as if trying to compensate for all these days of separation. I place my hands over his shoulder to find a grip and kiss him back. I realize then how much I missed the feeling of having his lips against mine. It feels so good! For a moment, I wish we weren't in a hospital room so I could keep kissing him. But that's not the case. After a while, we pull away and stare at each other.

"Sorry. Didn't know how else to shut you up." He gives a mischievous grin and says.

I smile nervously and turn back to check whether anyone out saw us. I sigh in relief when the hallway seems empty. Then I look back at Christopher apologetically and say. "I am sorry. I know I am the reason why all this happened. I can't believe..."

"No, that's not true. Whatever happened is none of your fault, Nicole. You are not responsible for whatever Sophia fucking did." He cuts me off and states in annoyance. "However, I have to take my share of the blame. It was my mistake to let her in the house. I should have known it better." He shakes his head in disappointment and looks at me.

I keep looking at him for a minute and then say angrily. "You need to stop doing that."

"Doing what?" He raises his eyebrow in confusion.

"Always being the bigger man..." I scoff and cross my arms. "For once, just let me accept my mistake and apologize to you..."

"I am not trying to be the bigger man, Cole. I am just saying that you don't have to feel guilty about whatever happened."

"But I should have shown some maturity." I let out a sigh of exasperation and shake my head. Why can't he just agree with me? "I should have listened to you. I was just being unreasonably stupid." I know it was all my mistake and yet he doesn't want to blame me for anything.

I look at him, waiting for him to agree with me. To admit that it was my fault. To blame me for everything bad that has happened to him. To say that I am the reason why he is in this hospital bed. But he doesn't do that. And what he says next just makes me feel worse. "It's okay. It's more than enough that you came here to see me." The smile on his face and his words just bring the tears into my eyes that I have been trying hard to hold back. He is too good for me. I don't deserve him.

I bite my lip and look at him through my blurred vision. "I..just...I was terrified, Christopher. I thought I would never be able to see you again..." I don't know why am I such a crying mess.

"Shhhhh, come here." He pulls me towards him and kisses the top of my head. I put my arms around him and hug him, placing my head on his chest. He runs his hand over my back soothingly, and I close my eyes.

"You can't get rid of me so easily." He says, placing his chin over my head.

"I don't want to." I bury my face in his chest and inhale his scent.

"I am glad you know it by now that you have no way to escape from me." He grins as I pull back to look at him. "Because I'll always find ways to pull you back to me."

"Like this." He then shrugs and points at the bandage over his head. "You know, I am thankful that I had this accident. It actually proved to be a blessing in disguise. Because it managed to bring you here back to me." He looks at me and smiles. "It did something which I couldn't do by myself."

I frown and look at him. "Don't you dare say that? I would never want you to get in danger for me. Do you understand?" I shoot a dirty glare at him and look away. How can he think of saying something like that?

"Okay fine." He says after a minute, pursing his lips, and takes my hand in his. I turn to look at him. "You know, I just realized one thing. We aren't even married, yet we had enough share of our fights by now," Christopher states with an amused grin on his face as he squeezes my hand.

My body goes rigid for a moment with his reference to marriage as I bite my lip nervously. But when I look at the smile on his face, I relax a bit, realizing that he is just joking. "I promise I won't fight anymore," I suggest with a smile.

As we are smiling looking at each other, I hear someone clear their throat behind me. "If you guys are done with your sappy romance, can I come in?" I turn around and see Max standing at the door.

"Fuck off, Max." Christopher frowns, and I laugh.

"Yeah, I know how much you love me. No need to brag about it." Max jokes as he stands next to me.

"Nicole tell our Romeo to keep his phone away while driving." He says to me and then rolls his eyes, looking at Christopher. "Your careless behavior could cost you a lot in the future, buddy."

Christopher scowls and crosses his arms over his chest. "Yeah, I know. I already paid a prize for it. If you haven't seen it, my Porsche is pretty screwed."

"Are you kidding me?" Max asks in disbelief. "You have seriously started underestimating my abilities, Chris." Max shakes his head, showing fake disappointment. "I have taken care of it. Your car will be back at your door in a brand new shape by Friday. Feel free to treat me and yeah you're welcome..." He then states proudly and I smile. Max is really cool.

"Drinks on me this Friday, then?" Christopher laughs and asks.

"Alright boss." Max agrees. He grins, looking at us before exiting the room.

When Max leaves, I turn to look at Christopher. "He is cool. I like him." I say.

He frowns and looks into my eyes. "Watch it, Cole. I really don't like the sound of it."

I roll my eyes and say. "He is your friend, Christopher."

"Okay, whatever..." He pouts, making an annoyed face when he sees me glaring at him. He looks at me, and then his eyes drop down to my lips. He leans in with an amused smile on his face as he whispers. "Fine. Let me kiss you then." Here comes my jealous man. I shake my head and smile against his lips as he kisses me.

A sense of relief streams through my body, knowing that Christopher is fine and we are back together. I now realize how much I need his presence around me and how hard it is to imagine my life without him. I press my lips more to his, hoping that this might be a new beginning for us. I love Christopher and I swear I would never let anything or anyone come between us from now.