CHAPTER VII: HOLDING BACK

The room was a mess and the woman unrecognizable by the time he was through. But he was on a high, unlike any drug would give him. It's been a while since he's gotten this sort of thrill from a job. As a matter of fact, it's been a while since he's been given a job!

And it's always fan-fucking-tastic when you love your job! It's always such a goddamn rush!

Rube stretches his heavily muscled frame, the bloodstains now drying on his naked sweaty body. He looks at his reflection in the bedroom's full-length mirror and admires the view for a moment before blowing himself a kiss.

Such a handsome devil you are, Rube. And streetsmart, ruthless and never afraid to get your hands dirty! It's always a wonder why your mobster father has always favored your older sister when she's only good for display and putting up her snooty social events. Who cares if she's the legitimate child! In this day and age, it's the more useful man in the family who should be given the biggest slice of the pie. Especially if it's a business like ours...

He gathers his whips, chains, vibrators, and knives from the bed and various areas of the floor. He takes out a rag from his bag and starts cleaning them.

Oh wait, these are not the only things that need to be cleaned.

He wipes his hands on one of the vintage sofa covers then takes his large-screened cellphone from one of his bag's pockets. Rube dials a number as he views his latest scarlet-soiled Picasso-like masterpiece on, under, and beside the bed.

Beautiful, as always!

"Finally! What took you so long? How did it go?" answers a masculine voice.

"Great! All done here. But I'm gonna need the cleanup crew."

Long pause...

"Rube, tell me you actually got the information we need before you killed her."

"I didn't think it's important anymore since I was already sure that she's the one leaking our info."

"DAMN IT, RUBE! This is NOT how it's supposed to work!"

"HEY HEY HEY! Don't you dare YELL at me you lousy excuse of a business partner! You can't tell me what to do! MY OWN FATHER doesn't tell me what to do!"

"Well, what did YOU GET for always messing up your Dad's orders, huh?! Zero! Zilch! NADA! That's why you asked me for help! So if you're not gonna follow what I ask you to do, HOW THE HELL AM I GONNA HELP YOU?!

The speaker on the other line pauses for effect. Rube snorts angrily in response before breaking the silence.

"Fine, you win shitface! You're the business guy after all and I'm just the brawns in your brainy little plan."

"I have no time for this, Rube! I'll send over a cleanup crew just to make you happy. Please make sure that you have her phone, her bag, even her clothes, and jewelry when you leave, got that? I need to have them with me by tonight. Let's hope we can find something in her things that can salvage our situation."

"Already worked on that! Now, I need to leave because there's no food in this damn Air BnB of yours and I need to eat! Next time, make sure I have available grub and hard drinks. I'm never gonna get drunk on wine and champagne!"

"You'll get your grub but I'm not letting you get drunk on a job. Later!"

The call ends. Rube smirks at the screen.

If not for the fact that I need you, you wouldn't even be alive, you scumbag! But then again, beggars can't be choosers.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

It only took a few seconds before a doctor and a few nurses enter the room. The younger couple was courteously escorted out into the hall as the elderly pair were checked and assisted.

About half an hour passes before the physician joined them in the corridor. He then explains the present situation of the two burn victims to Lyra, while Hero stoically stood beside her. Lyra feels herself go cold as she continues to listen to the doctor, almost wishing she could just go deaf and numb right there and then.

More procedures to help Dad deal with his damaged lungs, pharynx, and trachea. They can’t even operate until his skin heals and that would mean a separate set of surgical procedures. And of course, there’s Mom… 

Hero could see how troubled, scared, and affected Lyra was over the doctor’s recommendations. It’s a miracle that she still has enough willpower and drive to teach and even help some of her students with their personal issues when she has a much bigger burden to carry. And yet, there she is trying to be strong when it's evident that she's really ready to cry, scream, break... 

He feels his admiration for his feisty but grieving prof increase by several levels. Meanwhile, his heart twists even more at the thought of her increasing inner pain.

The trip to Lyra’s condominium was quite awkward. Even if they both had deep thoughts to bear, they also felt that the feelings they had were just too heavy to share. And neither one wanted to be a burden to the other.

He’s done enough for me. After all, he already gave me a favor in exchange for that weird trance he keeps getting in class. I don’t want to add to his problems. Besides, I shouldn’t be dumping my concerns on him. That would be unprofessional of me.

I wish I can do something for her other than giving her a ride to the hospital. After all, that was a favor she asked in exchange for my shitty daydreams during her class. Besides, I should just be happy she’s already opened up about one of her major problems. She even introduced me to her parents!

”Lyra…”

She looks up to him - since she's only up to his shoulders - while she uses her keys to unlock her front door.

“If you need anything, just ask, ok?”

I’ll let her talk when she wants to. She doesn’t need to have someone forcing her to share her burdens. If she doesn't want to open up, then I’ll just wait in the sidelines. But knowing her, I’ll probably wait forever before she asks for my help.

Yes, I do need something from you but no, I will not do that to you, Hero. I am aware that your family is quite rich and even famous but asking you for financial help is unethical, even unprofessional. This is my fight and I don't intend to drag you into my personal issues.

”I’m fine, Hero. Really, I am. Thank you so much for the ride.”

”Don’t thank me. It’s a favor you asked in return for my crappy performance in class. And it was a pleasure, 'cause I got to meet your really amazing parents. Now I know why you turned out the way you are.”

”Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment."

Lyra’s door finally opens and they both exchange silent smiles, unsure of what to do next.

Just say the word, Hero and I’ll let you in. Just say you want to be with me tonight and we can just stay together in my apartment up until the morning.

Lyra couldn’t say what she was thinking so she blurts out the first thing in her mind, ”You have work now, right?”

Just say the word, Lyra, and I’ll call in sick. Just say you need me with you tonight and I’ll put everything on hold just for you.

Hero couldn’t say what he was thinking so he just grimly nodded.

“Ok, goodnight Hero,” she slowly says.

She walks into her apartment and closes the door ever so gently.

”Goodnight Lyra,” he softly says.

It was three minutes later before Lyra managed to walk away from the closed door.

It took Hero five minutes before he was able to walk away from her closed door.