When my eyes opened, I was on a stretcher, in the hospital.

The asshole had hit me too hard, and my whole body hurt, but my face hurt more. The memory of his panting face close to mine came to my mind, with his words about the mark and I opened my eyes wide. 

As best I could, I moved a hand to the back of my neck.

There was no bite.

My whole body hurt when I tried to stretch but couldn't feel any other kind of pain other than that of the blows, so he hadn't taken me either.

I let out all the air I had been holding, closing my eyes again, which helped with the pain, so I kept them closed.

Some murmurs that seemed more like an argument reached my ears. 

I tried to ignore them, but since everything was silent I couldn't stop the sounds from reaching me. They raised their voices a little and I could recognize it as the omega's voice. I had brought trouble to his cafe, so I made a mental note to apologize later.

The other voice sounded a bit younger to be the owner.

– But how could you?! – He raised his voice, but then lowered it a bit. – How could you even think of leaving an omega in charge, and alone? That was too much! 

 The omega mumbled something I could not understand. 

I raised my head to listen a little better, but the pain pierced me like a thousand needles, and I let out a whimper groan.

The argument stopped and now there was just a low-voiced conversation. Minutes later, I heard some footsteps towards me.

As soon as I heard the noise of the chair next to me, I opened my eyes slightly and looked over there.

– How are you feeling, dear? – Her worried tone was obvious. She has probably been waiting for me to wake up during all this time. 

– I'm good. – I was silent for a moment and then continued. – I'm sorry.  

In fact, I was not good at all, because I felt pain in every muscle, but I preferred to shut. 

– Why are you apologizing? – Tears formed on her face. – You don't have to, you didn't do anything wrong, dear. 

– I... Caused you troubles, and now there are probably going to be less clients because of what happened. – I explained in a hoarse and very low voice.

– Don't worry about that, it's not important right now. – She reassured me, leaning slightly towards me. – Darling, your pretty face is all beaten up. – Added, touching my cheek while sobbing.

I winced in response to the pain.

– Is it very painful? – She asked, removing her hand immediately. 

– I'm ok, thank you. – I managed a smile.

The omega sighed.

– I'm so sorry, darling. We shouldn't have let you alone. We just had to close the cafe. – She apologized, leaning back in his chair and covering his face, crying.

I felt a pressure on my chest.

How could she cry like that for someone I had only known for a short time?

– It wasn't like that, I told you it was fine. – I tried to calm her down. – It's not your fault, please don't cry. 

I reached out a hand to her. She took it in both hands and held it in her lap.

– If it weren't for my son who arrived at that moment, I don't know what else would have happened to you.

'Your son?' I thought, puzzled.

– Yes, my son. – She answered as if she had heard my thoughts, although she surely saw a huge question mark drawn on my face. – We told you he would arrive at any moment. And it was the most opportune moment, although it would have been nice if it had arrived a little earlier. – She let out a forced chuckle.

I smiled at her and winced.

– Where is the owner? 

– He went directly to the cafe, he's taking charge of everything. You must take your time to heal and recover, until the swelling goes down. – She ordered. Before he could complain, she added. – No buts.

She continued talking about all the trouble that had arisen, explaining to me that the alpha started harassing me so it would be considered an attack, and even the boy who had arrived later was going to testify in my favor.

– But I hit him first. 

– He was already provoking and harassing you before that. Moreover, he tried to attack you, didn't he? 

'Kind of.' I thought, remembering he was just messing around, but I didn't see any intention of actually wanting to do it at first. It had all been because I remembered the bite mark of the girl that Matt bit and all my fury was unleashed.

I decided to keep my mouth shut. 

– About the hospital bills, don't worry. We will handle it. – Stated at the end.

– No, you can't do it, I'll pay for it. – I answered immediately.

She opened her mouth but closed it right away.

– We will see. 

I frowned.

– No, I'm telling you, please don't worry, I'll-

– Hospital bill is not cheap, you know. – A deep voice interrupted me. It was the voice that was arguing with the omega before, so I turned my head in his direction.

He was tall and with a light brown hair. I knew he was an alpha even without feeling his pheromones.

I frowned even deeper.

– Oh, – The omega said seeing me on the defensive. – He's my son, John.

– Hi. – He greeted.

I saw him straight at him angrily and turned my face away. 

– ... Thanks. – I thanked reluctantly giving him a glance. He had helped me after all. 

– Doesn't feel like a real thanks, though. – He showed a smile like something out of a movie.

I laid back in bed, preferring to sleep rather than continue watching an alpha.

– Miss, I think I'll sleep a bit more. Thank you for everything, and again, I'm sorry. – I apologize, turning affectionately towards the omega.

I felt the alpha's gaze on me, but ignored him.

Next day I was ready to leave the hospital, but they said it was too soon. They wanted to see if anything was broken and also give me more care to help the swelling go down. I was hospitalized for a whole week, although I felt fine after a couple of days. I thought it was a bit much, but I didn't complain.

When I was discharged, I paid for the pills and agreed with the receptionist that I would be the one paying the hospitalization in installments and she will receive money from me only. The omega had told me to let them know as soon as was discharged so they could pick me up, but I wasn't planning on telling them, since it would be weird to ask them to drop me off in front of a hotel.

I went out and took a taxi to the hotel. 

When I went inside, I hurried to ask the guy at the reception about my stuff since, as I imagined, they had already taken them off the room. I didn't have much, but I was able to buy some clothes with my pay. 

The guy was stunned to see me, probably because of the bandages on my face.

– Are you alright, sir? – He asked concerned.

He carefully handed me a bag with my stuff.

– Yeah, thanks. Rather, I'd like to pay for one more night, please.

The bad thing about this hotel was that if you did not make a previous reservation online, you must have to pay daily for the room, or else they clean the room and take your stuff away, just like they had just done. 

Although it was to be expected, considering I haven't been here for a whole week.

It was thanks to the beta that I had an available room every day. 

– Of course, we have rooms available. – He handed me a key with a different number, and I had no choice but to accept.

 Before I could leave, the guy stopped me. 

– Excuse me, you can now pay for several days, I'll handle it myself. – He said with a friendly smile. 

– That'd be great, I'll be right back then. – I thanked.  

Since the room was on the second floor, I used the stairs and left the bag on the bed. I started to think that even though the beta had given me the option to pay for several days, I should still start looking for an apartment nearby, and maybe a part-time job to be able to cover all my expenses, including the hospital bill now.

I spent five more days on the hotel room, until the swelling went down and was no longer noticeable. My face was almost the same as always, which surprised me. I didn't know bruises could heal so quickly.

Now all that was missing was my lower lip and my cheek, which still had a small mark from the stitches they had put in.

It was time to go to work, using band-aids to cover the stitches. I had used my cellphone to notify them about my discharge only and turned it off again. 

I headed to the coffee shop and when I walked in, the owner called his wife as he walked around the counter towards me, surprised.

He made me sat on a table and began to look at my face thoroughly.

– I'm ok. – I repeated. – And... Again, I'm really sorry. – I added, lowering the gaze. 

– Stop apologizing! I already told you! – The omega raised her voice, showing behind her husband. – Nothing has changed her, so everything is fine. – She gave a warm smile. 

I smiler her back and nodded. 

– At least you are pretty as always, boy. It's almost unnoticeable! – The owner said brightly.

– You were almost disfigured when first admitted. – She remembered, showing her concern in her voice.

We were silent for a minute.

– By the way, – The owner suddenly said. – We will take this mishap as a work-related one, so we will pay for it. I tell you this because that is how it happened.

I tried to speak but he silenced me.

– Final word. 

I didn't think he could be that bossy, but I couldn't say anything else.

In the end, I sighed and nodded, earning a smile from both of them and returning it.

I kept my smile with they spoke and thanked them for their concern. I stood up to go to the locker where my apron was. I grabbed it and put it on, grimacing slightly as I tied it in the back as I put pressure on the waist, where it still hurt.

– Careful. – A voice came from the entrance.

Once I turned around, I got surprised seeing the owner's son standing in front of the door, watching me with arms crossed and a half smile.