Shock was plastered over my face. “Kay?!” I breathed. “What are you doing here?” He had removed his sunglasses and under the shade of the umbrella, I saw him looking at me with a sad expression. “Are you stalking me?” I asked, with a clipped tone.

He held his hands up in defense. “I was worried about you, Ruella. I did some research and found that you study here.” He answered carefully.

“How did you know I was about to exit from this gate?” I asked him, not moving from my spot. Kay was freaking me out. I could never tolerate anyone spying on me. My grip on suitcase tightened.

“I was actually coming to meet your warden.” He started. “I wanted to meet you and ask if you wanted to move with me so that you can start the treatment.”

“Please do not block the exit gate.” Came the voice from the speaker. We turned and saw that the guards at the gate were motioning us to move from the front gate.

Kay took the umbrella from the man’s hand and after a secret message passed between them, the man went back to his car, re-starting it. He then drove it away.

Kay was now standing in front of me at the sidewalk. “Its too hot without an umbrella.” he said tipping his umbrella away and looking at the afternoon sunlight. “I would prefer you walk with me?”

“I don’t need your help, Kay.” I said, my anger getting the better of me. I was still standing in the sunlight, wary of Kay. Something about him was off. This whole situation of him was off.

“I want what is best for you. Anyone would.” He stated.

“And why do you care so much about me? We don’t even know each other that well.”

“I’ve an offer for you.” He started. He beckoned me to join him in the shade of his umbrella.

I stood rooted to my position. “No.” My voice firm.

“You can continue with your studies after getting ‘cured’ of your cancer and the surgery as well.” The way he said the word ‘cured’ was creepy.

“What if you’re here to kidnap me?” I asked, glancing around the empty street for his suspicious looking car. My heart rate began to quicken.

“Trust me, Ruella. If I wanted to, I would have done it the day we met.” He replied, searching my face. “But I am not that kind of person. I don’t engage in human trafficking.”

“I don’t trust you.” I whispered.

“But you trusted me when you decided to call me that day?” he asked me.

“That was-”

“I know you want to get better. I know you want to live. I’ve all the resources to help you. Why don’t you allow me to help you for once?” He asked a bit agitated.

I wanted to tell him that I didn’t need his money but I shut my mouth. My career was what I cared for. I glanced at Kay and saw the seriousness in his face. He extended his hand to me. I stared at it.

I had no one to look out for me but myself. My only connection here was Kay. He was mysterious in his ways. I know he was hiding something and I had made it my mission to find out what it was. My only hope was that Kay kept to his word and once I was cured, I would move to another country to make a name of myself.

I took his hand and he gently brought me towards his body. Despite the heat outside, Kay was cold. He stared into my eyes searching for something. I could see he was having an internal monologue with himself. He guided me ahead with his hand on my back. We walked on the sidewalk for a while in complete silence, until the same car from earlier came to a stop beside him.

“Come.” He said, motioning his thumb to the car.

The door near the driver’s side opened and the same man came out. He took the umbrella from Kay’s hand and opened the passenger door. Kay ushered me forward and I got in the car. He then followed suit.

The car was luxurious inside. There was a privacy screen separating the driver’s side and the passenger’s side. There were foldable tables with a laptop perched on Kay’s side. Kay took off his jacket and hung it on the clothes hanger near the door.

The air conditioner was humming a low chill and it made me comfortable in an odd way. Kay’s fingers interlaced with my own. I stared at our hands and he gave me a small smile.

I didn’t return it back.

“I was worried about you, Ruella.” He said after a while. “In time, you will thank me for what I’ve done.” He finished.

I relaxed into the plush faux fur seat, letting sleep take over me. I woke up to find myself leaning on someone’s shoulder. I jerked away in confusion when I saw a familiar figure seated next to me.

I glanced at him with a frown to find that he was smiling softly at me. I wondered how I ended up in his car. The afternoon had turned into a pitch black sky.

“Ruella, you’re safe. It’s me, Kay. Remember?” he asked, looking at me, worried.

Then it hit me... Realization struck me.

Kay smiled at my expression and tucked a hair strand behind my ear.

“Sleep well?” He asked me.

I relaxed under his touch, sighing. “Yes, thankyou.” I replied groggily. “Where are we? How long was I asleep?”

“Towards my mansion.” He replied. I whipped my head towards him, my eyebrows shooting up.

He laughed softly at my expression.

Then a thought occurred to me. “Kay?” I began, starring at the scenery outside my window.

I saw him look at me from the reflection of the window.

I faced him. “I’ve a request from you.” I said.

“What is it?” He asked.

“I was wondering that... if you would...” He raised his eyebrows at me wondering what I was asking. “If you would be okay with fucking me?”

I was afraid of what Kay’s expression would be so I continued nevertheless. “You know I’m going to die, so it’s a last wish from a dying girl.”