07. Unexpected Mishaps

                                    

                                          
「CLAUDIA JANE」

                          
I had finally finished unpacking my belongings from my suitcase. I slide the suitcase across the ground and under my bed, out of sight and now out of mind. I rub my fingers over my temples, my eyes starting to ache from the lack of sleep. 
                          
I was soon interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. 
                          
Tom slowly peers around the side of the door, "May I come in?"
                          
I nod in response and close the door of my closet. 
                          
I watch as Tom walks into the room, shutting the door behind him. He was now dressed in black trousers and a stripy button up shirt. He had left the top two buttons open, exposing part of his chest once again. 
                          
I look down at his hands, noticing he was holding the paper bag of medical supplies that I had collected for him earlier in the day. I quickly glance up at him before gently taking the bag from his hands, "Sit on the bed if you like, I'll change that dressing."
                          
"Thanks," he obeyed my words and walked across my room to sit down on my bed. He settled himself down comfortably as I began to empty the supplies out onto the bed next to him. 
                          
We sat there in silence as he watched me prepare what I needed, his eyes burning into me. I could hear him sigh before speaking in a soft tone, "Why are you upset with me, Claudia?"
                          
I shrug my shoulders, "I'm not, I'm just tired."
                          
"Claudia, please," he whispered, beginning to beg, "talk to me."
                          
I pull some bright blue latex gloves over my hands and gesture to his shirt while taking a seat on the bed beside him, "I'm ready, unbutton your shirt please."
                          
He sighs in defeat, letting his head drop before beginning to unbutton the remaining buttons on his shirt. 
                          
"Lean back for me," I request while trying not to get distracted by his bare skin showing through his shirt which was now fully open. 
                          
He followed my instructions, leaning back onto his elbows. I decided to flash him a smile, wanting him to be comfortable in front of me. I take a seat on the bed beside him and slowly pull his shirt open a little more, his torso now on full display to me. 
                          
I could see his wound that was covered up by another white dressing, located on the bottom left-half on his stomach. I begin to undo the dressing, soon coming into contact with his wound. 
                          
The stitches held it together, the wound being at least a couple of inches long. I begin by removing the old dressing and tossing it in the bin that I had moved next to my bed. I grab an alcohol wipe and lean a little closer.
                          
"This might sting a little, I have to make sure it stays clean," I warn Tom while looking up into his bright blue eyes, finding his gaze to already be fixated on me, watching my every move. He nods as I begin to wipe around his wound. 
                          
I could feel him wince, instantly making me feel bad. His stomach tensed up at the contact while he let out a hiss through his gritted teeth. 
                          
"I'm sorry," I was quick to apologise.
                          
"Don't be," he laughs softly, "you'd think I'd be used to it by now."
                          
The size of his injury made it clear to me that, however Tom managed to sustain his injury, it wasn't an accident. It had intentionally been inflicted onto him. To relieve anymore discomfort, I was quick to apply a new dressing to the wound while being careful not to hurt him. 
                          
"Is it still tender?" I ask while beginning to take the latex gloves off my hands.
                          
He shrugs his shoulders, "Sometimes, but it's not too bad."