After Carmilla left, Kai had nothing better to do.
He adjusted his position, letting the bed creak, and relaxed. He watched the news on the television across from him. However, although it was informative enough, it only added more unknown words to his new vocabulary.
BAM!
Minutes passed, and suddenly the door to his room was kicked open. Kai turned in surprise, staring at the face of the culprit.
A man with swept-back brown hair, waxed to a shiny finish.
Squarish jaw, representative of his good upbringing, most likely from a wealthy family.
Piercing amber eyes, sharp as a knife.
He even had a tall, well-toned body, visible beneath his suit.
Behind him, two bald men stood ramrod straight, holding inconspicuous paper bags.
The man scanned the room with a judgmental gaze and locked onto Kai the next moment.
"So you're that bastard, huh…" the man spoke in a deep, slightly nasal voice. "Just a single look and I can tell you're nothing but trash."
He chuckled, reveling in his sense of superiority. His black shoes echoed against the tiled floor as he approached, pulling out a chair and sitting with his legs spread wide.
"I don't understand why Carmilla was so into you, but listen up."
He retrieved a piece of paper from his suit's inner pocket. "Here. Take this and get lost. Don't ever bother Carmilla again." His voice was flat, with a hint of dominance.
On the receiving end, Kai was confused. He stared at the piece of paper that slowly fell onto his lap and caught sight of its contents.
It was a check. A blank one, with no amount written on it.
"This…" Kai felt baffled. "Is this the gift Carmilla was talking about?" he asked.
The man raised a thick brow at Kai's words.
"Carmilla…?" he growled, his voice boiling with quiet anger.
In a swift motion, his hand flew across Kai's face. A sharp slap echoed through the room, leaving Kai's cheek and neck throbbing in pain.
"It's Madam Carmilla for you, you filthy worm!" the man snarled. "Someone like you—the dregs of society—doesn't even deserve to utter her holy name! Have some shame!"
Kai wasn't slow on the uptake.
He quickly realized this man admired Carmilla and was consumed with envy upon learning she had offered charity to Kai, the one who had risked his life to save her.
Although flabbergasted, he knew that saying anything else would only provoke the rich man further. Still, despite the danger, he picked up the blank check and held it toward him.
"Don't worry. I won't appear before her again," he said calmly. "However, I don't need this, so take it back."
The man calmed down slightly upon hearing that Kai was following his commands. Still, he felt unsatisfied when the check was returned to him.
"A street dog dares to show pride before me…?"
The man's anger rose so quickly that Kai couldn't even react.
THUD!
In the next instant, Kai found himself staring at the ceiling, his vision spinning. His jaw throbbed painfully. He knew he had been struck, though he couldn't tell with what.
"Hmph! That's what you get for barking at me!"
The man sneered and delivered another punch, this time straight to the middle of Kai's face. He didn't stop there—more punches followed, as if he were determined to unleash all his fury.
Pain coursed through Kai's body, mixing with confusion and fear. Each blow felt capable of ending his life, stronger than any punch he had ever endured.
Even if he wanted to block, his limbs wouldn't follow his command. The first hit took its toll on him.
Soon, the assailant's fist was smeared with blood, crimson staining his fingers. Yet he showed no sign of stopping. He clenched his fist tightly, bones creaking as he pulled his arm back for a wide swing.
"Huff! This bastard—!"
Just as it seemed a final blow was coming, a voice cut through the tension.
"W-What are you doing, Sir Ryan?!"
A woman's voice, distinct from Carmilla's, rang out. Gentleness mixed with panic, making the assailant—Ryan—halt mid-motion.
"Tsk…"
He clicked his tongue, standing and fixing his coat as if nothing happened.
"Miss Guinevere, you've misunderstood the situation. This is nothing. I was merely correcting a dog that doesn't understand respect."
"Shut it!" the woman cried, rushing into the room and hurrying to Kai's side. "Sir Kai, you're bleeding! And you monster—how dare you call this nothing? I'll report this to President Carmilla!"
At her words, Ryan flinched.
His expression soured rapidly as his fist clenched tighter. For a moment, it looked as if he might lash out at her too.
"…Let's go."
But eventually, he backed away. He knew his limits.
Ryan turned toward the door and left, the two bald goons tagging along after dropping the paper bags on the floor.
"Those animals…"
Guinevere spat at their retreating backs before quickly helping Kai up.
"Are you okay, sir?" she asked, wiping blood from his face with a handkerchief. "This is horrible… Where the hell are the doctors and the nurses?! I'll call them now!"
"Please… no."
Kai refused, mustering the strength to force the words out.
"I'm fine…" he insisted.
Whether from experience or the look in Kai's eyes, Guinevere nodded hesitantly.
"I understand," she said. "But at least get your head checked later. Ryan is… quite a powerful player, after all."
Despite her words, Kai shook his head, stubborn.
"It's fine, really…" he said, managing a thin, bloody smile. "Instead, please give me Madam Carmilla's gifts. Once I get those, I'll be leaving the hospital and not bother anyone else..."
"You…"
Kai's body clearly wasn't in condition to move, especially after the beating. Guinevere knew she should stop him. However…
"…Alright, alright." She sighed, conceding.
The determination in Kai's eyes wasn't that of someone who had given up. It was the spirit of a fighter who refused to surrender. Burning with flames of revenge.
'This kid has guts, at least,' she thought. 'And honestly, his face is my type. Cute but gallant. Should I…?'
After a brief pause, she nodded, smiling to herself.
She picked up the paper bag from the floor and handed it to Kai.
"These are the gifts President Carmilla prepared for you," she said.
Then, she pulled a slip of paper from her purse.
"And this is my number. Call me if you have any questions—or just want to talk." She winked.