The Bet (The Badboy's Claim Series #1) ✔️

THIRTY-EIGHT

KIMORA

"I can be discharged in a few days?!"

Doctor Blake nodded with a kind smile. I cheered which was kinda hard to do laying down in this hospital bed. "Yes. Your wounds have healed completely. Obviously, you'll still have pains here and there, that's natural especially since you were shot. However, you proved to be fine on your own." He paused when Jaxon woke up from his nap with a loud yawn. I stifled a laugh as I watched as guilt took over his features.

He gave an apologetic smile to the doctor. "Sorry, I didn't know you came back."

"It's alright." Doctor Blake waved dismissively before turning back to me as he stood. "I'll notify your parents and you'll have a daily prescription to take for your pains but, make sure you take your medicine now."

"Thank you so much."

He nodded and left out of the room. Jaxon raised an eyebrow. "What was that all about?"

"I'm going to be discharged in a few days," I explained with glee before swallowing the pill that the doctor left for me. I am excited to go home finally. The smell of this hospital was stuck in my nose and I honestly need a little distance from Jaxon. He's been getting on my nerves.

"Good." Jaxon stood up from the chair, stretching like a cat. "What time is it?"

"I don't know. It's like 8 in the morning."

He cursed under his breath. "I'll go pick up your homework and some food."

"It's fine."

He ignored what I said and I rolled my eyes. "You're stressing yourself out again."

"Gotta do what I gotta do." He simply said as he kissed my forehead. "I'll be back. Don't walk around too much and if you need anything, call the nurse or me."

"I already know."

"And make sure-"

"Jaxon. Go."

He chuckled. "Okay." He blew me a kiss and I ended up giggling. Finally, he left and let out a relaxing sigh. I was taking care of Jaxon more than he was taking care of me.

I closed my eyes, not going to sleep but, resting them. My mind was still hazy from the night in the forest. I was trying so hard to remember. I can't even get anything. I didn't understand why. It wasn't like I was hit in the head or anything...

I did remember one thing though and that was seeing Maddy's face... she was crying. So I'm assuming she's the only person who knows. I didn't tell anyone though because that wasn't enough evidence to figure out who shot me and what happened.

I think.

I felt myself drifting off into sleep. The pill must've been taken effect. I know it was different from the pill that made me loopy, this one made me more drowsy.

The door had creaked open and I opened my eyes to see Maddy standing in front of my bed. The sleepiness flew out of the window and I sat upright on my bed.

"I see you didn't like my basket." She stared at the basket that hasn't been touched since Jaxon had brought it in for me. I didn't feel guilty at all.

"I found it a bit odd that you sent a basket and not come and see me yourself until now." I crossed my arms and she shrugged. "I wanted to talk to you alone. I finally got a chance."

"About?" I asked, suspiciously. Her whole demeanor was off. Usually, she was more teasing but, her tone was dark...

She drummed her flawless pink nails on the edge of the bed. "Judging by the way you're acting, you don't know anything from that night."

"What do you know?"

She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the white tiles as she did. I cautiously put my guard up, not knowing what kind of energy she was having. A wicked smile grew on her face. "Come on, Kimora. Who shot you? Who was the one who tried to kill you? Who wanted you to die in that forest where no one would've found you?"

That's when the everything flooded back into my memory.

"You son of a bitch!"

***

JAXON

"You called?"

Bhumi glanced up from the table she was wiping down. She gave me a small smile, shoving the towel in her apron pocket. "About time you made it. I texted you last night."

"I couldn't leave Kimora." I shrugged, looking around at the empty restaurant. Well, that's ironic. Usually, it's flooded with people here. She started walking to the break room and I followed behind her. "Where is everyone?"

She sighed. "Closed early today because our head cook decided to quit. We're kinda stuck right now until we can get someone in the kitchen."

"Damn. That's tough."

"Tell me about it."

She pulled her locker opening, digging into her bag. "I did the fingerprints as fast I could. It was pretty hard trying to sneak past officers in my Dad's office but, I made it work." She turned on her heel, extending a white envelope for me to take. I glanced at her hand. "What do you need me to do in return?"

She played dumb, raising an eyebrow. "Whatever do you mean?"

"You always make me give you things in return for doing things like this for me. What is it?" I asked, still not reaching for the results.

She broke her oblivious act and smiled nervously. I could tell that from the way she looked that it wasn't going to be something I didn't want to do. Great.

"Can you... work in the kitchen... only for a little while at least?"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I quit because Axel was on my ass and I don't want you to get hurt."

"I know but, he's not bothering you much now, is he?"

No. He wasn't.

"...I don't want to take my chances."

She sighed, placing the envelope in my hand while giving me a serious look. "Fine... this isn't me trying to convince you to work here again but, you've gotta stop letting Axel control your life."

With that, she walked out of the room, leaving me to myself. It was hard to admit but, she was right. I was letting Axel control my life. With Kimora, leaving the stupid gang, keeping me away from my own family- with everything. I wasn't oblivious to knowing he was and no matter how much resistance I did against him, he still had his grip on me.

I pushed that to the back of my head, worrying about the situation at hand. Kimora's attempted murderer. I tore open the letter to read the results.

"Son of a bitch." I breathed out, staring at the name in bewilderment.

Madison Davis aka Maddy.

***

a/n: asmkdma sorry for the really long wait. :(