CEO Has an Accident During His Vacation. Woman Who Helps Him Doesn’t Know He’ll Fall For Her Soon
The Fall and the Stranger
Florian Maddox hit the ground hard, a sharp pain slicing through his leg as he tumbled down the rocky slope. The world spun around him, the dense Hawaiian jungle blurring as he landed with a sickening thud.
His breath came out in harsh, ragged gasps. He tried to move, but a sharp jolt of pain shot through his ankle, broken or badly sprained at the very least.
“Great,” he muttered through clenched teeth, dragging himself up against a tree trunk.
This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, one week away from the chaos of boardrooms, negotiations, and corporate takeovers. Now he was stranded in the middle of nowhere with no cell signal and a useless leg.
He pressed his head back, inhaling deeply. He’d survived worse; he just needed to figure out how to get back to the resort.
A rustling noise made him tense. His first thought was a wild animal, but then a voice, soft, feminine, and uncertain, called out.
“Are you okay?”
Florian turned his head and saw her standing a few feet away, her brows furrowed in concern. She was dressed in hiking gear, her dark curls pulled into a loose ponytail and her brown eyes scanning him with a mix of worry and curiosity.
“I’m fine,” he lied, trying to push himself up.
His body disagreed, and he gritted his teeth as pain shot through his leg again.
“Yeah, sure you are,” she said, stepping closer. “You’re bleeding and your ankle looks like it’s swelling; you need help.”
Florian exhaled sharply, frustrated with himself. He wasn’t the kind of man who relied on others, but unless he planned on crawling his way back, he didn’t have a choice.
“Fine,” he muttered. “But I don’t need a hospital, just help me get back to my hotel.”
The woman sighed, kneeling beside him.
“I don’t think you’re walking anywhere on that ankle, but I live nearby. My place is closer than the resort, and I can wrap it up until you’re strong enough to leave.”
Florian hesitated. He wasn’t used to accepting help, especially from strangers, but something about the determination in her eyes told him arguing would be pointless. She extended her hand.
“Zara Sullivan.”
He took it, her grip surprisingly firm.
“Florian.”
“All right, Florian, let’s get you out of here before it gets dark.”
With effort, she helped him up, letting him lean on her as they made their way through the dense jungle. Every step was agony, but she was surprisingly strong, taking most of his weight without complaint.
“You do this often?” he asked, grimacing as they maneuvered over a fallen log. “Help injured tourists?”
“Not exactly,” she said with a small laugh. “But I know these trails well; I was heading home when I heard you fall.”
“Lucky me,” he muttered.
Zara glanced at him. “Actually, yeah, this area is dangerous at night; you could have been stuck out here for hours.”
Florian fell silent. The thought of spending the night in the jungle injured wasn’t appealing; maybe he really was lucky she’d found him.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached a small wooden cabin tucked between tall palm trees. It was simple but well-kept, with a wide porch and soft light glowing from inside.
“Sit here,” Zara instructed, helping him onto a bench outside.
She disappeared inside, returning moments later with a first aid kit and a bucket of water. Kneeling in front of him, she carefully removed his shoe, her fingers gentle but efficient.
He inhaled sharply as she pressed around the swollen joint.
“It doesn’t feel broken, at least not obviously, but it’s a bad sprain. I’m not a doctor, though; if the pain gets worse or the swelling doesn’t go down, you’ll need to get it checked properly.”
“You need to stay off it for at least a few days.”
Florian groaned.
“I don’t have a few days.”
Zara raised an eyebrow.
“You have somewhere urgent to be?”
He hesitated. If she knew who he was, Florian Maddox, CEO of Maddox Enterprises, one of the most powerful real estate firms in the country, she might treat him differently. For some reason, he didn’t want that.
“Just a lot of work waiting for me,” he said vaguely.
Zara didn’t press, simply wrapping his ankle with a firm but gentle touch.
“Well, you’re not getting anywhere tonight; you can stay here until you can walk.”
Florian sighed, frustrated but resigned.
“Fine, but I don’t want to be a burden.”
“Then don’t be,” she said with a teasing smile. “Just sit still and let me do my job.”
For the first time since the accident, Florian let out a small, reluctant chuckle. Maybe this wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
