Though Miranda had seen Elian''s body before, aware he bore numerous scars, a closer examination today still took her aback.


    Previously, she''d only glimpsed the scars, unable to gauge their depth. But now, inspecting them closely, she realized most were life-threatening. Just how much luck did he possess to be up and about today? Many of these wounds, had they been a millimeter deeper, or slightly more off-course, would have ended his life or left him permanently impaired. The gunshot woundsy bare before her, unhidden and raw. "Lucky guy," she remarked coolly.


    Elian''s gaze fixed on her face, silent, just watching her. Miranda didn''t ask where the injuries came from; she already had a pretty good guess.


    "These are old wounds, but not too old for you. Some haven''t fully healed and might trouble you now and then. You''re still young, so with care, they can mend," she said, pulling out a small jar of ointment. "This stuff''s worth its weight in gold. In a month, your scars could vanishpletely."


    "No need," Elian suddenly said.


    Surprised, Miranda gazed up and met right his eyes, which settled on hers; they were deep and mysterious, like a still pond with hidden depths.


    "Leave the scars," he murmured with a grim voice. "I don''t want them gone."


    Miranda paused, her hand hovering over the ointment. "Alright."


    She proceeded to treat the recurring injuries, leaving the scars be. For her, these external wounds were no big deal.


    After applying the ointment, she used acupuncture to stimte healing. As ck smoke wafted from the needle points, she removed them, observing, "You''ve got a lot of pent-up energy. If the tension gets too much, you might want to, uh, handle it yourself."


    She knew young men often had excess energy, so she didn''t think much of it. Elian shifted ufortably, squinting at her. "As a girl, do you always talk this boldly?"


    Miranda tilted her head, arching an eyebrow as she looked at Elian. "I''m actually quite knowledgeable in men''s health. Want me to take a look?"


    Her gaze deliberately drifted to his lower half. Elian''s neck flushed crimson as he gritted out, "What do you think?"


    Miranda felt her mood lightened with her teasing. "I''ll write you a prescription to help tonify your kidney and eliminate the overacted liver."


    When she turned away, Elian''s expression was a mix of frustration and embarrassment - not directed at her, but at himself.


    He adjusted, pulling a jacket from the sofa to cover hisp, concealing his involuntary reaction, his eyes darkening.


    She didn''t seem to care about the


    world. However, he felt also


    frustrated about Miranda''s abil


    stir up his inner desire just by few words. What the heck?


    As Miranda packed her things, she turned and noticed Elian now covered with a jacket.


    "Can move now?" she asked, surprised.


    Elian frowned, as if using her of something.


    "Not really."


    Miranda eyed him suspiciously. He should be able to move by now, shouldn''t he? "Take care then. I''ll leave the ointment and prescription here for you."


    She grabbed her bag, preparing to leave. At the time, her wrist got caught. She looked at his firm grip, raising an eyebrow. "And you said you couldn''t move?"


    Elian gazed at her intensively, his voice husky. "I''ll drive you home."


    Elian''s sudden free from movement didn''t give Miranda any chance to refuse. She didn''t bring her car she''d been arranged for Elian''s driver to pick her up.