Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!-Chapter 414: If Only

Vicky’s POV 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

By the time the hallways finally calmed down and Oliver was declared out of danger, exhaustion hit me like a slow, inevitable tidal wave. The adrenaline was fading, the high-alert panic dissolving into that hollow heaviness that creeps in after a crisis. But beneath all of it was a small, stubborn warmth humming in my chest—relief. A fragile, trembling kind of joy.

Good thing Dad knew the hospital owner personally. One call from him and suddenly Oliver was assigned to one of the best suites on the VVIP floor—city and river view, soft warm lighting, a living area, and even a kitchenette with more appliances. It didn’t just feel like a hospital suite; it felt like a small, private sanctuary. Somewhere, he could heal without people watching him through curtains or rushing in and out every minute.

He deserved that.

He deserved so much more.

After the nurse left... Nick and Liam were still hovering around me like oversized, overprotective guardian dogs. Both looked like they could fall asleep standing up, their energy finally depleted after they both ganged up on me, teasing me about Ollie, yet neither seemed willing to leave until I verbally kicked them out.

"You two need to go home," I told them firmly. "Nick, your wife and daughter are waiting. Liam, you still have a company to run tomorrow. I’m fine. Really. Go."

They argued, of course. They always argue when they don’t like my decisions. But eventually, when they saw I wasn’t budging and the resident doctor confirmed Oliver wouldn’t be transferred for another two hours, they relented. Nick kissed the top of my head like the big brother he was, Liam squeezed my shoulder, and after a few more warnings and reminders and nagging, they left.

And then it was just me.

Me and the silence of the hospital room.

Me and the reality slowly settling in.

Oliver was alive.

He was safe.

God, I wanted to lie down right there on the tiles and sob again just from the relief.

Instead, I took a deep breath, wiped under my eyes, and forced myself to get moving. He needed proper care, and if he woke up groggy and in pain, I didn’t want him surrounded by cold, sterile walls and nothing else.

I checked the time. Two hours. Just enough to gather a few essentials he might need. I pulled out my phone, searched for any store still open nearby, and thank heavens—there was a mini grocery within walking distance.

I practically sprinted there.

The store was small but incredibly well-stocked—clearly designed for worried relatives like me who needed last-minute things. Clothes, toiletries, snacks, even medical supplies. They also have a section for fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits. Everything neatly arranged under bright fluorescent lights. For some reason, stepping inside made a lump form in my throat again. Maybe because it was suddenly so... normal. So mundane. Like the world had kept spinning while my own had been flipped inside out.

I didn’t dwell. I headed straight to the men’s clothing section.

And immediately froze.

Briefs. Boxers. Undershirts. Pajama sets. Sizes ranging from "small" to "who in the world is this tall?"

I stared at the shelves as if they were mocking me.

"Okay... okay, Vicky. You’ve known Ollie for years. You should know what size he is... right?"

Apparently not.

He always wore suits. Perfectly tailored, custom-made suits that revealed absolutely nothing about what size his underwear might be.

"I’m in trouble," I muttered under my breath.

In the end, I started tossing the ones that looked right into my cart. If he didn’t like the style, he could complain later. He almost died today—he wasn’t allowed to be picky.

I was reaching for another pack of briefs when suddenly a hand swooped in and snatched it right out of my cart.

"Hey! What are—oh!" I blinked. "You’re from Ollie’s team."

Two women—both familiar faces from earlier, smiled warmly at me and extended their hands.

"I’m Ria, and this is Heidi," one said. "We’re grabbing snacks before checking on Irene later. I’m guessing all these are for our boss?"

My face heated instantly. Right. My cart was full of men’s underwear.

This was... embarrassing.

"Uh... yeah," I said weakly. "I figured he’d need them later. I didn’t want to go to his apartment since I don’t know the code."

Ria glanced at the cart, then without hesitation grabbed half the items I’d put in.

"These aren’t his size," she declared.

I frowned, suspicious. "And how exactly do you know his size?"

She raised both hands defensively. "My boyfriend’s the team leader. He and the boss traveled together for a business trip once, and that time, the boss didn’t have time to go home for fresh clothes, my boyfriend asked me to help buy his underwear and undershirts. They’re the same size, so it was easy."

"Oh." Well... that made sense. And there went my jealousy again, disappearing as quickly as it came.

"Can you help me then?" I asked sheepishly. "If you do, I’ll treat you both after. I haven’t eaten yet and now that I’m not crying anymore, my stomach is screaming."

The two laughed.

"Deal," Ria said. "Let’s get your man properly stocked."

My man. God.

If only.

The three of us went around the store gathering everything Oliver might need—clothes, toiletries, fruits, vegetables, even chicken and beef for the kitchenette. I wanted him to have warm meals, fresh meals. Something comforting. Something that felt like home.

After paying—it was a ridiculous amount, but worth every penny, we headed to the burger joint next door since everything else was closed.

I was halfway through my burger when Heidi suddenly said, "You should eat a lot. Taking care of the boss will be a handful."

I paused mid-bite. "What do you mean?"

"Well, he got shot in the shoulder and abdomen," she said. "That means he’ll be in pain for a while. And when he can’t work, he gets cranky. Like a ninety-year-old grandpa."

Ria nodded. "He works too much. We actually thought he didn’t have a girlfriend because of it."

I blinked. Then frowned.

Wait.

What?

"Oliver has a girlfriend?" I asked, trying not to sound bothered—but failing.

The two stared at me like I had said something strange.

"Um... aren’t you the boss’ girlfriend, Ms. Knight?" Ria asked.

I choked on my soda. "WHAT? No! No, no—I am not."

"But the way you cried earlier—" Heidi started.

"That’s because he was SHOT!" I protested.

They exchanged looks.

"And the way he looks at you..." Ria added softly. "The whole team was actually waiting for your wedding announcement."

My jaw dropped open.

Wedding.

Announcement.

Me and Oliver.

Was that really how we looked from the outside?

A slow warmth spread through my chest. Embarrassing but... not unpleasant. The idea of being with Oliver didn’t feel wrong. It felt... natural. Like something I’d been avoiding without realizing why.

"Well," Ria continued, "whether you admit it or not, the boss cares deeply for you. Anyone can see it."

I stared down at my fries, heart doing something stupid and fluttery.

Oliver cares deeply for me. I thought he stopped...

The thought alone made my stomach flip—and for once, it had nothing to do with nerves or grief.

******

Thanks for the Golden Ticket!

kashvi14

Kristen2025