Matthew was taken aback, his voice trailing off. “You…”
Just as he began to speak, the doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation.
Annoyed by the untimely interruption, he frowned and reluctantly rose to answer the door. As he glanced back at Dolores, he noticed her rolled-up clothes, exposing her slim and delicate belly. Instinctively, he reached out to pull her clothes down, concern evident in his eyes. “I didn’t mean to bully you. Why did you cry?”
Dolores sat up, still upset with him, and turned her head away without uttering a word.
Matthew sighed, realizing that resolving their issues would have to wait. “I’ll go and open the door.”
Choosing not to put his earlier shirt back on, he made his way to the bathroom and donned a bathrobe before opening the door.
Standing before him was a woman wearing a form-fitting purple dress that accentuated her voluptuous figure. She had curly blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, and her long legs were adorned with black heeled boots. Upon seeing the man who opened the door, she tossed her hair and introduced herself with a touch of arrogance, “I’m Sophia.”
Without waiting for an invitation, she confidently strode into the room. “Don’t worry, I have exceptional skills. I’ll surely satisfy you.”
This woman seemed accustomed to such encounters. She made her way toward the table, poured herself a glass of red wine, and took a small sip. As she gazed at the handsome man before her, a sense of excitement coursed through her. Sleeping with a man like him would be a treat, even without payment. Besides, he had already offered her a substantial sum of money. Her enthusiasm grew, and she added, “If you have any special requests, I can fulfill your desires. A blowjob, perhaps…”
Before she could finish her sentence, she caught sight of Dolores emerging from the bedroom. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Who are you?”
Had he called another woman as well?
Her mind racing with possibilities, she scrutinized Dolores from head to toe. Dolores was dressed conservatively, without any makeup. She was undeniably beautiful, but she lacked the seductive allure that she possessed.
If he wanted to play, he should seek out more open-minded individuals.
The woman glanced at Matthew. “So… are we having a threesome?”
“…” Matthew glared at her.
“Get out!”
The woman hesitated for a moment, still smiling. “I don’t mind a threesome.”
Dolores could easily discern the woman’s profession. Was this what they called a paid service?
The mere thought of it gave her goosebumps.
Such services seemed to be everywhere.
Even in a luxurious hotel like this, there was no exception.
Dolores cast a quick glance at Matthew, finding a hint of satisfaction in his misfortune. She spoke with a touch of sarcasm, “Good luck. Why do you look so pale? I’m leaving now. Enjoy your time.”
The woman’s heart brimmed with joy. She didn’t want to share a tall and handsome man like him with another woman.
She was genuinely pleased that Dolores wanted to leave.
Matthew glared at the woman and then turned his attention to Dolores, issuing a warning. “Don’t even think about it.”
Dolores stared back at him defiantly. “Are you some sort of bandit?”
“If that’s what you think,” Matthew replied, stepping closer to her. He stood beside her, leaning in and whispering, “You brought her here, so deal with it yourself.”
“…” Dolores gritted her teeth.
As the woman saw Matthew entering the bedroom, she followed suit. Just as she reached the doorway, Dolores extended her hand to stop her. “I’m sorry, but you can leave now. We don’t need any services here.”
The woman made a face. “Why? Do you want to keep all the business to yourself?”
Dolores frowned. Did she think Dolores was a prostitute like her?
“Are you leaving, or should I call the front desk?” Dolores paused for a moment. “It won’t end well if we make things more complicated.”
Dolores lifted her head confidently.
The woman, dissatisfied but aware that someone who could afford such a luxurious suite must be quite wealthy, felt there were no sparks between the man and Dolores. This was the first time she had been rejected.
In a sour mood, the woman uttered coldly, “Fine, I’ll leave, but the money is non-refundable.”
“No need for that.” Dolores replied swiftly, eager to bid her farewell.
The woman glanced toward the bedroom, snorted disdainfully, and swayed her slender waist as she left the room.
Leaning against the doorframe, Dolores prepared to speak. “I’ve sent the woman away. Can I leave now?”
Silence.
Dolores waited for a moment, but there was still no response.
She turned around and noticed Matthew lying on the bed, fast asleep. Upon closer inspection, she realized he had fallen asleep. His breathing was heavy, and he appeared unwell.
“Matthew?” Dolores called out tentatively.
No response. He was truly sound asleep.
Dolores extended her arm, pulling the blanket up to cover him. Accidentally, her hand brushed against his skin, and she noticed that he was burning up. She reached out and touched his forehead to check for a fever.
His forehead was hot to the touch. He must have a high fever.
Dolores immediately called the front desk and requested a doctor. Given that Matthew was still injured, she didn’t dare to handle his fever on her own.
As Dolores sat on the sofa, waiting for the doctor to arrive, she received a call from Samuel.
“Mommy, are you coming back yet? Simona is hungry.”
It was then that Dolores remembered she had promised to return for dinner. They were still waiting for her. “You kids go ahead and eat. Mommy still has something to take care of…”
She looked up at the man lying on the bed and pondered for a moment before saying, “Mommy might not come back tonight. You and Simona must listen to grandma, okay? Sleep in her room tonight.”
“Okay, remember to eat outside and take care of yourself.”
Dolores smiled with happiness, grateful for her caring son.
“Alright. You’re the man of our family, take care of your sister.”
“I will.”
After ending the call, Dolores waited for a while until the doctor arrived.
The doctor cleaned his wound once again and administered a flu shot. He prescribed several medications and explained to Dolores how to use them. “This bottle is for external use, to spray on the wound. These are taken orally-the red one is for reducing fever. If his body temperature rises again, give him this. Make sure he drinks plenty of water at night to stay hydrated.”
“Okay,” Dolores acknowledged as she escorted the doctor out.
She closed the door and returned to the bedroom, standing by the bed with a sigh.
She chose to stay and care for him.
If anything happened, she could bear the responsibility.
In the evening, Matthew was in a daze, mumbling, “Water… water…”
His voice was hoarse.
Dolores fetched a cup of water and helped him sit up, bringing the cup to his lips. “Here.”
She tilted the cup to make it easier for him to drink.
His lips moistened with water, he swallowed, relieving his thirst.
Dolores placed the cup on the bedside table and gently assisted him in lying back down. “Since I’m dedicating myself to taking care of you now, please don’t bother me once you’ve recovered.”
He had returned home to get married, while she led a peaceful life here. They would not interfere with each other’s lives.
Matthew didn’t hear her words, already fast asleep.
Having not returned home the previous night, Dolores intended to go in the morning and check on her children. Therefore, she decided to use Matthew’s cell phone to call Abbott, requesting his presence.
Abbott was clever enough to deduce that Matthew hadn’t come back last night, and that Dolores was calling him using Matthew’s phone now. It was clear that the two of them had been together yesterday. If he were to go over, wouldn’t it expose Matthew’s charade?
He wasn’t foolish. “I have some things to attend to. I can’t come over.”
Dolores sneered, “Versailles Hotel, room 888. Whether you come or not, I don’t care. If something happens to Matthew here and he dies, don’t blame me for not informing you!”