Something made Velia’s sleep uncomfortable. The tranquility and peace that embraced her throughout the night vanished, replaced by irregular breathing and an unusual atmosphere. Velia furrowed her brows. Her eyes slowly opened, and it was not strange that the first thing she saw was Lucas’s chest. However, it was Lucas’s embrace that hinted at something peculiar.
There was heat emanating from Lucas’s body, an unusual warmth. Velia gathered her senses. She lifted her face and noticed another peculiarity. Sweat trickled down Lucas’s face, abundant and the droplets appeared larger than usual. Velia reached out her hand, briefly touching a droplet of sweat and ending up on Lucas’s forehead.
Velia’s eyes widened as she heard Lucas’s uncomfortable moan. He opened his eyes and smiled.
“Good morning.”
Velia rose with a worried expression. Instead of returning the greeting, she appeared panicked when she spoke.
“You’re sick, Luc.”
Lucas also rose, wincing softly. “No, but I do feel a bit tired.”
It was understandable for Lucas to be tired. Lately, he had been working late and 11 o’clock was the earliest he could join Velia in the bedroom. Not only that, Velia could not ignore the fact that Lucas had been coming home late repeatedly.
“You are sick, Luc,” Velia repeated emphatically. “Your body is warm. We should call a doctor, and you shouldn’t go to the office today. You need rest.”
Even by the way Velia blinked her eyes, she was fully convinced that Lucas was unwell. He looked weak and devoid of energy.
Lucas cupped Velia’s cheek and caressed it. “Don’t worry, Ve. I’m fine. Besides, I have an important appointment at the office today.”
“Can’t you postpone it?” Velia asked with hope. She touched Lucas’s cheek with her fingers. “Reschedule it? You’re genuinely sick.”
“It’s not easy to find a free time between two people.”
“I know, but-”
“Relax. I’m fine. Besides, tomorrow is Saturday. I can rest the whole day.”
Velia seemed reluctant to accept that offer. Unfortunately, she realized there was nothing she could do. Lucas had responsibilities, and she could not replace him or even assist him.
“You really have to rest tomorrow, Luc.”
An agreement was reached. Lucas nodded and smiled.
“Of course. So, can you prepare a warm breakfast for this self-diagnosed sick man?”
Lucas’s joke did not work. Worry creased Velia’s face, but she still complied.
Velia hurriedly prepared a breakfast she deemed suitable for Lucas before getting ready herself. When they sat at the dining table, Lucas took a meaningful breath.
“Porridge.”
“It will warm you from the inside,” Velia said confidently. “Eat it.”
Lucas did not argue. The concern reflected in Velia’s eyes made him feel uneasy, so he finished his breakfast despite his dislike for the soft texture of porridge.
“Will you be okay, Luc?”
If Lucas were not in a slightly unwell state, he would have laughed at Velia’s constant worries. Not only when waking up, getting ready, or having breakfast, even when Velia was already seated in the car, she asked the same question.
Lucas smiled wryly as he held the car door. “Do I look like a man who’s going to die soon?”
Once again, Lucas’s joke failed. Velia stared blankly at Lucas’s pale face. It had a slight color compared to when he woke up, but it could not calm Velia.
“I hope you won’t work too much today.”
“I’ll remember that,” Lucas reassured, turning to Carter. “Take care on the road, Wan.”
Velia and Lucas parted ways in separate vehicles. They headed to the office in close proximity. At least Velia could still see Lucas’s car when she glanced back.
Will he be alright?
Repeatedly, Velia glanced at the car carrying Lucas just to calm herself. Her worry could not be appeased by a bowl of porridge alone.
Velia had known Lucas for a considerable number of years, perhaps ten or eleven years. During that time, she realized that Lucas was rarely sick. His immune system and healthy lifestyle played a significant role in his daily well-being. However, Lucas lacked rest.
As the head of a large company, it was natural for Lucas to have a busy schedule and workload. He had significant responsibilities, which could cause rest to be overlooked.
No. I will ensure that Lucas doesn’t touch any work this weekend.
Velia sighed deeply. It could alleviate her anxiety a little, although it didn’t mean much. Because in the evening, Lucas returned home late once again.
Restlessness made Velia pace back and forth. She often looked at the wall clock when her messages did not receive a reply.
Lucas was undoubtedly still working and unable to respond. Velia knew that, and it only intensified her worry.
The door rang. Velia hurried to the door and found Lucas coming home, gasping for breath.
“Luc!”
Velia exclaimed as she reached for Lucas’s body in front of the door. She was on guard, afraid that Lucas might suddenly collapse. In her eyes, Lucas truly looked exhausted.
“I rarely see you welcoming me home like this.”
Velia frowned as she led Lucas to the bedroom. “This is not funny at all, Luc. You’re really sick.”
Velia published a teasing smile at Lucas. She looked at him and found a mixture of worry and annoyance in her eyes. Lucas would not defend himself for that.
Velia sat Lucas down on the edge of the bed. She put aside his briefcase and immediately took off his jacket and tie. She unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt and moved on to his belt.
Lucas held Velia’s hand, his eyes narrowing with a teasing question.
“You’re not trying to seduce me, are you?”
Velia was a hundred percent sure that Lucas was indeed sick. Throughout the day, he had made countless jokes. Of course, jokes and Lucas were not destined to go together. It was quite the opposite.
That was Lucas’s way of convincing Velia that he was fine. Unfortunately, Velia knew that strategy.
“We’ve been together for so long.”
Lucas blinked. Velia’s words sounded familiar.
“So, you don’t need to pretend, Luc,” Velia said, shaking her head once. “You’re sick, and the only way to calm me down is by getting better soon.”
Now Lucas did not say anything anymore. He nodded faintly and remained silent as Velia helped him freshen up. He did not object when Velia asked him to rest in bed.
“You rest for a while, and I’ll cook something for you. Is there anything specific you want to eat?”
Lucas lay down, and the blanket moved to cover his body. “Nothing in particular. I know whatever you cook will taste equally delicious on my tongue.”
Velia emphasized the edge of the blanket on Lucas’s chest. Her eyes narrowed with a hint of threat.
“Wait until the fever makes your taste buds dull. Then you’ll refuse any kind of food I cook.”
This time, it was not a strategy. Lucas genuinely laughed in reflex.
*
Velia woke up in the middle of the night. She once again pressed a cold compress to Lucas’s forehead and adjusted the position of the blanket, which had shifted slightly. She also made sure the room temperature was not too cold for Lucas.
Lucas’s fever had not subsided. Sweat continued to trickle down his face and body. He looked uncomfortable in his sleep.
Velia let out a long breath. She tried to be patient. If Lucas was sick due to exhaustion, he should recover soon after getting enough rest, shouldn’t he?
The sun rose. Morning came and tested Velia’s patience. Lucas’s fever had not shown the slightest improvement.
“Maybe we should call a doctor, Luc,” Velia suggested as she took a compress towel off Lucas’s forehead. “Your fever hasn’t gone down.”
Lucas shook his head and hid further under the blanket. He shivered, prompting Velia to quickly raise the room temperature again.
“No need for a doctor. I just need rest. The fever will go down soon.”
Velia gave up. Lucas could not be persuaded, and she wouldn’t waste her time on that. It was better to do what she could. For example, making sure Lucas ate on time.
Lucas grimaced at the bowl of porridge Velia brought. His expression showed reluctance.
“Don’t we have any other food in the kitchen? Why have I only been eating porridge lately?”
The spoon in Velia’s hand moved towards Lucas’s mouth. The variety of vegetables that usually stimulated Lucas’s appetite was replaced with a nauseating taste.
“Just until you get better. After that, I’ll cook whatever you want.”
Lucas opened his mouth and swallowed the porridge with a pained expression. “Anything?”
“Anything. The important thing is that you get better first.”
A weak smile spread across Lucas’s face. His hand reached out and held Velia’s waist.
“Am I really pathetic when I’m sick?”
Velia scooped up another spoonful of porridge. “You’re the only one by my side now, Luc. I don’t want you to be sick.”
The spoon stopped moving. Velia’s face lowered, and it took her two seconds to regain composure.
“So, I hope you get well soon.”
Lucas was taken aback. He looked into Velia’s eyes and found nothing but genuine concern and fear.
It truly unsettled Velia. Lucas’s helplessness due to his illness was completely opposite to his usual self. He looked weak and pitiful, often whimpering even in his sleep.
Velia felt a pang of sadness. Seeing Lucas in pain, she would do anything to alleviate it. That included giving him massages.
Lucas initially resisted, but Velia insisted. Moreover, the massages seemed to provide a sense of comfort that eventually melted Lucas’s resistance.
It felt pleasant. Soothing. It was no wonder Lucas could sleep soundly afterward.
Velia joined him a moment later. She shifted closer to Lucas and fell asleep as fatigue invited an irresistible drowsiness.
Indeed, taking care of a sick person was draining. It also consumed time. That’s why Velia needed to rest as well if she didn’t want to fall ill herself.
Unfortunately, rest almost caused Velia to forget something important on Sunday. She was still asleep next to Lucas when a call shook her phone at nine o’clock.
Velia woke up and immediately answered the call, which she could already predict where it came from. She only said “yes” and “I’ll be there soon” before ending the conversation.
Harry was going to undergo surgery, and Lucas was sick. This was not how Velia planned it. How could she lie when Lucas was not in good condition either?
“Ve?”
Velia snapped out of her thoughts. She turned and found Lucas trying to wake up from his sleep.
“Luc,” Velia whispered, helping Lucas sit up against the headboard of the bed. “Are you awake?”
Lucas nodded. “What’s wrong? Who called you?”
The phone in Velia’s hand and the call history still displayed on the screen were undeniable evidence. She could not lie, although it did not mean she was completely honest when answering.
“I received a call from the hospital.”
“The hospital?” Lucas repeated, immediately receiving Velia’s nod. “What happened? Who is sick?”
This was the moment. This was the defining moment. Would Velia stick to her plan or choose otherwise?
Lucas waited. He looked into Velia’s eyes with a weary gaze that would touch anyone’s heart.
Velia gathered her strength. “Mecca.”
“Oh.”
Lucas exhaled deeply and blinked once. At the right time, he concealed a bundle of emotions in his dark eyes.
“She’s my colleague whom I told you about before.”
“I remember. So, what happened to her?”
“She’s sick and being treated at the hospital, but there’s no family accompanying her,” Velia answered with a downcast face, unconsciously. “She’s all alone at the hospital.”
Velia bit her lower lip. She closed her eyes and tried not to waver as pain embraced her heart. Unstoppable, she felt so cruel.
“Do you want to accompany Mecca at the hospital?”
It was not just that question that made Velia open her eyes, but also the gentle touch of Lucas’s hand. He grasped her fingers and squeezed them with heartfelt reassurance.
“Go,” Lucas said with a smile. “I’m feeling better, and it seems like I’ll be completely healthy after a nap later.”
“But you’re also sick, Luc.”
“It’s okay. Call Carter to take you there.”
Velia’s feelings were mixed. Her desire to accompany Harry clashed with her wish to stay with Lucas.
Lucas squeezed Velia’s fingers a little tighter. “I’ll be fine. Besides, you can stay with me tonight.”
It was difficult, but in the end, Velia nodded. She got up, and Lucas held her hand, allowing Velia to get ready immediately.
Lucas took a deep breath. There was a sudden bitter lump in his throat. A pang of discomfort forced him to swallow it whole.
“I’ll try to come back as soon as possible, Luc.”
“Be careful and take care of yourself.”
Velia lowered her face. As a parting gesture, she planted a kiss on Lucas’s cheek and whispered.
“I’m going.”
Lucas watched Velia leave with an empty gaze. For a few moments, he simply pondered.
She’s accompanying you not because she has feelings for you, Harry. Velia only feels indebted, and I let her go just to alleviate her guilt. We both know who she’s been in love with all this time.
Lucas downed the water on the nightstand to soothe the uncomfortable warmth in his chest. It did not come from a fever but rather from the turmoil of emotions he could not suppress.
The water ran out, and Lucas did not feel any different. On the contrary, he felt even more thirsty.
Lucas stepped out of the room with unsteady steps. Intending to go to the kitchen to quench his thirst, he found the world spinning in his vision. He held onto the wall, trying to hold on, but his legs gave way completely.
Gravity took over. It was about to claim control over Lucas’s body. However, a hand dismissed the possibility of Lucas falling.
Lucas was stunned. There was an embrace around his waist, holding him tightly. Accompanied by a soft voice that sounded concerned.
“You said you were getting better, and look at you now? Your condition is still terrible.”
Lucas blinked in disbelief. He might be seeing things wrong, but maybe not.
“Velia?” Lucas whispered, not believing it. “You didn’t leave.”
Velia looked at Lucas with a mixture of emotions. “How could I leave when you’re like this?”
Lucas smiled, and he did not know where the strength came from, but he reached for Velia’s body and hugged her tightly.
*