Raymond, I’m feeling sleepy, can I get a rest now?” Lina, who was uncertain about their future, found an excuse to evade their earlier discussion. Seeing that she doesn’t seem to want to continue with discussion, Raymond nodded his head. “Sure, you need enough rest, but you have to take something first. You haven’t eaten for more than a week now.” As if to prove Raymond’s point, Lina’s stomach growled, while Raymond chuckled. “See that.”
Lina felt embarrassed. He cheeks instantly flushed. “So cute.” Raymond drew her red cheeks softly between his fingers amidst Lina’s protest.
“Raymond, stop.” Just then a knock interrupted the warm atmosphere. “Come in.” Raymond’s words dripped with ice, his voice devoid of the earlier warmth and emotion he was talking to Lina some seconds ago.
Lucas entered the room. Lina’s VIP hospital room was a masterclass in understated luxury, with rich, dark wood accents and elegant, silver-toned medical equipment. The room’s soothing color palette and plush carpeting created a sense of serenity, while the spacious layout and high ceilings made it feel more like a luxury hotel suite than a hospital room.
Lucas entered with a blue lunch box. Raymond had sent him earlier to go get a light food for Lina. “Sir, this is the chicken soup for madam.” Lucas unpacked the blue lunch box, scooping out a small portion of the pale, clear yellow soup in a small plate.
He passed the plate to Raymond. Raymond took the plate from Lucas, moving closer to Lina. “Come, let me feed you. You are still weak to eat on your own. Your hands are too weak to lift a spoon.” Raymond said enough rubbish with a straight face in order to feed Lina.
Lina and Lucas were shocked at Raymond’s shamelessness. If he wanted to feed her, can’t he just say so. Why use an excuse of her hands being weak to lift a spoon. How much does a spoon weigh?
Lina’s eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn’t help but laugh at Raymond’s ridiculous excuse. “My hands are weak?” she repeated, her voice laced with amusement. “A spoon is not exactly a heavy object, Raymond.” Lucas, who had been watching the exchange, couldn’t help sighing. It’s like it’s only the madam that can bring out the master’s caring and shameless character.
Raymond, however, maintained a straight face, his expression innocent. “What? I’m just trying to help. You’re clearly too weak to feed yourself.” Lina playfully rolled her eyes. “Save it, Raymond. Just feed me already.” Raymond smiled, triumphant, and began to feed Lina the chicken soup.
As Raymond lifted the spoon to Lina’s lips, the scent of chicken soup teased her senses, a delicious medley of roasted chicken, sauteed onions, and fragrant thyme that made her stomach growl with anticipation.
Raymond’s eyes sparkled as he lifted the spoon to Lina’s lips. He watched intently as she took a sip, a small smile playing on her lips. His own smile grew wider, and he leaned in, his voice low and gentle. “How’s that?” he asked, his eyes shining with glee.
Not wanting to watch their public display of affection anymore, Lucas finds an excuse to leave the room, making Raymond happy. After Lucas left, Raymond fed Lina a spoon of chicken soup from time to time.
“Raymond, it’s too hot.” “Raymond, I’m full.” Lina complained almost every time a spoon of chicken soup entered her mouth. Raymond, who had never fed someone in his life, took corrections, apologizing almost every moment, making Lina stifle a chuckle. Is this still the cold and unbearable man some days ago?
Seeing Raymond enjoying himself as he fed her, Lina, who was full after a few spoonfuls of chicken soup, forced herself to finish all the soup.
As Lina finished the last spoonful of soup, Raymond’s face lit up with pride. “See, I told you it was good for you,” he said, his voice warm and teasing. Lina smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest at the sight of Raymond’s happy face. She couldn’t believe the transformation in him. From cold and distant, to caring and attentive.
Lina smiled gently, enjoying Raymond’s care for her. Suddenly, Raymond fingers caressed her lips, making Lina’s smile froze to his touch, which sent some shivers down her spine. “Relax, you got some soup stains on your lips. How I wish to clean it up with my lips instead.” Raymond teased her, seeing her tensed body under his touch.
“Shut up.” Lina’s face was flushed red at Raymond’s shameless words. She took a pillow from the bed, wanting to hit him with it.
Raymond’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he said, “Don’t worry, after you’re discharged, we can play with the pillow as much as you want… and maybe even get entangled under the sheets.” He winked at Lina, his smile playful and teasing.
“Raymond!” Lina wanted to scream, but her voice came out weak. “Do you need anything?” He asked her. Not wanting to talk nonsense with him anymore, Lina ignored him.
Raymond took the empty plate away, and Lina leaned back against the pillows, feeling content. She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of Raymond’s movements. Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her forehead, and her eyes fluttered open to find Raymond smiling down at her. “Sleep now, Lina,” he whispered. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Won’t you also get some rest?” She worriedly looked at his sunken eyes, which were covered by large bags, due to lack of sleep. “Don’t worry about me, rest well.”
“No, lina shook her head, you have to get some rest. You have been taking care of him for days now, making you neglect your sleep. Come,” she patted the side of her bed, shifting a little to the edge, making space for him, “you can rest here beside me. With that, you wouldn’t have to worry too much.”
Lina’s eyes widened as soon as the words left her lips. She felt a heat rise to her cheeks as she realized the implication of her invitation. Her gaze dropped to the bed, and she fidgeted with the edge of the blanket, her fingers trembling slightly.
Raymond’s eyes locked onto hers, his eyebrows rising slightly as he smiled. Lina’s face grew hotter, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. “I… I just meant you need rest.”
Raymond was conflicted for a few seconds before making his way to her bedside. “I’m not going to let you take your words back.” His voice dropped to a low, husky tone as his lips curled up as he slipped under the cover, making the already small bed smaller. He drew her into his embrace, avoiding her injuries. Lina’s body stifled, before relaxing a bit. “Now close your eyes and rest.”
A few minutes later, Lina was fast asleep in his arms. How long has it been he had been wishing to be able to sleep with her in his embrace. It was like her words rejected his earlier proposal, but her body accepted him. After a long time of silence, Raymond also closed his tired face that hadn’t rested more than two hours a day since Lina’s accident.
Two hours later, Raymond’s peaceful slumber was disrupted by a faint whimpering sound. At first, he thought it was just a dream, but then Lina’s voice grew louder, more urgent. She was thrashing about, her eyes closed, her face contorted in a mixture of fear and pain.
Raymond’s heart skipped a beat as he sat up, his eyes locked onto Lina’s face. “Lina, wake up,” he whispered, shaking her gently. But she didn’t respond. Instead, her voice grew louder, more desperate.
“No, don’t touch me. I’m begging you please.” Her words sent a chill down Raymond’s spine. Who was she begging to not touch her? And why was she so scared?
Lina’s eyes fluttered open, and she sat up slowly, her chest heaving with fear. Raymond’s expression turned serious, and he pulled Lina closer, his voice low and reassuring. “Lina, it’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe.”
But Lina just shook her head, her eyes darting back and forth. “No, I’m not safe,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “He’s coming for me. I can feel it.”
Raymond’s eyes locked onto hers, his expression intense. “Who’s coming for you?” he asked, his voice low and urgent. But Lina just shook her head, her eyes closing as she whispered a single word: “Father.”