Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Unbelievable, Adrian pulled me into his game zone again. I also stupidly always obeyed his requests. But I didn't regret coming to see him that day, let alone finding out he had a fever. Thank goodness I came on time.

I helped him get into his car. He complied and just stared at me. It was an unusual look, and enough to make my legs go limp. Under his gaze I was like a prey ready for him to pounce.

I stared back at him for a moment, making sure he was comfortable. He watched my movement as I closed the car door. I went to the other side of the car door and got in.

"My head hurts,"

I tried to concentrate on driving to reach his mansion as soon as possible, but Adrian made me worry and chose to pull over to the side of the road.

"I feel like I'm going round and round. Is the earth dancing?"

I found him so cute at times like this. Adrian who was with me in the car was not annoying and arrogant as he used to be.

"You're fine. Just close your eyes, okay?" I lowered the car seat position so he could lie down.

"My eyes felt hot when I closed them," Adrian said, then opened his eyes again. "I don't like it, it's uncomfortable."

"Does your head still hurt?"

"Yeah," Adrian whispered with the same look.

"Let's go straight to the doctor then,"

I gasped when Adrian grabbed my arm, stopping me from doing that. It put me on top of him, but he didn't seem to mind the weight of my body on top of him at all. Now his arms wrapped around my waist. I was sure he could see how my embarrassment was etched on my face.

"I feel dizzy," Adrian complained to me like I was his mother.

What I had in mind was that I had to do something. I lifted my body, releasing Adrian's arms that were wrapped around my waist. I stepped aside, still in the same position as I put my hands up to his temples.

I started massaging it slowly with Adrian who never closed his eyes, or at least averted his eyes from me.

"That feels good," Adrian's eyes were now down to my lips. I knew what he wanted, because I wanted the same. But I was not ready to be hurt again.

"Close your eyes," I muttered hoarsely. I thought Adrian wouldn't listen to me, but a minute later I found his eyes closed. Peace enveloped me as I looked into his face. He looked calm and didn't show any expression when those amber eyes were closed. I was not sure he was still the same guy I met at the party. I never even thought he would propose to me and save me from my heartbreak.

It was quiet, and the only noise I could hear was my heartbeat racing in my chest. Adrian's breath was now hitting my face. He fell asleep. It was a clue for me to immediately bring him back. I slowly stopped massaging and took control of the car.

I arrived at his mansion half an hour later. The guards helped me carry Adrian inside. His body was getting hotter, and he started to delirious.

A special doctor immediately treated him, and I could only stare at him lying weakly on his king size bed. What I saw was not what I wanted.

The doctor gave me a prescription and explained how Adrian's body needed a lot of rest. After that, it was just me and Adrian in his room. I grabbed his hand and pulled my chair closer to the bed. His palm felt cold. I kissed the back of his hand gently and brought it close to my chest.

"S-sel?" Adrian was delirious with a stuttering and hoarse voice. His brow furrowed uncomfortably. I rushed over to him and calmed him down.

"Shhh, I'm here." I whispered softly while stroking his hair. His hand held mine, and so did I. I tried to encourage him to go through any nightmares he might be having.

"No!" Adrian suddenly became hysterical. "No, Selena! Don't go!" His breathing was so irregular.

I did my best to calm him down. His nightmares were about Selena, and I was sure her death left a deep wound for Adrian. That's why I stayed with him to accompany him through it all.

"I'm not going anywhere, Adrian." I whispered in his ear. My words were enough to make him stop screaming. His tensed body slowly weakened. I wiped the sweat that was starting to trickle down his forehead. He was still tied up in the dream, but maybe a little better than before.

Later that night, I started to get sleepy, but I couldn't sleep, especially when Adrian had nightmares again and again. I thought it would be over, but I was wrong. He seemed traumatized by his loss. It hurt me to know he was suffering like that.

I yawned after I managed to calm Adrian and put him back to sleep. Sighing tiredly, I asked one of the guards to inform my family that I would be staying at Adrian's mansion. I couldn't just leave him. He was my responsibility. So without being asked, I knew he needed me. At least for the night.

"Don't sleep," I told myself over and over. I walked back and forth watching Adrian, but there was no sign of him having nightmares anymore. I ended up sitting on the chair next to his bed and resting my head on the edge of the bed. I intended to rest for a while, close my eyes and calm my mind, but unexpectedly my eyes felt heavy. I fell into a deep sleep.

I woke up because of the intense sunlight. My hands had its way to cover my eyes, but a man's heavy voice made me realize whose room I was asleep in. Everything that happened yesterday came back into my memory. I woke up in a hurry, and instead found a strange man sitting on the chair I sat on last night.

Worse, I was even on the bed. Then where is Adrian?

The stranger next to me was watching me from top to bottom. In fact, I thought my every move had been read by him.

"I brought you breakfast," The man's eyes glanced at the nightstand pulling me to glance in that direction as well. There was a tray containing a plate of omelette and a glass of milk.

I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck.

"I'm Daniel, Adrian's best friend."

"I didn't know Adrian could have a friend," I answered innocently. That made the man named Daniel chuckle.

"So Adrian was that sad in your eyes?"

"I didn't say that, but you must be special to be able to be close friends with him." I smiled gently. "I almost forgot to introduce myself-"

"Mabel," Daniel's lips stretched into a smile.

My eyebrow raised in admiration. "You know my name?"

Daniel nodded and stood up from his spot. He lifted the breakfast tray and placed it in front of me. "Now enjoy your breakfast,"

"Has Adrian had breakfast?" I asked as Daniel was about to leave the room.

Daniel stopped and walked towards me. "He has eaten and taken his medicine,"

"In that case, thank God." I whispered to myself.

"So cute, you really care about him." Daniel commented with a smirk. I knew he was teasing me, so I just smiled and took a sip of the milk.

"How about you? Have you had breakfast?"

Daniel was surprised for a moment he glanced to the right then left. "Me?" He pointed to himself.

"Who else is here?" I shook my head at his behavior.

Daniel widened his smile with a beaming face. "I've had breakfast with Adrian downstairs,"

I chuckled at the behavior of Adrian's friend. I never thought he would have a friend of the opposite nature to him. Actually, they were not that different, but Daniel tended to be entertaining compared to Adrian who liked to get people to the highest level of irritation.

"By the way, I'm a little curious how you got to be friends with Adrian?"

"It's actually a long story, but in short, we were in the same major when we were in college." explained Daniel.

I nodded as I cut my omelette. "And then you two became friends?"

"No,"

I looked up in confusion. "No?"

"We didn't talk to each other at first, until one day at a campus event, we were made a committee to work together." Daniel got carried away. He looked deep into the past. "He's different from most of the friends I met. I admire him as a strong person. You know, since childhood he only knew his grandfather- the only family member he has."

I did not dispute what Daniel said. His words were clearly true. Adrian had endured a lot of grief alone, but he was too good at covering it up. He didn't want people to pity him.

"Stop bothering my girlfriend," Adrian stepped in, and made us both stare at him at the same time. Did he just refer to me as his girlfriend?

"I'm not bothering, but intending to kidnap her." Daniel replied with a laugh.

Adrian glared at him before his eyes finally fell on me. He made his way towards me and all I felt was my beating heart.

"Already full?" asked Adrian as he sat on the edge of the bed.

I gave him a look, so that he realized how he had irritated me without realizing it. "Why didn't you wake me up? And who has permission to move me onto the bed?"

"What man would let his girlfriend fall asleep in such an uncomfortable place?" said Daniel which made Adrian smirk. I forgot that they were friends, and right now they conspired against me.

I pouted at them then got up from the bed. "Thanks for the breakfast, I want to go home now."

"Wait," Daniel called out to me. "That fast?"

I groaned and rolled my eyes. "My job is done here. Adrian also looks fine now," I turned to Adrian who already had his eyes on me.

I quickly left the room, reluctant to look at Adrian one more time. I was afraid it made me not want to leave.

First of all, I returned the tray along with my dirty dishes from earlier. I smiled when some of the servants in the kitchen greeted me. They obviously still remembered me well. I took the time to talk and help them. I knew I was not very good with the kitchen, but I was willing to learn and give the little help I could.

Someone's cough made the servants leave the room immediately. I knew who it was, so I didn't turn around at all. I kept doing what I was doing.

"I thought I heard you say you wanted to go home,"

I didn't heed his words. Adrian would not succeed in making me burn with irritation because of his words.

"After this is done, I will go straight home. You don't have to bother kicking me out,"

"Mabel," Adrian's tone suddenly turned serious. "Can't you turn around and look at me when you talk?"

"As you can see, I'm busy." I could hear him sigh in despair at my stubbornness.

"Please, don't go. I don't want you to go home," Adrian said, sounding weak. I didn't expect to hear him begging me.

"Last time I checked you were the one who forced me to go home when I wanted to be here longer," I snapped.

I finally finished washing the dishes, and that's when I actually wished there were other dirty dishes I needed to wash. I was not ready to turn around and look into those amber eyes of his.