Chapter 24: Chapter 24

I woke up with an excruciating headache. I felt like hitting my head with something to stop the pain, but I couldn't help but hold on to it and wince. I had never been like that after drinks. As I recalled, my body felt weak after a few sips.

Holding back my headache, my eyes roamed around. I was back in my room. A sigh of relief escaped me, but a woman with an innocent face sleeping next to me made me nearly die of shock.

Mabel was still with me. She fell asleep with a tired face that I was sure she hadn't slept all night. I tried to get out of bed, but my headache hit me again. It made my vision blurry and wobbly. So I decided to lay down for a moment. My body lay facing her. She looked comfortable there. Damn, I really wanted to stroke her hair.

The clock on the wall showed five in the morning. I woke up so early apparently.

I wiped my face with my hand. Last night's dream really opened up my old wounds. For the past year I had been trying really hard to get over the accident, but why is it so hard?

My thoughts were interrupted when someone opened my bedroom door. Mabel must had forgotten to lock it. Even though it was where I lived, I never left my bedroom door unlocked when I slept.

Who's coming? I asked myself.

My question was answered when Daniel emerged from the doorway and called to me in a whisper. "Who is she?" pointed Daniel to Mabel.

"She's my future wife," I replied curtly. My head was hurting, and I had to keep answering his questions.

"I thought she was a woman sent from your enemy to harm you,"

I narrowed my eyes at his words. "No, she's Mabel."

Daniel's expression immediately changed. His mouth gaped in preparation for a scream of joy. So before he did that, I had already said. "Sshhh, don't be loud. Let her rest. And can you tell the servants to make breakfast right away? I'm hungry,"

"Sure, my bro! But wait a minute," Daniel came closer to me. I sighed and massaged my forehead. "You know, after yesterday I went out hoping to get laid, I totally got it. Now I feel really amazing though,"

I stopped massaging my forhead and gaped.

"What?" Daniel chuckled softly. "I know you haven't done that in a long time,"

"My head still hurts and you've been discussing about-" I wanted to say sex, but then Mabel shifted slightly from her position, shutting me down as my gaze following her movements until she calmed down again.

"Give your girlfriend at least a little taste of it to feel more alive," Daniel suggested before finally leaving my room. That guy gave me more than a headache.

Accidentally, I saw there was medicine on the nightstand. I took the medicine along with the glass filled with water. I was pretty sure it was Mabel who had set it up there any time I woke up. I smiled with pleasure sipping the medicine.

Mabel didn't look like she was going to wake up any time soon. Her sleep was not disturbed at all by the surroundings. She didn't have nightmares either.

I got out of bed when I had enough strength back. My feet brought me straight to Mabel. I studied her face down to her rosy lips that were tightly shut as she slept. Lowering my head, my lips touched hers. I couldn't get enough of this woman.

I carried her slender body as I continued to stare at her face. She was fast asleep. I breathed in her familiar scent. Gently, I put her on the bed and covered her body with the blanket.

After I made sure everything was safe and comfortable for her, I went downstairs.

I had my early breakfast with Daniel. And during it, I chose to keep my mouth shut and just listen to him, unlike him who always had endless stories. He was still continuing his story about last night, next to how he came back at dawn.

"I thought Mabel was just an outlet for your mess after Selena, but the way your eyes conveyed what you're feeling inside told me no lies." Daniel took a deep breath and then let it out. "Bro, actually I already knew everything. Your grandfather told me before I even came here,"

That was nothing new to me. "And you just acted like you didn't know yesterday," I added.

"Your grandfather said I should shut up, but I couldn't. It's about you. So? Are you really going to hurt her in the end?"

I gulped down my drink and finished my breakfast. "I have a meeting at eight. I'll leave Mabel with you,"

Still in yesterday's clothes I left the mansion. I grumbled while driving the car. I knew I would only end up hurting Mabel. Sooner or later she would find out somehow. But for now I just wanted her to be with me and forget my initial bad intentions towards her.

I busied myself with various things before the meeting started. My grandfather called and told me about the vacation. One more day left before we all left. Knowing Ashton was coming, I felt like it was my chance to ruin him. But the thing was, Daniel would also come. I didn't trust him, as he often did things that didn't need to be done.

After everything was done, I went home to check on Mabel. I hoped Daniel took good care of her. When I arrived, I headed upstairs quickly. I stopped my track when I heard Mabel speak. "Has Adrian had breakfast?"

"He has eaten and taken his medicine. So cute, you really care about him."

Goddamnit, Daniel. Can't he at least maintain his image in front of Mabel?

"How about you? Have you had breakfast?" Mabel asked again. Her voice was so soft.

"Me?"

"Who else is here?"

"I've had breakfast with Adrian downstairs,"

I heard Mabel chuckle after that. I was sure she was laughing at Daniel's lack of responsiveness.

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

Exactly as I thought, Mabel would ask such a question. Daniel responded by explaining how we met on campus. He still remembered the details. He also mentioned about my grandfather. I sighed hearing that. Before he could go any further and deeper, I slipped into the room. "Stop bothering my girlfriend,"

"I'm not bothering, but intending to kidnap her." Daniel laughed.

I gave him my quick serious look. Then I turned to Mabel. She looked at me and I immediately made my way towards her. What should I ask her? Her condition?

"Already full?" Strangely the question that came out did not occur to me at all.

"Why didn't you wake me up? And who has permission to move me onto the bed?"

Yeah, I wanted this version of Mabel.

"What man would let his girlfriend fall asleep in such an uncomfortable place?" Daniel said as my representative. I smirked at being saved by him as my brain wasn't thinking straight for words.

"Thanks for the breakfast, I want to go home now."

Oh no.

I glanced at Daniel with a look asking him to do something to restrain Mabel.

Obviously Daniel got what I meant, he immediately stopped Mabel. "Wait. That fast?"

Mabel rolled her eyes at Daniel. "My job is done here. Adrian also looks fine now," She turned to me and caught me watching her. She easily left the room just like that.

"Well, looks like it's your time to stop her if you really want her to stay." Daniel tapped me on my shoulder.

"I hate to say you're right," I smirked and patted Daniel's shoulder too.

"I'm always right on these kinds of matters," Daniel answered proudly.

I ran to the front door, but all the guards said they didn't see Mabel leaving the mansion. Where is she? I finally asked one of the servants, and she told me that Mabel was still in the kitchen. What is she doing there?

My breath seemed to return when I saw her figure. She was still with me here.

I deliberately coughed to get everyone's attention in the kitchen, so the servants understood and left us alone. But Mabel was so nonchalant as if she didn't hear it. I tried to say something for her attention. "I thought I heard you say you wanted to go home,"

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

"Mabel, can't you turn around and look at me when you talk?"

"As you can see, I'm busy."

I sighed deeply. This wouldn't be easy. "Please, don't go. I don't want you to go home,"

I felt selfish after I asked Mabel to stay by. I was not usually like that. Could it be because of the effects of my fever? No, it was not the first time I had had a fever. And I had never acted like that.

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

Mabel's answer kind of flicked me. I remembered how at that time I even forced her to go home. Why is the situation now reversed?

"Now the situation is different," I said after I found the right words to say. "Please say you want to,"

"Why?" Mabel turned and gave me a questioning look. I didn't expect her to even ask, but that was okay, at least there was a glimmer of chance that she was thinking about my request.

"Because I still want you here," I answered according to what was in my mind when the question was asked.

Mabel furrowed her brows at my answer. "And why do you still want me here?"

Mabel was clearly trying to make it complicated for me. But I came up with a better idea, which the other side would also accept. "Because you helped me yesterday. You deserve a gift and be treated well today by me. So if you are kind enough, you should let me do something good for you."

I couldn't possibly tell her my real reason. My lips would not let out the words that my heart was desired.

"So you think I helped you because I wanted a gift?"

I was about to give up, but it was Mabel who was talking to me. There was no surrender for me when it came to her. I would get what I wanted.

There was a flash of sadness in Mabel's eyes. She turned her face away as she said. "I helped you because I cared about you. Gifts weren't what I was after, Adrian. It's you. I want you to be healthy, and nothing bad happens to you."

Finally, Mabel's soft side was back.

"I didn't mean it like that..." I lifted her chin up so her gaze returned to me. "Sorry if it misunderstood you,"

My arms just wrapped around Mabel's waist. I needed her- everything about her in my life. The warmth of her body when I hugged her made me thirsty for her touch. Relief brought a smile to my lips as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I picked her up and carried her into the living room.

Daniel was already there, and I hated it when he flashed us his mischievous smile when he saw Mabel in my arms. I knew where his mind was going.

I carefully placed Mabel on the sofa facing the television. I got her a snack jar filled with chocolate. She looked at me strangely at first, but then took it anyway. She sat curled up in the blanket. And it made her look petite and adorable.

"Horror movies time!" Daniel claimed the moment he screened the film.