Romance With The CEO

Chapter56: Two Options 2

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.

*