Chapter 5 : Fever

Adrian clenched his fists while wrapped in the girl's embrace. Feeling the warmth of another person after such a long time, he found himself wondering. Could he still feel warmth again?

Adrian did not struggle. He rested his head on Eliana's shoulder and slowly closed his eyes.

Eliana held Adrian for a while before realizing that the man had fallen asleep in her arms. She chuckled softly, not wanting to wake him. She tried to stand and help him onto the bed.

She laid him down on the bed. Perhaps feeling the warmth suddenly disappear, Adrian reached for Eliana's hand and gripped it tightly.

"Don't go," Adrian murmured weakly, his eyes still closed.

Eliana abandoned her intention to leave. She did not pull her hand away either. Instead, she sat beside the bed and gently stroked his hand to calm him. Exhausted from everything that had happened that day, she wanted to close her eyes while still holding his hand.

Some time passed before Adrian's restless movements woke Eliana. Sweat covered his forehead, and his body kept moving as though he were fighting something in his sleep.

"No... don't leave me," Adrian mumbled in his sleep.

Eliana immediately checked his condition. She placed her hand on his forehead and felt the heat against her palm.

"He has a fever," she murmured.

"Please don't leave me. Father... Mother." Adrian whimpered again, his voice more desperate this time.

"Adrian... Adrian..." Eliana tried to wake him.

But Adrian continued tossing restlessly in his sleep. He kept shouting and pleading not to be abandoned.

Eliana was at a loss. She tried to think of a way to bring him out of his nightmare.

She moved closer, lay down beside him, and wrapped her arms around his restless body. She began patting his shoulder and softly humming a tune.

Whenever Eliana felt frightened, she would usually play music to calm herself.

She hummed gently while continuing to pat his shoulder.

Perhaps because of her gentle humming, Adrian gradually became less restless. As though he had finally found something to hold on to, he wrapped his arms tightly around Eliana, seeking comfort in the warmth of her body. He held her close enough to hear her heartbeat.

The soft melody of her voice, accompanied by the sound of her heartbeat, gradually calmed Adrian. Eliana could feel how tightly he held her, as though he were afraid of losing the warmth he had only just found. For a moment, she felt that Adrian truly needed her. The man who usually drove her away was now seeking comfort in her arms.

Adrian held Eliana even tighter, as though he did not want the warmth to disappear. Eliana let him remain that way for a while.

Once she felt that Adrian had calmed down in her arms, Eliana tried to free herself without waking him. She carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Eliana left the bedroom and went straight to find Mr. Cole.

After learning that his young master had a fever, Mr. Cole immediately contacted the family's doctor. The doctor arrived shortly afterward to examine Adrian and prescribe medication to bring down his fever.

Eliana faithfully stayed by Adrian's side while the doctor treated him.

Seeing how calm his young master had become after what had happened earlier, Mr. Cole trusted Eliana to continue looking after him that night.

Eliana waited for quite some time until Adrian finally opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw when he opened them was Eliana sitting beside his bed.

"You're awake?" Eliana smiled casually, as though nothing unusual had happened earlier.

"You have a fever. I'll prepare some porridge for you."

Adrian silently watched the girl leave. The moment he opened his eyes, he clearly remembered crying in front of her. His ears turned red as the memory crossed his mind.

It did not take long for Eliana to return with a bowl of soup for Adrian.

"This time, you have to behave and eat plenty."

Eliana offered him the first spoonful.

Adrian stared intently at the spoon she held out to him.

"My arm is getting tired, Adrian," Eliana complained.

Adrian hesitated for a moment before finally opening his mouth and accepting the spoonful. However, the redness returned to his ears.

"I can eat by myself," he said after finishing the first spoonful.

"No. If you eat by yourself, you'll stop after the fourth bite," Eliana replied, offering him another spoonful.

Perhaps because of the silence between them, Adrian continued eating every spoonful she offered until nothing was left.

"Now it's time to take your medicine."

Adrian took the medicine obediently, without any of the resistance he had shown before.

Eliana was quite pleased with Adrian's behavior that evening. She told him to lie down and then tucked him in with a blanket.

"I'll stay here tonight to look after you. If you need anything, just call me."

Eliana had brought extra food for dinner: one portion for Adrian and the rest for herself. That way, while helping Adrian finish his meal, she could replenish her own energy as well.

Her favorite thing about staying there was the food.

She ate heartily, smiling with satisfaction.

Adrian watched the girl's silly smile. He furrowed his brows.

*What's so interesting about that food?* he wondered.

Eliana rubbed her full stomach with satisfaction. The food prepared by a five-star chef was worlds apart from the meals she usually ate at roadside stalls.

"Why are you looking at me?"

Adrian immediately looked away when Eliana noticed what he was doing.

Eliana saw him ignoring her, but she did not care. It was enough that he had behaved himself that evening.

"I'll be back," Eliana said before leaving the room.

Once the girl was gone, Adrian gripped his blanket tightly and let out a heavy sigh.

"I hate this feeling," he murmured.

Eliana returned wearing her pajamas, carrying a blanket and pillow in her arms. She arranged the pillow and settled down on the sofa, finding a comfortable position.

Everything in the man's bedroom was comfortable. Eliana was quite satisfied with the large sofa.

"Are you sleepy yet?" Eliana started a conversation.

Adrian did not answer.

Eliana yawned but continued talking. "What if we relax in the garden tomorrow? Aren't you bored of staying in your room all the time?"

Adrian continued to ignore her.

Eliana did not mind his silence. She kept talking about all sorts of things until Adrian finally interrupted her rambling.

"Sleep outside. You're too noisy."

Eliana stopped talking. She was not upset at all by his attempt to kick her out.

"Just wait until tomorrow. I'll find a way to get you out of this room," she muttered, her threatening tone sounding more comical than intimidating.

"All right, good night, Adrian," she replied cheerfully, as though she had no plans whatsoever.

With that, Eliana closed her eyes.