10 - Not checked

Kyle's POV

New guards hired, check!

New hands hired but they are security in disguise, check!

Return to work as soon as possible to get delayed paperwork sorted out…

“I insist,” Ava said.

Not checked.

“But you really need to rest. We left the hospital, but the doctor recommended 2 days bedrest.

“For the both of us,” she added. She was right, but important documents needed my signature and it was tradition to not bring work home regardless.

“That’s why you need to rest at home,” I said, knowing that this wouldn’t convince her any more than it did thirty minutes ago.

“Why do I have to stay back while you go to work?” she asked. A different question for the first time in thirty minutes.

Sounded like I was finally getting through to her.

“That’s because someone needs to do the work,” I said but knew I’d lost the moment a smirk rose at the corners of her lips.

“You are the president, founder as well as major stakeholder, so you answer to no one. Your health is very important Kyle, I insist, unless you are looking down on me?” Her hands dropped to her side and her concentration was focused on her gaze that she directed at me.

“Fine,” my briefcase dropped to the ground just in time for my phone to ring. Look down on her? Didn’t she realise she was worth more than all my assets combined?

“Yes Mason?” I pressed the phone against my ear without taking my eyes off Ava’s.

They softened briefly when I dropped the suitcase and I was worried she would get a headache if she frowned any longer.

“Boss, the Chinese investors mentioned the meeting today as well as the…”

“Reschedule every meeting I would be having today and tomorrow.”

“What? But you postponed them for the flight to England and it could get really shaky if…”

“If I had to worry about every little thing then you wouldn’t be needed, Mason,” I said and hung up the call with that.

“Phew,” I let out a stream of air as something collided into me.

Rather, someone who gave the best hugs wrapped her hands around my waist, her head resting on my chest right where she could hear my heartbeat.

“Please don’t exhaust yourself, you’re human too,” she said words that would have healed my inner child and saved me multiple breakdowns from years back.

But right now, I smiled and patted her hair, loving the way she melted against my touch. “Why don’t you go rest for now,” I asked.

“But you might leave and continue working,” she raised her head to look into my eyes.

How could I not do her bidding when she looked at me like a siren.

“You could come to my room if you’re so worried,” I said.

“Okay, you lead the way then,” she nodded and straightened up to sit by my side. I froze, one second, two, until she asked, “Did I say something wrong?” which startled me back to the present.

I hadn’t expected her to be so bold with her words.

“Nothing, let’s go,” I scooped her up in my hand, earning a yelp from her.

“I won’t drop you,” I said to reassure her.

“I know,” she said as she wrapped her hands around my neck and buried her head in my chest. “You caught me by surprise is all.”

“Well, that makes two of us,” I said as I pushed into the master’s bedroom and laid her on the bed.

“Where are you going?” she asked when I turned around, propping herself with her elbow on the pillow to sit up.

“Just to get us some water, so you wouldn’t have to go down the stairs in the middle of the night.”

“It’s still daytime, there’s nothing to worry about,” she said.

“Okay,” I nodded and climbed into bed with her.

I was never one to fall asleep easily, talk less of with someone by my side. So I could just get up when she did to save her the trouble later.

Having left the hospital earlier than the doctor’s approval, we were both implored to get our two days bedrest at home.

So with the meds taken after breakfast, we… my jaws pulled apart involuntarily to let out air I didn’t realise I was holding.

“Closer,” Ava demanded in a droopy voice as she placed her head on my chest, so I turned around to hold her as she demanded.

“Much better, I like the steady rate of your heartbeat,” she said as she dropped her eyes closed and drew in a long breath in and out.

I closed my eyes temporarily and when I opened them, the curtains weren’t drawn anymore, but the light from the outside wasn’t blinding, rather, it was the soft silver light of moonlight, and Ava wasn’t by my side.

I felt for her spot in the bed, it was cold, so she must have gotten up a lot earlier. That is if I wasn’t dreaming.

However, my dreams were just as rare as seeing comets in daytime. I climbed out of bed in search of her and the moment I opened the door, I knew where to find her.

Sniffing the delicious air that wafted into my nose, I took my steps following the scent until I reached the kitchen door, watching her as she washed her hand and took off the apron to hang.

“I was just about to wake you for dinner,” she said, confirming my doubts.

I had to be asleep, because there was no way in the world that I slept for 12 hours straight even if I took the pills.

It just didn’t make sense, yet the evidence was right in front of me.

Delicious food as I sat for dinner. Hot against my tongue and landing perfectly in my stomach. I had only managed to lucid dream once in high school, so this was not a dream in any way.

“Thank you,” the words left my mouth before I could translate them into something more understandable.

“Enjoy your meal so we can use our medication,” she smiled at me from across the table as she scooped a spoon of her own porridge.