[Music Recommendation: "Soffia La Notte" by Fabrizio Paterlini - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

[Please note: We're still in Verrill's POV - still reminiscing his memories with Hora]

The moment I realized she was sick… it was as if my whole world stopped. My heart started to sting and I started blaming myself for how stupid I was that I didn't even notice it earlier! My body trembled in fear. I didn't want anything to happen to her. Screw all my plans! What mattered most was to have her checked by a doctor and rest.

"What's wrong? Why do you look like you saw a ghost?" she asked, unaware of how sick she was. She was burning hot for goodness' sake!

"Hora! Are you alright?"

"Huh? What do you mean? I am alright."

"You're burning up!" I exclaimed in my worry. Then, I walked nearer and touched her forehead. Damn it! She's having a fever and it's really high!

"I-I'm burning up?"

"Yes! You have a fever. You need to rest immediately! The guest rooms are full right now, but you can use my room for the meantime. I'll call for the family doctor to check on you. Come, let's go there, quick."

"B-but I'm fine. I don't feel anything wrong."

Tsk. She's saying that but her legs were trembling. Seeing her like that just hurt me more. I caught her by the shoulders to help her stand up.

"You're not fine at all. Don't tell me you've been enduring it all this time?"

My voice turned scary. I was angry at how she's not taking care of herself.

"Hmf! I really didn't notice it. I was fine a few moments ago."

"Urghhh, this won't do."

"Hey, are you listening to me?"

"You can't walk, can you?"

"What? I can! I—"

Not caring about her buts, I lifted her up in my arms.

"Hey! Put me down, you—I can still walk. I'm not injured."

"You're staggering like a newly born lamb and you say you're fine."

"Okay. Maybe I'm not but I can still walk. Please put me down."

"No!"

At that moment, I didn't care if she hated me or thought lowly of me. What mattered was that she got treated asap. And so, I carried her inside all the way to my room, and laid her on my bed. She must have been really exhausted seeing how she fell asleep as soon as I laid her down.

After that, I quickly called for the family doctor. While waiting, I felt restless so I tried to remember first aid measures that I read or saw somewhere.

And so, I got some towels and filled a basin with cold water. I dipped the towel into the bowl and wrung it before placing it on her forehead. With another wet towel, I carefully wiped her face and neck, since she was sweating so much. I also wiped her arms and her feet—after I removed her shoes. If I could, I would have wiped her body too but she'd hate that.

Later on, the doctor arrived and checked her. She told me it was fever due to over fatigue and gave me some medicines she could take, along with instructions. Other than that, she just needed plenty of rest.

Hearing that, I felt a bit relieved. But my heart still stung seeing her suffering. Wanting to calm my heart, I went over to my piano and started playing a song. Once calm again, I pulled a chair beside the bed and held her hand until I fell asleep, watching over her.

When I woke up, the hand I was holding was gone. My heart pounded in worry once more and I frantically looked around, searching for her.

'Where could she be? She's still sick. She shouldn't be walking around unattended.'

Then, I noticed the bathroom light was lit up so I went there to check. I was about to knock when she opened the door. I felt so relieved seeing she looked better. She said she felt hot though so I told her to bathe and I'll just tell the maids to get her clothes. Good thing she agreed since I didn't want her to stress herself more than that. The doctor said she needed to rest.

'Right. I need to prepare the bath for her so she won't move too much.'

And so, I borrowed the bathroom for a moment with the excuse of washing my face and brushing my teeth. I made sure to do that so I didn't lie. That, plus, preparing the tub for her and everything she might need.

Once done, she took a bath and I went to the phone to get the maids. I started calling them when a sudden idea came to mind.

'Right… it's too early in the morning and I could use this chance to spend time with her. I can also check how she feels about me and confess. Will I not stress her out though? Maybe I should just do it another time.'

But then… when she went out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a pure white bathrobe, the little devil in me emerged.

'Damn. She looks too cute and sexy. Seriously, she doesn't know what her effect is on me. She shouldn't be like this in front of other guys.'

BADUMP! BADUMP! BADUMP!

My heart raced again, though I tried to hide it. Uggh… and to think I was planning to seduce her. In the end, she's the one being too seductive. Fine. If that's what you want, I should try to seduce you back and make you fall for me.

"Oh, you're done. I already told the maids. They should come at any moment now. Sit down first. Do you want coffee? Or tea? I'll ask them to bring some snacks, too."

"Yes, please. Tea for me."

"Are you feeling better now? No more dizziness or anything?" I asked, inching closer to her, while holding my music sheet. I purposely held on to it though… since I was planning to do a little something.

"Yes! I'm all good. Thank you so much."

Then, I leaned over to her face, making our foreheads touch. Her temperature was back to normal and that's good. But that wasn't what I was planning. Feeling naughty, I stared at her lips and stayed in that position. Soon enough, she would be curious what's taking me so long.

As I predicted, she became curious and lifted up her face. Our eyes met and locked on each other.

'Ahhhh… she's really so beautiful.

Having her this close… I can't stop myself.

I want her…'

I walked closer to her but she took a few steps back. Seeing the bed behind her, I continued to come closer.

THUD!

"Ahh!"

"Hora!"

Ha-ha! And there it was… my perfect plan to seduce her—having her pinned down on my bed.