Eddy Chen has always been alone. He knows that he's independent and can live alone. This changes when he is met by a tragedy. He now has a caretaker because he can't handle it alone, anymore. Turns out that Brett Yang, his caretaker, would be the love and center of his life.

Eddy's POV

I've always been independent. I started living alone the moment I turned eighteen and always had known how to take care of myself. I guess a part of it stems from the fact that I know what I want. My years of living alone had taught me that only I could take care of myself.

I am Edward Chen. I'm twenty-five, I play the violin, I'm a concertmaster and occasional soloist for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. I have kept my job there for three years now. It's the best job I could ever ask for. As for my love life? It's non-existent.

It's not like I'm avoiding the topic or future love interests, it's just, I always prioritized myself, family and friends more. Also, men and women tend to be intimidated by my independence. Another factor is the fact that I've never really met anyone that I could see myself in a relationship with. My mom and sister both told me that while it is good to have high standards, it would also be lonely if I hadn't found anyone for myself.

The list is long but the biggest factor is I don't like the idea of online dating. It's a great way to meet people, but it seems like everyone there just wants a good fuck. I actually want to form a connection first before jumping in bed with someone. I'm an old-school romantic and that wouldn't change.

Who doesn't love a nice, romantic dinner date with wine and desserts? I love handwritten notes and poems. I want to serenade my love at night before they sleep and wake them up with kissed and breakfast in the morning. I want to hold my lover while sleeping and make love. I want it to be perfect, but not too perfect.

People often say that for a cold man, I'm quite debonair. I believe that I'm not cold, I could just take care of myself better than anyone else can. I don't expect anyone to take care of me, really. So, when I get into a car accident, that left my legs on a cast, my mom decided to get me a caregiver.

I know that she means well since she cannot look out for me but I really don't like the fact that I'll have a caregiver that will always be with me. I really cant fire the caregiver because my mom's the one who's paying him. I try to tell myself that it's just for a few months. Once he got the cast removed and can walk again, he'll be fine in no time.

"Mr. Chen?" I hear a voice from the other room call me.

"Hey, I'm in the practice room. The farthest room from the left. Are you the caregiver that my mom hired?" I asked.

I could hear his footsteps as he was near the door. I tried to turn my wheelchair around to see the man. Eddy's mom told him that the man is Asian and could play the violin. She specifically picked him because she wanted Eddy to feel comfortable. Eddy really didn't.

"Sir, I'm Brett Yang. I'll be your caregiver for a few months. If you have any specific requests or things to look out for, you can tell me anytime." The quite short man told him. He was okay, not really too attractive or eye-catching.

"As you know, I'm Eddy. Besides the instructions that my doctor and mom told you, my only request is you should not touch my things unless I ask you to do so and you have to keep the place neat." I said with nonchalance. He nods and smiles at me.

Okay, so his deadpan face is quite deceiving. He looked average with it, but with a smile he looked precious. I push these thoughts away. No, I cannot be attached to him. He's merely my helper and nothing more.

"How old are you, Brett?" I ask.

"Twenty-six, sir."

"Oh, you're a year older than me. You don't have to call me sir. It's weird. Just call me Eddy." I said, not really knowing why I want to get to know this boy better.

"Mom told me that you played the violin." I added.

"Yes, Eddy. I actually do." He said kindly, fidgeting with his fingers.

I grab my violin from my case and tuned it. I adjusted my bow, put rosin on the hair and handed him the violin. I'm quite protective over it, but I want to hear the man play.

"Eddy, are you sure? I mean, it's a pretty big deal to even hold your violin." He said, hesitating to take the violin.

"It will be fine as long as you don't shred. Now, go on, play me something. I want to hear you." I said, urging him to play the violin.

He hesitantly took it and put it under his chin. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, closed his eyes and started to play the Tchaikovsky violin concerto. I close my eyes and take in the music. Damn, the way he played was sweet and tender but at the same time it was powerful and mellow. It's like Brett interpreted it like he knew Tchaikovsky's life story and struggles.

I open my eyes as he stopped playing. He was looking at me with a nervous look on his face. I cleared my throat and started.

"Wait, you're a caregiver when you can play violin like that?" I asked, too amazed at the man who played the violin.

He scratched the back of his head and smiled shyly.

"My mom let me play the violin when I was really young. I wanted to go to music conservatory when I graduated high school but my mom was expecting me to be a doctor. I didn't want to be a doctor, but I studied nursing." He said.

"Ah man, Asian parents. The scars, man, the scars. I actually had the same situation but I'm quite lucky that my mom opened her eyes and allowed me to study music." I said, laughing a bit. "Are you okay with your job, though?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's actually great. I may have not been a performer, but I'm glad I have more time to practice. The people I take care of, especially older people, loved hearing me play. I once serenaded an old lady I was taking care of for her birthday. She was nice." Brett continued his story and I smiled. Brett and I will get a long just fine.

- - - - - - - - - -

I just finished taking a bath as Brett accompanied me. My back was turned to him as he toweled my back and dried my hair. He gave me a robe and helped me put it on. He put a plastic stool in the shower so I could take a bath with privacy. He took off the cast protectors after I was in my robe and he carries me bridal style to my bedroom where I would dress myself. When I take a bath, we have already established a routine.

I first undress and put on a robe. Since I'm stuck at home, I usually just wear shorts or pajamas for it to be able to come off easily. I call Brett from my bedroom and he puts on the cast protectors, carries me from my bed to the bathroom and sets me down on the stool. He let me take a shower alone and I'd just call him if I'm done.

Now, the first time we have done this, he was very professional about it. I can't help but blush that time. I still am a bit embarrassed, honestly. Especially since I discovered that I had a crush on Brett.

I mean, who wouldn't? He was sweet, patient and caring. He could play the violin and was an old fashioned romantic. I learned a lot about him and developed a crush on him. I try to suppress the feelings because he's my caregiver.

Even if I know what his favorite foods are or how he looks like when he naps, doesn't mean that we have a special connection. He's just here to make me feel better and help me. By the time I've healed and can walk again, I'll be back to taking care of myself. How do I get you out of my mind, Brett?

He also learned a lot about me. He knows what to get me when I'm particularly sad. He knows what to play when I want to sleep. He knows my manga and anime lists. He knows what I want. Hopefully, he knows what I feel about him.

- - - - - - - - - -

The realization that I'm in love with him hits me harder than the car accident itself. There was a time that he went to the grocery and left me alone a bit. I was listening to Tchaikovsky recordings and stumbled upon Maxim Vengerov's interpretation. I close my eyes and take in the music.

My mind starts to think of Brett. The way Brett smiles, how Brett dresses, the little mole in where his right shoulder and right arm meet, his collarbones, the fact that he's stronger than he looks, the little half smirk he does when he's concentrating to learn a piece, the way he says words and how cute the accent he has, when he speaks Chinese, he sounds a lot softer than when speaking English, his Taiwanese is breathtaking and his love for bubble tea. Many many more things enter Eddy's head about Brett. He didn't even notice that the piece was already finished.

He continued his reverie until he heard the man who's currently consuming his thoughts enter the practice room.

"Eddy, I got you bubble tea." He said with a smile and hands me a cup. I smiled back as I pop the straw in. I took a sip and savored the sweetness.

So, this is what being in love with Brett Yang feels like.

- - - - - - - - - -

"Eddy, come on, you can do it." Brett said as he cheered me on. I already did physical therapy to be able to walk alone again.

I could walk without support now but only for a short period of time. Brett was encouraging me to walk on across my backyard to allow myself to get used to walking long distances. I did it and Brett cheered. He hugged me and smiled.

"Yeah, you did it, Eddy! You won't need me anymore." He jokes and I could feel my heart break a bit.

I almost forgot that he was going to leave the moment I could take care of myself again.

"Actually, about that, Brett. Can I tell you something?" I said, scratching the back of my neck, feeling nervous.

"Yeah sure."

"I actually like being taken care of by you..." I said, blushing at my own words.

"Is that so, Mr. Independent?" He asked, stepping closer towards me.

"Yeah, I actually like you, Brett. Like like you." I said pausing a little. It's now or never, Eddy. Now or never. "Actually, I might even love you. I've never felt this way before and I could only hope that you felt it too? God, I don't know what I'm sayi-" I was cut off with him pressing his lips on mine. He pulled away and said softly.

"Yes Eddy, I want to go out on a date with you. I want your cheesy love letters and to come home to you after you had a long day because of rehearsals. I want to hear you practice even if you get frustrated, I'll still listen to you. I want to hear you complain about everything even if you know it doesn't matter. I just want to love you, Eddy." He said, caressing my cheek and pinching it softly.

"You're too cute, you know that, right?" I ask, a bit too amused for the situation.

"Not so independent now, aren't you?" He said, about to lean in to kiss me again.

When our lips were almost touching, he pulled away and hugged me.

"I know you want to take it slow, so I'll kiss you again after our third date." He said, lightly tracing my lips and he laughs ever so softly.

I grab his wrist to remove his hand on my lips and pressed our foreheads together.

"Fuck that, all I need is for you to watch over me." I said and went in to kiss him passionately. I could feel him smile against my lips and I hugged him tighter.