Chapter 16 - Sick Day

Kelsey decided to get up at around five thirty in the morning when she gave up on getting some sleep. She'd been trying to get some rest but Delilah and Georgia's words kept haunting her. She knew it wasn't part of the plan to fall in love and if it ever happened, she knew she wouldn't get out of it without getting hurt.

She took a quick shower and changed into some fancy clothes. She wore a sky blue blouse and some black slacks. She decided that today was her day to try to get a job. Even though Mason was already paying her, she knew that one million wouldn't be enough to sustain them for the rest of their lives. She still wanted to save some money to hopefully graduate her culinary school and save for Ace's needs for school as well. She just couldn't trust her family's needs on Mason's money.

Once she was done, she knew it was too early in the morning to go so she went to the kitchen and prepared some breakfast. She went through the fridge and the counters and found some eggs, bacon, and pancakes, and chocolate chips. She then decided to cook the eggs and bacon and in a different pan, cook the pancakes pouring some chocolate chips on them.

It was already around six thirty when she finished cooking and Georgia entered the kitchen. "Morning, Georgia." She greeted warmly as she sipped her coffee.

"Good morning, Kelsey. I'm glad you cooked but that's my job, sweetheart." She said with a smile as she inhaled the sweet aroma of the pancakes.

"I'm sorry, I woke up early and I just wanted to do something."

"Do you cook often?" Georgia asked as Kelsey handed her some plates and utensils.

"Yes, actually, it has always been a dream of mine to be a professional chef. Cooking is my passion." She stated earning a grin from Georgia.

"That's great, dear. Mason chose the right girl." She announced as Kelsey blushed furiously.

"Will you join me for breakfast?" Kelsey asked as she took a sit on the stool by the counter. Georgia nodded with a smile and sat on the stool next to hers.

"Sure, dear. I'm excited to get a taste of those yummy looking pancakes." She said as they both laughed and ate. They were getting to know each other more but telling each other stories and chitchatting.

Not long after around seven o'clock, a loud sneeze followed by a cough interrupted their conversation. "Looks like Mason's awake." Georgia announced as she grabbed their plates and put them on the sink to wash.

"I'll wash them." Kelsey insisted by Georgia only waved her off.

"Don't be silly, dear. You already cooked, I'll do the cleaning up and washing."

Then, the sound of the sneeze came back and became louder as Mason entered the kitchen. Both woman stared at his sick face. His face was pale and the only red part was his runny nose. He was already dressed for work ready to leave.

"Where do you think you're going looking like that?" Georgia asked frantically as she approached him and touched his forehead. He was burning hot and he had a fever. "You're sick, Mason. You're not going to work like that."

"But I have to, Ma. I have a very important meeting in two hours." He stated as he pushed Georgia's hand away determined to go to his job. Kelsey found his endearment to Georgia very pleasant. Hearing him call her 'Ma' made her realized just how close they really were.

"I don't care if you have a meeting. Cancel it, Mason." Georgia demanded.

"I just can't cancel an important meeting." Mason said as another sneeze echoed in the kitchen.

"You're the son's owner for crying out loud. I'm calling Nina and telling her that you are not to be expected at work today."

"But Ma-"

"Go to your room, Mason. I'll prepare your meds and make you some soup." Georgia ordered as Mason groaned in frustration but another sneeze escaped cutting him off. He reluctantly made his way back to his room as Georgia prepared his meds.

"That boy sure is stubborn. He is too workaholic and beat himself up." Georgia complained placing the meds on a tray.

"Is he always that persistent to go to work? Does he even get a day off?" Kelsey asked as she opened the tap and placed some water on a pot.

"That boy doesn't even know what a day off is. He spends every single day at work starting at 8:00 in the morning and comes home at midnight. He always gets a scold from me but he is as hard headed as his grand father."

Georgia glanced at what Kelsey was doing. She was now placing the pot on the stove and waiting for it to boil. "What are you doing?" Georgia asked her.

Kelsey whipped her head around and smiled. "I'll make him soup. My mother taught me a recipe that actually makes me feel better whenever I'm sick."

"Okay." Georgia nodded and gave her a look that she couldn't exactly read. "Would you mind taking care of him for the day? I actually need to go grocery shopping at the farm place today and I have to get there before noon or everything will be sold out."

Kelsey hesitated to answer at first because she was actually planning to apply for a job. But figuring that Georgia will need some help from her, she said, "I wouldn't mind. You go and do what you have to do. I'll handle Mason."

"Thank you, dear. Just make sure that he drink his meds and stay at home. Sometimes, he could be a little sneaky and tries to escape the house." She warned and Kelsey couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of Mason sneaking out like a teenager.

"I'm going to keep an eye on him. Don't worry, he won't be able to escape or I'll tie him on the bed." Kelsey wasn't thinking when she had said those words. But the moment that Georgia smirked and gave her a look, she blushed furiously and waved her hands as if she was saying no. "That's not what I meant. That came out wrong. I wasn't-"

"I get it, Kelsey. I was just teasing you." She said chuckling as Kelsey let out a sigh of relief. "Well, I better get going before they run out of fresh vegetables." She waved goodbye and left with some grocery bags in her hand.

After Kelsey was finished making the chicken soup, she poured some on a bowl and placed it on the tray together with the glass of water and his meds. She carefully carried the tray all the way upstairs. She stopped in front of Mason's room and placed the tray down to knock on the door and open it. She then grabbed the tray again and entered the room.

Silence greeted her. She gently placed the tray on the bedside table and glanced around the room. She was guessing it was the master's bedroom because the room was bigger than hers. It was double the size of the bedroom she was staying at. Everything was organized and spotless clean. One couldn't even tell where the dust were. Mason was one neat man. And not to mention, the only color seen in his room were white, grey and black. Dull and boring colors, but at the same time, daring and dangerous.

She quietly sat on the edge of the bed and stared at Mason's face. She couldn't help but think how good looking he really was. There was a strand of hair blocking his forehead and Kelsey couldn't help but brush his fingers across his forehead and moved the hair away. She then touched his forehead with her palm and he was extremely hot.

She lightly nudge his shoulder to wake him up. "Mason, Mason." She gently said as he stirred in his sleep but didn't open his eyes. "Mason, come on, wake up. You need to eat so you can take your meds."

He only groaned and ignored her. "Mason, please." She begged and touched his cheek. That seemed to work because his eyes popped open when he felt a soft, comforting hand on his cheek.

"Kelsey?" He asked in a daze as she pulled her hand away leaving his cheek all cold. He suddenly missed her touch all of a sudden.

"C'mon, Mason. Sit up so I can feed you some soup. I promise you it'll make you feel better." She said as she helped him sit up and placed some pillow under his head.

Mason stared at the beautiful woman standing in front of him as she carefully grabbed the bowl of soup. Mason then saw how she was dressed today. He suddenly thought if she had plans for the day. "You going somewhere today?" He asked with a groggy voice.

Kelsey stirred the soup and blew the spoon to cool it down before she fed him. "I was gonna go apply for jobs today." She answered as she fed him and he ate the tasteful soup. It was sweet but spicy at the same time. It was delicious.

"Why?" He questioned swallowing the soup. "You don't need a job, Kelsey."

"I can't depend on you forever, Mason. Sure, you might be paying a large amount of money but that wouldn't sustain me and my family forever. Eventually, the money you're going to pay me will run out." She explain feeding him again.

"Kelsey-" He started but Kelsey cut him off.

"There's no point in arguing, Mason. You're sick, think about it when you're feeling a lot better. Or even better, don't think about it at all." She explained then started changing the subject. "By the way, your grandmother is nice. She's very... interesting." She said making sure she described her with the right word.

"How so?" Mason asked as Kelsey continued to feed him.

"She had this crazy idea that we'll fall in love with each other in time." She announced as a smile formed on her lips still trying to process the ridiculous idea.

Mason's eyebrows suddenly furrowed and he all of a sudden felt sicker than before. "Why is that so crazy? Is it really difficult to love me?" He asked with pain crossing his eyes.

Kelsey's smile faltered and her body stiffened. She was frozen in spot as if Mason just announced that he had murdered someone. She then felt bad for what she had said. It wasn't what she meant. "No, I'm sure your not. I didn't mean it that way, Mason. I just thought it was crazy because what we're doing are all pretend and fake. And besides, I've heard many say that being committed is not something you like doing. I didn't mean anything by what I said. Please, don't take it the wrong way." She tried explaining herself.

Mason was looking intently at her as she was talking. Right after she was done, he looked away and slouched further into the bed. "I think I'm done eating. I just wanna rest." He announced.

Kelsey then glanced at the bowl of soup which was only half way done. "But you didn't even finish the soup." She argued.

"My appetite went away. I wanna get some sleep." He said with a final tone and Kelsey knew it was her fault why his mood suddenly changed. She didn't argue but told him to take his meds. Once he swallowed it, she tidied up and placed everything on the tray. Mason was now laying on the bed his back facing her. She let out a sigh before she left and closed the door.

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