Chapter Six
The adrenalin kicked in full time. I couldn't let anything happen to Liam!
I went on my knees beside Liam. Okay, okay, okay. Don't get confused. What happened here?
I had absolutely no equipment to work with, but there were some things I could do to help him.
I checked for a pulse and breathed in relief when I felt a strong heartbeat. Then I used my phone's torch to flash into his eyes. Liam's pupils dilated, which was expected after his recent surgery. And also a good sign.
I gently raised his head so it faced the ceiling and opened his airwaves to let oxygen flow freely.
I checked his pulse rate using my wrist watch and it was normal.
Liam was alright for someone still recovering from a recent surgery. So what made him fall?
I sensed he would not want anyone to know what had happened, so I laid a pillow under his head and let him stay there. There was nothing to do now except let him rest.
I went to the phone Liam had used earlier and called Philip. "It's Emelia. Liam and I won't be coming downstairs after all. We'll let you know when we want to eat."
I laid down beside Liam and leaned my head on one palm, my eyes on Liam's face and chest. I was looking for any responses or reactions that would hint at what caused him to collapse.
Even sick, Liam was good-looking by any standard.
I replaced the image before me with the one I had seen of him when he was healthy.
My hand ran over Liam's brows, then his nose and finally, his chin.
There was a stubble of blond hair starting to grow where he was completely bald the last time I saw him.
Whatever Liam had done was clearly working. Except I didn't know why it was making him weak. Weak enough to faint. I had to know what treatment he had used to determine if it was the side effect hurting him or something else. I needed to way to make Liam confide in me.
My eyes fluttered open to the feel of Liam's lips on mine.
He drew back and smiled and whispered, "You are beautiful."
I scurried up, not believing I had fallen asleep.
"Liam, are you alright? I'm so sorry. Nothing like this has ever happened. I've never fallen asleep while watching a patient."
"Patient? Is that what I am to you?" Liam stood up, and toppled a bit. I hurriedly placed my hand around his waist to support him.
"Liam, what happened? Why did you faint?"
I gently laid him on the bed and he moved in to give me room to sit down.
"I don't know, but it's nothing. I'm okay now. What time is it? Can we still make it for dinner?"
"I told them we'd call if we needed anything. I can't allow you to go downstairs if you're too weak to walk. Let me call for something light."
Liam nodded, and leaned into the pillows. His eyes closed, and he placed a hand over his head.
I met Philip at the door, and rolled in the trolley of food. I couldn't believe Philip had brought enough food to feed five huge men!
I scooped some chicken soup into a bowl and cut a piece of bread.
"Liam, get up. You need to eat."
I shook him awake. Liam sat up and I tucked some pillows behind him.
"Alright, let's eat."
I filled the spoon and took it near his mouth. Instead of taking it, Liam laughed.
"I've never needed to be fed before."
"I'm feeding you," I mocked in a stern voice, and he smiled and took to spoon into his mouth.
He refused to take any bread and after just three spoons, said he was okay.
"I don't know what made you faint, but I want you to have enough food in you to build immunity."
"That's the problem with doctors. Always thinking-" Liam gagged and jumped from the bed and ran through a set of doors.
I put down the bowl and followed him. Liam was throwing up all the food he'd just had. His stomach was empty but he still continued to gag, bringing up bile.
Either Liam was having a blockage, or something was wrong with his gallbladder.
He raised his head and flushed the toilet. I helped him sit up, and he had to sit on a stool for a moment.
I opened some cabinets and found a glass and a bowl. I filled it with water and handed it to him.
"Gurgle and spit it in the bowl." I held the bowl near his mouth.
When he was done, I helped Liam back to the room. The suite was so large and the bathroom was at the other end, and with Liam so weak, it took us a while before I finally laid him in bed.
I pulled the duvet over him.
"Light. Curtains. Music." Liam said, and the room dimmed, the curtains opened to the most gorgeous city skyline and soft music filled the room.
"Thank you, Emelia." Liam whispered. "I hope I'll see you tomorrow."
I continued to stare at his sleeping face I had never loved anyone so much, and I had never been so afraid to lose someone.
What if Liam didn't make it through the night?