He paced in front of the door anxiously. He didn't expect her to suddenly faint and regretted that he didn't ask her to come to the hospital when he first noticed her unusual behavior.
Shortly after, the nurses pushed the stretcher out again and transferred her to the VIP ward which he had already booked.
______
Jack stared at Clara who was now fast asleep on the hospital bed with an IV fluid attached to her hand.
He heaved a sigh and sat down on the chair, facing her side profile. His thoughts drifted to what the doctor told him and his heart tightened as he watched her fragile body.
The doctor said she may likely develop depression as some sleeping pills were detected in her system during the diagnosis and the lack of nutrients which was attributed to poor eating habits and also stress made her body reach its limit. However, they needed to carry out some physical examinations after she wakes up to be sure.
He watched her for some minutes before walking out of the ward to give his assistant a call, not wanting to disturb her sleep and shortly after, he came back inside the ward and sat on the chair again.
An hour passed by and he almost drifted off to sleep when his assistant came in holding some shopping bags and a small suitcase in his hands.
" Sir, here are the clothes." The assistant handed him the suitcase and Jack stood up while rubbing the sleep off his eyes before heading toward the bathroom.
His assistant watched his back in astonishment until the bathroom door was closed then his eyes shifted to the beautiful girl lying peacefully on the bed.
When his boss told him to bring him clothes and some necessities to the hospital, he thought he was hospitalized not expecting to be welcomed by this sight.
He watched the girl in awe as he remembered that she was the same person his boss had asked him to compile information about many days ago.
He wondered if she was now his girlfriend and smiled excitedly as he can't wait to tell sir and madam the good news.
Jack came out of the bathroom now in his navy blue pajamas and looked at his assistant who was smiling absentmindedly while staring at Clara.
" You're still here. . .,"? Jack said and sat down on the chair he was sitting on before.
"Sir. . . is she your girlfriend,?" his assistant enquired delightedly in a whisper.
Jack glanced at him and chuckled lightly without giving him an answer then slowly turned his eyes to the girl again. He wished he could say yes to him as that was his greatest wish but he had not even confessed to her yet.
The assistant scratched his head and also chuckled. "Sir, is she not,?" he asked again. Wanting to fish out information as he did not give him a direct answer.
Jack shook his head from the bedside and sighed.
" What!." The assistant was baffled and quickly lowered his voice after getting a glare from Jack. He can't believe they had not started dating yet.
" Sir, why don't you confess to her. . ."? he added, now in a whisper before sitting down on one of the couches on a far corner in the room.
Jack sank into deep thought and stared at Clara. Maybe it's time he should confess to her because he can't keep watching her from afar as what happened earlier today may likely repeat in the future. If they are together, he would have more time to be with and watch over her.
He stood up and walked toward the couch which was facing the one his assistant was on then also sat down.
" Do you think so.?" He stared at his assistant enthusiastically while shifting on the couch.
" Yes." The assistant nodded and continued. "If you love her you should confess."
" But I thought courting her first is the best thing." Jack frowned.
The assistant shook his head with a chuckle. "Sir, I'm sure no woman could resist you. . .What if someone snatches her away.". He glanced at the beautiful girl again and sighed inside not expecting his boss to be so old-fashioned.
Jack nodded his head thoughtfully and smiled. His assistant was right. He needed to confess his feelings before it was too late as he also noticed men staring at her whenever he was with her which did not settle well with him. What if one of them capture her attention one day.
" I'll surely do that." He nodded at his assistant with a smile. But he had to wait for her to recover before confessing his feelings.
The assistant's brightened instantly. " Yes! That's more like it. . . I can't wait to__"
" Don't tell mom and dad." Jack cut him off with a glare. His parents will surely rush him into a whirlwind marriage if they found out. He wanted to date her properly before proposing marriage.
His assistant sighed and nodded gloomily. " Okay sir, " he muttered softly. Knowing that his parents were very anxious about his marriage, they would certainly be overjoyed if they hear this news.
Jack glanced at the clock on the opposite wall and said, " It's late already. . . you can go back."
" Okay. . . Good night sir, " the assistant said and stood up while Jack nodded.
After the assistant left, Jack went back to the chair and continued staring at her face with a small smile. He looked up and noticed that the IV fluid was about to finish then pressed a button at the side of the bed.
Shortly after, a nurse came in with a tray that contained another IV fluid and removed the first one.
After she attached the new one, she turned to Jack and said with a slight smile. " Please make sure she doesn't turn too much in her sleep, as her hand can be inflamed."
" Okay, " Jack replied with a nod.
" Have a good night, " the nurse said politely with a professional smile and left the ward.