I blinked my eyes and gently patted Derek's side as a sign of concern. "You should take rest," I urged, my voice filled with worry for him. The events of the day had undoubtedly taken their toll on both of us, and the weight of our shared experiences hung heavily in the air.
Derek offered a tired smile, a testament to his resilience even in the face of exhaustion. With great effort, he lay down on the bed, his gaze fixed on me. I could sense the warmth of his eyes, a silent testament to the depth of his feelings.
I closed my eyes slowly, feigning sleep—my way of offering him the space and time he needed to rest. As I lay there with my eyes shut, I could feel his presence beside me.
After a while, I felt Derek's cool fingers brushing against my hair, a gentle and tender gesture that spoke volumes. He carefully moved a strand of hair away from my ear; his touch was a testament to the tenderness he felt for me. I remained still, my façade of sleep unbroken.
