I heard a knock on the door. Liam's eyes were closed, and he was probably sleeping, but the ice pack on his forehead wasn't cooling down his temperature. I wondered what could be truly wrong with him.
The knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Uhm, it's open, come in," I said.
The door opened, revealing the lady I had spoken with earlier, accompanied by the doctor she said she was going to call.
"Oh," I stood up as they walked closer.
"He has a very high temperature. I don't know how it happened, but it started when I was with him in the car," I told the doctor, who placed something on Liam's chest, like he's listening to his heartbeat.
"Hmm, I see. It's nothing serious. He just has a fever, and it could be that his high temperature hadn't shot up until the time you were in the car. I'll administer some medication for him. He should take it three times a day.
And also, he should rest and eat properly. It could also be because of stress," he said to me, placing different instruments on Liam.
"Oh okay, I used an ice pack, but it isn't working. Why?' I asked, concerned.
He hesitated, glancing at Liam's still form, before responding, "Sometimes, fevers can be stubborn. We'll need to monitor him closely and adjust the treatment as needed. I'll send his medication very soon, make sure to give it to him." He instructed, already packing his things.
"He'll be fine," he offered a reassuring smile before leaving.
I nodded, feeling grateful. The lady who had accompanied the doctor, placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Don't worry, dear. He'll be fine in no time." She said.
"Hmm, I hope so," I nodded.
"I'll be on my way now, let me know if you need anything." She said.
"Thanks," I told her, and she turned to leave.
I turned back to Liam and noticed his eyes beginning to open. I hastily walked over to him and knelt on the floor, my brows furrowed in concern.
He met my gaze, and a smile instantly spread across his lips.
"Hey," he said.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
He tried sitting up, but I gently pushed him back onto the bed.
"You should get some rest. Sleep more."
"I can't sleep anymore. I'm tired of it," he responded.
"No, you can't be tired, you have to rest, so go on, sleep now."
"I'm not sleepy, Layla," he sulked.
"I'll sing you a lullaby then, it'll help."
I cleared my throat and began singing.
"Go to sleep, don't be scared, sleep, sleep, you can do it. I'm here with you, go to sleep now," I sang, but he didn't seem to like it.
I noticed His expression, and I couldn't tell if he looked confused, surprised or annoyed, but I could tell he didn't like it.
"What was that?" he asked me.
"A lullaby, isn't it working?"
"I'll sing another one then," I said, clearing my throat again.
"Ooohh, close your eyes, don't be scared, your mommy looooves you. S..."
"You love me?" I saw his eyes widen, a smile playing on his lips.
"Uhm, that's just how the song goes, don't mind the lyrics, just listen to my voice," I told him.
His expression turned sad, and he turned to the other side.
"What?" I asked him.
"It's nothing, I'll sleep now," he said.
"Uhm, okay, sweet dreams, and don't think too much. When you wake up, you'll eat and take the medicine the doctor will send, okay?"
"Hmm" was all I heard him say.
I blinked continuously, staring at him. I reached out to brush his hair from the side of his face, planting a kiss on his hot cheek.
He instantly turned his head to face me, his smile returned, revealing a glint of his sharp canines.
I quickly pulled away and went to sit on the sofa across his bed, watching him stare at me.
"Go to sleep now," I told him.
"I would, but I can't," he replied.
"Do you want me to sing another song?" I asked him.
"Hmm," he nodded. I was surprised because I thought he didn't like my singing voice.
"No, I'll damage your ears, sleep now," I said, resting my elbow on the sofa's armrest and placing my cheek on my knuckles, propping myself up.
I stood up, deciding to explore his room. My eyes scanned every corner, taking in the sheer size of the space. I wondered how the maids managed to clean it for him.
I glanced over at Liam, whose eyes were wide open, watching my every move.
"I told you to sleep, you're still awake?" I asked, raising my voice slightly.
"I can't sleep," he said, sitting up in bed.
I rushed over to him, sitting beside him, and brought the back of my hand to his forehead. He was still burning with fever. I furrowed my brows in worry.
"You're still so hot." He took my wrist, pulling my hand away from his forehead, and kissed it before placing my palm on his cheek, covering my hand with his.
"I'll be fine; it's just stress," he said.
"Stress? Why do you stress yourself so much? You should find time to sleep and take care of yourself, don't push it," I advised.
"I have to work. If I don't, I'll become lazy," he replied.
"It's okay to be lazy sometimes, you always leave in the morning and come late at night, which is why you're sick. You must not leave your bed until you're fine, okay?"
He sighed. "For you, I won't." He kissed my hand again.
"If you can't sleep, just sit here and do nothing. I'll stay with you. Is that fine?" I asked.
"You'll stay with me in the bed, you can shoo away my fever if we cuddle," he suggested.
"Uhm, no. I'll catch your sickness. I'll just sit and watch you," I said, standing up and pulling my hand away.
I went to sit back on the sofa, watching Liam. His gaze was on me too. Why is he having a hard time sleeping?.
I sighed, resting my head on the sofa's back cushion. I noticed him lying properly on the bed, pulling the blanket away. Maybe he's feeling hot.
I raised my head, watching him. He looked like he was sleeping, his eyes were closed, and his chest kept moving up and down slowly with his breathing.
I found myself dozing off, my head nodding forward. I was feeling really sleepy. How is it so easy for me and not Liam? I let sleep engulf me as I rested my head on the sofa's backrest.
I slowly awoke, feeling my eyes heavy from sleep. I noticed I was no longer on the sofa but on Liam's bed. And he was nowhere to be found. I looked around the room, but there was no sign of him.
I pulled away the blanket and got up immediately. I told him to rest, but he doesn't listen. I went to the living room in his bedroom, but he's not there. Maybe he's bathing.
I walked to his bathroom, but he's also not there. The bathroom was dry and smelled nice, but didn't show any sign of use. Where did he go? I was getting angry.
I left his room and walked around the corridors, hoping to find him. I was feeling my heart ache. Why didn't he listen to me? He could have at least woken me up to tell me he was leaving.
I walked to open many doors for the first time, but Liam was not in any of the rooms. I walked along a passage, there were two brown doors on each side and one straight ahead. Could he be in any of them?.
I pushed open the first one on my right. It was a bedroom with bright light, the walls were painted pink, and everything around matched the room's color, all pink.
It didn't seem like Liam was in there. I pushed open all four doors on each side.
"Liam!" I called, but there was no response.
I walked forward to the door ahead and pushed it open. To my surprise, it was very wide.
The floor was sparkly clean, its cream color gleaming in the light. It looked slippery, so I walked carefully towards the short wall at the edge of the space.
As I approached, I could see the outside view unfolding before me. I reached out to rest my hand on the wall, and the view took my breath away.
I had no idea this spot existed in Liam's house. The panorama stretched out before me, revealing big houses, trees, and even a river in the distance. It was stunning. But, in my moment of wonder, I had forgotten all about Liam.
I quickly turned around and began making my way out of the beautiful space, closing the door behind me. Where could he have gone? I was lost, unsure of where to search next. This was just the first floor, after all. Could he have gone out?.
I moved on to the elevator and went to the living room.
"He just disappeared without even saying a thing. He's sick, and he won't rest. Where did he go? I told him to rest, but he doesn't listen to me."
There was nobody in the living room, the maids weren't there at all. Maybe they're outside.
I walked out of the living room and saw two ladies walking by. I don't think they noticed my presence.
"Excuse me," I called out to them.
They turned their heads to face me and quickly walked towards me.
"Good afternoon, Layla. Do you need any help?" one of them asked, her big brown eyes beaming with excitement.
"Is it afternoon already?" I asked, confused.
She chuckled. "It is."
"Oh, I didn't notice. Do you by any chance know where Liam is?"
"Yes, I do. He's in his library," the other one replied.
"Library?" I remembered Hannah telling me the meaning of a library, but I had forgotten what it was again.
"Yes, I'll take you to him if you want." She offered.
"Oh, thank you." "I'm Roseline, by the way," she stretched out her hand to me.
"And I'm Jennifer," the other one said, also stretching her hand out to me.
"I'm Layla. Nice to meet you." I shook their hands.
"We know you're Layla already," Roseline chuckled, exchanging glances with Jennifer.
"We'll take you to meet your Liam now." She said with a smile.
"Uhm, thanks. Wait, what? My Liam?"
"Let's go now," Jennifer said, pulling me inside the living room and straight to the elevator. I heard them giggling as they pulled me along.
We got into the elevator and ascended to the second floor. The doors slid opened. "Come on, let's go," Roseline said.
"Hmm," I nodded, following them out. I swear if I see Liam, I'll kill him.
I followed them through some corners until we reached a door.
"This is it, good luck," Roseline said, and they both ran away. What's up with them?.
I reached for the door knob and twisted it. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. I pushed the door open and was greeted by a sweet smell. I looked around the room, it was like a world of books, with different books on shelves and desks. Then my gaze landed on Liam.
He was leaning against a desk, holding a book in his hand.
He looked up at me, and I noticed something on his nose - glasses! A smile instantly spread across his lips.
"You, why did you leave the room?" I asked, trying to hide my anger.
"I needed some fresh air," he responded.
"You could have at least told me."
"You never tell me you love me," he said, standing straight.
I curled my fists tightly, ready to throw punches at him.
"That's different. I'll kill you," I said, taking long steps in his direction.
I swung my arm in the air, ready to punch him, but he held my wrist, dropping the book he was holding. I brought the other hand forward, and he held it again. I began to struggle out of his hold so I could punch him, but he didn't let go.
"You're sick, you should rest. Why did you leave the bed without telling me? You said you wanted me to stay with you, but you left me instead. Let me go, Liam, let...me...go," I kept struggling.