As Fiona left the cinema, she felt her body burning with fever, her head swimming and her legs weak. Back in her apartment, her temperature spiked to 39.3°C.
After taking a fever reducer and wrapping herself in blankets, she hoped that sweating it out would help. However, she was abruptly awakened by a phone call from Rick.
"Junting Hotel, Room 606, send a box of condoms over," Rick's voice was low and raspy, suggesting he had been drinking.
As Rick's personal secretary, Fiona had run various errands for him before—car keys, stomach medicine, jackets—but delivering condoms was a first.
"Rick, such a large hotel like Junting doesn't have condoms?" Fiona, feeling ill, was tempted to refuse.
"What's the matter? You don't want to deliver them?"
"It's not that, it's just…"
"Get it done. It needs to be there in thirty minutes."
The call ended abruptly. Fiona, cursing her demanding boss, got dressed and left. If it weren't for the decent salary, she might have resigned on the spot.
Half an hour later, Fiona arrived outside Room 606 at the Junting Hotel. She rang the doorbell, and Rick opened it promptly.
He was wearing a bathrobe, the collar slightly open, revealing his toned chest muscles. It was evident he had just showered and was ready for the evening ahead.
"Where is it?" Rick asked, eyeing her.
"It's all here." Fiona handed him a large shopping bag filled with condoms.
Rick frowned, looking at the numerous boxes. "So many?"
"Yes. Since I didn't know your size, preferences, or your performance, I bought all the condoms from the supermarket. Fifty-eight boxes in total, costing six thousand and thirty-four. I'll submit a reimbursement form tomorrow; please sign it," Fiona said matter-of-factly.
Rick seized her wrist and pushed her against the doorframe. "Aren't you supposed to know my size, preferences, and performance by now? Have you forgotten so quickly? Should I remind you?"
His breath tickled her ear, causing Fiona to shiver involuntarily. Rick was crossing a line, especially with his girlfriend so close by. Didn't he fear being caught?
Trying to stay composed, she pushed him away slightly. "Rick, I'm doing this for your benefit. If I had bought the exact size and type you prefer, it might raise suspicions with your girlfriend. I'm just trying to help."
"Is that so?" Rick's gaze was icy. "Fiona, you're as meticulous as ever."
This damn woman—showing no reaction to him being with someone else and even preparing so many condoms for him. It seemed she really didn't care who he was with.
"Thank you for the compliment, Rick. I'll leave you to it; I understand that time is precious."
Fiona turned and walked away.
Rick, irritated by her clear desire to distance herself, slammed the door. Inside the suite, his friend Mike sat on the couch, watching TV.
"Paul and Tony, what's taking so long with the card game?" Mike glanced at Rick's plastic bag and asked, "Who was just outside? What's in this bag?"
Rick didn't answer; he simply tossed the bag into Mike's lap.
Mike opened the bag and rummaged through it. His eyes widened in shock. "Why are there so many condoms? Are you planning to start a contraceptive business?"
"You're the one running a contraceptive business."
"If you're not starting a contraceptive business, then are these for personal use?" Mike picked up a box and glanced at it. "These are small-sized. Rick, is that really your size?"
"..."
"Rick, what's going on? You, the busy man, are so unusually eager to play cards today. You came in, took off your clothes, showered, changed into a bathrobe, and had so many condoms delivered. Are you plotting something with the guys? Just so you know, I'm straight, very straight!"
"Shut up! Get out!"
Mike quickly dropped the bag of condoms and fled to the door. As he ran, he texted Paul and Tony, "Guys, don't come over. Rick's acting weird. It seems like he might be trying to turn us into his targets. It's terrifying!"
Paul: "..."
Tony: "..."
**
After delivering the items, Fiona headed to the curb to catch a taxi. She suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed on the ground.
A Maybach stopped right in front of her. A tall, well-dressed man stepped out of the car. Dressed in a striped suit, he had striking features and an impressive presence, like a character straight out of a novel.
However, the gentleman's initial words were less than friendly.
"Miss, my car hasn't even moved yet. Did you faint a bit too early?" Tony looked down at Fiona from his vantage point.
She had a delicate, pale face and was quite beautiful, but Tony suspected she was trying to scam him. He had only briefly glanced at Mike's message, and when he looked up again, she was already in front of his car. Yet, the car was still a meter away from her, so there was no way it could have hit her.
"Miss, if you're trying to scam me, at least do it with some skill. My car didn't even touch your clothes, and the car's surveillance cameras recorded everything. Even if the police come, you won't get anything. I suggest you get up."
"Sir, you misunderstand. I'm not trying to scam you," Fiona said, rubbing her temple to clear her head. "I'm running a fever and just fainted. I happened to fall in front of your car. I'm not trying to extort you."
Tony's expression softened slightly as he observed Fiona's pale face. "Are you okay? Do you need help?"
Fiona nodded weakly. "I'm just feeling unwell. If you could help me get a taxi, I'd be very grateful."
Tony nodded and signaled to his driver, who came over to assist Fiona. "My driver will call a cab for you. Just sit here and rest for a bit."
Fiona thanked him and sat down, feeling a bit relieved by his kindness.
Tony noticed that Fiona's complexion was unusually flushed, which indeed looked like she was running a fever. He immediately helped her up.
"I'm sorry, I misunderstood," Tony said.
"It's okay, thank you for helping me," Fiona replied, pushing him away as she tried to cross the street to catch a cab. Just as she took a step, her vision darkened and she collapsed completely.
"Hey…"
Tony saw her falling and instinctively caught her in his arms. She felt like a hot furnace, but her body's fragrance, seemingly intensified by the high temperature, lingered around him. He had never encountered such a pleasant scent before—subtle, sweet, and pure, like a camellia in a rain-soaked garden.
He felt a strange, tingling sensation in his heart, awakening a fluttering emotion.
"Miss, are you alright? Wake up! Wake up!"
"…"
When Fiona woke up, she was already lying on a hospital bed.
"You're finally awake!" Tony said, sitting beside the bed and letting out a sigh of relief.
Fiona glanced at the IV drip. "Did you bring me to the hospital?"
"Yes, I couldn't reach your family because I couldn't unlock your phone, so I had to bring you here myself. Don't worry, you're not seriously ill; the doctor said it's just a high fever causing you to faint."
"Thank you. May I ask your name, sir?" Fiona looked at him gratefully.
"My name is Tony."
"Thank you, Tony. I'm Fiona. If it's convenient for you, could we exchange contact information? I'd like to treat you to a meal once I recover to show my gratitude."
Usually, Tony would likely decline such an offer from another woman, but with Fiona, he found himself unable to say no. He admitted to himself that he hadn't encountered someone who made his heart flutter like this in a long time.
"Sure."
They exchanged contact details.
Tony was also curious, "Fiona, what were you doing out so late with a fever?"
He had met her close to midnight.
"I was delivering something to my boss."
"Even after work hours, your boss still demands you work while you're sick? That's exploitation."
Fiona became animated as she spoke, "Yes, my boss is like a vampire, an expert at sucking every bit of energy!"
Her exaggerated expression made Tony laugh. He found her not only attractive but also amusing.
Although he had been stood up by Rick tonight, meeting such an interesting woman made the night worthwhile.
"Tony, I really appreciate your help tonight. It's getting late; you should head back. I have a friend who works at this hospital. I'll message her now, and she'll come to see me soon," Fiona said, pulling out her phone and finding Maria's contact.
"Is that so? Don't worry about inconveniencing me. If I've helped you, I'm prepared for any trouble that might come with it. You don't need to feel burdened."
"Really, I do have a friend here who's a doctor."
"Then I'll wait until your friend arrives before I leave."
"Okay, thank you."
**
When Maria saw Fiona's message, she had just finished a surgery. She changed out of her sterile attire and rushed to the ward.
Seeing that Fiona really had a friend coming, Tony decided to leave.
"Fiona, I'll head off now. Get well soon."
"Alright, thank you, Tony."
Tony took his coat and left.
Maria stood by the hospital bed, watching Tony's tall and elegant figure as he left. She shook Fiona's hand and asked, "Fiona, who was that?"
"The kind person who helped me on the street."
"That guy is so handsome! And not only is he handsome, but he's also so kind!" Maria's eyes followed Tony's retreating figure, hearts practically appearing in her gaze.
"Is he your type?" Fiona joked. "If you like him, you should go after him now. There's still time."
Maria's smile faded. "I'm not worthy."
"You're beautiful and talented, how could you not be worthy?"
"I'm so busy every day that I don't have time for dating. But you, haven't you ended things with that guy? This new guy seems like a perfect opportunity, especially considering how dramatic your meeting was."
"Forget it," Fiona wasn't very interested.
After all, having been with someone as exceptional as Rick, other men just didn't hold her interest, let alone her heart.
Maria, seeing Fiona's resigned expression, became alert. "Fiona, be honest with me. You haven't actually fallen for Rick, have you?"
Maria and Fiona had known each other since high school. They had shared many years of friendship with no secrets between them. Fiona had never kept her relationship with Rick from Maria.
Fiona was silent for a few seconds before nodding and then shaking her head.
"What does your nodding and shaking your head mean?"
"It's just that it's impossible between us."
"Well, as long as you understand that it's impossible."
When Fiona and Rick were together, Maria had already felt uneasy. Men and women are completely different species. While men can rationally separate "sex" from "love," women are often more emotional and might confuse the two. Maria feared that Fiona might lose her heart in this relationship and end up emotionally hurt with nothing to show for it.
Maria's pessimistic view seemed mild compared to reality. Not only did Fiona and Rick fail to become lovers, but they also turned into something akin to siblings—a plot twist even a novel wouldn't dare to include.
"Enough about me. You're still so busy every day?"
Fiona, trying to avoid discussing anything related to Rick, noticed that Maria had changed the subject and decided to go along with it.
"Yes, with surgeries and staying up late writing papers, I've been spinning like a top at the hospital. Things should be a bit better after the mid-year evaluations."
"Take care of yourself. You look like you've lost weight."
"I'm okay, at least I haven't fainted in the street."
"Get out of here."
"Hahaha…"
After chatting for a while, Fiona finished her IV drip and her fever subsided.
Maria drove her home and stayed the night. The next morning, they both got up and went to work.
Although Fiona's fever had gone down, she still felt weak and lethargic. Fortunately, June, eager to make an impression in front of Rick, had taken most of Fiona's work, giving Fiona a chance to rest and recover. It was the first time Fiona realized how pleasant it could be to slack off at work.
However, just as she was about to enjoy her unplanned rest, June strutted over in high heels and, with an authoritative tone, said, "Fiona, you need to pick up Barry, the president of Ximin Group, at Cheng'an Airport at 6 PM today."
June placed a flight information sheet in front of Fiona and tapped it, reminding her to pay attention to the time.
"But you've always been in charge of Ximin Group's affairs. Why do I need to pick him up?"
June seemed to have been waiting for this question. She answered triumphantly, "Because I'm going with Rick to an event at the film city today. I don't have time to pick him up."
The film city event, that's an entertainment industry function.
Rick had never attended entertainment industry events before. It seemed that his repeated bending of principles for Sally meant he was truly in love with her.
"What's wrong, Fiona? Not happy about this?" June placed her hands on her hips. "You used to accompany Rick to every event. This time, don't even think about stealing my chance. Of course, even if you try, you won't succeed! You must have noticed how much Rick values me since he started dating my sister. From now on, the entire secretary department will be under my command!"
"Alright, alright, you're in charge. I won't steal your opportunity," Fiona said. She would rather endure a long trip to the airport and stand in the cold than watch Rick and Sally flaunt their relationship.
June's smile was full of meaning.
"Good, you know your place. Make sure to take good care of Barry. Fiona, it's time you experience some 'earthly hardships'."