"I swear, the longer I sleep, the more my back feels like it's plotting revenge," Chloe Grace grumbled, her pout a deliberate attempt to elicit sympathy.
Blaine Jackson crouched beside her bed, his piercing gaze locking onto hers with the patience of someone long accustomed to her dramatics. "Alright, Miss Grace, what's the grand plan now?"
"I need to get out of this bed. Just for a bit. The sofa is calling me," she said, gesturing toward the living room with a touch of theatrics.
"Sitting on the sofa. At this hour," Blaine echoed, one brow lifting. He clearly didn't get her logic, but he wasn't one to argue over the little things. "Fine."
"Blaine, you've been at this for days. You must be exhausted. Seriously, go rest. You don't have to babysit me anymore," Chloe said softly, her gaze flickering to the faint shadows under his eyes.
"Are you sure you don't need me?" Blaine asked, the skepticism in his tone barely masked. He straightened up, stretching his back with a wince. "If you say so... I really could use a break."
"Absolutely," Chloe insisted, flashing a sweet, encouraging smile.
But the moment Blaine turned his back, she shifted the silk blanket aside, swinging her legs off the bed with determined gusto—
"Thud!"
The sound was unmistakable.
Blaine whirled around, his exasperation already bubbling to the surface. "Seriously, Chloe?" He hurried back to find her sprawled unceremoniously on the floor, looking more indignant than hurt. Without hesitation, he bent down, scooping her up as if she weighed nothing.
"You're impossible, you know that?" he teased, shaking his head. "You couldn't even manage one step before taking a nosedive."
Chloe flushed, her cheeks burning hot enough to rival her earlier fever. "It's not my fault! My legs just... gave out!"
"Which is exactly why you still need to rest," Blaine said pointedly.
"But I'm so sick of lying down!" Chloe huffed.
"Fine," he relented with a resigned sigh. "The sofa it is."
Carrying her as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Blaine headed toward the living room. Chloe's head rested against his chest, and she found herself oddly calmed by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was warm, solid, reassuring...
Before she knew it, he'd settled her onto the sofa.
"Chloe, you've got to make up your mind," Blaine teased, smirking down at her. "Do you want to sit here, or would you prefer I hold you all night?"
"Huh?" Startled, Chloe blinked up at him, realizing too late that she'd lingered in his arms a little longer than necessary. She quickly laughed it off, waving her hands. "Sitting's fine. Definitely fine."
"You're awfully bold for someone who begged me to play boyfriend for a day," Blaine quipped as he sank into the sofa beside her, the cushions dipping under his weight.
"Well, you agreed, didn't you?" Chloe shot back with a mischievous grin. "A little hugging should be part of the package deal."
Blaine gave her a tired but amused look. "You're unbelievable."
Chloe's grin softened as she noticed how drained he looked, the weariness etched into his features. "Blaine, are you okay? You look exhausted..." she asked, her voice dropping into a rare tone of concern. "I'm sorry. I told you I'd be trouble."
Blaine sighed, leaning his head back. "You are trouble, Chloe," he said, but his hand found its way to her hair, ruffling it gently. "But I've handled worse."
Chloe giggled, the warmth of his gesture soothing her guilt.
"Blaine," she began, drawing his name out playfully. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before a question burst from her lips, unfiltered. "Why doesn't someone like you have a girlfriend?"
The air between them froze.
"Oh, no, wait—I didn't mean it like that!" Chloe backtracked, her hands flailing in a panic. "I just mean... you're, you know... amazing! Handsome, capable, almost thirty—though not old, obviously! You should totally have a girlfriend by now. Or even be married. With kids!"
Blaine chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Well, if someone six years younger than me doesn't think I'm old, I suppose I can take my time," he teased.
Chloe frowned. "I'm serious. Don't you ever think about it?"
"Of course I do," Blaine said. "But the problem is, there's no one... suitable."
"That's ridiculous!" Chloe burst out. "There are plenty of amazing women around you!"
"Really?" Blaine leaned closer, his deep eyes narrowing with playful suspicion. "Chloe, don't tell me the person you're hinting at is—"
"Yes! Yes!" Chloe interrupted eagerly, her heart hammering. She leaned forward, anticipation buzzing through her. Finally, he got it!
"Annie," Blaine said firmly, his expression serious.
Chloe's smile faltered.
"Annie?" she echoed, her voice hollow.
"Yes. My assistant. Smart, stunning, elegant. But I don't feel that way about her."
Chloe stared at him, her mind whirring. She'd been preparing for heartbreak, but this... this was just absurd. "Annie?" she repeated weakly.
Blaine frowned. "Wait... were you not talking about her?"
"…No, I mean, yes. Of course. Annie! So clever of you to figure that out," Chloe said, forcing a strained laugh.
"Clever?" Blaine shook his head. "It wasn't that hard. Annie's the only single woman I work with regularly."
Chloe clenched her jaw, biting back the urge to scream. *I'm literally right here, Blaine. Right here.*
"Besides," Blaine added, leaning back, "I believe in fate. And right now, I'm busy. I've only been in Japan a few days—relationships aren't on the agenda."
*Busy. Blind. Hopeless!* Chloe thought furiously. *How can you be so oblivious?!*
She sighed, defeated, and let her head fall onto his shoulder. The frustration of being unnoticed weighed heavily on her. For now, all she could do was mourn her one-sided crush in silence.