Chapter 24-Jonathan is ill
Jonathan's POV...
I made myself comfortable on the chair, even though my emotions were in turmoil. Audrey and I were going to share a room together.
The thought of it alone made me feel a particular kind of way.
"Let's celebrate our partnership with a toast," Lena said.
Why was she trying to worsen the situation by making everything more awkward?
"What partnership?" Audrey snapped. "He's only spending the night here and by morning, he'll be gone as quickly as he came" she glared at me.
I scoffed. "It's so saddening that this is my only resort. I don't do roommates. I hope you don't snore?" I gave her a mocking look.
Her eyes widened. "You didn't just say that..." she looked over at Lena for support.
"I'll get the wine for the toast" Lena said as she made to leave.
"I'm not interested in your offer. I'm going to bed" she said.
"You know..." I said as I stood up. I walked towards her, my eyes fixed on her. "It'll be nice to have that wine. I hear that this particular hotel has the best French wine. It'll be a shame to come here and not have a taste of it"
"I'll get the wine then" Lena smiled.
"But..." I looked at Audrey again. "If you're scared of a little wine because you get drunk easily, then we might as well forget it" I moved closer to her ear. "It's a shame indeed"
She pushed me away slightly, her hands trembling. I noticed the reluctance in her eyes, before a bold look wore on her face.
"Fine then" she said with gritted teeth.
"I'll call for room service and have them get the wine" Lena suggested.
We each sat down, waiting for the delivery. Lena sat by Audrey's side. I was feeling uncomfortable and my body felt sticky. But I needed to wait, I had a mission and I needed to accomplish it.
There was a knock at the door and Lena leaped to open the door.
"Thank you" she received the wine and set it on the table, together with the glasses.
"I'll do us the favour by pouring out the wine" a smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
I poured into each glass. Audrey took hers and stared at the glass. She glanced at me and I urged her.
"Go ahead"
She looked away and shut her eyes as she took a sip. Her face grimaced in disgust.
"How does it taste?" I asked.
She didn't answer. She placed the glass back on the table.
"You're not drinking anymore. Are you drunk already? Wait, when was the last time you got drunk?" I closed my eyes slightly and acted like I was trying to remember.
"Oh, I remember. And I also remember that night was the first time you were drinking in six years. Seems like you're not much of a drinker"
She slowly looked at Lena, who looked down and tugged at her clothes. She faced me again. Her face was expressionless but her eyes were murderous.
Her eyes twitched and I could bet I saw her eyes water a bit but vanished immediately. She stood up and went inside the room.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lena asked as soon as she shut the door.
"So that was your aim all along?" She pointed at me. "I actually believed you were interested in the toast. I didn't know you had that in mind"
I raised a brow at her. "What's wrong with what I said?"
"Everything " she snapped. "Don't you get it. Her father is a very sensitive topic to her and you tried forcing her to talk about it through devious means"
I looked away. Looks like I'd been caught.
"The way you're going about it is wrong. She'll never tell you anything. If you want her to talk about it, then you have to ask her nicely and not trying to force it out of her"
I wanted answers and that was the only way I knew how to get them.
She laughed. I looked at her. Why was she laughing?
"To think I thought you were a good guy and now you do this" she added.
She entered the room and I was left in the living room, pondering over my actions. Why was that topic so sensitive to her?
Audrey's POV...
My eyes flew open when my alarm rang. I didn't get enough sleep last night. I couldn't sleep, especially knowing that the major cause of my discomfort was right there in bed with me.
I turned slowly. The pillow bridge was still intact. I raised my head slightly to get a good view.
He was facing the other side. I placed my head back on the pillow. Then I heard a soft groan.
It was coming from Jonathan. I raised my head again and looked at him again. He let out a whimper.
I came down from the bed and went over to his side. Drops of sweat were formed on his forehead and he clutched his body tightly.
He looked ill. His breathing was uneven, like his body was tired from excess and unnecessary stress.
I folded my arms over my chest, forcing myself not to care. "If this is a prank or a means you've devised to make me talk to you, then it's not going to work"
Then I remembered his words. "I don't do pranks"
I tapped him on his shoulders. His body wasn't warm... it was burning.
"Lena" I called with urgency as I dashed out of the room. She wasn't in the living room. Where was she?
"Lena"
No answer.
I picked my phone from the couch where I left it last night. I dialed her number but she didn't pick up. I called again, but no response.
I groaned in frustration. Just then, the door burst open and Lena rushed in.
"Where were you?" I asked.
"I was..."
"That's not important now. Something's wrong with Jonathan" I said.
She furrowed her brows. "What"
I rushed inside the bedroom and she followed behind me.
I moved towards Jonathan. He was facing up and the sweat on his face had multiplied and his breathing was now shallow and uneven.
"What's wrong with him?" Lena asked.
"I don't know. I saw him this way this morning"
She placed her hand on his head and retracted it immediately.
"He's burning up. He's having a fever" she said, alarmed.
"What do we do?" I asked. I hated to admit it, but I was a bit worried.
"We have to take him to the hospital" she paused and looked at me. "I just need to ask," she said carefully. "Did anything happen last night?"
"What?"
"I mean, considering what happened last night, you know," she added.
"Of course not. I don't have a hand in it. But even if I do, he deserves it, but I'm not responsible for it either way" I defended.
"Okay. We have to rush him to the hospital"
I sat beside him on the bed and shook him gently.
"Jonathan," I called. A part of me didn't want to help him for what he did yesterday, but I wasn't that evil. We'll have to settle scores when he's in good condition.
"Jonathan. Wake up. You have to visit the hospital" I said.
"No" came his deep voice. His voice was low and husky. That alone weakened me and crumbled the resolve I had built overnight to pay him back.
"Don't take me anywhere" he paused and took a deep breath. "I only receive treatment from my doctor"
Even in his condition, he was still arrogant.
"He can come over" Lena suggested
He shook his head slowly and clutched the bedding. My hands instinctively reached out and held his hand. Why was my heart feeling this way toward him?
"He's..." he took a breath. " Out of town for a surgery"
Lena and I exchanged glances. I've never seen Jonathan this way before. He looked so helpless. I hated... disliked him, but seeing him like this reminded me that no matter the walls we've built, we're all still human.
I let go of his hands and went to meet Lena.
"I think it's left to us," she said quietly. "And right now, you're not his fake fiancée, you're his partner and you need to be there for him"
Oouu. I so love this chapter. What do you think is wrong with Jonathan?