Amelia

I shut the door and settled on my bed. I kept the medicine aside, on my nightstand. I usually do some night skincare routine but today I don't feel like doing it. 

Before getting ready to sleep. I remembered whatever happened today with Mateo. He was really a good man. I thought all guys are like Noah but Mateo is an exception. 

“Amelia,” Someone knocked the door. 

It must be mom Or Evelyn since it was a female voice. 

“The door's not locked.” I said. 

The door opened to reveal Evelyn. She came inside with a smile on her face. 

“What an unexpected visit, Evy.” I said, as I gestured to her to sit on the bed. 

“Well, I just wanted to check on you before I go to bed.” She said, sitting beside me. 

“For what? I'm completely fine.” I said confidently which I actually don't feel. 

“No, you're not.” She raised her voice, “Mom told me that you are not sleeping properly.” 

“She sent you to me? Woah,” I looked away, clicking my lips. “That's not true. I sleep regularly. Don't you believe me?”

“No. I don't. She said that the light is always turned on in your room.” 

“I usually sleep with the lights turned on.” I managed to speak confidently. 

“When did this habit begin?” Her eyebrows arched. 

“When you weren't here.” I said, “Okay, you want to know if I sleep, right?” I asked. 

“Of course.” She nodded, patting her lap. 

“Sleep with me tonight.”

Is it a proving test? Or my test? 

Her lips curled down as she gave some thought and looked back at me. “Sure.”

I pulled the blanket above me till it reached my chin. I turned to the side, not facing her. I waited for sometime. I turned to her to check if she's asleep. 

Yes, she was. 

I pushed the blanket without disturbing her to get up. I tip-toed to my balcony and put my hands on the glass panel. I let out a sigh. 

I've not been sleeping properly these days because of overtime working. After the deal with Noah, I've not been myself till now. To an extent that I couldn't sleep peacefully. 

___

“So, you've not been sleeping for a few days, right?” Stella, my family doctor asked. 

“Yes,” I said. 

“Do you have any idea of what is stopping you from sleeping? Like, the stress you've been going through recently.”

“Work pressure. I guess that could be the only reason for my stress.”

“Okay. Anything else?”

“My sister.” I shook my head with a quiet chuckle, “She's not my stress, that's not what I meant. She came back here after her higher studies. Recently some people are targeting me and my sister.”

“Noah?”

She knows everything. She is not only our family doctor but she is a friend of everyone in our family, especially my mother. So, she knows everything about Noah, being our rival. 

“Definitely.” I said, “What should I do, Stella?”

“According to whatever I heard so far, you're having insomnia. Because of insomnia, you're having Sleep deprivation.”

“You must be kidding me, Stella. Just don't.” I smiled fakely. 

“No, are you not serious? Amelia, I've known you since you were born. You're like my daughter too. Sleep deprivation is not something to be mocked about. Immediately, you should take action for this.” She said, writing down some things on the prescription paper. “Sleep is very important for you now. Also, you need to have all the nutrients. Eat healthy and sleep well.”

I sighed, “Fine, I know.”

“Don't forget to take these tablets.”

___

Wait– I think the doctor who examined me knows it too. Did she tell Mateo about it? 

Mateo appeared in my sight. He was standing outside the mansion, near the fountain where it is directly facing my room balcony. 

So, he knew it too. 

I bade my hand with a smile. A wave of joy unexpectedly washed over me. He smiled too. But why is he here at this hour? It's almost 12.

I ran down the stairs and rushed to him. But to my stupidity, I hugged him. 

Shit. 

“Amelia, are you all right?” he asked me, without wrapping his hands around me. 

“You know about my condition, don't you?” I asked him. 

I could feel his heart beat race. I looked at him, my head still on his chest. 

“I do. But how do you–” I cut him off. 

“I learned about it recently.”

~~~

“Why are we here?” I asked, looking around the restaurant. 

It was a small restaurant where we could spend some time here on the beach before coming here. 

“To refresh your mind.” He said, “Sometimes you need it —to feel good after working for hours. I come here every time I feel exhausted. The sea breeze and the waves calm my mind.”

“Now you're talking like a philosopher.” I chuckled. 

He chuckled back, “Do I sound like that?” 

“Yes,” I said, laughing like a maniac out of nowhere. “I never knew that you could be funny too.” 

“I'm not funny. But I can be, for someone who needs it.” he said. 

A middle aged man came to our table and placed some dishes. 

“It's almost going to be 2. How can I?” I frowned. 

But when I inhaled the smell, my tongue got wet. The aroma of the freshly fried seafood dishes captivated me. 

“The sea food here is fantastic. You must try it. Don't miss the chance.” he suggested. 

I took the fist knife and cut the fish into a few pieces. I took one piece with a fork and tasted it. 

“Yummy!” I exclaimed. “What is this?”

“Mackerel fish. It's special here.”

“Amazing. It tastes so good.” I said, taking more pieces.

After having a midnight meal with Mateo. I felt more excited and energetic. Maybe the reason is Mateo and his thoughtfulness. He is really amazing in motivating and caring for people. 

“Thank you so much for the whole day.” I said, with a disarming smile. 

“It's my pleasure.” 

Hopefully, he didn't mention this as ‘Job’. I smiled internally. 

“Okay, will you do me another favour?” I asked him. 

“What is it? Feel free to ask me.”

“Please, let's keep this only between us. My sister and mother are suspecting me already for not sleeping properly. They would be upset if they knew this.” I said. 

“Fine. But one day, they would get to know it somehow. What will you do then?” 

“That is one day. Let's not think about that day.” I managed. 

He gave a nod, “All right, then–I'll get going. See you,” He checked his watch, “In a few hours.” 

“See ya.” 

As I entered the room, Evelyn was still asleep. Fortunately, nobody knows this.