CHAPTER 5

I don’t remember how long I slept, but I woke up when I heard someone groaning from somewhere. I opened my eyes and gradually reflected on the surroundings. Only the light from one part of that room illuminates the whole place. It’s still dark outside, and it’s still raining.

‘By the way, we slept at the hotel—Liam?’

That’s when I remembered Liam, so I looked at him on the sofa and there I saw that he was wrapped in a blanket and shivering from the extreme cold. The air conditioner is not that strong but because it is cold because of the rain and the coldness around is doubled. After a while, I heard someone moan again. My concern rose when I saw that it was Liam who was groaning.

“L-Liam?” I slowly got off the bed and approached him. I grabbed Liam’s arm, which was covered with a blanket. My eyes widened when I felt that I was almost scalded by the heat, so I came even closer. “Liam… Liam? Are you okay? Do you have a fever, Liam?” I gently patted him and shook him a little, but he just moaned again.

I got nervous and worried. I looked around to see what I could do for him. “Liam… Are you cold? Liam?” I called but he only answered with a grunt.

‘What should I do? Hmm! Don’t panic, Ava. Don’t panic!’

I stood up and rummaged through my sling bag to see if I had any medicine hidden inside. I almost threw everything on the bed but nothing. I know that I don’t bring such things because Manager Dory or Patricia brings them because she is our Personal Assistant.

‘Shit! I hope they have a medicine kit here!’

I opened and rummaged through the drawers and luckily there were medicines. I immediately took the paracetamol and put water in the glass. I approached Liam and tried to wake him up. “Liam, take some medicine first. Your fever is high.” He opened his eyes and blinked, but he close his eyes again. “Liam, please… I’m worried about you,” I said with great concern. I don’t know why I said that but Liam suddenly opened his eyes and smiled.

“I told you so. You are still concerned about me,” he said with a corner of his lips raised. He looks haggard and his voice is hoarse. It’s obvious that he’s having trouble speaking but he’s still trying.

Even if I wanted to attack and fight him, I just didn’t do it. I tried to make him sit and drink medicine. It is more important that he can take medicine so that he can feel better. I’ll just talk to him when he’s better.

“Move to the bed. Sleep there next to me. You’re having a hard time here on the sofa because of your height. You’ll be able to rest better if you lie there.”

Fortunately, he didn’t protest and just followed what I said. I was just leaning on him because I could feel his legs getting soft. It seemed like he was going to fall at any moment so I helped him get to the bed. When Liam settled down on the bed, I took the comforter and wrapped it around him. I also adjusted the pillow on his head to make sure he was comfortable. When I saw that Liam was okay, I went to the bathroom to get a towel and a basin. I also put water on it. A few seconds later, I was on the side of the bed wiping his forehead.

“Baby...” Liam called causing me to stop wiping him. I looked at him and found his red eyes staring at me. “T-thank you f-for taking care of me, baby. I love you,” he whispered before closing his eyes.

I was stunned for a while and didn’t know what to say. I didn’t expect Liam to say that to me again. My heart seems to want to lose its beating. My eyes blinked as the edge of it warmed up while staring at Liam’s face. Again, I suddenly felt the sadness and pain he caused me before.

'That's not what you told me before, Liam.'

“Yes, Avery. I’ll just wait for the rain to stop and then I’ll go home to Houston.” I was talking to Avery, who was the first person to call me this morning when I woke up. Actually, I didn’t sleep well because I kept an eye on Liam and his fever didn’t go down, so I was always wiping him.

“Mommy said we should cancel our mall show today because we will have trouble with the flight,” she said. Is her voice hoarse because she just woke up? Her voice was not that normal, but I just ignored it.

I just nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yes, maybe that’s okay.” I sat on the edge of the bed and bit the nail on my thumb. I glanced at Liam, who was still sound asleep. Earlier he had taken paracetamol, so the fever went down somehow.

“They said to move our mall show as well as other scheduled gigs.”

“Right, just move and reschedule. Tell mommy and Manager Dory that I’m okay. Thank you, Avery.”

“Okay, Ava. Take care!” I ended the call and put my cell phone down on the nightstand, then stood up to go to the window. It’s still raining outside, that’s why I feel sad. This is how I really am. When it rains, my mood is also sad. I took a deep breath. Still zero visibility even though there is a little light.

It’s six in the morning and my stomach is grumbling.

After taking a deep breath, I decided to leave the room. I took the keycard and locked the door. I will just order food again at the restaurant of this hotel. I can call, but it’s better for me to come down so I can walk around, anyway. I wore a facemask and shades so that no one would recognize me on the way.

I entered the elevator and pressed the ground floor button. It was about to close when suddenly a muscular arm reached in and forced the door open. My brow furrowed as I waited for that person to do next.

“H-hep! Wait!” I heard a male voice that seemed familiar to me but I just ignored it. The elevator opened wide and the man was able to enter freely.

I slowly looked away and backed away to lean against the wall and then closed my eyes for a moment. I yawned for so long that I covered my hand over my mouth even though I was wearing a facemask. I was very sleepy because I hardly slept at all.

“You must be very sleepy, Miss Ava?”

I suddenly stood up straight when I heard the man say that. I fixed my hair and then looked at the person who spoke.

‘Oh… It’s Henry Go.’

“A-ahm, yeah. I-I had a patient last night,” I said. I forced myself to smile even though I knew he wouldn’t notice.

“Who? Is it your boyfriend?” he asked with a smile.

I nodded. I just noticed that this Henry Liam is also handsome. His eyes are narrow, he has a pointed nose, and also, there’s a mole on the side and above his lip. The color of his eyes is chocolate.

“Y-yes,” I answered.

“Ahm, how long have you been together?” He suddenly asked a question that surprised me.

“Huh?” I couldn’t hide from him that I was really surprised.

“Nevermind, Miss Ava. If you are not comfortable talking about it, it’s fine,” he said, obviously embarrassed by his question. “Anyway, where are you going?”

His looks at me are strange. It’s not rude but I do not feel comfortable about it. I know that many people also look at me like this but I’m not used to being this close.

“I’m going to order some food. Liam needs to eat breakfast so he can take his medicine.” After I said that, I kept quiet because I didn’t know what else to say. My reason is also true.

He nodded and seemed satisfied with my answer.

The elevator rang signaling that we were on the ground floor. He held out his hand and let me go out first. I just smiled and stepped forward. I wasn’t surprised when I walked next to him. I looked at him and he just smiled at me. I turned around noticing that there were no people approaching me. There are people but they don’t come close.

“I’ve tightened security here so you and your boyfriend won’t disturb you on your vacation.”

My eyes widened for a moment because I was still surprised by the words he used for Liam and me. I was secretly annoyed with Liam because it was his fault. This is because he told Henry that he was my boyfriend, so that’s what the man in front of me would expect. I just looked away and simply take a breath.

“I’ll go with you to order your food. It’s my treat,” he said kindly as I turned to him.

I immediately shook my head. “Oh no, Henry. Thank you but I have money, so it’s embarrassing.”

Henry laughed softly causing his white teeth to show. “Come on, Miss Ava. It’s my pleasure to treat you, even if it’s just a breakfast meal. Will you deny your number one fan this kind of opportunity?” Because of what Henry said, I couldn’t help but smile at him too.

I can’t believe that someone like this owner and CEO of a five-star hotel is a fan of our group. I felt proud of my siblings. I feel like we’ve come a long way but I know we still have a lot to learn. I took a deep breath before speaking, “Fine. You should be thankful because I love my fans,” I joked making him laugh.

“Thank you, Miss Ava. I hope the next time you come here, you are with Avery and Avana.”

“I’ll tell them about that.”

He accompanied me to the restaurant on the ground floor and was almost there in the lobby as well. He talked to the restaurant staff and ordered our food. He also asked what I wanted but I just said that he would take care of it.

I looked around the whole place. It’s classy and looks elegant. There is a large chandelier on the ceiling that gives a unique light and ambiance to the entire restaurant. There are also plants with red ribbon decorations. The walls are made of glass, so I can see the heavy rain outside.

‘I hope the rain stops. I want to go home.’

“Thank you for your treat, Henry. I’ll go up first and Liam might be awake.” We were standing in front of the elevator and Henry was still with me. The staff from the restaurant said that the food that we ordered will be followed since they are just about to prepare it.

“You’re always welcome, Miss Ava. Ahm, can I ask you a favor?”

I looked at him in wonder. “Yes, sure. What is it?”

“Um, can we take a picture together?” His face turned red as he asked.

I laughed but also nodded after a while. “Of course,” I answered.

He quickly took out his cell phone from his own pocket and held it up in front of the two of us. I smiled and after a few shots, Henry put the gadget back on his pants. “Thank you so much, Miss Ava. Can I have one more? A hug. Promise, no malicious. Please?”

“Sure.” I hugged him while laughing. The elevator rang and opened but I ignored it. I also patted his back then separated. “Thank you again, Henry. I will go ahead.”

“You are very much welcome. See you around, Miss Ava. Enjoy your stay!”

“I will.” Henry turned and left me.

I still shook a little before slowly facing the elevator and stepping inside when I suddenly stopped. My eyes widened when I saw that Liam was there and his face was blank as he looked at me.

“Liam—”

“I’ve been looking for you for a while, only did I know that you’re just with him,” Liam said with no emotion in his eyes.

Anxiety rose in my chest for reasons I don’t know. I’m scared but I don’t know why. “Ah, because I ordered food. I happened to be in the elevator with Henry so—”

“Let’s go,” he interrupted what I was about to say when he suddenly pulled me into the elevator. I can feel his warm skin on me. He didn’t hold my hand tightly, but I could feel it being squeezed.

“W-wait, Liam. Let go of me.”

He didn’t speak but he let go of my hand. The elevator was going up but I was still looking at him. I wonder why he behaves and acts like that. He was constantly sighing and I could hear it. At the same time as I was surprised, I was also worried because I could clearly see his face was red maybe because he still has a fever. Because Liam’s skin is pale white, that’s why now that he’s sick, it’s obvious.

‘What’s wrong with him? Did I do something? Did I say or do something bad?’

I just shook my head and ignored him.

Neither of us spoke until we got back to our room. I can’t stand his silence. He went straight and lay down on the bed again and covered himself with a blanket. I, on the other hand, feel like a fool standing in front of the bed not knowing what is happening to this man right now. I stepped closer to him.

‘Why do I feel the need to explain to him? But why? What for?’

I came slightly closer to hold him lightly even though there was something covering his blanket. Liam is still hot. I took a deep breath and thought of getting a towel and basin again to wipe him. I moved and was about to move away when I felt his warm palm holding my hand again. I turned to him and he still looked the same. With his quick action, the blanket was removed from his face and arms that had been covered.

“Stay here, please. Don’t leave me,” said Liam in a weak but hoarse voice. Suddenly, something tugged in my heart because of the pity I feel for him.

I took a deep breath before speaking. “I didn’t leave. I just ordered our food because you’re going to take medicine, Liam,” I said in a soft way. I didn’t intend to sound soft to him but it came out of my mouth.

He slowly opened his eyes and then, I saw that they were red. He met my gaze causing me to shiver a little. I don’t know why my heart seems to panic. I avoided looking at him. “Don’t look at me like that, Liam.”

I was just as shocked when he pulled me and fell on top of him. I closed my eyes while we were both in that position. I immediately felt warm because of his warm temperature. I was on top of him for a few moments when I felt him lay me on the side. He wrapped his warm arm around my waist.

“L-Liam…”

“I just want to hug you. I’m cold, babe.” His eyes were closed when he spoke in my right ear. His hot breath crawled over my skin making my hair rise slightly up to the nape of my neck.

Because I felt sorry for his situation, I just let Liam go. When he is fine, I will scold him. I sighed. “Okay. It’s a good thing you’re sick, otherwise, I might have kicked you,” I glared at him when I said that.

I heard him smirk so I hit his hand. He hugged me tighter so I didn’t move anymore. I don’t know if he can hear my heartbeat. I was very nervous and we were very close together.

After a while, I heard him say something again. “Don’t allow any man to hug you. You’re mine, Ava. Remember that,” he said while still closing his eyes. That’s when I turned to him slowly and stared at him. It’s like I have butterflies in my stomach again. I bit my lower lip to hold back because I didn’t want him to see or feel that his effect on me hadn’t changed. I blinked my eyes and looked away.

‘This is wrong, Ava! Don’t give in to what he says. Liam is a liar.’

“Do you understand, Ava?”

“Huh?” I asked again in a panic.

Liam opened his eyes and met my gaze. “Do you understand me? I said… you’re mine.”

My cheeks warmed when his eyes dropped to my lips. I immediately let go of him and stood up.

“Stop talking like that, Liam! You’re not funny. Go to sleep and I’ll wake you up when our food arrives so you can eat and take your medicine.” After saying that, I quickly stepped into the bathroom and released the thrill and joy I felt.

I shouldn’t feel this way but I can’t help it. I almost broke the towel that was hanging and I poured out the joy I feel now.

‘What is that? I should be angry with him, right? I must hate him because he rejected and left me before. But… but why do I feel this way about that man again?’

I held my chest and looked in the mirror. That’s when I saw myself as a fool. I took a deep breath and let go of the towel. “Am I falling for him again?” I asked but quickly shook my head. “No. It would never happen again. Yes, that’s right. I can’t because he hurt me then, I know he can hurt me now too. Right!”

I kept convincing myself that he would only deceive and hurt me again. But my heart is a traitor. I can’t stop my smile from widening and I have to admit that I look like I’m losing my sanity. I will also admit that I am happy. Of course. I love what he says.

“But with his behavior earlier... was he jealous?”

I stared at my own reflection in front of the mirror.

“What if he still loves me? What if he’s jealous? What if...” I smiled again. My heart beat faster. “Easy, Ava. Calm down. You shouldn’t get your hopes up. You might get hurt again,” I said to myself and gently patted my own chest.