Chapter 26: Chapter Thirteen-2

I jolt away. What am I doing? Who am I anymore? This needs to stop. I will never get a chance with him. There’s no point in even liking him. There is no future if we ever do get together. We’re from different worlds. We’re just not meant to be. I chuckle to myself. I sound like such a melo-dramatic person like those whiny girls from romance movies and books. We reach the hotel minutes later. The chauffer calls some of the hotel staff to help Lee up. I thank them when Lee’s put inside and give them a little tip for the help. I head back inside and see Lee sleeping peacefully on the couch. I definitely won’t undress him so I go to my room and change into sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I grab some blankets for Lee and head back to the living room and place it over him while I take a seat on the opposite couch. I drift to sleep under the blanket. It’s still raining the next morning. I wake up first. I throw off the covers. Usually, Lee wakes up first. It’s funny. I’m so used to Lee in my life now. I go to the bathroom and wash up before returning to the living room. Lee’s still asleep. That’s weird. He’s a morning person. I walk over and touch his face. It’s burning hot. Lee has a fever. He’s breathing hard and sweating. I shake him awake. “I-Ivory?” he says through his sleepy voice—which is deeper than usual. “What’re you doing here?” His breath stinks and reeks of alcohol. “You’re sick,” I say. This is bad. “Get up.” He moves slowly and I help him up. “Go change and wash up. I’ll make some breakfast. Do you have any painkillers or medicine for fevers?” “In my bedroom,” Lee answers. I place my hand on his back to help him but he pushes my hand away. It stings me on the inside. What was that? He ignores me and walks off to the bathroom. I would kick his ass for being so bipolar but seeing that he’s a sick person, I decide against it. I make him some porridge that Mom always makes me when I get sick. It always helped me get better. I also make sure to get the meds out of his bedroom. I finish by the time Lee is out of the bathroom. I place the porridge on the dining room table and Lee sits down. He’s in his suit. “Why are you wearing your suit?” I ask, crossing my arms. “I have work,” he simply says. “Um, no you don’t.” I cross my arms. “You can’t be seriously going to work while you have a raging fever.” Lee takes a sip of the porridge. “I appreciate you worrying and caring for me, but the hotel doesn’t run on it’s own. I have places to be and people to see.” His tie is crooked, his hair just messy, and his suit not ironed. “Yeah, but if you go, your fever will just grow and you won’t be able to go to work for more time,” I point out. I pass him a glass of water to drink. He sips it and nods as thanks. “Well, I don’t agree with that.” He pushes the empty bowl towards me. “The porridge sucked.” He’ll never say thank you, will he? “Okay, so, after I get back from work, I’ll drive you back to Brownwood. All is well.” Lee gets up and straightens his tie. I stand in front of him. “You’re not going to work.” He smirks. Only he would still be the same jerk even when he was sick. “I am going to work. You can’t stop me, Ivory.” “Let’s make a deal,” I plead. “Deals never work out with you,” he says. Good point. Too bad I’m stubborn. Lee walks past me to the door. I run and slam the door shut and stand in front of it with my arms and legs around it. “If your temperature is over one-hundred-and-one, then you have to stay. But, if it’s under, you can go to work. I promise,” I say. “It’s a pretty good deal.” “No.” “Well, that’s too bad then because I’m really not going to move until you follow along to my deal,” I grin. Lee debates over his choices and realizes I’m right. I wait, still holding the door with my entire body. It’s getting uncomfortable. Lee sighs. “Fine.” I take the thermometer out of my pocket. I found it in his bedroom with some medicine. Staying put in front of the door, I shove the thermometer in Lee’s mouth and he jumps back a little, trying not to choke on it. We both wait until the thermometer beeps, indicating it’s finished. I snatch the thermometer out before Lee can. “So aggressive,” Lee whispers to himself. “I am not aggressive,” I retort. “Okay, you ready?” Lee nods. I flip over the thermometer and we both lean in to see what’s there. 101.1 degrees. I jump up in glee while Lee groans. “Yes!” “I don’t have time for this,” Lee whines. He tries shoving me out of the way and reaches to the doorknob but I get there first. “Are you trying to run away, Lee?” I ask, narrowing my eyes down to his. “I can’t believe it. The youngest billionaire, and president of the hotel branches is running away from a deal? How cowardly.”