Chapter 287: If This Isn't Love
Leopold's face was terrifyingly gloomy. He pressed his lips tightly together, his expression stern and distant. "Ms. Quinn, I have an emergency right now. Please move aside."
"I'm sorry, I... Mr. Wipere, I didn't think this whole thing would get so serious, but it's not something I can control..."
Leopold was extremely annoyed with her. "My family member is in the hospital. Can you please move!"
"I..."
"If you have any issues, contact my secretary."
Before Summer could say anything, the car door slammed shut.
Watching the taillights disappear, Summer felt both anxious and frustrated.
Originally, she hadn't been too worried about this matter, but after hearing from an artist friend in the entertainment industry about the woman from that female model incident years ago—someone had seen her at a bar in some county town, wearing revealing clothes and performing on stage, having to smile even when drunk customers took advantage of her, living a pretty miserable life now—this made Summer feel scared and worried about her own future.
Under the night sky, the SUV raced toward Seaside City.
As they neared the hospital, Leopold put on his Bluetooth earpiece and called Caroline.
"Honey, which room is Grandma in?"
A second of silence on the other end. "You're here?"
Elysia was in the hospital room at that moment. She looked at Caroline and asked, "Leopold's coming? Why have him come? It's not safe driving at night."
"I didn't ask him to come either. He came on his own." Caroline said into the phone to Leopold, "Building 4, room 506."
Leopold nodded."Got it."
Leopold took off the earpiece and placed it on the console. He bought some fruit at a shop near the entrance, and there was also a case of bottled water in the trunk. He carried everything into the inpatient building.
She hadn't seen him in days, and her heart stirred inexplicably. After hanging up, Caroline went out to meet him.
She waited for Leopold in the first-floor lobby. From a distance, she saw him jogging up the steps with fruit in one hand and water in the other. Caroline thought to herself that when it came to things concerning her, Leopold never seemed to fall short. If this wasn't love, she really didn't know what love was.
Seeing Caroline already waiting, Leopold's eyes softened. "Honey."
In the entire lobby, there were only a handful of people scattered about. Hearing his call, their eyes all turned toward them in unison.
Caroline walked up to him and said, "My mom knows you're here. She's blaming me for calling you over so late."
She reached for the fruit, but he dodged and didn't let go. "I'll carry it. It's not heavy. I'll tell Mom when we go up that I came on my own."
The reunion after their brief separation warmed both their hearts and lifted their spirits.
Their eyes met from time to time, filled with love and unspoken longing.
Caroline followed him into the elevator. There were few people at night, and they were alone in the elevator. Caroline naturally went to take his arm, but then remembered the camera overhead and pulled back.
He caught her little gesture and found it quite cute. Leopold's smile deepened as he asked, "Did you miss me?"
She lowered her eyes, straightforward and honest. "Yes."
He also liked honesty. "I missed you too."
Caroline turned her face and saw in his eyes deep affection and rising desire. Her breathing went from shallow to deep, her heartbeat quickened. Avoiding his burning gaze, Caroline said softly, "Stop it. There are cameras."
His long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly as he asked meaningfully, "What did I do?"
He was playing dumb while knowing full well.
Caroline's lips moved slightly. He suddenly leaned in without warning, his warm breath washing over her cheek. His low voice came to her ear, "I want to hold you."
She forced herself to stay calm, swallowing. "This is a public place. Stop it."
Leopold deliberately bumped her lightly with his shoulder. Caroline's body swayed slightly as she heard him say again, "I want to kiss you."
Caroline's face grew hot. Fortunately, the elevator door opened, and she quickly stepped out.
The two walked side by side. Leopold stopped teasing and asked, "Is Grandma's condition serious?"
Caroline said, "She's had vertigo before. It suddenly hit her tonight, and the medicine didn't help, so we came to the hospital. The doctor prescribed two days of IV drips first."
Leopold asked, "Who's staying overnight to take care of her?"
Caroline looked at Leopold. "My mom and I."
Leopold paused slightly, remembering that Caroline had handled all the hospital admission procedures. He nodded.
Caroline explained, "My dad went out of town. My aunt and uncle also went to help my cousin take care of her kids. My oldest aunt and her husband are getting on in years—they can come during the day to help, but they can't stay up at night."
Leopold nodded.
As soon as they entered the room, they heard uncomfortable groaning from the hospital bed. Elysia turned and saw Leopold come in. "Leopold's here."
"Mom, how's Grandma?" Leopold put the fruit on the table and pushed the bottled water under the bed.
Elysia said, "She's on an IV drip first. It's her old problem. Two days of IV and she'll be fine."
Echo Spencer opened her eyes with difficulty and looked at the person by the bed. "Child, why did you come so late?"
Leopold bent slightly, his tone gentle. "You're in the hospital. If I didn't come see you, I wouldn't feel at ease."
Echo felt dizzy the moment she opened her eyes and quickly closed them again. "I'm fine. It's an old problem. Sit for a while."
"Don't worry about me. Just get better." Leopold helped pull up the blanket over Echo.
Originally, they had planned for Caroline to stay overnight too, but the hospital had a rule allowing only one family member. Elysia sent them home, and Caroline arranged to bring breakfast in the morning.
Leopold followed Caroline's car all the way home. Halfway there, Caroline didn't see his car. When she parked in her spot, she finally saw Leopold's car pull in.
She walked over. "Where did you just go?"
Leopold held up a plastic bag, smiling. "I bought this."
Seeing the pharmacy logo, she immediately understood.
Leopold took her hand and headed toward the elevator.
She had anticipated tonight would be passionate, but she hadn't expected it to be so wild and intoxicating.
Caroline had just entered the bathroom and hadn't closed the door yet when she saw him push it open with his hand.
He was shirtless. Caroline said, "You shower first."
She was about to leave when he pulled her back, and she crashed into his solid embrace. Under her palm, his chest muscles were taut and defined. Leopold's body heat transmitted through her palm, spreading up her forearm to her entire body. She tried to dodge, but he grabbed her wrist and hooked it behind his neck. His strong arms lifted her up, and his shoulder dipped as he sought her enticing lips.
The intimate sounds of deep kissing were swallowed by him. The desire in his eyes was like a quagmire dragging her in. His hands were clean and slender, caressing her cheek and sliding to the back of her head, gripping firmly to deepen the kiss.
Love came like an overwhelming tide.
Her body, having tasted sexual pleasure, couldn't resist his touch. Where his fingertips traveled, they ignited clusters of flames. Desire tore reason to shreds. Waves of passion rose and fell.
He bit her earlobe, caressing her smooth back, breathing heavily. "I'm going to come."