(Freya's POV).
I was surprised when Devan walked into the room carrying a tray with food. I thought he had gone home but he was still here.
"Devー"
"Eat first. After that, take the medicine," he said, cutting me off. He sat on the edge of the bed and placed the tray with the bowl of porridge on my lap. He put a glass of drink on the table beside my bed along with the medicine.
I looked up at him. "Why are you still here?"
"I'm with Adam. He was looking for you and I told him that you were sick and needed to rest," he said, taking a spoonful of porridge and feeding me. "Eat first."
"I can do it myself," I said, taking the tip of the spoon from his hand and eating it slowly. "Has he eaten?"
"Yes, with me. And he's studying in his room, now."
"Thank you, Dev,” I said.
"Eat a lot."
I kept quiet as he kept telling me to eat. It still tasted bad because my tongue was numb. All the food that went into my mouth tasted bland. But I forced myself to eat and finished half the bowl of porridge.
"I can't finish it," I said.
Without saying anything, Devan immediately gave me a drink and prepared medicine for me. This was the first time someone had taken care of me while I was sick. Usually, I just rest alone. Didn't even tell Tristan or anyone else because I didn't want to trouble them.
But with Devan, I felt like I wanted to be constantly taken care of by him. I knew I shouldn't be like this, but I couldn't lie to myself that I still loved him.
He gently rubbed my cheek and cleaned my lips without any awkwardness. He even finished the rest of the porridge I ate without feeling disgusted.
"Dev, you don't have to do that," I protested.
"It's okay. Go back to sleep." He stood up and carried his tray out of my room without saying anything more.
What could I do with my feelings if he continued to be kind and caring to me like this? My steps stopped. Everything had become uncontrollable since I met Devan again.
I don't know how long I slept, but I woke up when I heard the sound of someone talking. I blinked my eyes and looked to the side. I saw Devan sitting on the sofa, busy with the laptop on his lap.
"Hm. It's nice talking to you. I look forward to seeing you at my newest hotel's celebration party."
It seemed like he was talking to his colleague. Why hadn't he gone home and was still here? What time was it? Why was he still working?
He smiles. "Yes, of course. I would welcome your arrival. Hm, alright. See you later."
I decided to sit down and just then, Devan realized I was awake from my sleep. He immediately put his laptop on the table and walked over to me.
"Hey, was my voice too loud? Did I wake you up?" he asked. He looked worried as he looked at me. The hand on his face was so warm that it made me feel very comfortable.
I shook my head. "I woke up on my own," I said, "why are you still here?"
"I was afraid your fever would come back," he said.
"I'm fine."
I felt his hand touch my forehead and neck, confirming that I was no longer hot.
"Do you still have a headache?"
I shook my head. "I'm getting better, Devan."
"Thank goodness." He let out a long breath.
I glanced at the small clock on my bedside table and it was already midnight. It was too late to tell him to go home. And I was still afraid of something bad happening to him like the other day.
And I can't tell him to go home when he's been so good to me.
"What's wrong?" His brow furrowed as he looked at me. "Do you have a headache again?"
"No, no. I just thought maybe you could sleep here. It's too late to go home and I know you must be tired from taking care of me all day."
I could see his smiling. As if he was happy to hear that I didn't kick him out. The pounding of my heart seemed to make me melt with a fluttery feeling in my stomach.
Why was I acting like this when I knew he was Devan?
"I'll turn off my laptop first and go to sleep." Once again, he gently rubbed my cheek before returning to his seat tidying up his paperwork and shutting down his laptop.
I was surprised when he climbed onto the bed, right next to me with no space between us.
"Wh-What are you doing?" I stammered. My eyes widened as he covered his body with the blanket I was using.
"Sleeping. Didn't you tell me to sleep here?"
My face turned red. "I didn't mean to sleep in my bed. You can sleep in the living room orー"
"Too late. I'm already lying here and I don't have the energy to get out of bed," he said, cutting me off.
I couldn't say anything as he closed his eyes as if he didn't care about the fact that we were sleeping in the same bed.
"Dev," I called, "wake up. You can't sleep here."
But he just kept quiet as he continued to close his eyes.
"Dev, don't pretend. I know you're not asleep," I protested, shaking him.
His pair of black eyes stared at me. His hand quickly grasped mine.
"Devー"
"I'm tired and we need to sleep."
"But..." I couldn't finish my sentence as he pulled my body into his arms until I was on my back while his hands were on my waist. "Dev..."
"Shush... go to sleep. I won't do anything to you. I promise," he whispered. I got goosebumps as his breath brushed my neck.