Chapter 78 Chapter Seventy Eight: The Bare Minimum

Chapter 78 Chapter Seventy Eight: The Bare Minimum
(Lior's POV)

I stared at the contract on my computer screen for what felt like the hundredth time. Something was wrong with it, again.

I rubbed my eyes and leaned closer to the screen.

This was the third time I'd messed up the same contract. The contract was supposed to have been finalized and emailed out yesterday. Instead, I'd spent most of yesterday correcting one thing, then somehow creating another problem while fixing it.

And now I was doing the exact same thing again.

I deleted a sentence, typed another, read it, deleted that too.

“Come on, Lior.”

I glanced at the clock.

Adrian would be coming in soon. I needed to have this ready for his signature before he arrived. I couldn't keep making mistakes like this.

Lately, my brain seems to have forgotten how to function properly. I couldn't concentrate for long without my thoughts wandering somewhere else, and even when I forced myself to focus, I still ended up staring at the same paragraph for several minutes without understanding what I was reading.

I looked back at the contract. Why does it seem impossible to get done with it?

A moment later, Adrian walked onto the executive floor.

His eyes immediately found me. “Good morning, baby.”

“Good morning, sir.”

He gave me a small smile before continuing toward his office.

I pushed my chair back.

“Your coffee.”

“I'll survive without it.”

“Cool, I'll go get it still. I don't want to have you ask for it two minutes after you claim to be capable of surviving without it.”

He laughed quietly and disappeared into his office.

I hurried toward the small kitchen area to make his coffee.

Maybe caffeine would help me focus too.

I prepared it the way he liked it and carried the cup into his office.

Adrian was standing beside his desk, looking through some documents.

“Here.”

He took the cup from me. “Thank you.”

He took a sip, and his expression changed immediately.

His hand jerked, and he almost dropped the cup.

“Ah— this is hot, my tongue is burned.”

“Oh my God!” I reached for it instinctively, reaching to grab it from him. “Give it to me!”

Adrian tried to hand it back, but in my panic, I grabbed the cup awkwardly.

The coffee spilled… All over his shirt.

“Oh my God.” I panicked.

Adrian looked down at himself.

I stared at the spreading stain. “I—I am so sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. I thought you were going to drop it and I—”

“Lior.”

“I'll clean it. I'll get something. I'm sorry, I should have checked the temperature. I don't know what I was thinking. I—”

“Lior.”

I finally looked at him.

“Relax.”

“But I burned you.”

“You didn't burn me. It burned my tongue a little. That's all.”

“I—”

“Baby.” His voice softened. “Breathe.”

I inhaled slowly.

Adrian gave me a reassuring smile. “It's okay.”

He walked toward the adjoining room. “I have spare shirts.”

I stood there feeling like an idiot while he disappeared inside.

A few minutes later, he returned wearing a fresh shirt.

I immediately apologized again. “I'm really sorry.”

Adrian sighed. “Baby, I said it's okay. It was a mistake.”

I lowered my gaze. “Okay.”

He came closer and gently touched my chin, making me look at him. “Stop worrying about it.”

I nodded.

He studied my face for a moment. “How is your father's health?”

My expression fell. “It's just there.”

Adrian's eyebrows drew together. “That doesn't sound very reassuring.”

“He's still the same.” I looked away. “We're following what the doctor said. I just...”

I stopped.

Adrian reached for my hand. “I got you a dietician.”

I blinked. “What?”

“And a caregiver.”

I stared at him.

“The caregiver is a trained nurse. She can help with his daily care and cooking as well.”

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

Adrian continued as though he hadn't just dropped something enormous on me.

“They were flown in yesterday. They'll be meeting you today.”

I stared at him. “You...” My throat tightened. “You did that?”

“Yes.”

I tried to speak again, nothing came, my eyes burned.

Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him.

Adrian immediately held me.

“How can I even thank you?” My voice came out muffled against his chest. “You're so good to me. I don't even deserve all that care.”

Adrian's arms tightened around me. “Heyyy.” He pulled back enough to look at me. “What was that?”

I sniffed.

“You deserve so much more. Easing your burden is the bare minimum I can do in this situation.”

“Bare minimum?” I stared at him incredulously. “This damn Alpha, you have no idea how much this means to me.”

A smile tugged at his lips.

He pulled me back against his chest and slowly caressed my back.

I closed my eyes. For a moment, I simply stood there. Being held. Not having to think about doctor's appointments or food plans or whether my father had taken his medication.

Eventually, Adrian pulled away. “They'll be here soon.”

I wiped beneath my eyes. “Okay.”

“You'll meet them outside and take them to your father's house. Discuss his condition with them. Let them know what the doctor recommended and give them any specific instructions they need.”

I'd be lying if I said I had words to describe how grateful and cherished I felt at this moment. Who treats a mistress with this much care?