Chapter 27

Chapter 27
After picking up the prescribed medication, they left the hospital. The driver, who was already waiting at the entrance with the car and hurriedly stepped out to open the door for both of them to enter.

During the drive, Liam shifted in his seat, and in the next moment, his head lightly landed on her shoulder. 

Startled, Stella glanced down at him. He had fallen asleep, drowsy from the medication. From her view, she could clearly see the long lashes fanning his closed eyelids, the graceful line of his nose, and his slightly parted lips.

She was about to shift away or nudge him upright, but when she caught sight of the fresh white bandage wrapped around his arm, she hesitated.

And decided to let him be. 

He was hurt because of her.

She leaned back, watching the city blur past, the only sounds being the steady rhythm of his breathing and the gentle hum of the car. 

Before long, she drifted off into sleep.

“Boss. Miss Moore,” the driver called gently. “We’re here.”

Stella stirred, sitting up straight. Liam blinked beside her, still groggy, his movements slow. The medications were already in full effect.

After their trip to the police station to record their statements and then to the hospital, it was already 02:00 AM. The hotel lobby was quiet, with only a few staff members walking around.

“What time would we be leaving for the airport?” the driver asked when they got to the elevator.

“We’ll stay another day,” Liam muttered, voice hoarse as he leaned against Stella.

With the help of Stella and the driver, Liam was tucked into bed, and Stella retired to hers next door.

The next morning, the room was bathed in light as the sun prepared to begin its journey across the sky. Stella lay in bed awake, staring at the ceiling.

Debating whether she could go to Liam’s room or not. Today was a free day since they weren’t travelling anymore. Technically, she didn’t have to check on him. He was just her boss. But he’s gotten injured because of her, and the doctor had said he needed to change the bandages this morning, along with taking the next dose of medication to prevent a fever.

After a few more moments of indecision, she stood up, showered, dressed quickly, and went to knock on his door.

It swung open almost immediately.

Liam stood at the entrance, shirtless,  with one sleeve already tugged down, struggling to remove the other.

“Do you need help?” Stella asked, walking inside behind him.

“Hmm.” He winced, still tugging at the fabric. “It’s stuck.”

Without another word, Stella reached out and gently eased the shirt off him, careful not to touch his wounded arm. When the bandage came into view, her brows furrowed. Blood had already seeped through it, staining the white fabric with spots of red.

“I think we should go to the hospital. You’re bleeding,” she said.

Liam shook his head. “It’s all part of the healing process. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

He tried to lift his arm to confirm his words, but his brows furrowed a bit, showing the opposite. How could it not hurt? The wound had been quite deep. It was impossible for it to have healed in one night.

Stella was silent for a beat, then finally spoke. “I’ll help you change the dressing.”

Liam gave her a small smile. “After my shower. Have a seat.”

He disappeared into the bathroom, and she soon heard the sound of water running. 

She hesitated for a while before walking to the bathroom door and knocking lightly. 

“The doctor said you shouldn’t get water on the wound,” she reminded him.

“Got it,” he called back.

After getting a response, Stella walked around the suite in boredom. The hotel was one of Kings Corporation's older hotels. The suite looked lived in, unlike hers, which only had essentials. There were picture frames and knick-knacks placed around. Liam had been living in England before he returned to run the company. Schooling abroad was a nice way to say it, but it seemed more like an exile. He didn’t even live in a proper house, but had to stay in a hotel under his grandfather’s watchful eyes.

Eventually, she spotted an open door. The room was small but elegant. There wasn’t much in it, a few shelves and a desk by the window, providing a great view of the city below. On it, there was a laptop and neatly arranged papers. 

She stepped inside, her fingers drumming on the wall, when something caught her eye. On top was a folder with the label Turner Corporation. 

She stepped closer and just as she was about to take a closer look, she heard the bathroom door open.

Liam was done. She slipped out of the study and quickly returned to the bedroom.

“I thought you left,” Liam said when she walked back in.

She turned toward him, only to pause.

He stood there in a bathrobe, hair damp and tousled, his well-defined chest in full view. A droplet of water fell from his hair to his collarbone and trailed down before disappearing into the folds of his robe. 

Stella swallowed.

“Have you had breakfast?”  he asked, his voice calm.

His words jolted her back to the present.

She turned away as her face colored in embarrassment. What had she been thinking?

Stella cleared her throat and tried to compose herself. “No. Not yet,” she answered.

“How about…” he started stepping towards her. She hurriedly backed up until she tripped over the carpet. 

Liam reached out and caught her, his right arm curled around her waist. For a moment, all she could see was a cloud of white against skin. 

Regaining her balance, Stella pushed him away and stood aside. 

“Emm, thanks,” she murmured.

Liam stared at her face for a few moments. “I was going to say we should eat together. Is there a monster behind me?”

“No.” She coughed. “I’ll help you with the dressing first.”