Chapter 248 Carrying Luggage

Chapter 248 Carrying Luggage

Matilda and Brent scrambled to get Thomas to the hospital.

In the emergency room.

The doctor glanced at the thermometer and shook his head.

"A fever this high? What were you people thinking?"

Matilda stood off to the side, watching Thomas hooked up to an IV on the hospital bed, saying nothing.

Thomas always acted so untouchable, and apparently that extended to being sick too.

Running a fever this bad, and he still insisted on toughing it out instead of going to the hospital.

Brent took a call nearby, his expression turning troubled.

"Ms. Beaufort, there's an emergency meeting in Harmony City that I need to chair online. I have to get back to the hotel."

Matilda nodded. Brent thanked her quickly and left.

The room was down to just Matilda and a sleeping Thomas.

Matilda pulled up a chair and sat down, staring at that bloodless face. Her mind kept flashing back to that accidental kiss.

She raked her fingers through her hair in frustration, then simply slumped forward onto the edge of the bed and closed her eyes.

Midnight.

Thomas opened his eyes.

The IV was finished. A nurse had already removed the needle.

He shifted his arm. The fever had broken considerably, and some of his strength had returned.

He turned his head.

Matilda was slumped over the edge of the bed, fast asleep.

Half her face was buried in the crook of her arm, her breathing deep and even.

Thomas's Adam's apple bobbed. He pushed back the blanket and got out of bed, moving carefully.

He bent down, sliding his hands beneath her knees and behind her back, lifting her steadily into his arms.

Matilda frowned and mumbled something, but didn't wake.

Thomas laid her down on the nearby cot, pulling a blanket over her.

He stood there by the bed for a long while, watching her, the corner of his mouth curving upward without him realizing it.

The next morning.

Matilda opened her eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for two seconds.

She bolted upright.

How did she end up on the cot?

She turned her head. The hospital bed next to her was empty.

Where was Thomas?

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

Thomas walked out.

He was wearing a hospital gown, his hair dripping wet and hanging over his forehead.

Matilda froze.

"You took a shower?" Her voice shot up.

Thomas was drying his hair with a towel. He paused at her tone.

"I was covered in sweat. It was uncomfortable."

Anger flared up in Matilda. She marched over and snatched the towel out of his hands.

"Are you insane? You had a high fever yesterday, and the second it breaks you think it's fine to shower? If you've got a death wish, just say so—don't waste medical resources!"

Thomas didn't dodge. He let her vent.

He lowered his head, staring straight at her flushed, indignant face.

"Are you worried about me?" he asked.

Matilda froze mid-motion, the towel suspended in midair.

"Who's worried about you!" She turned her face away and shoved the towel back at him. "I just don't want you dying in Meadowbrook City and getting me caught up in it!"

Not only did Thomas not get angry, he actually stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them.

Suddenly, he reached out and pulled Matilda into his arms.

Caught completely off guard, Matilda's chin collided with his rock-hard chest. Her nose filled with the clean scent of body wash and Thomas's distinct presence.

"Thomas!" She struggled to push him away.

"Don't move." Thomas tightened his arms, holding her firmly against him. "Just let me hold you for a second."

He rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice dropping lower, his tone unusually serious.

"Thank you for being willing to give me another chance."

Matilda's hands, which had been pushing against him, stilled.

Heat crept uncontrollably across her cheeks, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears.

A few seconds later, her rigid body slowly relaxed, and in the end, she didn't push him away.

Thomas's illness came on fast and left just as quickly.

The day after the IV, he was acting like nothing had happened, his recovery speed remarkable.

Even the doctor making rounds couldn't help but marvel at how resilient Thomas's constitution was.

Matilda's vacation had also reached its final day.

She handled the discharge paperwork, planning to head back to the guesthouse to grab her luggage and go straight to the airport to fly back to Harmony City.

She'd barely stepped out of the hospital entrance when someone fell into step behind her.

Thomas, wearing the clean dress shirt and slacks Brent had brought him, walked with one hand in his pocket, keeping a leisurely two steps behind her.

Matilda stopped and turned around.

"Why are you following me?"

"I'm going back to Harmony City too." Thomas said it like it was obvious.

"Then go your own way. Why are you tailing me?"

"We're going the same direction."

Matilda was at a loss for words. Too annoyed to argue, she flagged down a taxi at the curb, yanked open the door, and got in.

The door on the other side immediately swung open. Thomas's long legs carried him inside in one smooth motion.

Matilda glared at him.

That aloof, aristocratic air he used to carry around was completely gone. Now his shamelessness was off the charts—there was no getting rid of him.

The car stopped in front of the guesthouse.

Matilda pushed open the door and headed straight for the courtyard.

Thomas followed right on her heels.

The landlady was tidying up the yard and couldn't help but pause in surprise.

Thomas gave her a brief nod by way of greeting.

Matilda pushed open the door to her room. Just as she was about to close it, a large hand wedged itself in, stopping the door.

Thomas squeezed into the room and shut the door behind him.

"What exactly do you want?"

Thomas walked over to the bed, looking at the open suitcase.

"I'll help you pack."

He suited action to words, bending down to pick up a jacket nearby. He folded it neatly and placed it in the suitcase.

Matilda watched this bizarre behavior, her scalp prickling.

What was with this sudden personality shift?

"I don't need your help." She walked over and snatched the clothes out of his hands. "I can pack on my own."

Thomas didn't get upset. He smoothly stepped back half a pace, leaned against the nearby cabinet, crossed his arms, and simply watched her.

Matilda felt his gaze boring into her, making her movements stiff and awkward.

She finally managed to zip up the suitcase and started dragging it toward the door.

Thomas beat her to it, his hand closing over the handle.

"I've got it."

Matilda didn't let go.

They were at a standoff.

"Thomas, can you stop being so childish?" Matilda said through gritted teeth.

"I only carry luggage for the person I like. Is that a problem?" Thomas raised an eyebrow, his tone matter-of-fact.

Matilda's heart gave a violent lurch. Her cheeks instantly burned.

She abruptly let go and turned to leave.

Thomas watched her slightly flustered retreat, the corner of his mouth curving into a subtle smile. He pulled the suitcase along and followed.

Matilda pulled open the door.

Gavin stood there clutching an enormous bouquet of red roses, his hand raised as if about to knock.

Seeing the door open, Gavin immediately switched on that deeply affectionate smile from before.

"Matilda, you're leaving?" He took a step closer, the floral scent assaulting Matilda's nose.

Matilda wrinkled her nose in distaste and took a step back.

Gavin acted like he didn't notice her repulsion and kept talking.

"I went out specially to buy you flowers. We'll see each other again in Harmony City, right? I'll take you to that restaurant I mentioned."

Before he could finish, Gavin's expression froze.