Chapter 96
Sweet Subterfuge
Larissa wasnât the only one who was shocked. The doctor whoâd been standing on one side dropped the needle he had been holding upon Kevanâs sudden bellow.
Larissa froze, her heart stopping for two seconds and her mind going completely blank.
When heâd finally identified the person standing in front of him, Kevanâs rationality returned, and the ice in his eyes slowly dissipated.
The tautness in his mind earlier relaxed as well, followed by a wave of sluggish drowsiness that hit him almost at once. He forced his eyes to stay open as he asked, his voice hoarse and weak. âWhy are you here?â
She snapped out of her daze as well.
She pointed to the doctor as she replied, âYou have a fever. The doctor is here to see you.â
It was then that he noticed the unfamiliar, middleâaged man standing behind her.
âDo you still have the strength to unbutton your own shirt?â Larissa waved the thermometer in her hand. âI need to take your temperature.â
Kevan removed her hands from his own and answered truthfully, âI canât. I donât have the strength.â
It almost seemed as if the strength heâd used to grab her that couldâve almost killed her earlier was nothing but a figment of her own imagination.
Larissa decided to not argue with him since he was sick and needed their help.
It was just-
Dealing with him when he was asleep was one thing. When he was awake, her mindset shifted drastically.
When he was asleep, she didnât think about it too much. The action of undoing his buttons seemed merely mechanical. Now that heâd awakened, the pressure she felt increased, and her hands started trembling.
Time seemed to have slowed down, the happenings around her moving in slow motion, like scenes in a film.
Larissa swallowed instinctively, her thundering heartbeat loud in her ears.
Finally, after much difficulty, she managed to unbutton the first three buttons on his shirt.
Kevan moved his arm cooperatively, allowing his collar to widen and slip down his shoulders.
His body was flushed from his fever, his skin a faint pinkish shade. The visuals in her head were much more suggestive than they usually were.
She placed the thermometer under his armpit and turned her face away.
âIâll set a timer for you.â She pretended to fish out her phone and set an alarm for five minutes.
The doctor switched positions with her and stood at the head of the bed.
âDoes your throat hurt?â
âAny diarrhea?â
âIs there anywhere else that hurts?â
He asked a series of questions, all of which Kevan denied.
Five minutes was up.
The doctor attempted to retrieve the thermometer when Kevan dodged, a hint of disgust in his eyes.
The doctor had most probably never encountered such a combative patient in his career. For a moment, he looked like he was at a loss.
Larissa naturally knew what Kevan was concerned about. Hurriedly, she stepped behind the doctor with an apologetic smile. âLet me do it!â
This time, Kevan held still and let Larissa handle him however she wanted.
The doctor raised the thermometer and glanced at its reading. âHeâs at 102 degrees now, what were you two doing? Why didnât you call the front desk earlier? Are you out of your minds?â He scolded the two of them sternly.
Larissa apologized immediately out of habit. âIâm sorry. Itâs all my fault.â
Kevan opened his mouth to defend her when the doctor continued. âSuch an irresponsible girlfriend!
Now come here and button up his shirt and wipe away the sweat on his forehead.â
Kevan shut his mouth at once.
Larissa scrambled to follow the doctorâs instructions.
When the doctor had finished preparing the solution in the IV bag, he pointed to the wall above the bed and told Larissa, âHang the IV bag on that lamp.â
As for himself, he took the needle and inserted it into Kevanâs vein.
âThis IV can last for approximately two hours. Keep an eye on the time, and call me ten to fifteen minutes before it finishes. You can call me if you need anything in between too.â He gave his number to Larissa and retrieved two boxes of medication from his bag. âThese two medications have to be taken twice a day. You can let him take these once before he sleeps at night and once more tomorrow afternoon after lunch.â
Larissa nodded dutifully.
Then, after the doctor left, she set another alarm on her phone.
Kevan did not go back to sleep. Instead, he stared at her as she worked.
Feeling a little uneasy under his watchful gaze, Larissa averted her eyes and searched around for a topic of conversation. âAre you hungry? Do you want some food?â