Chapter 338
His throat moved, and after a moment, his voice softened slightly: “If you behave, I won’t be harsh on you.” After he spoke, he pulled the quilt over me again, then took the towel and prepared to leave. I quickly embraced his back, pressing my face against it and hoarsely whispering, “I don’t want a doctor, just take care of me… Reynaldo, will you take care of me, just once?”
I was ill; my heart felt fragile, and even my voice was weak, tinged with a hint of desperation. I didn’t know if he would mock me. In my miserable state, I desperately wanted a powerful CEO like him to care for me, even though I knew he still despised me. No matter what, I couldn't let him call the doctor.
Reynaldo paused, then released my hand and turned to look at me. He asked, “If I take care of you, will you obey me?” I nodded eagerly. He said, “Now lie down and don’t get up.” I obeyed, quickly pulling the covers up around me. He glanced at me, said nothing, and went to the bathroom with the basin.
But I remained uneasy, unsure if the doctor would arrive later. My body felt crushed under a heavy weight, my eyelids like lead. I closed my eyes and hummed uncomfortably. Soon, I felt someone gently wiping my feet with a warm towel. The man moved with such care, as if afraid of hurting me. I opened my eyes groggily.
I vaguely saw Reynaldo sitting at the foot of the bed, my feet resting on his legs. He hung his head, holding a towel, his expression focused and solemn as he carefully wiped my feet. My head throbbed, my eyelids drooped uncontrollably, and my consciousness blurred.
Knock, knock, knock! A loud knocking startled me. I was still terrified of the doctor. When the doorbell rang, I jumped. In a daze, I saw Reynaldo heading for the door. I anxiously called out, “Don’t… don’t call the doctor…”
Reynaldo hesitated, then turned back, his dark eyes questioning, “Actually, I’m wondering why you’re so resistant to seeing a doctor?” “I…I…” My racing mind offered no excuses. My fingers brushed my burning skin, and I stammered, “I haven’t dressed yet…”
“Then I’ll help you, or, if you don’t want the doctor to come here, I can take you to the hospital. It’s already light outside.” “No…” I shook my head, confused. My mind was a jumble; all I could manage was a repeated, desperate, “I don’t want a doctor,” expressing my inner resistance.
Reynaldo pursed his lips and said nothing more. The knocking continued. He turned and left. I anxiously watched him go, wondering how I would resist a full physical examination if the doctor arrived. Before I could devise a plan, however, my consciousness scattered again, and I drifted into disorientation.