Stay Here Tonight

"Can you send the artist tomorrow? I'm afraid I might forget her face too," Jenny said stoically - her face devoid of any emotions. She closed her eyes in an attempt to hold onto the hazy memory of her missing Da-jie - imprinting her savior's face into her long-term memory bank over and over again.

Jenny continued to swirl her spoon in the bowl of carrot ginger soup. Its bright color and the inviting aroma did not help a bit to find her lost appetite.

Lucas stood up from his seat which startled her. She blinked her eyes and was apprehensive at his sudden movement that she leaned back in her seat.

She was surprised even more when Lucas lifted his chair and moved it next to her. He snatched the spoon away from Jenny and scooped a little soup from the Imperial Porcelain bowl.

He motioned for Jenny to open her mouth to which she obliged without a fight and swallowed right away. Her eyes smiled at her dashing private nurse and realized it was him who made the bland looking soup taste better.

"More. I want more," Jenny said. Her fingers excitedly tapped on her lap that looked as if it played a complex piano piece.

Lucas smiled back, ready to mollycoddle his VVIP patient.

"Mmm," was his only verbal reply yet that was enough to get Jenny to eagerly anticipate the next bite that would come her way.

She finished her soup in no time. Her stomach was full and her heart was warm. She tried to stand up but Lucas's arm blocked her before he asked her in knitted eyebrows, "What are you trying to do?"

"I want to feed you too."

Jenny gently pushed his arms away and got up to move his plate closer but Lucas was swift enough to do it for her.

The heavy spoon fell on the plate the moment she lifted it and the clinking sound of silver sent shivers down her spine.

Lucas caught sight of her nuanced body language akin to a child who heard thunder in the middle of the night - wide awake yet fought hard to hide her fright.

"Here," Lucas held her hand. His smile was gentle and comforting. Jenny wiggled her hand free from his clasp. "I can do it," she said in a shaky voice to cover up her stress.

Their gazes met and Jenny gave a faint smile yet her eyes looked sad enough that no tears were needed to tell what she truly felt inside.

"Mmm. You can do it," Lucas validated her claim. He rubbed her cheeks with the back of his fingers that made Jenny close her eyes and ultimately nod her head.

"I can do it," she said one last time. She exhaled and put a brave face on, ready to face the sunny future ahead of her. "Now, say aaaaaaaah!" Lucas's gummy smile made her giggle louder than usual that the nurse stationed outside her room could hear her.

The nurse loosened up a bit, positive that she will survive her shift tonight all thanks to the young master inside the room. Her mind wandered for a minute, 'Where have I seen that guy again? He looked familiar,' but she shook her head clear from useless thoughts and went back to finish her PM shift journal.

Jenny rang a brass handheld service bell once they were done with dinner. When the room was clear, she snuggled right away in the arms of her human teddy bear and thought of ways to make him stay.

"Lucas…"

"Mmm…"

"You can stay here tonight…"

Lucas cleared his throat. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew too well that it was best not to overstay his welcome.

"You know the answer to that," his voice as soft as a whisper. Jenny tightened her hold on his hands and nuzzled back to his warm embrace.

"It's ok. I understand."

Edited by Swaning