Chapter 6

Jason seems embarrassed as he places his hand on the back of his neck. "I drove Eva. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"How do you know Eva?" Seb asks, his eyes staring at us questioningly.

"We sort of bumped into each other earlier and Jason drove me here." I explain. My eyes stare at the baby who is asleep in the hospital bed. Stepping towards him, my worry increases. "What's wrong with him Seb?"

"He must have caught a fever from the rain that day. The doctor said it was lucky I brought him in time." Seb says solemnly.

"I can't believe I didn't notice earlier. It's my fault." I mutter. If I had realised Miracle was suffering from a fever, I would have brought him here earlier. I gently touch his small warm hand and bend down, kissing his forehead. "I'll stay with Miracle. You can go home Seb." I say.

Seb glances at me with furrowed eyebrows. "It's fine, I'll stay with you. What happened to your date?"

I turn my gaze to Jason before glancing back at Seb, "Nothing. It was as boring as usual."

Jason, who is standing next to Seb, bursts into laughter before coughing to hide it. I glare at him.

"What's so funny?" Seb asks him curiously.

I hurriedly shake my head at Jason. There is no need to tell Seb anything. Jason looks apologetically at me before shaking his head.

"Nothing. I just remembered something." He says with a shrug.

I frown as I watch Jason and Seb talking. They seem to know each other. Am I missing something? My fingers touch his jacket. I completely forgot I have it over my top.

"Jason, thank you for lending me the jacket." I smile, "I'll wash it for you when I go home."

Jason smiles, "Take your time. I just did what any decent person would. I can't stand people who bully others."

"Did something happen?"

Both of us turn to Seb and shake our heads.

"Don't lie. I feel like I am being left out of the loop." Seb says, narrowing his eyes at me.

"It's really trivial. Nothing important." I say nonchalantly.

"Eva is right Seb. It's over so there's nothing to say." Jason adds.

Seb looks like he doesn't believe us but walks over to me. "I have work tomorrow so I need to go home. Don't forget to sleep Eva." He squeezes my shoulders and then glances at Jason. "Are you heading home? I'll give you a lift."

Jason shakes his head. "I'll stay with Eva. Don't worry, I'll look after her for you."

My face heats up as I stare in awe at Jason. He really is a gentleman.

I am confused by Seb's frown as he stares at Jason. I thought they got along? "I'll come after work tomorrow." He says before leaving.

Yawning, I stretch as I lean back in the chair. It has been a long day. My eyelids droop a little but I try to keep myself awake in case Miracle wakes up.

"You should sleep Eva. I'll keep an eye on the baby for you." Jason says and gestures to the bench under the window.

"Are you sure? I can still stay awake..." I yawn as I speak.

"I think you should sleep." He repeats.

"Alright. But wake me up if Miracle wakes up." I say.

Jason nods and smiles reassuringly before walking over to the chair. I walk to the bench and lie down whilst he sits in the chair. This Jason is pretty handsome and a gentleman to boot.

***

"WHAT IS GOING ON?!"

I groan and slowly open my eyes at the loud voice. As soon as my eyes adjust to the daylight, I see a sleepy Jason sitting on the ground beside me and holding my hand. Did he sleep like this all night? His body must be stiff by now.

Reaching out, I touch his soft brown hair. He is a good man. Maybe he might become a good friend of mine. I know he is reliable since he drove me here yesterday.

"Eva, what the hell are you doing?!"

I almost forgot about the annoying voice. Glancing up, I meet Seb's light brown eyes. What time is it? Didn't he say he would come after work?

"Huh? It's already 3pm?" I say in astonishment as I switch my phone on.

Seb seems irritated as he steps forward and pulls me up. "Stop ignoring me." He says and pulls me out of the door.

"I'm not." I say honestly. "I just woke up so my brain isn't fully awake yet. What were you asking?"

He purses his lips and glares at me as if I have done something wrong. "Why were you holding Jason's hand? Why did you touch his hair? I'm warning you as a friend. You should be careful of him. He has always been a player and likes to lead women on."

I frown. "A player is warning me about someone else being a player? Please Seb, I know Jason. He is a gentleman. On the other hand, you're a player too so I should stay away from you?"

Seb scowls, "Believe me Eva. I know how Jason thinks. He wouldn't stay with you for nothing."

Chuckling at him, I bump his head with my fist. "Just because I'm not a woman to you doesn't mean I am not a woman to others."

"Are you saying you're interested in him?" His eyes are wide.

I shrug, "Maybe."

"You're a snail to me Eva." He mutters and I grin.

"You're a rock to me too Seb."

***

Fortunately, to my relief, Miracle wakes up a few hours later and his fever has decreased. The doctor advised to keep him in for one more night before he is discharged. Jason left after he woke up in the afternoon but we exchanged numbers.

"You should look for another job soon." Seb says as we enter his house.

I plonk myself on the sofa and place a cheerful Miracle on my lap. "I need to look after Miracle. If I start work now, I'll need a babysitter."

Seb sighs and sits beside me, "That's why I have told you to take him to the police."

In anger, I stand up. "If you mention it again, I will leave with Miracle."

Why is he treating Miracle as if he did something wrong? He is only a poor, pitiful, abandoned baby.

Remembering that I need to wash the jacket which Jason lent me, I leave Miracle playing on the bed whilst I carefully hand wash the jacket. It looks quite expensive. Where does Jason work?