Chapter 3: Devy

We reached the community soon, and after the driver left to park the car we rode the lift up to the seventh floor, which is out of my expectations. I thought CEOs and businessmen wanted the top floors and everything. He led me inside and registered my fingerprint on the security scanner.

The inside of the condo unit was simple and more of wood element design. There was a living room, a dining, kitchen, two rooms - one master's and a guest's, a balcony, washroom and two bathrooms - one connecting the master's and guest's bedroom and one near the washroom. For a person living alone it's just right, even adding me. Looking at the state of this place, it seemed that Reese didn't have a sense of vanity and is actually simple, living a normal life like everyone else.

He took me to the guest's room, finally let go of my bag and put it on the bedside table. "You must be hungry, I'll prepare something for you."

"No! I'll cook!" I immediately offered. My conscience would hurt seeing him serve me like a guest when I'm doing him inconvenience.

He stopped, seeming to think about it. "How about you wash the dishes after eating? I'll cook for now?"

That seemed fine. I nodded obediently and he told me to wash up and come down for dinner before he left. I decided to unpack my things and arranged them neatly on the small closet of the room. That's when I noticed that aside from all the documents I managed to pack, all I brought with me are only several pairs of shirt and trousers, underwears and boxers, but forgetting about pajamas and another pair of shoes. I didn't even bring a coat or jacket.

My mind wondered to the time when Reese kept rubbing my hands to generate warmth, and the already maxed heater inside the car. For the first time since I returned to the past, I examined myself carefully in the mirror. The wound on my forehead looked worse, but aside from the occasional tingling I don't feel too much pain. My eyesight drifted to the faucet and I hurriedly turned it on without the heater, letting the water run down my fingers. It's nearing winter at this time of the year, like the night I died. So naturally, the water will be unbearably cold.

Yet nothing... it seems that my body couldn't feel the cold at all.

This resistance to cold may be a reminder of my past life. Even the hunger seemed non-existent, which was mainly the reason my body gave up the fight. Does this mean that I may be reliving my past, but I'm not totally alive? Or these two instances are the cost of me returning to the past?

The sudden thought struck me and I felt suffocated, eyes reddening from unshed tears. It seemed like I was never truly over my past life. I hope this time I won't end up like that again...

No! This time, I won't let myself end up like that again. Even if I don't feel the cold and hunger, as long as I'm still alive I'll try to keep living.

Warm hands wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me in a tight embrace. "What's wrong? Are you hurt anywhere else? Tell me." His wide hands rubbed my back back and forth.

"It's nothing. I was just thinking." I replied quietly.

He hummed, then my eyes widened when he lifted me in his arms making me cry in surprise and carried me to the soft bed. Scattered were packs of anti-inflammatory drugs, betadine and gauze. "I came back in a hurry to help you dress your wound, then I found you in a daze inside the bathroom. I'm afraid if I left you alone completely you'll drown yourself in the tub. I'll watch over you tonight and until I'm sure you're fine."

"B-But I'm really fine."

He bumped my nose playfully but the seriousness in his eyes were evident, "Not until the doctor says so. Tomorrow, I'll take you to a private hospital. I promise not one word will leak out that you've been there."

"Okay, I owe you a lot now. Thank you." I sniffed and he immediately squeezed my nose. "Ow!"

"No crying. You pay me back when you're better already."

"En," I hurriedly agreed.

He helped me fix my wound and waited for me to finish half-bathing. He noticed the pieces of clothing I've brought were incomplete so he let me borrow a smaller sized pajamas set. I noticed that he kept staring at me as I wore his clothes, making me feel embarrassed.

"I'll buy you a new one." I promised.

He smiled and shook his head, "Let's buy it tomorrow, I'll take you out shopping after going to the hospital."

I mentally calculated the days and was satisfied when I found it's Saturday tomorrow. I don't want to take a busy person away from his work. Especially a boss like him. I'm afraid I can't afford his time.

"Let's eat. You must be hungry now. Aunt Wong must've finished cooking and preparing the dishes. I left it all to her. Did you have your lunch earlier? What type of food do you prefer? I'll have to notify the housekeeper so she can prepare them sometimes."

I smiled sheepishly, "I, hahah, I haven't eaten anything since this morning."

There was a pin drop silence following my awkward laugh and his expression grew dim as time passed by. I flinched when he approached and carried me once again in his arms. "You should tell me important things like that first and foremost." He scolded. He made his way downstairs carrying me like a child which made the older woman preparing the table stunned.

I hid my face in his neck in embarrassment, feeling the blood rushing to my face. Then I noticed what I did was way more embarrassing, so I quickly withdrew, face even more flushed.

Idiot!

He chuckled and sat down at the head of the table. I tried freeing myself from his arms but he wouldn't let go. "Be good. You're still ice-cold. I'm trying to keep you warm."

I reluctantly let him hold me and feed me, avoiding the eyes of the housekeeper who kept shooting me considerate glances.

It's really not what you think, ma'am!

My face flushed even more when I felt him rubbing my belly shortly after the meal. I shot him a glare which he returned with an innocent smile. "You didn't eat anything the whole day, aren't you afraid of stomachache?" So I let him have his way again. I experienced severe stomachache before, so I was a little afraid when he said that.

Having my belly rubbed after a meal was so comfortable that my eyelids kept drooping. I burped a few times which made him chuckle.

"Comfortable, hm?" He asked softly, his warm breath brushing close to my neck. No doubt anyone looking at us would think we're in an intimate embrace.

I frowned sleepily, "No, I'll wash the dishes first."

"Aunt Wong will take care of it. Our agreement was that I'll cook and you'll wash. I didn't cook so you don't need to wash the dishes."

"Really?" I asked again.

"Hm. Devy needs to sleep."

I nodded and let him take me up the stairs again, when I temporarily came to my senses I noticed he brought me back to the wrong room. "This isn't my room."

"It's mine." He coaxed. "I said I'll watch over you until you're seen by the doctor. You'll have to stay with me tonight." He got under the covers with me and wrapped me in his arms tightly.

Why do we need to sleep in the same bed? I can sleep on the couch. Besides... isn't this too much? He's treating me like a kid and I'm even so shameless to have him take care of me when this is only the first time we both met. Is this alright?

Besides, why do I feel like the man beside me is a wolf in sheep's clothing? Right now I can feel him trying to suppress something, but I can surely feel in my heart that he wouldn't hurt me.

Lying in his arms like this felt like I was an offering served in the altar. Is this really okay?

The belly rubs came again and drowsiness slowly took over me once more. I can feel him embracing me more firmly, and softly whispering something in my ears. I furrowed my brows while trying my best to hear his words but unfortunately sleep finally overtook my senses. I decided to let reason fly out the window and worry about all of it tomorrow.

***

Never did the young man expect that when his breathing became even, the man beside him watched him like a hawk, straddled his hips gently and carefully unbuttoned the pajama top he was wearing. His warm hands caressed the cold skin of the youth's narrow waist and slowly crawled up to his chest. His right hand stopped to where the slow beating heart was stationed and felt the light thumping against his palm. The beating heart, no matter how light it was, soothed the anxiety and paranoia the man felt deep inside. The coldness of the youth's skin he can constantly warm up, no matter how long it takes.

But the young man's heart dying and his breath stopping, Reese Lyon would never let that happen again.

Never again.

Experiencing it one time made him lose his mind and soul. That madness ate him inside, and revenge was the only thing that kept him alive. He made it, but the youth never came back.

But now they're both back. Back to the past and back to where it started. If it's revenge the boy wanted, he'll give it. If it's fame and wealth, he'll offer it.

As long as he stays by his side, it'll be fine. He'll protect him, love him, serve him. As long as he's by his side.

Otherwise, Reese can't promise the madness he's keeping at bay would stay inside forever.