His Habit

~~~NATE'S POV~~~

It has been two days now since Catherine rejected me. Before I could ask her why she had already left asking for a day off. Since then, she hasn't returned to work and I am starting to get afraid that she might not return forever.

But more than that, I am more worried about her. She is not answering her phone and I am afraid that she might have another flare-up again. Her doctor said that her flare-ups were mostly triggered by fatigue and emotional and psychological stress. And I am sure as hell that I gave her emotional stress a couple of days ago. So, I left my office for her apartment.

I cursed myself internally and regretted that I mentioned my intention to have her as my girlfriend. I shouldn't have said that without giving her a warning. I might have shocked her. I should have waited. I know she feels the same way towards me, or maybe not as much as I feel for her but I know that there is something. And I thought that she would say yes when I told her that I wanted to date her. But was I wrong?

I could see that she feels something. I am certain that it is there. The way she looks and smiles at me. But what's stopping her?

I could still remember the look on her face when I said that I want her to be my girlfriend. Hell, I want more than that. But she was confused and conflicted. I saw her hands and lips start to tremble before she left the office. I didn't follow her because I wanted to give her space and time to think.

But it has already been two days. I should've checked on her yesterday. I shook my head as my grip on my wheel tightened.

What if something happened to her because of me? Because of what I said. Though I am certain that she is not in the hospital because I already checked the hospital. But it only made me more anxious because what if she is having a flare and she is alone in her apartment?

As soon as I parked my car in front of her apartment building, I immediately rushed toward her apartment. A couple of knocks but I don't hear anyone.

"Catherine, are you there?" I knocked again this time calling her name. Fear is already gripping my heart when I don't hear a response.

I took out my phone from my inner pocket and dialed her number. I heard her phone ring inside her apartment making me certain that she is inside. She is inside but why is she not answering her phone?

"Damn it! Catherine, I'm coming in!" Something is wrong if she is inside yet I can't hear any movement inside and she is not even answering her phone. I stepped back from her door and forcefully kicked it. With just one kick, the door flew open. Damn! I should replace that door with a more durable one.

I searched around her apartment but saw nothing. The living room is empty. Her satchel bag, the one that she always carries with her, is on the dining table. Besides it, is her phone. She's not in the kitchen as well so that makes me think that she is in her bedroom.

I walked towards her bedroom that has its doors closed. "Catherine?" I knocked and leaned closer to listen. I put my ear on the door to see if I could hear something before I opened her bedroom door.

Then I heard a faint whimper. Without thinking, I opened the door and found her, my Catherine, curled up on her bed wearing pajama shorts and a white shirt that was soaked with sweat.

"Damn! Catherine!" Panic takes over me as I see her condition. Her face is facing me but I could not tell if she is conscious or not. But as soon as I got close to her bed, she opened her eyes.

Thank God! Though she is in the same state when I saw her unconscious in her office, at least she is awake.

"W-what...are you d-doing...here?" She asked when she saw me before her eyes closed again, though I knew that she was awake.

"You're gone for two days and you are not answering my call. I'm worried sick about you." I said as I leaned closer to her. "I'm taking you to the hospital," I sat on the edge of her bed as I thought of a way to carry her that is less painful.

She eventually shot her eyes open, "No!"

"You are starting to get that habit of saying 'no' to me," I said though I don't mean it to be sarcastic.

Her face immediately turned apologetic. "I'm sorry,"

My face softens as I reach to touch her face subtly. "And you still have that habit of saying 'sorry' even though you are not in the wrong. Love, it's me who should say sorry. I shouldn't have scared you like that and look at what I brought you into. But I mean it, I wanted to show everyone that you are anything but a mistress to me."

I saw a tear slip from her eyes and I eventually caught it with my thumb. I love this girl so much that I don't want to see her crying or in pain. I would do anything to take out the pain from her.

"Let's talk about it some other time. For now, let's take you to the hospital. Can you stand? I'm afraid you'll be in more pain if I touch you." I said, my hand hovering over her body not knowing how to touch her. The last time I did when she was having a flare-up, she screamed in pain. And that is the last thing she needs right now.

"N-, I mean. I don't need to go to the hospital. I'll eventually get better in a couple of days," She said in a weak voice, making me more eager to take her to the hospital.

"But, love..." I trailed when she shot me a quizzical look through her droopy eyes. She is probably questioning my endearment to her which slips out of my tongue out of nowhere.

Then she sighed, probably not having the energy to argue with me. "I only ended up in the hospital whenever Grace or Alvin found me unconscious. But in all honesty, the hospital does not do anything to treat my flare-ups. Medicine does not help either. I just need rest and sleep. I'll be fine."

I sighed in defeat. After all, she knows her body more than anyone. She's been dealing with it for years. "Fine. So what can I do to help you?" I asked because I don't want to feel helpless. I must do something to help relieve her pain.

"Nothing," She said simply.

But I refuse to do nothing. I shift to a more comfortable position. My back is leaning on the headboard and she just watches me with a frown.

"Do not expect me to leave you alone here, love. How are you feeling?" I said as I reached up to caress her head subtly hoping that it would not cause her any pain and instead will relieve it.

She sighed then closed her eyes again. "Tired, in pain." She said in a slow speech. How could a person lying in bed for two days still be tired? I asked myself though I already knew the answer.

I leaned closer and kissed her forehead tenderly. As soon as my lips touched her skin, her eyes fluttered open and met mine. "I would do anything to take that pain away from you, love. If you would just let me."

She didn't react or say anything. She just let her eyes connect to mine and I made sure that she could see the sincerity in my eyes. I would do anything for her and I mean it. I hope she knows that.

"You need to change your clothes," I said.

"What?" She frowned.

"Your shirt is drenched in sweat, love," I said pointing at her shirt. Then I stood up and went over to her closet.

"No," I heard her say and I stopped in front of her closet before I looked back at her.

"From now on, I will not accept a no for an answer from you, love. Especially if I know that what I am telling you is for your own good," She didn't say anything, probably too tired to argue.

I searched for a clean shirt and left it on her bed. I went to her bathroom and got a basin filled with warm water and a towel.

When I entered her room, I found her looking at me incredulously but I ignored her look. "Can you wash or do you want me to help you?" I asked internally hoping that her answer would be the latter.

Her mouth agape for a while before she said, "I can,"

"Okay, but if I hear you flinch, I will come and help you, okay? " I put the basin on the bedside table and helped her sit though it was a lot of effort to make her sit without flinching in pain.

"If you need help, just call," I said to make her nod, then I left her room.

I take that opportunity to make her some food only to find that her cupboard is empty. Has she not been eating these past few days? The thought made me furious, not to her, but to myself. I should have checked on her as soon as possible.

Instead of cooking, I end up ordering food for both of us. Then I called Aenid and told them that I am not coming home for a couple of days. She was very understanding when I told her that Catherine is sick and she needs someone to look after her. She is even ecstatic. She liked the idea of me taking care of Catherine, she even asked if they could come but I refused. They didn't know yet about Catherine's condition and I am not ready to explain it to them yet.

I asked Stan to get me some change of clothes because I plan on staying. I will not leave Catherine until she is better.