A Kiss

Later that evening, the room was quiet. The lights were still on, and Jason settled onto the long sofa beside Val's bed where she slept. He woke when he heard the door open. A nurse came in.

"Oh, nurse"

The young nurse smiled. Seeing Jason who looked tired but was still faithfully waiting in the room.

"This is… how many times have you had to take his blood? Wasn't it just done a little while ago?" Jason asked. A slightly bluish mark from a needle was still visible on Val's arm. This nurse wasn't the same one from earlier.

"Yes sir, this is a normal procedure, because we need the blood to carry out further examinations."

Jason looked at the nurse a little suspiciously, however, the nurse looked like the other nurses there, maybe she had changed shifts with the nurse this afternoon.

Not long after, the vial was filled with Val's blood. The nurse smiled, took the tray with Val's blood tube, and excused herself from the room.

"Excuse me, sir"

Outside the room, a man in black stood by the door. He glanced at the nurse and then into the room. The nurse nodded, and the man, who had taken a blood vial, slipped it into his pocket and left.

 ….

Morning came. A day after Val back after spending the night in the hospital.

Jason entered his office, dropped his bag on the desk, pulled out his chair, and sat down. He sighed, looking out at Val's empty chair.

Earlier, in the apartment. Jason had just finished tying his tie. He had a morning meeting with the directors and his grandfather, so he had to look sharp.

Jason glanced at the clock on the wall. It's past seven o'clock, usually Val would wake up early and cook his breakfast. He might still feel unwell that morning. Val's door was still tightly closed.

Soon, Jason was standing outside Val's door.

"Val, it's late. How long are you going to sleep?"

Jason opened the bedroom door and saw Val sitting on his bed, his face looking pale. Jason approached.

"Hey, Still not feeling unwell?"

Val pursed his lips, lifting his bandaged hand.

"Boss, looks like I can't go to work now. Can I have a half day off?"

Jason held Val's forehead, his eyes widened. He was burning up.

"It's burning. I'll get you some medicine. Don't push yourself to go to work today. I'll call a doctor I know to come check on you here." Val stopped Jason when the man was about to stand up.

"No need, Boss, don't bother, I think I'll be fine with some medicine. Cough, cough."

Jason stared at Val's pale face for a long moment.

"You're burning up, Val. Your fever is high. I'll order you some porridge for breakfast, then you take your medicine. I'll be back this afternoon after the meeting."

Val shook his head.

"It's okay, Boss, it's nothing serious," Val said, though his voice was hoarse and weak, betraying his words. How could Jason just leave him like this?

Val smiled. Jason's hand still held his, his gaze anxious. Jason stroked Val's cheek, noticing the still visible bruise on his forehead.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked.

Val nodded slowly.

"A little, Boss, it doesn't hurt much"

Jason pulled his lips away, holding his breath for a moment.

"Heh, wait a minute, I'll order porridge first. I'll go to work after you take your medicine."

Val nodded again, his hand slipping from Jason's grasp. The boy had closed his eyes and fallen back asleep. Jason stroked his forehead, hearing Val's heavy breathing.

Jason took a deep breath, pushing aside Val's clothes, damp with cold sweat. He couldn't sleep in wet clothes like this; his fever would get worse. Jason's hand paused, noticing several bruises on Val's ribs, waist,, and chest—small, bluish bruises. What had happened to him?

"Val, what happened?"

Later that day, Jason asked Dr. Violet to come and check on Val. He was worried about leaving Val alone while he was sick like this. How could he possibly work peacefully?

Violet arrived and redressed Val's wound with a fresh bandage, gently peeling back the layers of gauze on Val's right palm. She fell silent, noticing the wound was the same as yesterday, just less bloody. No wonder Val had a fever; it looked infected.

Violet lowered her head, her wavy hair falling over her face. Val couldn't see her, but he was sure she was trying to hold back tears.

"Hey, what's wrong? Crying again? It's just a scratch."

Violet picked up the first-aid kit she'd brought, avoiding Val's gaze. She carefully cleaned the wound, making Val wince.

"Ouch!"

"Sorry, sorry, it hurts, is it? I'll be gentle," Violet mumbled, waving her hand dismissively.

Val smiled, causing the girl to look up, catching his radiant face in the sunlight. Even in his condition now, his pale skin even paler, Val was still the most captivating person in her eyes. His beautiful smile seemed to melt away even her worst anxieties. Her heartbeat has been getting more out of control recently. Every time she sees those eyes, and smiles.

"Vi, you haven't changed a bit. Don't be sad over little things. Your tears are precious; don't waste them every time you see a wound. I know you're terrified of blood and can't help crying. This must be tough for you. I'm sorry for being such a bother."

Violet shook her head.

"No, it's not the blood. Don't worry, Val. For you, I'll endure anything. It's just… I can't stand seeing you hurt. What if…" Violet stopped, her gaze sharp on Val.

Val gently tapped Violet's head, making her wince.

"Aww, it hurts, Val,"

Val smiled, looking at Vi's slightly goofy face. She was really cute; even her clumsy movements were endearing. "You shouldn't say things like that. Are you done? My arm's starting to ache."

Violet smiled; she'd finished re-bandaging his wound. But being so close to Val made her heart beat faster than usual. Even though he hadn't showered because of his fever, she loved the smell of him. She liked everything about Val—his smile, his dry humor, his sweet lips—and without realizing it, she leaned closer. Even Val didn't expect the girl to lean in and kiss him, all of a sudden.

"Chup"

Val's eyes widened in surprise. Another kiss on his lips, a kiss he had never had time to prepare for; he always got caught off guard.

"Uh..."

Val touched his lips. Violet was still looking at him with wide, round eyes as if waiting for his reaction. Would he kiss her back? Did he dislike her kiss? Violet's heart pounded.

But,

Slowly, Val pulled his hand away.

"Vi, what are you doing?"

Violet fell silent, her eyes welling up. She hadn't expected him to reject her. She knew Valiant was kind and gentle, so she thought he wouldn't be able to refuse her. Maybe she'd been too forward.

"Fo-forgive me," Violet gathered her supplies and got up from the bed. She smiled, but she was embarrassed by his reaction. 

"Um, after this, Val, take your medicine and go to sleep. Um, I'll come back tomorrow to change your bandage. I have to go now; I have hospital duty." A little awkwardly, she nearly bumped into a chair a couple of times before finally reaching the door and leaving.

"Click"

Val was alone in the room, silent, and touched his lips. What happened to him? Although he had felt that feeling before with Vi, Ilyana, or even Fena. But it was nothing more than the admiration of a good friend. So, had he made a mistake? Did he do something that makes them think otherwise? What should he do?