Chapter 91

Kayla reached Jeremy's office with the medicine and knocked on the door, but no one answered.

She eased the door open and saw Jeremy seated at his desk, his posture weary and his features drawn.

His head drooped, one hand pressed to his forehead,betraying just how sick he felt.

"I'm coming in," Kayla announced and placed the medicine on his desk. "Edna sent me over with this. If you're not feeling well,you ought to take it right away."

Jeremy gave no reply, his fatigue making him seem even more distant.

A pile of paperwork lay untouched before him, and Kayla decided not to intrude any further. "I'll get out of your hair now."

Only as she turned to go did Jeremy stir from his daze.His hand shot out, and before she knew it, he'd caught her by the wrist.

His grasp didn't waver. In one swift movement,he drew her onto his lap.

Heat flooded her cheeks as surprise sent her heart racing.

Kayla's gasp broke the stillness, her palm brushing against his burning skin. "Jeremy, you've got a fever!"

His eyes fixed on her, Jeremy seemed unwilling to let her go. He turned away just slightly, murmuring, "I'm alright."

A hand to his forehead left Kayla visibly worried."You're running a temperature, and you're still insisting you're fine? You never look after yourself."

Attempting torise, she found his arms circling her waist,keeping her close.

He leaned in, resting his head against her shoulder,as if the contact soothed him. His voice was a low whisper. "You did bring the medicine, didn't you? Let me have it."

Warmth flooded Kayla's cheeks as she pressed her hands against Jeremy's chest. "Let me go or I can't get the medicine," she insisted.

With a quiet sigh, Jeremy finally let his arms fall away,his reluctance obvious.

She wasted no time in retreating, feeling her heartbeat racing wildly in her chest.

Looking at him, she saw none of his usual composure;instead, he appeared frail, almost like a lost kitten searching for shelter.

Touching her face to cool the blush, Kayla murmured under her breath, "Don't read too much into a sick guy's actions." Without delay, Kayla poured some water, snapped open the medicine, and stretched out her hand with both ready for him. Jeremy just turned his head,frowning,his refusal clear.

Kayla sighed, exasperated. "You asked for the medicine, but now you're being difficult?"

Jeremy winced, eyes squeezed shut. "It tastes awful."

"You're exaggerating! These are the easiest pills to swallow," she retorted, moving closer to coax the medicine past his lips. Jeremy stubbornly pressed his mouth closed.

"Take it whenever you feel like it." Defeated, Kayla set both the glass and the medicine on his desk.

His gaze followed her briefly, but he didn't protest or call her back. Leaning forward, he pressed his forehead to his hand, eyes closing as if even holding himself upright took effort.

Just as she reached for the handle, Kayla paused,worry tugging at her. "Leaving him like this would only cause problems," she murmured.

Resolving not to let things get worse, she hurried back,helped Jeremy sit straighter, and placed the pill in his mouth, following with a drink of water.

The attempt didn't go smoothly. Jeremy coughed and spluttered, pushing her away while grabbing the desk for support. Heat crept up Kayla's neck as she froze in place."That was too much water-sorry about that."

A moment passed before Jeremy's gaze sharpened,some of the confusion lifting. His tone came out cool and measured. "Take me to the lounge. I need to lie down."

"Alright." Kayla moved to his side, doing her best to support his weight as they shuffled out of the office.

The opulence of Jeremy's private lounge struck her.The chandelier scattered glimmering light over thick carpets, and every piece of furniture seemed tailored for comfort and wealth.

Kayla marveled inwardly. "So this is how the wealthy live."

She carefully helped Jeremy navigate the plush floor until they reached a sprawling bed.

Exhaustion overtook Jeremy immediately. He collapsed into the mattress, tugged the blanket around his shoulders, and surrendered to fatigue.

When his breathing slowed and his eyes slid shut,Kayla began to slip quietly from the room.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea swept over her. Hand clamped over her mouth, she rushed into the bathroom.

The lounge filled with the harsh sounds of her dry heaving. Restlessness pulled Jeremy from his sleep. He blinked through the haze, catching sight of Kayla's silhouette bent over the sink.

Only after the sickness passed did Kayla straighten,studying her own reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Morning sickness, which she'd thought had faded,had come surging back with no warning.

Relief washed over her as she noticed Jeremy still appeared to be asleep, blissfully unaware of what had just happened.

After shutting off the tap, Kayla drew in a steadying breath, her hand unconsciously coming to rest on her stomach as she made her way back into the lounge.

"There's no reason to push yourself. If you're not well,just take the day to recover."

The suddenness of Jeremy's words made Kayla's hand fly to the doorframe for support, her body spinning toward him, caught completely off guard.

From where he rested, Jeremy watched her intently his face still drained of color but his gaze unyielding and sharp.