(Fever, Feelings & One Very Overworked Assistant)
If anyone had told Ethan Vale that one day he'd sit beside a bed all night holding someone's hand like it was a lifeline—he would've laughed, signed a billion-dollar deal, and forgotten the conversation.
Yet here he was.
Hand clasped tightly around Aria Larkspur's fingers.
Not letting go.
Not even a little.
---
Aria's grip had been strong at first—desperate, almost panicked. Now it was weaker, but still there, like her body refused to believe he'd stay unless she physically confirmed it.
Ethan could've easily freed himself.
He didn't.
Instead, he adjusted his position, back straight, expression unreadable… except for the way his thumb unconsciously brushed against her knuckles.
"Don't panic," he murmured quietly, voice lower than usual. "I'm right here."
For someone known as the cold emperor of Vale Corporation, that tone was borderline illegal.
---
The room had gone quiet hours ago.
Even Marie Aunt had been chased out.
Ethan had insisted.
"Go rest."
"But—"
"I said go."
Marie Aunt had taken one look at his face and decided arguing was not on today's agenda.
Smart woman.
---
Now the only sound was rain slamming against the windows and Aria's uneven breathing.
And Ethan's patience… slowly being tested by one very annoying problem.
The glass of water in his hand was cold.
Useless.
He stared at it like it personally offended him.
"…Great."
He couldn't even move properly without waking her.
After a second of thinking, he picked up his phone—with his free hand—and sent a message.
To: Lucas Bennett (Assistant)
> Come to the villa. Now.
A pause.
Then another message.
> Bring warm water. And a clean towel.
Another pause.
> Water should be around 40°C.
---
Across the city, Lucas stared at his phone.
"…Am I a human or a temperature-controlled kettle?"
But ten times salary per night?
Say less.
---
Thirty minutes later—
A half-drenched Lucas slipped into the villa like a secret agent on a tragic mission.
He searched quietly until he found the room… then froze.
Because what he saw?
Was not the boss he knew.
Ethan Vale—ruthless, terrifying, emotionally unavailable—was sitting beside the bed, gently wiping Aria's tears like she was made of glass.
Lucas blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…"
Okay.
This was not in the job description.
---
Ethan didn't even look at him.
Just raised a finger.
Silence.
Lucas immediately shut up and backed out like his life depended on it.
Which, to be fair… it did.
---
A second later, his phone buzzed.
> Bring it in.
Lucas returned, moving like a ninja who paid rent.
He handed over the water and towel.
Then paused.
Hesitated.
Sent a message.
> Anything else, sir?
Ethan replied instantly.
> Stay. Guest room. Come every two hours. Change water.
Pause.
> Ten times pay.
Lucas stared at the screen.
"…Sir, I would like to formally apologize for ever doubting you."
---
Back in the room—
Ethan dipped the towel in warm water and carefully dabbed Aria's lips.
Slow.
Gentle.
Uncharacteristically patient.
Her face was pale, lashes damp, breathing uneven.
Every now and then, her fingers twitched—still searching for him even in sleep.
Something in Ethan's chest tightened.
Annoying.
Inconvenient.
Unavoidable.
---
"Ethan…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
But it hit like a bullet.
He leaned closer.
"I'm here."
Her brows furrowed, and her grip tightened again.
"…Don't go…"
Ethan froze.
For a second—just one—his usual control slipped.
Then he exhaled quietly.
"I'm not going anywhere."
---
Outside, thunder cracked.
Inside, something shifted.
---
Time passed.
Lucas came and went like a well-paid ghost.
Each time he entered—
Ethan was still there.
Same position.
Same hand-holding.
Same "don't talk or I'll fire you" aura.
---
At one point, Lucas couldn't help himself.
He texted:
> Sir, you have a board meeting tomorrow.
Reply:
> Reschedule.
Lucas:
> It's with investors.
Ethan:
> They can wait.
Lucas stared at the message.
Then typed, very bravely:
> Or… you could rest? I can watch over Miss Aria.
The reply came instantly.
> No.
A second later:
> She'll look for me.
Lucas blinked slowly.
"…Wow."
Not "she needs supervision."
Not "monitor her condition."
No.
She'll look for me.
Sir, respectfully…
You are down horrendous.
---
Morning came quietly.
Rain softened into a drizzle.
And Aria… finally moved.
---
Ethan noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
He leaned forward, placing a hand against her forehead, then checking her temperature with a thermometer.
Still slightly warm.
But better.
Much better.
---
Aria blinked awake slowly.
Her vision blurred… then focused.
And the first thing she saw?
Ethan Vale.
Looking like he hadn't slept at all.
Hair slightly messy.
Tie gone.
Eyes tired—but fixed entirely on her.
"…You look terrible," she croaked.
Ethan raised a brow.
"Good morning to you too."
Her lips twitched faintly.
"Did you fight a war overnight?"
"Yes," he replied dryly. "You."
---
She tried to sit up.
Failed immediately.
Ethan pushed her back down without hesitation.
"Stay still."
"I'm not fragile."
"You faint when the wind changes direction."
"…Rude."
"Accurate."
---
She narrowed her eyes.
"If I die, I'm haunting you."
Ethan didn't even blink.
"Get in line. Half the business world already plans to."
---
She huffed weakly… then paused.
"…You stayed?"
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't loud.
But something about that question—
Made the air shift.
---
Ethan looked at her.
Really looked.
Then said, simply:
"Yes."
---
Aria stared at him for a second.
Then looked away.
"…You're getting soft, Mr. Vale."
Ethan smirked faintly.
"Don't flatter yourself."
A beat.
Then—
"I'm still charging you for the overnight care."
---
She snorted.
"Send the bill. I'll pay in emotional damage."
"Overpriced. Not interested."
---
From the doorway, Lucas watched silently.
Then muttered under his breath:
"…Yeah, they're definitely not normal."
---
And somewhere between fever, sarcasm, and stubborn hearts—
Something had quietly changed.
Neither of them said it.
But both of them knew.
This?
Was no longer just a game.