7 Tender Lovin' Care Summer

I vaguely remembered receiving calls every so often from Justine that night to remind me to take my medicine. I also remembered Father checking up on me once in a while. Despite the seeming distractions, I slept soundly.

"Hey…"

"Hmnnnn?" Somebody was stroking my hair ever so gently. It makes me want to sleep more. The back of the hand that was combing my hair a while ago was now caressing my cheeks with feather touches. Still half asleep, I caught the hand and entwined by fingers with it. I put the hand on my lips and kissed it. I slowly opened my eyes. They were met with the blackest pair of eyes staring back at me.

"Justine!" He put his index finger on my lips to silence me. He continued to look at me smiling mischievously. 'Why is he in my room? How did he even come in?' My heart was beating wildly. I was so nervous just being this near with him in our house, and in my room! I sat up and fixed my clothes. I suddenly felt self-conscious. 'How do I even look?'

"You are always pretty to me, Nina" My jaw dropped. This was the nth time he knew exactly what I was thinking. He cupped my chin and gently tilted my face towards him. He kissed my lower lip. He nibbled on it. I kissed him back. I no longer care if my father found us in this compromising position. My father can kill me later. But first, let me die in this deliciousness.

"Uhnmmnnn, you taste like coffee and cream. I'm actually beginning to like coffee, you know," he said laughing teasingly and went back nibbling and kissing me.

'Wait, what? Coffee, why would I taste like coffee. Right now, I taste more like paracetamol and dried sweat…'

There was a light knock on my door.

"Nina, are you awake?" I jolted from my sleep, I slightly bang my head on the headboard of my bed. 'OMG! I was just dreaming! It was just a dream!' Disappointment washed over me. I blushed over this thought. 'Have I gone so bold???'

"Hey, are you okay?!?! The real Justine was now frantically knocking on my door.

'Justine? Why is he here at this hour?!' I thought. "Yes." I answered surprised.

"Do you need help coming down? Breakfast is ready," he announced.

"Give me 5 minutes please," I answered still bewildered. 'And where is my father? Did he really leave me alone?'

I hurried to brush my teeth and comb my hair. I checked if I was decent enough to face Justine. My face was still flushed with the memory of my dream. I closed my eyes and unconsciously licked my lips. 'Stop it Nina! You're so shameless!' My head hurt from the little accident earlier. I willed myself to hurry. 'My first love is waiting downstairs!' I took a deep breath and went to the kitchen.

Surprisingly, my father was still there having coffee while checking something on his laptop. He was dressed ready to go to work. I gave him an accusatory look.

"I thought you'd feel better with this young man here," he said, reading my mind.

I blushed. My father chuckled. I thought of protesting but I can't find the right words to say. Besides, my father was right. I did feel better. Justine gave me a bowl of steaming porridge and a glass of orange juice.

"Can I have coffee instead?" I asked. Justine shook his head, meaning no. 'Didn't you say I taste of coffee?' I blushed as I again remember my dream. My father looked at me curiously. I looked back at him appealing to let me have coffee. He also shook his head. 'Are these men ganging up on me?'

"Auntie Anita sent me the porridge and specifically told me not to allow you to have coffee. She said you need hydration and coffee doesn't help," Justine said sitting down beside me. I was amazed on how confidently he ordered me around in my father's presence. My father surprisingly just let him.

Someone entered the kitchen. It was Auntie Aida, one of the kitchen staff in the White House. She said she was sent by Auntie Anita to take care of the house. It appeared that the people in the White House were already briefed of my sickness.

I ate quietly conscious of Justine's nearness. I couldn't wait to be alone with him. I blushed with this thought. I stole a glance at Justine and saw him smiling at my expression. I was sure he knew what I was thinking. I smirked at him. My father took my temperature and declared that I still had a fever. He told me to stay home, rest and continue my medicine every six hours. If my fever persisted, he said he'd take me to the doctors.

"Can I stay with her, Uncle Amor?" Justine boldly asked. I was not shocked with his display of confidence anymore. He was not even slightly intimidated by my father.

"Uhmn, you'll find an excuse anyway, even if I were to say no, right?" my father asked back.

Justine nodded. I astonished by his audacity. He was audacious but not arrogant. Father was I think amused.

Father called out to Auntie Aida who was in the dirty kitchen cum laundry room. "You're staying too, Aida. Please?"

Of course Sir Amor," Auntie Aida answered.

"Look-out for these two, will you?" Father hollered to Aunt Aida. To Justine he said, "No closed doors, okay?"

It was the first time I saw Justine blush.

When my father was out of the door, Justine slumped on the chair and took a deep breathe and exhaled. He did this like 3 times. He massaged his hands alternately to stop it from shaking. I gave him a glass of water. He took it and almost emptied the glass. He was just feigning his confidence after all. He was actually very nervous. I clutched my melting heart. 'Justine, Justine, Justine...'