CHAPTER 24 - HUSBAND

The healthcare facility was closer than I had anticipated. Nonetheless, it took me more than ten minutes to locate a spot in the driveway that was unoccupied. Eugene opened his drowsy eyes as I eventually pulled up and dried his runny nose on a piece of tissue before wrapping it inside another piece of fresh paper and tucking it in his left hand, presumably intending to throw it in the nearest trash can.

"You can just drop me here if you are busy. I can call a cab back."

I killed the engine and turned to my right, simply staring at him. His voice sounded weary and gravelly, yet for reasons unknown, my ears opted to interpret it as seductive. The coarseness in his tone made me crave to hear him say "Good Morning" shortly after waking up from a very productive night. Maybe I should consult a psychologist while we are here. Then again, who can blame me? For the love of God, I am an author, and my life's mission is to seek out desirable features in guys and create cringe-worthy moments in the most ridiculous situations.

"Are you certain you mean it?"

I inquired, gazing at him coolly, which dragged his attention away from taming his disheveled hair to me. Eugene offered me a feeble grin and scratched his head, shrugging his shoulders in response.

"Nope."

His genuine answer brought a smile to my lips. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how he was becoming more at ease with me.

Soon, we both walked into the white building, and I got Eugene's ID while stepping to the reception area right after forcing him to sit in the visitor's seat. I observed that the name on his driver's license was not Eugene; instead, it was his Thai name, Tanawat Ritthirong. I also took note of the date of his birth and was surprised to learn that he would be turning twenty-nine in just over four months, making him two years older than me. His blood type was O-positive, whereas mine was B-positive. Perhaps I should check out our level of compatibility once I return to the hotel room. At this point, I have completely given up questioning myself over why I am getting these illogical thoughts when it comes to Eugene.

The lady at the front desk collected the registration fee and gave me a token in return. She instructed me to proceed to the laboratory first, where his blood pressure and other vitals were to be obtained, and then come back to the lower level to consult the doctor. My father was the most recent person I accompanied to the medical center. Six months ago, he injured both of his hands while repairing Mom's car, and I rushed him to the emergency room. I recall him gripping my hand firmly while the nurse gave him a tetanus shot. I am curious to find out if Eugene is afraid of injections too.

"I despise the stench of hospital disinfectants."

Eugene muttered as we approached the examination room, and the physician guided him to an armchair placed next to multiple medical devices. I chuckled and passed him some tissues from my purse, which I had grabbed before exiting the car. I was certain it would come in handy. Thanking me briefly, he pressed the piece of paper against his nose, his brows wrinkled together in disgust. The nurse recorded his oxygen level, respiration, heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and weight on a computer. The report will subsequently be forwarded to the doctor. Reduced paperwork equals more trees conserved.

"Have you contacted anyone who might have COVID?"

It had become a common question asked of sick people after the outbreak of the viral pandemic, and it had since grown into a matter of routine.

"He plunged into a pool of freezing water last night and had been trembling a lot. He works long hours without rest and has not eaten much since the morning. By evening, the symptoms were getting severe. We are currently working together and have taken COVID tests. Anyone affected is not permitted to work."

The nurse nodded in acknowledgement and resumed typing on the computer screen. I figured Eugene had no desire to remove the protective covering from his nose and sniff the disinfectant, which had an unpleasant citrus odor, so I chose to inform the nurse instead.

"All done. You are free to visit the Doctor. Your name would be called by the nurse. Room No. 12, ground floor."

We simultaneously thanked the nurse, after which we rode the elevator back in silence. There were four patients before us, and we had to wait for more than half an hour. I made Eugene sit on the only empty chair, ignoring his hesitation and insistence that I do so.

"You have been exempted from being a gentleman today. Now sit there without any further fuss."

I said before pushing him down. After that, I went to the nearest vending machine and grabbed a cup of espresso. Eugene was conversing with the woman next to him, and I noticed her daughter playing on the phone next to her. He flushed considerably at something she had said and shook his head as if to tell her no. I couldn't hear what they were saying to each other, but I hoped she wasn't hitting on him or that he had an interest in a married woman. The thought was so weird and ridiculous that I couldn't help but grin foolishly, earning a confused look from the man who stood next to me.

"Here."

Eugene thanked me after I handed him the paper cup. The woman said something else in Thai, this time turning her attention to me, and Eugene merely shook his head and answered in his hoarse voice. I couldn't comprehend anything and figured it was a different dialect, one I was not familiar with.

Five minutes later, the mother and her daughter stood up and spoke to Eugene before shaking his hand. I figured she was bidding goodbye, and she offered her arm to me as well, which I reciprocated. I could only smile as she threw undecipherable Thai words at me, and judging from the wide grin she had on her face, I assumed she wasn't cursing at me.

"What exactly did she say?"

As I sat on the now-empty seat, I asked Eugene. His cheeks continued to be bright red, and I wasn't sure if it was from the fever or from whatever the woman had said.

"She just wished us a happy future."

Eugene didn't look me in the eyes when he said it, and I wondered if he was trying to hide anything. But why would he do that?

I dismissed the subject, and we waited another twenty minutes for his name to be called. I accompanied him to the inside of the doctor's cubicle and sat in the opposite chair while Eugene took the seat next to the elderly male doctor. He spent some time studying the monitor, which I presume has the information delivered by the nurse from the first floor. The doctor began asking questions in Thai, and I interrupted with an apology, requesting that he speak in English if possible. The good doctor smiled at me and nodded in affirmation.

"He has a high temperature, and his blood pressure is a little low."

My eyes strained in concentration as I linked his low blood pressure to his lack of sleep. I remained silent as the Doctor positioned a stethoscope on Eugene's chest and instructed him to inhale and exhale loudly. He coughed profusely on the third attempt, and it sounded terrible. I should have rushed him to the hospital in the afternoon.

"Are there any other symptoms?"

I groaned and shook my head in exasperation as I noticed Eugene shrugging his shoulders in response. Seriously? How old is this man?

"He is lying, Doctor. He has a headache, occasional sneezing, a runny nose, a sore throat, and body pain. I am certain he can't gulp down water without wincing, and it only started today. But he is too much of a tough man to admit it. I am guessing it will get worse by night."

The Doctor laughed and waved his hand approvingly at me.

"You are right. He has a suppressed fever inside, and the following days are going to be a little tough. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy food only. I recommend complete bed rest for the next two days."

"But.."

Eugene's complaining was cut short by my piercing glare, prompting the Doctor to chuckle once again. He was clearly enjoying our squabbles and did not hide his obvious amusement. Eugene was allergic to certain medications, so the doctor didn't give him a fever reducer shot and instead asked me to take care of him, which I completely intend to do.

We thanked the Doctor, and just as I was about to shut the door to his office, he called out to me, causing me to pause.

"If your husband is still not feeling well by the second day, please bring him in, okay?"

I nodded absentmindedly, the word 'husband' racing through my thoughts. I prayed Eugene didn't hear the doctor above the chattering outside, and from his expressionless face, I clung to that hope badly. Husband... The term was both catastrophic and heavenly. I had never thought of myself as wife-material, but Eugene? He'd make an excellent husband. There was no doubt about that. An uncomfortable vision of him with a faceless woman barged into my consciousness, shredding my feelings. I will never be able to provide him with a happy family. I can never offer him something I am incapable of.

"Are you okay?"

I lifted my head from my moving feet and found Eugene waiting for me next to the pharmacy with a concerned expression. I forced a smile on my face and said, 'Perfect', though it was anything but perfect I was feeling right now.

It was 7:30 by the time we arrived back at the resort. We parked near the elevator in an almost empty parking zone, and I double-checked the car to ensure that I did not leave anything behind.

Thank you so much, River. I think I will take leave tomorrow."

Eugene muttered as he shut the passenger door and held the plastic cover bearing his medications in his left hand.

"And where exactly do you think you're going?"

I inquired, raising an eyebrow at him. I locked the car and made my way slowly to his side.

"To my cottage."

Eugene responded as if it were self-evident, but I just shook my head. I didn't want to say it out loud, but there was no one to look after him there.

"And spread the infection? I would rather you not. You're staying with me tonight."

"What?"

He looked taken aback, as if I had just asked him to strip naked.

"Just listen to me, Eugene. You have a viral fever, and it is infectious. You are staying with four other guys, all in the same department. Do you want your entire team to get infected? Think practically."

I said it in a duh tone, but in my head I was making up further justifications. What if he insists on returning? I can't force him to stay with me.

"You are right. I can't stay with them in one room. But I can't stay with you either. You will get infected. I can just sleep in our hall or something."

I shook my head again, suddenly remembering that I had a spare room.

"Lorraine's room is empty, and she won't be back anytime soon. You can use it. Just have your own space."

He considered it for a moment but gave up after coughing for thirty seconds nonstop.

"Fine."

I nodded and took the plastic cover from him before walking ahead. I just hope he didn't see my wide smile.

......