Feelings

"Take him to one of the warehouses. Make sure he doesn't die or escape." Adam's words from that day resonated in her mind.

Maybe it's just an absurd thought in her mind. Maybe he said something else and she heard that instead. Azalea didn't want to believe the ridiculous word.

"I don't know if this rumor is true or not but many think they rule the underground and even have hands-on politics…" But everything was pointing to it. Daniel's sudden disappearance; Adam's word and the rumor…

"Azalea? Are you listening to me?" Adam called out, seeing his newlywed wife lost in thought. He sighed, walking up to her and shaking her shoulder. "Lea?"

"Huh?" Azalea woke up, glancing at Adam, who was just a few inches away. "Are you okay?" Adam asked in worry, leaning in closer to check her temperature.

His ebony hair hid his forehead, the warm sunlight reflecting those black hair into gold thread, his face just a few inches apart from hers. The citrusy smell of orange and cinnamon tingling her nose. Suddenly, her body felt like being burnt, and a sudden temperature rose.

Adam got concerned seeing her face turn all red, her forehead being warmer than normal. "Let me call Ashton to check on you," Adam remarked, about to press the emergency button when Azalea stopped him.

"No! I am fine…" Azalea declared, clearing her throat and fanning her face with her hands. "Can you open the windows for some fresh air?" Azalea requested.

Adam was a bit worried seeing her all reddened face but nodded to her request letting the window open. Adam looked out of the window. The ginkgo tree planted by the window, let in a fresh gist of breeze.

"Why will I like him? I will never fall in love…" Azalea's words from the previous day repeatedly rang inside his mind. Adam stared at Azalea who was trying to avoid every way to look in his direction.

'Every inch of your body is telling me you fell for me already. How long are you going to play dumb to your feelings?' Adam thought to himself with a victorious smile appearing on his face for a few seconds.

"Ashton told me you could be discharged tomorrow and have bed rest for a few weeks. I already informed your University about your accident." Adam informed, his voice calm and composed. Somehow that calmness feels like a stranger to Azalea. The summer that she finally got after yearning for so long seems to have long gone.

Azalea looked down, her fingers unknowingly fidgeting, her head slowly nodding to his words as a gesture. 'The summer you yearned most was lost again.' The line repeated in her mind. The flowers that bloom so beautifully have withered. The butterflies that danced, had disappeared. Once again the winter surrounded, the cold wind freezing all sorts of life. Was this her fate? Will it ever change? Will the winter ever leave? Will the summer return?

***

Azalea lay down on her bed, and sleep seemed to run away from her. As she twisted around her bed, her eyes landed on the man sleeping on the couch. The six-foot figure barely fits on that sofa. Adam was already fast asleep, as Azalea quietly watched him. Who would tell he is a businessman of one of the richest conglomerates?

The steady breath of the man calms her muscles. Instead of butterflies in her stomach, it strangely makes her relax every inch of her body. How strange. Is it normal for anyone to experience any traumatic incident? Yeah, that's what it was. Stockholm Syndrome, nothing else.

Frustrated, Azalea pulled the blanket over her face trying to forget every stupid thought she was starting to have. The uneasiness that bubbled in her heart, the more the thought tormented her.

"Ahh! I don't know!" Infuriated Azalea sat up straight yelling out.

"Lea?" Adam instinctively jumped out of the sofa, running up to her. "Are you ok? Did you see something? Are you in pain? Should I call the nurse? No, let me call the doctor…" Adam bombarded her with questions, his face filled with worry. Anxiously about to run out of the room, barefooted.

Seeing Adam's worry made Azalea more confused. In stillness, she blankly stared at Adam, her brain completely shut off to respond. This can't be acting, right? No way, a guy would do this for her. This must be a dream. She should wake up. Azalea lay down, holding onto her blanket dearly and closing her eyes in hopes of waking up from the dream.

"She seems to be asleep. Mr. Shen, are you sure you heard it right?" A female voice cracked in the room, her eyes scanning the scattered man. Hairs messed up, barefooted, it seemed like he just woke up from sleep. Maybe it was nothing but a dream.

"What are you trying to imply?" Adam gave a sharp glare at the female doctor, instantly shutting her mouth.

"I apologize, Mr. Shen." She briefly bowed trying to protect her job. She rechecked Azalea, before gulping and answering, "I think Mrs. Shen was sleep talking. It's common for…patients like her to relive the horror through nightmares, often reacting to it as if it's real." The doctor explained.

"We will monitor her for tonight and inform Dr. Ashton. It's usually harmless and goes away with time. " She continued seeing how distressed Adam was after the news.

"Thank you, doctor." Adam nodded as the doctor took leave. As the silence restored in the room, Adam sat down on the chair beside her, holding her hand.

"You must be in a lot of pain. I am sorry, I couldn't protect you." Adam apologized, as soft sobs left his lips. "I promise you, there will be no next time." Adam pledged, giving a small peck on her forehead. He carefully tucked her in before returning to his couch.

Azalea, who was only acting to be asleep, slowly opened her eyes. Her back towards the couch. What was even wrong with him? Why was he feeling guilty? It was not even his fault, then why? It was her past mistake, Daniel was her mistake, her fault for how things turned out so why was he crying? It was just a strange.