Chapter 88: Heartfelt Moments

Chapter 88: Heartfelt Moments

Seeing Bruno glance towards the balcony off the living room, Vanessa felt embarrassed and struggled to get up. The balcony corner was draped with some of her personal items, explaining her bashfulness.

"It's okay, Vanessa, I'm not interested in prying or anything like that..." Bruno guessed her intentions and waved it off. "You should keep lying down. You look very unwell. A few glasses of champagne shouldn't make you feel this bad, right?"

Vanessa shook her head, "I don't know why I feel so bad. I've never had this reaction to champagne before. Today, I just feel weak, dizzy, and a bit cold."

Vanessa didn't know what to do. Being alone and feeling so weak, she probably had a cold, but given that they weren't very close, it wasn't appropriate to expect him to take care of her. Bruno, noticing her discomfort, took her hand. It was slightly damp and cold—a sign of her distress.

Instinctively, he touched her forehead. Vanessa, embarrassed, tried to pull away, but he was gentle. Her forehead was warm but not alarmingly so, which reassured Bruno slightly, although her pale face contrasted sharply with the deep flush on her cheeks.

Thinking quickly, Bruno asked if she had any cold medicine, which she didn't. "Vanessa, it looks like you've caught a cold. You need some medicine. Should I take you to a nearby hospital?"

Vanessa refused, thinking it wasn't necessary, as she felt only slightly unwell and assumed rest would suffice. Bruno, however, was not convinced, seeing her usual vitality so diminished. He insisted she lay down while he went out to fetch some medicine.

He asked for directions to a community clinic, then took Vanessa's keys before heading out. The clinic was not far, given the upscale area they were in, and Bruno quickly returned with some anti-inflammatory and cold relief medicine.

Vanessa had moved to her bedroom and was lying down, looking distinctly feverish under a thin blanket. Bruno was startled by her appearance; it was clear she was feverish. He touched her forehead again—burning hot this time.

He acted swiftly, preparing the cold medicine with water, then helped Vanessa sit up to drink it. She was embarrassed, especially as she was wearing only a thin cotton nightgown without a bra, which outlined her form clearly under the dim room light. Bruno, a young man of nineteen, felt a natural reaction but managed to suppress it, maintaining his composure.

After Vanessa took the medicine, Bruno helped her get comfortable. Seeing her struggle with her emotions, he offered quiet reassurance and made sure she was well-covered and warm.

As Bruno prepared to sit in the living room, Vanessa, feeling a mix of relief and loneliness, asked if he was leaving. He reassured her, "How can I leave when you're like this?" and decided to stay, sitting by her bed.

Vanessa, now feeling a deep sense of security and comfort, fell asleep watching Bruno pick up a book from her nightstand. As he sat quietly by her bed, she felt an unprecedented peace and drifted off to sleep, comforted by his presence.

(End of Chapter)

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