CHAPTER TEN; Feelings

Rose woke up the next morning feeling more rested than she had in days. The anxiety and fear that had gripped her during her father's health crisis had finally begun to subside, replaced by a cautious optimism. Her father's condition had stabilized overnight, and the doctor's reports were also increasingly positive.

As she stretched and got ready to head back to the hospital, Rose couldn't help but feel a swell of gratitude towards Laurent. She'd never even known how alone she was until this happened. She smiled to herself, remembering how attentive and comforting he had been. The more she thought about him, the more she grinned, until her jaws were hurting from the force of her smiles. Right now, she couldn't even remember why she'd thought hooking up with him would be a bad idea. She couldn't wait until they were together again.

Quickly freshening up, Rose hurried out the door, eager to check on her father and drop some not so subtle hints. The short drive to the hospital seemed to fly by, and soon she was making her way through the familiar corridors toward the intensive care unit.

As she approached her father's room, she spotted a familiar figure standing just outside the door. "Laurent!" she called out, a bright smile lighting up her face.

Laurent turned at the sound of her voice, his own expression brightening. "Rose, my darling," he greeted, pulling her into a warm embrace. "I'm so glad to see you. How is your father doing?"

"He's doing much better, Laurent," Rose replied, her voice filled with relief. "The doctor says his condition has been steadily improving overnight. I was just about to go see him."

"That's wonderful news," Laurent said, squeezing her hand affectionately. "I'm so relieved to hear it."

Rose studied his face. How the man could look so handsome and put together no matter what he wore was a surprise. She realized she was staring, and also took the time to notice that the congestion she had heard in his voice the previous day seemed to have cleared up. "Are you feeling better as well?" she asked, concern seeping in her tone.

Laurent chuckled and nodded. "Yes, my dear, I'm doing just fine. Just a bit of a cold, nothing to worry about." He paused, his expression turning serious. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here with you yesterday, but I'm glad to see your father is on the mend."

"I'm just glad you're here now," Rose said, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "I was hoping you'd come by to see him. I know it would mean a lot to my father."

Laurent smiled and leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and purring like a kitten "Of course, I wouldn't dream of staying away. But I doubt if we should wake him just yet. Honestly, I came this early to see your face, but I need to make a quick trip to the office. There are a few things that need my attention."

Oh, she'd assumed he would be staying longer. She hurried to reject the flicker of disappointment from reaching her face, but she knew she had failed when Laurent gave a husky chuckle and hugged her again. She sighed into his arms, the man just knew what she wanted.

"My darling. Have you forgotten you're the Boss? Us your subordinates can't just take a break because we want to check up on someone very important in our lives"

She smiled in amusement and satisfaction, Indeed, she'd forgotten. Not leaving the comfort of his arms, she looked up to his face and said in the most sultry voice she could manage, "How about if the Boss grants you a special leave, just for today. We could go have fun, God knows we need it"

He chuckled again, but she saw a hint of something else in his face. 

"Laurent, I didn't mean…"

He covered her lips with a finger, "Shhh. While I'd love to do that, I really am needed in the office. The guys and I have our final presentation for the project tomorrow, and I need to be there"

She pouted her lips, and he kissed it. Her smile came out from within her. "Alright, but hurry, Okay? Maybe I should actually show up too?"

In response, he removed his arms from around her, and put her at arms length, his eyes tracking from her head to her toe. She didn't know exactly what he was doing, but even this early in the money, his eyes were leaving scorches of fire in her wake. She felt her neck flushing in arousal.

But his next words nipped it in the bud, "Rose, my darling. While you're the most beautiful woman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing" he squeezed his nose and lowered his brow, "You don't look too good right now"

She burst into laughter, prompting other families to look at her in shock. She had definitely not been expecting that.

"Laurent!"

"What?"

"You can't say that to a woman"

"Why not?" he crossed his arms like a petulant child. "I said it in the nicest way possible"

That was true, though. She rose on her tiptoes and gave him a soft kiss, "Then I'll take it in the spirit it was intended"

She felt her heart stop and start again, when his face broke out in a dazzling smile. God, she was far gone. She resisted the urge to fan herself, instead taking a step back.

"I'll take care of myself, then, good Sir. Please make sure to do the same, Okay?"

He smiled a soft smile, "Of course, Love"

She smiled back and couldn't resist the urge to hug him again. He wasn't yet gone and she was already missing him. 

"Hurry back", she whispered under her breath, and he squeezed her back as she felt him nod against her shoulder.

With a final squeeze of her hand, Laurent let go and made his way down the corridor, leaving her feeling despondent. She watched his back until he was out of sight, and then went back to sit in the waiting room. 

She heard a wet chuckle to her side, and turned to a young woman blowing her nose, "How long have you been married?" the woman asked, making her thoughts grind to a halt.