Chapter 15
Allen looked down, his eyes fixed on Matilda’s red, full lips.
He didn’t move, but the heat in his gaze kept rising.
95
$5 vouchers
Up close, he saw it clearly. In Matilda’s teary eyes was a mix of urgency and helpless confusion–like a lost soul.
Allen’s Adam’s apple bobbed hard. “Matilda, you’re drunk.”
He started to get up, but Matilda lifted her head, and her unique scent drifted over him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him against her. Lips touched lips, tangling together, warm and close, like curling up inside a thick shell–safe and comforting.
*****
The next morning, Matilda woke up staring at the ceiling, dazed for a moment. ‘Didn’t I go to Solace Bar to drink? When did I get back to the hotel? How did I get back?‘
She sat up and realized her clothes had been changed. Her phone was charging by the bed, and there was a glass of milk on the nightstand.
Rubbing her aching temples, she went to the bathroom to freshen up. Hearing movement outside, she stepped out. “Dr. Saunders?”
Allen, who was setting out food, looked over and quickly looked away. “I bought you breakfast. Come eat.”
“Thank you. But Dr. Saunders, why are you here?” She looked completely lost.
“Don’t you remember?” Allen asked.
Matilda shook her head honestly.
Allen’s eyes dimmed, his Adam’s apple moved slightly, and his voice lowered. “I ran into you drinking at Solace Bar, so I brought you back.”
“You knew I was staying here, huh?” Matilda’s eyes widened.
“You told me yourself,” Allen said evenly.
“What about my clothes?” Her face turned a little shy.
“Room service changed them,” Allen replied directly.
Matilda let out a small sigh of relief.
Allen’s lips curved slightly. “Were you worried I’d take advantage of you?”
9:16 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 15
:
She felt embarrassed and said lightly, “I was afraid you’d be at a loss.”
Yeah, a big loss,‘ Allen thought.
95
155 vouchers.
Matilda sat across from him and noticed the table was full of her favorites: oatmeal, sandwiches, waffles, and
sausage.
She asked him to eat with her, but Allen said he’d already eaten.
Matilda nodded, her eyes landing on his slightly swollen lips. “Dr. Saunders, are you allergic to something?”
“Why?” Allen frowned slightly.
“Your lips look a little swollen,” she said.
Allen was speechless. They weren’t just swollen–they still felt a little numb. He looked at her, lips moving, but no words came out.
Last night had started by accident. That sudden kiss had caught him off guard, and even now, he was still holding back.
Matilda couldn’t figure out what he was thinking, but she noticed his ears had turned red.
After breakfast, she offered to clear the dishes. Allen had the same thought. They both reached for a small plate at the same time.
Her hand caught the plate, while his grabbed her hand.
Even in June, her hand was ice cold. Without much strength, her bones felt soft in his grip.
Matilda could feel the heat of his palm against her skin, rough calluses on his fingers brushing and prickling her lightly.
Surgical instruments alone wouldn’t cause calluses like these. She looked up and met his gaze.
The quiet stretched for a few seconds before they both let go like nothing had happened.
Allen caught the falling plate. “I’ll clean up.”
Matilda looked uneasy. “Thank you.”
Since it was all takeout, “cleaning up” really just meant tossing everything in the trash and carrying it downstairs.
Matilda insisted on paying him back for the drinks and breakfast.
Allen accepted the money. Before leaving, he asked, “Are you going to keep staying at the hotel?”
Matilda shook her head. “No, I’ll go out and look for a place today.”
“I think Maple Heights is nice,” Allen said.
9:16 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 15
A
95
55 vouchers
Maple Heights wasn’t just nice–it was the most luxurious neighborhood in Itera City. Developed by Horton Group, it had a high–end smart home system by Crossen Technology and sky–high property fees.
Matilda already knew all that. She forced a smile. “I’ll think about it.”
“If you’re having money trouble, you can tell me,” Allen said.
“Okay, thanks.” Matilda only agreed on the surface.
She didn’t mention Mr. S giving her money. They weren’t close enough for her to share everything.
Allen picked up the trash, walked a couple of steps, then stopped and looked back.
“Dr. Saunders, is there something else?” Matilda tilted her head.
His eyes lingered on her face. “It’s nothing.”
He walked toward the door, his steps steady and unhurried, then stopped again and turned.
Matilda wasn’t vain enough to think he couldn’t bear to leave her.
She remembered Jolene once saying Allen was so bad with directions that he couldn’t even follow GPS. Maybe he really couldn’t find his way to the hospital. Nobody was perfect.
“I’ll walk you out,” Matilda said.
It seemed like he’d been waiting for that. He smiled. “Thanks for the trouble.”
However, Matilda only meant putting him in a taxi.
She told the driver several times that he was headed to Saints International Hospital on Upper Boulevard.
The driver joked, “Ma’am, don’t worry. I’ll get him there safely. I’m not gonna sell him or anything.”
Matilda felt embarrassed–that wasn’t what she meant at all.
Allen lowered his head and laughed quietly, pushing his glasses up by the frames. He really did look like the picture of a gentle, responsible family man.
Matilda didn’t know what to say. As she closed the car door, Allen’s phone rang.
She didn’t say goodbye and walked back upstairs to her floor, lost in thought.
When she looked up, she froze. Someone was standing at her door–tall and straight, shirt tucked neatly into suit pants, broad shoulders, calm and composed.
“Dr. Saunders?” She was stunned to see him again so soon.
Allen heard her voice and walked toward her, stopping just an arm’s length away. He was so much taller that she had to tilt her head up.
9:16 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 15
“There’s something you should know, so you can be prepared,” Allen said.
Matilda’s expression grew serious. “Go ahead.”
95
55 vouchers
Allen didn’t hesitate. “Shelby’s running a high fever that won’t break. Brandon just took her to Saints. International Hospital.”
AD
