Trisha's POV:

"Like this?" Turning on the stove recklessly, a huge flame to appear instantly, causing Adrian to jump back in surprise.

"No no no! The flame is too big! Smaller!" He quickly adjusted the nob, lowering the flame significantly.

"Smaller?"

"That's fine. All you have to do now is to stir every 15 minutes for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Make sure to not let the rice stick to the bottom or else it will burn. That's about it." After covering the pot with its lid, he let out a deep breath before relaxing against the wall.

"Okay. Got it. Every 15 minutes."

"Now go and take a seat while I clean up your mess. Geez...you really made a mess."

"Sorry. I'll help clean-"

"It's fine. We don't need any bacteria to enter your cuts and make them infected." I think the cuts he made on the chicken is equivalent to the cuts he inflicted on himself. He keeps cutting his fingers instead of the piece of meat on the chopping board.

It's heartening however. It's the first time Adrian has ever tried to hard to do something himself which is beyond his limit. Despite all the cuts he suffered, he did not give up halfway or even ask me for any help but insisted to do it all by himself.

He even rushed back home after work today just to make it for Ryan. Of course, he came home earlier so that he will be able to make it on time for him to bring it to Ryan as dinner. It's really heart-warming and touching to see him so in love with Ryan.

After cleaning up the kitchen, I brought the medical kit to the living room only to spot him seated patiently, watching the time with much focus. He really is cute looking all so serious when he's focused on a certain thing. "Here, give me your hands. I have to disinfect your cuts."

"Thanks mum."

"Don't worry about it hun."

"Mum?"

"Yes dear?"

"Do you think the congee will turn out okay?"

"Of course. You put your heart and soul into making it so I'm sure it will come out great." He stared at me with hesitation in his eyes as he eyed the pot worriedly. Sigh...this boy.

"What if it doesn't? What if Ryan doesn't like it's taste or texture or-"

"Adrian. Sometimes, it is the heart that matters. I believe that Ryan can feel your true feelings from it too. This is the first time you ever made something by yourself too, right? Don't be so hard on yourself."

"But-oh! It's 15 minutes already. Give me a sec, mum." Standing up quickly, he dashed into the kitchen to find a ladle before stirring the congee with much seriousness and caution.

It's obvious to see that he really grew up a lot after admitting his feelings to Ryan. I'm really glad that he have found someone who loves him equally hard as he does. What matters the most is for them to find their true happiness, be it from each other or from others.

"I'm back mum, sorry for making you wait."

"No worries. You made sure to not let them stick to the pot right?"

"Yeah. Hopefully it will really turn out well." It will. Don't worry so much love.

"Don't worry. Now, give me your hand. I still have a few more fingers to go. Sigh...you should be more careful next time. I asked you to cut the chicken, not your fingers."

"It's my first time handling a knife...for cooking. It felt dangerous to be honest."

"You'll get used to it in time. It's actually very simple once you get the hang of it."

"I see...I wonder what should I make for Ryan tomorrow...I should search it up later tonight once he sleeps."

"Are you coming back tonight?"

"I don't think so. I think I'll just stay over in the hospital with Ryan. I'll pack a new set of clothes to change tomorrow later on."

"Okay. Make sure to watch for your health too Adrian. I don't need you to go down too."

"I won't...I hope the congee really comes out fine." Sigh...sometimes he worries too much for his own good.

"It will. Don't make me say it again or do you want me to dye your hair blue this time."

"Okay. I'll shut." Surrendering swiftly, he stopped worrying over the congee before resting back against the sofa. Sigh...this boy is really going to worry me if he's ever alone.

Ryan's POV:

"Please, hun. Just accept it. I can't live on peacefully if you don't accept it. I have to thank you somehow for saving me. This is really nothing. Please accept it, hun. Please?"

"Just accept it, Ryan. Take it as a thanks from me to you for saving my girl and from her to you for saving her. If you don't accept this, we'll take it as it's not enough and we'll go and buy more. Right, Cath?"

"Absolutely. So, hun?" Sigh...I can't say no after they said that. I don't need anymore extravagant things to be given to me.

"Okay, I'll accept it. Thanks a lot Catherine and Leon." Smiling brightly, Catherine took the hamper out of Leon's arms and placed it on the bed stand.

"No need for thanks, hun. It should be the other way around. Thank you, Ryan, for saving my life."

"It's fine. I would rather me to be here than you."

"It's really as Adrian says..." Upon my words, her eyes widened slightly as she mumbled softly to herself. What did Adrian say?

"He's a man of steel so don't worry too much Catherine. Right, love?" Oh! Adrian!

"Hi Adrian and yup. Adrian's right, Catherine."

"How are you love? Better?" Walking over to my bedside, he bent down slightly before pressing his lips against mine softly. "Sorry to only be able to visit you now."

"Don't worry about it. All that matters is that you're here."

"Umm....sorry Ryan but we have to go now. We will come back to visit you soon okay?" Leon soon spoke up hesitantly as if afraid of breaking our conversation.

"No worries. Have a nice day and thanks for the hamper. I really like it."

"That's great then. Bye Ryan, bye Adrian." "Bye hun. Take good care of him, Adrian."

~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~

"Is it too bland or overcooked or-" Adrian asked worriedly after I've finished the congee he made.

"It's really great. Thank you Adrian."

"Wait...how did you know that I cooked it? Did Mum tell you that?" Silly boy. I do pay attention to you so if anything changes, I would realize immediately.

"Your fingers."

"Oops?" Eyeing his fingers, he quickly hid them behind his back in embarrassment.

"They must have hurt. Thanks a lot, Adrian."

"It's nothing. It's my duty as your boyfriend right?" Sigh...this is why I love him so much.

"Give me your hands."

"Why?"

"It's my duty then to make them feel better right?" Holding his hands up using my right, I pressed my lips against every single one of his finger tips before pressing my lips against his gently. "Thank you Adrian. I love you so much."

"I love you too, my love."

"Sleep with me?" His eyes shone visibly eagerly but he shook his head instead. Why not?

"The bed will break."

"We will figure out something else if it really breaks. Now, come here."

"Yes love." He said gladly before moving up the bed cautiously, afraid that it would give in under our weights combined but relaxed immediately when he realized that the bed didn't even squeak. "Thank goodness."

"Told you."

"Yes, love. Sigh...I love you so much, you don't know how much you scared the hell out of me when I heard that you got shot."

"Sorry."

"It's fine. As long as you're here, everything's fine." 

"Same here."