✿ Aileen's POV

After giving my nosy employees a reason why I have to leave early, I hop into my Jeep and head out. For some reason, I'm in no hurry to get to my destination.

And no, it wasn't the guilt. Yes, I did feel guilty. But no. My hesitance had nothing to do with the guilt.

Fear of rejection?

Yes, that was probably it.

It's only when the security guard walks up to ask if I'm okay for the second time that I decide to finally get out of the car after being parked outside Paragon Scapes for almost an hour. I lean my head back and take in a deep breath.

“I can do this. I've sat through a Jurisprudence and Legal Theory class before. So I can definitely do this. Piece of cake.”

I had to laugh at myself at how nervous I was to go in there and talk to Reid. And I wouldn't blame him if he flat-out rejected me.

'Cause you'd deserve it, my conscience quips.

I climb out of my car. With my Ariana Grande ponytail still intact, I adjust my dress, and fortifying breaths taken, I step into the building. I step into the lobby and it's the first time I notice the Paragon Scapes logo decorating the wall behind the large front desk. I also notice the comfortable-looking furniture for waiting guests.

They redecorated?

The colors are cool and calming—beachy blues and grays that contrast with the dark brown leather couch and chairs. The orchid smell in the air however is intact.

I move toward the desk and a man wearing a headset that somehow didn’t crush his spiky blond hair greets me with a friendly smile.

“What can I do for you?”

“I'm here to see Reid Dalton. And before you ask, no. I do not have an appointment.”

He blinks at me.

“Lee. My name's Lee. It's really urgent.”

“Of course. One moment, please.”

His smile turns a bit sardonic and I fold my arms and wait as he speaks quietly to someone through his headset.

“Oh, ma'am!” Freda's voice chirps from my side.

I turn.

“Hi,” I let out.

“Welcome,” she grins. “Can I get you anything?”

“Oh no, no. I just wanna see your boss.”

“Why of course. You don't need my permission, ma'am. Just that—”

“Err, excuse me, Freda. But she doesn't have an appointment. I checked” the man cuts her off.

“Well, she doesn't need an appointment to see Mr. Dalton, Han. She's Mr. Dalton's fiancée.”

The man's mouth forms an 'o' and just when he's about to probably apologize, he's cut off by an all too familiar voice.

“Last time I checked, she was Mr. Dalton's ex.”

I let out an exasperated sigh and throw her a lazy look which she rewards with an enormous smile.

“Hello, Lee.”

“Anika.”

I don't even pretend to force a smile.

“What brings you here?”

I fully turn to face her and fold my arms. She lets a dramatic gasp and holds her hands out.

“Careful, she might flip a table.”

You little bitch.

I narrow my eyes at her as amusement shines in her big blue orbs. She feels her ponytail and I feel disgusted to be wearing a ponytail too.

“Can I please go in now, Freda?” I ask as I look over my shoulder.

“Don't bother. He's not here” Anika speaks up again.

I look over at her.

“Business trip. Ask Freda.”

I don't look away from Anika even when Freda confirms Reid's not been to work for days.

“I'd tell you not to worry, but your relationship is over as it is and he's obviously going to replace you with someone who's everything you're not.”

Like you.

“I mean he did meet you on a business trip ” Her smile's still intact as she takes slow strides toward me. “You know Lee, I think I can help you with your... problem.”

I arch a brow, not interested in wasting my breath on her. She slips her hand into her clutch and holds out a card to me. I catch the name.

'American Psychological Association'.

“Take it. Call the number on the back. They'll help you get your anger under control.”

My chest shakes with silent laughter.

“Anger management?”

She nods.

“And you just happen to carry a card around?”

She shrugs.

“I like to be prepared. I might have flaws but on the whole, I'm a saint.”

“Oh I'm sure,” I say through my fake smile as I unfold my arms.

Let's see how prepared you are when I toss you out a window.

“Well, it was nice to see you... hopefully for the last time, Lee” She grabs my hand and slaps the card in... very hard.

I force back a wince as she smiles and makes her way toward the exit. I form a fist around the card and close my eyes.

Deep breathes.

“Would you like anything, ma'am?” I hear Freda ask and I open my eyes.

“No. Thank you. I'll just... head out.”

She nods.

“Could you please show me to the bathroom first?” I ask, touching my ponytail.

“Yes, it's right through there.”

“Thanks.”

I frown as I go down the hallway she directs me to, angrily tugging at the band holding up my ponytail.

“Stupid bitch” I grumble. “Saint my arse.”

“Lee?” a voice calls just when I finally tug the band free and my hair falls.

I turn, threading my hands in my hair. He steps out from the door I assume leads to his office. Hernan was tall... not Reid tall, but tall, and lean with sharp cheekbones, auburn hair, a smooth jaw, and a smart pair of glasses. He wore a tweed vest over a button-down shirt and tie, with slacks and brown shoes.

“For a second there I thought I was seeing things,” he says, cute accent and all.

“Nope. It's really me.”

His mouth curls in a smile.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was going to fix my hair in the bathroom but I got it anyway so.”

He purses his lips and I chortle.

“You mean here in the first place.”

“Yeah.”

“I came to see Reid.”

“Lee—”

“Yes, I know. Business meeting. It was silly of me to come anyway. I should have taken me not being able to reach him as a sign to just let it go.”

“Lee—”

“Oh, but I can't and it's driving me insane. I really need to talk to him, Hernan” I sigh, reaching into my purse for my phone. “I know he's probably busy, but I promise, I won't disturb him. So if I could please get a number that will go through. Maybe the hotel he's staying at? I really need to talk to him, please.”

“Lee” he chuckles.

What's funny?

“Who said he's on a business trip?”

“Anika. I ran into her at the front desk and the receptionist confirmed it.”

“Ah,” he lets out.

Ah?

I narrow my eyes.

“Wait, she lied?” I ask, angry, yet relieved Reid was probably in a meeting here.

“Not completely. He's not away on a business trip. He's here.”

I let out a relieved breath.

“But indisposed at the moment.”

My stomach churns.

“What?”

Hernan nods.

“He's been a bit... unwell.”

“Unwell?”

“Yeah. A bit under the weather since the storm a few days ago.”

Ohh...

The guilt hits harder and I clutch my phone.

“Do you...”

“No” he's quick to reply. “He's not at his parent's house or his apartment.”

He has an apartment?

I shake my head.

“What about—”

“I doubt it, Lee” Hernan shoves his hands into his pockets. “Reid's not known to exactly stick. And if he's been given the green light, why would he stay still? He's probably put your house up for sale. But he's not there, that much I can tell you.”

In the distance, I hear a toilet flush and I feel my heart swirl with the flush into my stomach.

“You okay?”

I suck in a shaky breath and nod, meeting Hernan's eyes.

“Yeah.”

“Would you like me to pass him a message if he returns my calls since yours don't go through?”

“No, thanks. And if you could not mention that I was here, it'd be great.”

He watches me quietly.

“I should get going. It was nice to see you.”

“Likewise. Drive safe.”

I smile politely at him and hurry out of the hallway and out of the building. I don't stop walking till I get to my car. Phone still in hand, I unlock it and scroll to his contact. I hit call and it immediately disconnects. The anger that courses through me is unbearable and unexplainable. I just unlock my car, get behind the wheel, and drive away.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

When I pull up to the tall black gate, I get out of the car and go ahead to punch in the combination to open the gate since I don't have a remote. The gate slowly opens and I drive inside. My heart sinks impossibly further when Reid's car isn't in the driveway. But I'm a bit relieved to not see any 'House For Sale' sign on the property.

I turn off my engine and climb out. I enter the code into the door's keypad and enter. The place is just like I remember it. Not a thing out of place. Except for a hoodie I don't recognize. Putting my purse and phone away, I gingerly pick it up. Then before I know it, I'm pressing it to my face.

Three words.

Cedar and sandalwood.

One word.

Reid.

I squeeze the hoodie into my chest as I keep inhaling, not sure why.

Maybe I'll keep this as a souvenir?

Then I hear a sound and open my eyes. I stay still, holding my breath. The sound comes again after a few seconds and I put the hoodie back on the couch.

“Hello?” I call out. “Reid? Are you in here?”

Another sound. I'm about to move into the kitchen for a weapon when I spot the bedroom door open.

“Reid?” I call out again, high on the possibility that he's the one here, not a thief.

I cross over toward the bedroom door and step inside.

“Reid?”

A muffled sound comes from the bed and my eyes trace it to him.

Oh, thank God.

Relief washes over me and I close my eyes for a few seconds.

“Great... now I'm hallucinating” I hear him speak.

I open my eyes and he's looking at me.

“I close my eyes I see you. I open my eyes and you're here too? You could have at least shown up wearing that pastel pink dress you know? I really like that dress.”

I blink once, then twice. Then the realization reaches him and he exhales deeply.

“You're really here aren't you?”

I nod.

“I need to talk to you, Armani” I sigh, “But before that, I'm sorry. And embarrassed beyond words. I shouldn't have—”

“Lee? Not so loud” he groans, making me stop, “And could we do this another time? I'm pretty sure I'm imminently dying” he coughs and sniffs a bit.

I round the bed to the side where he's lying and gingerly touch his forehead.

Oh shit!

My hands fly off his skin.

“I know. I'm hot” he cracks a tiny smile.

This is all your fault. You let him stand in the rain!

“Don't move” I instruct.

He mutters something I don't catch as I step into the bathroom. I come back with a wet towel and lay it across his forehead.

“Jesus, Lee!” he hisses, his teeth chattering.

“Sorry, but you're burning up.”

“It'll go away. Give it two hours. It's been like that for a couple of days now.”

I frown.

“Don't bother. I'm okay.”

I hold up a thermometer at him.

“Open.”

“Wide?” he smirks.

“Reid.”

He sighs and parts his lips. I carefully hold the thermometer close to his mouth and he leads it into with his tongue before closing his lips around it. Something flickers inside me and I force myself to look away.

When I tame whatever feeling that is, I turn back to Reid and pull out the stick.

“Thirty-nine.”

He scoffs.

“It'll be gone soon. No need to make a fuss.”

“Have you had anything to eat?” I ask so I don't get angry at how relaxed he is.

“I had a coffee—”

I get up.

“Keep the towel there and don't move” I instruct as I step away from him.

“Couldn't even if I tried.”

I walk into the kitchen and it's the fastest I've ever cooked.

“Okay. I made you soup. Wasn't sure if you could hold anything down” I announce as I step back into the bedroom.

The bed is empty.

“Armani?”

I glance around the room until I notice the pile of blankets on the floor, close to the fireplace. Moving.

“What the hell are you doing on the floor, Armani?”

He peeks through an opening, looking unacceptably awful.

“Freshie? Is that... you? Or are you a hallucination?”

I let out a sigh.

“It's me, Armani. Now let's get you back into bed.”

I carefully set down the soup before trying to help Reid off the ground. His temperature is the same as before when I touch him and I try to get him up but can't. I huff.

“I'm going to need you to help me out here Armani. You're not exactly... small” I groan when I fail to get him up again.

“Oh, I know. I hear that... a lot” his teeth chatter a bit.

When I catch his weak smirk, I shake my head.

“Even on your death bed. Do you ever take a day off?”

“And deprive my adoring fans... all this glory?”

I roll my eyes and he sniffs, teeth still chattering.

“Do me a favor. Shut up and use that little energy to help me get you back into bed.”

“Little?” he groans, throwing his head back for a second, “I'll have you know... I have a... a lot of stamina—” he sneezes and I would be grossed out but it's undeniably cute. “Sorry,” he croaks as I hide my smile.

I manage to get one shoulder under his arm and he weakly attempts to lean away.

“Armani, cut it out” I scold.

He tries to push me away from him.

“Seriously, stop it.”

“No. You're not even supposed to be here.”

I pause.

“I know, I know. I messed up and overdid it. But I was so mad—”

“Not that” he struggles with a head shake. “What if you get... *sniff* sick too?”

My smile comes out from hiding.

“Don't worry. I take a Vitamin C packet every morning. Now, up you go.”

He finally gives in and I manage to get him into the bed. He groans and I tuck him in the layers and layers of blankets. But even with all the covers piled on him, he's still shivering.

“Thanks, Lee. I'm not sure what I'd... d-do... without you.”

My heart does a little flip but I keep my voice light and fumble for a reply.

“You'd probably still be rolling on the floor” I smile. “Do you feel up for a few bites of soup?”

He groans and then nods. When he holds out a hand, I try to pass him a spoon. But it slips out of his grip and he shivers again.

“Sorry. My hand-eye coordination's been uh... better.”

I retrieve the soup from the other side of the bed and perch on the space beside where he's lying.

“Then here. Lemme help.”

Heart pounding, I scoop up a spoonful and hold it out. He places his warm hands over mine and guides the spoon to his mouth. He does it for each bite, his hand lingering on mine.

“This is... good. Like really good” he tells me.

“My mom's recipe. Passed down through the family for generations, etcetera. Swears it can cure any cold.”

“But you made it for me.”

“First thing I could think about. I'm glad to hear you like it though.”

“I do.”

My mind tries to drive me elsewhere but I shut my thoughts down.

“Thank you, Aileen.”

As sick as he is, he musters up a bright smile that gets my heart to do a flip again.

“It was the least I could do after putting you in this situation in the first place.”

“It was my choice to keep standing in the rain, Lee.”

“And you wouldn't have had to make that choice if I stopped being unreasonably angry and listened to you. You wouldn't be sick right now. And for that, Reid, I am truly sorry.”

He doesn't say anything and so I let my eyes wander across the room.

“I see water and cold medications” I announce, grabbing it for him before standing up.

As much as it's going to make me a bit uncomfortable, I go around, making sure the little opened windows are closed. I occasionally glance at the skylight so I know the walls will not cave in on me and I'll be fine. After he takes his medication, I find a few essential supplies to help make his night an easy one. I grab more blankets to drape over him.

“Extra blankets, just in case you get cold. A box of tissues in case your sniffles intensify. Is there anything else you need?”

“Wait. Are you... leaving?”

“Well, I—”

“Teresa.”

The swirls become all-consuming whirlwinds inside me.

“You don't have to go.”

I don't wanna.

“You don't have to easily forgive me either.”

“Who said I've forgiven you?”

I can't help the chuckle that leaves me.

“Fair enough” I nod. “Now get comfy. We're going to watch cat videos.”

He smiles.

“Cat... videos?”

“The internet's cure for literally any ailment.”

I turn on the TV and switch to YouTube before settling in more fully beside Reid. As I pull up the videos, it's hard not to be distracted by the warmth of his body beside mine.

“That cat looks so warm and soft,” he says quietly.

And you feel every inch warm... not just in the fever kind of way.

“I really am sorry, Armani,” I say quietly back.

He smiles softly as we watch playful cats live their best lives.

“I hope you know the land deed wasn't to blackmail you,” he says eyes glued to the TV. “It was the other surprise I told you I had for you on the night before the engagement. Before everything went... you know. You were there.”

The guilt nips even more at me.

“Reid—”

“It's okay, Lee. You had every right to be mad.”

“I didn't give you a fair chance.”

“It's fine. I'm not bothered.”

My heart breaks. Sweat beads on his forehead as the fever worsens. But I wipe it away.

“I... You don't have to—”

“I want to help. It's okay.”

He simply nods. I send Bonnie a quick text telling her I can't make it to Matthew's party and then switch off my phone before they all start calling me. Around midnight, I look away from the TV screen and see a bit more color in Reid's cheeks. I gently place a hand on his forehead.

“Hey, it looks like your fever finally broke” I grin.

“Explains why I feel a little less like warmed-up roadkill.”

I chortle.

“You should try and get some rest then, Armani.”

“No. Please, don't go.”

Despite how exhausted he looks, he grabs my hand when I start to lift it from his forehead.

“I... I need you.”

I know he's sick and probably just rambling, but it doesn't help. My heart still skips a beat.

“Would you mind staying... a little longer?”

“Of course not.”

My answer seems to take a weight off his shoulders. Reid lifts the covers and gestures for me to get in beside him.

“Does this mean you forgive me?” I ask when I do, trying to get the mood to shift.

He forces a pout.

“No.”

You deserve it, my conscience reminds me.

I give him a small smile and take in a deep breath as I climb beside Reid to curl up beside him. The bed is big enough to hold eight of us and two babies. But our bodies are pressed closed on one side of the bed.

“Is this okay?” I ask.

“Yes. Prefect” he sighs with content.

“What if I agreed to be your fiancée again?” I ask after Reid draws the sheets over me. “Would you forgive me?”

He shifts his head to look at me.

“You want me to take you back?”

I'm sure he means no harm with the way he says it. But his tone holds some amount of disgust that sends uneasiness through me. I swallow, avoiding his eyes.

“You've fulfilled your end of the deal. It's only fair I see mine through don't you think?” I change my tone also. “So I want back in.”

He chuckles.

“Okay,” he smiles softly.

I crane my neck to look up at him.

Just like that?

“But on one condition,” I say, just as he's closing his eyes.

Reid just hums for me to go ahead, his breathing growing slow and steady, and definitely not struggling anymore.

“I need to mark my territory,” I say. “It's part of the ruse.”

A small tired chuckle leaves his lips.

“Okay. And how are you doing to do that?”

I suck in a big breath before letting out, “We amend the contract. And I'm moving in with you... completely.”

Thank you for reading!
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Ciao
~the_atticwriter