Jodie had a few yawns or pretended to, to imply that she was tired and sleepy. Jenny took the hint and said good night. As soon as Jodie closed the door and turned around, she saw Sean standing right in front of her, holding her pink u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r in one hand, and smiled cheekily.

"Wear this tomorrow." He said.

Jodie blushed and covered her cheeks with her hands. "Sean!" She exclaimed.

Sean threw the u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r onto Jodie's bed casually and whispered "sweet dreams" into her ear as he walked past her and left her room.

Lying on the bed, Jodie couldn't help recalling the kisses and touches from Sean and smiled contentedly. Is this what falling in love is like? She wondered and slowly fell into her dreamland.

Scott had just finished a confidential meeting with Jacob and a few managers about an important investment. When he got back home, he felt his head ache terribly.

He had hardly slept last night and had been working all day today. Kevin could sense that he wasn't in a good mood. Seeing him seated on the sofa with a frown, Kevin asked tentatively, "Would you like anything for supper, Mr. Scott Anderson?"

"Ask her to cook something for me," Scott said impatiently.

"Mrs. Brianna Anderson, err, she..." Kevin hesitated. "She hasn't eaten anything today and..."

"And she's still a stubborn one?"

"She looks sick."

Scott appeared startled at first, then he said indifferently, "Leave her be then." He didn't really have an appetite for food anyway. When he went up to his room and passed Brianna's, he paused.

Is she sick? But why should I care?

However, despite himself, he went into her room. It was very quiet in her room. Brianna lay in bed still. He frowned. Half of her blanket was on the floor, and she seemed to be in a deep sleep.

He noticed that her cheeks were rosy red, but her lips were pale and dry. He put his hand on her forehead. It was boiling hot.

Kevin had arrived with a thermometer and knocked at the door. "Mr. Anderson, shall I check her temperature?"

Scott nodded. Just as Kevin was sit down next to Brianna and touch her, Scott frowned and said, "I will do it." He was feeling possessive. Kevin handed him the thermometer and retreated behind him, waiting.

When Scott saw the number on the reader, he told Kevin to call the doctor immediately.

Just as he was to get up, Brianna suddenly turned and threw her arm around his waist, then pillowed her head on his t.h.i.g.h.

Scott grumbled, pushed her away, and asked a maid to look after her. The doctor came, checked on Brianna, and left the maid some instructions and tablets for Brianna.

The maid tried to get Brianna to take the tablets, but Brianna, though unconscious, had her mouth shut and seemed to refuse to cooperate. The maid dropped the tablets a couple of times. Losing his patience, Scott sat down on the bed and grabbed Brianna's jaw with one hand, and opened her mouth with the other. The maid quickly put the tablets in and gave her some water.

Brianna coughed but did swallow the tablets. Having the job done, Scott was about to get up, but again Brianna wrapped her arms around his waist again.

Irritated, Scott patted her cheeks, but Brianna gave no response. He tapped her head, but still, she didn't move. She muttered something in her sleep, barely audible. Her long eyelashes flickered slightly as if she was having a scary dream.

Again, Scott was reminded of the little girl, and he compromised. Alright, just for a little while! Merely for the reason that you look like Sol.

He leaned down and closed his eyes.

Kevin and the maid looked at each other, understood, and left the room.

***

Like a little kitten, Brianna moved her head about on Scott's l.a.p till she found the most comfortable position and slept soundly, her long soft hair spread out on the pillow, glowing.

Scott stroked her hair and picked up a lock in his hand, sniffed it and the pleasantly familiar smell greeted his nose. His heart softened.

"If you could just always be amiable and meek like you are now and stop being stubborn, how great it would be." He spoke softly.

Brianna was in a deep sleep and of course gave no response. A bit displeased for the lack of response, Scott pulled her hair slightly. Brianna muttered in pain for a bit and was quiet again.

"I would have thrown you out in the garden if you were not sick. How can you be so annoying sometimes?"

Again, no response, and again, Scott pulled her hair. Brianna muttered and stirred, but Scott held her delicate body still, and she went quiet. "I'm telling you if you apologize to me now and promise not to irritate me again, I will be good to you. Say it, say 'I'm sorry, Scott. I will...'"

Somehow on hearing the familiar name, Brianna responded this time. "No! Bad Scott! I hate Scott..."

Shocked, Scott glared at Brianna with his eyes wide open. How dare she! Even in her sleep!

Annoyed, he got up instantly, and Brianna stirred, turned, and fell off the bed. It didn't hurt much as the floor was nicely carpeted, but Brianna woke up from the shock. She looked around with her sleepy eyes, startled and confused, and saw Scott standing in front of her with an angry look. "Scott? What, what are you doing here?"

Seeing her pitiful look and innocent eyes, Scott regretted it. He pretended as if nothing had happened and said sternly, "Come up to bed."

Brianna obeyed, too tired and weak to question. Scott asked a maid to stay with Brianna through the night and went back to his room.

I must have been out of my mind. Why did I stay to look after her? Huh!

When Brianna woke up the next morning, the sun was shining its light brightly into the room through the French window. She quickly checked the time. It was a quarter to ten. Shit! I'm late! They are going to find me!