“John, I’m sorry. I might not have adjusted to you guys yet,” mumbled Astrid. “I know that I’m wrong, so stop hounding me, okay?”
John smirked coldly. “I wouldn’t dare to. Why would I dare to hound you? You’d b*tch about me every minute, and people would criticize me for being such a petty man.”
“John, that’s not what I’m trying to say.” Astrid continued in a meaningful tone, “I know that you care about Kathleen deeply. It’s my fault.”
“Look! You’re hinting that there’s something going on between Kathleen and me! You have a way with words, huh? Let’s stop talking in the future. Don’t mention my name either! I’ll be creeped out.” With that, John spun around and said to Nancy, “Nancy, cook something for Kathleen.”
“Yeah, we mustn’t let her starve.” Nancy strode toward the kitchen. “I remember that there’s still some mushroom soup.”
Both of them left the battlefield, leaving only Steve behind to face Astrid.
Steve shot a glance at her before looking at Cain. “Mr. Dodson, why don’t you spare us? Five of us aren’t enough. Now, even Kathleen’s sick.”
Cain thought about it for a while. “Why don’t we take this day off?”
Steve agreed enthusiastically, “Great! Everyone’s been filming for a week, so they must be exhausted. Let’s take a break.”
With that, he left to inform John and Nancy.
Both of them were delighted. When Nancy brought the mushroom soup upstairs to Kathleen, she told Kathleen the news too.
However, Kathleen felt extremely guilty. “It’s all because of me.”
“It’s not! Actually, the production team was worried that everyone’s too exhausted, especially you.” Nancy peered at Kathleen. “Sometimes, it’s a disadvantage to be too capable, Kathleen.”
Kathleen knew what Nancy was trying to say. “Alright, I get it.”
“Rest well. I’ll go back to my room to review the script. Call me if you need anything.” Nancy patted her shoulder.
“Okay.” Kathleen nodded.
Only then did Nancy leave.
After drinking some soup, Kathleen regained some energy and continued lying on the bed.
At that moment, her phone rang. It was a message from Samuel.
Samuel: The script.
Kathleen: Got it.
Samuel: Are you feeling better?
Kathleen: Thanks for your concern.
Samuel: If you feel uncomfortable, go to the hospital. I can fetch you.
Kathleen: There’s no need for that. I’m going to sleep for a while, so don’t disturb me.
Samuel: Okay. Go and sleep.
Indeed, he didn’t disturb her anymore, and she quickly fell asleep.
When Kathleen woke up, she felt something warm and moist on her cheek.
Raising her hand, she touched a warm hand.
She quickly opened her eyes. “Chris?”
Christopher was wiping her face with a warm towel. “You’re awake?”
Feeling awkward, Kathleen said, “I’ll do it myself.”
She grabbed the towel.
Not stopping her, Christopher explained, “I came to visit you because I felt worried. Noticing that your fever seems quite serious, I put a cooling patch on you. I was about to wipe your face when you woke up.”
Kathleen sighed. “I don’t know why I suddenly got a fever.”
“You’ve been overseas for a year, where it’s humid. The winter at Jadeborough is so cold. It’s normal that you can’t take it,” said Christopher with a smile.
Kathleen pursed her lips. “Looks like I need to train more.”
Christopher grinned. “How?”
“Running!” replied Kathleen. “I can’t continue being like this.”
He chuckled. “I’ll run with you.”
“I’ll feel bad.” Kathleen didn’t like to trouble others.
Christopher grinned brightly. “I like it when you trouble me.”
Kathleen felt embarrassed.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
“I’m coming in, Christopher.” Astrid’s voice sounded from outside as she pushed the door open and entered.
She looked like she had put in a lot of effort in dressing up. Although it was so cold, she didn’t wear anything warm at all. Instead, she wore a long-sleeved dress with her hair tied up. A pair of red earrings dangled from her ears.
“You’re awake, Kathleen. Are you feeling better?” Astrid pretended to be concerned.
Kathleen replied nonchalantly, “Thanks for your concern.”
“Are you still angry at me, Kathleen?” Astrid sat beside her.
She thought that she would look more beautiful in comparison to Kathleen’s sickly complexion.
However, to others, Kathleen would win.
She had a naturally vulnerable and fragile demeanor—one couldn’t help but wish to dote on her.
“Chris, I want to rest well. Go chat with her outside,” said Kathleen calmly.
Astrid came here just for Christopher, didn’t she? I know very well.
“Chris, we should let her…” said Astrid.
This is a rare opportunity.
“I’ll keep you company.” Christopher then shot a glance at Astrid. “Go out.”
Astrid was speechless.
Meanwhile, Christopher lay Kathleen on the bed and tucked her in.
Astrid stood there motionlessly.
“Do you need me to send you out?” demanded Christopher emotionlessly.
Feeling awkward, Astrid stood up and walked out.
Kathleen shot a meaningful look at Christopher. “Chris, she likes you.”
Christopher was stunned. “I know. I’ll tell her to stop having ridiculous thoughts. Don’t overthink.”
“No, I’m saying that she really likes you. She’s targeting me because she wants me to back off,” she explained.
“But I don’t like her.” Christopher stared into Kathleen’s watery eyes. “I like you.”
After a slight pause, Kathleen interlocked her fingers and said, “Chris, I…”
“Kate, I won’t commit the same mistake as Samuel. Just like you, I like a pure relationship. I don’t have a first crush, nor do I have a childhood friend. All I want is you.” Christopher’s voice was gentle and firm.
Kathleen’s heart beat rapidly.
She knew that Christopher liked her. Over the past year, he had hinted at it as well.
However, this was the first time that he was confessing to her so solemnly.
Feeling anxious, Kathleen bit her lips and said dazedly, “Chris, how should I say this to you? I don’t want to hurt you, but I don’t want to be in a relationship now, nor do I want to think about marriage. I’ve been hurt so badly that my heart is still bleeding. I don’t want to hide anything from you. I fear that my scars can never heal. Even if you like me, I might not be able to reciprocate your feelings. I’ll feel very apologetic.”
Christopher held her hands and smiled. “Why are you thinking about so many things?”
Kathleen frowned.
“I’m not saying that you have to be together with me right now, right?” Christopher burst out laughing. “I’m confessing to you because I want you to know that you don’t need to feel burdened. Even if one day, I’m not the man who’d win your heart, I’ll still wish you all the best. To me, you’re the most important.”
