The Dragon Lady

The Dragon's Heat

I looked at the picture one last time and set it on the table. I felt my every senses come to life, just like how they did when I was in the military before a battle.

"Is this M-"

"No, it's not Marcus. And if it was him, he must be under threat. That man would rather die than betray me." Merrylia said with determination.

"I know. But we can not take risks. We're not even sure if it's him. The man in the picture have a scar on his face but Marcus isn't the only one who has it." I stood straighter and looked into her eyes.

"We should keep an eye on him."

"I already ordered my men to do so. But I am certain that if it is him, he's not doing anything against me." She said it with so much surety in her voice.

She knows something I don't.

"I saw him this morning. He seemed a little off." Merrylia raised her brows and her eyes narrowed.

"He already saw it?" She muttered.

"Saw what?" I asked. Her eyes drifted to me with uncertainty on its depths that quickly vanished and regained its fiery glow.

"Nothing, Mr. Loward. Let's get back to the office." She said and took the coat on the chair beside her and started to walk to the door. I noticed the slight tremble on her legs as she walked and confusion built up inside me.

Is she alright?

I caught up to her and closed the door behind me. She was about halfway to her desk when she stumbled. I ran to her and held her upright, a second later and she would have fell.

Only then did I notice the slight paleness of her complexion and her ragged breathing. Her skin felt warm against me and her lips were dry despite of the red lipstick she was wearing.

"Are you alright, Ma'am?"

She tried to stand up with a determined look on her face, her stubbornness seeping through her slumped features. She straightened her legs only to slump back into my arms. My skin tingled and I felt warmth all over me. I tilted my head and dismissed the feeling.

"I-I'm alright. You can let go of m-me." Despite of what she said, I didn't loosen my grip and placed my left hand on her forehead.

"You're burning up!"

I exclaimed when I felt the heat on my palm. There were beads of sweat on her forehead and her breathing was slow and deep. I took her to my arms and started to walk to the door.

"Where are you taking me? Put me down, Mr. Loward!"

She said frowning.

"I am sorry, Ma'am. But I must take you to a doctor and I don't think you can walk right now." I said and adjusted her position, placing her head against my chest so she would feel comfortable.

She lifted her head to say something but a wave of dizziness overcame her and she laid her head back to my chest.

"If you really must take me, can you use the fire exit?" She said softly, even managing to show an expression of shame in her state. A smile crept to my lips. She wanted to use the fire exit so the employees won't see her like this and to remain indestructible in their eyes.

This woman.

I thought with a chuckle.

"Of course, Ma'am." I went down the fire exit with her in my arms, making sure to take careful steps. When we reached the parking lot, the mountainous figure of Fred greeted me and I called him.

"Fred!" He turned around and his eyes widened.

"What happened?" He said, his facing morphing to terrifying scowl.

"She's sick. I'm taking her to a doctor. Can you get me her keys?" I said as I went to her car.

"Yes. Should I tell Jackson?" He said, making me halt my steps.

"There's no need for that. Just get me her keys and come with us." A minute later and we were already driving away from the parking lot. Some reporters greeted us on our way out but I was able to swerve away from them and drive away.

"Don't take me to the hospital." Merrylia whispered breathlessly on the backseat. Fred turned to her from beside me and pursed his lips. My brow furrowed and I felt an urge to scold her.

"I must t-"

"No. Just take me to my house. They would know what to do." She said firmly. I wanted to protest but I clamped it down and went to her address. When we reached her house, the gate were automatically opened and we entered. Fred lifted Merrylia took her inside.

Shocked gasps from maids were heard when they saw their master's state. An elderly man went up to us with concern in his eyes.

"I knew this was going to happen. Come, I'll take you to her room." He guided us upstairs and led us to a room. When the door opened, a room filled with the colour of whit was revealed to us. The room was colored with white from the walls to the bead and the desks, far from my expectation of what her personal space would be.

Fred set Merrylia down on her bed and covered her with the thick blankets.

"You must be Mr. Loward, Madame Desilvia's secretary." The old man said beside me.

"Yes I am. And you are?"

"I apologize for not introducing myself. I am Angus Smith, Madame Desilvia's butler." He bowed deeply in front of me and took my arm and guided me outside the room.

"I know this is too much to ask, but can you take care of her while I get her private doctor, Mr. George Arden?" He said with a pleading voice.

"I suppose I could. But you must move quickly, I am worried about her health." A smile spread on his face and he nodded in gratitude.

"Thank you, Mr. Loward." He turned his head back into the room and called Fred.

"Young man, can you accompany me to her doctor? I can no longer drive properly in my old sight." He said with the gentle tone of a sweet and caring old man.

Fred's face remained immovable as stone but concern seeped through his deep dark eyes and he nodded to the old man who didn't seem to notice the hardness of his personality. They left the room and I went to Merrylia and felt her forehead. The heat remained high and I went outside the room and called out to the maids.

"Ms! Can you please bring me a basin of cold water and a cloth? And also a thermometer?" I said, staring directly at the old woman with gentle features.

"Of course, Sir." She left with two maids who seemed to be in their forties following beside her. Not long afterwards, the cold water and the other things I asked for arrived. They placed the basin beside her bed and remained in the room with me.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

I said to them with a smile on my face.

"There's no need for that, my boy. I'm Brenda, the stewardess. And this beautiful women beside me are Lucy and Merlinda." The old woman said with the same gentle smile that Angus showed me earlier. I nodded as I reached the cloth and dipped it on the cold water. I was about to introduce myself when Brenda gave me a knowing smile.

"We know who you are, young man. We make it our business to know the people surrounding our Mistress." I chuckled at the kind protectiveness in her voice and wrung the cloth in my hand and placed it on Merrylia's forehead. I looked at her face a still saw the hard and strong charisma she had despite the fact that she's sick and barely aware of her surroundings.

"Can you remove some of her garments?" I said to the ladies beside me.

"Of course, Sir." I left the room and closed the door behind me and waited patiently. I didn't have to wait long until the door was opened and I was let in. Merrylia was already on her nightshirt and covered by blankets. Her makeup was removed and the pink glow on her cheeks became evident. Her face looked vulnerable but yet determined and endearing.

I sat beside her and took the cloth once again and dipped it on the cold water and placed it back on her forehead. I brushed a few strands away from her face and tucked her in properly.

"Such a beautiful maiden, isn't she? I knew it from the day she started to grow that she would become a beautiful woman." Brenda stood beside me while looking down at Merrylia with love in her eyes.

"You've been working under her for some time, yes?" She faced me and took my hands and looked deeply into my eyes.

"She may not trust you enough just yet, but I believe someday she would. If ever that day would come, don't break it. She has gone through so much in this life and confined herself inside her walls with little to show to the world and a girl could only take so much. I know you care for her, so please, look after her."

The look on her eyes told me how much pain she felt for Merrylia and how much she wants me to protect her. I was about to speak when I heard a car honk and Mr. Angus's voice called from downstairs.