Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 33

Iris thought to stay home for few days. She even had flu so it was making her head heavy and body ache. She snuggled deep into her comforter wondering about how these three weeks passed. It was tough to make her stand but she worked hard. Still there were people who looked down upon her and it was now when she realized that sexism does exist.

When she used to accompany her grandpa, it never appeared this way. How double standard people were. She sighed and picked her phone to inform Alan.

“Hello Miss, g-good morning.” Alan was surprised to see her call this early.

It was just… he picked up his wrist watch and found that it was just 4:30 AM. Doesn’t she sleep at all?

“Please don’t keep calling me Miss. Just call me Iris and sorry to have bothered you at this time Alan but I won’t be able to come today so update me any urgent work for today and email me my coming schedule.” Iris found it hard to utter a word without experiencing any pain in her throat.

I shouldn’t have eaten that ice-cream.

She was regretting being stubborn around Aiden. He warned her not to have the ice-cream yesterday but in order to prove him wrong she neglected him only to suffer now.

“What happened, Mi-Iris? You don’t sound good.”Alan was worried about her.

He feels protective about her. When the first time he had seen her that day walking in her white shirt and black skirt; he could see that she was scared and nervous. Her eyes were contradicted. She could shine bright but something about those eyes appeared sad like it has been holding painful story. His first instincts were to protect her and the way she treats him was nothing else than a little sister treating her brother.

He heard a sigh at the other end.

“I am having a flu, which looks bad but don’t worry Alan I will be good.” She cleared her throat only to feel the piercing pain in her throat.

“Hey, it’s alright. You can rest and I will handle things on my own. Make sure you take medicine okay?” He bit his lip realizing that he was commanding his boss.

Iris smiled a little. He surely talked like a brother.

“Okay brother! Bye. Call me if something needs urgent attention.” She hung up when he agreed.

Now finally I can rest…

Shortly after her door was knocked and in came Derek who was about to call her but stopped in between seeing her covered under her comforter.

It shook as he wondered what she could be doing. Slowly he paced towards her and called her name but didn’t receive any response.

“Sunny?” he called again holding the duvet and pulling it down slowly hoping he doesn’t see anything in-appropriate.

 Shut up! It’s not like she is a dumb person not to lock her door while doing that.

Praying to the almighty, he pulled the comforter and saw Sunny shivering badly. Her face was red as tomato and she was burning down with fever.

“Holy f**k…” he cursed before shaking her violently.

“Sunny, can you hear me?” He tapped her cheeks but those were so hot that he was scared.

He called out for his maid before he pulled out his handkerchief and rushed to the bathroom to wet it and placed it on her forehead.

“Call the doctor urgently.” He barked the orders at them and they scurried away.

It was uncommon to see their master worried so much about someone and he looked dangerous even when he was caring for them.

He saw tears streaming down her cheek as he wiped them and embraced her not caring about the heat radiating from her body which made him sweat in no time.

Their family doctor arrived in another 10 minutes and in the meantime he had dissolved a PCM tablet and feed her.

He cancelled his meetings and decided to take care of her.

After having checked the vitals and temperature, the doctor sighed.

“Has she eaten something cold Derek? It’s the flu and I am sorry to tell but it is becoming chronic now which isn't a good thing. How many times should we tell her?” Dr. Sam showed his disappointment.

He was getting his syringe ready to administer it to her while Derek stiffened.

Could it be just a coincidence that she also is prone to the cold things?

He couldn’t help but relate the two and two, together.

“So, give these medications twice a day after meals and make sure she gargles frequently. I know she hates it but it is required for her own good.” Dr. Sam instructed about the dose and precautions before he left.

Derek was confused as he called his detective to look each and every details regarding Sunny Walker; he even sent her pic.

He was busy taking her care and when she finally opened her eyes; she saw Derek lying beside her in her bed. She squirmed away but that triggered her cough making her regret it. Derek startled from the loud noise near his ear and glanced at Sunny who was crying while suppressing her cough; he instantaneously pulled her into his embrace, soothing her back.

It did work as her cough slowed and she felt at ease. She cried silently while moving closer to him being unaware.

Derek was surprised at first but he was excited inwardly. Maybe she is considering him.

“You must have something to eat and then take your dose.” he was now calling the maid asking them to bring porridge for her.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be working at this time?” She managed to voice her thought.

“What do you think I am doing right now?” he asked with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes at him.

Derek feed her porridge with his own hands ignoring her protests. When it was done, he handed her dosage and then help her ready her bath. She felt her heart melting. She cried at first because her health was compromised and she missed her parents at this time but right now, she felt lonely.

It was always like this. She craved for more attention when she used to get sick like this. She missed her parents when they were away at business and it would always be him who used to look after her.

When she was doing just fine, Derek went to his office in the house and started working. It was evening when Alan headed straight to Derek’s mansion. He was grateful to Derek’s secretary who gave him his address.

He was welcomed by a servant and guided to the living room where he saw Iris laying on the couch in an awkward position with a blanket wrapped around her. The TV played and she was watching a cartoon channel. He laughed lightly as he cautiously lifted her upper body and adjusted cushions behind her back.

Derek was watching him from the very moment he walked in.

Iris moved and opened her eyes only to find him.

“Hey?” she was astonished to see Alan standing in front of her with a basket of fruits and some package with a wide smile on his face.

“Hello Iris… How are you feeling now? You know you shouldn’t be sleeping this way; it would add trouble to your back and neck.” He said softly while patting her head.

Iris was speechless. Alan set the basket down, which was received by a maid and prepared it for them. He stared at her for long and chuckled.

“What?” Iris felt awkward with his stares.

She brushed her hair hastily and rubbed her face with her palm hoping she wasn’t drooling or snoring.

“You are cute. Do you know that?” Alan chuckled.

Iris jaw dropped. Did he just compliment her?

She averted her gaze to only find Derek leaning against a pillar watching them with fists clenched. His jaw was tightened and he looked furious. His eyes set on Alan as she felt terrified for him.

She quickly stepped in to change the course of the conversation.

“How’s the work at the office?” She found her voice so strained.

“Can’t take a compliment huh?” He smirked before shaking his head.

She saw Derek standing straight from his position and ready to march towards them.

“I know you must be thinking I am weird. Till morning I was being all formal and right now, I am acting like an old friend. Well that’s because you are like a sister to me and when you called me brother early morning; I was the luckiest man.” Alan smiled and she felt as if she was hearing something wrong.

Is it this?

She felt relieved and saw Derek halt just behind him. His eyes wide and jaw unclenched. She was glad he could hear it all because she doesn’t want him to inflict any pain to Alan because he was truly like a brother figure to her.

In the past three weeks, he had always bring her lunch even when she has forgotten. He was always protective inside and outside the office. If any businessmen or secretary tried to hit on her, he would make sure they couldn’t. He was not a bad-ass but he was always ready to fight them away.

He made sure she was okay and comfortable. Who wouldn’t see him as a brother if not for a boyfriend?

“Same here Alan. You have always given me that brotherly protection I never asked for but when I found it, I wished you could reciprocate it and see now!” She smiled with teary eyes.

“Why are you crying?” Alan narrowed his eyes.

“My throat, it hurts…” She said lowly and Derek was quick to arrive beside her.

“Did you gargle? Here… Take these meds, it is time anyways.” Derek passed her the dose he was carrying in his hands.

He was here to hand her those meds when he saw Alan walking in. Alan squirmed in his place. The way Derek was looking at her was not acceptable from the point of view of a brother.

“Let her take something first, Mr. Reider.” He said in a cold tone that surprised Derek.

Now, is he trying to intimidate me?

Iris was unaware of the glares that they exchanged as she silently took the meds gulping down after she had eaten few slices of Apple.

When she was done, she felt tired already but seeing Alan still here; she was hesitant to go for sleep. They were talking and she slept in between not realizing it.

Alan wanted to laugh out loud at her innocence while Derek was cherishing her. His back of the palm caressed her cheeks making Alan glare at him. He scooped her up in his arms and started walking towards her room but was stopped by someone.

Alan pulled him back from his shoulder taking Derek aback.

“Why do I feel that you have something for her that a brother shouldn’t have?” Alan asked to which Derek’s eyes popped out.

Was it so obvious?

“What do you mean?” He tried to retort.

“I am not blind Mr. Reider but let me warn you… if you ever hurt her in any way; you’ll have to face me then.” Alan warned as Derek laughed shutting up quickly.

He didn’t want to wake her up but turned to face Alan.

“Okay dear brother. I will remember that.” Amused, he went away leaving Alan behind.