The love we keep

I’ll carry you!

Two months had passed, and Jacob and Serena's relationship had evolved into a lively dynamic, with frequent arguments and banter.

Jacob heard a commotion from downstairs and rushed to investigate. He found Serena on the floor, surrounded by Ma Ruth and Lucy.

Jacob's concern was evident as he asked, "Serena, what's wrong?"

Ma Ruth explained, "Jacob, she fell."

Jacob's expression turned playful as he teased, "You see, she's so careless with her own self."

Serena defended herself, "It wasn't my fault, the ground was slippery."

Jacob's tone turned serious as he inquired, "Who cleaned?"

Ma Ruth replied, "Lucy cleaned. She's the house cleaner."

Lucy looked away, knowing she had intentionally left the floor slippery to harm Serena.

Jacob's gaze turned cold as he confronted Lucy, "Was this how you were trained? To clean a half spot and leave the rest sloppy? Huh?"

Lucy remained silent, and Jacob's anger intensified. "Answer me!" he yelled, causing the room to shake.

Serena intervened, trying to calm Jacob down, "Jacob, I guess it's a mistake, and I didn't die, I'm fine."

Jacob's expression remained stern, "Really? Then stand up."

Serena knew she had sprained her ankle but didn't want to reveal it to save Lucy. She asked Ma Ruth for help, but Jacob gestured for Ma Ruth not to assist her.

Serena tried to stand up, wincing in pain, but pretended it didn't hurt. Jacob watched her, his eyes still flashing with anger.

He turned to Lucy, warning her, "Make sure you clean properly next time. Apart from Serena, there are elderly people here, my dad, Ma Ruth."

Lucy nodded, still seething with resentment towards Serena, who had inadvertently gotten her in trouble with Jacob.

Serena hobbled to her room, muttering curses under her breath about Jacob's heartlessness. She sat on her bed, trying to straighten her ankle, but winced in pain.

Just then, Jacob entered her room, saying, "Serena..."

Serena turned away, "Don't come close to me, I don't want to talk to you."

Jacob smirked, "You said you weren't hurt?"

Serena explained, "I said that so you wouldn't be mad at Lucy. You took it too personally."

Jacob justified his anger, "What if it was Ma Ruth or my dad who fell? That's why I was so mad!"

Serena calmed him down, "I know she made a mistake, don't be mad now. It's okay, I'll be fine."

Just then, Serena noticed a stranger standing behind Jacob and asked, "Who is this?"

Jacob introduced him as their family doctor, Mr. James. The doctor examined Serena's ankle and advised, "Mr. Wayland, she needs to rest. She shouldn't step out of bed until she feels better."

Serena protested, "No way, I have a job."

Jacob reassured the doctor, "I assure you that. Thanks, Mr. James," and walked him out.

Serena sat on her bed, skeptical about the doctor's expertise, "I don't think he's even a good doctor. He didn't prescribe any medicine or anything. He just said I should stay in bed."

Jacob returned, defending the doctor, "Hey, that's our family doctor, and he's very good at his job. You won't step out of bed at all. You should rest only. If you need anything, I'm here, Ma Ruth, and even Lucy.

Serena expressed her concern, "But I can't let Ma Ruth do all the cooking."

Jacob reassured her, "I'm here, I'll help her."

Serena teased, "You don't even know how to cook."

Jacob reminded her, "The last time you taught me how to make rice pudding."

Serena chuckled, "So that's only what we'll eat till I'm okay?"

Jacob clarified, "Ma Ruth can cook, I'll only give her a helping hand."

Serena relented, "Okay, fine. I know by evening I'll be fine."

Jacob warned, "Don't even dare stand up, okay?"

Serena asked, "What if I want to pee?"

Jacob jokingly said, "I'll carry you!"

Serena's eyes widened in surprise, "What?"

Jacob laughed, "Just joking, I'll send Ma Ruth here instead. Just call me when you want to do that?"

Serena nodded, smiling at him as he walked out.

As she lay on the bed, Serena reflected on the past few months with Jacob. She couldn't help but think of him, and a warm feeling spread through her chest.

Hours later, Jacob was in his study room when he heard a knock on the door. He stood up to answer it, revealing Lucy on the other side. Jacob, shirtless, showcased his muscular physique, leaving Lucy momentarily stunned.

Jacob smirked, "What?"

Lucy quickly composed herself, smiling, "Sir, Ma Ruth said you should come downstairs for lunch."

Jacob nodded, "Okay, I'll be there now, thanks."

Without waiting for Lucy to respond, Jacob closed the door and put on a T-shirt. He then headed to Serena's room, knocking on the door.

Serena invited him in, and Jacob announced, "Serena, Ma Ruth made lunch. Let's go."

Serena asked, "Huh? Did you help her out?"

Jacob admitted, "I was busy, I forgot."

Serena sat up, "Really, you promised me."

Jacob apologized, "I had no idea she would cook now."

Serena stood up, wincing in pain, and began to walk gently. Jacob followed her, warning, "You can't walk, Serena, your leg hurts."

Serena insisted, "I can, I will show you."

As she made her way downstairs, Jacob trailed behind her. Suddenly, Serena cried out in pain, "Haa!"

Jacob smiled, "I told you so."

Serena glared at him, "Now you're happy, right? Couldn't you just carry me or help me up? You find it funny."

Jacob's heartbeat quickened as he replied, "You know you're very stubborn, right?"

Serena pouted, "Help me up, Jacob?"

She sat on the floor, looking up at Jacob with a childlike expression, begging him to carry her.

Jacob's heart melted as he gazed into Serena's innocent eyes. He gently lifted her into his arms, and Serena wrapped her hands around his neck as he carried her downstairs.

Ma Ruth smiled upon seeing them, "You both, I sent Lucy to call you long ago. This is when you're coming?"

Jacob set Serena down on the dining chair, teasing, "This woman right here, she's so stubborn. She said she could walk here all by herself, and her legs start to hurt badly again."

Ma Ruth chuckled, "She is very stubborn."

Lucy, standing in the corner, seethed with hatred towards Serena, resenting the attention and affection she received.

Jacob served Serena her lunch, and she took a bite, praising Ma Ruth's cooking, "Wow, Ma Ruth, this is so delicious."

Ma Ruth beamed with pride, "Thank you."

As Jacob prepared to serve himself, Lucy intervened, holding his spoon, "Let me serve you, sir. I know I made you very upset earlier, and I want to apologize."

Jacob was about to respond when Serena gestured for him to calm down. Lucy served Jacob his meal, saying, "Here we go, sir. I hope you enjoy it."

As Lucy stepped back, her hand accidentally knocked over a glass of juice, spilling it all over Jacob's body. Serena frowned, "Lucy? Be careful."

Lucy apologized, "Sir, I'm so sorry. Didn't mean to do that."

Jacob stood up, angry, "Look how clumsy you are. Huh? You wanted to make me forgive you, but now you've ruined everything again."

He stormed upstairs, leaving Serena and Ma Ruth behind. Serena looked at Lucy, then at Ma Ruth, and asked, "Ma Ruth, what now? He's really pissed off."

Ma Ruth scolded Lucy, "Lucy, I don't know what's wrong with you lately. Serena, you're always siding with the wrong. Can't you see she did that purposely?"

Serena defended Lucy, "Nobody saw that coming, it was unintentional."

Ma Ruth raised an eyebrow, skeptical, "Never mind."

Serena stood up, determined, "Okay, I'll try to go upstairs now and calm Jacob down."

Ma Ruth watched her go, a hint of concern on her face. Lucy, still standing in the corner, looked on with a mixture of guilt and resentment.