Chapter 5 LAURA'S KISS

Aaron went back to his hut with the fish and medicine for the young woman. He was in a panic, so he couldn't think straight. He planned to return to Laura's house to take care of her, especially since she told him she hadn't eaten yet. He quickly took a bath so he could go back to Laura's house.

He walked for 15 minutes before returning to the young woman's house. She was already dressed and currently sleeping.

He couldn't understand Trevor's family and why they treated the young woman like that, even though she was their relative. It was good that Trevor showed concern for her. But he never asked about it. He wasn't in a position to interfere in their lives, especially since it might put the young woman in greater danger.

He took another glance at Laura before going to the kitchen to cook. He also washed the plates she used, which had dried rice stuck to them, indicating they hadn't been washed for days. Other than that, the young woman's house was clean. He didn't see a single cockroach in her hut.

After cooking, he prepared the food and made her a cup of milk tea that he bought earlier. Since the young woman didn't have any food stock, a plan formed in his mind.

When everything was ready, he woke Laura up. She slowly opened her eyes, staring at him as if she wasn't sure what was happening.

"I've cooked, so eat so you can take your medicine," he said.

The young woman stared intensely at the man. Was this real? Was the young man really in front of her? She didn't know. Maybe this was just a product of her imagination, especially since she was thinking about him earlier.

But he feels real, her mind said, as he held her hand and helped her stand up.

Due to her high fever, she wasn't sure what was happening around her. But she chose to believe that she had someone with her, so she could feel less lonely.

He held her hand until they reached the table, where she sat down. She closed her eyes, smelling the lemongrass in the steaming food. She felt hungry, and her nose picked up the aroma of the dish.

She quickly scooped rice and put it into her mouth. She could taste the lemongrass in the soup, so she looked at the handsome young man in front of her. She ate continuously until she was full. She also took the medicine beside her.

This is her normal state. Whenever she's sick, her imagination runs wild, and this is how she convinces herself that she's not alone. She usually thinks of her parents, but this time, she wanted to think of the handsome young man and bring him to life in her imagination.

"I wish this were true..." she whispered to the person in front of her. "I wish I really was with you, Aaron, so I wouldn't be alone right now."

She looked down, but her gaze quickly returned to him. Even if this wasn't real, she wanted to talk to him. She wanted to express her frustrations in life to the apparition in front of her.

"I'm sad, I don't know why. I'm used to the way Trevor's family treats me, but it feels like it's happening all over again. I've never felt like I'm part of their family, except for Trevor. He's the only one who's shown me kindness," she said, imagining that she was holding the young man's hand, who was furrowing his brow. "Thank you for being here with me, even if it's just in my imagination..."

Despite the difficulty, she stood up to approach the young man, whom she thought was just a product of her restless mind.

She stood beside him and hugged him. She even laughed when she felt his body stiffen.

"I-I have a crush on you, you know? That's why you're in my imagination," she said, releasing him and looking at his face. Her eyes stopped at his lips. "You're really handsome." She smiled like a mad person before suddenly kissing him on the lips, thinking he wasn't really there.

Aaron was surprised by Laura's kiss. Who would have thought she'd kiss him after confessing her feelings towards him?

This wasn't his first kiss. He had several girlfriends in Manila, and some of them he'd even slept with, given how wild some city girls could be. But why did this kiss from this innocent girl stir up feelings in his heart?

This was different. This wasn't just lust, and he knew it. Suddenly, he felt an urge to protect and take care of this girl beside him. Laura looked so vulnerable that he wouldn't take advantage of her current state. He knew how to respect women, especially someone like Laura.

He was about to push her away when her head lolled to the side, as if she'd fallen asleep again.

He chuckled and smiled before shaking his head.

"You're something else, Laura... You're one of a kind," he commented before lifting her onto her bed.

He rummaged through her clothes to find a towel. He'd wet it to put on her forehead.

After ensuring the young woman was comfortable, he ate his food. He'd stay all night to ensure her safety. The neighbors' houses were far away, and besides, someone

might break into her house, and she'd be defenseless...