Chapter 5. Sick

Aaron stared at the figures on his computer screen. The numbers were correct. He always gave the perfect presentation. No one had the skill that surpassed his in this field. He was that confident in himself.

He always cross-checked his slides before every presentation. He had always ensured every fact was accurate.

However, none of his interviews turned out fruitful. He had given his whole, and he received nothing in the end.

Damn the economy and those corrupt officials. Only the bigwigs of the society had a say in whoever got a job or not.

He rubbed his temples and turned off the screen. No need to keep staring at the numbers. He was never going to detect any mistake anyway.

It was certain even the interviewers didn’t. They’d decided on who got to land the job even before the interview started. He was sure about that.

Another offer gone to waste.

And now, he had to continue sending in his applications. Hopefully, one company would be sensible enough to notice the potential in him.

Literally, the offer hadn’t gone to waste.

Just some hours ago, after exiting the company, he got an email and received the most ridiculous offer he’d ever heard.

And his thoughts couldn’t help but wander to that crazy woman.

His mood was already at its worst after getting turned down, and he just had to bump into her. Another spoilt and overpampered heiress. And what was with that offer?

He brought out his phone and went through the email again. The email he had received specifically from the chairman of that company.

He had everything planned, and all he needed to do was play along. Absurd.

The doorbell rang, prompting him to look up. He stared at his wristwatch and frowned. It could only be one person. Why was she here this late?

Aaron rose to his feet and went for the door. When he opened it, she was standing outside, drenched in rain and wearing so provocatively.

“Aaron, thank goodness. I thought you weren’t home.” Blaire threw herself in his arms, dampening his clothes.

Aaron took her inside and closed the door quickly, blocking out the cold wind.

“What is the matter?”

He pulled away and stared down at her. Her hair was dripping wet, and droplets of rain ran down her face. Only from her puffy eyes was she sure she had been crying. And his heart tightened at that.

Before waiting for her reply, he led her inside and made her sit on the only couch in the living room.

Then he entered the adjacent room, which was his bedroom. He retrieved a large towel as well as a jacket.

When he returned to the living room, she was curled up on the couch.

“You shouldn’t have come out in this rain,” Aaron scolded. “You should have given me a call.”

Unless something bad had happened, which he feared, the phone call would suffice. If she also fell sick, things would only get worse. He couldn’t afford that.

Blaire sneezed and sniffled as he helped her put on the jacket. Then he wrapped the towel around her dampened hair. She was already shivering from the cold. Perhaps she needed a hot bath.

Aaron was about to stand up and head inside the bathroom to prepare her a hot bath. Hopefully, there was still some left. The electricity bills just arrived yesterday. With some luck, there should be hot water left in the heating system.

But Blaire held his hand and shook her head, pulling him back.

With her face now barren of the water droplets, her tears came flowing. “She can’t wait any longer,” she said in a hoarse voice. “I know you’re trying, but we have to do something. It is urgent.”

Aaron stilled, digesting her words. The worse that could happen was his aunt’s illness getting worse.

He let out a deep sigh and sat beside her.

“This—” Blair pointed toward the stack of documents beside his computer on the desk. “How was it? Did you land the job?” She asked in expectation.

Aaron went silent. Breaking it to her was of no use at this moment. She was already at her worse.

Blaire searched his eyes when she got no reply from him. She must have read the answers from his expression, and more tears poured from her eyes.

“I– I want to help. If only you would let me do something.”

“No. You won’t do anything.” Aaron turned her down. He’d got everything under control. He was going to do something about it.

“But how long is it going to take?” Blaire sobbed. “It has been years, and you haven’t gotten a proper job. The medical expenses are high. And remember the doctors’ words. Only a full-time treatment is going to make her better.”

“I know.” Aaron used his thumbs to wipe her tears. “I’ll find us a solution.”

Somehow.

He didn’t want to add that.

Blaire didn’t look convinced. She sniffed back her tears and said, “You have to let me. I also need money for college. I will do something and—”

“Stop it.” Aaron gave her a stern look. He didn’t like the determined look on her face. “You will not do anything, understand?” He enunciated each word.

Blair sniffed again and lowered her head.

“Tell me you won’t,” Aaron demanded.

She gave him a slow nod. But the expression on her face said otherwise. “What are you going to do about her?” She asked. “We need to have her treated on time.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Aaron wrapped his arms around her. And there was only one way he could do that.

He picked up his phone and stared once more at the email. It was either this or nothing at all.