CAELUM

CHAPTER 33

EVENING 6:00

BAEKHYUN'S POV:

Never knew how time passed by in a blink of an eye. Things that were messed up are slowly sorting out for which I'm glad. Wearing my hoodie, grabbing my phone, I keep a note on the table for Naomi which reads "Don't stay up for me. I'll be late. Have your dinner and sleep.". A cold one, right? I'm still mad at her like a tiny bit. She knew what Seren was going through, but still didn't be with her when she needed her the most. Making her feel guilty for something she would never do. Whom she never was. The way Seren cried that night, all alone, without a sound, still takes a place in my brain.

Opening the door, I see Naomi standing in front of me. "Oh, hey Baek. Going somewhere?". "Hmm". Taking the car key, I notice her ankle. *Why is it swollen and why the hell is she wearing heels*. I look at her and her face shows no hint of pain, but eyes can't hide the deepest feelings. Keeping my arm under her knees, I lift her and make her sit on the bed. "Baekhyun-.". "How did your ankle swell". "I don't know, maybe while walking, it might have twisted". I remove her heels and put them aside. I gently move her ankle in a circular motion and she bends down to hold my hand implying I to stop it. "It must be paining a lot right". "Yeah, but I'll be fine". I chuckle dryly. "Don't move". "Baek-.". "Can you listen to me at least once". I raise my voice a bit and see her expression drop.

Sighing, I make my way to the door, hoping to find someone who might bring an ice pack. Luckily, I find one of the assistants. "Eva". "Yes, your highness". "Can you please bring an ice pack". Her eyes widen. "Your highness is everything good". I smile and nod slightly. "Yeah, nothing to worry. Can you please help me with that?". "Sure, highness". "Thanks, Eva". She bows. "No problem, Highness". I go in and hold her ankle gently and place it on the bed with a cushion underneath it. Making a call to our family doctor, I tell her what happened. "Can I get to speak with Naomi". "Sure". Giving her the phone, I motion her to talk to the doctor. She looks at me like she wants to say something, but I go to take the ice pack and hear her talking to the doctor about her ankle. I come back to her with the ice pack. "Baekhyun". I turn around and she gives me the phone.

"There's nothing to worry about, it's because she twisted her ankle while walking and her heels made it a bit worse. Placing ice packs and wrapping the affected part with a bandage would do. Tell her not to move much and not put much pressure on the ankle that's hurt if possible. It'll take some days. It's better if she rests and does less physical work". "I will make sure that she doesn't move much. Thank you, doctor. Good night". "My pleasure Baekhyun. Good night". I smile and cut the call and put the ice pack gently on her swollen ankle to reduce the swelling. She winces a bit due to the cold but relaxes. "Is it feeling a bit better now"? She nods while looking at me with eyes showing sadness and thankfulness. *Don't look at me like that Naomi, I'll melt*.

Slowly and gently dapping the area, I stand up and take the first aid box. Taking the pain-relieving ointment, wiping the area, I apply the substance while gently massaging it. "Aah". I look at her pain-filled expression and feel a tightness in my chest. *Only if I could take your pain. I would happily do it*. "Only a bit hmm". She bites her lower lip to control her pain. Wrapping the bandage on her ankle, I place her feet on a cushion and say "Doc Elly said that it'll be fine in 3-5 days and told you not to move much and also to rest as much as you can".  "But what about the project?". "It can wait. I'll handle it and you can work from home. So don't worry hmm". She softly smiles and I return the gesture. Setting the bed, I slowly lift her and place her on the bed so that her back can rest on the pillows against the headboard.

I keep a few strands of her hair behind her ear and caress her cheek. "Rest hmm". "Hmm". I get up when Naomi holds my wrist. I look at her. "I'm sorry". "For what". "You were going somewhere and because of me you stayed". Smiling gently, I hold her hand that's holding my wrist and sit close to her. "Don't apologize for that Naomi. It's not that late either". "Are you sure". I nod. She gives a small smile. Standing up, holding her face gently, I kiss the crown of her head. "Eva will be here alright. As I had ordered, don't move at all". She nods and I smile. "Eva". "Yes, you're highness". "Take care of her till the time I come back". "Sure, you're highness". Giving her all the instructions, I grab my car key, look at Naomi one last time, and go out of the room. *Doesn't seem like I'm mad at her*. A chuckle leaves my mouth and I get inside the car and drive to Seren's place. *You're melting me softly*