Love's So Contagious

A Clue

Mew stirred awake, feeling completely drained. He had a sense that he had been sleeping for quite a while. Looking around, he realized he was in the hospital, although he couldn't recall being admitted. The stench was unbearable. It was evident that he had been sweating profusely for an unknown period of time.

"Nice to see those eyes open, kiddo," Mom's voice cut through the constant beeping of some machine. Gulf had tried to explain them all, but it had all gone over his head. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel like I need a long shower and a change of clothes, like, now." He hesitated, examining his state. "Is that a catheter?"

"You've been pretty much out of it for four days, honey. What did you expect them to do, let you lie in your own mess?" Mom chuckled. "Yes, it's a catheter. Once they know you're stable, they'll remove it." She reached out and held his hand. "Thank goodness to hear your voice again."

Mew tried to force a smile, feeling grateful to see his mother and knowing she cared. Not everyone had that kind of support from their families. But right now, he wasn't looking for his mother. Where was Gulf? Had Gulf abandoned him when he needed him the most?

Had Gulf fallen ill like Mew, overwhelmed by anxiety and exhaustion?

His mom seemed to know what he was thinking, as always. "Don't worry, honey. I sent Loverboy away a few hours ago. He has work to do, and he can't do it if he smells like your hospital room." She chuckled. "Plus, he's busy growing a person in there."

"Actually, two people." Mew corrected with a yawn. "He's growing two people in there."

"Hmm, well I'll be darned." Mom's eyes widened. "I wonder why he didn't mention it?"

Mew struggled to find the button to adjust the head of his bed. "I need to make some calls. I've got a clue. It's the last thing I remember."

"A clue, huh?" Mom leaned back, a small smile appearing on her face. "Does it have anything to do with a med student named Dew Lomasorn?"

Mew's eyes widened. "Wait—how do you know about that?"

"He was arrested yesterday, right here in this room. You, of course, were out like a light." She shook her head. "It was a big deal. It's technically Wanarat's collar."

Mew pulled back and blinked. "They let Wanarat leave the office?"

"It was a big deal. He was willing to leave the bottle behind for you, Mewwie." She smiled, maybe a little sadly. "Never underestimate the effect you have on people's lives. I wouldn't say he's feeling well right now, but he powered through it long enough to get the job done."

How did he manage to pull it off, though? Mew tried to calm down on the strange mattress. He had wanted the collar, but it was fine that he didn't get it. As long as the jerk got what he deserved, he would be satisfied. "We didn't have any concrete evidence. How did Wanarat get a warrant for this guy?"

"It's technically not Wanarat's collar." Mom winked at him. "Your boyfriend is quite something. He sat right here by your side and wore a wire. Made that scumbag confess just by looking him in the eye. Can you believe it? He asked the right questions and got him to admit everything. It's all legal. They had a warrant and everything. He had the spray bottle on him—" She stopped abruptly and covered her mouth with one hand. "Oh my goodness, Mewwie. He had the spray bottle on him."

Mew knew he should be scared of that. He just couldn't comprehend why. Everything after his conversation with Chen was a blur. "That sounds terrifying."

Mom stared at him, eyes narrowed. Then she pressed the call button.

A nurse came into the room. Mew rolled his eyes and thumped his head back against the mattress.