If you only knew...

29.Cook for me

Xavier's POV

Ana's unexpected request takes me by surprise, leaving me momentarily speechless. As I scramble to find a way to say no, the words slip out before I can think them through.

"I don't know if that's the best idea," I reply, watching her expression shift from hope to disappointment. The sight of her beautiful face crumbling unsettles me. "Okay, how you wish, Ana..."

"Thank you, Xavi! I really wish I could make this day better for you, even if it's just in these last two hours. Consider it my gift!" she exclaims, her face lighting up with infectious enthusiasm. I can't help but feel a twinge of worry about what she might suggest next.

"Ana, you know you don't always have the best ideas," I tease, a small chuckle escaping my lips.

She ignores my remark as she exclaims "I know! Let's watch a horror movie together!" her eyes sparkle with mischief.

"That's what lovers do, Ana," I reply with a sly grin.

"Oh... you're right! How about showering together?"

"W-what?!" The heat rushes to my face, and a wave of astonishment washes over me as I can feel my expression shifting dramatically.

"I was just kidding, silly!" she bursts into laughter, clearly reveling in my amazement.

As I watch her stand there on my couch, the sound of her laughter echoing through my apartment, I can't help but wonder what's wrong with me. Why can't I ever say no to her? Here I am, willingly letting her into my space, my thoughts, and even my soul.

She's undeniably a little wild, yet there's something about her that makes me feel incredibly alive since we first met. I try to shake off any feelings of guilt for letting her stay, choosing instead to embrace her presence—one that brings me a surprising comfort in this moment.

I recline painfully, just a breath away from her, feeling the dull ache still lingering at my side. She moves closer, the space between us shrinking, her eyes filled with concern as she asks softly, "What can I do to ease your pain? It's clear you're still not well and I care for you."

"Anything, just not what you tried last time, please," I reply slowly, the memory of that 'painful' kiss flooding back to me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaims, her cheeks turning crimson as she avoids my gaze. "I just got caught up in the moment and had no idea how else to help you."

I chuckle, watching her squirm. "What a lame excuse, Ana. You could have at least thought of a better way to save me." Her face flushes even deeper, and I can't help but tease her further. "So you genuinely thought I might die any moment, and your solution was to take advantage of it?"

"Stop it, Xavier! I'd never think like that!" she exclaims, her voice a mix of anger and desperation. "You have no idea how terrified I was!" The intensity in her tone surprises me, revealing a side of her that is both sad and fierce.

As I watch her tense up, I decide to ease up on the teasing. "It's okay, Ana. I was just kidding."

But something in her eyes holds me captive. I could see the genuine fear she had felt that night, but I can sense it once again now in the tremor of her voice and the intensity of her gaze as she recalls that memory. It's a reflection of the vulnerability that lays beneath her bravery.

Did you truly mean it when you said you cared for me?

"Have you had anything to eat?" she suddenly asks, shifting the subject away from the clearly uncomfortable topic.

"Honestly, no. I haven't had time for that today... Are you hungry?" I reply, a trace of worry lining my voice. I can just imagine her searching for something to eat, given that I hadn't had a chance to cook.