Helping the Girl Get the Guy

Eleven ♧ Love Sick

I woke up with my arms wrapped around Luke's body. I started to panic, hastily pulling them back, securing my hands on my lap.

I could hear him chuckling. "You know, if you've been dreaming about touching my abs, it would have been better if you could do it while you're conscious."

I was about to react violently when someone cleared her throat. I looked up and saw Mrs. Latorena beside my seat, saying, "Come on, we're here."

We dropped off Causeway Bay, and on the busy street of Hong Kong, Luke began sneezing. I offered to return him his jacket but he shook his head. Hong Kong, as far as my eyesight is concerned, was beautiful. It's like a mini New York City. There were electronic billboards attached on buildings.

It was still raining and we were walking to our hotel with our luggages and umbrellas. Luke and Nathan had their first photo in front of the bus stop. Yes, typical bromance.  They even asked me to be the one to take the photo. Mrs. Latorena, on the other hand, was forcing me to have my photo taken, but I simply smile (trying to look as nice as possible to the old lady) and said, "Next time will do."

The Mediterranean hotel exceeded my expectations. Upon entry, there's a gigantic chandelier hanging from the ceiling, with hundreds of crystals attached to it. Not just that, most of the guests were wearing formal clothes, from long dresses to suits, making me feel underdress.

"Wow, is there such thing as a six star hotel? This is probably one," I could hear Luke saying. Nathan gave him a thumbs-up for his comment. The four of us had our mouths agape that we forgot we were being greeted at the concierge.

"Reservation for Mrs. Latorena, Ms. Quinn, Mr. Hemmings, and Mr. Yale," Mrs. Latorena said, handing an envelope to the lady behind the desk.

The lady replied with a smile, "Oh, we forgot to inform you, all of you will be having separate rooms, is that okay? We mean, four rooms for four persons."

My eyes widened in shock. "That's nice, that is more relaxing, right Jessica?" Mrs. Latorena looked at me. I bet that smile on her face was filled with sarcasm.

Don't worry ma'm, I had no intention of being your roommate too, I wanted to blurt out. Instead, I said, "Yes ma'm, what a wonderful sudden change of plans." I grinned, as I cheerfully take the key from the lady's hand.

Luke and Nathan seemed to have a grasp of what was happening between Mrs. Latorena and I, causing Luke to clear his throat. "I want to visit Hong Kong Park."

"Likewise, I've researched that there are various animals in there." Nathan said while brushing up his hair which initially went into different directions because of the wind.

When I actually researched about Hong Kong Park, I did not find results which says that it was like a zoo. Yet, I was not planning to correct Nathan --

"Uhm, I think what you're talking about is Ocean Park." Luke replied in a flash. Without even thinking.

I narrowed my eyes at Luke for correcting Nathan. Nathan's face went heating up in embarrassment. "Oh, probably that one. Whatever, let's visit whatever park that we see."

》》》

The moment I reached my room, I immediately jumped onto the king size bed. It was big enough for a single person, yet I did not bother. I looked around and started admiring the room. The huge flat screen television sits on top of a long drawer. The bathroom which happened to be enclosed in a glass. Only an automatic curtain which turns down once you press it, covers the glass.

I switched on the television and watched a television show called, Sonny with a Chance on Disney channel, while I unpacking my clothes and placing them on the empty drawer. Luke's choice of clothes was not so bad at all. For the rest of our itinerary for the day, I opted to wear a black pullover so I could return to Luke his jacket, and a white skinny jeans, with a pair of plain black Nike sneakers.

Upon placing my clothes in the drawer, I decided to change into pullovers when I heard a sudden knock on the door. From the eyelet, I saw Luke standing.

When I opened it, I crossed my arms and raised an eye at him. "What are you doing here? Don't you have your own room?"

Before actually replying, he sneezed, then coughed, causing me to give him a "bless you" comment.

"Actually, I'm here to get my jacket back," he said, allowing himself to enter my room without my permission.

He found his jacket on my bed and wore it immediately. Afterwards, he began sitting on the bed, sneezing for probably the hundredth time. At this hour, and with this kind of weather, I knew -- Luke was sick. His eyes suddenly looked puffy, and his lips were pale (How the hell did I end up looking at his lips?).

Whilst his feet were still on the room's carpet, his upper body rested on my bed. "Give me five minutes, then I'm leaving," he spoke the words softly. This was not the kind of Luke I usually see. He seemed weak and vulnerable.

"Stay there, I'm getting help," I ordered. I left the door open and traveled to Mrs. Latorena's room. Unfortunately, there's a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door handle. What a great travel companion, I huffed. Feeling disapppointed, I corageously at the same time nervously walked to Nathan's room, but unfortunately, the same sign on Mrs. Latorena's door handle was placed on his. Where is help when help is needed the most? I began to ask myself.

I ran back to my room and took the paper containing the itinerary. How could I forget? The moment we landed, we were given a time to rest to cope up with jetlag, which is why, the rest of my travel buddies were probably sleeping. As for me, I think I've had enough sleep especially when we were in the bus. No doubt, Luke's shoulder served as a good pillow.

I suddenly remembered that my mother packed a medicine kit for me, to be used in emergency purposes. This was certainly an emergency. I hastily grabbed the kit from my luggage and took one tablet of paracetamol. I then took a bottle of water from the room's small refrigerator and handed placed it on the bedside table.

"Luke, sit up, you need to take this medicine for you to feel better," I slowly take him by his arm, forcing him to sit. Thankfully, he obliged. I sat beside him and transfered the tablet to his hand. Upon swallowing it, I gave him the bottled water for him to drink.

"Thank you. I must be getting back to my room," Luke muttered and was ready to stand, however, I stopped him by holding his hand.

"Stay, you're ill." I frowned. I could hear him sighing. Instead of actually disobeying me, he moved back to lay his body on the bed. I removed his shoes and placed them near the door. I kept his socks in place for he was still shivering.

I took a seat on one of the chairs and simply watched Luke rest. I started to lean back when I heard him say, "Jess, this is your bed, you should be the one laying here. You can stay beside me if you want."

"It's okay, I can manage and-" I started stammering for I did not know how to respond. I haven't slept or even laid down beside a guy.

Luke cut me off and said, "Please, it's not like I'm going to take advantage of you. I'm not that kind of guy, especially to my friends."

With all the guilt eating me alive for thinking badly about Luke, I found myself sauntering to where the bed was, and slowly laid down beside him. Luke turned his body to face me, wrapping an arm around my waist. The moment his arm came in contact with my skin, I felt something inside me igniting like fire, but I had chosen to ignore it.

"All for body heat, in case you're wondering." I nodded at his response and awkwardly place a hand on his waist as well, and buried my face on his chest. I could hear him humming some sort of a lullaby. When he stopped, I looked up to see his face. Just like Nathan, up close with Luke made me realize that he was handsome.

"I thought you said that the last time you'd ever be clingy with me was when were inside the bus." He furrowed his eyebrows and I only ended up giggling.

"I thought so too," I said, and that was my last response, before burying my face once again on his chest.