Chapter 20 - Nursing a billionaire.

Xavier was sick.

Amelia had suspected it when he was too reluctant to eat when he came back from work a night ago. She asked if he was alright, he claimed that he was fine.

The problem had continued in the night when Amelia was peacefully sleeping and she heard some noise. She had woke up confused, barefoot and still in her cream lingerie.

Terrified that it was a burglar, she picked up the vase on her bedside drawer and took it with her. She stood by the door and heard the ruckus, which sounded much like the sound of someone scattering things, she called Xavier on his phone, but he didn't answer.

She came out of the room quietly into the darkly lit hallway after the sound had subsided. Still holding her phone in her hand, she decided she was going to call 911. She was still dialing the helpline when the hallway became bright with light and she yelped and dropped the vase.

The shattering sounds rang through the hallway and Amelia out of fright jumped and stepped on one of the sharp shards of ceramic.

"Amelia! What the hell?"

Xavier shouted as he walked towards her, careful not to step on the shards of ceramics. He was wearing only his boxer briefs and he looked extremely tired.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were a burglar or something. You scared me with all the noises you were making."

Amelia said as she examined the cut on her foot. It was a shallow cut, but blood was already dripping onto the white marble floor.

"Let me see that?"

Xavier asked as he slowly brought he bent to examine the cut.

"It's not that deep. But let's go clean it up to be sure."

"Can you walk?" He asked and Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Of course I can, I'm not a child."

The moment Amelia's hands connected with Xavier's bare skin as he wanted to help her, she felt his skin burning hot under her touch.

"Woahhh! You're burning up! Are you okay?"

Amelia asked with concern as she suddenly noticed that his eyes looked tired.

"That was why I was in the kitchen. I thought we had aspirin or something..."

He murmured and Amelia placed a hand on his forehead. He was hot all over.

"Let's get you into bed Mister."

"No, let's deal with your cut first. And if there was really a burglar which is impossible by the way, don't go around carrying vases you can't use."

"I was just trying to protect myself." Amelia murmured.

"The best way would have been you locking yourself up in the room and calling the cops."

"I'll think about that next time."

She replied as she rolled her eyes.
In the bathroom, Xavier cleaned Amelia's cut under running water. There were healing ointments in the bathroom cabinet and Xavier applied it before covering it up with a bandaid.

Meanwhile, Amelia was on her phone checking out for home remedies for the flu. It was the only logical thing she could think of that was happening to Xavier since his symptoms seemed to match with flu symptoms. And it was too late for her to call a doctor and she didn't think it was serious enough for them to go to the hospital.

"So according to google, I'm supposed to make you chicken soup. It's good for flu."

"I'm not sure I want you cooking."

Amelia rolled her eyes at the statement.

"It really can't be that bad. I'm sure there's a can of chicken soup somewhere in the kitchen."

Xavier  was tired and every part of his body ached painfully. More so, he was feeling so cold and yet his body was hot all over

"I'm going back to bed. I'm cold." He murmured.

"Stay here! It's your bed after all. Let me run you a warm bath and put the humidifier on."

She said as she slowly led him to her bed and pushed him in between the covers. He was slightly shivering and Amelia pushed a way strands of his hair away from his face. He looked so different than the Xavier she knew before.

She ran a hand on his face softly caressing his face, she was a bit lost in her actions. It wasn't long before Xavier's eyes met hers and Amelia snatched her hand away.

"I'll go make the soup. Just lay here for a bit. You need to rest."

After cleaning up the shards of ceramics, Amelia walked into the kitchen.
Amelia wished she took Mrs Leticia's advice about teaching her some simple meals when she informed her that she couldn't cook. But lately Amelia had been caught up with so many things.

Xavier had been serious about her showcasing her art and she was serious about it too. So she was talking to the right people. She had been meeting with a few curators and well known artists to know if there was a possibility of her showcasing her work. All which wouldn't have been possible without the help of Xavier.

She was surprised when the curators and artists were extremely impressed with her work, they wanted to work with her right away, as soon as she had enough pieces for an art exhibit.

After searching through a few cabinets, she finally found a can of chicken soup. She was relieved when she saw the can. She had been mildly mortified at the thought of having to cook chicken soup from the scratch.

While warming up the chicken soup. She rummaged around the penthouse for drugs that Xavier could use and only found throat lozenges. She kept it for later just in case he needed it.

When the soup was ready, Amelia transfered into a medium sized bowl and put it on a tray alongside a bottle of water and a cup.

She gently carried it into her room, slightly grateful that she had the good sense to leave the door open.

"Xavier?"

She called out as she entered the room a proud smile on her face. The chicken soup smelled amazing and all she had done was warm it up.

"Hmm" he asked as he opened one blue eye.

"What's that? I thought I told you not to cook."

"Does it look like I made this?"

She commented as she gingerly set it down next to the bed.

"Come on! Gently sit upright so you can eat."

"I'm not hungry Amelia."

"I know! But this is supposed to make you feel better."

Amelia urged as she made Xavier sit up right, he still looked very reluctant to eat.

"I'll feed you then. If you won't eat."

Xavier scrunched up his face.

"No! I'm not a baby." He weakly protested but Amelia was hearing none of it.

"Yea whatever. Open up big boy."

She said as she transferred the tray to her lap and spooned some of the chicken soup broth with chunks of chicken for him to eat.
He opened up reluctantly, slowly and reluctantly chewing while about half of his body was still under the covers. He was shivering slightly and he was reluctant to eat but Amelia constantly coaxed him to open his mouth.

After about eight spoonfuls, Xavier claimed that he was full and Amelia took away the leftovers. She dumped the remains back in the sink and went back into the room to be with Xavier.

"I'll run you a bath now."

"Thanks."

She informed him as she went into the bathroom and prepared the bath for him.

"Xavier? Your bath is ready."

"Is it hot?"

He asked and Amelia shrugged her head.

"You're burning up, but I made it warm anyway."

"Okay. Can you help me with a towel or something?"

He asked as he slipped out of bed.

"You're worried about nudity when you modelled nude for me a few days ago?"

Amelia asked incredulously as she watched Xavier.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable like the last time."

"I wasn't uncomfortable."
Amelia said quietly as she watched Xavier walk into the bathroom.

"It's okay if you were."

She gave Xavier some space and waited till he was completely in the bathtub before she went back into the bathroom and set at the edge of the bathtub watching him. The water was slightly murky, but it was only because she added a bath bomb to make the bath more soothing. She was slightly tired but she wanted to make sure that Xavier was fine before she went to sleep.

"Thanks Amelia."

He said as he relaxed in the bath and closed his eyes.

"You're welcome."

After his bath, Amelia escorted Xavier back to bed. She was still tucking him in the covers and considering sleeping in his room when he suddenly pulled her in bed with him. He pulled her on top of him until she straddled him.

Amelia gasped a little as she stared into Xavier's eyes. They were so close to each other that Amelia's hair fell around like a curtain around them.

"Please stay." He begged and Amelia opened her mouth to protest but he silenced her protest with a soft kiss to the mouth.
Amelia pulled back after a while startled. Her whole body was already responding to his touch and she felt her nipples harden in her sheer silk lingerie. She suddenly felt exposed in the lingerie as she slowly climbed off Xavier's body.

"You're sick Xavier."

She said softly as she looked away, she feared that if she looked into his eyes one more time she might fall for him.

"I know. But I don't want to be alone. I want you here with me."

He said as he pulled her by the waist, pulling her close to him. Till she could feel the heat seeping out of his skin.

"Okay, I'll stay. I'm only doing it because you're not feeling too well."

Xavier nodded and smiled. Slowly, he fit her snugly into his arms and Amelia closed her eyes as she savoured the feeling of being close to him. It had been a while since he held her like that.

The next morning, Amelia woke up to an empty cold bed. And a fresh bouquet of flowers and a note. How long had she been asleep for? She asked herself as she rubbed her sleep filled eyes and picked up the note.

'Amelia. Thank you for nursing me back to health. I'm well now and I'll be seeing my doctor soon. I didn't want to wake you but I have some sudden news. We'll be leaving for LA tomorrow and staying for a few months. Pack your bags and say your goodbyes. I'll explain later.'