Chapter 222 Cloying Sweetness
Gabriel's eyes darkened. He replied, "Nothing urgent. I'll handle it after dinner."
Jessica said patiently, "Okay."
After dinner, while Jessica was in the kitchen, Gabriel's phone rang again.
He frowned and answered reluctantly.
His assistant's voice came through, "Mr. Walton, Ms. Bush's condition is critical. She's in a coma and not waking up."
Vincent inquired, "What did the doctor say?"
The assistant informed, "If she doesn't wake up in a couple of days, she might not regain consciousness. They suggest someone close to her talk to her, call her name, and try to give her a reason to wake up."
Gabriel hung up and leaned against the railing, feeling overwhelmed.
After a long pause, he called Oscar. He instructed, "Get me a plane ticket for tomorrow."
"Mr. Walton, your wounds aren't fully healed. You need rest," Oscar said.
Vincent insisted, "Just do it."
Gabriel lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. As he was about to take another, he felt arms around his waist. It was Jessica hugging him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, smiling.
"Just enjoying the view," Gabriel replied.
Jessica nodded, then noticed the cigarette. She took it from him, pouting. She scolded him, "Your wounds aren't healed, and you're smoking? Don't you care about your health?"
Gabriel laughed. He remarked gently, "You really like to manage things."
"Oh, so you don't want me to manage? Fine, I won't," Jessica said, pretending to be angry and turning away.
Gabriel immediately pulled her back. He chuckled and said, "I do. Only you can manage."
Satisfied, Jessica said, "That's more like it."
Gabriel rubbed his beard against her head, making her laugh and squirm away. His beard was prickly from not shaving it in the hospital.
Jessica laughed, begging for mercy. She said, "It tickles, Gabriel, it tickles. Let me go."
After a while, Gabriel let her go. Jessica grabbed his hand. She suggested, "The view is nice, but it's windy. You just got out of the hospital; let's go inside and rest."
"Okay," Gabriel agreed and nodded.
During their nap, Gabriel pulled Jessica into bed. Her face flushed. She chided, "Gabriel, you need to rest. Now's not the time."
Gabriel knew she misunderstood but teased her, saying, "Not the time for what?"
"Not the time for sex," Jessica said, blushing.
Gabriel hugged her tight, whispering in her ear, "Oh? I just wanted to nap with you. So that's what you were thinking about, Jessica!"
He teased some more, "Seems like you can't wait."
Jessica's face turned even redder. She playfully punched him. She retorted, "You rascal, I wasn't."
Gabriel asked, "Then why bring it up?"
Jessica tried to explain but couldn't find the words. She just buried her face in his chest, embarrassed.
Gabriel laughed heartily and hugged her tighter. He said, "Let's nap."
When his breathing steadied, Jessica opened her eyes, looked at him, then quickly fell asleep in his arms.
They woke up in the afternoon. The wind gently stirred the curtains, and soft sunlight filled the room with a golden glow.
Jessica was about to get up when Gabriel tightened his grip on her waist. He urged, "Stay a bit longer."
Jessica asked, "Haven't you slept enough?"
"Holding you feels good. I want to sleep a bit more," Gabriel's voice was hoarse and sexy as he spoke.
Jessica hugged his waist and smiled. She replied, "As you wish, Mr. Walton."
Gabriel praised, "Good girl."
They lazed in bed until it was four or five in the afternoon. Gabriel checked his phone and saw a message from Oscar: [The ticket is booked for 9 PM.]
Holding Jessica, he rested his head on her shoulder. He remarked affectionately, "I want to eat the cake you make."
Jessica was surprised. She questioned, "Didn't you say you don't like sweets?"
Gabriel said sweetly, "I don't, but holding you feels so sweet that I want to try something sweet too."
Jessica replied warmly, "Okay, let's buy some ingredients. I'll make it for you."
"Don't we have ingredients at home?" Gabriel asked.
Jessica suggested, "We do, but they've been sitting for a while. Let's get fresh ones."
"Time might be tight," Gabriel said reluctantly.
Jessica remarked, "Tight? I can make it quickly. You'll have it tonight."
"Jessica," Gabriel said, his eyes heavy, "I might not have enough time to get to the airport."
"Airport?" Jessica's heart sank. She inquired, "You're going to the airport? Where are you going?"
Gabriel hugged her, his heart aching. He said sadly, "I'm sorry, Jessica. I have to."
Jessica asked, "When are you leaving?"
Gabriel replied, "In a bit. My flight is at 9 PM."
Jessica felt her heart breaking. He had just come back, his body still recovering, and now he was leaving again?
"Do you have to go? Can't you stay?" she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady.
Gabriel apologized, "I'm sorry, Jessica."
Her voice trembled. She replied sadly, "At least wait until you're fully recovered. You still have wounds. How can I be at ease?"
"And I really don't want to be apart from you," she said, clutching his shirt, full of reluctance.
