Chapter 302 Who Messed With You
Winona found herself being ushered to the couch by Zachary, feeling his firm grip leading her. "Hang tight, let me take care of that wound," he assured her.
Her surprise was evident as Zachary took charge, preparing to treat her injury. Looking up into his deep, reassuring eyes with a hint of a smile, Winona remarked, "You're well aware of my issues. What could I possibly do to surprise you?"
As he kneeled down, Zachary fetched a compact medical kit from a nearby drawer, ready to dab her wound with soothing medicine. "Who messed with you?" he inquired, displaying a subtle concern.
Winona hadn't perceived it as being bullied; even if she was, she had handled the situation successfully. So whether it was getting her hand scraped by Daniel or facing public scrutiny, she had remained unfazed.
Yet, when Zachary posed the question, a sudden surge of emotion overcame her, catching her off guard. Gazing at his lowered lashes and chiseled nose, she felt a rush of bitterness that she struggled to contain before redirecting her gaze.
"Nobody," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of stubbornness and defiance.
With a gaze that was hard to decipher, Zachary spoke softly, "I've got your back."
Upon returning the medical kit to its place, he rose to his feet, peering down at Winona. "Feeling hungry?"
Winona shook her head. "No."
Yet, her stomach betrayed her, emitting a loud growl, a result of skipped meals due to the day's unsettling events.
In a caring gesture, Zachary gently tousled her hair. "I'll whip up something to eat."
Ready to decline, Winona prepared to speak, but Zachary's firm touch on her head guided her back onto the couch. "After eating, I'll drive you back home."
He added, "I'm still recovering, so humor me as your dutiful caretaker and don't say things that will upset me."
Zachary's hand felt cool against her head as he playfully teased, "Or should I come by your cozy little nest of an apartment for dinner?"
Anger flashed in Winona's eyes as she retorted, "You could've cranked up the charm in the shower to make that threat stick."
A chuckle escaped Zachary before he offered, "Feeling exhausted? Rest up or freshen up. Your stuff's still in the bathroom; the servant put them in the cabinet. What do you want to eat?"
The abrupt shift in conversation threw Winona off guard.
"Let me know when you decide."
With Zachary's departure, the room fell into a quiet solitude, broken only by the faint chirping of insects drifting in through the window. Restless, Winona avoided her phone, her gaze drifting towards the bathroom. Curiosity prodded her to her feet, leading her to the bathroom.
Zachary had just taken a shower, and the floor of the shower was still wet, but there was no steam in the air.
'Serves him right for getting sick, taking cold showers while having a fever, treating his body so poorly, he might as well just die.' she thought.
Winona opened the drawer of the cabinet. The toiletries she had used before were neatly arranged inside. She was slightly stunned and then looked at the dressing table.
She remembered taking all her skincare and makeup products when she moved out, but now, half the drawer was filled with her usual brands. There weren't many clothes, but there were still plenty, even though she had taken some with her, the scene still looked quite full.
Everything was just as it was when she lived there.
Emotions mingled as Winona closed the drawer and settled back onto the couch.
In the drawn-out wait, she wondered what Zachary chose to cook that it took such a long time. Despite attempting to distract herself with her phone, drowsiness eventually claimed her, lulling her into a nap on the couch.
Upon Zachary's return, he was greeted by a heartwarming sight. Winona lay peacefully on the couch, cradling a pillow in her sleep. Soft light kissed her features, the tousled curls framing her face.
Zachary's entrance into the room was marked by a brief pause in his steps before he gracefully dimmed the main light, opting for a soft, ambient glow.
Moving soundlessly across the carpeted floor, he approached Winona's sleeping form, careful to maintain a gentle presence.
Winona remained deeply asleep, undisturbed by his proximity as he knelt beside the couch. Her serene expression, a far cry from her usual spirited demeanor, hinted at an inner calm. Delicate lashes cast shadows over her cheeks, shielding any traces of weariness, her breathing steady and serene.
His fingertip grazed her cheek, a subtle connection that seemed to fill a void within him, infusing the room with an unspoken warmth. Although his original intent was to rouse Winona for dinner, a different impulse seized him in that moment.
With tenderness, Zachary lifted Winona from the couch, her brief frown dissipating as he settled her on the bed, where she instinctively found a comfort that lured her back into deep slumber, her head nestled into the pillow.
Seated by the bed, Zachary observed her peaceful form before pulling the blanket over her and lying down beside her.
Fearing to disturb her rest, he initially lay still, basking in the tranquility of the moment. Yet, drawn by an unfathomable yearning, he gently enfolded her in his arms, reveling in her lingering scent as a sense of completeness washed over him, dispelling months of emptiness.
In that instant, there existed no desires or complexities, only a profound need to hold her close, to cherish this fragile peace.
Recent battles with insomnia, fueled by Winona's resistance and work pressures, momentarily ebbed away as drowsiness enveloped him in her presence.
As dawn broke the next day, Winona stirred from her slumber, awakening to an arm draped around her waist, Zachary's handsome visage meeting her gaze.
Winona's first reaction was that she was dreaming, so she didn't immediately remove his arm from her waist. Her gaze swept over his deep and sharp features.
She had seen Zachary sleeping before, but there was always a distance of two people between them. This was the first time she observed him so closely.
She had to admit that Zachary's appearance was exceptionally outstanding. So, even with their unpleasant past, she couldn't help but be mesmerized.
At that moment, Zachary opened his eyes. "You up?"
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