"Then what is it?'

'I don't know.' She shrugged.

She was just as confused. 'Maybe something I ate at the cafeteria didn't agree with me. I've been having these bouts of nausea for the past few days. Giana said it's because I don't eat my meals on time.' 'How long has this been going on?' Austyn knitted his brows.

'I don't know. Two, three days? Or is it four?'

'Have you seen a doctor?'

'It's nothing serious.' Kira waved a hand dismissively. 'I'm sure it'll go away once I return to a normal diet.'

She had not been eating or sleeping well since the day Austyn went missing.

But now that he had come back, so did her appetite.

'You're going for a check-up tomorrow,' Austyn said. 'Kai will go with you.'

'There's really no need. I'm fine.'

'Then the test will confirm it.'

'But I have class tomorrow."

'Class can wait.'

Kira had to give in when she sensed he wasn't about to budge on his decision. 'Okay, okay. I'll go.'

She checked the time.

Giana was probably in bed by now.

Kira texted her and said she was staying at the hospital for the night.

When a knock came on the door, she thought it was a doctor or a nurse doing their rounds.

So she was surprised to find Kai standing outside. 'I've brought a change of clothes for you, and some food for Boss.'

Elsie had insisted that he bring her homemade chicken soup for Austyn.

'Thank you.' Kira took the valise from the assistant. 'It's almost midnight. You should go home.'

Kai nodded. 'Good night, Young Madam. Good night, Boss.'

He closed the door and left.

Kira set down the thermos on a bedside table and went to unpack the valise.

She was dying for a shower.

Austyn cleared his throat.

"What?" Kira looked up.

'What's in the thermos?'

'Chicken soup. Elsie made it for you.'

Austyn nodded.

Kira picked out a clean t-shirt and a pair of shorts.

Elsie had packed pyjamas for her as well, but Kira felt weird wearing PJs in a hospital ward.

Doctors or nurses could be coming into the room at any time.

She headed for the bathroom.

'What are you doing?' Austyn asked.

'Taking a shower.' Kira turned around and lifted the bundle of clothes in her hands. 'Can't you see?' 'What about me?'

'What about you what?' She was confused.

Austyn tilted his chin towards the thermos. Pussy Manchad

Oh.' Kira caught on. 'There's a spoon in the bag.

Austyn lifted his left arm. I'm incapacitated.

Kira rolled her eyes. 'Your right hand works fine.'

'I'm tired.

'So am I. It's just a tiny spoon. I'm sure you are strong enough to lift it.'

Austyn ran out of excuses.

He gave up all pretence. 'I want you to help me.'

'With what?'

'With the soup."

Kira's eyebrows shot up. 'You want me to...feed you?'

Austyn gave a tiny nod of his head, feeling a little embarrassed.

He was eighteen months old the last time he made that request.

Kira was incredulous. 'You're not a baby.'

'But I'm a patient. I have a right to be taken care of.

'But I want to take a shower!"

'You can do it later."

Kira sighed audibly.

'I haven't had anything to eat for the whole day,' Austyn said. 'I went straight to your school to find you after I came out of the airport. Then you refused to come home with me. My wound ruptured. Which led to me passing out, and a surgery to re-close the wound.' 'Wait, are you saying it's my fault that you ended up in the hospital?' Kira's mouth hung open.

Austyn just looked at her and let her draw her own conclusion.

'Fine.' She set down the fresh change of clothes and moved towards the bedside table.

'If you are hungry, you could have asked me to bring you back something from the cafeteria earlier,' she grumbled. Austyn said nothing.

Kai made the same suggestion, but Austyn dismissed the idea because he didn't like outside food.

After playing nurse to the fussy man-child, Kira washed the empty thermos and put it away. Then she finally got the hot shower she wanted.

When she came out of the bathroom, she caught Austyn putting down her phone in a hurry.

'What are you doing with my phone?' Kira eyed him suspiciously.

Didn't he have a new phone of his own?

'Nothing.' Austyn seemed unflustered, as if he had not been just caught red-handed.Exclusive content from .

Kira decided to see for herself.

She scrolled through the call log.