When Dylan returned to the living room, Lola was just waking up, rubbing her eyes.
“Hmm? Oh, dear.”
“Hey!”
“I must have dozed off.”
“It seems like it.”
“Dear, have you had dinner?”
“Yeah! I had dinner before coming back, so there is no need to prepare anything.”
“Okay.”
As Lola tried to get up from the sofa, Dylan, quicker than her, picked her up.
“Dear, I can walk by myself.”
Being carried to the bedroom was now such a common occurrence that it was hard to count, but Lola still hadn’t gotten used to it.
She didn’t dislike it, but she felt sorry for being a burden to him.
“Do you dislike being carried?”
“I’m just worried that I’m heavy and it’ll be hard for you.”
“Actually, it seems to be the opposite. You need to eat more.”
When talking with Dylan, there were times, like now, when Lola couldn’t respond immediately. During those moments, she would subtly change the subject if she didn’t bury her face in his shoulder.
“Um… Dear.”
“What?”
As night approached, this man’s gaze always burned with intensity. Seeing the desire in his eyes as he looked at her made Lola hesitate and cautiously open her mouth.
“Today, I’m feeling a bit unwell.”
“Where do you feel unwell? If you’re sick, you should go to the hospital.”
Concern was evident on Dylan’s face as he looked at Lola. Feeling a bit embarrassed to say the next words, Lola’s face turned slightly red.
“Actually, today is… that day for me.”
“That day?”
As Dylan repeated it softly, he suddenly seemed to understand, exclaiming, “Ah!” and nodded.
“So you’re feeling really tired! Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
“No.”
“Got it. I won’t touch you tonight.”
Lola couldn’t help but admire Dylan’s perceptiveness once again.
Even though Dylan was very curious about why Frank met Lola and what they talked about, he didn’t mention it even once while they walked to the bedroom.
Once they entered the bedroom and Dylan laid Lola down on the bed, he still didn’t ask anything.
“You must be tired, so sleep first.”
When Dylan spoke as if he were going out somewhere, Lola was puzzled.
“Dear, are you going somewhere again?”
“I can’t sleep looking like this, can I? I’ll wash up quickly.”
Now that she thought about it, he was still dressed in a suit with a tie.
Lola awkwardly smiled and nodded slightly. Dylan turned around and walked toward the dressing room.
And how long had it been?
In her half-asleep state, someone was holding her tightly.
A familiar scent, warm breath, gentle touch.
Even in her dazed state, Lola could tell immediately who it was.
“Dear.”
“Are you still awake?”
Instead of answering, as she burrowed into his embrace, she heard his complaining voice near her ear.
“I got a call from Kent earlier. Is that guy always so reckless? Calling a married woman late at night and being rude.”
Lola was too tired to respond. His low whisper tickled her ear again.
“You must be really tired. I won’t talk, so just sleep quickly.”
Pat, pat.
Soon, she felt his hand gently patting her shoulder, and Lola quickly fell into a deep sleep.
*****
After the morning rounds, Kent called Lola into the lab.
From the late-night call he made to her yesterday, it seemed like there was something important to discuss.
Curious about what it could be, Lola cautiously opened her mouth.
“Professor, I’m sorry. I couldn’t answer your call yesterday because I went to bed early.”
“It’s okay. Would you like some coffee? Or tea?”
“No, you don’t have to worry about me, Professor.”
As Lola waved her hand, Kent, who had been about to get up, sat back down and carefully began to speak.
“I heard that a patient who was brought to the emergency room was a suspect under investigation by the prosecution. Is that true?”
“Yes. But is there a problem?”
“That’s what I want to ask you, Lola Dax.”
Lola moistened her dry lips and explained the situation in detail.
“There wasn’t any major issue. The inspector kept asking when the patient would wake up, but…”
Kent interrupted Lola’s words.
“I heard there was a commotion in the emergency room.”
“Yes, there was some commotion, but it wasn’t a big problem. I told the junior residents to report to the police if the inspector caused another disturbance.”
“As long as there’s no major issue, that’s fine.”
Lola let out a sigh of relief, having been tense for a moment.
But was this the only reason Professor Kent had called her?
As Lola quietly speculated about his thoughts, Kent continued.
“I need you to take care of a VIP patient, Lola Dax.”
“Ah, yes.”
Since it was a common occurrence, Lola didn’t think much of it at that moment.
