"There's a warm bath ready for you." Adam said as he finally put me down. He pointed at the bathtub.
"There's a spare toothbrush there." He pointed at the small cabinet beside the sink. "If you need something, just call me. I'll just be in the kitchen."
I nodded at him. "Thank you, Adam."
He smiled at me as he went out and closed the door.
I looked around. His bathroom was not too big but too small. But it was definitely smaller compared to my bathroom.
The important thing was that it was organized. For a man, he was neat and clean.
I opened the cabinet and saw the spare toothbrush he was talking about. There's also a clean towel and other toiletries there.
Was he really used to bringing home a girl and he was always prepared like this?
In fairness, he was sweet. He really was gentle with me last night. And now… he even prepared a hot bath for me.
I faced the mirror and looked at myself. My eyes were a little puffy from crying last night. My hair was a mess. My lips were sore and red. My fingers touched my lips while my eyes widened while looking at my neck. I had kiss marks all over my neck and chest. God. I looked like I was thoroughly fuck.
How would I go home like this? I need concealer to cover those hickies.
From my neck, my eyes wandered to the tattoo who was peeping on the shirt I was wearing.
The skin surrounding it was still red and a little sore.
I took off my shirt and stared at my body. Damn. I also have red marks on my stomach and on the side of my boobs. I touched my tattoo.
God. I still could believe I finally had a tattoo. It was beautiful. I looked beautiful. I smiled at myself while staring at the reflection in the mirror. I looked like a new person. And for the first time in years, I felt genuinely happy.
I finally went to the bathtub and stepped in it. I closed my eyes when I felt the warm water on my skin. I suddenly felt relaxed. The hot water was doing wonders to my sore body.
I felt tears escape my eyes. Instead of wiping them away, I let them fall. I silently cried as I accepted my fate.
Then my hand flew to my tattooed skin. I touched and caressed it with my fingers. I was dying… but at least I was finally doing things that make me happy. I promised that from now on, I'd start living for myself.
I didn't know how long I stayed in the bathtub before I got up. I showered, covered myself in a towel and went out of the bathroom.
I immediately saw the clean clothes on the bed.
Aside from the pink floral dress, there was also a pair of underwear. I pursed my lips when I saw the tag price on the underwear. It was new. Good. I would rather walk without underwear than to wear someone else'.
I picked up the dress and put it on. It was not my style, but I didn't have a choice, did I?
The dress fitted me, although it only fell just two inches above my knee. Maybe Adam's cousin was shorter than me.
I saw my bag under the bed. I picked it up. I searched for my phone.
I bit my lip when I saw my phone was dead. Well, it was a good thing my parents were used to me spending the night in the office so I still have nothing to worry about.
But Marcus, he would get worried at me. He knows that I went to the doctor yesterday. And I didn't answer his call last night. I hope Marcus didn't call my parents.
I looked at the wall clock hanging on the side table. It was already nine in the morning. I needed to go home already.
I winced when I remembered I still needed to buy concealer.
I was sure they would be weirded out if they saw me in this dress.
Tsk, what happens to living your life, Claire?
Of course, I would start living my life. But not at the expense of worrying people around me.
I went to the kitchen when I smelled food. I found Adam there. He was facing the stove and cooking fried rice.
There were fried eggs, hotdogs, corned beef and coffee on the table. So he knows how to cook.
"Oh, you're done," Adam said when he noticed me. He was holding a pan of rice. I watched him place the rice on the empty bowl on the table.
"Thanks for the clothes."
He surveyed my look. Then he smiled. "How was your bath?"
"I feel better." I smiled.
"Sit down. I'm sure you're starving."
I shook my head. "I don't eat breakfast," I said, but my stupid stomach suddenly grumbled.
"You don't eat breakfast? Why?"
Before I could answer him, I felt the stabbing pain in my stomach. My phone slipped from my hand. It fell on the dining table. I grabbed the arm of my seat as I winced in pain.
Fuck.
Suddenly, Adam was beside me.
"What's wrong?"
"It's my stomach," I answered him, wincing. I scrunched myself in pain.
"Do you have meds for that?" I heard him ask me. His voice sounded concerned.
I nodded, then shut my eyes in frustration when I realized where it was. "I left it in my office."
"Should I bring you to the hospital?"
I shook my head despite my condition.
"No. No hospital. It will go away."
"I don't know if this would help but here. Drink water, please." He handed me a glass of water.
I slowly sipped it. After a few minutes, I could feel the pain slowly going away.
"Are you finally feeling okay?" he asked me.
"Yeah." I slowly nodded. His eyes were asking me. I smiled sadly at him. "I have stomach cancer."
I saw how his lips slightly parted. Then he nodded in understanding. "Then all the more reason that you have to eat breakfast," he said in a serious tone. "If you want to extend your life, Claire."
I looked at the food in front of me. Right. I needed to eat. "But I need to go home. My phone's dead and I have to contact someone."
He grabbed my phone from the table. "I have a charger for this." He looked at me. "For now, let's eat first, okay? I won't allow you to leave with an empty stomach."
I turned to him and nodded.
He smiled at me. "Alright. Sit down. I'll just charge this."
He left me in the kitchen. When he was back, we both started eating breakfast.
It was a four seater dining table. I looked at the food on the table. The egg was perfectly fried.
"Are you always like this?" I couldn't help but ask him.
"What?" He stopped from eating and looked at me.
"Do you always do this to women who you had a one night stand with?" I slightly pursed my lips.
The corner of his lips curled up in an amused smile.
"Why do you think I was used to having one night stands?"
"You're prepared." I shrugged. "It's like you're used to this."
He let out a chuckle. Then he licked his lips. I couldn't help but stare at those lips.
"This is the first time I prepared a bath for someone," he said, which made my brows arch. "And the first time I invited a woman to share breakfast with me."
I stilled. "Then why me?"
I felt something warm inside my stomach. "Because you're special."