I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 327

Leonard offered to take me home to rest, suggesting I stay at his place for the time being. But I’d already booked a hotel, and it was too late to cancel without losing the money. And the hotel was close to the hospital, which meant I could visit Horace. I politely declined, telling him I’d come over tomorrow.

He didn’t press the issue and had Fiona see me out.

Fiona looked at me with a new expression, one that had shifted from admiration to awe. “I’ve worked for Mr. Lopez for three years, and I’ve never seen him smile. You’ve got some kind of magic, Ms. Jones.”

“Really?” I said, surprised. “I had no idea. He smiled several times just now.”

So my cousin wasn’t a smiler. Though, thinking back, he hadn’t smiled at me at first either.

I left Fiona with her shocked expression, sneezed three times in a row, and got into a taxi.

I was in a great mood, but now I was finally noticing how awful I felt. My head was foggy, and my whole body felt hot. I frowned.

I sent a message to Rachel.

[Rachel, everything with the show is sorted out. Don’t tell Horace yet. I’ll come see you both tomorrow.]

I had planned to go right after dropping off my luggage, but I felt too sick. A good rest at the hotel was probably a better idea.

Rachel replied almost immediately. [Okay. You must be exhausted from traveling all day. Get some rest.]

The wind was whipping outside the car, and the temperature had dropped. A light rain was falling. When I got out of the taxi, a shiver ran through me. I made a quick stop at a pharmacy for some cold medicine, then went back to the hotel, showered, and collapsed into bed.

I was exhausted and fell asleep almost instantly. I don’t know how much time passed, but I was woken by my phone ringing incessantly. My body was burning up, and my throat was raw. I forced my eyes open and saw it was ten o’clock. The caller was Myron.

What was he doing calling me so late?

I fell back onto the bed, closing my eyes. “Mr. Taylor,” I rasped, “can’t this wait until morning?”

My voice was dry and scratchy, and I couldn’t suppress a cough.

I felt like I slept for an eternity, my head heavy and thick with fog.

Vaguely, I saw a tall, familiar figure standing by my bed. His voice was sharp with displeasure.

“She was fine this morning. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours, and she’s running a 103-degree fever. Is it the flu?”

He seemed to be on the phone, standing very close to me. I could hear the voice on the other end explaining.

“A sudden high fever like that could be influenza. It’s late autumn, early winter, and that strain of flu is going around Baxo. Give her the antiviral medication. If she has a sensitive stomach, she might have a reaction, so try to get her to eat something first. Oh, and Mr. Lancaster, be sure to wear a mask. It’s highly contagious.”

The man hung up and looked down at me. “You’re awake. What do you feel like eating?”

I opened my eyes and finally saw him clearly. It was Steven, his handsome face creased with a deep frown.

“Steven? How did you know I was here? What are you doing here?”