La Novels
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
The second day.
After ensuring things had been set right, Rosalind and Jameson packed up their bags and moved out of Howard’s home. They even took Jeannie with them, insistent on giving Howard and Gwendolyn some much–needed privacy.
With their departure, Gwendolyn finally had the freedom to attend to Howard’s treatment in earnest.
The room was quiet, Howard seated in his wheelchair, a long needle inserted at his ankle. His gaze constantly followed Gwendolyn as she bustled about, her lips pressed together in a discontented line.
Silence reigned.
“Gwen…” He barely got a syllable out.
Gwendolyn switched on the flat–screen TV, drowning out his voice with the blast of a daytime show, leaving him feeling stifled.
Gwendolyn sure has a temper, Howard thought, eyeing her back and furrowing his brow. His hands, pale and slender, clenched the bedsheets, a flicker of pain crossing his face. “Ah… it
hurts.”
Gwendolyn spun around at his exclamation, panic in her eyes, “Where does it hurt? Oh my! Let go, you’ll press on the needle!”
But with one swift pull she found herself tumbling into his arms, straddling his lap.
“Not letting go until we’ve talked, or you’ll just run off again.”
His arms encircled her waist effortlessly.
Gwendolyn fluttered her eyelashes, her ears turning a bright crimson, her lips a blushing pink.
She’d never been this close to a man before.
“You avoided me last night and you’re still sulking this morning.” His hands, unconsciously stroked her lower back, causing her to shiver.
“You don’t trust me, having to barter with projects,” she knew she had no right to be angry, yet she couldn’t help it.
That was his life’s work the sole leverage for their branch to turn things around.
“Of course, I trust you.” His voice, deep and resonant, vibrated near her ear. “Waldo was sent by Bainbridge to harm me and that project was a deliberate gift to them. I trust you, that’s why I felt you could help me play this game.”
Gwendolyn felt her anger dissipating.
“What game?”
“Until I can stand on my own, don’t reveal your exceptional medical skills.” His tone was even, his handsome face exceptionally clear.
She wasn’t that extraordinary.
Gwendolyn looked down, her skin fair as snow.
“And Mr. Peterson…”
“You’re medically trained, ordinary ailments you can obviously treat. But my legs are different, considered beyond hope. Many experts have failed.”
“Okay, I understand,” Gwendolyn nodded obediently, as long as she didn’t flaunt her medical skills excessively.
Howard curled his lips into a smile, finding her irresistibly adorable.
Suddenly, he remembered the awful things Nathan had said the night before, his Adam’s apple bobbing, lips lightly moistened. Yet, he swallowed the question he wanted to ask.
Gwendolyn, her face flushed, pushed against his chest, “Let me go, I need to remove the needle.”
Howard’s features were cool, his heartbeat not as usual.
She crouched, fingers deftly pulling out the needle. She could feel the intense gaze above her, an unavoidable, her cheeks reddening further.
From the wall–mounted flat–screen TV came a report.
“Our correspondent visited the Stellar Crescent Foundation, which since its inception, has helped a hundred children return to school and supported thousands of families. Yet its founder has remained in the shadows, we…”
Gwendolyn was captivated, remembering Jeannie mentioning the Stellar Crescent Foundation. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at Howard, “I was also sponsored by the Stellar Crescent Foundation. We were poor back then and couldn’t even scrape together the school fees. A kind soul
sponsored all the kids in Crescent Village, and I could continue my education. I’ve always wanted to find that person.”
Howard was confused as he asked, “What do you want to do when you find him?”
“To express my gratitude.”
Her delicate features were like a serene autumn pond, gentle and bright, piercing straight through to his heart.