Max's POV
"I'm not hungry..." my hands reached for the covers of my bed as I try to hide from Zanaya, who, to my surprise had been the sweetest with me lately. Not that I am complaining but I feel like she's acting extra sweet and a weird bee had been buzzing behind my ears that some news is about to explode one of these days. It's crazy.
"It's not that you're not hungry. you just don't have an appetite which is understandable since you are sick. Regardless, I need you to eat so you can drink medicine or I swear I will ask Seth to bring Raze here. I'm sure you don't want to go around and scold you, do you?" she mumbled as I felt a gentle movement beside me.
A grunt escaped my lips at what she said. Raze, he had been acting like a big brother even to WHISTLE and in all honesty, what Zanaya said isn't impossible. I can literally imagine Raze scolding me for not eating meals or drinking meds.
With that in mind, I removed the blanket off and bolted up from my stupid attempt for a short slumber. I don't even think I'll be able to sleep anyways since I have a terrible headache.
Since last night, I had been camping in my room, not feeling so well. I didn't even bother sending a message to Sky because I don't want him to worry. Normally, I don't really ask for help with the girls whenever I'm having a hard time because I know they have problems too. I don't want to depend on others too much when I'm having a hard time because if I don't have them around, I'd fall. And just the thought of falling in a pit where I'm not sure I can still survive scares me more than when I studied abroad alone.
Zanaya, on the other hand, noticed that I was sick because she insisted on coming inside my room earlier this afternoon after noticing that I haven't been out the whole day. It's like she’s gotten some weird instinct. When Cali and Tokyo found out, they wanted to come in but I was very stern when I said I don't want them near. I may be carrying some virus or something and I don't want them to get sick too. However, Zanaya, being hard headed that she was, she insisted on taking care of me.
"Did you cook this?" I asked her as I try a spoonful of the soup she brought me and almost choke when I tasted too much saltiness in it. Soft chuckles escaped her lips when she saw my reaction.
"Tokyo cooked it," she exclaimed in defense when I glared at her and I just shook my head, giving up.
Seeing how my taste bud isn't in good condition too, I wonder how salty this food really is.
"This is making me throw up. Why did you allow that sweet nugget to cook? I can already imagine her grinning while making this," I muttered but a soft smile still emerged my lips. Tokyo's cooking isn't exceptional but just thinking how happy she must have been while making this is good enough for me.
Even with the salty food, it was impossible not to finish even half of it as Zanaya is almost shoving it down my throat. After drinking a medicine, she left me alone saying something about video calling Seth.
Just as I was about to close my eyes, I noticed the screen of my phone flickering. Before I can even check the message, I felt a sudden surge of pain in my temple which made me grunt a little.
Giving up, I pulled the covers of my blanket and adjusted my body while lying on the bed.
Due to lack of continues sleep, I felt myself losing my consciousness in a matter of minutes.
"I don't love you..." my heart ache at the words he just stated, the knots on my stomach felt like it was being twisted multiple times.
"No. You do, right? I mean, you care for me. You always do..." My lips quiver at the sound of my own voice. It lacks confidence. Gone was the strong Max everybody knows.
My heart almost dropped on the ground when I saw him smirk.
"I don't. I don't give a damn about how you feel. I don't care about you. Not at all,"
And that's it.
It's like my world suddenly stopped and I can barely breathe.
Why?
"I thought you care for me? You always do. You're always there for me," I whispered and slowly I saw his diminishing form, his face getting blurry every second.
I felt my body shaking. My eyes sting from tears and my heart ache like it's being torn apart.
Alone. I'm always alone.
"It hurts. It hurts a lot," I mumbled, tears now streaming dowm my cheeks. I tried to search for him but he's already gone.
He left me.
"I'm sorry..." there was no need but I found myself asking for his forgiveness.
"Nini, GUCCI..."
Soft whimper escaped my lips as I hear his voice.
"Please don't leave me," I started pleading and I can hear my own agony through my voice.
"Babe, wake up,"
"Stay..." my lips quiver, tears working like a faucet. It was nonstop.
"Max..." and then I heard it again, his soothing voice. "Wake up..."
I felt a hand on my shoulder, gently shake my body.
Slowly, my eyes opened and his handsome face greeted me. His forehead creased in worry, his eyes wavering as he stares at my current state.
He was looking at me straight in the eyes before his right hand started reaching for my cheeks, wiping the tears stained on my skin.
"It's okay, GUCCI. It's just a nightmare, okay? It's fine. Everything is fine," he started whispering, giving me pecks of kisses on my forehead.
Our gaze locked and I felt my mind wandering, confusion eating my system.
It was just a nightmare?
"Nightmare?" I asked him and he nodded. And then I scan the place and realized that I was indeed inside my room.
And then I look at him. "How come you are here?" I ask. The last thing I remember was sleeping on my bed after Zanaya forcefully wanted me to eat and drink medicine.
His face softens and the next thing I knew was him pulling me for a hug. That made me feel at ease a little.
"Seth said you were sick. Why didn't you tell me?" he asked and I reached for him as well. Having him on my arms felt so right.
I didn't tell him because I know he'll get worried. Burden, I don't want to think of me as that too.
"I knew you'll probably do this. I don't want you to get sick too," my eyes closed as I feel his warmth through his embrace.
Even though he's not sharing anything to me, I knew he has his own problems. We all have one.
"Tell me when you're not feeling well like this. I was worried when you're not responding to my messages," he whispered as he rocked our body a little while hugging on my bed
"I miss you..." I whispered, my feelings getting ahead of me.
He pulled away a little, surprised at my sudden words.
He kissed me once again on my forehead and smiled, " I miss you even more,"
My heart fluttered, its fast beating makes my breathing unstable a little.
This man, he brings happiness and contentment over me.
I need to keep him.
No. I want to keep him.
I love him. I love Sky.