Chapter 15

"I'm staying with you. The mattress is right next to the bed. If you turn your head, you can see me," Serenity said in response. "Will you stay with me?" Jackson whispered, not even realizing that a hint of longing had seeped into his eyes. Serenity bit her lip and hesitated for a moment before she nodded. "Okay," she said before dragging the bedding from the mattress and laying down beside him. Even she was surprised that she had agreed to share a bed with a man. Perhaps it was because in that moment, he had looked like a fragile porcelain doll, and it looked like a gentle touch could shatter him, which gave her a strong urge to protect him. She turned off the light from where she lay in bed, and Jackson held her hand the entire time. "Jack, if you still feel any discomfort, just let me know, okay?" "Okay," Jackson replied. Was it because of the medicine? He actually felt much better right now compared to the previous times he had stomach cramps. Or maybe... it was because of her? He could feel the warmth of her hand in his. "Sis, will you always stay with me?" Jackson murmured softly. "Of course! We can always be there for each other. Even if you get married and start a family in the future, I'll still be there for you." She would always be there as his sister. Despite the fact that they shared no blood relation, she considered the man family. Jackson slowly closed his eyes, her voice washing over him and bringing him a sense of peace as the pain diminished. Getting married...? Ever since Mira died, he hadn't thought about marrying again, but she seemed to have thought about it. "Will you keep your promise?" "Of course!" Serenity firmly replied. With her confirmation, Jackson finally let himself drift into a deep sleep. Serenity carefully tucked the blanket around Jackson and also went to sleep. Early the following morning, when she woke up, Jackson was still sleeping. She reached out and gently touched his cheek and forehead. He was no longer sweating, and his expression seemed peaceful as he slept, indicating he was probably no longer in pain. Just as she was about to remove her hand, his eyes suddenly snapped open. There seemed to be a hint of affection in his gaze as he looked at her. "Sis..." "Sorry for waking you," Serenity said. "It's still early, so go back to sleep for a while longer." As she spoke, she quickly got out of bed to get dressed and ready for the day. "There's still some soup in the pot. You can have it when you wake up. Since you had a stomachache last night, eating something light today is better, and soup will be good to settle your stomach. Don't forget to take your medicine. You need to take it three times a day, so remember to bring it when you go out." After she was done talking, she hurriedly left the room. Inside the cramped rental room, Jackson was once again left alone. He glanced at the pot on the small table and then buried his head in the spot where she had slept last night. Her scent was still on the bed, and he could still feel her body heat lingering on the blanket she had used. It seemed that he had started to become attached to certain things... *** Connor watched as his boss pulled out a cheap and outdated-looking phone, which was completely unlike his usual style. To make things even stranger, the man ordered him, "Get a SIM card. I need it." Connor was stunned, but he quickly pulled himself together and efficiently obtained a SIM card before handing it over. Jackson then slipped the SIM card into the old phone and sent a text message. Soon after, a notification from the phone rang, and the usually composed man smiled faintly upon reading the message. Connor blinked repeatedly. Oh, it really wasn't a mistake. Jackson was indeed smiling. Was it because of the text message he had received? From the corner of Connor's eyes, he caught a glimpse of the sender, and the name was ‘Sis’. The only person who Jackson called that was Serenity. Connor was shocked to learn that Jackson had smiled because of Serenity. Was it possible that the woman had already made a place for herself in Jackson's heart? In the afternoon, during a higher management meeting at Valor Group, Jackson's phone suddenly rang while everyone was focused on listening to the presentation. Under everyone's surprised gaze, Jackson pulled out an old-fashioned and cheap phone, pressed the answer key, and placed the phone to his ear as he listened to someone on the other end of the line. "Hmm, I got it. Yeah, I won't forget to eat it," Jackson said. The executives in the room were shocked. Their boss had spoken in a much gentler tone than usual to the person on the other end of the line. Who was he talking to? After Jackson ended the call, he suddenly stood and said, "I have something to attend to. Continue the meeting." Having said that, the man left the conference room without another word, leaving behind a group of bewildered executives. They turned their gaze unanimously toward Connor, who had remained behind in the conference room. "What's going on, Mr. Gunn? That phone call that Mr. Valor answered was...?" Connor smiled awkwardly. Since he was sitting close to Jackson when the latter had taken the call, he had faintly heard the person on the other end of the line telling Jackson to take his medicine. Considering the box of medicine that had appeared on Jackson's desk today, Connor hesitated to say that the man had probably taken the call and was now on his way to take his medicine. Thinking about it, it was quite unbelievable that a call from Serenity was enough to make Jackson head out of the meeting to take his medicine. In the past, even if Jackson had an upset stomach, he wouldn't take any medicine unless it reached an unbearable point. "That's his personal business. Let's continue with the meeting," Connor said wryly as he resumed leading the meeting. Meanwhile, Serenity put away her phone and continued to pick up litter with Xyla along the roadside. Xyla approached her and asked, "Who were you talking to just now on the phone?" "My younger brother," Serenity replied. "What? You have a younger sibling?" Xyla asked, somewhat surprised. "Why didn't you ever mention him?" Serenity smiled and remained silent. After they finished cleaning the area, Serenity and Xyla returned to the equipment station to return their tools when they overheard the people there discussing news about the Shaw and Hall families forming a union. The engagement between the two families had become the hottest gossip in Solaria City these days. "Zeke gave her a six-carat diamond ring, and not just any diamond, but a rare one in pink! I think that one ring alone cost him millions!" "Man, it feels like Jenny really is winning at life, huh? Not only is she a beautiful and wealthy woman herself, but she also found a handsome and rich husband." "If my boyfriend gave me a one-carat diamond ring, I'd marry him right away."