Chapter 130

Nathan couldn't help but nurture a hopeful guess.

Suppressing the joy in his heart, he grumbled awkwardly, "If you missed me so much, why would you leave me alone in the hospital? You said you'd come to see me, but I nearly got a crick in my neck waiting for you."

"There was a last-minute emergency."

"What kind of emergency? I heard you took some time off and haven't been to the office," Nathan said, a touch of concern in his voice.

"Yeah, had a bit of a family situation, but it's sorted now," Layla offered an excuse, which he fortunately didn't question further.

"If you stand me up today, I might just sue you," Nathan half-joked, feigning a sense of grievance.

"Sue me for what?"

"For leading me on and then ditching me."

Layla couldn't help but laugh. "When have I ever 'led you on'?"

"You've stirred up my heart."

She suspected he had likely used that line on numerous other women before. A classic playboy, she didn't take it too seriously.

"Have you had dinner?"

"No. I've been waiting for you."

Layla spotted a thermos on the nightstand and twisted it open to find a savory pork liver and lean meat soup. She ladled some into a small bowl and brought it over to Nathan.

He glanced at the cast on his right hand. "I'm a patient here."

"So... should I have the nurse feed you?" the nurses would surely be thrilled to do so.

"Layla, do you have any conscience at all? I was ready to risk my life for you, and you can't even be bothered to feed me?"

"I'm all thumbs; I'm afraid I might not be able to take good care of you."

"Oh come on, you're just heartless," Nathan teased with a mock snort of disdain.

Layla rolled her eyes at his theatrics and replied, "Alright, fine."

She took a seat on the edge of the bed, while the corners of Nathan's mouth curled up into a reluctant smile.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Me? Smiling? You must be seeing things," Nathan denied, though he couldn't quite suppress the smirk. He wouldn't admit it was because he felt a hint of sweetness; that was rookie behavior, and he considered himself an old hand at the game of love.

But he couldn't deny that Layla stirred emotions in him unlike any other woman had before. In the past, it had been purely physical stimulation, but now he found himself cherishing this emotional connection.

It was as though his adrenals had suddenly transplanted themselves onto his heart, sending hormones surging chaotically through him.

Layla fed him spoon by spoon, and Nathan sipped it mouthful by mouthful, compliant like an obedient child.

Soon, the bowl of soup was empty.

After the last spoonful, Nathan found himself wanting more-a stark contrast to the times when he could barely finish half a bowl. Somehow, soup fed by someone special just tasted better.

Layla glanced at the time; it was seven-thirty.

"What's up? In a rush?"

"I've got things to take care of later."

"What kind of 'things'? You're not going on a date, are you?" Nathan's voice spiked with a tinge of panic.

"No," Layla said, looking down as she started to seal the thermos. Suddenly, Nathan grabbed her hand, startling her.

"You're lying; you must be going on a date."

His urgent gaze made Layla slightly uncomfortable. Why did he care so much?

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"I..." Layla bit her lip.

"You do? Who?" Nathan pressed, his stare intense.

"Mr. Marley, can you please let go of my hand first?"

"Tell me the truth, and I'll let go."

"...No."

"Really no?" He didn't believe her, given her expression.

"Why are you as nosy about my love life as Alice? That's just too gossipy," Layla managed to chuckle, trying to change the subject.

Nathan, however, said sternly, "You're not allowed to like anyone else!"

Not allowed to like anyone else?

So... did that mean he wanted her to like him?

Could it be that he really...

Layla's unease grew inside her. If Nathan's feelings were becoming more than friendship, it would complicate things. She didn't want to lose a good mentor and friend.

Nathan had planned a grand confession once he was fully recovered, to pursue her in earnest, but now the thought of her having a boyfriend made him restless, as if there were hundreds of ants crawling under his skin, heating him up with anxiety.

"I..." Layla hesitated, about to come clean.

"Is this a bad time?" came a gentle tease.

Nora stood poised and elegant at the threshold.

Layla hastily withdrew her hand, her heart a flutter, nearly knocking over the thermos in her disarray.

Seeing this, Nathan had no choice but to momentarily suppress his unease and returned his expression to normal, "What brings you here?"

"Am I interrupting something? Are you busy with Miss Adkins?" Nora's smile was warm and inviting.

It suddenly dawned on Layla that Nora might have the wrong idea about her and Nathan. She wanted to clarify the misunderstanding but was at a loss for words. This also hinted that Nora was unaware of the events at Lucy's birthday dinner - the news must have been kept under wraps by Holland.

Just the sight of Nora set Layla on edge, itching to escape the discomfort.

"Miss Adkins, your timing is perfect," Nora said with an amiable laugh. "I was planning to visit the Holland Group tomorrow to present my mother's company's project proposal."

Layla's face betrayed her discomfort as she replied diplomatically, "About that project... I might not be available..."

"Isn't your schedule clear right now?" Nathan questioned, puzzled by her reluctance which clashed with her usually proactive nature.

"But I'm worried other projects might come up."

"Push back the others, prioritize this one."

Layla's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Nora half-jokingly asked, "Do you dislike me, is that why you're hesitating to take on the project?"

"Of course not," Layla quickly refuted. Nora was genuinely refined, her gentleness and nobility made her impossible to dislike, even among women. Layla dreaded the thought of Nora's potential loathing if she ever discovered the truth about Layla's relationship with Samuel.

"That's good to hear."

"I'll take care of it for her," Nathan chimed in decisively. "Do well on this project, and I'll promote you to a Class C designer."

Layla was taken aback, "Isn't that a bit hasty? Usually, an assistant takes three years to become a designer, and it hasn't even been three months since she started."

"Right? Aren't you afraid of your other employees accusing you of favoritism?" Nora teased.

"As the lead designer, what's wrong with a little favoritism?" Nathan retorted, displaying his protective side.

Layla, her mind in turmoil and finding herself unable to stay any longer, excused herself, "I have to go now. You two continue chatting."

"When will you visit again?" Nathan called after her, but his hand closed on empty air; she was quick to escape.

"I've got to run; things are crazy, and I'm not sure about my schedule," Layla said in a rush, quickly exiting the hospital room.

"Layla..." Nathan frowned. Her leaving seemed to take a piece of his soul with her, and now his mind was swarmed with questions like a traffic jam.

"So much passion, huh? Can't stand being away from her for a single second?" Nora teased him. "Seems I've come at a bad time, interrupting your little twosome."

"What twosome? She's got someone she likes," Nathan said with a hint of jealousy in his voice.