JASMINE
My whole body felt weak. I kept rolling on the hospital bed, even though the doctors had flushed my system and I was feeling a little better.
Stephan had ordered a full general check-up to make sure nothing was wrong with me. It felt like I didn't have a single thing left in my stomach anymore.
And he was refusing to let me eat. He was convinced that if I ate anything, I might trigger another allergic attack.
"Mr. Maxwell… We checked everything about her. The results will be out as soon as possible," the doctor said politely.
I glanced at the doctor. This was the best chance I had, or else I would have fainted from hunger.
"Doctor… I am hungry. When can I eat?" I asked weakly.
The doctor smiled kindly. "You can eat anytime, but please start with light food because of the current uproar in your stomach."
I nodded weakly and grabbed Stephan's hand. He was sitting right beside me on the edge of the bed.
"Stephan…" I struggled to call his name. He stood up instantly, pulling me up gently into a sitting position.
"What is wrong? Are you feeling any discomfort?" His voice was tight with worry, eyes scanning my face like he was afraid I might collapse again.
I shook my head, trying to push him away lightly. "I am hungry… get me something light before I die of hunger."
I noticed the conflicted look on his face with the way his brows furrowed, the way his jaw tightened like he was fighting between wanting to protect me and wanting to give in.
"Elena will come with something light for you, later on" he finally said.
I shook my head. Of course, I knew there was something about that look, "I want it now.." I argued and he only breathed out loudly as he mumbled under his breath.
"How are you still able to think of food at this moment?" I snorted in return with my eyes glaring so hard at him.
"Fine… she will bring it soon," he finally agreed. Now satisfied I nodded and weakly lay back against the pillows.
Who could have thought Jasmine's body could be this weak?
(Host?… You just got 20 points for making the male lead worry about you and making him show his care.)
My eyes widened at once. (Really? Thank you… Now how many points are you going to deduct to freaking tell me about everyone's weakness and mine… because I am currently at the point of death because you refused to tell me about my own self.)
(Well… you have just 30 points. Do you think you want to use that now?)
I took in a deep breath, forcing everything in me not to lose control. (I hate you.)
(It's mutual.)
Just then I felt Stephan sit beside me again as the doctor left. He grabbed my hands roughly, making me stare at him.
"That hurts…"
"Did it really hurt?"
"Dude…"
"Like, can you feel the pain I felt when you couldn't breathe or talk just now?"
I tried to pull my hands off, but his grip tightened.
"Why do you always like to leave me?" he asked, voice low and rough as I struggled to free myself, but he wasn't budging.
"You knew you were allergic to apple juice but still drank it." I snatched my grip from him, but he only followed, almost falling on me. He caught himself, both hands braced on either side of my body, still holding my wrist.
He leaned so close to my face that I could feel his warm breath on my skin. I swallowed hard, seeing how close he was.
How could a man be this handsome and not even know it? Damn it, I couldn't breathe seeing how close he was to me.
"Why are you refusing to stare at me? Am I too ugly or too distasteful to stare at?" I opened my eyes in shock only to see how he was extremely close.
"Steph…" I tried to speak, but he leaned closer to my neck. Then I felt him nuzzling into my hair as slow kisses trailed around my neck.
My eyes widened. I blinked several times, my heart thumping so hard against my chest it felt like it would burst.
"Stephan… we are still in the hospital," I reminded him, voice shaking. But he only raised his head and smirked at me.
"You are my wife. I don't need any permission from any motherfucker before I do what I want."
I felt my whole body freeze hearing that from him. The heck, it was my first time hearing this kind of word directed at me, and I could only swallow hard.
I raised my hands, trying to push him away, but only then did I notice his grip was still around my wrist.
"Stephan, can you let my.." My words stopped when he locked his lips with mine. I went stiff on the bed as he kissed me deeply.
His lips were warm pressing against mine with a hunger that made my head spin. One hand cupped the back of my neck, tilting my head just right so he could kiss me deeper.
His tongue traced my bottom lip, asking for entrance, and when I gasped in shock, he slipped inside, stroking mine slowly, possessively.
The kiss was intense not rushed, like he was trying to remind me who I belonged to. His free hand slid down my side, fingers pressing gently into my waist, pulling me closer even though I was lying down.
I could feel the heat of his body, the way his chest rose and fell against mine, the faint taste of mint on his tongue.
I just lay there, stunned, eyes wide open, heart racing so fast I thought it would explode.
My hands stayed limp at my sides, too shocked to move as my entirbory tingles. Finally, he pulled back, lips hovering just above mine, breathing hard.
He smirked at me as he stared down, eyes dark.
"I just want to remind you that only I can kiss you publicly like this without a single fear. Why?" He leaned closer again.
"Because you are my wife… got it? You are allergic to apple juice… and you don't consume too much pepper… You watch your weight all the time and you don't eat silly junk… too much oil is also not good for your health… Your favorite is orange juice. Stick to that freaking shit."
"And if I don't?" I asked, still breathless. He smirked back at me.
"Then I will make you. You are mine after all, so you do what I want. When it comes to health, I will make sure to be extra careful." He kept leaning closer.
"I am not a property to be owned.."
He only let a side smile play on his lip as he spoke out, "I allowed you to divorce and you never did, so… get this straight into your head. I would never let you go. You only leave me when I am no longer in this world."
I swallowed so hard my throat clicked.
(Host… you just got 10 more points… but..) I blinked, still dazed from the kiss.
The system pinged again.
(New task unlocked: Convince Stephan to let you attend the upcoming family gala alone with Henry. Make him believe it is for "business networking." Failure will deduct 30 points and trigger a forced personality override for 24 hours.)
My eyes widened in horror.
(What the hell?)
I stared at Stephan, who was still leaning over me, his thumb gently stroking my cheek now.
How was I supposed to do that without breaking everything we just started building? Why is the freaking system even treating me this way?