Heal Me Adonis

Ace scrolled through his emails, a slight frown sitting on his lips.

He reached out for his cell phone, dialing on his assistant. There was tons of things to do, and the number of files on his desk made him want to take a migraine pill.

It was the same pattern every december. Cold and busy.

He quickly contemplated potential responses while waiting for the line to connect. Despite placing three calls, he received no response, leading him to halt and look away from the laptop screen

He spotted a clump of black hair gently settling on the sleek oak surface of her desk outside the glass barrier separating his office from his assistant's.

She can't possibly be asleep, can she?

The idea appeared odd to him.

He dialed her number once more, anticipating a response that might jolt her awake. However, silence persisted, with no sign of her answering.

So he pushed back his chair, striding out of his office. As he approached to he understood the problem. Her posture appeared to be in an awkward state.

Emily!" His brow furrowed in alarm as he gently shook her, but she responded like a lifeless doll.

"Emily!" He momentarily blanked out. Instinctively reaching for his phone, he dismissed the ambulance idea, fearing it would take too long. Sprinting to his office, he snatched his keys, racing back in urgency. Swiftly repositioning her against the chair, he spun it around, one arm under her knees, another behind her back. Lifting her abruptly, his heart raced as a chilling coldness gripped him.

Without hesitation, he sprinted to the elevator. Mia, engrossed in work, was jolted by the noise. Glancing aside, she was shocked to see Ace carrying Emily.

"Mr...Mr...Ace." She stood up, eyes wide.

"Cancel all appointments for today," Ace rushed past her.

Mia tried to speak, but the elevator doors snapped shut, ignoring her.

Ace tapped his feet impatiently, Emily's face pressed against his chest, unnaturally pale. The elevator crawled at a frustrating pace. He checked her breath, still present.

Droplets of sweats rolled off the side of his face.

How did this happen? She was fine just a while ago? His thoughts jolted about.

Finally, the green button lit up. He dashed out, leaving the receptionists bewildered.

Securing her in the passenger side of the car, the black Bentley swiftly exited the parking lot under his control, accelerating towards the nearest hospital.

A nurse quickly attended to him the moment he stepped into the hospital, and a room was allocated sharply.

The whole thing was frantic. Ace snapped his finger, he shoved his sticky hair away from his face.

A doctor walked into the ward, tugging his white coat on, he shouted a row of instructions to the attending nurses.

When everything was stabilized. He called on Ace. First asking on his relationship with the patient, then on what happened.

"Do you mean she slumped while working?" He asked.

Ace averted his gaze. He felt a twinge of irritation with himself for nearly letting it slip by, like a missed beat in the rhythm of his awareness. He almost hadn't noticed.

"It is completely out of the ordinary; This has never happened before. She doesn't have any known medical conditions—" He halted, taking a thoughtful pause before adding. "At least, not to my knowledge."

"It happened because she worked too much and had a lot of stress at the same time." He diagnosis. "That's what we know— for now."

"Overwork and stress?" Ace raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the revelation.

"Thankfully you quickly rushed her here. If it took any longer, it'd be tough to say how things would've turned out." The doctor raised his chin. He looked at him squarely.

"We are optimistic that she'll regain consciousness by tomorrow, and it would be advisable for you to reach out to her family." He turned around then left.

Family? Ace stood there wordlessly.

Staring at Emily, who lay on the bed in a vulnerable state, her thick, long, black lashes created a contrasting shade on her now slightly improved, ivory complexion.

Due to all the commotion, her hair, which always sat on her head in a neat bun now has some strands sticking out. Her thin pale lips, pressed together as if uncomfortable.

In the midst of all the upheaval, her usually tidy bun succumbed to disorder, allowing a few stray strands to break free. Her thin, pale lips were pressed together, conveying a subtle discomfort.

Having teamed up for a solid two years, it dawned on Ace that he was virtually in the dark about his assistant. It was one of those slow-burning revelations that gently crept in, making him ponder over the fact that, despite the lengthy partnership, he knew next to nothing about her.

He pulled a chair to her bed side, and settled into it.

Emily's proficiency was nothing short of exceptional. There was nothing she couldn't tackle. No matter the task. And was she good at it?

Nothing less that perfect in Ace's opinion.

He would sometimes wonder if there was something she wasn't good at. Every single one of her calculation always hit the mark, as if diligence came to her naturally.

It was no surprise she handled a lot of work. Even more than himself, if he was to be honest.

Not once did he consider that he might be overworking her. He reflected on her stoic expression, always maintaining that standard poker face without a single complaint.

He extended his gaze a little longer before reaching for his phone to place a call.

Although he asked Mia to cancel his schedule. There was still some things he had to handle himself.

Ace, after receiving a call from Mia who was with Lauren, reassured the worried secretaries about Emily's condition. He then stepped out to grab lunch, picking up some fruits in anticipation of Emily waking up. Upon his return, he placed the basket on the table, checked on her, and seamlessly resumed his email response with phone in hand.

Barely a heartbeat passed before a disturbance caught Ace's attention. Lifting his chin, he locked eyes with Emily, who had awakened. In the depths of her gaze, an emotional void lingered—a cold, unwavering intensity. Like a skilled conductor navigating a symphony, her eyes traversed the room, orchestrating a silent assessment, while her lips tightened into a taut line, resembling a poised bowstring ready to release its tension.

Ace sat up and explained. "You fainted. I brought you to the hospital."

She looked at him, a dry and raspy voice flew out of her mouth. "Sorry for the inconveniences."

"Are you okay?" Ace asked with sincerity. " I will go call the doctor."

Emily doesn't replied. Closing her eyes.

She opens it after she hear the door shut close. Her head was in a mess, she could feel the blood pursing though her veins, bringing her an unbearable ache.

Her limbs cold and stiff.

She gazed at the unyielding white ceiling, the blankness above mirroring the hollowness within. It felt like a vast, sterile canvas devoid of color, much like the emotional palette she grappled with. The ceiling seemed to press down on her. It was as if the very air around her had turned into a dense fog, muffling any sense of hope or clarity. In that moment, the ceiling became a reflection of her internal landscape – featureless, stark, and relentlessly oppressive. A part of her longed for the blissful ignorance of unconsciousness, a respite from the harsh reality that awaited her with each waking moment.

Shaking off her thoughts. She glanced at the door at the same time Ace and the doctor walked in.

"You are awake." He smiled, eyes curved softly. "How are you feeling."

"A little stiff."

The doctor nod, checking the drip. "Just that?"

"Headache." She said mildly.

"Okay. How have you sleep been lately." He turned and faced her.

"I have insomnia."

"Anything else—"

She looked at Ace who then excused himself. "I will wait outside."

The young doctor, stared at her after he left, as if urging her on.

"Depression." Emily said indifferently.

He quirked a brow, but didn't say anything. "I have a friend....if you need any help, I ca—"

Emily knew what he wanted to say. closing her eyes. "I am already on therapy."

"I understand. I will prescribe some drugs you can take for your insomnia. It would be better if you work less and find some time for relaxation." He nod. "You can be discharged when the drip is finished."

"Mn." She gave a nasal reply. Knowing she shouldn't be rude to her life savior. She was too tired to care.

Ace also heard this as he walked in, he sat back down, and asked. "Do you want some fruits?"

Her eyes darted to the fruit basket, that she had not noticed before. Looking fresh and washed. She said flatly. "No."

Clad in a complete suit, minus the jacket left behind in the haste of the hospital rush, Ace was strikingly handsome, his presence standing out incongruously in the ward.

"Emily, do you have someone you can call. Family or friends." He leaned against his chair, his long legs crossed.

"There is no need." Emily dismissed. "I will be okay alone."

Ace paused, rubbing on his shoulder. "I don't mind staying."

Emily looked at him and stressed "I will be fine on my own. You should go."

"That won't be good." Ace disagreed. After all a patient should always have company. "I will stay."

Emily gave him a look. A lot of work experience had taught her on how stubborn her boss can be, so she ignored him, and closed her eyes

The room was draped in a serene silence. One on the chair focused on beating his high score on Candy Crush, while the other laid on the hospital bed, eyes closed and resting. The two gave off a feeling of harmony in their own way. Ace looked up from the game after more than a dozen tries. He still wasn't able to beat the record.

"The drip is used up." He noticed.

Emily opened her eyes at his word.

He turned off his phone and stood up. "I will go get a nurse."

Emily sat up and a nurse comes to help her remove the drip. Pressing a ball of cotton on the spot the needle was to prevent blood loss.

Ace followed her and while they waited for the drugs to be packed, Emily saw a couple and their young child walk in.

The little girl had tears streaming down her face as she bawled her heart out. The young father particularly flustered as he tried to soothe her.

The scene triggered a memory, making her unable to tear her eyes away until there was a gentle tap of her shoulder.

"Here." Ace hand her the drugs, glancing over at what had caught her attention.

Emily took it silently.

"I will drive you home." Ace buried both hands in his pockets.

"No." Emily shook her head. She hated owing favours, and to her, she already owed Ace too many.

"I can take a taxi."

"It's no bother so let me drop you off."

"I will take a taxi instead." She walked towards the exit.

Ace frowned. He felt responsible, after all he was the one who caused the problem in the first place. "You are on my way, it will save money."

Emily gave him a looked that said. 'do you even know where I live?'

"Where do you live? I will drop you." Ace declared. Then added. "It might take a while for you to get a taxi. The earlier you get home the faster you can rest."

A very weak excuse.

But Emily was too tired to argue, so she added it to the list of things she is to repay him on.

Ace lead her to where he packed his car. He input her address into the GPS. It was an approximately twenty minutes drive. As he neared, he tapped his finger against the steering, lips pursed. He broke the reigning silence.

"Is the workload too much?"

Emily stared out through the window . "It gets heavy during this season but it's not overbearing."

Is it really not overbearing?

Ace parked the car, then said, "Take some days off and recuperate. Don't come to work for the time being."

Emily was thinking of a way to show her appreciation for his help, froze. The corner of her lips dropping against her lip.

"I am afraid that is impossible. I have a lot on my schedule."

"Mia and Lauren can take care of it. You should take care of your health. And focus on getting better."

"I am fine." Emily didn't see a reason for a break. She was fine.

"Take two days off and rest." Ace ordered.

Emily stared at him, eyes freezing.

Ace's voice unconsciously softened. "Just two days."

Emily shut the hanging door, smacking him into the gush of cold air. Turned around and left. As she stormed off, Ace couldn't help but compare her to an angry cat.

Still, he felt she looked a little lonely. It was a feeling.

He watched until she entered the building, then turned on his engine.

Most employees can't wait to get a break, but his own assistant seems to hate the idea.

His phone rang and he dropped the thought, swiping the lock open.

"Mom. hey."

"Where are you? I made dinner." A sullen reply came, and be archs a brow.

"You are at my house?"

"No, I am in heaven." She huffed lightly.

He sat up, glanced at the side mirror.

His mood lit up by a lot, he faked a deep howl. "Oh no! What do I do now?"

"As if. Hurry up and come, the food is almost good." His mom laugh heartily.

"I am on my way right now."

"Are you driving?" Her voice became sharp. After hearing no reply from him. She scolded. "How many times have I told you not to multi-tax when driving?"

"You are the one who called ma'am." he replied.

"Now you're blaming me?"

"I will hang up first, I have to drivre." He tactfully ended the call.

"Hurry up and come then." She whined in a soft voice.

He hanged up, throwing his phone on the passenger seat.

The basket of food he bought earlier was at the foot of the seat. Did she forget to take it? He wondered.