MASSILO P.O.V
The doctor's voice was a steady hum somewhere between my ears,something about "Lucky timing" and "strictly avoiding butter" I nodded,pretending to listen,though my mind was replaying just one scene,Briann's face when I yelled at her.
The way her eyes filled with hurt,her lips trembling like she was holding back tears.God,what have I done?
Michelle was sitting on the edge of my bed,her legs crossed,ranting like a radio stuck on one channel.
"I told you she was incompetent,Massilo! Completely careless! What kind of maid doesn't know what her boss is allergic to? You should have fired her the moment she walked through that door—"
I wanted to tell her to stop.But my throat still burned,my chest ached and honestly,I didn't have the strength for another argument.
The doctor was still working quietly,wrapping up the last injection.My room smelled faintly of antiseptic and fear.
Then we heard a knock.
The door creaked open and Briann stepped in,her hands were wrapped tightly around a glass of fruit juice.
She looked small,almost timid,her head was slightly bowed,strands of hair falling over her face like a curtain.
"Why are you here?" Michelle's voice cracked like a whip.
Briann didn't flinch.She bowed her head even lower,her voice soft and steady.
"I'm only here to give this to Mr Massilo.He needs it"
For a second,no one spoke.Even the doctor paused as if waiting to see what I'd say.
I couldn't.I just stared at her,the same person i pushed away when she was only trying to help me breathe.
The doctor finally finished,removing his gloves with a sigh.
"You should be thankful that the allergy reaction hasn't made deep effect on you,Mr Massilo" He said,wiping his brow. "You need to be more careful next time.You would've died if I hadn't arrived early"
He said it so casually — you would've died — like he was reading a weather report.But all I could think was how close I'd come to never seeing her again.
Michelle stood and smoothed her dress. "Let me walk you out,Doctor"
The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Then only silence stayed behind.
The kind of silence that filled every corner of the room,pressing against your skin until it almost hurt.
I cleared my throat. "So...uh…thanks.For the juice"
She didn't say anything.Just nodded and kept her gaze fixed on the floor.
I reached for the glass but paused halfway,staring at it suspiciously.The clear liquid shimmered under the light,so had the buttered toast this morning.
I glanced up and found her eyes flicking to me,watching quietly.
My hand froze on the glass.Maybe she noticed,because she suddenly stepped forward,her voice soft but edged with wounded pride.
"There's nothing wrong with the drink" She said. "It's safe.If you don't believe me,then I'll drink it"
Before I could protest,she snatched the glass from my hand and tilted it back.
"Wait—Briann—"
She choked.
Coughing like a cat with a hairball.
Juice splattered onto her wrist as she gasped for air,her face turning the exact shade of the orange juice in the drink.
I blinked. "You really didn't have to prove it that dramatically" I said,half worried,half…laughing.
She dropped the glass onto the bedside table,mortified. "I....I wasn't choking that much"
"You nearly drowned yourself in fruit juice" I said,smirking despite myself.
Her lips twitched like she was trying not to smile. "That's your fault.You startled me"
"Oh,so now it's my fault?" I teased gently,then sighed,running a hand through my hair. "Listen....about earlier.At breakfast.I shouldn't have yelled at you.I just— I didn't want you to see me like that"
She blinked,confusion softening her features. "I'm supposed to apologize to you,not the other way around"
I chuckled quietly. "I don't like this awkward thing between us.It feels wrong"
Her eyes finally met mine,so warm and hesitant,but filled with something that made my chest ache in a way even my allergy hadn't.
I was about to say something else,something stupid and probably too honest,when the door swung open.
Michelle's heels clicked against the floor,her expression sourer than expired milk.
Briann immediately stood straight,her head bowed again as she murmured, "Excuse me" before hurrying out of the room.
The faint scent of fruit juice lingered behind her,sweet and soft like she'd taken the air with her.
I sighed,leaning back against the pillow.
For someone who almost killed me twice today,she had a dangerous way of making me want to smile.
BRIANN POV
AT NIGHT
I had only gone to serve Michelle her dinner when a sudden yell echoed through the hall,loud enough to freeze my heart.It came from Massilo's room.
Without thinking,I pushed the door open.
He was standing by the window,his face was tense with eyes wild. "You're here" He breathed when he saw me.His voice was rough,uneven like a storm that hadn't quite passed.
Mrs Angeles stood nearby,clutching an empty tray,her eyes darting nervously between us.
"I asked for a drink" His words came out sharp as he spoke slightly, "why can't I get what i want —"
"You need to rest" I interrupted gently,walking closer. "You shouldn't be drinking"
He gave a small,tired smile. "I did this just to get your attention.Will you stay with me?"
"You smell nice" He murmured,half angry,half calmed by my presence.
"Just go to bed" I said softly,trying to steady my heart.
"Why can't you be with me? Do you think I might hurt you? I'm sorry…"
I sighed and guided him toward the bed immediately Mrs Angeles went away with the tray i was once holding,his body was heavy with exhaustion and I eased him down gently.But before I could step away,his hand caught mine and pulled me back,his grip seemed firm,desperate and trembling.
"You're so stubborn" He said with a crooked smile. "Why can't you ever just listen? Do I have to do it the hard way?"
"Massilo—" I started,but he pulled me closer again.
And suddenly,everything stopped.The world around us disappeared,no voices, no sound,only the thundering rhythm of my heart and his breath brushing against my cheek.
His hand trembled as it found mine.I didn't know if it was the wine or the weight of unspoken words,but something in his gaze made me stay.
"Just this once" I whispered,not sure if I meant for him to hear.
He leaned in slowly,almost unsure and when his lips brushed mine,it wasn't wild or demanding,but it was soft and fragile like something both of us had been afraid to touch for too long.
My breath caught in my throat,warmth spreading through me until the ache in my chest melted into something I couldn't name.Every thought,every worry blurred into nothing but the simple truth of this moment.
When we finally parted,his forehead rested against mine and I could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath my palms.
"Stay tonight" He whispered,a faint smile tugging at his lips.
I hid my face against his neck,too embarrassed to meet his eyes. "I feel stupid" I muttered.
"It's okay" He murmured,his voice was soft, soothing like a lullaby.His breath tickled my skin,making me shiver.
I wanted to say something, anything,but the words tangled in my throat.So I stayed there,listening to his breathing grow slow and even as he drifted into sleep.
MASSILO POV
The first thing I felt that morning wasn't sunlight,it was Briann.
She was lying beside me,her head nestled close to my arm,her breathing seemed calm and steady like music in the quiet morning.Her hair was spread across the pillow,messy but beautiful and I found myself watching the way the early light painted her skin with gold.
For a moment,I didn't move.I didn't even breathe.Last night felt like a dream.And now she was right here,warm and real against me.
I smiled to myself.
Her lashes fluttered and her eyes opened slowly,meeting mine.She froze,realization dawning across her face,the kind of wide-eyed panic that made me want to laugh and pull her closer all at once.
"Morning,sleeping beauty" I murmured softly,brushing a loose strand of hair from her face before leaning in to kiss her forehead.
Her skin was soft and the small tremor that ran through her made my heart stutter.For a man who was used to power,control,and sharp words,this simple moment,this tenderness was disarming.
She sat up quickly,her cheeks flushed. "W...what are you doing?"
I laughed quietly,unable to resist teasing her. "You started it,remember?"
The glare she gave me could've melted steel. "I...I'm going to prepare breakfast!" She snapped,standing up like the bed had burned her.
I leaned back against the pillow,still smiling at her flustered retreat.Her embarrassment was adorable and honestly,I didn't know what was more dangerous: how much I wanted to hold her again,or how much I already missed her warmth.
But just as she swung her legs down.
The door opened.
"Massilo!" Michelle's voice cut through the room like a whip.
Before Briann could even turn,I grabbed her wrist and pulled her down,straight into me.
"Stay still" I whispered,wrapping the white duvet around her.
"What are you doing?" She hissed,her words muffled as I covered her completely.
"You'll thank me later" I muttered, tugging the blanket tighter just as Michelle stepped fully inside.
The air changed immediately.I could feel Briann's heartbeat pounding against me through the sheets,frantic and fast.Her face was pressed against my thigh,her breath warm with her hair tickling my skin.
I swallowed hard,forcing myself to focus as Michelle frowned at me. "Were you asleep? I've been calling your name"
I managed a casual chuckle. "You caught me off guard.What's going on,Michelle?"
Under the blanket,Briann shifted slightly and God help me,I nearly lost my composure.My hand instinctively pressed against her back through the duvet,a silent plea for her to stay still.
"I just came to remind you about your morning meeting" Michelle continued,crossing her arms.
"I'll handle it" I said smoothly,praying she wouldn't move closer to the bed.
The scent of Briann's hair,warm and faintly floral drifted up through the fabric,wrapping around me like a secret.Every nerve in my body screamed awareness of her,even as I smiled calmly at Michelle.
"Alright then" Michelle sighed after a tense moment. "Don't oversleep again"
When she finally turned toward the door,I exhaled quietly.
The second the door shut,I yanked the duvet off.Briann emerged like a startled kitten,her hair sticking in every direction,her cheeks bright pink.
"Are you insane?" She whisper-yelled,glaring at me.
I laughed softly,unable to help it. "Maybe.But it worked,didn't it?"
Her glare faltered for a split second before she turned away,muttering something under her breath.
And as I watched her,still flushed and flustered,I realized something dangerous,something I'd tried to deny since the moment she walked into my life.
I wasn't just falling for her.I already had.