She'd accidentally cut herself on a prop while filming on set a few days ago. The wound wasn't large, but it was quite deep.
She rummaged through the cabinet for ages but couldn't find any fever medicine.
Laura Lowell's head was spinning, and her body felt completely drained, leaving her without a shred of strength.
She grabbed some clothes from her closet, changed, and got ready to go to the hospital for an IV.
Just as Laura Lowell stepped out the door, she ran into Aiden Shaw and Marian Miller emerging from the apartment across from hers. She gave them an awkward but polite greeting.
"Dear, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"
Marian Miller walked over to Laura Lowell, raised a hand to her forehead, and frowned. "You're burning up! You must have a fever."
"I was just about to go to the hospital, Mrs. Miller."
Laura Lowell felt extremely uncomfortable with Marian Miller's warmth.
"With a fever like that, you can't possibly go by yourself. I'll have Aiden take you."
Then, Marian Miller turned to her son, her voice losing its gentle edge. "What are you waiting for? Take your wife to the hospital."
"Mrs. Miller, I'm not..."
Laura Lowell blurted out, her voice faint.
'I give up,' she thought. 'Why is she so convinced I'm this guy's wife?'
Aiden Shaw stood with his hands in his pockets. His tall, straight figure looked especially handsome under the soft glow of the lights.
He didn't bother explaining. 'Mrs. Miller has already decided this girl and I are a thing. Anything I say would be a waste of breath. Let her imagine whatever she wants.'
"Alright, alright. If you say you're not, you're not. I'll take your word for it. Now hurry and let Aiden take you to the hospital. We can't have this fever getting any worse."
To Laura Lowell, it sounded like Marian Miller was placating a child.
It was clear she hadn't taken her words to heart at all.
She felt absolutely terrible and didn't have the energy to get caught up in all this.
"Mrs. Miller, that's not necessary. I can drive myself to the hospital," Laura Lowell politely declined.
"Absolutely not. With a fever that high, it's too dangerous for you to drive."
With that, Marian Miller shot her son a glare. "Hurry up and take her to the hospital. I swear, you make me worry about everything."
Aiden Shaw glanced at the girl before him. A feverish flush colored her cheeks, her lips were dry, and her crystal-clear eyes seemed unfocused.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the hospital."
Laura Lowell waved her hands in protest. "You don't have to go to all that trouble. I can drive myself."
"Neighbors should help each other out."
Laura Lowell hadn't expected him to suddenly say that, and for a moment, she couldn't find a suitable excuse.
Besides, refusing again would seem like she was just being difficult.
"Alright, then. Thanks."
During the entire ride, Laura Lowell leaned against the passenger seat, feeling miserable and looking completely drained.
She would occasionally steal a glance at the handsome young man beside her. The car's interior was dimly lit. In the warm, orange glow, the strong lines of his profile seemed to take on a softer, more human quality.
His hand on the steering wheel had long, elegant fingers with prominent knuckles, their skin as fair as jade.
Laura Lowell found herself staring, mesmerized.
Aiden Shaw turned his head unexpectedly. A glint of light shone in his deep, dark eyes as a lethally sexy voice rumbled from his throat. "Had enough of a look?"
Laura Lowell was instantly hit with the embarrassment of a schoolgirl caught misbehaving by her teacher.
"I... I guess I wasn't... looking at you?"
"'You guess'?"
Aiden Shaw repeated her two words meaningfully, a faint smile playing on his lips.