After saying that, I held my breath and quickly ran into the bedroom to pull out my suitcase.
I put on my down jacket, wrapped it tightly around me, and flopped down on the couch.
"Don't even think about it; the couch is mine!"
Brandon silently watched my series of actions and sighed.
He stood up, walked out of the bedroom, and approached me.
He drew closer, and I shouted at him, "Don't come over! I'm a giant virus factory right now!"
He ignored me and stood beside the couch, looking down at me.
I blinked.
"You sleep in the bedroom."
Before I could react, he bent down, reached out.
Before I could react, he effortlessly scooped me up, carrying me toward the bedroom.
……
I was like, what the hell?
If it weren't for the heavy down jacket I was wearing and the fact that we both had on N95 masks, this could have been a pretty romantic scene.
I wasn't sure if it was the fever or something else, but my heart was racing.
He placed me on the bed, and just as I was about to sit up, he said, "Do you want me to carry you again?"
I felt my face flush and shook my head vigorously.
"You can close the door."
"Okay."
His face gradually disappeared behind the door. I whispered, "Thank you."
His hand paused for a moment on the door, "You're welcome."
……
In the middle of the night, I started burning up with a fever, my whole body ached, making it impossible to sleep.
I took a dose of painkiller, which only helped a little, and the fever continued.
It was nothing like the easy recovery people talked about online; I felt miserable, as if I were on the brink of death.
I also started coughing. Thinking about Brandon sleeping outside, I covered my mouth, trying my best to stifle the sounds.
I ran out of water on the bedside table, but I didn't dare to go out to refill it.
Not long after, Brandon knocked on the door.
"Do you need water?"
As soon as I opened my mouth, I started coughing, my throat hoarse: "...Yes."
He opened the door and came in, taking my water bottle.
The hotel provided bottled water, but without a water dispenser, I had to use a manual pump, making it a hassle every time I needed water.
I turned over to check my phone; it was 3 AM.
Brandon was boiling water for me.
"I ordered throat lozenges; the hotel should be able to deliver them tomorrow. Hang in there for now."
His calm voice sounded so gentle to me.
That it made my eyes suddenly well up with tears.