Chapter 274
Leanne had been napping in a haze all afternoon and jolted awake by a series of knocks
at her door.
She lingered behind the door, her voice sounding weak, “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Leanne,” came Mrs. Waldron’s voice from outside. “We baked some cookies, too many for us to finish, thought you might like some.”
And her son chimed in, “My mom’s cookies are the best!”
Leanne cracked the door slightly, her face masked, keeping her distance.
“Thanks so much. I’ve caught the flu, afraid of passing it on. Just leave them at the door; I’ll grab them in a bit.”
Mrs. Waldron showed concern, “Oh dear, do you have any medicine at home? I have some if you need…”
“I’ll be fine,” Leanne said, “This bug’s pretty rough though. Make sure you don’t catch it.”
Once they were gone, she picked up the still warm box of cookies.
Having barely eaten all day due to her fever and sore throat, she managed only a single cookie before deciding to save the rest for later.
Her phone was buzzing with messages from friends Joy, Selina, and colleagues, all asking how she was holding up.
Joy had texted about stopping by after work. Checking the time, Leanne realized she finishing soon and quickly replied:
“Don’t come over, got medicines from the hospital and just need some rest. I wouldn’t want you falling ill too.”
“I’d fall ill for you,” Joy heroically texted back, “What are best friends for if not to share t
flu?”
With a headache making even laughter painful, Leanne wrote back, “I’d then have to look after you, which is no fun when sick.”
That settled Joy, “Alright then. But call if you need anything. I’m here for you.”
Leanne checked her fever again. It seemed a bit better but her body ached all over, her cells waging a relentless battle.
Curled up under her blankets, she felt miserable, clutching a photo of her mother for
comfort.
“Mr. Richardson, there’s a lady for you in the lobby…” the secretary began as Curtis
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emerged from his office.
With a phone pressed to his ear, Curtis seemed to be in a rush to get somewhere else.
Without sparing a moment, he gestured a polite decline and briskly walked off.
The secretary, phone still in hand, relayed to the reception, “Mr. Richardson is unavailable.” As Curtis descended the stairs, he called Caleb to cancel their 8 o’clock meeting.
Striding through the lobby, he heard someone call out, “Curtis.”
Suzan approached, her purple dress and coat lending her an air of dignity, a thermos in
her hand.
“Your secretary mentioned you were busy. Heading somewhere?”
Curtis, phone in hand, was brief, “Something up? I’m short on time.’
Suzan replied, “The flu’s going around, and Devin caught it. Made you some hot tea, it’s good for what ails you.”.
Curtis was unimpressed, “Give it to Devin then. Why bring it to me?”
Suzan, once resilient, found it harder to keep up appearances after being humiliated in front of their peers.
“Do you have to speak to me like that?”
Checking his watch, Curtis showed his impatience, “If you don’t like hearing it, then let’s
not talk. Leanne’s sick. I’m off to see her.”
Suzan felt a sting at the mention of Leanne, recalling the public declaration of his love her, a humiliation.
Curtis turned to leave but stopped, eyeing the thermos, “Is this really works against the
flu?”
Caught off guard by his sudden interest, Suzan watched as he took the thermos, thankin her sincerely.
She stood there, puzzled by his gratitude, as he walked away with purpose.
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