A flash of panic crossed Xavier's eyes, and he quickly asked, "Serena, what happened?! Did something happen while you were out shopping?!"
"No! Nothing happened!" Serena shook her head. "I just think that the exclusive clinic has better conditions, with medical staff who can take good care of you. There, your health will recover faster."
"I don't care about recovering or not, I just want to stay here, with you!"
"Stop being willful!" Serena turned her eyes away. "You're not a child anymore, don't joke with your health."
"Who's joking?!" In his urgency, Xavier grabbed Serena's arm. "You know my health is strong, this little illness won't bring me down, it's the same wherever I get treated."
Serena lowered her face, allowing him to hold her arm. "You..."
Before she could finish, she heard an astonished voice from outside the door. "Mrs. Beckett... Uh... I mean, Miss Knowles!"
Serena raised her head and looked over Xavier's shoulder.
Secretary Zayn stood outside the VIP ward, looking shocked as he glanced at her and then at Xavier. "Who is this...?"
Serena, irritated, took a deep breath. She was about to speak when Xavier's voice cut in, "Who are you?!"
Secretary Zayn responded politely, "I'm the secretary to the president of Beckett Corp. Miss Knowles used to be..."
"Didn't you just say your mother has a heart condition? How come you're here in the respiratory department?!" Serena interrupted, questioning him directly.
"Oh, my mom's been coughing a bit lately, and since I'm already at the hospital, I thought I'd see a doctor and get some medicine for the cough."
He shook the plastic bag he was holding.
The bag was filled with several unopened medicine boxes.
"Oh, well, hurry back and give your mom the medicine so it doesn't affect her health."
It was clear she was trying to hurry him out.
Secretary Zayn didn't want to make things more awkward, so he nodded. "Alright, I won't disturb you further, I'll leave now."
After saying that, he took one last glance at Xavier, who was wearing a patient gown, before stepping away.
Just a few steps outside, he heard a loud 'bang' behind him.
The ward door was slammed shut by Xavier, who grabbed Serena's arm. In one swift movement, they changed places, with Serena now pressed against the door.
The man's eyes burned with a deep anger as he stared at her. "Serena, didn't you just say you encountered nothing while you were out? Then what's with Clint's secretary?!"
Unable to endure his intense gaze, Serena lowered her head. "It was just a coincidence. Besides, he's here to get medicine for his mother, not to do anything for Clint."
Once the words left her mouth, Serena realized she had just tried to explain herself, as if justifying her actions.
She bit her lower lip secretly, hoping that Xavier wouldn't take her words seriously or notice her 'unintentional slip.'
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.
The next moment, the man's handsome face suddenly moved closer, and his breath brushed against her cheek as he spoke. "Serena, are you... explaining yourself to me?!"
"I... I was just saying it casually, don't overthink it!"
Xavier curled the corner of his mouth into a smile, so beautiful it could explode, like the warm sunlight of July, shining straight into her heart.
"It's too late, I've already overthought it. So what should we do now?!"
"You..." Trapped in the narrow space, with his body pressing in so close, Serena felt the air around them growing warmer, even her breathing became difficult.
The sound of a red rose song suddenly rang out, and she felt a sense of relief. She quickly reminded him, "Your phone's ringing!"
Xavier cast an irritated glance at the direction of his phone, grinding his teeth as he released the arm he had been pressing against the door. "Who's calling, ruining the mood!"
He picked up the phone and saw who it was, his face instantly darkening. "Dad!"
Henry's face was even darker. "Hmm, where are you?!"
"Well, since you're calling me, you must know where I am. Why ask me such a question?"
"Hmph, you brat, what are you trying to pull this time?! You're sick, and instead of going to the family's exclusive clinic, you're at a public hospital, showing off for everyone to see?!"
"I'm not seriously ill, just caught a cold. What's the difference where I go?!"
"Of course, it's different! I've always told you to keep a low profile! You go to Vernon Hospital, are you trying to make it obvious that my only son is sick? Are you hoping those nosy reporters have some material to spread?!"
"Oh, Dad!"
"Stop talking nonsense! You have one hour to get yourself checked out and moved to the exclusive clinic!"
Before Xavier could say anything, Henry hung up.
"That's pure dictatorship!" Xavier grumbled, staring at his phone in defiance.
Serena sighed and walked over, saying calmly, "Since Uncle Blaze has spoken, you might as well not argue. I'll help you pack your things."
Xavier grabbed her hand. "Serena!"
Serena turned her head, her expression calm, as if she had already anticipated this situation.
She smiled slightly, not thinking much of it, and reached up to undo the button on his patient gown. "You said you don't like the patient gown, well, now you can take it off. At your family's exclusive clinic, you can wear whatever you want, no one will care."
As she undid the button, the collar opened, revealing his bronzed skin and the muscles underneath, which immediately caught Serena's eye.
She quickly snapped back to her senses, realizing what she was doing, and hurriedly pulled her hand back.
However, just as her hand left the gown, a hot hand grabbed it back.
He pressed her hand to his chest, feeling the strong and rapid beat of his heart. "Serena, did you hear that?!"
Serena's face turned red, and she lowered her head. "Hear what?!"
"My heart is speaking! It's saying... I love you!"
"..." Serena felt heat spreading throughout her body, so intense that even her mouth felt dry. She licked her lips, trying to pull her hand back.
But Xavier wouldn't let go.
His eyes locked onto her, and the affection in them almost overwhelmed her.
"Stop messing around!" She controlled herself, trying to keep her voice steady. "Hurry up and pack, we still have to handle the discharge procedures! Uncle Blaze only gave you one hour!"
Xavier still wouldn't release her.
"If you keep doing this, I won't talk to you anymore," Serena used her trump card. "This is a hospital, a public place. If we keep pulling and tugging like this, someone might see us, and we won't be able to explain ourselves."
"This is the VIP ward, except during visiting hours, no one is allowed in. No one will see, don't worry."
Before Serena could reply, they heard a loud 'click' as the door opened, followed by a cold voice saying, "What are you two doing?!"
***