Chapter 665

"Figured you'd be starving, so I whipped this up for ya. Aren't I just the best?" Ronnie grinned, popping open the thermos and letting the smell of oatmeal porridge fill the air.

Juniper wasn't usually into oatmeal, but whether it was her hunger or the delicious aroma, she found herself craving it.

Ronnie offered, "Here, lemme feed you."

"No thanks," Juniper shot back.

"Yeah, you do."

"I said no. It's just a fever, not like I'm helpless." Juniper snatched the thermos and started drinking.

"Slow down. You were just whining about not wanting any, and now you're chugging it. Were you faking it earlier?"

Juniper snapped, "I'm not that dramatic."

A few sips in, Juniper felt warmer and a bit stronger.

"So, how'd you know to show up?" Juniper asked.

"Call it a sixth sense."

"Cut the crap," Juniper frowned. "You didn't plant a spy on me, did you?"

Ronnie smirked, "Do I look like that kinda guy?"

"Yeah, you totally do!"

"Geez, no faith in me at all," Ronnie sighed.

"Seriously, why'd you show up? Spill."

Ronnie shrugged, "Can I just say I missed you? I was driving around your office, and on my second lap, there you were."

"I'm not a kid."

"Seriously. It's embarrassing. Look at me, a top-tier playboy acting like a lovesick teenager. My rep's in shambles because of you."

"Don't drag me into your mess," Juniper shot back.

"It's all on you, so you gotta take responsibility."

Juniper rolled her eyes and kept drinking the porridge, finishing the whole thermos.

Feeling better, she found Ronnie less annoying. After all, he did bring her to the hospital, even if it was a bit much.

Fair's fair. She bit her lip and muttered, "Thanks."

Ronnie leaned in, "What was that? Louder, I didn't catch it."

"If you didn't hear, forget it."

Ronnie teased, "Your thank-yous are so weak. Would it kill you to say it again? And just saying thanks? At least offer yourself to me."

Juniper warned, "Don't push it."

"How about just treating me to a meal? Not too much to ask, right?" Ronnie suggested.

"Maybe next time," Juniper replied.

"When's next time? Sounds like a dodge. I'm not that easy to fool; we need a date."

Juniper regretted saying thanks. She must be losing it.

"You're so annoying," Juniper groaned.

"Then tell me, when?"

"We'll see. When I'm in a good mood, I'll treat you. Bug me again, and no meal," Juniper threatened.

"Fine, we'll talk when you're better. But I've got it noted, and I won't forget. If you don't treat me, I'll eat you," Ronnie said with a wicked grin, like a tiger eyeing its prey.

As he pretended to pounce, Juniper blocked him with her hand, and he grabbed it, planting a kiss.

Even though she couldn't stand the guy, Juniper's face turned bright red from the close contact. "You..."

Ronnie smirked, "You're adorable when you blush."

"Who's blushing? Let go."

"Nope," Ronnie said, holding on.

They looked like a couple in love, tugging at each other.

Hera snapped a photo of the scene and sent it out.

Ten minutes later, without waiting for Anthony's reply, she called him directly, "Did you see the pic?"

"Are you spying on her?" Anthony's voice was low and serious.

Hera shot back, "I'm not that petty. I was at the hospital visiting an old professor, saw them by the VIP ward, and snapped a pic to send to you."

Anthony asked, "What's the point of this?"

Hera replied, "Just thought you wouldn't believe they're together, so I gave you proof."

"I'm not interested in her business."

"Don't just say you're not interested; you gotta mean it," Hera said, her tone loaded.

Anthony coldly replied, "You don't know what I'm thinking, so stop assuming. But I really don't like what you're doing."

Hera bit her lip, her voice emotional, "I don't like it either. But Anthony, I don't want you to get hurt again. You got burned in your last relationship, and if you fall for a woman who's into someone else, you'll get hurt again. Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, I want to eliminate that chance because I care about you."

Hera was naturally kind and a good doctor, not one for scheming. But she had to protect her love. She'd waited for Anthony too long and didn't want to wait any longer. More importantly, she wanted to protect him from getting hurt.

She was just being honest, not doing anything wrong.

Anthony warned, "I don't need you to do anything for me, and I don't want you doing anything that could mess up our friendship."

Hera took a deep breath. "From the moment I told you how I felt, I knew if we couldn't be lovers, we wouldn't even be friends. Anthony, I really like you. Liking someone means you can't just be friends, you get that?"

Anthony was silent.

Finally, he said, "Don't go after her again." Then he hung up.

Hera smiled bitterly, thinking, 'By saying that, Anthony already sees me as a scheming bad woman. Fine, let it be. I don't want to give up and can't give up. I'll keep going. If I can't be with him, then I don't want to be friends.'

Hera made up her mind.

"Cut it out." Juniper finally yanked her hand free. "It's late, you should go."

Ronnie shook his head, "No way, didn't I say? You can't be left alone; I gotta take care of you. What if something happens?"

Juniper rolled her eyes. "You're the biggest danger here."

Ronnie shot back, "How could you say that? You really think I'm a bad guy."

"You are a bad guy. Alright, I'm going to sleep now, and you should go."

Ronnie said, "Relax. I wouldn't take advantage of a patient. I know how to respect beauty. I'll crash on the couch, you take the bed. I promise I won't do anything. You can trust me."