She's My Sleeping Pill

Stefan made a cold compress pack for her and placed it on her swelling foot. "Don't move around or it will fall. I'll be at the kitchen, cooking our dinner."

"Am I still paid for this inconvenience?"

"Don't think too much about it. Think about tonight's sleeping arrangement."

And again, she was left on her own volition to think of their sleeping arrangement at night. She had no idea what to do. She was paid to sleep with him, if she would leave him, then it was counted as her ditching her work. But if she would stay, the both of them will be wary because of her sprain. He won't be able to sleep comfortably.

She thought about it for several times but no idea came to her mind.

Stefan finished cooking and since she wasn't supposed to walk so much, he brought their food in the living room and placed them on the coffee table. "Let's eat here tonight."

"I feel so useless to you right now."

"Don't worry about it. Once you're fine, I will use you thoroughly."

"Huh? Your words sounded so vulgar?"

"Were they? I think I was using the right choice of words." Stefan grinned at her while handing her a plate and spoon and fork. "I have so many things planned for us so, you need to get better soon."

"For us? What do you mean?"

"I wanted to leave for a trip. I haven't been able to do it because I couldn't properly rest. I often collapsed and Chris worried for me. Now that you're here to help me then, let's do the things I wasn't able to do."

"That's a little bit difficult for me. Did you just forget I have another work? I don't think I can leave for work again. I need money, remember?"

"Then, I'll pay you according to your daily wage in the hotel. Aside from that, you won't be doing any difficult work. Just accompany me."

"I'll think about that. My brothers will be worried about me."

"Speaking of brothers, did they tell you anything when they received my gifts?"

"Right! About the gifts." Cayenne put down her spoon and fork. "Why didn't you tell me there were two of them? I thought it was just a gift for Luiz."

"I thought you saw it when you received the bag." Stefan responded. "Don't think too much about that. It wasn't a big deal to me. I know you would think that I'm boasting but, I don't really know where to spend my money. I've been donating to different foundations and still, they kept coming. Instead of keeping them, why not share them?"

"You keep telling me not to think about it but, it's really difficult to just forget it."

"Then, what should I do?" Stefan threw her the question which she didn't have any answer. "Should I take it back? That would be rude of me."

"I don't know what to do either."

"I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"How about you accompany me for a month. Day and night. Wherever I go, you will be coming with me. Of course, I will pay you with the same amount as your salary in the hotel plus your payment when sleep…when working during night time."

"What's in it for you? I should be asking what's in it for me but, all the things you mention were my advantages. How about you?"

"You will be with me all the time so, that's my benefit."

"That alone? I'm not much of a help to you. How could that be fair?"

"It's fair when I think it's fair."

She was lost for words. She was staring at him with unblinking eyes. What else can she retort with that statement? "Uhm. Okay."

"Okay? You agree with me?"

"B-but…I have… I have a little problem." Her voice was becoming smaller as she spoke. "My brothers found out that I lied to them. I don't even know if I can keep my work here."

"Didn't you tell them anything about your work here?"

"How would I tell them that I'm sleeping with you to send them to school? Even if we are not doing anything indecent, my brothers would still think differently."

"Would you like me to talk to them?"

"Is that fine? I'm not really sure I should go about this. I've been causing you trouble lately. I don't know what to do."

"Just rely on me as much as I'm relying on you."

One good thing led them to another. That night, they never realized how much closer they got. They started to open up to each other and they didn't argue for a single moment. Stefan took care of her even though he was the one that needs to be taken cared of because she was the employee, not him.

After eating, he picked up her bag and helped her walk upstairs. He placed her things on the couch and helped her sit on the bed. "Wait here for a while." He went out again and went to the kitchen. He couldn't find a basin so he used a large plastic bowl and poured a warm water on it plus, a good amount of alcohol. He carried the bowl and brought it upstairs.

"What's that for?" Cayenne asked with a frown. 'Don't tell me he'll wipe my body?' her thought wasn't so far from reality. Only that, it was her who will wipe her own body, not him.

"Wipe your body with this. Don't take a shower."

"O-okay."

"I'll be staying outside. Just call me when you're done."

Cayenne nodded her head. Ever since her mother got hospitalized, she was used to taking of other people but, she wasn't used to receive so much care from someone. Specially a man who was supposedly her employer. It was just a little unbelievable to her. 'What's he thinking? I don't really understand him. Wasn't he angry at me few days ago?'

While she was bugged with these questions, Stefan was sitting on the floor behind the close door. He was waiting for her to call his name.

After half an hour, Cayenne finished cleaning herself and changed her clothes. The part of undressing and dressing herself was the most painful part for her but she was still able to overcome it.

"Stefan?"

"Are you done?" he still asked to make sure that it was fine to come inside.

"Hn. Thank you so much for your help."

"No problem." Stefan took the used water and brought them to the bathroom. He also took a shower and dressed himself. "I have a solution for our situation tonight."

"What is it?"

"I'll still sleep beside you. Let's just put something in between us."

"So, you won't be hugging me tonight?"

"Why do you sound disappointed?" Stefan teased her with a wide grin on his face.

"I'm not disappointed."

"Really? Well, I won't be hugging you but I will be holding your hand."

"Holding my hand?"

"Hn. I need to know you're here beside me."

Cayenne rolled her eyes at him. "You really have a poor vocabulary."

"I'm using my words properly."

"I knew you'd say that. Let's just go to sleep." Cayenne arranged her pillows and Stefan took two extra pillows and placed it beneath her foot; and another two extra pillows to place between them. Cayenne extended her hand to him and Stefan held it close to him. This way, he would still be able to sleep without bumping into her.

"Good night, Ayen."

"Good night."

Simple way of showing care can change someone's life. At this point, even though she was still confused, she was slowly accepting these little changes between them.

Their actions and words were totally opposite but in a good way.