Chapter 5 Midnight Obligation

Idris's POV

My Bentley sped through the rain-slicked streets of Los Angeles, windshield wipers rhythmically sweeping away droplets. After receiving Raven's call, I had barely hesitated before heading out.

Arriving at Raven's building, I glanced up at the illuminated window. I fished out the spare key she had given me long ago from my wallet, feeling its cold metal against my fingertips.

I pushed the door open quietly. The apartment was bathed in warm yellow light.

"Raven?" I called softly, keeping my voice deliberately neutral.

The living room presented what appeared to be a carefully arranged scene. Raven was curled up on the cream-colored leather sofa, a thin silk throw draped over her. She wore a white silk nightgown with a plunging neckline, her golden hair spread messily across her shoulders. Her face looked pale, though I noticed her makeup remained flawless despite her supposed illness.

"Idris..." Raven slowly opened her eyes, which immediately filled with tears. "You really came..."

"Since I promised to take care of you, I won't go back on my word." I walked over, mechanically extending my hand to feel her forehead. It was indeed warm, but not alarmingly so. "Have you taken any medication?"

Raven weakly shook her head. "I couldn't find the thermometer... and I didn't know which medicine to take..."

As she spoke, she slowly sat up, allowing the throw to slip from her shoulders, revealing more of her pale skin. She seemed not to notice.

I reached for the blanket and emotionlessly placed it back over her shoulders. "Mind your appearance."

"Idris..." Raven attempted to lean into my chest, but I instinctively stepped back.

The intimate contact felt uncomfortable, unwelcome.

"I'll make you some rice porridge," I said, turning toward the kitchen.

"Don't go..." Raven caught the edge of my shirt, her tears flowing more freely. "Can't you just stay with me for a while?"

"I'll be in the kitchen. Call if you need anything." I gently freed myself from her grasp.

"Idris, don't you care about me anymore?" Her voice carried a hint of manufactured hurt. "I know you have Vera now..."

At the mention of "Vera," my body visibly tensed. An inexplicable anger surged through me.

I slowly turned around, a cold gleam in my eyes. "Don't mention her."

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." Raven feigned a startled expression.

"I said, don't mention her." My tone grew more severe.

In the kitchen, I prepared the porridge while sorting through my thoughts.

Raven's probing irritated me, especially when she mentioned Vera. I shook my head, unwilling to examine too deeply.

The aroma of rice porridge gradually filled the kitchen as I watched the mixture bubble. My mind drifted to Vera's face earlier tonight—the hurt in her eyes when I'd left her. Her words, "I'm your wife," echoed in my head, causing an uncomfortable tightness in my chest.

I'd left her there, half-undressed, desire still evident in her flushed skin. For what? To rush to Raven's side for what appeared to be a mild fever at best? The realization sat heavily in my stomach as I stirred the thickening porridge.

Ten minutes later, I carried the porridge back to the living room.

"The porridge is ready," I said, placing the bowl on the coffee table. "Eat it while it's hot."

"Idris, would you feed me?" Raven reached out, attempting to grasp my sleeve. "I really don't have the strength..."

I gave her a flat, expressionless look.

"You're not handicapped."

The comment clearly stung. She stared at me, tears welling up again.

"Idris... I really don't feel well..." Her voice trembled.

"Then eat quickly and take your medicine so you can recover." My tone remained detached. "The porridge is here for you to eat. The medicine is on the kitchen counter. Follow the instructions."

With that, I headed for the door. I had fulfilled my obligation to care for her; there was no reason to stay longer.

"Idris!" Raven's voice grew urgent as she sat up straighter on the sofa. "You're leaving? But I still have a fever..."

I paused but didn't turn around. "Call me again if there's an emergency."

"But I'll be scared all alone!" Her voice broke with a sob. "Idris, can't you just stay with me? Even if you're just sitting here..."

"I've checked on you and made you porridge," I replied, finally looking back at her with cold detachment. "I've done what I needed to do."

My words were deliberately blunt.

"Idris..." Raven's tears fell like rain, her voice quavering. "Please... just stay with me a little while... I'm really afraid to be alone..."

The words had barely left her lips when she suddenly went limp, sliding off the sofa and collapsing onto the carpet with a soft thud that seemed to echo in the quiet apartment.

"Raven!" I immediately rushed over, crouching down to check her condition, my heart racing despite my earlier detachment.

Her face was white as paper, her golden hair splayed across the cream carpet. Her forehead burned alarmingly hot against my palm, her breathing rapid and shallow. The silk nightgown clung to her body, damp with fever sweat.

I held my fingers near her nose, checking for breath, feeling the faint warm exhalation against my skin. Thank God, she had only fainted.

Damn it. Her fever was clearly more serious than I'd initially thought.

I had no choice but to carry her back to the bedroom and try to bring her temperature down with cold compresses. Looking at her closed eyes and pallid face, I sighed deeply.

Tonight, I wouldn't be leaving after all.