Page 63 of Cloud Storm

My friend’s husband crosses his arms over his chest, stretching out on the leather sofa in Lancelot’s living room, as he looks at me mockingly.

“You can say whatever you want, but I can tell that you’re worried because you care about Lancelot and your friend upstairs suffers from the same disease, although the virus is different.”

I glare at him, now I’m not joking. He laughs and makes me want to kick his nuts.

“Mr. Hatz is a friend of the family, and I promised him I’d take care of things, that’s all.”

Chase has the nerve to laugh again. Men, why are they all so exasperating?

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say,” he agrees before getting up to meet Roselynn in the kitchen.

My friend insists on keeping busy by clearing up this place. And while she cleans I bite my nails in anguish.

Why is this taking so long?

At last, I hear footsteps approaching and jump up to find the doctor’s young face staring back at mine.

“You can relax, as I told you, he won’t die and I think that’s all thanks to you.”

“What does Lancelot have?”

“What we commonly call a poorly-managed cold,” he says as if it were so simple, so normal. “And severe dehydration. Fortunately, you came here last night and took care of rehydrating him, as well as helping lower his fever.”

“Does he still have a temperature, is he warm?”

He laughs and his laugh makes me nervous.

“I hope so, if he wasn’t warm right now we would be calling the funeral home.” Bad joke, doctor, find someone else to laugh at this nonsense. “But if you’re asking if he still has a fever, no, I’ve given him an intravenous antipyretic.”

The doctor explains that he has left a drip connected to his arm to keep him hydrated. Since Lancelot has become so dehydrated, I’m actually surprised that he can stay at home, but the young doctor seems confident as he assures me the Suit will be just fine. Just to be on the safe side though, he will visit him again later to check on him.

“Don’t worry, he’ll wake up soon and something tells me he’ll be glad to see you here.”

Another person added to the Suit fan club. All because they don’t know that, apart from being an unfaithful bastard, the always right Mr. Lancelot Hills has really strange tricks, like hacking the email of women he supposedly hated.

You’re gonna pay for this one, Suit. Just wait until you get up from that bed.

???

A couple of hours later, Chase and Roselynn say goodbye, they have some place to go. Chase is a busy man, they have so many events over the weekends that I’m always surprised to see Roselynn knocking at my door every single Sunday. I think she pities me. I’ve assured her that’s not necessary, I always have plenty to do, but Roselynn has a thick skull.

And yes, my friend hasn’t broken her promise that we’ll talk later, when all of this is over. Thank God for prudence. For once in my life, the blessed virtue plays in my favor. It’s nice for a change.

I know I’m overstepping a lot, but I just can’t stay here sitting around waiting for him to get better, so I busy myself cooking, cleaning the bathroom and doing the laundry.

Yes, yes, take a lollipop and shut your mouth. Anger is eating me whole, so I’m doing the best I can while killing is still considered illegal, ok?

At least I’m doing something good, not trashing his home like the bastard deserves.

Later, I’ve finished and am sitting on a chair—one that looks pretty but is pretty uncomfortable—in his room waiting for him to awaken.

After what feels like an eternity, Lancelot finally opens his eyes and his green gaze meets mine.

“What are you doing here?” The sound of his deep throaty voice startles me.

He has balls to ask that question. Oh no, I’m doing the asking, mister.

But considering that he’s virtually been at death’s door for many hours, I’ll give him the benefit of my mercy.

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