His Little Flower (Felix and Flora)

I woke up with a pit in my stomach. It was like my stomach was giving out. Like it was bottomless. As soon as I got out of bed and went into the bathroom, I threw up. It didn’t make me feel better. I was late for work, so I didn’t have time to worry. If I got sick at work, I’d have to deal with it then and there. I skipped my coffee and had some yogurt, rushing out of the house, hoping got the best. I hadn’t even had time to make breakfast for Dad, he’d be mad, but I’d just have to deal with it later.

As I drove, I didn’t feel any better. But I was recognizing this condition of upset stomach wasn’t because I had something weird or cought a bug. It was anxiety. That was good.

Anxiety I could handle. A bug? Probably not. Plus, I couldn’t afford to take days of

My stomach was growling with hunger as I pulled in. I hadn’t packed

d myself a lunch and would have to go o out to eat I couldn’t even afford that,

I hadn’t been diagnosed by a therapist, simply because, again, another thing I could not afford. But I was pretty sure I had some sort of anxiety

sorder. My mother had it, too. So, it made sense. All the skin picking and the random throwing up and restlessness and unexplainable pain in my body all pointed to that. I had probably had it since I was a child, but I had only realized a few months ago

Linda was there today, thank God. She had already started on breakfast. A smoothie bowl with granola. She warmly told me that she had it for today, and that I could go ahead and clean up in the foyer and dining area. Huh. Had Felix and that woman made a mess? The thought disgusted me. Of him touching anyone else. Of someone touching him. Images from last night floated into my mind. It made me want to throw up again. But I swallowed my

discomfort.

It didn’t take long, and I went back to the kitchen.

Linda handed me a tray with a bowl of a pink colored smoothie, some granola, and some coffee. “Can you take this up to Felix? He’s feeling a bit under

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Maybe she gave him something. Serves him right.

I bit my own lip,

1. chiding myself for even thinking that. Felix could hate me all he wanted, but I wouldn’t stoop so low as to wish him badly,

I nodded at Linda. “What happened to him?”

She shrugged, “Just a cold, I suppose.”

Felix would always get the worst colds in the history of mankind. I remembered from before, when he would fall sick, he’d be like a child. All his strength and masculinity would fade away, and I would coddle him and it would be so cute.

I took a deep breath, taking the tray up to his mom. I knocked lightly. When he didn’t answer, I slowly pushed the door open. He was still in bed. As the door opened, he looked at me quizzically.

“I brought breakfast,” I answered softly.

“Keep it here.”

I went towards him, and placed the tray of food on his bedside table. Felix was doing something on his phone as he lay in bed under a blanket. His nose was red, and the tips of his ears too. He sniffled a little. It was just like before. This way, he looked like the young 18 year old Felix I had known. Not the man he had now become, just the old Felix, my

Felin

1 gulped, “Felix, did you take your temperature?”

He took his sweet time in answering me, slowly turning his head to give me a look that said very clearly that he did not want me here. “I’m fine, Miss White. Please leave.”

“Please at least let me take your temperature.” I reached out to touch his forehead, but he visibly recoiled from me. I took my hand back, making a fist and digging my nails into my palm. “You have a fever.” I whispered.

“It is not your concern, Miss White,” he said coolly, “I will take care of myself”

“I know you can.” I told him, “But you don’t have to.”

He looked at me for a second. Another second. “Get the thermometer. I’ll do it myself.”

+109 Bonus

That was the best I would get, and I would take it. I hurried downstairs and fetched the thermometer. I knew he had a fever, so I took some pills too.

I handed them both to him together. He took the thermometer. As he measured his temperature, I stood to the side, waiting.

After a bit, he checked the result. Rolling his eyes, he put it on his bedside table. I peeped over. 101 C.

“Felix, that’s really high. I think I’ll call the doctor,” I told him, my tone laced with worry.

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“Save it, Miss White,” he snapped. He jumped out of bed and I saw that it made him dizzy for a second.

I gulped. He walked to the washroom and shut the door behind him. I heard the shower running.

“I don’t think it’s the best idea to take a shower right now.” I yelled. I knew he heard me, because the shower turned off. He still didn’t emerge from the

washroom.

I really did want Felix to acknowledge me and recognize me, but that wasn’t a concern right now. If he kept refusing to let me take care of him like this, I’d have to pull some

other move.

“Mr. Corsino,” I knocked on the bathroom door, “I’m going to get you something warm to eat. Meanwhile, please take some medicines.”

If being curt and professional worked, then I had no problem doing it.

I went back to the kitchen where I saw Linda. She saw the tray of food in my hands, and raised a quizzical brow, “He didn’t eat?”

“He’s not well. He has a cold and a fever. I’m going to make him something warm to eat,” I told her. She nodded, “That sounds like a good idea, Flora.”