Chapter 4 Applying Medicine

"Jessica, what happened to your face?" Gabriel asked, noticing the worsening rash on Jessica's face the next morning.

In the morning, Gabriel returned after hanging up the phone and saw that her face, neck, and even her arms were covered in red rashes. Although not numerous, they were densely packed and formed a continuous area, which was quite alarming.

"It's nothing; maybe the allergy medicine I took yesterday wasn't potent enough," Jessica said, gently touching the rash on her face. She had forgotten to take another dose of her allergy medicine before bed last night. Plus, she was taking a milder, pregnancy-safe medication, considering the baby.

"Let's go to the hospital and get it checked out," Gabriel said, stopping her from touching her face.

"No need. I'll go after we leave Grandpa's house," Jessica shook her head, not wanting Gabriel to accompany her to the hospital. Then she quickly changed the subject, seeing Gabriel about to say something else. "Ms. Bush didn't misunderstand anything, did she?"

Jessica had spent the entire night sleeping in Gabriel's arms. When she heard the phone ring in the morning, she groggily thought it was hers. But when she answered, a gentle female voice asked, "Gabriel, are you up?"

Jessica was startled awake and quickly shook Gabriel beside her. "Gabriel, it's Ms. Bush."

"Don't worry; she won't misunderstand over something so trivial," Gabriel said, his expression softening at the mention of Diana.

Jessica's breath hitched, and she nodded. She could tell that he was eager to go see Diana.

After breakfast, Jessica got into Gabriel's car and left the villa. But as she looked out the window, the scenery didn't look like the route to the Ancestral Villa.

"Aren't we going to Grandpa's place?" Jessica asked, puzzled.

Gabriel glanced at her before speaking, "Let's hold off on that for now. Grandpa's recent health checkup didn't go well. Mom and Dad moved his 80th birthday celebration up to next week to cheer him up. At this critical time, I think it's best not to add any more stress. We'll talk to him once he's in a better mood." he rarely showed worry, but mentioning Xavier brought a frown to his face.

"I understand. After his 80th birthday, Grandpa will probably be in a much better mood. I'll bring it up then," Jessica said. Xavier was the kindest person in the Walton family, and she didn't want to upset him.

"Don't worry, I'll bring it up as soon as possible," Jessica added, fearing he might misunderstand her intentions.

"Are you in a hurry?" Gabriel's expression darkened as he asked.

"Yes." Jessica nodded, not giving it much thought. She assumed Gabriel's sour expression was due to the delay in the matter. "By the way, Gabriel, if we're not going to Grandpa's, where are we headed now?"

"To the hospital," Gabriel said firmly.

Jessica panicked, trying to come up with excuses to stop him, but Gabriel wouldn't listen and insisted on accompanying her to see a doctor.

While waiting in line, Jessica kept thinking of ways to prevent Gabriel from going in with her.

Just then, Gabriel's phone rang. "Diana..." he answered, "Alright, I'll wait for you in the parking lot." With that, he hurried off, leaving Jessica to breathe a sigh of relief. She went into the doctor's office alone, feeling a bit down.

Without Gabriel by her side, Jessica explained her condition to the doctor, who prescribed some topical medication.

When Jessica returned to the car with her medication, she found Gabriel wasn't there. Instead, the driver was in the driver's seat.

"Mrs. Walton, Mr. Walton had something come up and asked me to take you home," the driver said.

Jessica nodded, realizing Gabriel had gone to see Diana. As she watched the changing scenery outside the window, her emotions fluctuated.

Knowing Gabriel had come to the hospital with her made Jessica feel happy, thinking he cared about her. However, his attentiveness lasted only a few fleeting minutes.

Back at the villa, Jessica went straight to her room upstairs. She undressed in the bathroom, preparing to apply the medication. Looking in the mirror, she noticed the rash had spread to her back.

No matter how she twisted and turned, she couldn't reach to apply the medication.

"Why don't you ask someone for help?" Gabriel's sudden voice startled her.

"Why are you back?" Jessica quickly pulled her shirt down, a flush spreading across her face.

"How could I help you if I didn't come back?" Gabriel chuckled at the sight of Jessica's awkwardness.

"Are you going to help me apply it?" Jessica asked shyly.

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "What else?" He took the medication from Jessica and moved behind her. "Take off your shirt."

Jessica slowly lifted her shirt, her heart pounding. All her senses focused on her back. When the cool medication touched her skin, she shivered slightly.

"Don't move," Gabriel's voice was gentle and low. His warm breath caressed her exposed skin, sending shivers down her spine, and making her feel as if a thousand tiny ants were crawling all over her body.