Chapter 5 Gentle
1113 Words
Amber's POV:
I stayed by Sidney's bedside all night, though I didn't know when I eventually fell asleep.
Half-awake, I heard someone speaking softly, and it sounded like Sidney's voice. "Mabel, take her to the guest room to rest."
"Yes, sir."
This had to be a dream, right? Was he really being so gentle?
But the next second, someone was indeed helping me up.
"No, I can't rest. I haven't completed the task Sereina gave me yet!" I shouted anxiously, my eyes snapping open as I jumped up from the chair.
Fully awake, I looked at Sidney in his bed and Mabel beside me, who had been supporting me. I shook my head and refused, "I don't need rest—I'm full of energy!"
Of course, that was a lie. After everything that had happened yesterday and staying up so late, I didn't need a mirror to know that my dark circles were probably terrible.
Sidney frowned, staring at me intently, his expression complicated. "Is this task that important to you?"
"Yes, it determines whether I can stay. I really need this job! I'm not giving up on getting you outside!"
His expression instantly darkened.
Sensing the tension, Mabel tugged at my sleeve, signaling for me to leave, but I didn't budge.
"So, what do you plan to do? Force me out?" Sidney's voice was low, carrying an innate pressure.
I hesitated, then replied, "I'll find a way, somehow!"
I wouldn't leave so soon, and I'd try everything.
Sidney's expression grew even grimmer, his eyes boring into mine as if trying to exert pressure. I didn't look away, meeting his gaze head-on.
Sidney held my gaze in silence for a long time before finally letting out a sigh. "Mabel, bring the wheelchair."
Then, he shifted himself onto the wheelchair and maneuvered it slowly toward the door.
He stopped at the doorway, and I watched his back in confusion. He seemed to be trembling, his body rising and falling with each deep breath.
Slowly, the wheelchair began to move again until it was out of the bedroom.
Could it be...?' The moment I realized what he was doing, something went wrong. Sidney hunched over, violently dry-heaving, as if he were about to throw up everything in his stomach.
I didn't have time to think—I rushed over and pulled his wheelchair back.
Sidney's face was flushed red, and he held a hand over his mouth, breathing heavily. After a while, he finally looked up at me. "Are you satisfied now? Get out, and don't bother me again!"
Was he doing this just so I wouldn't bother him anymore? Completing my task so I would leave? I stood frozen.
Mabel tugged at me again, and this time, I followed her out.
As the door closed behind us, Mabel let out a heavy sigh as if she'd narrowly escaped some terrible fate. She said to me, "Amber, I've never seen anyone talk to Mr. Sidney like that before."
But my mind wasn't on that. I asked Mabel, "Does Mr. Sidney always react like that when he leaves his room?"
Mabel nodded. "Yes. Honestly, he isn't deliberately trying to make things difficult for you."
"When he woke up and saw you had fallen asleep by his bed, he even asked me to take you to the guest room to rest,' she added.
Hearing this, I was both surprised and ashamed. Perhaps I had misjudged him too harshly.
Maybe Sidney wasn't quite the person he appeared to be—maybe he had a gentler side too.
Soon after, I received a text from Sereina.
Sereina: Dear Amber, I'm delighted to inform you that you've passed the interview. I'm officially hiring you as Sidney's personal caretaker.
As agreed, the advance p*****t has been deposited into your account. You may also stay in the villa, and please take care of Sid.
I found an empty corner and immediately called Curt to tell him the news.
"I'm so proud of you. I knew you could do it," Curt's cheerful voice came through the phone.
I shuffled my feet on the grass beneath me, unable to feel truly happy. I simply replied, "Thank you, Curt."
Curt clearly sensed my low spirits and asked, "Amber, did something happen?"
Curt knew me well, just like I knew him. I knew I couldn't hide it from him, so I told him what had happened today.
"I just feel really bad. Maybe I shouldn't have done it."
Curt comforted me, "I'm sure he'll understand. If you feel guilty, you can apologize properly—just like you taught me."
Curt had once fought with a good friend, and I had advised him to sincerely apologize. That was how they reconciled.
Thinking about that made me feel a lot better, and I knew what I needed to do. "Alright, I understand, Curt."
Then I remembered something else. "Curt, is Dr. Samuel around?"
"Oh, he's here." I heard a bit of shuffling on the other end, and soon, Samuel's voice came through.
"Congratulations, Amber. I heard you passed the interview."
Samuel's voice was as gentle as ever, full of encouragement.
"Thank you, Dr. Samuel. When I get my paycheck, I'll treat you to a meal."
Samuel laughed. "I'll be looking forward to it."
"And there's something else I wanted to ask you about, if that's alright?"
"Of course, feel free to ask anytime."
I thought carefully about Sidney's situation, then described it to Samuel. "If a patient is afraid to leave their house, or experiences symptoms like severe dry heaving whenever they do, could that be related to a psychological issue?"
Samuel paused thoughtfully before answering, "It's possible. Psychological barriers can have varied and complex effects on a person—they can influence how a person feels and acts. Some may be unable to read, some may lose certain memories, and in severe cases, they may even be unable to speak or walk..."
That severe? I hadn't expected it.
"Can it be treated?" I asked.
"Of course. With professional treatment, recovery is possible. However, the patient also needs the determination to overcome it."
I understood—it would require Sidney's willingness and effort. But would Sidney be willing?
I looked up at the massive building and realized I was standing beneath Sidney's window.
Sidney was sitting there, quietly gazing out at something.
I followed his gaze—next door, a couple was playing tennis. They ran, jumped, and hit the ball, laughing all the while.
Was he envious? I tried to discern the expression on his face.
But the next moment, he seemed to notice my presence. He glanced at me, then quickly looked away, closing the curtain.
- Writer
