Adrian turned sharply, ready to leave William behind once and for all, when suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. The breath rushed out of him in a low groan. His body stiffened, his hand clutching at his stomach.
In an instant, William's usual mischievous smile vanished. His eyes sharpened, and he rushed forward, slipping an arm firmly but carefully around Adrian's slim waist. "What's wrong?" His voice was low, urgent, nothing like the playful teasing from before.
Adrian winced, smacking at William's arm with his free hand. "Watch your hand…" His words came through gritted teeth, his pride intact even in pain. But another wave struck, sharper this time, and his legs weakened. He would have fallen if not for the strength that held him steady.
"Master!" Idowu came running, panic written all over his young face. With trembling fingers, he dug into his purse, pulling out a small packet of medicine. He hurriedly placed it into Adrian's hand.
Adrian swallowed the contents with a groan, but it did little to soothe the storm inside him. His body felt weak, strength bleeding from his limbs. His heart hammered painfully against his ribs, faster and faster, until the sound drowned everything else. His chest ached, his breaths turned shallow.
Not here… not now… he thought, despair curling in his mind. Out in the middle of nowhere, far from an inn or healer, he was helpless. Darkness crept at the edges of his vision, and few seconds after before he could resist, he passed out fully against William's chest- in the strong grips of a stranger.
--
Adrian opened his eyes slowly..he blinked a few times before he could get a clearer vision of where he was- confusion settling in as he took in the quiet room around him.
This… was not the road.
He looked around and could tell he was in an inn. He remembered passing out on the street but how is it that he is in a room right now.
He pushed himself up weakly, his body still heavy but no longer screaming with pain. His gaze swept the modest chamber— the polished wooden walls, a single lantern glowing dimly, the faint smell of herbs. It was unmistakably an inn room.
How…? The last he remembered was collapsing on the roadside, William's arm around him, Idowu's frightened voice. But now— he was safe, on a bed, his cloak folded neatly at his side.
His brows furrowed. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and rose slowly, though his steps were unsteady. He crossed to the door, hand pressed briefly against the wall for support, and opened it carefully.
He opened it slowly to see William and the kid sitting by a table which was full of several meals. The table itself was full— bowls of steaming broth, roasted meat, fresh bread, fruit piled high. A meal fit for a feast. William's hand froze halfway to a cup the moment his gaze landed on Adrian.
He groaned and held his head when he felt a pain.
" Master! " Idowu called with fright. He rushed to Adrian's side, relief flooding his young face. "You're awake!"
Adrian blinked at him, surprised. He hadn't even realized the boy had been standing so close to the door.
" I'm okay. " Adrian said to him though the weakness in his voice betrayed him.
Idowu supported him to the table and he sat in front of William looking down at the foods set on the table..his stomach making a little grumbling sound. William's eyes tracked every step. Adrian felt the weight of that gaze even before sitting down
" Are you okay? " William asked concerned, breaking the silence.
Adrian's eyes lifted slowly to meet his. Gone was the mocking grin, the mischievous tilt of his brow. Instead, William looked at him with something dangerously close to sincerity. Concern, even. The difference unsettled Adrian more than his teasing ever had. The man was not in his usual playful state.
Idowu, eager to explain, chimed in.
" Master...it was Young master William who helped in carrying you to this inn when you fainted earlier. If not for him, I- I don't know how I would have taken care of that situation." His eyes shifted to the table, a small smile forming.
" He ordered all these food for you and wouldn't start eating unless you are awake."
Adrian stilled- abashed. The thought of being carried— of being handled so helplessly by another man— gnawed at his pride. He hated how weak he had been, how fragile. His fists tightened in his lap, his head lowering.
Looking away from him, he said in a low voice almost grudgingly. " Thank You."
For a moment, silence. Then came the softest scoff, followed by a chuckle. William leaned back lazily, the corner of his lips lifting. "So the beauty does know how to say thank you."
Adrian's eyes snapped to his, bristling, but William only raised a hand in mock surrender. "Do not worry. I won't tease you— for now." He extended a hand toward the food. "Ja jeun— let us eat."
They ate in silent for some minutes, the sound of clinking dishes filling the air. But silence didn't mean peace. Not without William taking quick glances at Adrian. Every few moments, Adrian felt it— those eyes roaming, shameless and steady, like hands brushing over skin.
But he avoided making eyes contact with him and kept eating quietly.
But the longer it went on, the more restless he grew. The muscles in his jaw tensed, his grip on the spoon tightened. Heat crawled up his neck despite the coolness of the room.
Willam's eyes travelled round the man's body. He looked at him in an impertinent lewdly manner as he also swot his body. Although his body looks strong and healthy on the outside, he was actually a light and feeble man. When he carried him earlier..he was very light on his body and it was like he wasn't carrying a man. " He looks so healthy..how can he be this weak? " He thought.
Adrian could still feel willam's lustful and flirtatious lingering eyes fixed on his body. Finally, unable to take it any longer, Adrian cleared his throat sharply, the sound loud in the stillness. He turned his head and met William's gaze directly.
What he saw there made his pulse skip.
William's eyes weren't just mischievous— they burned, a mixture of amusement, curiosity, and something darker, more dangerous. He was not even pretending to hide it. His gaze was open, unashamed, lingering far too long.
Adrian's breath caught, his heart thudding traitorously against his ribs.
William smirked slowly, leaning forward ever so slightly. "Finally. I was wondering how long you'd avoid my eyes."