The following day, Richard woke up early. He immediately checked on Maine. She's still asleep soundly. When he touched Maine's forehead, he felt that she's still a little bit hot. So he decided to get prepare some breakfast so he can feed her.
He went to the kitchen and cooked some breakfast and reheat the soup that his mother prepared. After an hour of cooking, he brought the tray of food to Maine's room. When he entered, he saw that Maine was getting off to bed.
"Hey, where are you going?" Richard asked with a concerned voice.
The look on Maine's face was a look of a five year old getting caught while eating chocolate before dinner. She immediately sit on her bed. "I—I'm going to get some water." She finished lamely.
"There's water beside your bed." He said pointedly. "Nicomaine, what are you up to?"
"Okay, I'm planning to take a bath and prepare for work." Maine said.
"Hah! You're not well enough to even stand. Let alone go to work." Richard chided.
"But, I'm feeling better now."
"I think I will be the judge of that. And mind you, you're supposed to rest for 1 week."
"What?!? No, that can't be."
"Well, you don't have any choice. My uncle told me to make sure that you rest for the week."
"Oh really. You're now using your influence."
"If it means that you will get well. I am more than gladly to do so." Richard said with a smile. "Now, just go back to that bed and eat some breakfast. I have prepared this myself."
Richard then placed the food tray on the bed and started to give Maine some water first.
Maine looked at the food that Richard prepared and said, "This is quite a lot. I can't eat all of these you know."
"I know. Who said that you will eat all of these? This is for the both of us. I'm quite hungry as well."
"Oh. Okay." Maine said. "Wait, where did you get these foods? I don't have any supplies here." She asked looking puzzled.
"Yeah I know. I asked my mom to send me some groceries last night."
"What?!? That's so embarrassing." Maine was now covering her face as it reddens.
"Hey, it's alright. My mom was more than willing to send some food. You know, my mom is somehow a hoarder. When she goes to the grocery."
"Let me pay for those. How much was it." Maine said as she reach for the side table to get her bag.
Richard immediately held her hand and stopped her from reaching out for her wallet. "You don't have to do that. That's alright. I'll take care of it."
"You've done so much for me already. Why are you doing this?"
"Because I want to, and I can. My mom even told me that this is the best opportunity for me to show you how important you are to me." He said staring directly at her.
Maine was so conscious with the way Richard is looking at her. She was also staring at him and seems like she can't take her eyes off him.
Richard then said, "Now, let's eat these. You still need to drink your meds again and get some rest."
"Okay." Maine said as she lets out her breath.
Richard again was feeding her some bread and she just let him do it. After breakfast, she tried to stand up as she wanted to go to the bathroom. Upon seeing her action, Richard immediately put the tray down and assisted her to stand up and walk towards the bathroom. "Do you want me to get you anything?"
"Nope. I will just take a shower and change my clothes." She said meekly.
"Okay." I will just clear this one and go back here. I will check on you afterwards. You still need to take a lot of rest."
"Yes, Doctor." She said with a smile.
For the next four days, Richard never left Maine's side as she recovers from the viral infection she caught. On the fifth day, Richard already ran out clean clothes to wear. So early that morning, he called his mother to ask if it's alright if she can send her clean clothes.
"Hi Mom. Good Morning!" Richard said.
"Good Morning Richard. How's Maine?"
"She's getting better. But still she becomes tired easily. She still needs to rest."
"Oh, that's good news. At least she's getting better."
"Yes, she is. Well, I called to ask for another favor."
"Okay. What is it?"
Will it be possible if you can again send me clean clothes?"
Before his mom can respond, Richard heard his father's voice on the other line. "Honey, Is that your son you're talking to?"
"Yes." His mom answered.
"Can you tell him if he can drop by here. I just need to discuss to him something."
"You know that she can't leave Maine."
"I know. Why don't you go there and watch over Maine first. So he can come here?"
"That's a good idea. I will tell your son." His mother then again spoke to Richard. "Richard darling, your father wanted to talk to you. He said he wanted to discuss something with you."
"Mom, you know I can't leave Maine at the moment." Richard reasoned.
"I know. So what I will do is, I will go there and take care of Maine until you return."
"But..." Richard was thinking of a way out but his mother was adamant. "So, I'll see you in an hour or so. Bye."
Before Richard can speak, his mother already hang up. Now, he needs to find a way to tell this to Maine. He knows that Maine will feel embarrass with the set up.
Maine walked to the kitchen as Richard was plating the breakfast he prepared. "Good Morning!" she said with a huge smile.
"Good Morning! Why are you out of your bed?" Richard ask worriedly.
"Hey! I'm better now. My personal doctor/nurse is the best." She said with a sweet smile.
"Really? Well, you should introduce me to that doctor/nurse so I can thank him personally." He bantered. "So, want some breakfast?"
"Yes! Wow, bacon and pancakes." Maine said with a smile. She then settled on the dining table and they started eating.
"Uhhmmm, Maine...." He started.
"Yes?" Maine answered while she was busy putting honey on her pancakes.
"Uhm, I need to see my father for an hour or so. So I need to leave for that time." Richard began.
"Hey, it's alright. I'm quite good already. Actually, you can go home already. I know I have bothered you for 4 days already. So it's alright."
"You're not a bother for me. I did all these coz I want to. And I will not leave until someone will be here to accompany you. I know you, once I leave you will either go to the hospital and start working or do some house chores." He pointed out.
"Hahahaha... How did you know that?" she said with a laugh.
"Coz I know you. Well, I won't allow you to leave this house until next week. So, because I will leave you, my mom will be here to accompany you."
"What!!!!" she almost shouted. "What do you mean your mom will be here?"
"Well, actually she left me with no choice. I called her early this morning to ask for some clean clothes be brought here when my father told her that I he needs to talk to me. So she said that she will come here to accompany you while I meet with my father." He explained lengthily.
"You could have said, that I'm already okay. Richard, that's your mom. I feel embarrassed already knowing that you have been taking care of me for the past few days. Let alone you're mother joining the frame." Maine is now in panic.
"Hey," Richard reached for Maine's hand to calm her down. "It's just my mother. She likes you so much. If not for my requests, she would have been here since the other day. She even wanted me to bring you home so that she can also take care of you."
"I don't have any choice on this matter, do I?" she asked with a smile.
As Richard saw Maine's smile, he let out a sigh "Hehehe.... None."