"What's wrong? Are you still cold?" Rose asked in a worried tone.
When Dylan didn't answer, she held his forehead to check his temperature. He was about to get a fever.
"Dylan? ...Dylan!" she called, shaking his shoulder.
His head slightly moved.
"You're shivering. Do you want to wear extra clothes?" she asked.
"I can't feel my hands." he complained in a shaky voice.
She looked at him for a moment. "What more if winter arrives?" she murmured.
"I'm cold, Rose." he whimpered.
She could really see that he was uncomfortable with the cold. She grabbed the comforter on her bed and covered him with it. "Now what?" she mumbled, thinking that she just lost her blanket.
As she was looking at his shaking hands clutching onto each other, she let out a sigh. "Okay, move a little"
"Can't move" he said, freezing.
She pushed him gently. Then, she lay down on the bed beside him. She inserted her left arm under his neck, then she carefully moved his head to her shoulder. With her free hand, she pulled the two comforters and tucked him up.
He was aware of what she was doing. His chills subsided when he felt her warm body. Blissed out, he buried his face deeper between her neck and upper chest. Then, he wrapped his arm around her small waist and curled up.
Meanwhile, she was wondering why she didn't request for a heater instead, but since he seemed to be comfortable, she let him be.
☆•••••○○●○○•••••☆
In the morning, Dylan woke up under his blanket. After he cleared up his fuzzy mind, he realized he was alone in bed. He pulled the blanket off him and pushed his body up. "Rose?"
"I'm here." she answered. She was on a chair near the mirror.
"Did I bother you too much last night?" he asked sheepishly.
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"You know... When you joined me in my bed." he specified.
"That didn't happen. You were just dreaming." she replied.
He knew she was lying. "I know you did that against your will. I'm sorry."
"Forget it. I already requested a heater for you. They'll be here any minute to install it." she told him.
"Okay... thanks" he replied, but he really did not like it. He preferred sleeping with her instead.
"What do you want to do today?" she asked.
"I know there's an old castle here in Norwich. Wanna check it out?" he suggested.
"Hell yeah!" she agreed in a thrilled voice.
He chuckled. "All right, let's have a quick breakfast before we go there."
After eating at the hotel's restaurant, they headed on their way to Norman Norwich Castle. When they arrived at the place, Rose couldn't believe her eyes. It was her first time to see a real castle.
"Wow! This castle is really huge... The people who built this place were madly amazing. Just look at the incredible details on walls, floor and ceiling... Dang" she said, looking around. "I think I will need your modelling skills here."
Dylan chuckled. "Sure thing"
She began to place him in every good spot she could find. He went along with her willingly and did her every request.
"Okay, we're done." she said when she felt satisfied with her shots.
"What are you going to do with those pictures?" he asked in a curious tone.
"I'll put them in a photo album. Then, I'll give it to you as a gift once our contract ended." she answered without looking. "So you can see all the good memories you had when you were in the dark." she continued.
After he heard that, he realized that all his good memories started when he met her. She gave light to his lonely and empty world. "Hey, let's take a picture together."
She looked at him. "Why?" she asked, feeling confused and a bit suspicious.
"We've been together for quite a long time, but we don't have yet a single picture together... Come on, let's do it. Then, include it in the photo album." he insisted.
She rolled her eyes. "All right, seat here" She guided him to a long wooden pew. Then, she placed her camera on the flat railing in front of them and set its timer. When the time began to count down, she ran back and sat beside him. "Smile"
He put his arm on her shoulders and pulled her close.
When she saw their picture, he was smiling while she was awkwardly looking at him because of what he did.
"How is it?" he asked.
"It's fine. It looks like you're with your little brother." she answered.
He chuckled.
"Where do you want to go next?" she asked.
"I'll let you decide this time." he answered.
"Mmm... I saw a river on our way here. Can we go there?" she asked.
"Sure" he agreed.
At the river Wensum, they spent the rest of the morning. There, Rose spoiled herself with the beauty of the place. She took a lot of pictures as she was savoring the presence of nature.
At noon, they had their lunch at a nearby restaurant. Rose enjoyed her roasted chicken with mashed potato and salad. After eating, they went for a walk.
"Rose?" Dylan called. "When we return to New York, there's something very important I want to do. Will you help me?"
"Sure, if I can, why not?" she answered. "What is it?"
"I want to meet the woman who lost her child because of me." he said heavily.
She looked at him. "Are you sure? ...I mean, what if... she doesn't want to..." She hesitated to continue what she was saying.
"I still want to try. I want to apologize to her personally. I know paying her a large amount of money won't take away the pain she had from her loss." he told her.
"Okay, I'll help you." she agreed.
He smiled.
Before dark, they went back to the hotel. Rose made sure they wouldn't catch the night outside because Dylan could not stand the cold during evening. After he took a quick shower, she gave him a hot drink.
"Are you still cold?" she asked.
"Not much" he answered.
"Guess the heater is working then" she replied.
"Would you like to see London?" he asked all of a sudden.
She looked at him. "That's quite far from here."
"Yes or no?" he asked again.
"Yeah, I do, but..." She was cut off while talking when he spoke again.
"Done. We'll go there tomorrow." he said firmly. "Oh, and bring your violin." he added.
She was confused, but she didn't argue anymore.
☆•••••○○●○○•••••☆
The next day, after they had their breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Walton, Rose and Dylan began their trip to London. They went to Norwich Train Station and waited for their ride.
While they were on a bench, Rose spotted something. "Hey, Dylan. Can I leave you for a few minutes? I'll just take a photo of the station."
"Sure" he agreed.
She got up and went back inside the station. She photographed the ceiling, the people passing by, the platforms and the booths.
When she returned to the waiting area, she saw Dylan talking to a young woman. She hid behind a tall planter and watched them. He was smiling as he was speaking to her, but their conversation didn't take long. After a few minutes, the woman left.
Rose approached him. "So?"
When Dylan heard her voice, he turned his head to her. "What do you mean 'so'?"
"I saw you talking to a pretty woman. How did it go?" she asked.
"She just asked me for direction. Too bad I couldn't help her." he answered.
"Really? That's it? You didn't ask her name or her phone number?" she probed.
"I'm not interested in her, and I'm pretty sure she won't be interested in me either." he answered apathetically.
"Pfft! You just missed your chance. She's really pretty." she said, looking at her photos.
"I'm not attracted to beauty anymore." he replied.
"You're just saying that now because you cannot see yet. Wait until your eyes returned to normal." she said.
"No, I'm sure of it. When I lost my sight, a lot of me has changed." he insisted.
Before Rose could respond, the train arrived. "Oh, our ride is here. Come on." She grabbed his hand and guided him to the train.
There were many commuters inside, but they were lucky to find seats for them.
"Psst! Dylan" Rose called in a low voice, covering her face with her violin case.
"What?" he asked.
"There's a pretty girl looking at you." she told him. "Wave your hand"
"No" he refused.
"Why not? She's still looking at you... Oh wait, she's moving her legs. I think she's trying to get your attention." she told him.
Dylan lifted his arm and put it on her shoulders.
"Hey" she reacted.
"I don't want any attention from other girls aside from you, so quit it." he said firmly.
Rose looked back at the girl. She was no longer looking at him. "Tsk! You just lost your second chance."
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To be continued....
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