Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl



"Are you really just going to forget about it because you think you're not good enough for me?"

Blake tried hard to keep his cool. "Rosalie, do you realize how much I care about you?"

Rosalie didn't want to keep discussing this. Her mind was a mess, and she didn't know what to say. "Alright, let's stop talking about this."

Rosalie looked like she wanted to run away. Blake sighed, feeling defeated. "Fine, I won't push you until you're ready to talk. Just think about it, okay?"

Rosalie nodded, feeling strangely guilty seeing Blake so disappointed. She knew she'd only make things worse by saying more.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

They ended their conversation on an awkward note. Blake wasn't ignoring her, but he seemed down. So, Rosalie didn't try to chat with him either.

Back in her room, her throat hurt. She also felt dizzy and queasy. She lay down to rest but ended up falling asleep right away.

In her dream, she felt a huge fire burning in her chest. It was unbearable. She tried to put out the fire by looking for water, but none was found.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her close. "Don't be scared."

Rosalie shook her head and tried to pull away, but the grip was firm and she was too weak to break free. She woke up from the dream and found Blake sitting by her bed, holding her still. "Blake..." She tried to speak, but her throat was so sore that she could barely make a sound.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're positive. Just rest and don't worry about anything else," Blake said, dabbing her forehead with a tissue.

Rosalie looked at him anxiously, upset by his careless attitude.

"It's fine, don't worry about me," he reassured her. "I don't mind if I get sick from looking after you."

Rosalie's voice was raspy as she insisted, "I... I don't want you here. Please go. Don't risk getting sick..."

But Blake was determined to stay. "What does it matter if I look after you? I'm not worried about catching anything. What are you worried about?"

Rosalie got upset and pushed him away. "Do you think this is a joke, getting infected?"

Blake was angry but knew he couldn't argue with her in her condition. Yet, he couldn't just leave her alone. He softened his voice, "I know you're worried about me, but we're both sick now. If I don't take care of us, who will? Don't worry. I'll be careful. I've always been strong. Even if I get sick, I'll be okay."

Tears rolled down Rosalie's cheeks. She appreciated what Blake was doing but couldn't accept his selflessness.

Finally, she whispered, "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me," Blake said as he hugged her again and stroked her hair. "If you really want to thank me, marry me."

His words stunned Rosalie.

"Okay, you're not well. I'll stop teasing," he added, resting his chin on her hair. "I just hope you get better soon."