Flashback: The Professor's Fever
It's strange.
"You're back?"
"Huh? W-were you waiting for me?"
"Yes. I made food, so eat up."
Ever since we'd shared a drink at that bar, Ga-eun had been acting a little off. She was definitely under hypnosis, but her demeanor had grown more attentive somehow. She'd set the table for me, wait for me to get home, stare at me all day sometimes, or even strike up conversations first. Well, it was nothing major. And it wasn't a bad thing anyway. The food was delicious, at least. Maybe she really is a cooking professor.
"Cough, cough!"
Ga-eun suddenly started hacking mid-bite. A few days ago, she'd gone drinking without a coat, and yesterday she'd insisted on jogging in the cold...
"What's wrong? Caught a cold?"
"Seems like it. Just a simple cold—no need to worry."
"Hospital..."
"What hospital for a cold? I have to head to work soon."
"You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. It's just a cold. I'll be back."
She bundled up and headed out. I grabbed the broom and started cleaning. I had to tidy up and make it to that Chinese place Dahyeon had recommended on time. It had been a while since we'd hung out.
"Geon-woo, you look good these days~? Nice clothes too."
"R-really?"
Dahyeon was already waiting at the Chinese restaurant, wearing that white lab coat she always had on, like every time I saw her.
"Yeah. You just seem so~ carefree and loaded."
She flashed a bright smile the moment I arrived, but for some reason, it felt like her mouth was smiling while her eyes weren't. Her smile's off... and her voice has an edge to it.
Whatever. It was probably nothing. Thankfully, it really was nothing. Dahyeon quietly ate her jjajangmyeon, I stuck to my noodles, we chatted about this and that, and parted ways.
"Geon-woo."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for the coffee."
"Haha, no big deal."
Thanks to Dahyeon, I'd gotten free nutrition pills, meat dinners when times were tough, fruit, and so much more. How long would it take to pay her back?
"This coffee's not even 10% of what you've done for me."
"You think so? I feel like I still owe you."
"What have I even done... haha."
"See you later. Let's hang out again sometime."
"Yeah, take care."
I headed home after saying goodbye to Dahyeon. Ga-eun's shoes were in the entryway. She rarely got off work this early—must've wrapped up ahead of schedule.
"Ga-eun?"
She was lying in bed. Her face was flushed, her breathing ragged. I touched her forehead—it was scorching.
"You're burning up. Did you go to the hospital?"
"No... I don't have the strength."
Of course she hadn't. She was too sick to even make it there.
"Got it. Thirsty, right? I'll get you some water."
Water first. I grabbed some from the fridge, propped up her back gently, and helped her drink.
"Lie back down."
"......"
I soaked a towel, wrung it out, and placed it on her forehead.
"You haven't eaten, have you? I'll make some porridge."
"Ah, that's..."
She started to say something but fidgeted like she wanted to get up, so I softly pressed her shoulders down and made her lie still.
"Don't strain yourself. Just rest. You need to get better soon."
I'd never made porridge before, so I followed a YouTube tutorial. Ga-eun lay there quietly, watching me cook.
She's making me self-conscious... turn your head or something.
"Ga-eun, here's your porridge."
"No appetite..."
"You have to eat something to regain your strength. Come on."
"I'm fine..."
"You need to eat."
In the end, I scooped up a spoonful and held it to her lips. She finally parted them and took it.
"Why... are you doing all this for me?"
"Out of the blue?"
"Just curious..."
"Because I'm your husband."
Ga-eun stared blankly into my eyes. What? Even if it's a fake relationship from hypnosis, the basics are the basics. No matter what anyone said or how it happened, I'd controlled her, made her my wife. So if my wife was sick, I had to nurse her tenderly and help her recover. That was it.
"Your wife's sick. Just doing the basics as a husband."
"My head hurts."
I'd been fine heading into work that morning, but after lunch, my condition started slipping. Soon my head throbbed, and a fever set in.
"Haa... haa..."
I slumped over my desk, breathing heavily. My whole body shivered with chills; I could barely move a finger.
"......"
Then I spotted his jacket draped over the sofa—the one he'd given to Yoon Ayoung that I'd practically snatched.
I forced my body to move, layering it over my thick clothes.
Good thing I have no more classes today...
I told the department head and headed home early. No energy for the hospital, so I grabbed some flu meds from a pharmacy. He wasn't home. The place felt eerily empty without just one person.
No strength to shower—I crawled into bed and pulled up the covers.
"Ugh..."
Being sick alone, with no one to care for you, was miserable. That's why I'd pushed myself with exercise... but here I was anyway.
"Mmm..."
My throat was parched. The water bottle was in the fridge. To get it, I'd have to drag my heavy, aching body out of bed. What would've been simple normally felt impossible now.
If only he were here right now...
Beep-beep. Ding.
Right then, like a miracle, the door lock chimed, and he walked in.
"Ga-eun? You're home early? I cleaned up—how's it look?"
I was too feverish to even answer.
"Ga-eun?"
He came into the room, saw me lying there, and rushed over in shock.
"What's wrong? You sick?"
"Flu... I think."
He touched my forehead, then pulled back.
"You're burning up. Did you go to the hospital?"
"No... no strength for that."
"Got it. Thirsty, right? I'll get water."
He dashed off and brought it back. Perfect timing, like he'd read my mind. He helped me drink, then placed a cool wet towel on my forehead.
"Better?"
"......"
"No answer, huh."
He's different. Not like that bastard who knocked me up and ditched me. This tender care and consideration... it was all new to me.
Was my face burning from the fever... or something else?
"You haven't eaten, right? I'll make porridge."
"Ah, no need for..."
I didn't need him going that far... but as I tried to sit up, he gently pressed my shoulders and laid me back down.
"Don't strain yourself. Just rest. You need to recover quick."
Was it the fever, or did his words carry some irresistible pull? I didn't know. I just lay there, watching him make the porridge. He looked it up on YouTube—first time, probably. Back then, I would've called him trash for it. But after watching him these past few days, he was anything but.
Maybe he'd used his power on Euna out of frustration because I'd been so awful to her.
"Ga-eun, time for porridge."
"No appetite..."
It was true—the fever had killed it.
"You have to eat to get your strength back. Here."
"I'm fine..."
"You need to eat."
He insisted, so I gave in and ate. One spoonful, two... the bowl was nearly empty.
"Why... are you doing all this for me?"
That power of his... he could've used it for anything dark and twisted. But he didn't. He'd controlled me with it, sure, but he'd played his role even better than that. I still couldn't figure out his motives.
"Because I'm your husband."
He tossed out "husband" so casually. What... that's it? But based on everything I'd observed, it rang true. All he wanted was for me to treat Euna right. Nursing me like this? Just because he was my husband.
Thump, thump, thump.
My heart pounded wildly. Something welled up inside my chest.
"Your wife's sick. Just doing the basics as a husband."
No more doubts. I didn't even want any. If this was an act, fine—I'd fall for it. If he wanted my heart, he'd have it. After all this, how could I not?
"You finished it all. I'll do the dishes."
He gathered the bowl and spoon to head to the kitchen.
No. Don't go. Stay. Be by my side. Talk to me. Look at me.
I grabbed his wrist as he started to stand.
"Don't gooo..."
"Huh?"
"Don't go... stay with me."
His skin and warmth transmitted through my grip on his wrist. My heart raced harder than during workouts.
"Okay."
He set the empty bowl aside and sat back down.
"Um... can you hold me?"
"Cold? Want me to turn up the heat?"
No. Not the heater. I want your warmth. Just hold me in your arms.
"Not the heater... hold me. Lie down next to me."
"Got it."
He lay beside me and pulled me close. Our body heat mingled at breath's distance. But something felt off—he was barely embracing me, arms loose around me, probably wary of my huge breasts.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
We spoke at the same time and paused.
"You first, Ga-eun."
"Hold me tighter."
"Huh? But..."
I knew why. Consideration for my illness, my past wounds. But that just made me want him to hold me even closer.
Squeeze...!
I put force into my arms, pulling him in.
"Mm..."
Like a girl, I melted into his embrace, savoring the bliss. His arms are so warm... I love it... I should've done this sooner. If I'd known how good it felt, I'd have been honest from the start.
"What were you gonna say?"
"Let's go to the hospital tomorrow together."
"No need."
"Huh? Why?"
Because... you're my hospital.
"Ga-eun. You need to go."
"Mmm, nooo~"
A woman over thirty, whining in his arms.
"Haa... fine. But promise to rest properly, no overdoing it."
"Okay. But why do you keep trying to turn away?"
He'd been subtly twisting his body away since earlier. Why?
"If you hold me this tight..."
Poke♥
"Ah...?"
"Ahem."
As I pressed closer, something hard and huge pressed against my lower belly.
"That's just... physiological. Ga-eun, you're beautiful, honestly."
"......"
I'm beautiful. Joy surged through me.
"B-but I don't want to! Absolutely not! Don't get the wrong idea!"
The joy lasted all of three seconds.
"Huh?"
What did he mean? He didn't want to... with me?
I was shocked, but thinking it over, it made sense. He was Euna's "uncle," and I'd been the epitome of unlikeable to both of them.
"You're sick right now, Ga-eun. And more than that... can I say this? After what happened before... I figured you might hate it."
So he'd been holding back his natural reaction? Don't. I'm your wife.
"Haa... haa...♥"
"Sorry. Just sleep for—mmph?"
I couldn't hold back my boiling emotions anymore. I sealed his lips with mine.
"G-Ga-eun—mmph?!"
Smack...♥
Our lips crashed together instinctively. My experience was just once, and kissing was new to me—clumsy, but my surging feelings and body took over. It didn't stop at a kiss. I pushed up, straddling him, gazing down at his flustered face with eyes full of love.
Aah... so good♥
"This isn't happening! Ga-eun, you're sick! Get off quick!"
He shouted desperately. Even now, worrying about me♥ So cool, so cute♥ Rock hard from just a kiss, yet holding back♥
"My lord...♥"
The "my lord" slipped out naturally. I loved him so much. It felt so good. My hands moved on instinct, yanking up his shirt to bare my jiggling breasts. My G-cup tits I'd once hated for their pointless size, even considered reducing. But my lord couldn't tear his eyes away.
Thank goodness he likes them♥ Best decision not to get surgery♥
I grabbed his wrist, guiding his hand to my breast. Then I whispered,
"I love you♥"