The next moment, Shelly opened her bedroom door and stepped inside to check on Denial. Hearing the faint creak of the door, Denial quickly shut his eyes again, pretending to be unconscious.
Shelly's heart tightened as she saw him still lying there, unmoving. Worry clouded her face. She placed her palm on his forehead to check if he was alright, then leaned closer and called out softly,
> "Denial… please wake up. I'm really worried. Dad's worried too. What happened to you all of a sudden?"
But Denial didn't respond. He continued his act of being senseless.
Taking a deep breath, Shelly hesitated for a moment, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. Then she slowly began unbuttoning his shirt. She walked into the bathroom, soaked a piece of cloth under the running tap, and returned. Gently, she wiped his face… his neck… his chest… all the way down to his abdomen.
As her fingers brushed across his skin, her eyes couldn't help but wander.
> Uff… those abs… no wonder he had been in so many relationships over the years.
Her mind slipped further into forbidden thoughts until she suddenly snapped back to reality.
> Wait! What am I thinking? He's just my friend… and to him, I'm just a friend too.
Unaware of her thoughts, Denial kept lying still, listening, his lips threatening to curl into a smile but never moving.
Once she was done, Shelly buttoned his shirt again and went to change her clothes in the bathroom. Before leaving the room, she brushed her hand over his hair and cheek, then closed the door quietly, heading to the hall to sleep.
---
The next morning, Shelly woke early and went to check on Denial. He was still asleep. She tried to wake him, shaking him lightly, but he didn't budge. Her worry spiked.
"Dad!" she called loudly.
Just then, Denial sat up on the bed and grabbed her hand.
"I'm awake," he said.
Shelly ran to him and hugged him tightly.
"I was so scared… I thought you—"
"I'm fine now," he assured her.
Pulling back, she asked, "What did Dad give you last night?"
"Water," Denial replied simply.
Something clicked in her mind. Water? She instantly understood.
Before she could say more, Mr. Herlen entered the room, slightly startled at the sight of Shelly holding onto Denial. He cleared his throat deliberately. Both Shelly and Denial quickly straightened up.
"You're feeling better now, right?" Mr. Herlen asked.
"Yes, much better," Denial nodded.
"Good. Then rest here today. Don't leave until you're completely recovered."
But Denial shook his head. "I have urgent work at the office. I need to go."
Mr. Herlen sighed. "Fine. But at least have breakfast before you leave."
Before Denial could answer, Shelly spoke up, "Dad, I'll be late for work! I have to submit an important file to my manager. You know how strict he is."
She quickly packed her bag, motioning Denial to follow her. Both stepped out of the house together.
At the gate, when Shelly turned to leave, Denial stopped her.
"Get in my car. I'll drop you off quickly."
Shelly hesitated. "My office is far. If you drop me, you'll be late for your own work."
"Just tell me the address," he insisted.
Shelly pulled up the location on her phone. Denial glanced at it and smirked.
"Oh… this is my office address."
Shelly frowned slightly, looking at him with suspicion.
He chuckled. "Relax. My office is right next to your building."
"Fine then. Drop me off. At least I'll save today's taxi fare," she muttered.
"Then I'll drop you every day," he said teasingly. "That way, you'll save even more."
"Stop! You don't have to do me so many favors," she replied, rolling her eyes.
Denial's expression softened. "You're my closest friend. Helping you makes me happy."
"I don't need help," Shelly said firmly.
But Denial's voice grew more earnest. "Shelly… you brought color back into my black-and-white life. You gave me the business idea that rebuilt me. Even if I thank you, it'll never be enough."
She smiled faintly. "Friends help each other. You, Kiki, Lucy — you're all my friends. I just guided you. You walked your own path and now you're among the best designers in the country… even if people still don't see you for who you are."
As they drove, Denial suddenly asked, "Shelly… are we really just friends?"
"Yes," she replied without hesitation. "You, Kiki, and Lucy are my best friends."
He was about to bring up last night, but Shelly quickly cut him off, flustered.
"Oh, so you were awake last night?!"
Denial smoothly changed the subject. "Your office… I think it's here. Alright, I'll pick you up after work."
But once again, Shelly shook her head and rejected him.
---
Continue....