Chapter 6 – A Cold, A Surprise, and Care
The morning after the Christmas show, Clara woke to a pounding headache and a shivering body. Her throat felt raw, her nose congested, and sneezes came one after another. She groaned, buried under her blankets.
"Clara! You're burning up!" Sara exclaimed, fussing as she checked her forehead. "Looks like the holiday fun caught up with you. Don't worry, I'll get you some medicine and make you something warm."
Clara groaned again, too weak to protest, while Sara bundled up and headed to the town mall. She wove through the crowd, selecting medicine and ingredients for a comforting soup.
Meanwhile, Ethan was at the same mall, helping his little sister pick out a warm coat. He adjusted the scarf around her neck, smiling softly at her excitement. Just as he turned down another aisle, he bumped into Sara, who was struggling with a small bag of medications.
"Oh, excuse me," Ethan said politely, stepping back.
"No worries," Sara replied, adjusting the bag.
Ethan's eyes fell on the items she was holding. "Who's this for? Are you okay?" he asked, noticing her slightly worried expression.
Sara chuckled, brushing it off. "I'm fine. This isn't for me."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Then… who?"
"For Clara," Sara said casually. "She caught a fever last night and won't stop sneezing."
Ethan's jaw tightened slightly, though he kept his expression calm. "I knew this would happen. She didn't wear a coat yesterday, and it was freezing…" he murmured.
Sara tilted her head. "Did you say something?"
Ethan quickly smiled. "Umm… no. I was just… never mind. I should get going — my sister's waiting. Send her my greetings, and I hope she feels better soon."
Sara blinked, a bit shocked. *Weird man… not even concerned properly. No wonder Clara hates him… men are strange.* She shook her head and continued her shopping.
Hours later, Sara returned home, prepared the medicine, and gently helped Clara take it. But her fever persisted, and her sneezing continued.
"You need to rest," Sara said firmly. "You'll feel better soon if you just sleep."
A few hours passed in quiet. Then, a knock at the door startled them. Sara got up and opened it to find **Ethan** standing there, coat buttoned up, his usual calm expression in place.
"Oh… it's you, Ethan. Come in! What a surprise. What brings you here at this hour?" Sara asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing much," Ethan replied casually. "How's Clara?"
Sara blinked, slightly confused. "Sorry?"
"How is she? Any improvement? Is she feeling better?" he asked, his voice steady but eyes slightly softened.
"Oh… that. Well… she's taken some medicine, but it doesn't seem to be working yet," Sara admitted.
Ethan nodded knowingly. "I figured that would happen."
Sara frowned. "I… don't understand. What do you mean?"
Ethan smiled faintly. "Let me explain. This usually happens to Clara during the holidays — she never likes to wear a coat at night, especially in cold seasons. Back in college, whenever she caught a cold or fever, I'd make a special soup for her. It always helped within hours. Trust me, it works. Just give it to her, and tell me how she is afterward. I'll take my leave now."
Sara blinked, surprised but grateful. "Oh… okay. Thank you. I'll give it to her now."
She entered the bedroom quietly and handed Clara the warm soup. Clara sniffed it, eyes wide.
"Sara?" she murmured softly.
"Yes, it's me," Sara replied, smiling.
Clara lifted the spoon to her lips. "Where… where did you get this soup from?"
Sara grinned. "Oh, this? Ethan brought it."
"What!?" Clara gasped, sitting up slightly.
"Yes. Ethan brought it. I ran into him at the mall while getting your medicine, and he insisted I give it to you," Sara explained, laughing softly.
Clara's cheeks warmed at the revelation. She sipped the soup carefully, and gradually, the warmth spread through her body. Within an hour, she felt significantly better, her fever starting to break.
Later that evening, Sara called Ethan to thank him. "It worked! The soup helped, and Clara is sleeping soundly now. You were right."
Ethan's relief was subtle but unmistakable. "Oh… no problem. I'm glad she's feeling better."
Clara, half-asleep, murmured in the next room, *I… didn't know… he cared like this…* and for the first time in a while, her thoughts of him softened, just a little, as sleep finally claimed her.