waking

Chapter 30 

Naomi had been practically glued to Shawn for the past few weeks. All the while, her phone was blowing up with calls from her family. She ignored every single one. When they tried to reach her using different numbers, she’d figure out who it was, hang up in a flash, and block the number. 

She had been updated on all the gossip about Rosalind and Freddy, though. The Sanders family’s business hit a bump in the road; for some strange reason, deals that had been set in stone just fell apart, and everyone blamed the Sanders family. 

They got slammed with huge fines for breaking contracts and had to say sorry in public, which basically drained their bank account. Then, as if on cue, Freddy and Rosalind started making headlines. Whether their mess was real or just some reality TV kind of drama, it went virad, trending on Twitter. Suddenly, everyone was giving Shawn’s parents, Damon Sanders and Lindsey Sanders, the side–eye. Shareholders started getting antsy. wondering if a playboy like Freddy really had what it took to run the business. They were throwing around ideas about finding someone new to take his place. 

Damon was steaming mad and went to give Freddy a piece of his mind, but he found his son in the hospital, fighting to stay alive. His anger turned into worry. Digging around, Damon learned that Freddy had played the hero for Rosalind, getting her to safety on the roadside, only to get tossed back into the woods. And Rosalind? She was the ultimate betrayer. 

While Freddy was stuck in the hospital, Rosalind was out and about with her latest fling, pretending to be the caring girlfriend. But the moment she thought no one was watching, she was all over the new guy, acting like Freddy didn’t even exist. If she really gave a damn, she’d be living in his hospital room. But nope, she left Freddy steaming while she was with another guy. 

When Damon heard about all this, he didn’t know if he should call Rosalind out. He thought it over and decided to be real about it. “Freddy, you’ve gotta bite the bullet here. The company’s tanking, and we need cash. Remember how Javier said he’d fork over a big sum for Rosalind’s dowry? You guys need to get hitched. like now, and use that dough to save the company” 

Freddy, who was clueless about the business problems until that moment, wanted every last detail. Once he got the lowdown, he looked like he’d swallowed something nasty 

“We don’t have any other options?” he asked. 

“Nope,” Damon said. Tm on my way to see Javier. You better smooth things over with Rosalind” As he stood up, he added. “And from now on, focus on the company, not just your girl 

“Got it, Dad. I’ll handle it. Freddy replied. 

Damon left just as fast as he’d shown up. Right on schedule, Naomi rolled Shawn in. 

Routine check–ups for Shawn were every five days, and Naomi was getting the hang of it–this was the third time this month she’d helped him through it. 

It was always the same deal: a hug here, a peck on the lips there, or sitting on his lap with her head on his chest. One time, Ocear even egged her on to touch Shawn’s abs. 

Naomi’s checks burned bright red, but Shawn would just shoot her that typical icy stare of his, like he was doing her a favor by letting her touch him. “Count your blessings,” his eyes seemed to say. 

She wasn’t sure what today’s check–up might bring–All she could do was hope that Oscar would stick to being professional for once. 

When they stepped into Oscar’s office, Shawn shifted from his wheelchair to the couch. 

“Ms. Edwards, good to see you again,” Oscar said, flashing Naomi a warm smile. “How’s Shawn been sleeping?” 

Naomi nodded. “He’s been doing okay,” she answered, despite not being totally sure. She did know one thing though–she was sleeping great, all curled up in his arms every night. 

Shawn cracked a small smile. It seemed having Naomi close had worked wonders for his sleep and even chilled out his usually hotheaded mood. 

Oscar caught Shawn’s smirk and got the hint. He scribbled something in his notes and said, “Ms. Edwards, today I’m going to need you to kiss Shawn’s abs 

Naomi’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. Oscar sounded so serious, but what he was asking was straight–up weird. Shawn seemed cool with it, but it wasn’t exactly the kind of thing you did with an audience. 

Oscar just kept on smiling, not seeing anything wrong with his weird request. 

Naomi glanced at Shawn, who looked completely unfazed, like getting kissed was just part of his day. 

“There’s a 

a problem?” Oscar asked. 

“No, no problem,” Naomi stammered, voice barely above a whisper. “Just, when I kiss him… do you have to watch?” 

Chapter 30 

“Why wouldn’t be here? I’m his doctor.” Oscar acted like it was the most natural thing in the world. 

Naomi closed her eyes and wished she could disappear. 

Then Shawn’s low voice broke the silence. “What’s the matter? Don’t wanna do it?” He stood up, a teasing glint in his eye. “Or is it too embarrassing for you!” 

Naomi’s eyes snapped open. “Td go to the ends of the earth for you, Mr. Fischer, but I don’t want to make a fool of you,” she retorted. 

Shawn let out a cold laugh, not buying it, though. 

With a bit of sass. Naomi stepped up. “Well, Mr. Fischer, are you taking off your shirt, or am 12” 

Wordlessly, Shawn shrugged off his jacket, let it drop to the couch, and started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing the washboard abs underneath. 

Naomi bit he 

ibit her lip and looked up at him. He gazed down at her, his eyes deep and unreadable, drawing her in 

Closing her eyes, she leaned in and kissed his abs, heart hammering. 

Shawn caught his breath and quickly pulled her up to him, a flash of something unusual in his normally calm eyes. 

Naomi stuttered. “M–Mr. Fischer?” 

He grabbed her head and kissed her without a second thought. Electricity seemed to buzz through him, leaving him aching for more.. 

Oscar just scribbled away as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. When Shawn finally let Naomi go, she was trying to catch her breath. 

“That’s it for the checkup. Shawn announced, his chest heaving yet his voice still calm. “About that issue with my grandma, you deal with it.” 

“No problem. But are you sure you’re not coming back!” Oscar didn’t even Took up from his notes 

Shawn paused before answering, “We’ll see Then he turned to Naomi and said, “We’re out.” 

“Yes, Mr. Fischer,” Naomi replied, pushing his wheelchair out, Her mind was reeling from what just happened–kissing a man’s abs, with someone watching, for the first time ever. She couldn’t believe il 

2/2 

鱼