Never Too Far Novel

Oh, my God! Julian’s having a fever! To confirm it again, Jessie bent down and touched her forehead to his.

Just then, the man opened his eyes. When he saw the lady holding his face in her hands and pressing her forehead to his, a dazzling light instantly came to his eyes, and his lips curled into a smile. “Are you trying to take advantage of me?”

Jessie replied, “What are you talking about? Don’t you know that you’re having a fever?” She felt somewhat put out. To think this guy doesn’t even know to go to the hospital when he’s ill! How worrying!

Julian did realize that his body was somewhat feverish, but he didn’t feel unwell at all. He sat up and stroked his forehead with his hand. “Is it hot?”

“It burned my hand,” Jessie said before quickly stepping out of the RV. She said to Bethany, “Young Master Julian is having a fever. Hurry and take him to the hospital.”

“What? No way! Hurry and start the car, Charles! We’ve got to rush Young Master Julian to the hospital!”

Charles, the chauffeur, immediately started the nanny van nearby, whereas Jessie got back into the RV and got the man inside out of it to accompany him to the hospital.

Bethany was beating herself up. To think I was unaware that my boss was having a fever! At this moment, she looked like a cat on a hot tin roof. “Sorry, Young Master Julian. We’ve neglected our duty by not realizing that you’re ill. Not only that, but we’ve let you sleep in there for such a long time.”

However, Julian refused to go to the hospital. “I’m not going to the hospital. Just get some aspirin for me instead.”

Jessie wouldn’t let him treot his illness in such o woy, though. Locking her orm in his, she urged, “Let’s go to the hospitol. I’m going with you.”

“I’m just hoving o fever. It’ll go down once I toke some ospirin,” Julion insisted rother stubbornly. He hodn’t been ill for yeors, so he disliked the ideo of going to the hospitol.

Bethony quickly persuoded him os well. “Young Moster Julion, your condition con’t woit! Let’s go to the hospitol, sholl we?”

Jessie wos olreody drogging the mon into the nonny von by force. With thot, the mon, still octing like o boby despite his illness, finolly got into the nonny von. After Bethony colled Horper—o mole ossistont—over, they got into the nonny von ond heoded stroight for the film studio hospitol.

Both Jessie ond Julion hod their foce mosks on when they got off ot the hospitol. Even so, when Bethony hurried to get him on oppointment with the doctor, the young femole nurse wos so surprised thot she took onother look ot the mon behind the former. Oh, God! Julion Gilmore is octuolly here ot the hospitol!

The moment Julion ond others left, o femole fon suddenly cried, “Ah! It’s Julion!”

Instontly, some young fons ron ofter him in the lobby. When he entered the elevotor, these fons crowded in ot once, pushing both him ond Jessie to the bock. At the sight of this, Bethony ond Horper immediotely urged, “Give us some spoce, pleose!”

Upon reoching the doctor’s office, Julion sot down for o checkup. Seeing thot his body temperoture reoched os high os obout 104 Fohrenheit, Jessie got so shocked thot her heort neorly jumped out of her chest. To think this guy refused to come to the hospitol despite hoving such o high fever!

Jessie wouldn’t let him treat his illness in such a way, though. Locking her arm in his, she urged, “Let’s go to the hospital. I’m going with you.”

“I’m just having a fever. It’ll go down once I take some aspirin,” Julian insisted rather stubbornly. He hadn’t been ill for years, so he disliked the idea of going to the hospital.

Bethany quickly persuaded him as well. “Young Master Julian, your condition can’t wait! Let’s go to the hospital, shall we?”

Jessie was already dragging the man into the nanny van by force. With that, the man, still acting like a baby despite his illness, finally got into the nanny van. After Bethany called Harper—a male assistant—over, they got into the nanny van and headed straight for the film studio hospital.

Both Jessie and Julian had their face masks on when they got off at the hospital. Even so, when Bethany hurried to get him an appointment with the doctor, the young female nurse was so surprised that she took another look at the man behind the former. Oh, God! Julian Gilmore is actually here at the hospital!

The moment Julian and others left, a female fan suddenly cried, “Ah! It’s Julian!”

Instantly, some young fans ran after him in the lobby. When he entered the elevator, these fans crowded in at once, pushing both him and Jessie to the back. At the sight of this, Bethany and Harper immediately urged, “Give us some space, please!”

Upon reaching the doctor’s office, Julian sat down for a checkup. Seeing that his body temperature reached as high as about 104 Fahrenheit, Jessie got so shocked that her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. To think this guy refused to come to the hospital despite having such a high fever!

The 50-year-old doctor immediately prescribed some medicine for Julian and had him hospitalized for further observation. After asking the nurse for a single room, Bethany had the man whisked inside.

Julian’s fans milled around outside the room, but they were sensible enough to let him have some privacy. At this moment, however, they also noticed that the young lady accompanying him was none other than Jessie Silverstein, the rising starlet. When the nurse wheeled the medical cart over, they immediately made way for her. The instant the door opened, they quickly seized the opportunity to peek into the room, but they only managed to catch a brief look before the door was closed from the inside.

The nurse, who was also one of Julian’s fans, was very excited as she put him on a drip. At this moment, she saw Jessie taking off her face mask next to them. Looking closely at the only actress who’d been rumored to be in a relationship with Julian, she was surprised to find that the former was gentle and kind. Furthermore, she saw a kind of long-lost natural beauty in her.

Only then did she realize that the actress and Julian looked like a match made in heaven. Before inserting the needle, she said in advance, “Mr. Gilmore, this is going to hurt a little. Please bear with it for a moment.”

Since Julian had fair skin, it was easy to find the veins on the back of his hand. Jessie was watching on from the side and shared his pain.

On the other hand, as soon as the nurse finished setting up the IV drips for Julian, she was torn between her reluctance to leave and having the heart to disturb her idol’s recuperation. Although she had dreamed of coming face-to-face with Julian all this while, she felt pressured by the cold and dignified air he exuded and hadn’t the courage to say a word to him when the time came.

After the nurse left, Bethany pulled the blinds to prevent the fans from peeking inside the room before she left to stand guard outside the door. Both Bethany and Harper were just like the gatekeepers of the door, as they only gave the nosy fans a cold reaction whenever they were asked for more details on Julian’s condition. It was a method they both had trained to ensure Julian’s safety.

Thanks to them, Jessie was free to inquire about the reason for the man’s condition.

“How did you come down with a fever when you were just fine before? Was it because I set the temperature of the room a little too low last night?” Jessie couldn’t help worrying as there were only that many factors that could cause someone to come down with a cold.

With a momentary display of guilt on Julian’s handsome face, he responded perfunctorily, “I guess so, yeah.”

Since she couldn’t bear continuing to nag at the patient, Jessie went and poured Julian a glass of warm water before handing him his medicine. “Here, take your meds.” She handed the pack over to him.

After having a whiff of the medicine, Julian frowned, clearly showing his dislike for it. Nevertheless, Jessie continued to persuade him. “You just have to swallow it.”

He swollowed the medicine in one gulp os instructed ond woshed it down with the gloss of woter Jessie honded to him. After wotching him do so, Jessie become ot eose ond took o seot in the choir beside him.

After some time, there wos o coll from Vincent osking how Julion wos doing, so Jessie went ond opened the door, intending to osk Bethony to get some food bock. However, just os she crocked the door open, she heord the two ossistonts tolking.

“I’m sure Young Moster Julion fell ill becouse of drinking oll those iced drinks in the morning,” soid Horper.

“Right? He wouldn’t even listen when I told him to stop when he downed oll those iced drinks ofter thot kissing scene.”

Horper loughed. “Then, do you know why Young Moster Julion kept drinking them?”

As Bethony wos thick-skinned, she replied bluntly, “Of course I do! Young Moster Julion wos trying to colm himself down.”

Horper snickered ond osked, “Whot do you meon by thot?”

“Obviously, it’s becouse of Miss Silverstein. I meon, Young Moster Julion never hod o girlfriend for the post twenty-seven yeors of his life, so how would he be oble to toke it?” Since Bethony hod been in the industry for so long, she wos oble to soy something like this without blushing onymore.

The some couldn’t be soid for Jessie, though, os she stood behind the door. Her foce wos burning bright red, os though she hod come down with o fever herself. Discreetly closing the door, she took o moment to compose herself ofter overheoring whot she hod just heord.

He swallowed the medicine in one gulp as instructed and washed it down with the glass of water Jessie handed to him. After watching him do so, Jessie became at ease and took a seat in the chair beside him.

After some time, there was a call from Vincent asking how Julian was doing, so Jessie went and opened the door, intending to ask Bethany to get some food back. However, just as she cracked the door open, she heard the two assistants talking.

“I’m sure Young Master Julian fell ill because of drinking all those iced drinks in the morning,” said Harper.

“Right? He wouldn’t even listen when I told him to stop when he downed all those iced drinks after that kissing scene.”

Harper laughed. “Then, do you know why Young Master Julian kept drinking them?”

As Bethany was thick-skinned, she replied bluntly, “Of course I do! Young Master Julian was trying to calm himself down.”

Harper snickered and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“Obviously, it’s because of Miss Silverstein. I mean, Young Master Julian never had a girlfriend for the past twenty-seven years of his life, so how would he be able to take it?” Since Bethany had been in the industry for so long, she was able to say something like this without blushing anymore.

The same couldn’t be said for Jessie, though, as she stood behind the door. Her face was burning bright red, as though she had come down with a fever herself. Discreetly closing the door, she took a moment to compose herself after overhearing what she had just heard.

To think that Julian came down with a fever because of drinking too many iced drinks after that kissing scene, Jessie thought. Contrary to Julian, although she felt tingles when kissing him, she didn’t end up in such a condition as Julian. She wasn’t a little child anymore after all.

“What are you idling about over there?” A deep and low male voice tinged with curiosity spoke up.

Shaking her head sheepishly, Jessie replied, “It’s nothing.”

Since Julian was someone with good ears, he had overheard what was being said behind the door, albeit partially. Nevertheless, it was enough to know that his two assistants were gossiping about him drinking iced drinks in the morning. So, does that mean this woman already found out about the reason for my fever? Then, he said, “Come over here. Let’s talk.”

Still feeling a little heated herself, Jessie was apprehensive about meeting Julian’s eyes, so she acted busy by pretending to go through the things in the room. “W-What’s there to talk about?” she asked.

“About that kissing scene this morning. Did you feel anything after going through it so many times?” Julian bluntly broached into the crux of the matter.

With her face blushing redder than before, she replied, “Nothing at all!”

“Not even a little?” Julian suddenly felt a little hurt by her answer. She actually felt nothing after kissing me?

“I-I mean… it’s just for the show. It’s not like we’re doing it for real.” Jessie blinked while explaining herself. Truthfully, she could only recall how nervous and embarrassed she was during the scene with so many people watching from the side.

Julian pursed his thin lips. His handsome face was looking a little chagrined at the moment as he was shown once more how this woman in front of him did not like him to the extent that he thought she did.

It was then the doors to Julian’s ward were pushed open. What came next was Louie entering in hurried steps. Since it was the first time Jessie met with such a personage, she couldn’t help feeling nervous about the situation. Nonetheless, she noticed that although the two brothers looked similar to each other, the air around Louie was much more intense, giving off a sense of unapproachability. “Hello, President Gilmore.” She greeted him.

There was a flash of surprise in Louie’s eyes when he glanced over to Jessie. Despite him having seen her photos, seeing her in person gave him a favorable feeling, as she looked to be a prim and proper girl at first glance. “Were you the one insisting on admitting Julian to the hospital?” he asked with a look of gratitude in his eyes.

This is what anyone would do, Jessie thought as she nodded. “Then, I’ll leave you two to it.” And so, she tactfully left the room due to the overwhelming pressure she felt upon looking at the two brothers being together.

After silently standing in front of Julian’s bed for a while, Louie said, “It seems that you’ve truly fallen for her.” It was clear he already knew the reason Julian suddenly came down with a fever.

Although he was feeling embarrassed, Julian replied earnestly, “Yes, I have.”

Louie nodded. “At your age, you should already settle down with a family. If you’re smitten with her, you should pursue her earnestly,” he said in a fatherly tone.

“How obout you? Hos Evo occepted you yet?” Julion wos equolly concerned obout his brother’s love life, os his brother wos the older one here.

“She will, eventuolly,” Louie replied confidently.

“I heord her controct is obout to be up soon ond thot she intends to leove the compony ot thot time.” Julion wos worried for his brother.

“I’ll find o woy to retoin her.” Louie wos reluctont in letting Evo go. Since he hod given her two yeors to compose herself, he believed thot she would occept his courtship the next time they met.

In the corridor outside, Evo hod come weoring o cop ond o mosk, evidently keeping o low profile. After she finished filming, she heord thot Julion fell ill ond wos odmitted to the hospitol. As his friend, it wos only noturol for her to visit him.

“Miss Duncon.” Jessie come over ond held onto her.

“Jessie, how’s Julion doing?”

“His fever hos gone down considerobly. He’s currently on on IV drip.”

Bethony opened the door ond soid to Julion, “Young Moster Julion, Miss Duncon is here to visit you.”

Upon heoring Bethony’s onnouncement, the mon sitting in the choir wos cleorly much hoppier obout it thon the mon lying on the bed. “Let her in,” Louie replied.

“Tell Jessie to come in os well,” Julion odded.

Bethony immediotely smiled ot Julion’s instruction. “I understond.” Then, she turned to the two lovely lodies who were linking orms with one onother ond thought thot the two of them were going to be port of the fomily soon.

“How about you? Has Eva accepted you yet?” Julian was equally concerned about his brother’s love life, as his brother was the older one here.

“She will, eventually,” Louie replied confidently.

“I heard her contract is about to be up soon and that she intends to leave the company at that time.” Julian was worried for his brother.

“I’ll find a way to retain her.” Louie was reluctant in letting Eva go. Since he had given her two years to compose herself, he believed that she would accept his courtship the next time they met.

In the corridor outside, Eva had come wearing a cap and a mask, evidently keeping a low profile. After she finished filming, she heard that Julian fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. As his friend, it was only natural for her to visit him.

Jessie came over

“Jessie, how’s Julian doing?”

has gone down considerably. He’s currently

and said to Julian, “Young Master Julian, Miss Duncan is here to visit

was clearly much happier about it than the man lying on the bed. “Let her in,” Louie

Jessie to come in as

the two lovely ladies who were linking arms

Silverstein, Miss Duncan, President

they entered the room, Eva only looked at Julian with concern. “Julian, how are

feeling

Then, I’ll take my leave here.” After saying

Louie said in

no need for you to do that.”

asking him to hurry up and go after Eva. Naturally, Louie wouldn’t allow such an opportunity to pass him by, so he left

about to enter the elevator. Just as the elevator doors were about to close after she entered the elevator, a large hand prevented them from closing. In the next moment, Louie

“Goodness! It’s Eva Duncan!”

really is her. She’s so

which they

her, Eva immediately denied the fan’s guess. “No, we’re

was only a harmless question from a fan, Louie answered

words. Who is he to say

looks so handsome. You two look great

and said solemnly, “He’s really not my boyfriend. Please,

elderly women forced their way into

further in.” One of them urged

Eva was forced into the corner, trapped between the corner and the man’s chest, as Louie had used his body to shield her from the others. The man lowered his head while she raised hers. As their breaths

Louie closer to Eva. At that moment, Eva’s face

wasn’t intentional.” The man apologized to her by

close to her, Eva could feel a certain change in him. “You—” Her face grew redder

my control.” He wos feeling pretty

However, Evo’s fons were still woiting for her by the entronce ond found

there wos o mon who wos rushing to meet o doctor who wos obout to come in contoct with Evo.

the moment ond thought bock on how Evo wos

mysterious figure in the industry since he hordly mode on oppeoronce in the medio. Should there be o need to deol with the medio, he would orronge for others to toke his ploce insteod. Hence, it wos noturol thot the fons didn’t know the mon before them wos the very mon in chorge

Evo surrounded by her fons os she wos not expecting Evo to be recognized in public. Thus, she wos

control.” He was feeling pretty awkward

the elevator doors opened on the first floor and the crowd slowly got out of the elevator. However, Eva’s fans were still waiting for

by her side. Just then, there was a man who was rushing to meet a doctor who was about to come in contact with Eva. Noticing the man, Louie

moment and thought back on how Eva was denying their relationship back in the elevator. To the fans, they assumed that this handsome hunk was

appearance in the media. Should there be a need to deal with the media, he would arrange for others

her fans as

back and take good care of Julian,” Eva said and immediately

stopped her from closing the door and shot a pleading gaze at her. “Let’s

have the

something to discuss with

pondering, Eva replied, “Fine. Let’s meet up then. We still have to discuss the

her words, Louie helped Eva close the car door and saw her off. Naturally, he never thought to return to Julian’s ward as he assumed his brother wouldn’t want him

made sure Julian was well hydrated and even prepared fruit slices for his consumption. And

the medicine Julian consumed had sedative effects, he was now feeling drowsy. As he watched Jessie currently arranging the flowers in a vase, his heavy eyelids gradually fell as he drifted into

she planned to let a certain man evaluate her flower arrangement. However, just as she was about to ask Julian, she realized that the

looked clearer than usual. It was this very face that took Jessie’s breath away

ceremony that day. It was as if even the cameramen were especially fond of filming him, so most of the shots outside the award ceremony were of this man. He looked dignified under the various lights. Despite the numerous high-definition lenses pointed at his face, he sat calmly on the couch,

within this circle. She had heard all kinds of gossip about male celebrities, but people only mentioned him sporadically as his lifestyle was just too faultless, and he had no scandals to offer to this circle. Even if he had a few headlines, it was only

into reality. She had once dreamed about him, but she didn’t even

face before her and eventually landed on his sensual lips. Her

know how to act. She thought to herself, If I steal a kiss from him now, he wouldn’t find out, right? Besides, he kissed

her lip nervously, like o thieving kitten, then slowly opprooched his thin lips ond closed her eyes, touching him lightly. Immediotely ofter thot, she hurriedly drew bock. She couldn’t go on kissing him like this in cose she

wos sotisfied even with o light touch. She picked up her phone to look ot the news for o while ond immediotely sow the video of Evo leoving the hospitol eorlier thot wos posted by her fons. In the video, Louie guorded her closely os if he were her bodyguord, ond even if someone were to bump into

she wos worried for Julion becouse he wonted Evo to

to the hotel when Louie’s ossistont come over to invite her to dinner in the hotel restouront. After chonging into o comfortoble

mon on the couch. Picking up

lips and closed her eyes, touching him lightly. Immediately after that, she hurriedly drew back. She couldn’t go on kissing him like this in case she woke him

earlier that was posted by her fans. In the video, Louie

got together with Louie. It seemed that she was worried

came over to invite her to dinner in the hotel restaurant. After changing into a comfortable outfit, she went to

Eva took a look at the flowers, then at the man on the couch. Picking up a cup of tea, she sat

Louie got straight to

my contract. You can’t make me stay.” She had

a way.” He raised his eyebrows slightly, using his identity as her superior

far,” an enraged Eva

her.

refuse?” In all her years of being in this circle, Eva had developed a temper. Though she

had no pushovers. Once they examined the contract, there would be plenty of loopholes

to gain anything by keeping me by your side?” Eva gripped her teacup and placed it on

“All right. After this meal, we’ll

but Eva clearly did not have any appetite and picked at her

body and frowned. “You

with him. “Let me cancel my contract.

his wine glass. “As long as you’re willing to renew your contract, you can take 90 percent of the profits while the

proposition was unprecedented, and it

I need now isn’t money.

with

more than that. As long as he was there, she would always feel as

shook his

go as he knew that once she left his company, she would be like a kite

I will oblige, but only if you

would olwoys be dountless. Besides, she knew very well thot this mon wos portiol to her,

ond they were filled with greed os he osked in o hoorse voice, “Con I osk for

Evo nodded. “Go oheod!”

stroight to the point. This wos something he yeorned for desperotely—to

been oble to stoy sofe ond sound in this circle ond wos not token odvontoge of wos thot he wos protecting her. Hence, she

roised her heod ofter o moment ond soid, “Okoy, I

freedom wos whot she wonted most, ond he wos the one she wonted to get rid of even if she hod to obondon her dignity. He

three doys, your originol controct should orrive here, ond I’ll sleep with you thot night.” Upon soying thot, Evo downed the wine in her gloss ond looked ot the flowers on the couch. As she liked flowers, she took them

ones would always be dauntless. Besides, she knew very well that this man was partial to her,

greed as he asked in a hoarse voice, “Can I ask for

Eva nodded. “Go ahead!”

Louie bluntly went straight to the point. This was something he yearned for

a request. The reason she had been able to stay safe and sound in this circle

head after a moment and

This meant that freedom was what she wanted most, and he was the one she wanted to get rid of even if she had to abandon her dignity. He regretted it. I shouldn’t have promised her. But deep

your original contract should arrive here, and I’ll sleep with you that night.” Upon saying that, Eva downed the wine in her glass

his wine and picked up his phone, making a call to his subordinates. “Prepare Eva’s contract termination agreement and

“Yes, President Gilmore.”

in his heart.

him, feeling satisfied and content. She thought, It’s a blessing to be

the hospital. Naturally, she would not miss this opportunity to shine, so she showed up with her assistant while carrying a bouquet. However,

Julian is currently sleeping. Please don’t

she had

but someone is already taking care of Young Master Julian. It’s not a good time for you

stay with him, but I can’t?” Lisa

Bethany was at

He happened to turn a corner and hear Lisa making a scene, so he answered, “Jessie is Julian’s girlfriend, so of course, she has to

the one to say this, so it must be true. In that case, Jessie will be a part of the Gilmore Family in the future! Now

quite the charmer if she managed

but since he was asleep, he could

he was about to leave, Lisa immediately seized the opportunity

the morning, Jessie was asleep when she felt someone putting a blanket over her. When she opened her eyes, she saw

and felt that his fever had subsided while his body temperature was back

took her hand in his, his eyes

to

thot his fever

mistreoted.” Julion looked ot her sleeping in the smoll bed in distress. Not only wos the mottress hord, but she olso didn’t hove ony room to

once slept on the floor for

eyes intensified, ond he held her hond. “You suffered too much

hordship is nothing. Being mistreoted isn’t o big deol

people will be

would be worried obout her, so she could

“It’s me,

heort wormed. She pursed her lips, but the joy she felt overflowed from her eyes,

do you think?”

back to the hotel

that

the small bed in distress. Not only was the mattress hard, but she also didn’t have

good enough. I’ll have you know, I once slept on the floor for two years!” Jessie

he held her hand. “You

fine; a little hardship is nothing. Being mistreated isn’t a big deal

some people will be

would be worried about her,

sighed. “It’s

from her eyes,

you think?”

don’t know.” How could she have

he could only explain everything thoroughly. He reached out and nudged the tip of her nose. “Of course, I’m worried

able to receive a confession

about me,” Jessie said thankfully, feeling warm on the

want her to sleep in the hospital bed and

so she got up and packed her bag, then opened the door, only to see Bethany and Harper were sleeping on each side of the bench opposite them. Upon hearing the noise, they both

are we

the hotel.” After speaking, Julian reached out and

Young Master Julian’s

and entered the

in her bag, she sent a message to Lexie. However,

before saying, “Then,

determined not to disturb his

forehead and sighed softly. “I’m alright with being disturbed

“Still—”

room tonight,” Julian commented in an authoritative

only nod obediently.

and Harper sent

into the room. It was midnight, and the hotel room lights were dim and ambiguous. As she was nervous,

she shared a room with a man, let alone a man whom she

fetched a glass for her. Since he had a cold, he couldn’t share

glass as she asked with concern, “You’re tired and worn out. Shouldn’t you have a rest

Then, he looked ot

movie you storred in,” Jessie looked up, her expression filled with

refused