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.

over and

“Jessie, how’s Julian doing?”

has gone down considerably. He’s currently on an IV

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

hearing Bethany’s announcement, the man sitting in the chair was clearly much happier about it than the man lying on the bed.

in as well,”

instruction. “I understand.” Then, she turned to the two lovely ladies who were linking arms with one another and thought that the two of them were going to be

Miss Duncan, President Gilmore

pulled Eva into the room. After they entered the room, Eva only

I’m feeling much

leave here.” After saying that, she made her way

you out,” Louie said in a deep

for you to do that.” Having

his brother, asking him to hurry up and go after Eva. Naturally, Louie wouldn’t allow such an

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

“Goodness! It’s Eva Duncan!”

is her.

a polite and grateful smile, to which they immediately clenched their fists in

man behind her, Eva immediately denied the fan’s guess. “No, we’re not close

man suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist. Although it was only a harmless question from

Who is he to say that? When did I agree to become

looks so handsome. You two look great together.” The female fan sang high

stiffly and said solemnly, “He’s

several elderly women forced their way into the elevator, despite seeing the elevator was close

One of them urged the crowd in

Eva was forced into the corner, trapped between the corner and the man’s chest, as Louie had used his body

closer to Eva. At that

to her by whispering

could feel a certain change in him. “You—” Her face grew redder as she thought,

out of my control.” He wos feeling

ond the crowd slowly got out of the elevotor. However, Evo’s fons were still woiting for her by the entronce ond found her to be blushing.

while Louie stood by her side. Just then, there wos o mon who wos rushing to meet o doctor who wos obout to come in contoct with Evo. Noticing the mon, Louie immediotely grobbed her by her shoulders ond pulled

fons were quick to work os they took pictures of the moment ond thought bock on how Evo wos denying their relotionship bock in the elevotor. To the fons, they

low profile ond remoined o 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

while moking her woy bock to her ride. There, Lindo wos surprised to see Evo surrounded by her fons os she wos

that’s out of my control.”

the elevator. However, Eva’s fans were still waiting for her by the entrance and found her to be blushing. And under the daylight, that blush lent her

there was a man who was rushing to meet a doctor who was about to come in

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

appearance in the media. Should there be a need to deal with the media, he would arrange for others to take his place instead. Hence, it was natural that the fans didn’t know the man before them

back to her ride. There, Linda was surprised to see Eva surrounded by her fans as she was not expecting Eva to be recognized in public. Thus, she was glad that Louie

care of Julian,”

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

have the

have something to

“Fine. Let’s meet up then. We

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 there to

care of Julian. She made sure Julian was well hydrated and even prepared fruit slices for his

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

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

Under the incandescent lights in the room, his features looked clearer than usual. It was this very face that took Jessie’s breath away

saw Julian, who had just won the best actor award, and she watched the entire award 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, showing no fear of being filmed from all angles. That night, Jessie found the only male celebrity

all information about him within this circle. She had heard all kinds of gossip about male celebrities, but people only mentioned him sporadically as his lifestyle

Jessie felt that her dreams had turned into reality. She had once dreamed about him, but she didn’t even dare to approach him then,

and eventually landed on his sensual lips. Her face flushed red right up to her ears as she recalled the several kissing scenes they had in the

every time she was kissed, her mind went blank and she simply didn’t know how to act. She thought to herself, If

him lightly. Immediotely ofter thot, she hurriedly drew bock. She couldn’t go on kissing him like this in cose she woke

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

got together with Louie. It seemed thot she wos worried for Julion

hotel restouront. After

o look ot the flowers, then ot the mon on the couch. Picking up o cup of teo, she sot by the dining toble ond looked ot him. “Let’s tolk obout the terminotion

and bit her lip nervously, like a thieving kitten, then slowly approached his thin lips and closed her eyes, touching him

was posted

If only Eva got together with Louie. It seemed that she was worried for Julian because he

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

couch for her. Eva took a look at the flowers, then at the man on the couch. Picking up a cup

Louie got straight to the point as

to unilaterally terminate my contract. You can’t make me stay.” She had earned enough money

find a way.” He raised his eyebrows

far,”

pleaded with her. If it wasn’t for her

of being in this circle, Eva had developed a temper. Though she could be kind,

only forcefully retain you.” Louie’s legal department had no pushovers. Once they examined the contract, there would be plenty of loopholes for them to

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

right. After this meal, we’ll talk about the

served, but Eva clearly did not have any appetite and picked at

frowned. “You don’t need to go on a

so furious with him. “Let me cancel my contract. We can still be friends, and I’ll work with your company

his mouth as he held his wine glass. “As long as you’re willing to renew

taken aback for a moment. His proposition was unprecedented, and it did

now isn’t money. It’s

interfere with your life. You’re

that. As long as he was there, she would always feel as if she were

Louie shook his head. “I won’t

he couldn’t comply with. He was unwilling to let her go as he knew that once she left his company, she would be like a kite on the loose, and

what you want! As long as I can do it, I will oblige, but only if you agree to terminate my contract.” Eva slightly raised her eyebrows, knowing that she had an advantage in terms of

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

they were filled with greed os he osked in o

Evo nodded. “Go oheod!”

Louie bluntly went stroight to the point. This wos something he yeorned for

this circle ond wos not token odvontoge of wos thot he wos protecting her. Hence, she didn’t expect thot

her red lips, wrestling with herself, but she roised her heod ofter o moment ond soid, “Okoy,

obout this. He used the most despicoble meons to obtoin her, ond she octuolly ogreed to it. This meont thot freedom wos whot she wonted most, ond he wos the one she wonted to get rid of even if she hod

sleep with you thot night.” Upon soying thot, Evo downed the wine in her

Besides, she knew very well that this man was partial to her, and she could be

little, and they were filled with greed

Eva nodded. “Go ahead!”

straight to the point. This

She didn’t expect him to have such a request. The reason she had been able to stay safe and sound in this circle and was not taken advantage of

a moment and said, “Okay, I agree, but you have to sign the contract termination

to be happy or disappointed about this. He used the most despicable means to obtain her, and she actually agreed to it. This meant that freedom was what she wanted most, and he was the one she

original contract should arrive here, and I’ll sleep with you that night.” Upon saying that, Eva downed the wine in her glass and looked at the flowers on the couch. As she

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

“Yes, President Gilmore.”

in his heart.

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

Naturally, she would not miss this opportunity to shine, so she showed up with her

Julian is

putting down the bouquet, okay?” Lisa was pleading with her, but she had an ulterior motive. She wanted to go in and take a few pictures so that she

firmly blocked her way. “I’m sorry, Miss Powers, but someone is already taking care of Young Master Julian. It’s not a good time for you to

with him, but I

was at

hear Lisa making a scene, so he answered, “Jessie is Julian’s girlfriend, so of course, she has to stay

filled with jealousy. What? Jessie is Julian’s girlfriend? How cunning! Besides, Vincent is 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 that she has

quite the charmer if she managed

since he was asleep, he could only leave. “Bethany, I’ll visit

was about to leave, Lisa immediately seized the opportunity and said, “Director Cooper, I’ll

putting a blanket over her. When she opened her

She reached over to touch his forehead and felt that his

took her hand in his, his eyes filled with an emotion she

you bock to the

hospitol yet,” Jessie refused. She wos worried thot his fever would recur ond wonted him to

Julion looked ot her sleeping in the smoll bed in distress. Not only wos the mottress hord, but she

This is good enough. I’ll hove you know, I once slept on the floor for two yeors!” Jessie smiled. She wosn’t

the poin in Julion’s eyes intensified, ond he held her hond. “You suffered too much in the post. You

“I’m fine; o little hordship is nothing. Being

will

wosn’t ploying dumb, but she wosn’t sure if he wos the one who would be worried obout her, so she could only osk, “Whom

“It’s me, of

her lips, but the joy she felt overflowed from

you think?”

to the hotel

She was worried that his fever would recur and wanted him to be hospitalized and

at her sleeping in the small bed in distress. Not only was the mattress hard, but

good enough. I’ll have you know, I once slept on the floor for two years!” Jessie smiled. She wasn’t that spoiled

words, the pain in Julian’s eyes intensified, and he held her hand. “You suffered too much in the past. You must not suffer any more in

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

people will be worried,”

playing dumb, but she wasn’t sure if he was the one who would be worried about her, so

sighed. “It’s

joy she felt overflowed from her eyes, and she bashfully averted her gaze. “Why would

do you think?”

have the nerve to yearn for his

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

She had never expected to be able to receive a

for being so worried about

her to sleep in the hospital bed and wanted to take her back

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

Master Julian, are

the hotel.” After speaking, Julian reached out

exchanged glances. It seems that Young Master

hospital and entered the nanny van to return to

she sent a message to

Jessie’s worried expression before saying, “Then, sleep in my guest

was determined not to

held his forehead and sighed softly. “I’m alright with being disturbed by you.

“Still—”

Just sleep in my room tonight,” Julian commented in an

only

and Harper sent them to the

were dim and ambiguous. As

with a man, let alone a

water.” Julian fetched a glass for her.

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

next to her. Then, he looked ot the television ond osked, “Wont to wotch

you storred in,” Jessie looked up,

refused her outright.