Chapter 11

Disclaimer: As usual. . .don't own a thing.


"Stop pushing that vile stuff to my mouth!" Troy rasped disgustedly eyeing the spoonful of dark green liquid Gabriella was urging him to take.

She frowned at his stubborn tone but persisted, climbing the bed to straddle his waist to pin him in place careful not to spill the liquid. "Gabi, I appreciate you straddling me like this but not while forcing me to take that foul smelling liquid. It ruins the moment." Troy said with a groan, grabbing a pillow to cover his face.

"It's for your cough! Get your mind out of the gutter just this once and take this." She clamored, past being cajoling. For twenty minutes, she's been urging him to take the cough medicine but Troy proved to be hard headed saying he only needs water and some rest to get over his illness. "If you don't take this, I'll force you to take castor oil."

Troy flung the pillow off and barked a nasty sounding cough. "Castor oil is a laxative, Gabriella!" He said after his coughing subsided, narrowing his eyes at her. "Are you sure you want to make me feel better? Or are you here to play a prank on me while I don't have any energy to fight back?"

She shook her head and her lips turned up into a funny little smile. "I'm kidding, Troy. You're being such a kid with taking a simple cough medicine. I want you to feel better."

"Cough syrups are for kids. I will take a capsule or tablet form of cough medicine." He argued, still averting his face from the spoon hovering close to his mouth.

"Liquid medicines take effect faster than the solid ones."

"How do you know this exactly? Have you taken care of a sick person before?"

"No." She admitted but there was a sound of protest in her voice when he raised an impatient brow. "But Mrs. Lewis said it works that way and you can't argue about her experience with sick people. Grandpa seconded her reasoning."

"God!" He exclaimed, raising both arms heavenward then letting them fall to his chest when he coughed again. "Why is everyone against me in this house?!"

Ignoring his dramatics, she slipped a hand on his nape to support him to prop up against the pillows by the headboard of the bed and lifted the spoon close to his mouth again. "Please?" She entreated with a girlish pout.

Looking at her imploring eyes which he could have sworn showed an indication of worry; Troy heaved a defeated sigh and after letting a wave of dizziness pass, sat up against the pillows. "Only you." He grumbled but there was no trace of irritation or anger in his voice.

She smiled and carefully slipped the spoon between his open lips. He winced at the ugly taste and swallowed, immediately grabbing the glass of water Gabriella handed to wash out the taste of medicine. He emptied the glass in one swig before handing it back to her and leaned back against the pillows weakly wiping his lips with the back of his hand.

Satisfied, Gabriella moved from her straddled position but Troy quickly grabbed her hips back in place. "Stay." He ordered. When she was about to protest he added in a gentle voice, "Please."

"You have to rest, Troy."

"You promised you'd sleep here. My being sick doesn't change a thing." He closed his eyes in weariness adjusting his body so that he lay comfortably on the bed but he tightened his hands on her hips. "And I will rest better with you here."

"Why do you have to be so cute? It's impossible to say no to you." She said it in way that sounded like she was exasperated by his request but Troy sensed the humor in her tone even without seeing the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips.

After replacing the empty glass and spoon on the tray atop the square side table, she slid from his hips to sit on her legs next to his chest. "Thank you." Troy said as her hand reached up to his temples and fingers began moving to massage his head. The motion of her fingers made him sigh and relax deeper into the soft pillows, slowly soothing the throb in his head.

"I wasn't planning on sleeping in my room, Troy. You're sick. What kind of a wife would I be if I don't take care of you?" She told him matter-of-factly. It would appear her attention is focused on the massage she was doing but in truth she can't seem to stop touching him. "Unless you change your mind."

"Why would I change my mind?" He murmured, his hand crept up to rest on her thighs and began lethargically caressing the skin just below the hem of her shorts sending a jolt of sensation to run through Gabriella's nerve endings.

She shrugged forcing to ignore his hand drawing indistinct figures on her skin and voiced out teasingly, "Because I'm making you drink cough syrup."

"For you, that's an unpleasantness I'm willing to take." The words seem to flow out of his mouth. It gave Gabriella a feeling that he had enough practice saying that to many women.

She chuckled softly, trying her best not to let his words affect her. "You have a way with words, Troy. I give you that. Even an illness can't dampen your enigmatic side. I don't blame the ladies for wanting to be associated with you."

Without a moments pause, he said in a yielding voice, "You are the only lady associated with me, Gabi."

At the moment. Her mind reminded out of nowhere. But she paid no heed to the voice and smiled at him not knowing what to say.

He opened his eyes after a minute when she did not come up with a witty comeback and eyed her strangely. "That's it? No—yeah right, Troy or you're only saying that coz' you want to have sex with me?"

His voice was soft and weak but Gabriella could see from his face that he wanted a reaction from her. "Are you—are you saying that because of sex?" She asked, intently watching his handsome face that was nestled on the fluffy pillow but she did not stop massaging his head.

He shifted sideways and took hold of her hips, motioning her to lie down next to him. When she stretched out on the bed by his side, he held her face close so that they were staring eye to eye and he said in a firm voice that was meant to erase any doubt from her mind, "No."

And it did. The simple no made her cheeks feel warm and her already erratic pulse became even more jumpy. For whatever reason, she let out an inaudible sigh of both relief and pleasure. She knew, if he asked her right now to have sex with him, she would say yes. In fact, the idea has been bothering her since last night.

However, it's probably not the right time. Partially because he's sick and her main concern at the moment is to make him well but mostly because she realized earlier honeymooning at this time, with Patrick still in the house and Troy being so busy with work, isn't really what she'd consider romantic.

She's fairly certain she wants her first time with Troy romantic . . . whatever that entails.

Sure, she had been touched before by her exes but the tide of sensations Troy evokes when he touches her is an entirely different experience for her. Wonderful would be the word she'd use. Yet, it seems not even enough to describe how he really makes her feel.

She doesn't want to go far afield in finding reasons for whatever feelings are involved in her decision since the terms of their relationship still hasn't changed. She's just willing to overlook all her reservations and enjoy her passion for Troy. She's entitled to that and besides it was getting harder and harder to resist him . . . she's only human after all.

Earlier, when she was taking pictures of Patrick, thoughts of consummating their marriage crossed her mind time and again. Her mind kept thinking back to their make out sessions that it became an effort to keep her self from blushing in front of the old man.

Who knows what out of this world comment he would have said if he noticed how her mind was wandering to his grandson . . . although, she reckoned, he probably would have been pleased by the direction of her thoughts.

And Troy would have been too if he wasn't so sick to notice the excitement on her face when he came home earlier. Admittedly, she was a little dampened by him being sick. She was actually looking forward to tonight, almost certain that their make outs will end with sex. That thought alone made her heart race and her body quiver animatedly.

But she got a hold of herself and immediately felt like a wench for thinking about sex when she should have been worried for Troy. She had silently berated herself then shoved all thoughts of sex aside to take care of her husband.

The thought came creeping back into her head though. There's something about being this close to him, his eyes 4hazy from the heat of his fever, his hair slightly messed up but nevertheless still showing a charming side that arouses her senses.

Who's horny now? Her mind asked. And again she had to shake off the thought.

Smiling, she pushed her face closer and kissed his forehead gently. He was so close to her that she could study each of his eyelashes and see the intense blue of his eyes that looked like had specks of grey and black in them, probably from the reflection of the light in the room. "It should be a crime for a man to have such mesmerizing eyes." She thought to herself.

He chuckled quietly. "No one has ever told me that before."

"I—said it—aloud?!" She gasped, wide eyed and slightly flustered by her own inattentiveness leaning away from him to see the boyish smirk on his face. Stop thinking about sex! He's sick you idiot.

"I don't mind."

"Of course, you don't! Anything to fuel your innate arrogance is always welcome." She pinched his arm as her cheeks grew hot in sudden embarrassment.

"Ouch!" He cried, jerking his arm away from her fingers and engulfing her hand in his. "I'm sick, Gabi. I need tender loving care not to be pinch to death."

Tender loving care sounds nice. Get a hold of yourself, Gabriella! She rolled her eyes pretending to be annoyed but her lips couldn't help but twitch in a guilty smile. "My goodness, you are demanding!"

Troy did not quip back smartly. Instead he smiled at her and carefully drew her small frame close for a hug so that Gabriella's face was pressed against his warm chest. "Being sick sucks." He griped quietly. "This is your second night here with me and I end up ill. I'm a lousy husband."

Gabriella didn't know if he realized it but he has a way of saying words that sound so sweet at the most unexpected moments. Her attraction to him is growing along with attachment but instead of squirming away like she usually would, she welcomes it with an open mind.

The doubt in her head about their marriage had been slowly ebbing since they became friends. And a huge chunk of it chipped off when she had the talk with Patrick. She doesn't have to worry that much anymore—well, she does but only where Marissa was concerned.

And right now, that particular concern seems too remote to happen. Marissa is most likely enjoying herself with her father's fortune and has forgotten about her, which is working well in her favor.

"I wouldn't say that." She whispered to his chest, feeling the heat seeping from it because of his fever. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to be a proper wife and take care of my sick husband."

His brows furrowed and tilted her chin up to stare at her face. Confusion was etched on his expression and he also looked shocked by what she said. "First you say I'm cute then my eyes mesmerizing. Now you want to be a proper wife? Not that I'm complaining, Gabi, but . . . am I missing something here?" He asked suspiciously. "What happened with you and Grandpa while I was in the meeting?"

"Nothing!" She replied pulling an innocent look. "You should go to sleep now. I'll be here when you wake up."

He seemed to read her facial expression for a moment, then when his drowsy mind couldn't come up with a proper explanation for the sudden change in her—vibe or is it outlook?—gave up on figuring her out and relented, "Yeah. I should probably sleep this off."

"Good." She inched away from him so that he can rest comfortably on the bed. Pulling the covers up to his waist, she felt his forehead with the back of her hand and kissed his cheek. "I'll wake you up after four hours. You have to take medicine for your fever."

He nodded with a weak smile then his eyes slowly drifted close. After some minutes, Gabriella let out relieved sigh while watching his breathing begin to even out. She was in imminent danger of jumping him. She never expected her attraction—desire for him to be this strong once she let's go of her self-possession.

It's completely out of character for her to desire someone this bad and at this inopportune time. It was like Troy switched something on inside her body during their make outs that's making her think like a sexually promiscuous woman.

Feeling the sudden need to put some distance between her and a sleeping Troy, Gabriella carefully moved off the bed and quietly crept out of the room to find her cellphone. At times like this, Sharpay would be the one to call.

Once she found her phone on the rectangular table in the second floor hallway, she quickly dialed Sharpay's number and waited for her to answer after five long rings. "Why hello Gabriella Montez! You finally remembered me." Sharpay said a bit derisively. "I thought you disappeared off the face of the Earth with that husband of yours."

"Shar, don't be such a drama queen." Gabriella rebuked with a laugh. "I'm sorry I haven't called you in awhile. But I texted you often, didn't I? I've been busy and I'm sure you are too."

She heard Sharpay yawn, intentional or not, she didn't try to hide it. "I'm always busy but I make time for friends, Montez. My texts are actual sentences not one-liners . . . like what some people text." She huffed but Gabriella knew her friend well to be aware that it's all part of Sharpay's dramatics.

"Sharpay, I'm sorry. Things have been a little crazy lately." Gabriella said sincerely then she added on a jest, "I'm on my knees, begging you to forgive me."

"How do I know you're on your knees? Don't get smart with me Gabs."

"Okay. I guess I shouldn't have called—"

"Fine. I forgive you." Sharpay conceded and Gabriella almost laughed out loud but did her best to smother the sound from escaping past her lips.

"Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm a great friend, I know." She muttered impatiently then Gabriella heard a door banging before Sharpay said, "So, it's been weeks, what's been going on between you and husband dearest? Did Bolton throw you on the floor and fucked you senseless already?"

Gabriella's brown orbs grew wide and she gasped. Is she really that desperate for Troy that even Sharpay who can't see her can sense it? What kind of sexual bug has gotten into her?! "No, Sharpay." She mumbled. "Nothing like that or even close to it."

"What the hell is that man waiting for?!"

"Me."

There was a short pause on the other end and then a sound of water running. "Well then, what are you waiting for?"

"Him."

"Okay, who are you and what have you done to my friend?" Sharpay retorted, altogether confused and impatient. "Gabriella Montez makes sense when I talk to her. He's waiting for you and you're waiting for him?"

"Yes."

"I get why he's waiting for you but you—why are you waiting for him? Does little or big junior Troy need prepping before he can perform? My opinion of him just went down several notches—I swear."

"He needs TLC."

"Tomato, lettuce and uhh . . . catsup? Whatever for?" Sharpay said in an incongruous voice. "Weird much."

"Tender loving care! Are you being intentionally dense? He's sick, Sharpay."

Sharpay exhaled an exasperated breath and the sound of water stopped in the background. "Sick as in sick or sick as in he has sexually transmitted disease? If it's STD, I suggest you start looking for another man. I don't care how rich, handsome or how good he is in bed. It's not worth getting STD for."

Gabriella almost choked in her laughter, widely looking along the hallway for any servant who maybe passing by. In a hushed tone, she explained, "He has a fever and cough, Sharpay. He's been stressed with work and Grandpa is also here—"

"Stop." Sharpay commanded, immediately ceasing her explanation. A door closing was heard again and an indiscernible voice of someone else talking.

"Is there someone with you? Who was that?" Gabriella couldn't help but ask.

"It's the radio." Sharpay replied easily. Then went back to the topic. "Correct me if I'm wrong . . . are you telling me that you're finally ready to have sex with Bolton but he comes home sick and unable to get physical with you?"

"Yeah . . ." Gabriella whispered, suddenly uneasy with the conversation.

Sharpay made a clicking sound with her tongue and Gabriella can almost see her shaking her blond head in disappointment. "You—how bad?"

She cupped a hand over her mouth and groaned into the mouthpiece. "I think . . . it's bad." She affirmed. "This has never happened to me before. But he's really sick. I'm sure sex is not in his head right now and even if it is, he doesn't have the strength."

"That bad, huh?"

"Like a craving for food."

A peal of unexpected laughter echoed thru the phone. "You've got it bad, Gabs!"

"Yes, it's bad. We've established that!"

"So what's the problem? You've got it bad. Do something about it."

"Stop saying bad! I don't want to want him at this time. His grandfather is here. He has this tendency to interrupt and barge into our room. Can you imagine being caught in the middle of sex by a seventy year old man?! " She whined in agitation. "I feel like an inconsiderate human being for even thinking of sex when he's sick . . . I'm worse than a wench!"

"You're overreacting. That's bad." Sharpay averred dismissively. "Here's what you do, first, lock your door to keep nosy old man out and as additional measure, place a heavy table or cabinet against the door just in case. Then tell Bolton you want him and I'm sure he'll get over his illness quickly."

"I can't do that! I'm not that daring. I'd rather he make the first move. Will you stop saying bad!"

Sharpay snorted and in bored tone, she offered, "Well then, May the force be with you. You need it—badly."


Throughout the night, Troy's coughing tugged him from a drugged slumber to a state of on and off awareness of his surroundings. Slightly shifting his body sideways, he forced his eyes open to see that it was already morning judging from the brightness peeking in between the draperies.

Turning his face on the pillow, his eyes found the round clock hanging on the wall left of the bed that indicated it was 7:00. Trying to clear his head, he immediately concluded he's still sick based on his weariness and aching muscles although, it's no longer as bad as yesterday.

Memories of last night came drifting back slowly. He remembered that each time he coughs Gabriella's small hand would find its way on his chest moving in a circular motion that somehow soothed his discomfort. He was also awakened at certain hours to take more medicine and at one point he recalled his shirt was changed because he was drenched in sweat when his fever had broken.

His hand reached up to feel his forehead and was pleased to know the fever is indeed gone. He turned abruptly to the other side of the bed to see if Gabriella was still next to him but instantly winced at the throb that resurfaced in his temples. In slow movements, he shifted again and managed a smile when he saw Gabriella sprawled out on her stomach peacefully sleeping.

He knew she was exhausted from waking up every so often the entire night to make sure he takes his medicine on time and to check if he was having the chills or perspiring from the effect of the fever medicine.

Wifely. That's how she was last night. And despite the fuzziness of his mind, he couldn't help but feel so damn pleased because she stayed with him all night. Whether her actions rooted from a sense of obligation or out of the kindness of her heart, he doesn't care. She took care of him when she doesn't really need to and that's all that matters.

He inched closer to her sleeping frame and gently smoothed a hand along the length of her silky curls. He was touched beyond belief by her wifely actions probably because being cared for by a woman other than his mother has never happened to him before.

It also amazes him how of all the women he had in his life after Julie, Gabriella is the only one who accepted him and gave him a chance at friendship even when he was behaving badly towards her.

Even before his grandfather arrived, he already felt attached to her somehow. He couldn't stop thinking about her and he knows sex has nothing to do with it. He looks forward to being able to see her everyday, be the recipient of that jaunty sideways smile of hers or hear the infectious sound of her giggles. And his day wouldn't be complete without having to tangle his fingers in her glorious mane. He had been acting like a smitten boy and he can't do anything to stop it.

The question is, does he want to stop it?

A part of him is saying yes because he went down this road before with Julie. She was his everything, even planning a future together but look where that ended. He swore he wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Never let a woman know they own your heart . . . they toy with it for amusement and dispose of it once they get bored.

And that's the part that hurts. It almost drives you insane.

Yet, another side of his logic is telling him not to stop . . . that Gabriella is different. The circumstances in which they met were different. There hasn't been a profession of love between them. in fact, love is never mentioned in their relationship. They are friends in a marriage that benefits them both. It's a practical arrangement that will end in five years—legally agreed upon and it will be an expected separation.

No one gets hurt . . . hopefully.

A jarring sound erupted from the cellphone on the side table interrupting Troy's trail of thought. Then Gabriella automatically roused from her sleep, her hand blindly reaching out to press a button on the phone to stop the annoying tone.

She turned over on her back and stretched, opening her eyes to look at Troy. Instead of a sleeping Troy, she was greeted by alert blue eyes and a handsome smile that looked infinitely better than last night. "Good morning." He chirped in less raspy voice, running his fingers through her tousled curls.

"How are you feeling?" She propped up on an elbow and checked his temperature, smiling when she felt his cool forehead.

"Better. Thanks to you." He said, letting his hand slide down from her hair to stroke her arm then threaded their fingers together.

She covered her mouth and yawned, smiling sheepishly after. "You're welcome but you have to take cough syrup again."

"Okay." He agreed at once, releasing her hand to prop up on the bed and reach for the medicine on the tray. "I'll do it."

Leaning back in surprise, she broke into a grin at his sudden eagerness to drink the cough syrup that he referred to as disgusting last night. "Are you sure you're feeling better?"

"Yeah. Why?"

She shook her head, amusedly staring at him gulp down the dark green liquid like he's loving the taste of it. "Nothing . . ." She sat up and swung her legs on the side of the bed. "I'll just go and bring you breakfast. I asked Mrs. Lewis last night to prepare something for you."

"I'm not hungry." He said after drinking water, sinking back on the bed. He gently pulled her back in against his chest and engulfed her in an embrace.

"Troy?" She asked, slightly tensing from his sudden touch but she adjusted her body so that her weight wasn't pressing down on him. "Is something wrong? You have to eat to get your strength back."

He shook his head slowly, gazing into her eyes as though he could find an answer in the brown depths. "Gabi, you're tired, lacking in sleep and you have to go to work later. Why did you take care of me?"

The question surprised her. He could tell from the curling of her brows. "You mean—I shouldn't have taken care of you?"

"That's not what I mean. You willingly went through all that trouble all night just for me. I'm touched and thankful beyond words, Gabi." He clarified, stroking her smooth cheek then her neck in a tender gesture that was slowly sending a thrill down Gabriella's body. "But I honestly wasn't expecting it because you really didn't have to and I know you also need your energy today for work so I'm curious—why do all that for me?"

She closed her eyes and sighed, as if making an important decision. After a long pause she opened her eyes, and Troy was somewhat taken aback by how much emotion was reflected in her clear brown eyes. "Because I c-care . . . I care about you, Troy . . . that's why." She admitted shyly, down casting her vision after she said the words.

The timid admission sent Troy's pulse racing like wild animals in a stampede. He also closed his eyes briefly and sucked in a calming breath. He felt like he had been waiting to hear that from her and finally having her say it was like a prayer answered . . . and he doesn't even believe in praying. In a voice heavy with emotion, he said, "I care about you too, Gabi . . . very much."

She raised shining brown eyes to him and Troy could tell she was just as astonished as him. They never ever talked about their feelings. It was like a taboo topic for them. And it certainly wasn't something they both planned or expected their friendship to lead to. It was both scary and overwhelming, especially for him.

But now that it's out in the open and obviously they are very pleased by it, Troy couldn't help but consider all the conditions that are involved in their marriage. Will that change too? Does this mean all bets are off? With a bit of hesitation, unsure if she will still insist on the five year only marriage agreement, he asked, "Where do we go from here?"

"I'm not sure anymore, Troy." She replied on a shaky whisper, unconsciously pressing her body closer to his.

His arms enclosed around her tightly and he buried his face in the softness of her hair. "Neither am I, Gabi . . . Neither am I."


A/N: First off, I'm so so sorry for the delay in update. I've been incredibly busy with work and I still am atm, it's not even funny. I had to squeeze writing this during my free time which is rare to come by actually. Anyway, I have to thank every single one of my amazing reviewers. 34 reviews in the last chapter! Wow, really guys...thank you so much. Grandpa is awesome, isn't he? Lol! To jb1236 & sheena-you never cease to surprise me with your well thought out review. It's very much appreciated. And a special mention to kat(aka kat03 or amazing!kat) who kept asking jaime to make me update. ;)

Oh, kindly forgive grammar and typo errors if there are any. I don't have time to edit the chapter(actually I never edited any of the posted chapters). Well, I hope this chapter will be well received too. fingers crossed :D