The Bosses Pretend Bride

The moment that Jason opened his office door, the party out in the hallway froze. He took in the scene before him with no small amount of annoyance.

Mitch, one of his bodyguards, and Mrs. Thorn, his housekeeper, was trying to persuade Ms. Rory Whitney back into her bedroom without putting their hands on her person for fear of upsetting the girl more than she already seemed to be.

The moment she spotted Jason, she pushed past the other two people, a look of panic on her face as she moved towards him on unsteady legs. "Please, I must leave. I am not safe here. If those people find me, you will all be in danger." Her voice sounded desperate and shaky.

Jason realized that this young woman had no knowledge of who he was or what kind of family organization he ran.

"Ms. Whitney, you really should be lying down." He tried to reason with her as gently as he could, but she just clung desperately to his suit with her tiny fists.

"No, they are coming to get me. I know it. You aren't safe."

Jason could feel the heat radiating off of her, even though they were not actually touching. Suddenly, her eyes began to roll back into her head and she collapsed. He quickly scooped her up in his arms before she could hit the ground. "Shit, she is burning up."

Jason rushed her back to the room that she was in at the moment. Mrs. Thorn was hot on his heels as he moved rapidly down the hall.

"Quickly get cool water and clothes." She barked in passing at the nearest maid as they walked briskly down the hall. The maid jumped right to it, racing for the kitchen as quickly as she could.

Once inside, Jason laid his precious cargo down on the bed. He could already see the flushed tinge to her skin that indicated a fever. After he set her down, he stepped back and let Mrs. Thorn took over.

Jason watched as the older woman and two of the housemaids quickly removed her clothing until the girl was only in her underwear before they began to sponge her down with cold water.

Jason turned his gaze away from what they were doing and back up towards Rory's lovely oval face. Her lashes were long and cast shadows against her cheeks as he started down at her, recalling a similar night long ago when their roles were reversed.

He glanced at Mrs. Thorn, and he stated that the family doctor was hopeful that he would be on his way within an hour or so. Mrs. Thorn looked relieved at hearing the news. She was fine with taking care of sick people if needed, but usually it was people she was familiar with and not a stranger.

At that very moment, Rory began whimpering and crying out in her fever-induced sleep. It sounded like she was calling for someone, but he couldn't make out the name. Jason bent forward to see if he could make out what she might be uttering. He felt his heart melt slightly as she called out in a childish voice for her mother.

Jason looked at the others to see if they heard her, but none of them seemed to take notice. He wasn't quite sure how to comfort her because he had very little practice doing so before now. Jason just started saying the first thing that came to mind.

"Shh, Rory, it's alright. You are safe." He whispered as he stroked her hair gently. Jason continued this as the housekeeper and maid tried to bring her temperature down quickly. After what seemed like forever but was really only a short while later, she seemed to calm down and begin to sleep peacefully. Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"I will stay with her till the doctor comes, sir." Mrs. Thorn said it in a reassuring tone. "Besides, it wouldn't do for you to get sick as well." She ushered everyone out of the room after tidying up and placing the blankets over the girl to keep her comfortable. They now need to let the patient get some rest.

Jason looked back over to the tiny form engulfed by the surrounding bed-frame and bedding. She almost looked like a child with how tiny and frail she looked. He sighed before looking back at his housekeeper. "Are you sure? I could stay and help."

His words caused Mrs. Thorn's eyes widened in surprise. She looked over to the girl on the bed and had to wonder who this woman was to make their cold, unfeeling boss say such a thing. Never in all the time that she had been with this family had she ever heard him make such an offer.

The housekeeper shook her gray hair and told him she would manage just fine on her own. Once they departed, she moved to sit back down, her thin frame settling comfortably into the nearest chair to the patient in the bed.

Mrs. Thorn was a woman approaching her sixties and had seen a lot living in this house. She knew that the family was a prominent family in these parts. They had their fingers in a number of different pies, and some were not completely legal, she was sure.

Martha Thorn had learned long ago to keep her nose out of their business. Nothing surprises her anymore. Except for today. They paid her well enough not to rock the boat. But today, seeing the look on the young lord's face as he gazed upon this girl with worry, and dare she think it was caring? She almost felt the need to rock it just a little bit to see what might come loose.

Martha's thoughts were interrupted when Ms. Whitney began to toss and turn on the bed once more. It seemed like a nightmare had her in its grip. Martha reached over and wrung out a towel before placing it on her forehead. The girl relaxed immediately and fell back into a deep sleep, her breathing steady once again.

The housekeeper keeps the cloth on her until it warms up before dipping it into the cold water once again. She placed it back on the young woman's head before sitting back in the chair.

"I have to admit, young lady, that I am extremely curious to know how Mr. Carrow knows you. He has never mentioned your name before, and I know he has never been associated with you in any other manner because I would remember someone with your stunning looks." She stated softly as her gaze took in the beauty of the young woman before her, who looked to be still flushed with fever. The hair on her temples sticking to her skin and curling from the perspiration coming off her. Mrs. Thorn continued to wipe her down with the other cloth on hand.

"I have never seen him look at anyone or volunteer to help anyone the way he did today. I have to wonder. Who are you to him?" She, of course, got no answer because the girl was out cold.

"Hopefully, when you wake up, we will get some answers about who you are and how you are involved with the boss."