Novel Palace
Chapter 135
Chapter 135
Sophia didn’t change into a hospital gown that afternoon, still rocking her own threads.
When she left the house in the morning, for convenience’s sake, she slipped into some tight denim jeans – not exactly a one-handed job, considering her injured right arm and IV-dripping left hand.
Brandon couldn’t help but notice the snug jeans and the needle in her left hand, along with her immobile right arm.
He cleared his throat, turned his head slightly, and then glanced back at her.
“Let me take that for you,” he said. “If you need anything else, just holler. I’ll be right outside.”
Sophia managed a nod, feeling so awkward she was practically digging her toes into the floor. She almost wished Brandon wasn’t there, so she wouldn’t have to deal with this embarrassment.
The loo was right inside the room.
Brandon set the IV bottle up in the bathroom for Sophia, and before he left, he gave her a concerned look. “Still feeling dizzy?”
Sophia shook her head. “Not anymore.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
The drip was doing wonders; a little nap and she felt loads better.
Brandon nodded, hung everything up for her, then stepped out, standing with his back to her at the bathroom door.
“Give a shout if you need anything.”
Sophia nodded again, her face burning up like it was on fire. She was already mortified that Brandon had to escort her to the john, let alone do her business in front of him that was a no-go.
–
“You head back to the room, yeah?” she said.
Brandon caught a glimpse of her utterly mortified expression, didn’t say a word, just nodded.
“Don’t try to be okay if you need help,” he instructed before turning back to the room, sparing her any further embarrassment at the bathroom door. Sophia gave a weak “Mhm,” and closed the bathroom door..
No lock on the door, and she wasn’t in any shape to fuss with it, so she just left it slightly ajar and went to tackle her jeans button – no dice.
Her jeans were not only tight but featured a triple row of metal buttons, and she, fearing the buttonholes were too big and might pop open, had made them small and tight a real pain to undo.
–
With her right arm freshly injured and swollen, she couldn’t muster any strength.
Afraid of dislodging the IV needle in her left hand, she didn’t dare apply too much force, and after a lot of fumbling, she hadn’t managed to undo a single
one.
Back in the room, Brandon wasn’t exactly at ease. Seeing that she wasn’t coming out and there was no sound from the bathroom, he furrowed his brows and walked over to the bathroom door, knocking.
“You alright?”
Sophia’s mix of panic and embarrassment was spiking, “It’s fine, just go back to the room.”
In her rush to undo the buttons, her left hand yanked at the IV site, causing her to hiss in pain. The sound made Brandon’s expression change instantly, and he pushed the bathroom door open.
Sophia was awkward.
Brandon saw her left hand on the waistband’s metal button and then looked at her face, giving a light cough.
“Let me do it.”
He said, stepping forward and reaching for the button.
Sophia’s soft hand landed on his, stopping him from going any further. Her face was already red enough to bleed, and she was on the verge of tears from embarrassment.
“We’ve been through this before,” Brandon looked at her, “How long you gonna torture yourself like this?”
Been there, done that, but Sophia felt like she wanted to die.
She never thought she’d be in a situation so awkward that she’d need Brandon to help her undress to use the bathroom.
She had never been this embarrassed in her life.
Now, she just wanted to yank out the IV and handle it herself.
Her mortified look was almost making Brandon chuckle.
“I’ll close my eyes,” he said, and then he did, his long fingers finding the metal button, and with a “pop,” the first one was undone. His fingers moved to the
second button.
Sophia closed her eyes and turned her head away, refusing to face the situation.
But they were standing so close, Brandon’s familiar crisp scent was all around her, and the constraint at her waist loosened with two more “pop” sounds.
Brandon didn’t push any further, just opened his eyes and looked down at
“Can you manage on your own now?” His voice was slightly hoarse.
Sophia felt the awkwardness was torturous not just for her but maybe for Brandon too.
She kept her eyes tightly shut, not wanting to face him, and just nodded lightly. “Mhm.”
Her voice was so choked with embarrassment it was almost a cry.
Brandon had to suppress a laugh at her ostrich act, patting her shoulder lightly.
“I’ll be outside, just call when you’re done.”
“Mhm.”
It was almost a sob.
Brandon stepped out, considerately closing the bathroom door behind him, not lingering at the door. His retreating footsteps provided some relief to Sophia’s embarrassment.