Counting Sheeps To Sleep

The sky had darkened when Ethan dropped Xia Ruo Lan at the Xia house, his car driving through the large gates.

The radiance of the setting sun engulfed the entire place in a golden tenderness. From afar, it looked quite surreal.

"We're here..", he said parking his car along the other cars, vintage and latest.

There was no answer from the other side, he turned to see that Xia Ruo Lan had dozed off. She looked rather tired to him. Indeed, she had woken up at dawn unable to sleep due to anxiousness.

"Xia Ruo Lan? Xia Ruo Lan.. Wake up!", he shook her shoulders lightly.

Her long eyelashes fluttering open was a sigh to behold as she opened her eyes awakened from her deep slumber.

Ethan's breathing turned haggard, he looked at her big black eyes and retracted his hand holding her shoulder.

Xia Ruo Lan gazed at him drowsily, slowly she sat up straight and looked around her surroundings.

"Oh! Thank you..", she mumbled groggily, her hair were a mess. She combed her hands through them detangling.

"No problem..", after what seemed like half a day he replied to her, his voice softer than usual.

Jumping out of the car hurriedly Ethan went to her side to open her car door. Xia Ruo Lan stepped out unhurriedly with his support holding him tightly.

Soon Aunt Yu, the caretaker rushed to help Ethan and brought Xia Ruo Lan inside. Setting her on the couch she looked at Ethan. She remembered this man.

"Young master Lee? What happened to young miss?", she asked in a frantic voice, it made Xia Ruo Lan feel uncomfortable.

She reached her hand to hold the worried old lady's palm and squeezed it, shaking her head. Ethan smiled at their exchange.

"She's fine.. Aunt Yu! Don't worry Doctor Xu will be here soon", the last sentence was directed at Xia Ruo Lan.

She pouted her lips in response to his words. Realizing something she turned to him with disbelief.

"When.. when did you call Uncle Xu?", she asked incredulously.

"Why should I tell you?", he sat across her and smiled smugly.

"Whatever! You can leave now..", she tried to drive him away lest he catches sight of her crying in pain.

What if he laughs at her for whining at the sight of needles? That would be too embarrassing!!

Aunt Yu's face turned weird looking at her young missy's actions. She was rudely chasing this handsome young master away? Aren't they good friends?

"Who are you asking to leave?", Doctor Xu's deep voice resounded in the hall, he was carrying his small black briefcase walking through the main door.

Xia Ruo Lan turned to look at her side and scowled at Ethan's smiling face, he was happy to see her irritated expression.

"Uncle Xu!", she cried feigning shock. Ethan again rolled his eyes at her acting while she glared daggers at him.

"Now.. now! Don't put on an act and tell me what's wrong?", he was rather close to Xia Ruo Lan and knew every little thing about her since childhood.

"I.. hurt my ankle", she muttered, her voice soft and soothing.

"Fine.. Let me take a look!", he sat down, peering at the bruise on her ankle.

"It's not so bad, rest properly.. Just a day or two and you'll be able to walk freely", he smiled at her, his hands reaching his pockets to reveal a couple caramel pieces wrapped in white paper.

"Thank you!!", she jumped at them and smiled brightly. Ethan laughed at her reaction and stood up preparing to leave.

"Okay.. Aunt Yu, Doctor Xu I'll take my leave now!", saying that he nodded at them before his gaze stopped at Xia Ruo Lan.

She looked up at him, he smiled faintly but she harrumphed in response. Chuckling, he turned and walked out.

- - - - -

A sleepy but awake Sera laid in her fluffy bed with her eyes closed. Hoping to fall asleep in peace. Dressed in a soft silk shirt and shorts she was looking at the white ceiling.

Sera was badly missing Lucifer, unable to understand the reason behind him going M.I.A she tossed and turned in her bed restlessly kicking the duvet.

"One, two, three.... hundred, hundred and one... five hundred... seven hundred and eighty two... thousand..", she closed her eyes counting sheeps to sleep.

Time ticked by slowly, it was now over midnight. There were no twinkling stars nor a shining moon in the dark night sky.

A black silhouette whizzed past through the balcony to her bed in the completely noiseless bedroom. The dim lights casting a shadow over her shapely legs and fair face.