The next morning, Aaron woke up with a bad sneeze. When Simon walked in to wake him for breakfast, he made sure to check his temperature and unfortunately, it wasn't too good.

"It's pretty bad, you should stay in bed until you cool down." Simon said while looking at the thermometer.

"No, I have to...achoo! Go to work today." Another sneeze took place after that.

Simon pulled a paper towel out and helped Aaron blow his nose and then tossed it into the trash bin near him.

"Today's no good. You'll end up getting your coworkers sick as well. You don't want that now do you?" Simon raised an eyebrow as he spoke to emphasise his point.

"Bu-" He couldn't even finished his sentence due to a sneeze that interrupted it.

"No buts. Just rest, tell me your work number and I'll let them know you're taking a day off." Simon blew his nose as he spoke.

"206..." He gave in.

Simon called the number a women with a thick Chinese accent picked up. "Hello?" She spoke through the line.

"Oh hi, I'm calling for Aaron and just wanted to let you know he'll be calling in sick today." Simon explained.

"Which Aaron? Skinny boy with black hair, or fat old man with white hair?" The women questioned.

Simon let out an unexpected laugh before quickly clearing his voice. "I'll go with the first one." He replied.

" Ah, that boy. He always come to work even when sick." It was silent on the other line for a while. "Fine, fine, but he come back to work tomorrow, Okay?" She finally spoke.

"Of course, I'll let him know, thank you very much ma'am." Simon waited for her to hang up before shutting his cellphone and slipping it back into his pocket. "You're all clear." He gave Aaron a thumbs up.

"Thank you." Aaron said sincerely before giving off a triple consecutive sneeze.

"gesundheit." Simon said to him, wiping his nose yet again. "Why don't you come with me and we can have breakfast." He added, reaching his hand out to Aaron.

The boy took it and Simon helped him out of bed and down the stairs to the kitchen area. He ate in that place just the night before but he still couldn't help but be amazed at the place.

The breakfast bar was made of white marbles and the dining table along with the counters by the stove and sink area which were massive in size.

He had utensils hanging by the window near the sink and on also had huge dining table with six chairs and a fruit bowl in the middle. He was still lost by that because ever since he came, the only other living thing in the house was his cat Casper.

He sat down at the island as Simon went over to the kitchen counters to grab something.

"Alright, I have lemon squares and banana bread, choose whichever you like best." He said and set both plates on the table. He went back and came back with a tea kettle and a mug. "I also have hot chocolate and tea if prefer that better." He then set them on the table as well.

Aaron couldn't choose he just took one slice of the banana bread, two lemon squares, some hot coco and decided to drink the tea later on after he was done.

He ate slowly, savouring every bite. He finished and thanked Simon for his amazing cooking skills. "Any time. If you get hungry anytime of the day, don't be shy to peak in the refrigerator and grab what you like." Simon said pointing to where the fridge was.

"Thank you." Aaron said again and gathered the plates, he was about to head to the sink but was stopped by Simon.

"Don't worry about that, you go back to bed and rest some more, I'll take care of that." Simon said with a genuine smile.

Aaron was now just laying on the nice bed, counting the white dots that covered the blue ceiling above him. The room he was in seemed to show new things every time he turned his head. His first time here, he didn't notice the the cute white lamb alarm clock on the night stand. He tried to relax himself in the bed he was in and was about to lay down but a little white fur-ball sneaked into the bedroom, jumping up on the mattress and startling the living crap out of Aaron.

Aaron scooted away until his back hit the headboard, he didn't know why he was so terrified of cats but he just was. His grandmother owned a small Maltese dog. That small little creature was the only thing that kept Aaron company.

"H-hi." He said, his voice almost cracking.

The cat titled it's head and made its way closer to him. He lifted his legs and brought them close to his chest, shaking out of fear.

"Casper!" Simons voice was heard by the door. "what did I say about scaring him?! Get off that bed this instant!" Simon commanded and Casper complied, hopping off and running into Simon's arms.

Simon had a bowl in his hands so holding Casper up was a bit difficult. "Sorry, He can be a little insensitive sometimes." Simon said and placed Casper on the table that was located right of the bed, it was connected to wall so I guess it was more of a counter.

Aaron relaxed himself again but kept his eyes on the feline just in case it decided to move. "I brought some chicken soup for your cold." He said he removed the lid off the bowl.

"D-do I have to?" He said with a grimaced expression on his face as he looked down at the bowl.

"Come on, it'll help ease your throat." Simon said and mixed the content. Some steam was coming so it was still hot.

"M-" a sneeze interrupted him. "My throat is okay." He said. His voice was groggy and his nose was completely stuffed.

"Oh please. How about you just drink five spoons, if you do that for me I'll let you sleep alright?" Simon proposed.

"Five is too many." Aaron pouted.

"Four?"

"Three."

"If not then six."

"Four it is!"

The soup didn't taste as bad as he had anticipated. He actually ended up having more than he had expected.

"See, it's good isn't it?" Simon asked as Aaron handed him the bowl.

"Mm." He nodded. "Thank you." He said with a bright eye smile.

A meow was heard and they both remembered that Casper had been sitting on the counter the whole time just silently observing them. "I think Cas wants to be your friend." Simon said and picked Casper up to his lap. "He usually avoid contact with everyone he meets, other than myself, you're the first person he's ever been less than three feet from." He added as he stoked the cats white coat.

"Oh." Aaron looked down at it. It really was beautiful. "What breed is he?" He asked out of curiosity.

"khao manee. It's a Thai breed. My grandmother gave him to me as a gift before she passed away so we're pretty close." Simon spoke, his eyes locked on the cat that seemed to be sinking into his touch.

He was something very special to Simon. He made Simon have that caring look in his eyes, that soft and calm expression he wore when he slowly stroked him.

Aaron sat there silently, I wish someone could look at me with those eyes. He thought to himself. He took a deep breath and extended his arm out, reaching for Casper.

His fingers brushed slightly on his fur and Aaron immediately shook bringing his hand back. "It's fine, he won't hurt you." Simon assured him.

He smiled back and placed his entire palm on Casper's back, moving it up and down but was still barely touching him. Casper moved Aaron backed away. He got off of Simons lap and jumped on the bed again, going up to sit on Aaron.

"just relax." Simon said softly and Aaron did as so, taking small breaths in and out.

After a few seconds, he placed his fingers on Casper's ears, causing him to squirm and sink into his chest. Five minutes of that and Aaron was laughing at how playful the little was.

"See, not so hard was it." Simon said andAaron shook his head, a smile on his face as he swayed Casper's paws from side to side.

"I'll let you guys play while I clean the bowl Alright. Be right back." Simon said and exited the room.

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