Trapped In Lace

Joan lived downstairs. Her husband died of a heart attack two years ago, and her two daughters were married and lived with their husbands. So, she was alone at home most of the time. On weekends, her two daughters would bring their children to her house to spend time with her.

She knew that Rachel was a doctor. So, she went to Rachel whenever she had any health-related problem. And because of this, they quickly became familiar with each other.

"Did you just get back, Joan?" Rachel asked her.

"Yes, I bought a pack of tissues from the supermarket. I have used up all the tissues at home," Joan replied. She slightly raised the bag in her hand to show it to Rachel with a broad smile. "Were you just calling your boyfriend, Rachel? You have such a sweet smile! And you look even more beautiful when you are smiling."

"No, it's just a friend of mine," Rachel replied with a slight blush on her cheeks. But her words failed to mask her true feelings as she reflexively moved her hand to touch her face. 'Was my smile really that obvious?' she wondered.

Joan pointed at her eyes with a smile as she nodded at Rachel. "I may be old, but I can see them clearly. Isn't

,"

Jack replied back to her.

He coughed a few more times and stepped back reflexively to keep his distance from Rachel and avoid infecting her.

When he saw that Rachel turned her head and looked at him in confusion,

he felt that he had to explain why he stepped away from her. "I think I have a cold.

I'm afraid that I might infect you.

I stepped away to keep my distance from you and not get you infected," he explained.

"I'm not that easy to infect,

you know.

I'm not a newborn baby anymore,"

Rachel point out.

She reached out to pull the edge of his sleeve

and got him by her side. Jack stared at her hand that held his sleeve. She had not yet retracted it back yet.

It made him smile warmly.

"Don't overthink it.

I just think it's too strange for you to stand away from me like that,"

Rachel explained.

Jack lowered his head with the same smile on his lips.

"Why is it so strange?"

he asked.

Nothing.

I just find it a little strange,"

Rachel replied casually.

She turned her face away

and gritted her teeth.

'Was I too impulsive just now?'

she thought to herself as she wondered about what she did.