Adaline sat in the corner of the long sofa, watching TV as Altezza approached her. Instead of sitting down, he chose to lie down, placing his head on Adaline's lap.

"Feeling unwell," he said, reaching for Adaline's right hand and placing it on his forehead. Indirectly asking her to massage his head as she did earlier in the afternoon.

Adaline complied, and her hands massaged both sides of Altezza's temples gently.

Both of them fell silent. The only sound came from the TV Adaline had turned on. ...