Jason asked cheerfully, surprised to see Val there. He doesn't know how happy he is to see the young man's face that time.
Val hunched over to check on his leg. Looks like His ankle was bruised.
"Oh, Boss, um, I was just having a little stop here. I'll go home after this."
Jason crouched down to check on Val's ankle. His eyes get bigger, it's looked worse than the last time he saw it.
"Goodness, what happened? I thought it was just a little sprain. Why don't you said anything?"
Val quickly flinched and tried to hide his leg from the boss.
"It's nothing, Boss. Just a sprain. It doesn't really hurt that much. Just, need to settle for a moment"
Jason glanced at Val's face. Though he didn't want to admit it, Val looked in pain.
"It looks bad. Come on, I'll take you to the hospital," said Jason, ready to support Val. Val waved his hand dismissively.
"That, no need, boss. I just need to go home and ice it. It'll get better after a while. This happens often. I usually sleep leaning on one arm, and my hand turns blue. It's normal." said Val.
Jason looked at the young man. Val's face showed it more than just a simple pain.
Jason extended his hand, but Val just stared at it. What was his boss going to do? Support him? but, how can he accpet that? Although, Val had to admit, he probably hard to walk with his leg condition like that. The pain throbbed up to his knee. *Damn it,* he cursed, it was fine a moment ago. How can it get worse this fast?
"Uh...that"
Jason realized Val was exhausted. He pulled his lips watching the young man look hesitant.
The man slung his bag to the front, then bent down in front of Val to offer his back. Val was stunned by his boss's actions.
"Boss? Th-"
"What are you waiting for? Come on, hop on my back. I'll take you to the hospital. You're my employee, so you deserve the best care. What would people say if they knew Jason Garber neglected his staff?"
"B-but boss, um, I can walk myself." that would be awkward, is it? Val thinking.
Val's leg hurt so bad to the bone. He tried to stand with the leg, but the pain get worsened ever since. But leaning on his boss... it wasn't appropriate.
"But boss..."
Not pattienly wait to hear any words from the stuttered Val, Jason grabbed Val's hands and looped them around his neck. With a little effort, the athletic man hoisted Val onto his back.
"B-boss," Val couldn't help to reject it.
Jason easily carried Val like a little kid. Luckily, he worked out regularly, and Val wasn't heavy, so it was nothing.
"Relax, Val. As long as I'm here, I won't let my staff suffer. Don't worry about being a burden. This doesn't happen often, right?"
Val smiled. Jason's words, however, made him feel comfortable, just as he felt comfortable with him. Since he started at the company, his boss had been known for being incredibly gentle and always attentive to all his employees, without exception. He probably pitied him, being the youngest in the office. Val tightened his grip around Jason's neck; he was afraid of falling, his Boss's long legs making him feel like he was clinging to a lamppost.
"Uh, thanks, boss, but this would be super embarrassing if anyone saw us," he said.
Soon, Jason's car arrived. Bob, his driver, emerged from behind the wheel and helped Jason.
"Mr. Jason, sorry to keep you waiting," the young man said, quickly opening the door for Jason.
Jason carefully lowered Val and helped him get into the car.
"Easy," he said while carefully protecting Val's head from the bump while gets in.
…...
City Center Hospital.
The nurse just finished bandaging Val's bruised ankle. The doctor approached as another nurse brought in Val's lab results.
"Doc," the nurse said.
Jason stood up as the doctor approached, just as his phone vibrated – a call from his grandfather.
"Excuse me, I'll be right back," Jason said, heading for the door.
"Yeah, Grandpa," he muttered.
The rather round-built doctor approached, carrying Val's X-ray. He examined it carefully.
"Hmm, it's slightly fractured here, but not serious. Rest for two or three days, and it'll be fine. Luckily, it's not in a weight-bearing bone. But the blood test results aren't back yet. Usually, a minor sprain wouldn't cause this much bruising. There might be a problem with your blood, and that…" Val glanced at Jason pacing by the door. Luckily, his boss didn't hear it. Otherwise, he might not allow him to work on Monday. There was still a pending project, and everyone was busy.
"Umm, but I'm fine now, right, doc? Can I go home?"
The doctor sighed, pushing up his slightly slipped glasses.
"Judging by your condition, it looks like this isn't your first rodeo with spontaneous bruising. From my experience, this isn't normal. We'll see the test results by tomorrow afternoon, okay? Don't turn off your phone."
Val smiled, thinking the doctor always exaggerated. It wasn't a big deal, but the man was treating him like he was about to die. He started to get off the bed when Jason entered and approached.