Chapter 43 Hospital
KIA
I feel heavy. How long did I… sleep?
The fragrance of hospital disinfectant invaded my nose as I awoke. The bleach stench was overpowering. The brilliant light that was peeking through my closed eyelids caused me to squint. I felt heavy and helpless. My head, my body, and my hands were all immobile. Aside from my loud breathing and the beep beep sound you frequently hear in hospitals to let you know you're alive, the room was completely silent. I gently opened my eyes, squinting to try to make the hazy sights in front of me more clear. I cast a quick glance around and noticed the empty hospital room with its blue and white decor.
Where am I? As the blinding light slowly subsided, I could take a look around my surroundings. I was at the hospital.
The space was spotless, tidy, and dismal. A typical hospital bed, an IV, and beeping monitors. The linens were grayish, and the walls were a sickening shade of green. Nothing in the setting suggested that a patient would be inspired to improve. In fact, the gloomy space was making me queasy more than usual. I closed my eyes as I tried to recall all that had happened. The weird thing is, though, that I don't recall going to a hospital and informing a nurse that I was ill. To make matters worse, I can't even recall where I was, what I did, or what transpired the previous several days. However, nothing seems to be emerging despite my mind's efforts to fill in the gaps. While I was unable to recall how I had arrived, I was certain that I wanted to go as quickly as possible.
Who brought me here? Out of impulse, my hand travels to my head, pressing the throbbing area on my right temple. I flinched at the pain. I tried to get up. Once I stepped on the cold, white tiles, I instantly fell back onto the bed. My body was engulfed in pain as if objecting to my decision to stand up. I lay there pathetically, waiting for the pain to wash away. staring at the ceiling, illuminated with white fluorescent light. Perhaps waiting for some help from the hospital staff. I still didn't know how I got here, who took me here, or how long I'd been here.
Or maybe… maybe someone kidnapped me and was about to steal my internal organs! Oh, God!
My series of questions was interrupted, “Hon! You are awake. I brought you something delicious to eat. The love porridge I made!” Ares suddenly showed up. I immediately stood up and ran towards him. “Ares! I thought... I thought someone kidnapped me!” I cried and threw myself on him.
“...What are you talking about? You suddenly passed out yesterday while you and your friends were still in the Enchanted Kingdom. Gladly, I came there right on time. That is why I sent you here to the hospital. Besides, I will not let anyone get you from me. I will not let that happen. I will always love you! Don’t ever think about things like that. Mhm?”
I nodded and tried to calm myself. “What a relief. I thought it was like in a movie when you wake up in a hospital, and then some bad guys were going to take your internal organs to sell.” I said while shivering in fear.
He started laughing, “You have watched too many movies recently. Okay, now, go back to your bed,” he said, which I immediately did. He grabbed something from his bag and it smelled so good, “Come on, hon, you should eat so that you can gain back your energy. I specially cooked this chicken with carrot porridge for you.” Ares said while blowing on the food since it was still a bit hot. “Be careful. Here, let me help you.”
“Ah—” I widened my mouth while he was carefully holding the spoon.
“Is it delicious? Do you like it?" he asked.
"You need to change your profession, hon. Everything you cook for me is delicious!" I answered, and it seems like he liked my answer. He suddenly turned red and immediately fed me more.
Since we are in a public hospital, the room is filled with lots of patients. I guess there are seven patients in this room. And some of them were watching us while I was enjoying the meal that my husband cooked for me. There is a granny in the third bed who is smiling while watching us. Maybe she adores us or she remembers something back when she was still young like us. I thought about offering her some porridge, but then Ares only prepared one bowl, which made me feel sorry for granny.
I still feel some throbbing in my right temple, and I can't focus on finishing my meal because of that. Ares gave me a bottle of water, and while I was drinking, I heard someone calling my name. I don't know if I am just hallucinating, but it seems like Ares heard it too.
"Kianna!" Miaree suddenly entered the room and stopped for a moment to catch her breath. "I—I rushed over as soon as I heard that you were awake. How are you feeling right now? Do you still know me? Who am I? No—wait, how many fingers is this?" she hysterically asked while showing two fingers.
"Miaree—"
"Oh! You know my name... You remember me bestie!" She said and suddenly hugged me and started crying like a baby, "Your hubby answered your phone and told me that you were still unconscious, so I immediately went here because I am so worried about you. I couldn't even sleep last night! I am sorry! It's my fault that you played with me yesterday, which made you sick!"
"Hey, it's fine. It's nothing to do with you. I just overused my energy yesterday. I just need some rest and I will be good. Don't blame yourself—"
"No! I must be responsible for what happened to you. Let me take care of you! Mr. Ares, please move! Let me take care of Kianna! Give me the porridge!" She immediately grabbed the porridge from Ares' hand but after that, she began crying again, "Waaah! I am sorry I put you through it. I shouldn't force you to ride every ride in there!"
"Hon, I'll just go outside for a bit. I'll buy some fruit for you." Ares said.
"Oh, no, hon. It's fine. You should go to work. You always ask for leave because of me, which will make you miss so much work. I don't want you to have a bad record in the company."
"Yes, wife!" he answered while nodding his head, "You are so sweet! I will promise to get back as soon as possible. Ms. Ishii, please take care of Kianna for a while. Thank you. And also, please make sure she finishes her porridge."
"Yes, sir! You have my word!"
"I'm leaving. Hon, I will miss you..." he said and gave me a kiss on the forehead before leaving the room.
-
The Vueravista Company
As soon as Ares arrived at the company, he immediately took the secret elevator. There are only a few staff members of the Vueravista Company who saw Ares in person since he was always in his office and didn’t take the main elevator. He didn’t even want to walk into the entrance; he is always hiding his identity from everyone since he doesn’t want the world to know who he is. As he entered his office, the first thing he noticed upon walking in was the many piles of paper around his table.
He comfortably sat in his office chair and took a breath as he grabbed the telephone and called his secretary, “Kyle, make a cup of coffee for me."
“Right away, boss!” Kyle said on the other line before Ares dropped the call.
While waiting for his coffee, Ares decided to start reading all the documents and gave his signature on each page. A minute later, a knock on the door grabbed his attention.
“Come in,” Ares said, while his eyes were still focused on the paper he was reading.
“Here is your coffee, boss," Kyle murmured and placed the coffee on the table.
“Kyle, bring all the documents here. I am almost finished with this one.”
“Boss, those are all the documents you need to give your signature on today—”
“Is that all?”
“Yes, that’s all, boss. You are the man! And you get things done quickly! There were so many documents, but you finished them right away. If I had to do all of this, I would have to spend one week dealing with it.” Kyle said, fanboying his boss.
“Stop kissing my ass. I will not raise your salary just because of that. Cut it out.”
“Hehehe— Yes, boss!”
While waiting for incoming meetings, Ares grabbed his phone and stared at his wallpaper; it was a picture of Kianna. He hugged it and gave his phone a kiss.
“I don’t know how my wife is doing now. I miss you very much, hon. I hope you are gaining back your energy. Ms. Ishii is taking care of her, she should be okay…” Ares whispered, talking to himself.
