I miss her

'The reality is that you didn't reject me, but I rejected you. I've come to propose to Livy, and your mother offered you instead. But ... all I wanted was to marry Livy.'

Livy recalled these words again while she was lost in thought, her face immediately blushed. She didn't know that the real reality was like that and she was very embarrassed now. Is that true?

"So this match wasn't arranged by father and mother-in-law? And Arthur chose me specifically?" she muttered.

From the beginning all she knew was that they were betrothed. That's why she was confused why Arthur would accept an arranged marriage in this modern era. However, if Arthur chose his own wife, how could Arthur's choice fall on her? They didn't know each other before.

Livy gasped when someone flicked her forehead hard. She looked up in annoyance. "Isn't there another way to greet me, Sarah?"

"You're daydreaming while looking at your phone, I thought you were hypnotized or something!" sneered Sarah.

"Hi, Livy," said Amara who happened to come with Sarah. Both of them immediately sat in front of her.

"You two sure are close now." Livy shook her head.

Sarah chuckled shyly. "That's how it is. At first we accidentally were always in the same class, then we talked and became close. You know, Amara has the same likes as me. We can spend a lot of time discussing thrillers. We've even started sharing our favorite movies."

Livy's frowned. "You're both girls, but you really like gore movies like that?"

"That's where the thrill is, Livy. You don't like it, so you don't understand. Watching a movie like that will drive your adrenaline. Most horror movies nowadays are also spiced up with thrillers, isn't that a double combo. Isn't that right, Amara?"

Amara smiled and nodded. "Sarah is experienced, she has a large collection. I like all her recommendations. You should see them too."

Livy got goosebumps. "Yea, yea, please continue your favorite, ok. Just don't drag me too."

"You suck!" mocked Sarah. She nudged Amara's arm and she laughed too.

Livy noticed how Amara laughed, it was very graceful. She wasn't the typical frivolous girl who would laugh loudly like Sarah and had a gentle way of speaking. Everyone could see that she took great care of her appearance and that all parts of her body were well groomed. She is also tall and in good shape. Amara seems to really come from a rich family with good manners.

"Amara, are you going to stay in VIP Dorm?" Livy suddenly asked.

"Yes, the place is nice and comfortable. Not bad."

"Why? Why are you suddenly discussing dorms? I also want to live in special dorm, the facilities are good, right? Tell me how I can get in since I'm not a rich?" Sarah said this and she got annoyed.

"You can stay in my room." Amara offered.

"Really? Can I?"

Livy sneered, "I asked you to stay at my room, but you refused. It was her turn to offer, you didn't hesitate to want it."

"Don't be so jealous, ok?" Sarah patted her on the shoulder sympathetically. "Single women will be more comfortable hanging out with each other, while you are married, our world is different. We singles will be busy thinking about how to find a rich and handsome boyfriend, but you are thinking about how to satisfy your husband in bed, right?"

Livy blushed. "Damn it!"

Sarah laughed so contentedly her stomach cramped. Amara had to hold her so she wouldn't fall off the chair.

"So am I telling the truth? You've been daydreaming since you looked at your phone, you're actually thinking about that, right? Tell Arthur it's your first time, so let him guide you."

"Sarah, you talk again, I'm going to throw this phone at you!"

"All right, all right. I'm just kidding. Then tell me, what did you think you were thinking like that? Is something wrong with your husband?" Sarah finally relented and she sat properly in her chair.

Amara silently watched Livy's expression as this question fell.

Sarah didn't really know what happened at the Finnegans four nights ago. Livy still couldn't tell. Anyway what she thought wasn't just that, but about the message she sent to Arthur four days ago, until now, the man still didn't read it.

If the message is not answered, Livy still understands. But what if he don't read it? Was he so busy that he didn't see the text from her?

"Why are you silent? You had a fight with Arthur?" Sarah asked curiously.

Livy shook her head wearily. Without answering Sarah first, she looked at Amara. "Amara, has your brother been so busy lately that he can't be reached?"

After she found out Amara was Evander's sister, there was no way for Amara to hide it, so she had been honest too. Even about her being sent by her brother to help Livy at the dorm.

"Yeah. My brother has been so busy recently. I think it's because it's the end of the year," Amara replied softly.

"Is that so."

Selena watched Livy's gloomy face and felt a little guilty. She overheared that Arthur was hospitalized a few days ago. But Evander immediately asked her not to tell Livy if she asked.

"Oho, so you're feeling anxious because your husband isn't texting or calling you? Hmph! Husbands and wives showing off their affection are annoying!" Sarah clucked.

Livy shook her head. "If you envy me, then get married!"

"Fine, I'll get married soon!" Sarah hit the table seriously, before looking piteously next to her. "Amara, help me find a rich husband, ok?"

Surprisingly, Amara immediately agreed. "I'll help you. What type do you want? Does he have to like thrillers too?"

"Now, now, now, that's great. We could have a thriller date every day. That would be fun!" Sarah immediately perked up. "Amara that's a great idea! Come on, come on, introduce me to someone!!!"

"And he must be rich and handsome too?"

"Yes! Yes!"

Livy took a tired breath. She shook her head in disbelief.

***

Arthur's expression became calmer as he heard the conversation through the earphones. Hearing Livy's voice, his mood also improved.

Dave, who had just entered and saw Arthur's bright face, immediately wondered. "Sounds like some good news."

"Mn."

Arthur didn't move as Dave injected something into his IV. It was just that his forehead twitched as a cold and tingling feeling from the medicine started to run through his bloodstream.

"When can I go home?" asked Arthur without removing the earphones in his ears. He was still hearing Livy and others' conversation there.

"After you recover."

"I feel better already."

Dave did not believe the words. "Usually it takes you two weeks to be completely healthy, Boss. Don't rush it, or you won't recover at all. Aren't you serious about going to therapy again this time?"

"If I'm serious, will I recover?"

Dave was at a loss to answer the same question as usual, he sighed. "Depends. If you don't break my taboo, at least the outcome will be better. But ... I still suggest you get surgery."

This time Arthur did not answer.

Dave had expected that Arthur would shut up if he brought this up, so he didn't chase after him. "Open your eyes, Boss."

The light of a small flashlight hit Arthur's corneas and he closed his eyes quickly.

"Still responsive, should still be able to recover." Dave said nonchalantly, putting away his flashlight and glancing at Arthur out of the corner of his eye.

Arthur squeezed his eyes tight again, he felt his headache coming back from the light response. This was annoying.

After Dave took his boss vitals and blood pressure with satisfactory results, he paused to look at Arthur. Secretly feel very sad.

But, he finally steeled his intention to persuade Arthur again, he took a breath.

"I'll say it one more time, Boss. And I'll say it forever." Dave began in a slightly strained voice.

When he didn't hear Arthur's answer, he continued,

"The only fastest and best way is surgery. Sister-in-law is a beautiful girl, you don't want to lose the opportunity to enjoy her beauty, do you? Think about it."

Dave was terrible at persuading Arthur, but at least his words had some effect. Arthur suddenly thought of Livy's round, slightly plump little face, and her mushroom-like hair. The image was exactly when little Livy shot a mango with her doll twelve years ago.

Very cute little girl.

Unknowingly he pursed his lips.

At this time the door of his bedroom opened and footsteps were heard.

"Evan?"

"You always know that I'm coming." Evander paused before leaning closer to the bed.

"I can tell by your smell," Arthur said quietly. "You once said that the perfume you wear is only produced by a thousand in the world and is now rare. The fragrance of sandalwood, cinnamon and lavender is very easy to remember."

Evander laughed softly before opening the package he was carrying and placing it on the table.

"This flower, can you smell it?"

"Rose."

Evander stared at the flower arrangement he had placed in a white vase. Since becoming blind, Arthur has sharpened his sense of smell and hearing. It wasn't unusual, that he could tell. This was also done so that he could be alert if someone suddenly had evil intentions while he was off guard.

"There are two kinds of flowers," Evander said, pulling up a chair to sit down.

Arthur frowned slightly. The smell of Evander's perfume was very subtle, but it was stronger than the others. He answered uncertainly, "Lily and the roses."

"Yes, exactly." Evander was amazed. He went back to busying with the other package he had gathered before coming here, before opening some reports and placing them in Arthur's lap.

"Is this a report about Livy's family company?" Arthur held the paper in his hand, but couldn't read it.

"Yeah. The company is engaged in the industrial sector. The profit was quite high several years ago, before it finally went bankrupt and was bought by a foreign businessman."

"You brought the report here, meaning you managed to buy it?" asked Arthur curiously.

Evander pushed up his glasses, his expression quite proud. "I'm very reliable."

Arthur slightly crumpled the paper in his hand. He felt relieved. He was sure that Evander could be counted on for this.

"Where should I sign?"

"Here." Evander pulled up the mayo counter and placed Arthur's hand in the proper position. "Don't move the other way, right here. Hold the pen."

Arthur held a pen and signed autographs with ease. He did it in a few more sheets.

"You said you don't want to buy it. Change your mind now?" asked Evander after the document was signed.

"I'm afraid the company will close before Livy can fight for it. I will buy it first. When she is ready to take it back, I will arrange it."

Arthur is so detailed and neat in this business. Now Evander is completely convinced that her position in Arthur's heart is very deep.

But Evander somewhat disapproved of this way. He said, "I think, if she finds out about this, she won't be happy."

That's what Arthur thought too.

But waiting for her to be ready to fight for her family company again, it took a long time. Anything can happen to a company that falls to a foreign party. Arthur felt this was all he could do now.

"He wouldn't know," Arthur said.

"It's up to you then." Evander shrugged. "I'm going out for some coffee. Do you need anything?"

Arthur shook his head.

Finally Evander didn't ask anymore and went outside. As the room grew quiet again, only Arthur's nose began to pick up the scent of lily and rose wafting in the air. The smell calmed him down a bit and he started to lie down.

This was right on his fourth day of treatment. During that time he always asked Dave to let him start therapy, but Dave didn't want to comply. It was only when Evander said he'll be Arthur's guarantor for time off from work and takes medication seriously that Dave seemed convinced. Finally he had his first therapy yesterday.

Regarding this leave, Evander said that Arthur could not return to the office during the therapy period. Arthur of course refused. But again Evander managed to convince him by saying that Arthur could work at home.

It was clear that between the three of them, Arthur was a good arbiter.

After all, the deteriorating state of Arthur's eyes wasn't exactly without gaps. Even though black dominated his vision, there was still a small speck of light visible. Sometimes he could still see the slow movement before his eyes. But it's more like a moving straight line.

It's sad, but not so bad either.

This was why he didn't want Livy to see him like this. Livy will definitely be very worried and scared.

During these four days, he also noticed that Livy didn't seem to be in a very good mood. She had been thinking too much about what Sarah had said, which he had heard on the recorder. He thought maybe Livy was confused because he hasn't contacted her at all.

When he realized Evander had finally returned with the smell of coffee in the air, he said, "Get someone to bring my phone here."

"Hm?" Evander who was sipping his coffee was confused. "Who do you want to call? Use my phone first."

"I want my phone."

"It is late."

Arthur is blind, so he didn't know the time because he didn't ask anyone either. Only he knew, that it was already night. On the other hand, Evander, who looked against it, actually sent a message to someone to take Arthur's phone.

"You can't see anything anyway. What are you going to do with it?"

Precisely because Evander was here, Arthur thought he could help check whether there were incoming messages or not on his phone. But rather than explaining that, he chose to say, "I ... might want to contact my little wife. I miss her."

Evander was stunned.

... to be continued ...