Chapter 7

My head felt heavy and clouded with pain, the ache growing sharper with every passing moment. I opened my eyes with difficulty as I struggled to breathe, eager to catch my breath and lessen the headache. When I opened them, I saw a beautiful woman sitting at my bedside.

“Mehna, you’re finally awake!” she exclaimed, thrilled. She jumped up and rushed out, calling down the hall, “Doctor! Nurse! The patient’s awake—please, come check on him!”

Doctors and nurses quickly entered. Looking concerned, one asked, “How is your anemia this time?”

Honestly, I was unsure what to say. Was I supposed to tell them I had been treated like a personal blood bank for years, letting people drain my blood whenever they felt like it? The doctor didn’t press the matter, only advising me to get plenty of rest, avoid alcohol, and never donate blood again.

“And don’t do any more of that unless you’re trying to die,” he added before leaving the room. I nodded gratefully at him. I did not expect that, at this stage, the person who cared about me most would actually…

The woman sat beside me and opened a thermos. Soy was on the table, with several side dishes, and it smelled delicious.

“You’ve been unconscious for a whole day and night. Eat something to gain your strength. Here, I’ll help you sit up,” she said as she supported me, and I took the chance to look at her. She looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I knew her from.

The woman sighed, sounding a bit disappointed. “Wow, you must have selective memory. You don’t even know who your old classmate is, huh?”

I apologized, feeling guilty. “Sorry. I really can’t remember.”

She smiled and leaned closer. “Do you think I’m pretty?”

I paused in surprise and looked at her in confusion. I was unsure why she suddenly asked such a question. For the record, she was strikingly beautiful—fair skin, large eyes, almost like a celebrity.

I nodded and smiled at her.

She chuckled softly, her cheeks rosy as she looked at me and whispered, “It seems you really don’t recognize me anymore, deskamate.”

Those few words immediately took me back to high school. Ariana Meyer was a studious, quiet girl who had worn headgear and braces and sported thick glasses. Teenage boys rarely paid her any attention. But seeing her now, I finally understood what they meant by a “late bloomer.”

“Wait, you’re… Ariana Meyer?” I asked, looking into her gentle eyes, pleasantly surprised.

“Yep, that’s me! I’m glad you finally remembered.” She smiled, set up a small table, and handed me a spoon. “Here, try this. I made the congee myself.”

“You cooked this?” I was surprised as I took a bite. It was sweet and warm, like a dash of hope in my otherwise bleak life.

“I did!” she grinned. “I live nearby, so it wasn’t hard to bring over. But if you’re anemic, why were you drinking so much? If I hadn’t called an ambulance, you would’ve passed out on the spot at the event.”

That ruthless Raquelle really did turn a blind eye to my suffering; she had undoubtedly been too busy tending to Vernon to care about my fate. But thankfully, I encountered Ariana, who was kind, and she saved my life.

I shrugged, smiling, not wanting to go into details. “It’s just part of the business world—drinking at events is standard.”

I smiled lightly, not intending to explain too much to Ariana, nor did I feel it was necessary.

“Mally? But from what I saw at the banquet, no one she ended up with looked like you. You must be lying!” She looked at me with a hint of reproach.

I quickly changed the topic and asked, “Didn’t you go abroad after graduation? When did you return?”

“Just yesterday. I went to that event hoping to catch up with old friends, and instead, I found you like that.”

Back in school, Ariana had been reserved. Now, she was confident and poised, able to hold her own in any situation. We chatted for hours, reminiscing about school and updating each other on our lives. We lost track of time until it was almost midnight.

Seeing that it was getting late, I apologized to her. “Ariana, thanks for sending me to the hospital and for the food. It’s late. You should get home—it’s not safe for a woman to be out alone.”

But she shook her head while looking at me seriously. “Why would you try to send me away if it’s not safe for me to be alone? I should stay here to look after you.”

With that, she lay down on the empty bed next to mine, looking determined to spend the night.

“Don’t you have work tomorrow?” I asked out of curiosity.

Ariana chuckled and waved it off. “I’m the boss. Who’s going to tell me when I have to work?”

I was taken aback. I had never really understood her family background before; they usually lived so frugally and simply that their financial situation was hard to gauge. But now, from what she said, it sounded like she owned a company.

“I’ll back you up.”

“Seems like you’re doing so well that you’re able to become a bean now. But with your brains and skills, I guess I’m an ample investor. Any investor would be lucky to back you.” Jalana’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me. “Is that what you think?”

“Absolutely.” I smiled.

She sat up, suddenly looking serious. “Joshua, would you be willing to work with me? Stop slaving away for Raquelle and her Lamilly.”