Chapter 90: A New Hope

"Yo!" said Lucas, raising his right hand, while his left hand was put in his trouser pocket.

Lucas stepped over to me who was still sitting on the bed. Seeing his calm and relaxed style made me think that he didn't look like someone who intended to visit a friend who was sick.

"It doesn't seem serious, does it?" he said.

"You mean I have to be in a coma before I can be said to be sick, right?"

"Hahaha...right!"

"Tch...you can visit sick people without bringing anything? You stingy bastard!"

"What did you say? Wasn't it you who said you didn't need anything when I asked on the phone?"

"How could I say something that I want, you should realize it yourself! You sucker!"

"Hey, everyone should be able to understand what you want, right? Never mind, I'll just go home! Even though I've spent my precious Sunday to see if your condition isn't that bad, it turns out this is what I got!" he said acting. Lucas turned around as if he was ready to leave this room.

What does it mean to act like that? He thought I asked him to come, didn't he? just casually said that my situation wasn't that bad. What do you mean?

"Just go! I didn't ask you to come. You want to come yourself!"

"Who was it that sent the message and said I was sick? You said it so I would come, right?"

"Tch...he guessed it, annoying!" I thought. Suddenly an attack of shame appeared and spread throughout my body.

"Mom...didn't I hope you would come to visit me? I...I just, I just thought that..." I answered stuttering. It feels like I'm just dodging it, I really suck.

Lucas raised an eyebrow with a grin like a wolf who could sense his enemy's weakness. Seeing his annoying face made me even more nervous and repeatedly swallowed hard.

Lucas approached me and now, his position was right next to me, my face was lowered in shame. If it's like this, what should I say to dispel this awkwardness?

Suddenly, Lucas touched my forehead with his hand. I gasped in shock, still unable to lift my face and look into his eyes.

"It looks like your fever has gone down, thank goodness. You made me worried, Lea!" he said. His voice sounded so soft, because I was touched, I unconsciously lifted my face until our eyes met.

Lucas's eyes looked very beautiful, his eyes were sharp but gentle, making me feel even more confused. What was I really thinking? when his hand gently touched my head, for some reason my fever came back.

"Th...thank you..." I said nervously. Because I couldn't look into his eyes any longer, I immediately looked down and hid this strange feeling of happiness.

My face felt hotter than before, definitely red like boiled crab. Lucas, why do you have to act like this?

"It looks like you can't come to school tomorrow!"

"I hope tomorrow my condition will be better, so I..."

"No! You should stay at home resting until your fever completely goes down. I will convey your permission letter to the homeroom teacher. You don't need to worry!"

"Yes... thank you..." I was still reluctant to lift my face. It felt hot and cold, even my body started to shiver. In fact, before Lucas came, my condition was better.

"Your face is very red, Lea! is your head dizzy?" Lucas asked. This idiot actually brought his face closer to mine and that only made me even more anxious.

"Lea, we better go to the hospital!" said Pierre. Now, the two of them were looking at me with intimidation that made it even harder to breathe. Can't the two of them just move away so I can calm down and rest alone?

"I'm fine, Pierre! I don't want to go to the hospital. If I sleep, maybe I'll get better soon!"

"But..."

"It's okay! Thank you for worrying about me..."

"Okay, Leah!"

"Then go to sleep, I'll be here until you fall asleep!" Lucas said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, go to sleep!"

"Okay then," I said as I lay down and pulled the blanket higher.

I tried to close my eyes, even though Lucas was still sitting next to me. I don't feel at ease if there is another pair of eyes watching me while I sleep. It's enough for Pierre to do it, don't add Lucas too.

"Lucas..." I muttered with my eyes closed.

"Yes?"

"Thanks for everything, I don't know what would happen if it weren't for you."

"Yeah...it's okay, I understand..."

Slowly, I fell asleep. It felt very peaceful, even though previously I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully if Lucas was here. But it turned out to be the opposite, I felt the peace that came from his eyes.

***

"Lucas...?"

"He had gone home!" said Pierre.

I didn't mean to ask where he was because I hadn't fully woken up from my sleep. Lucas' eyes changed to Pierre's flat gaze that I always saw every time I woke up from my sleep.

"What's the time now?"

"Five o'clock in the afternoon!"

"It's afternoon, isn't it? Does Grandpa know I'm sick?"

"Know!"

"Is that so? I don't think grandfather knows. But, who told grandfather? was it you, Pierre?"

"No, but Damien told me!"

"Is that so? Didn't grandfather ask about my condition?"

"Sir..."

"Knock...knock...knock..." someone knocked on the bedroom door. Pierre immediately went to open the door.

From my place, I could see the faces of Uncle Damien and Grandpa who were sitting in his wheelchair.

"How is Lea? Has her fever gone down?" Grandpa asked. Uncle Damien pushed grandfather's wheelchair into my room. Because grandfather came, I immediately lifted my head suddenly and it made me dizzy.

"The fever has gone down, Dad!" answered Pierre calmly.

"Lea, Grandpa has called the family's private doctor to check your condition!"

"Grandpa, no need! I'm fine, just a little fever. This is starting to get better too, right Dad?" I said while glancing at Pierre who was standing behind grandfather.

"The fever has gone down, but it looks like Lea still needs enough rest!" said Pierre.

"Is that so? Damien said, you're the one who takes care of Lea all day. You're really a very good father, Pierre!" Grandpa smiled. But for some reason, I felt something made me look sad.

Pierre didn't answer and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward. Grandpa hadn't said anything yet, his eyes were dreamy, making me feel that there was a deep sadness that Grandpa was trying hard to hide.

"Grandpa..."

"Ah...yes, Lea? Do you need anything? Just say it, Grandpa will definitely give it to you!"

"Nothing, I don't need anything. I just want us to continue to gather like this and make lots of memories together."

Grandpa smiled, this time not a smile of sadness, but of great hope. Does Grandpa also hope for the same thing?

"You're right, Lea! Grandpa hopes that we can continue to gather like this so that in the future, Grandpa can rest in peace and I hope that in his last moments Grandpa will be by your side and also your Papa."

"Grandpa, don't talk like that. Grandpa will definitely live a long and healthy life, right?" I asked. I took grandfather's hand and held it tightly.

Grandpa smiled again, but his eyes were starting to get wet. I don't know what Grandpa is thinking, but I want Grandpa to know that I will always be there for him forever.

***