55. Incomprehensible Coincidence

"Yes, I'm Luca from 00 Interior." Luca is on the phone with a client.

"Where can I meet you?" he wrote down his address on a paper. Luca's eyes, which had been sparkling with excitement, slowly faded. "Cedars-Sinai Medical Center?"

"I should meet you at the hospital?"

That was the reason why Luca was currently dealing with Cathy. The blue-eyed man was equally dumbfounded. They stared at each other among the many people who passed in front of them with their confusion.

Faced with distance, they wondered about each other's reasons until Luca finally took a step forward. But Cathy walked backward in panic.

Luca was getting closer as several men in all black came out of the elevator. Cathy was sensitive and resigned, so she pulled Luca's hand away. They ran to avoid a group of men who were part of Jonathan's confidants.

As Cathy held Luca's hand, she couldn't help but smile through the hospital hallway. Regardless of Cathy's reason for being in the hospital, Luca was happy to see her. But the fun doesn't last long until they hear a moan, and their escape is halted.

"What's wrong?" Luca was confused as Cathy lay there. He crouched by her side. "What happened, Catharina?"

"Argh!" Cathy's moan was an answer that she wasn't okay.

"Don't tell me you're here because you're sick?" Luca confirmed after taking in Cathy's appearance. "I'll get a doctor." She had no choice.

But one hand restrained her movement. Luca turned around, seeing Cathy was dripping with sweat and had lost her strength. She shook her head softly with her remaining strength.

"Why are you forbidding me?" Luca squatted down again while wiping Cathy's sweat with his hand. "You're sick. You're not okay, Catharina."

"I know. But I only want you to restrain yourself," Cathy pleaded hopefully. "You just need to be here."

Luca melted, especially when he felt Cathy's tight grip on his hand, implying a deep plea.

"It's not long. I'll get better. Just wait," Cathy continued.

"How long do I have to wait?" Luca asked. "I mean... if you've been holding it too long, then I have no choice but to call a doctor. I can't let you be in pain."

"Five minutes."

Even during those minutes, they didn't speak to each other. They just sat side by side next to the wall while holding each other. Luca occasionally looked at Cathy, who was trying to hold back from the pain. It was sad to see the woman he was proud of helpless, but Luca also refrained from imposing his will.

Again, Luca didn't open the conversation either. There was only silence between them. It wasn't a good time to talk even though there were so many questions on hold. Luca tried to understand Cathy's inexplicable condition.

The blue-eyed man took a handkerchief from his pocket. He painstakingly wiped the sweat around Cathy's forehead slowly. "If you can't take it anymore, just say so! I won't let you be in pain."

Luca's actions and words always made Cathy feel at ease even though the pain in the still-wet wound was unbearable.

"Come on!"

Cathy flashed her best smile from behind her not-so-fit face. Even so, her beauty still shone through. Luca reciprocated in kind.

Cathy took Luca's hand again and headed towards the backyard of the hospital. It looks like Cathy won't be able to meet her father that soon. She couldn't just leave Luca when they had already met.

They sat under a shady tree, gazing at the combination of luxury and beauty of the back garden. The hospital was huge, with several garden spots scattered around.

"What brings you here?" asked Luca, unable to resist. "Are you sick?" He wondered at Cathy's appearance. "Are you a patient here?"

Cathy's breath came in harsh gasps. "I don't know where to start. But I am a patient here."

"What are you sick of?"

Cathy looked at the blue-eyed man sweetly. "It's nothing. I'm just tired."

"Really? You want to lie to me?"

Cathy choked up when Luca was so sensitive to her.

"Cathy, don't you want to talk to me?"

"Fine. I'm sick. I got hurt climbing over the fence." Cathy pointed at her stomach from the outside. "The scratches are quite deep. So, I have a few stitches."

Luca laughed, which confused Cathy. The blush-lipped woman's brow furrowed, then laughed crisply. It was better than being found out about what happened.

"No, I don't. I mean... What did you do to scratch the edge of the fence?" Luca couldn't help but laugh. "Did you steal something?"

Now, it was Cathy who chuckled. "What do you mean?

"Then what else?"

Cathy tried to rack her brains quickly for another plausible excuse

"My husband's house is huge. He also has some fruit trees. So, I want to pick one on a big enough tree. Then, because I was too excited, I didn't realize there was an end of the fence nearby."

"What kind of fruit were you picking? If I were your husband, I wouldn't have let you climb over the fence.

"Why not? You know I'm stubborn."

"Ah! That's right. Maybe your husband is overwhelmed. At least he's a good husband. I hope so," Luca chuckled. "But I'm sorry, Cathy."

"Hm?

"Then why do you seem to be running away? You're asking me to run while you're still in pain. That means your wound hasn't healed yet."

Cathy felt dizzy having to think quickly.

"Ah... I... I'm bored." Cathy chuckled. "I want to get some fresh air."

"Then your husband is here?"

Cathy widened her eyes, then broke the awkward situation with a giggle. "He's waiting for me, but he's working."

"Thank goodness."

"Hm?" Cathy tilted her head, wondering how it went.

Luca never faded his smile. "That means I can keep you company."

Cathy was suddenly awkward. Her smile looked hollow as her mind wandered again. "I don't think you need to. I'll come to you once you're healed."

"But I miss you already."

"We have to be careful, Luca."

Luca blew out his breath roughly. "You're right."

"What are you doing here? You're not sick, are you?" It was Cathy's turn to confirm.

"Seeing you made me feel better." The man's smile implied something. "Do you want to be healthier?"

"Hey! I want to do it in a different style. But my wounds haven't healed yet."

"Okay. I'll wait until that time comes."

"After this... what are you doing?"

"I'm going to meet a client." Luca glanced at his watch. He stood up immediately. "Ah! I'm late! I'll see you later, love." Luca kissed Cathy's lips. "You can't go far! Don't be stubborn!"

Luca had reached the front of a VVIP hospital room numbered 222. He knocked twice, and the door opened.

"With Mr. Michael Sanders?"