Chapter 42 My Precious Girl
Grayson’s POV
I wanted to protest because Quinn made me look bad in front of Dylan. The truth is, I'm not a drinker. I had planned to introduce myself as Grayson, the ice hockey player that Dylan admires. But because of Quinn... argh, never mind.
What can I do, I can't scold Quinn either. I can't. I also can't reveal our relationship in front of Dylan because I feel it will only end badly. So let this misunderstanding happen for now.
“Since when has my sister been working with you, Mr. Grayson?”
I smiled trying to be friendly, "Just Grayson. Since a few weeks ago, Dylan. Oh, how are you?“
”I'm cool. I feel healthier now. It's thanks to my sister who did everything for me."
Dylan's answer, because it sounded sincere, somehow made my eyes water. I felt like there was a fog covering my eyes. And when I turned my head, I felt something wet under my eyelids.
Oh shit! Am I crying? Oh, I couldn't believe it!
I quickly wiped them away. Quinn couldn't see me crying. Otherwise, she wouldn't believe that I could protect her.
But really, the story of these siblings was truly emotional. Even I, who never cried, was touched.
But I was also happy that Dylan was healthy because that meant Quinn was happy too. That means Quinn's efforts weren't in vain. She must also be touched to see her brother appreciate her efforts.
“Ugh, so now you admit that your sister is a hero?”
Oh, or maybe she doesn't.
Dylan grimaced and covered his face with a pillow. “Because you're usually so nagging. Asking me to do this and that, don't forget to drink this and that, don't do this and that, and so much more.”
Quinn, who heard that, rolled up the sleeves of her hospital gown. “Now you're trying to complain because there's someone else around, hmm? Here, let me pull your ear.”
“Grayson, help me. Take her away, please! I don't want my ear pulled!”
I giggled amusedly at this brother-sister drama. And before Quinn could reach Dylan, I pulled her wheelchair back. I held it in place so she couldn't move forward.
“Grayson! Let me teach him a lesson!” Quinn looked at me grumpily.
“No, no. I don't want to see any chaos here. I also want you both to get out of the hospital sooner. So Dylan, I'm going to take your sister,” I said.
“What? No way!” Quinn yelled.
Meanwhile, Dylan nodded behind his pillow.
I immediately turned Quinn's wheelchair towards the door. I didn't stop even though she was resisting. And before closing the door, I winked at Dylan. Don't worry, boy, I'm trained to tame your sister.
I continued pushing Quinn's wheelchair through the quiet corridors. Quinn, who was initially noisy and angry at me, became silent. Maybe she didn't want the passing staff to hear her, or maybe she was just tired.
I took her to the lift, not to return to her room, but to take her to a place where I thought she could cool her head.
How surprised I was when I saw our reflection on the lift wall. I thought I was pushing a ghost because Quinn had pulled her hair forward to cover her face.
Darn! I almost cursed out loud.
“Where are you taking me?”
I smiled. “To a place you'll definitely like.”
“You're so confident,” she muttered. It was quiet, but I heard it clearly.
Yeah, my sassy girl was back. I was worried that Quinn's mental state wasn't stable after what she had been through yesterday.
The lift finally stopped on the top floor, the rooftop. I took Quinn out. I lifted her out of her wheelchair and put it to the side.
Quinn wrapped her arms around my neck. Her hands were warm, I liked that.
“Grayson,” she said. Her face was pale. “You're not going to throw me off here because I'm no longer useful to you, are you?”
“What do you mean?”
"I mean, look at my legs, they're injured. I might not be able to have sex with you. And tomorrow is game day, and I won't be able to come see you.“
Oh my gosh, Quinn really is a deep thinker. How could she think like that when just her presence here is enough for me?
And also, I think we can still have sex. There are many ways to do it, anyway.
”Don't think about that yet, look at what's behind you."
Quinn immediately looked in the direction I pointed. She was lost in thought, but her eyes were sparkling.
I think bringing her here was the right decision. Seeing the city lights on a quiet night.
I sat her down on the barrier wall and hugged her tightly from behind. I rested my head on her shoulder so I could see the same view.
I deliberately didn't talk to her anymore. I wanted to let her calm her thoughts.
At first, I thought it would feel very awkward because we were both silent, but it turned out to be very peaceful.
In my whole life, I had never felt this comfortable and calm. At this moment, I felt like I was in the middle of a peaceful forest accompanied by someone I needed.
Quinn, she made my overly noisy life more peaceful. Quinn made me feel complete. Quinn made me realize how important it is to appreciate someone's presence in my life. Quinn, she... she is very precious to me. I will never let her go, I won't.
“Thank you.”
I turned my head, “For what?”
“Thank you for everything. This is the first time I've seen Dylan this happy. He must be very happy to see his idol visiting him.”
I smiled and hid my face in her neck. I breathed in deeply the scent of vanilla. “My pleasure.”
“Thank you also for bringing that photo. It's the only photo I have with my mother.”
Based on the information I got about Quinn, her mother died when she was a child, around the age she was in the photo.
I couldn't imagine how lonely she must have been all this time. Now I understand how precious that photo is to her.
“I lived there since I was 5 years old, when Dylan was 2. One night the three of us celebrated my birthday, we were so happy then. Eating cake and blowing out candles together, it was such a warm and pleasant moment. But when I woke up in the morning, suddenly everything changed.”
Quinn took a deep breath. She looked straight ahead. "Mom disappeared, no one knew where. She left me alone with Dylan with only a photo with a number on the back. When I called that number, on the same day that night, someone came and took care of me and Dylan until I entered high school. She took care of our food, but other expenses were very limited. And when I was about to graduate from high school, I started working part-time. But then Dylan fell ill. So I had to pay for his medical treatment too."
I don't think I can hear this until the end. It feels like my eyes have been doused with chili, they sting so much. Also, my chest feels like it's being crushed by a large rock, it feels tight.
“That's why I work so hard. Because I have no one to lean on. I have to work so I can earn money to live and to support my brother. I do anything, absolutely anything to earn money. So if I seem obsessed with money, please understand. I wasn't born with wealth like you.”
I nodded reflexively. I hugged her tighter, holding her small, trembling body close.
Quinn's story was the saddest I had ever heard. Her life was much more painful than I had imagined.
Damn! I really regret only finding her a few weeks ago. If I had met her earlier, I definitely wouldn't have let her work so hard.
Quinn should be enjoying her teenage years having fun with her peers, not working so hard. She should be able to experience a normal life for someone her age. But she was forced to grow up faster than she should have because circumstances demanded it.
I promise you, Quinn, I'll make your next birthday one you'll never forget. It will be the most memorable birthday of your life, I promise.
I also promise not to be a burden to you. On the contrary, I will be the one who can lift the burden from your shoulders.
Quinn, you're doing great. I'm proud of you.
"If you ask why I didn't look for my mother, I already did. I've been searching for years, from clear photos to blurry ones like now. But the results are nil. But I believe she's still alive out there."
I couldn't comment on whether to tell her to stop or to support her. But I would continue to help her search for her mother.
Yes, it was better to take action than to speak directly because if I failed to find her mother, it would only disappoint her.
Quinn chuckled. “This is why I don't want you to know about my personal life. Because it's so sad. So now do you feel sorry for me?”
I turned her body to face me. I stared intensely into her teary eyes. Her blue eyes, as beautiful as the sky, should only radiate happiness.
“I don't feel sorry for you,” I replied confidently. “You wouldn't like it if I felt sorry for you, would you?”
Quinn nodded. She wiped her tears roughly. “Don't feel sorry for me. It will only make me feel worse.”
“It won't,” I assured her.
“Okay, now we have to go back. I have to go to my room and you have to go home to rest because tomorrow is game day. And about your superstition, is there another way to make it come true?”
I whispered in her ear as I lifted her body to put her back in her wheelchair, “I always have many ways to do that.”
But that's not what I want right now. If Quinn really couldn't do it, whether because of her leg or her bad mood, then I wouldn't force her.
I would try to play without fulfilling my superstition. I would see how it turned out.
“By the way, I've made an appointment with a psychologist at this hospital. Come along, the appointment is tomorrow.”
Quinn's eyes widened. When she's surprised like this, she's really cute.
“How's the game?”
“You don't need to come, and don't come,” I warned her. “Remember, don't come. Get some rest, you understand?”
“But... how—”
I didn't let her speak anymore. I kissed her lips and that managed to silence her.