20. Flashback-2

During her treatment at the psychiatric health clinic, Irene didn't get any better. Instead, she became even more frustrated. No one believed her.

Irene was stunned into silence in a park. She daydreamed as if she had given up her life. Irene had no ambitions or hopes like any other girl her age. Maybe she was just waiting for death because she didn't want to die early.

Then, a nearby shadow distracted Irene's focus. She slowly looked up. Her eyes narrowed as they collided with the bright sunlight shining on the figure.

Then Irene's eyes gradually saw more clearly when the figure's hand turned out to be covering the sunlight. Their eyes met each other. But Irene only stared coldly while the man smiled so softly. That smile was so soothing that it made Irene's heart swoon because during her confinement after the fire incident. She never got that sweet smile.

"Who are you?" Irene wondered.

The man with blue eyes extended his hand. Instead of immediately shaking that hand, Irene stared at it for a long time. She thought of many things that eventually scared her.

The man sat comfortably beside Irene. They were slightly bathed in the distance. "It doesn't matter if you don't want to shake hands with me."

"Answer me! Who are you and what do you want?" asked the teenage Irene again coldly.

Instead of being annoyed, the man was still smiling. "I'm Dannielle Morgan. Thank you for saving Bella Morgan."

Irene's eyes widened as she realized their last names were the same. She then turned her head, their eyes meeting again.

"That's right. I'm Bella's big brother."

"You came here just to thank me?" asked Irene as she looked down.

"Yes."

"You can tell my mom like your parents did."

"No. I have to meet with Miss Rescuer."

That sentence made Irene tremble. She decided to wait for the rest of Danni's sentence.

"I think... I should see you in person as a token of my respect. I respect you very much."

Irene turned her head. "Why? Why do you respect me? I did save your sister but I'm not doing well. I'm a crazy person. Wake up, you're dealing with a psychiatric hospital patient!"

Danni laughed. "Even crazy people are human beings and deserve the same treatment, right?"

Those words were enough to thrill Irene because no one had ever been so generous to her since she was in the psychiatric clinic. Then, she was stunned when Danni pulled out a pair of rubber gloves and gave them to her.

"What are these for?"

"I've heard about you many times. I've also overheard you whining to the doctor about your complaints."

"So?"

"You just need to use the gloves to adapt to your psychometry."

"Psychometry?"

Danni's sincerity eventually allowed Irene to come to terms with her being different from the others. Irene could accept the psychometry without telling anyone because no one would believe her. However, Danni was so understanding. After that, they grew closer until they got married.

Irene, who was sitting on the sofa, smiled softly looking at her wedding photo with Danni while closing the old memories of the love and turmoil they went through.

"Honey?"

Irene widened her eyes, then turned around. "Danni?"

The sweet man came over and hugged his wife, curing the longing held back for several days. Even Irene was surprised.

"You should have told me you were coming home today."

"I wanted to make a surprise for you."

They still felt at home hugging each other.

"You must have been through a lot," Irene said.

"A lot. But it all goes away when I hug you, dear."

How lucky Irene was to be gifted with a universe of sincere men.

+++

The bright light emanating from Olivia's laptop was bright and blinding. The girl stayed still as she folded her legs onto the chair. Her laptop was still displaying the 88 Studio Music Festival registration page.

There was indecision mixed with confusion about whether to fill in the attached column there or not. On the other hand, Olivia wanted to be a great singer and musician so she could make her mother happy. Also, to help her family's economy which only left her and her mother.

Occasionally, the 23-year-old girl closed her eyes to calm down. She also looked at the poster in her room and smiled anxiously.

"Hey, Olivia!"

Anzel and Elina opened the door to her room suddenly. Even Anzel's appearance made Olivia gasp with a mask that wrapped around her face. Both of them were also wearing rolls in their bangs.

The three of them lived in the same house. They were from outside Manhattan. So, they agreed to rent a house together to be closer to campus.

"What's wrong with you? Why haven't you filled out the application page yet?" Elina stepped closer to watch her laptop that continued to glow.

Olivia just looked down languidly while raising her glasses to keep them from dropping.

"This arrogant face like Alex Matthew always discourages others." Elina shook her head while pointing at the poster of Alex Matthew, a young billionaire plastered on the wall.

Everyone knew that Alex always said things that made people hurt, especially in talent shows like that. Many participants had to slice the onion in the middle of the audition due to his words. Even so, Alex remained an idolized figure because even his criticism was a fact.

"Hey! You have to prove to him that you are not worthy of being underestimated." Anzel gave her an ultimatum. "If you idolize Alex Matthew, you have to be better than him."

"You should at least show your idol your extraordinary talent!" Elina added.

"Really?"

"Of course! Do you still doubt your talent?" Anzel was astonished.

"I don't know. I just have doubts."

"What else do you doubt? Huh?"

Olivia wet her bottom lip. "I don't know either."

Then Olivia gasped as Elina tapped her shoulder hard. "Don't let your subconscious mind get the best of you! You have to follow your heart."

Olivia snorted softly. "Alright, I'll sign up."