“...she's stable for now... Thankfully she was brought to the hospital quickly. Otherwise... Sigh... We still have to observe her a bit more, Lucy. Though, I'll ask you now so that you can start making decisions. Would you take the risks of an operation? Or... well... Just an estimate but if you leave her as she is, maybe she only has a few months left. If the operation is successful however, she will at least have 3 years or probably more. I know lola Maria is a strong woman.”

I can't speak. I can't move. How am I supposed to know what is the right thing to do?

Months or years... I... I don't like the sound of that... I... Ohhh no... Please... Why...? My lord, why? Why would you put me in this situation? I don't want to choose... Ahh... What should I even do?

I don't even have the money to afford her a surgery... So should I just leave her as she is now...? Is it worth taking risk or... Will... What if I lose her sooner than i-it should be... be... because I chose to take risks..?

It's not worth it isn't it? That's not what I should do right...? Please my lord... Tell me what to do... Please... I can't bear to lose even my grandmother... Please... Please help me...

“Lucy.”

“!” Oh no. It's him. I quickly hide my face. I don't want to show him my vulnerability.

“Looks like you're in a terrible situation. Why are you just crying and praying here? Instead of doing something—” He sounds so smug. What does he even know.

“Pleaase... S-shut up!” Why do you have to show up now? I have no patience to deal with you. “S-sir Doccia... Please leave me alone...”

“Haha. I want to help you. Don't take me saying that as an offense. It's because you have to do something Lucy. Not just praying...” He said but he looks like he's looking down on me.

This... He's really obnoxious. What can I even do? Does he think I don't know that? I do. But—

“What am I even supposed to do?” I am gritting my teeth.

“According to the doctor, you have to make a choice. So what will you do Lucy?”

“I... Please don't get involve...” I should stay away from him. He brings nothing but trouble.

“No no no. I can't help but be involved.”

“Please don't touch me...” He tried to grab my arm. Good thing I avoided him on time.

“Tsk tsk. You do know... That I love you, right?”

“?” I don't have time for this. I have to leave. I don't like where this is going.

I turn around.

“Hahahaha,” he grabs my arm. And he succeeded. “We're having a heart-to-heart talk Lucy. DON'T be so rude!”

“!” He's doing it again. He knows I get scared easily hence he's shouting to dominate me.

“Lucy.. don't cry. You will be very beautiful if you just smile. You don't have to fear me... I'm just like this.. I know I am... a fucking douchebag.. But to those I love? No! I care for them. Why? Simple. I looove them. That feeling and affection will tame my demons down. You understand me right? I mean, I know you love your family the most. You'll do anything for them. You are a coward and don't want to fight with anybody but when your family is in danger, nightmares or demons— you can fight them. You are brave and courageous! I am sure you won't mind selling your soul to the devil just to save your grandmother— your beloved grandmother. Don't let your fear take over you... Don't let yourself be stuck. You have to take risk and protect those you care about. You will do anything to save them... You will do everything to save your grandma. Nanay Maria, I wanna save her as well. Because I love you, Lucy. I love you so much.”

He's right...

“...Bu.. But...”

“No buts. Do you want your nanay Maria to live?”

What kind of question is that?

“Of course!”

“Then... What are you going to do?”

“I don't... I don't know.”

If I know, I would have done it!

“.............” Mr. Doccia is just staring at me. I think he's waiting for my answer.

“B-but... I can do anything. I'll do anything. I love her.. she's the only blood relative I have. I can't l-lose her. So of course I'll do anything... Anything... sniff..”

“That's right... That's the first step in saving her. So do you want to go to the next step?”

“?” I have a bad feeling all of sudden.

“I... I am rich. Not so rich but I am rich enough to help you find the best doctor in the Philippines. I can give nanay Maria the best treatment ever.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.. I know, there's a risk in operating a surgery to someone old like nanay Maria but with the best doctor and the best hospital, we can help her increase her lifespan by tsk tsk tsk.. not just 3 years. But 10 years and even more.”

That's... That's good. 10 years... Another 10 years... It's not long but it's not short either. Maybe I can save up enough money for when she would need another treatment. I just need time.

“Do you want it..?”

“Y-Yes.. but... What do I have to do..?” I'm certain there's a string attach to this. Especially because it's coming from him.

“Hahahahaha. Nothing so hard. It's something only you can do. It should be easy.”

“W-what?” Tch.. I hate those lecherous eyes.

“Be my girlfriend. And then I'll be obligated to do my best to help nanay Maria.”

“But that's...”

“Hmm? I thought you'll do anything to save her. Or do you want to give her more time for free— without doing anything? Is that it?”

“No... But becoming your girlfriend...”

“Oh. Hahahahahaha. Silly me. I didn't make it clear. I may had sounded like a villain didn't I? I am not aiming for your body Lucy. It's your heart that I want. So doing things you wouldn't like will make it hard to get you to fall for me... I know I did bad things to you for the past several days but it was because you aren't giving me a chance. You becoming my girlfriend is a chance for me to show you the heart of a scum that can truly love someone.”

“I...”

“It's not like I'm telling you to marry me. It's just being my girlfriend. How about it?”

“.............”

“Fine I understand. I'll give you time to think. But I believe you can't afford to have so much time. A day Lucy... I'll hear your answer by tomorrow.” He is waving goodbye to me, “Take care my beloved.”

“.............”

Though I need help, but being his girlfriend is a bit... Should I take his hand or not?

Aaaagh. What should I do?

“Binary... You should sleep. You have school tomorrow..” Suddenly, Binary peeks out of the corner.

“Ate, are you crying..?” Aww. Binary looks like she's gonna cry. I have to be strong. I have to. Even if it's just for show!

“No. I'm fine. Nanay Maria is doing well. She's now stable according to her doctor. She'll be fine so sleep without... worry...”

“Um... En..” She seems to have something to say but didn't continue. She went back to her room. I hope she sleeps well.

“Please take care of her my lord. You don't have to do anything for me... But please, take care of nanay and Binary. Them doing well is enough for me. So please, don't take them away... Please my lord...”

「August 05, 2021 | Thu」

「07:07」

“Lucy, you look terrible. How's your grandmother?” As I'm checking Mr. Reverren's condition, he suddenly asked me a question. It seem like I look terrible huh. Of course. My grandmother is in danger after all.

“S-She's fine... I hope... She'll have her operation.. but.. I... I hope she can handle it...” I have decided. I need to take risk. But what if.... Sigh..

“Nanay Maria is a stubborn woman. She'll go through this successfully.”

“?” How did he...? Did I ever tell him that?

“Binary told me. But I also met your grandmother one-time when I was visiting my girlfriend. She lives in the same subdivision as you do.”

“Oh...”

Binary huh. That's weird... She's not the type to do that. I know Binary is socially anxious. She's very timid. So how? Eh? Wait what?

“Ah. Aaaaah!”

He met nanay? When? Wait. Was he the boy that helped nanay? That's... I... Oh no.

“The world is small fufufufufufu. Or maybe we're fated to meet.”

I wonder if he's angry... He is always smiling and seems carefree. But what if he's hiding his resentment? I am so bad...

“I really hope you get comfortable with me one day...”

“....I'm sorry. I just wanted to protect you..”

“I understand...”

I hope so... I'm really sorry...