Novel Square
32
In the twilight hours, a pack of werewolf colleagues ventured to the hospital to pay a visit to Chris. Unbeknownst to them, Nelly’s absence from the office that day had gone unnoticed. The news of Chris’ bone marrow transplant for his sister had reached their ears, and they felt compelled to show their support by pooling their resources together. However, the demands of their wolfish lives left them with little time, and only a select few could make the journey.
Apart from Tommy and Ross, there were no others willing to venture into the night.
“Ms. Jackson, let us go after our work is done. The hospital rests near your abode, and it falls on our way,” Ross proposed.
“It is of no concern. Chris will not welcome me. Should I accompany you, his annoyance will only grow. Just bring some fruits on my behalf,” Nelly replied.
“Very well then.” They did not press her further.
After the conclusion of their duties, Nelly departed swiftly towards the hospital.
Clutching a bouquet of flowers and a basket of fruits, she arrived at Alpha Larry’s hospital ward.
Upon catching sight of her, Alpha Larry’s energy surged. “Ah, you have arrived, Nelly! You need not have brought anything!”
“They are but a modest offering of fruits. Nothing extravagant,” Nelly responded.
“Please, take a seat!” Alpha Larry invited, visibly healthier than before.
“How fare you? Are you recovering?” inquired Nelly.
“Do I appear ill? I am doing splendidly, despite that brat’s refusal to discharge me.” Alpha Larry’s anger and exasperation were evident as he spoke of Alpha Kilian.
Nelly chuckled softly. “Nevertheless, your well-being is of the utmost importance. You should only be released when the doctor deems it fit.”
“I wish to ask you something, Nelly. Speak the truth,” Alpha Larry queried curiously.
“Pray, continue.”
“Why does your grandfather act so mysteriously as of late? When he receives his calls, he turns away from me. Could it be that… he has found a woman of interest?” whispered Alpha Larry.
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“If he has, why not simply inform me? I would support him wholeheartedly, would I not? Why must he conceal this from me constantly? Is he afraid that I might jest at his expense?” pondered Alpha Larry.
Nelly could not suppress her laughter.
“Why do you laugh? Confirm if my suspicions hold truth!” Alpha Larry played the role of an accomplished detective.
“He has not, Old Alpha Morris,” Nelly replied.
“He has not?”
“No.”
“What, then, is he up to?”
“Well…” Even if Nelly knew, she could not disclose the truth. After thoughtful consideration, she replied, “Perhaps something else has transpired. I am uncertain myself.”
Alpha Larry was puzzled. “This does not add up. With my knowledge of that old coot, this cannot be the case…”
One would expect an old acquaintance to sense something amiss.
“Nelly.”
“Yes?”
“How fares Alpha Wade’s health?” Alpha Larry inquired.
“Quite well,” Nelly assured.
“Are you certain?”
“He undergoes two full-body checkups each year! I have reviewed the results, and they are favorable,” Nelly guaranteed.
Only then did Alpha Larry breathe a sigh of relief. “If he is unattached and his health remains strong, what secrets could he be hiding from me?”
Nelly could not bear to lie to Alpha Larry. She said, “Very well, Old Alpha Morris. Focus on your own well-being. Grandpa informed me that you are not as resilient as he.”
“Nonsense!” Alpha Larry objected. “I am far stronger than him. His health is intact solely due to his obedient granddaughter. Were he to have a disobedient grandson like me, rage would surely consume him and take a toll on his health.”
“Do not fret. Your well-being takes precedence.”
“Fear not. I am not a simpleton. I yearn to argue with Alpha Wade for another twenty years.”
Only then did Nelly feel a sense of relief.
At that moment, the door crashed open, and Alpha Kilian and Lara strode in. Alpha Larry’s smile disappeared immediately upon laying eyes on them.
Clearly, the duo did not expect to find Nelly there as well.
With a seemingly unchanged expression, Lara approached them with a smile. “Old Mr. Morris, I have procured nutritious items for you. How are you faring? Are you feeling any better?”
“Thank you for your concern. I am fine.” Alpha Larry’s voice held a distant tone.
Lara awkwardly placed the nutritious items by the side, unsure of what to say.
The atmosphere turned tense.
Nelly tactfully spoke up. “Old Alpha Morris, it is growing late. I shall take my leave. Please rest well.”
Upon hearing this, Alpha Larry immediately proclaimed, “Once I am discharged, join Alpha Wade and me for a meal at my abode!”
Smiling, Nelly agreed, “Certainly!”
Under the watchful gaze of Alpha Kilian, Nelly departed without even exchanging pleasantries. It was as if they were strangers.
Once she left, Alpha Larry reverted to his listless state and slumped against his bed.
This place is dreadfully dull.
Upon exiting the hospital ward, Nelly was prepared to return when she coincidentally stumbled upon Tommy and Ross on the staircase.
“Ms. Jackson?” Ross approached her. “Did you not proclaim that you would not be arriving?”
“I…”
“You are already here, so why did you ask us to bring these gifts for you?” Tommy interjected, shoving the presents she had prepared into her arms. “You ought to personally present these.”
“I believe I will not go,” Nelly declared.
“I understand that Chris may not have treated you well in the past, but his directness is simply his nature. However, he recognized his mistake and offered a heartfelt apology. Do not hold it against him,” tried Ross.
In truth, Nelly was unaffected by it all.
“Very well then. Since she is present, let us go together.”
And so, Nelly found herself being dragged to Chris’s hospital ward.
The surgery had been a success. Nonetheless, due to concerns of potential side effects, Chris needed to be monitored in the hospital for two days.
Upon entering the hospital ward, Chris’s smile turned slightly awkward upon seeing Nelly.
Tommy swiftly explained, “We are here as representatives of the company to visit you! These are merely a few gifts we have brought for you.” As he spoke, he placed the bags on a nearby table.
Nelly also placed her bouquet of flowers down and uttered, “May you recover swiftly.”
“Thank you,” Chris replied calmly.
Nelly then stood off to the side, remaining quiet.
Fearful that the atmosphere would turn tense, Ross hastened to say, “We heard that the surgery was a triumph! Congratulations! You need no longer live in apprehension.”
Though Chris still appeared somewhat pale, a relaxed grin adorned his face. He nodded firmly and responded, “Indeed! Regardless, I am grateful for your support.”
“We did not do much. The one who truly aided you is-”
Before Ross could finish his sentence, the doctor entered the room to conduct his routine checks. “How are you feeling? Do you experience any discomfort?”
Chris shook his head. “No, I am fine.”
Upon noticing Nelly standing by the side, the doctor smiled and greeted her. “We meet again.”
Nelly merely returned the smile.
Ross quickly inquired, “Do you two know one another?”
“Not particularly. I encountered her when she came to settle Chris’s hospital bills.” Although Nelly remained quiet, her beauty had left a lasting impression on the doctor.
What the hell?
Everyone stared at Nelly in astonishment.