CHAPTER 1 - Not a dream

[Myrtles Point of View]

"No... Mom!" I screamed on top of my lungs as I watched my mom being delivered to the emergency room.

She had sudden cardiac arrest earlier when we were having dinner. Everything was fine, then she started to gasp for air.

I sat at the bench outside of the emergency room and cried. Mom can't die yet. I'm not yet a doctor.

We're just a poor family of farmers near the countryside, not prosperous but definitely happy. One of the challenges we face is when one of us gets sick. We don't have enough money to pay for hospital bills, even for a check-up.

That's why I want to be a doctor. A doctor for the poor.

I waited until dawn and patiently waited for the doctor's update about my mom's condition.

"Excuse me, are you the patient's daughter?" A woman wearing glasses and a white coat approached me.

"Yes, how's my mom? Is she alright?" I asked.

"Actually, her condition is critical. She needs immediate surgery. If not, her heart may fail any time," the doctor uttered and smiled softly at me.

I feel like my world just collapsed.

I did my best to compose myself in front of the doctor and replied, "Uhm... How much is the operation? Do we need to pay for it already?" I asked worriedly.

"Since the surgery will happen in Switzerland, it will cost fifty billion dollars. Including her transport fee and other fees included. You need to pay the bill as soon as possible so we can schedule your mother's flight to Switzerland earlier," the doctor replied and scratched her neck.

I stood frozen, and my legs felt wobbly.

I will enroll in a medical university tomorrow. The savings I have are solely for my tuition only. Where will I get fifty billion dollars! If I combine all the family's savings, it's not even half of the required!

"Uhm... I... We don't have money to pay for the fees. Can't I just pay for it when I graduate from medical school? I promise I will pay for it." I held the doctor's hand and begged her.

"I'm sorry, dear. This is a do-or-die situation. If you can't pay for at least half of fifty billion dollars this week, we have no choice but to accept your mother's destiny," she replied in a sad tone and caressed my hand.

My tears started to flow like a river. I fell to the floor and kept crying until midnight.

My eyes already bulged, and I'm lying on this cold floor alone, thinking where would I get a considerable amount of money.

I feel so hopeless.

Why is this happening to me? Yesterday, everything was fine and happy.

The sayings are true. Beware if you feel intense happiness because it has a negative consequence.

I was about to close my eyes when I saw someone's shoes in front of me.

I looked at it, and it was probably a man. His shoes are one of the best brands in the world.

I had this weird thought of grabbing the shoes from his feet and selling them because they cost a million dollars. I could add it to save for mom's hospital bills.

But of course, I can't do that. I'll probably end up in jail.

I sighed heavily.

"Hey, miss, are you okay? Why are you lying on the floor when a bench is just right beside you?" a deep sober voice uttered.

I looked at where the voice came from, a tall man. My eyes widened in awe when I saw his face and body.

What a hottie, baby.

His brown hair is so handsomely fixed, creating a perfect hairline. And his jaw is so sharp, it could cut me in half.

His eyes are ocean blue staring right into my soul. His nose is pointed as well as Adam's apple.

He was wearing a suit and opened the first three buttons of his white polo.

I got my consciousness back and immediately stood up. Oh my goodness, that's so embarrassing!

"Uhm... sorry," I muttered and just sat down on the bench while I stared at nowhere.

"What are you doing here in the hospital? It's three a.m. in the morning." He sat beside me and looked at his watch.

Why is he so handsome by just looking at his watch?! His side view is immaculate.

I just stared at him, and he looked at me. I immediately gazed away.

"I don't have anywhere to go. I live in the countryside, and it's miles away from here. My mom, she's in the emergency room, and I don't know what to do. I felt so helpless." I replied, and tears were forming in my eyes again. I wiped them immediately.

"You can stay in my condo," he replied flatly.

I looked at him perplexed as he was just scrolling through his phone.

Did I hear that right?

"What did you say?" I asked him.

He leaned at the wall and looked at me. Gosh! Every time he looks at me, my heart is just beating like a running horse.

"I said, you can sleep in my condo," he mumbled and moved his face closer to mine.

It felt awkward, so I turned my head on the other side.

"I appreciate your offer, but I have to stay here and wait until my mom can go back home with me," I replied.

"You can just sleep in my condo, and I'll bring you back here later when the sun's at its peak."

Is he serious? How could he let a stranger sleep in his condo?

"Uhm, do you know any part-time job?" I asked him to change the topic. As if I would sleep in a man's condo. Even if he is rich and handsome, I don't trust him.

"Part-time? How much do you need?" he responded and brought his black leather wallet out of the pocket of his trouser.

Eh? Why is he rummaging through his wallet?

My eyes widened in shock when I saw the bills in his wallet. It's a ton of dollars!

"How much do you need?" he asked again.

I shook my head and glared at him. Is this some kind of a prank?

"Hey, mister rich man, I'm not interested in your money or in sleeping at your condo. I need to work hard to pay for my mom's bills," I replied and maintained a stern tone.

He stared at me for a while and shrugged his broad shoulders.

"Okay then. Goodbye," he shortly replied and started to walk away from me.

What just happened?

I sighed heavily and looked at the emergency room.

"Mom, I'm sorry I can't do anything right now. Once the sun rises later, I will look for a job here in this city." I whispered underneath my breath.

I sighed again and lay down on the bench. I felt my eyes drop and slept.

...

If all it is, is eight letters, why is it so hard to say?

If all it is, is eight letters, why am I on my own way?

Why do I pull you close and then ask you for space?

If all it is, is eight letters, why is it so hard to say?

Isn't it amazing how almost every line on our hands aligns?

When your hand's in mine.

It's like I'm whole again, isn't that a sign?

I should speak my mind.

I slightly opened my eyes as I heard someone singing. It's a very gentle and soft voice accompanied by a piano.

What a nice dream. I hope my dreams will always be like this. Someone singing a song for me makes me feel safe and loved.

I closed my eyes again and fell into a deep sleep.

...

I stretched my hands as I felt the scorching sun touching my skin.

As I regained my consciousness, I realized...

Where am I?

I immediately opened my eyes and sat down.

Is this a dream? I am lying down in a very soft and fluffy white bed! I don't want to wake up anymore if this is a dream. I've never slept in this kind of bed before! My siblings and I sleep in one wooden bed without a bedsheet at home. Just rugged pillows and blankets.

I looked around the room, and it was so magnificent! The windows are so big, and I can clearly see the shining sun's rays!

I turned around and saw a grand piano near the door.

Wait, didn't I hear someone singing when I was asleep? Where on earth am I?

I looked at my reflection in the big mirror with a gold frame, and I was wearing soft silk white nightwear.

What am I wearing? Too much of my skin is shown!

I covered myself with a blanket and rushed up to open the door, but someone was opening the door too!

Instead of going out, I pushed the door with all my might, but this person was too strong!

I gave up and just looked at the door.

A familiar man came inside. He is wearing a simple white shirt and brown shorts while holding a food tray.

"Good morning. Here's your breakfast." He moved to the bedside table and placed the tray of food there.

I just looked at him because I didn't know if this was a dream or this was real.

To prove it, I had no other choice but to come close to him and drop the blanket coving me.

When he turned at me, he looked at me from head to toe, and his jaw dropped.

Yeah, right, this is a dream. Whose jaw would drop if they saw me in this kind of clothing?

"Slap me," I commanded him.

"What?" he asked confusedly.

"I said slap me!" I shouted at him and closed my eyes.

I felt a strong force pushing me to the bed, and when I opened my eyes, this guy was right on top of me.

"This is not a dream, princess," he muttered and smirked.