Chapter 3

Elena turned toward the source of the sound.

A man sitting in a wheelchair smiled kindly at her.

Under the bright city lights, his calm face was clearly visible.

He seemed older than Raul, but there was still some handsomeness in his calm features. His eyes were steady and kind. Even sitting in a wheelchair, he gave off a quiet sense of authority.

“Who are you, sir?” Elena asked in confusion.

The man smiled and wheeled himself closer to Elena.

“Is a name really that important?” he replied, his eyes turning to the star-filled sky. “Look at those stars—are their names important to them? They remain as they are, no matter what people call them.”

Elena looked up too, almost without thinking. As she stared at the peaceful stars above, she felt herself relax a little.

“The night sky is beautiful, calm, and peaceful with its stars. But why do you seem the opposite?”

The man’s words snapped Elena out of her thoughts. She quickly looked away from the sky and met the stranger’s steady gaze.

“I…”

Elena felt nervous. She didn’t know what to say, her mind still unsettled. The man’s steady gaze made her freeze, as if he could see right through her.

The man reached for a bag hanging from his wheelchair, pulled out a bottle of mineral water, and handed it to Elena.

“Drink, you look very thirsty.”

Elena took the bottle and drank until it was empty. She felt better, but then stopped. How did he know she was so thirsty?

“Thank you for the water, sir,” Elena said sincerely. The man chuckled.

“It’s just a small bottle of water, but you thank me so many times.”

“Yes, sir. It may only be a small bottle of water, seemingly insignificant, but for someone who is very thirsty, even a drop can mean everything and save a life.”

The man nodded at Elena’s words, quietly impressed by this woman who seemed so sad.

“Do you want to repay me?” the man suddenly asked. Elena was startled, then smiled.

“Of course, sir. We should always repay kindness, or it will weigh on us forever. I never forget to return a good deed.” Elena spoke with conviction. Even though she was from a small village, her late parents had taught her always to give kindness in return.

“Good!” the man replied. “In that case, you can repay me.”

Elena went quiet. She wanted to repay his kindness, but she didn’t have any money. How could she buy him a drink? Her fingers brushed the bracelet on her wrist, a gift from Grandma Maria.

“How?” the man asked again. Elena quickly looked up at him.

“Alright, sir. Please wait here; I’ll look for a drink stand nearby and buy you a drink.”

Elena stood up. She was even willing to give up her keepsake bracelet from Grandma Maria to buy a drink, so that she wouldn’t owe anyone anything.

To her surprise, the man in the wheelchair laughed at her answer.

“Do you think I’m thirsty and need a drink?” the man said between laughs. “Yes, I’m thirsty, but I don’t need a drink.”

Elena was surprised again. What did he mean? He seemed strange, but she gathered her courage to ask him to explain.

“W-what do you mean, sir? Thirsty but don’t need a drink?” Elena paused. She really didn’t understand. “If someone is thirsty, shouldn’t they drink to quench it? If hungry, then eat.”

The man burst out laughing at Elena’s innocent reply, coughing from laughing so hard. Seeing this, Elena instinctively patted his upper back and soothed him.

“Careful with your laughter, sir.”

The man went quiet. Elena suddenly felt his hand reach for hers, which was still on his shoulder. She was startled and tried to pull away, but he didn’t let go.

Elena felt awkward as he pulled her hand, bringing her face close to his.

“How should I address you—Mrs. or Miss?” the man asked.

“Elena. Just call me Elena, sir.”

“Alright, Elena. Sit down,” the man said. Elena slowly squatted so they were at eye level, now sitting right in front of the man in the wheelchair.

“Elena, do you still want to repay me?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes, sir,” Elena nodded confidently.

“If you want to repay me, you don’t need to buy me a drink. Getting a drink isn’t hard for me.”

Slowly, Elena lifted her face, gathering the courage to meet his gaze.

“Then, how should I repay your kindness, sir?”

The man didn’t answer immediately. He fell silent for a moment before finally saying, “Come with me.”

“What, sir? Come with you?” Elena was surprised by his answer, but thought maybe this disabled man needed a caregiver.

“Do you need someone to care for you, sir? If so, that’s fine. I’ll be your nurse, and you don’t have to pay me.”

Elena answered eagerly. She thought it would be better to care for someone who was sick than to work as a servant in Raul’s house. She didn’t mind not getting paid, as long as she had a place to stay and enough to eat.

But once again, the man’s response caught her off guard. He smiled warmly at her.

“I don’t need a nurse; I have my own doctor who takes care of me. I also have several attendants.”

Elena scratched her head, feeling confused. This man really was a mystery.

“Then what should I do, sir?” Elena asked, bewildered.

The man smiled again, and this time did something that left Elena speechless. He took her hand, gently stroked the back of it, then kissed it.

“Marry me, Elena.”