Chapter 37: Ansel’s surgery was successful
With a firm decision in mind, Ansel swiftly underwent surgery. He didn’t want the news to leak out and cause worry and distress among many people. Therefore, Ansel deliberately kept his illness hidden from his family and girlfriend. Besides Nika, no one else knew about Ansel’s cancer.
After two hours of surgery, the doctors successfully removed Ansel’s cancerous cells. Currently, Ansel has been transferred to a recovery room. He will soon regain his health.
…
At this moment, six hours have passed since the surgery concluded. Ansel is currently resting in the room. It is a specially arranged VIP room for Ansel, as per Nika’s request to the hospital. Besides Ansel, Nika is also present in the room. The attending physician has just finished examining Ansel and has left.
After seeing the doctor off, Nika returned and pulled up a chair, sitting next to Ansel’s bed.
“Ansel, how are you doing?” Nika asked with concern.
“I’m feeling dizzy, seeing stars, and lightheaded,” Ansel complained wearily. “My body is weak, and I have no energy.”
“The doctor said it’s a normal manifestation after removing cancer cells and due to the effects of anesthesia. It will pass in a few days,” Nika said, offering words of comfort.
“I know it will be like this. But it’s unbearable. I can’t walk on my own because I might lose my balance,” Ansel continued to complain. “I feel like a useless person.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
“Stop talking nonsense. You’re a patient, not a healthy person, remember?” Nika scolded sternly. “You should be grateful and happy that the surgery was successful as expected. If things had gone differently, you probably wouldn’t be lying here now.”
Ansel signed and agreed, “You’re right. I should be content with this happiness. After all, I’m much luckier than many others.”
“If you know that, then think positively and stay optimistic,” Nika advised gently. “Soon, you will be back to your normal life.”
“After recovering, I will do many good deeds to repay the grace of God. He has bestowed upon me a great blessing,” Ansel said about his plans. “And I will live to the fullest and not regret anything.”
Nika nodded in agreement. Then, as if remembering something important, Nika was afraid Ansel might forget, so she gave him a reminder.
“But you don’t forget to find Erica and apologize, as well as repay her for her help.”
“I will definitely do that. You don’t have to tell me.” Ansel truly dislikes it when Nika wants him to do this or that according to Nika’s will. Even though Nika was right and had his best interests at heart,
“I’m just giving you a gentle reminder; what’s there to be annoyed about?” Nika sighed, frustrated with Ansel’s sometimes childish and stubborn thinking.
“I’m not annoyed,” Ansel argued.
“Don’t deny it anymore.”
“I’m not!” Ansel raised his voice, and the consequence was a dizzy spell that made him grimace.
Realizing that Ansel’s condition was still unstable, Nika decided to stop teasing him.
“I know; you don’t need to say it anymore. Just rest,” Nika said.
“Yeah, maybe I should get some more sleep,” Ansel agreed. “This is indeed a good opportunity to rest after a period of exhausting work.”
“Yes, exactly. Enjoy your vacation,” Nika said cheerfully. “And then come back with renewed energy. And of course, your workload will increase significantly.”
“For the current tasks at the company, I’ll bother you to handle them, Nika.” Ansel suddenly had a request.
“Leave it to me,” Nika reluctantly accepted.
“Thank you.”
“Stop with the unnecessary talk and instead, give me a raise,” Ansel remarked.
“I will consider your request after I leave the hospital,” Nika responded.
“I hope you won’t forget by then,” Nika reminded her sternly. “And don’t blame your brain for being dissected; that’s why you forgot.”
“Nika, you’re really funny,” Ansel chuckled.
Ansel burst out laughing at Nika’s funny joke. But after a good laugh, his head started to hurt like hell.
…
Time continued to pass by.
Due to her busy schedule at work, Nika couldn’t visit Ansel regularly. Furthermore, two days after Ansel’s surgery, no one knew that Ansel was in the hospital. Not even his family or his girlfriend. Ansel wanted to keep it a secret to prevent them from worrying. Initially, Nika strongly objected but eventually had to comply with Ansel’s request.
Today was a rather dull day for Ansel, as Nika couldn’t come to talk to him. Nika had to attend an important meeting. Currently, Ansel still can’t move around on his own. He still needed assistance or a wheelchair to get around. Although the surgery was successful, according to the doctor, Ansel’s recovery might be slower compared to that of a normal person. Therefore, he had to stay in the hospital for further observation. He would only be discharged when everything was assured to be stable, as determined by the doctor.
Ansel lay still on the bed, his gaze fixed on the window. Suddenly, a rush of thoughts flooded his mind. And in that unexpected moment, Ansel was reminded of Erica. Like the previous days, every time he thought of Erica, an inexplicable wave of emotions surged within him. And then the torment, like tearing Ansel’s heart as he envisioned Erica’s wounded gaze,
At that moment, if Ansel had believed in Erica, what would have happened? Would everything unfold in a positive direction? Ansel truly couldn’t grasp the intentions within the intricate web of his own fate, as well as the fate of Erica. However, Ansel knew one crucial thing, and he believed it would come true: It was he who hurt Erica because of his immature actions.
Oh, recalling the fact that he denounced Erica-his benefactor-made Ansel constantly blame himself. How could Ansel be so foolish? Ansel’s ego is truly despicable and deserving of damnation.
How can Ansel deal with this with Erika? According to Nika, Erica is very angry. Erica also refuses to use the money Nika gave her. Erica also didn’t go to the hospital to treat her burn. Ansel couldn’t imagine how furious Erica would be, but he was certain it would terrify him. Until this very moment, Nika’s diligent search for Erica has proven unsuccessful in locating her. While searching for information about Erica, Ansel just found out that on that fateful day, Erica was substituting for an acquaintance who was sick. It turns out that she is not an employee of AB Company. Therefore, the company has no information about Erica. Contacting the employee that Erica replaced, that person also doesn’t know much about Erica. It seems that Erica has limited the disclosure of personal information to others.
That day, it could be said that fate allowed Erica to help Ansel, but Ansel refused. Fortunately, thanks to Nika’s bet, Ansel realized his unfair treatment of Erica and felt remorseful.
The search has reached a dead end. Nika personally went to the hotel to inquire about Erica, only to learn that Erica worked part-time and only came when needed. All communication was done through intermediaries. Therefore, even the hotel has no information about Erica. All clues are lost, leaving Ansel unable to find Erica to complete what he needs to do.
Deep in thought, the sound of the door opening caught Ansel’s attention. His eyes widened as he recognized a familiar figure he longed to see again.
Erica Watson. A name that had been ingrained in Ansel’s memory ever since.