"Ethan's point of view,"
"Steve, how's my grandma feeling now?" Steve was waiting outside the intensive care unit when I entered the hospital.
"Mr. Woods, your grandmother unexpectedly fell ill, and your grandfather is currently out of town. Your grandmother had come to the Woods Industry for some urgent work when she became ill. I was speechless when I saw your grandmother's dire condition and took her right away to the hospital.
I apologize if I offended you by bringing your grandmother to the hospital in this manner." He gave me a quick explanation of the entire matter.
His speech left me with the impression that a little child had been asked by a teacher to recite the table of two, and that he was doing so at such a rapid pace that the table might have been forgotten by the time he stopped to catch his breath.
"Mr. Woods, are you mad at me?" After hearing his inquiry, I could not determine what response I should have given him.
By the way, he does everything without first asking me, and now he's trying to make up to me by saying he's sorry he didn't ask for my approval before doing something that didn't require it. Why is he such a moron?
"Steve, were you preparing the script outside the ICU for me to listen to?" I asked with raised eyebrows and a grating tone.
"No, Mr. Woods; there is nothing like it." He responded, gulping down his saliva.
"But I'm having a similar reaction to how you answered my direct inquiry by telling me the entire narrative without stopping to catch your breath." I tried to figure out the hidden cause of his anxiety after observing his expression.
"Mr. Woods, I apologize; I was in an extremely stressful circumstance and was unsure of what to do." As he spoke, he adjusted his glasses.
"You shouldn't worry, and sure, I'm not mad at you either." I put my hand on his shoulder and tried to make him feel better.
Will you not set your ego aside and express your gratitude to him for his help? My subconscious was making inquiries.
He has only taken my grandma to the hospital; if any other person had been in his position, he would undoubtedly have done the same. He has done nothing particularly noteworthy. I conveyed my logic to my subconscious. So don't think of yourself as a normal person; he could have sent any other worker from your office to the hospital if he'd wanted to, but he chose not to do so; instead, he is present with you. Caring for your grandmother while you're away.
What's going on with my subconscious because he never used to argue with me in this way before? However, I don't understand why very unusual changes have been happening inside of me ever since I met that arrogant Stella.
As part of his job, Steve has done nothing particularly noteworthy. I made up another justification in my head for not saying thank you to Steve. My subconscious teased me,
Oh, so you mean taking care of your family members, taking them to the hospital while you're away—all of that is related to Steve's primary duty area. Okay, I can't win with you; I do not know why you've been so intransigent lately. All of this results from that intransigent lady. I gave in to my subconscious's intransigence.
"That's what I wanted to tell you—or rather, ask you, Steve. I mean."
Why am I having such difficulty speaking these words?
Oh, God, I only need to say one little thing to him. My subconscious wouldn't allow me to breathe freely because of the guilt if I didn't express my gratitude to him.
"What took place? What are you trying to communicate, Mr. Woods? I don't comprehend a word." He gave me a bewildered look in his direction.
That's my assistant. Without my saying what I want to communicate to him, he ought to understand.
Steve, who was standing in front of me, appeared to be a monster.
Enough drama; try not to over-inflate your ego. After all, he saved your precious grandmother's life; who knows what would have happened if he had brought her here sooner? And besides, he's your assistant, not a divine being who knows everything you're thinking without saying it.
"Okay, Steve, I thank you for taking care of my grandmother while I was away."
"What?" He listened to me, and his mouth dropped wide in disbelief.
"Mr. Woods, your grandma has recovered consciousness; visit her." Coming out of the ICU, the doctor stated that Steve could not fully respond.
"But..,"
"What happened to my grandmother, doctor?" In a frightened voice, I asked the question.
"Mr. Woods, your grandma has blood cancer and has very little time left." In a dejected tone, the doctor spoke.
"What? Nothing could happen to my grandmother, so what the hell are you talking about? That is completely incorrect; you must have misunderstood something." I felt as though someone had yanked the ground out from under me after hearing what the doctor in front of me had to say.
"I understand how hurt you are, Mr. Woods. Don't worry; I will provide the greatest care possible." He put his hand on my shoulder to comfort me before leaving.
When I saw Grandma laying on the bed, I questioned her, "Grandma, how are you feeling right now?"
"Ethan, my beloved child. I've been patiently awaiting your arrival." Grandmother spoke as she sluggishly opened her eyes.
"Grandma, don't be concerned at all. I just spoke to the doctor, and he assured me that there is no need to worry because you will recover quickly." Grandma must be feeling quite afraid right now, and I don't want to make her feel worse by expressing my emotions in front of her.
"You don't have to lie to me, Ethan. I know perfectly that I have blood cancer and that I am simply a passing guest in this world."
"What?" It shocked me when I heard Grandma's comments and turned to look at her.
"Do you understand your illness?" Does she already know everything? I couldn't believe it.
"Ethan, don't act so astonished; I am well aware of my limited time." After noticing me, Grandma expressed her disappointment.
"Grandma, nothing will happen to you; I'll get a better doctor to take care of you." While trying to contain my tears, I said.
"I know I have very little time left, so please don't comfort me with false hope. However, there is one thing I would want to ask of you before I pass away." Grandma gave me an optimistic smile in her eyes.
"Grandma, please tell me what you want," I questioned myself as I stared at her flimsy face.
"I want you to be married, Ethan, before I pass away."
"What?"
"This is, in fact, my last request. Please, I beg you, get married to Stella as soon as possible."
"I'm sorry, Grandma, but I'm unable to grant your wish."
"Therefore, won't you also grant your dying grandmother's last request?"
I don't want to be married because I can't spend the rest of my life dancing at the whim of one female, especially not with a girl like Stella. But how do I explain that to Grandma?
"Okay, Ethan, why would you get married because of your elderly grandma's foolish wish?" Grandmother spoke while wiping away her tears.
"Please stop crying, Grandma; it will negatively affect your health. To carry out your last wish, I am prepared to get married. However, I can not commit to marrying only Stella."I eventually gave in to grandma's demand.
"I want Stella to be your wife, Ethan. Now, take this as a challenge or order: I want you to marry Stella Parker and no one else." Grandma spoke in a commanding tone.