Chapter 163: Do I Look Like A School Student?
"Yeah.... it’s time for you to leave. . . "
Thea approached Great-Uncle Silas. "Great-Uncle, I’m heading out now.." she stated gently.
"Next time, make it a longer visit. . " he murmured. .
Thea grinned. "Yes, Great-Uncle.Next time I will stay longer.."
As Thea got ready to depart, Grandma Grace walked with her to the gate. "Remember, look after yourself and give me a call soon. . " she said, her tone wavering slightly.
Thea embraced her grandmother firmly. "I will, Grandma. You take care of yourself as well, and remember your medicine. "
Thea picked up her suitcase and said goodbye to her grandmother, waving farewell before departing.
"Call me when you get there. . " Grandma urged her.
"Sure, Grandma..." Thea’s voice faded as she walked away.
The subway station was merely a 20-minute walk from her great-uncle’s house, and Thea chose to take advantage of the chance to explore her surroundings.She walked at a relaxed pace, taking in the sights and sounds of the area.
Soon enough, she reached the subway station and got on the train. The trip lasted exactly one hour, and when Thea got off, she headed to the taxi stand to wait for her cab, which was expected to arrive soon.
An old man was walking down the road,when his feet suddenly gave way beneath him, and he collapsed onto the pavement, losing consciousness. Thea, who was present there, witnessed the scene unfold and rushed to the old man’s side.
"Sir..." she called out, trying to rouse him, but there was no response. Thea’s concern deepened as she gently shook his shoulder, hoping to revive him.
A crowd began to gather around them, their faces filled with worry and curiosity. However, despite the growing number of onlookers, only a few people stepped forward to offer assistance.
Thea continued to try and revive the old man, her voice filled with urgency. "Sir...Sir..." she repeated, but the old man remained unresponsive. Just as Thea was starting to worry that he might not come around, the old man’s eyes flickered open, and he looked up at Thea and the young man.
Thea leaned in closer, bending her ear to the old man’s face, eager to hear his words. The old man’s voice was weak, but his words were laced with determination. "To...Cedarbrook Hospital.. please.." he whispered, his eyes pleading for help.
Thea’s eyes locked onto a young man’s who was standing beside the old man, and he offered a reassuring look. "The ambulance will come shortly.." he said, his phone still pressed to his ear.
Moments later, the ambulance arrived, and Thea was asked to accompany the old man to the hospital. She agreed without hesitation..
As the ambulance doors closed behind her. The young man, who had dialed for the ambulance, noticed Thea’s suitcase sitting alone on the sidewalk. He was the same person who had sat beside Thea on the train earlier.
He picked up her suitcase, shook his head, and clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk," he muttered, before hailing a taxi and driving away with her belongings.
The ambulance rushed towards the nearby Hospital, its sirens piercing the air. The old man remained unconscious, his face pale and drawn. His hand held her hand, her eyes fixed on his face.
As the ambulance rushed towards the hospital, the old man’s phone unexpectedly rang. Thea noticed the ringing and carefully took the phone out of the old man’s pocket. She looked at the screen and spotted the name "Grandson" lighting up.
She answered the call, and a concerned voice came from the other end. "Grandfather, why aren’t you answering our calls? We’re worried about you! "
Thea described the situation in a composed manner. "I’m sorry to tell you that your grandfather is being taken to the hospital. He was unconscious when I discovered him. "
The voice on the other side became increasingly anxious. "Which hospital? "
Thea looked out the window, noticing the hospital’s sign getting nearer. "It’s Lakewood General Hospital." she answered.
The old man was quickly taken away for examination, leaving Thea to wait anxiously outside. She still held his phone, and it rang again.
"Hello?" Thea answered.
"Where?" the voice asked urgently.
She replied, "They just took him in for a checkup. I’m waiting outside the emergency department."
The phone conversation ended suddenly, and Thea placed the phone down. She heard footsteps coming closer and raised her head to identify the individual. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she recognized the familiar face in front of her.
"You? " Thea inquired, her voice laced with disbelief.
"Thea ." he responded, his gaze fixed on hers.
Thea was in shock.."Is he your grandfather? " she questioned.
Liam nodded slightly.
Thea’s eyes searched Liam’s expression, trying to make sense of the surprising coincidence. "Where did you find him? " Liam asked, his forehead creased with worry.
Thea inhaled deeply before sharing the details of the incident. "I was waiting for a taxi when I witnessed an elderly man –I mean your grandfather – collapse. He was unconscious, but he managed to murmur something about Cedarbrook Hospital just before the ambulance arrived. "
"Who is the patient’s family? " the doctor inquired, surveying the waiting area.
Liam moved ahead, his gaze fixed on the doctor. "I am his grandson. "
"It seems that your grandfather’s diabetes significantly contributed to his collapse. His blood sugar levels were high, which can lead to dizziness, disorientation, and even unconsciousness. Thankfully, he is currently stable and receiving treatment. "
The doctor said before he left to see other patients.
Liam inhaled deeply and walked into the emergency department to visit his grandfather. The elderly man had his eyes shut and was lying still on the hospital bed.
Liam stood beside his grandfather’s bed, listening to the steady beeps of the heart monitor. The IV fluids dripped slowly into his grandfather’s veins.
Thea rested her hand on Liam’s shoulder.
"Liam, your grandfather is going to be okay. . " she whispered gently.
Liam nodded, his gaze locked on his grandfather’s delicate figure. He retrieved his phone and called his assistant’s number.
"Hello? " his assistant responded.
"I need to move my grandfather from Lakewood General Hospital to Cedarbrook Hospital. . " Liam directed. "Please handle the arrangements right away. "
"Right away, sir.." his assistant confirmed.
Liam hung up the call and put his phone back in his pocket, keeping his eyes trained on his grandfather’s face.
Thea moved aside as another person came into the room. "Liam.." Ryder called out.
Liam glanced up and nodded in response. Ryder’s eyes shifted to Thea, who was quietly standing in the corner. "Thea? " he inquired, his tone inquisitive.
"She found my grandfather.." Liam clarified.
Thea interjected, "Liam, I’m leaving now. "
Ryder moved closer to her. "Let me give you a ride.." he suggested.
Thea rejected the offer, "You better stay with him.... "
With that, Thea turned and exited the room. As she made her way down the hallway, an abrupt realization struck her. "My suitcase? " she shouted, her hand flying to her face. "Oh my goodness. . . I completely forgot about it! "
Ryder emerged from the hospital’s emergency department, clutching a small pouch in his hand, only to find Thea nowhere in sight. He searched the area, but she was gone.
Thea, meanwhile, walked through the hospital’s waiting room when a young man called out to her.
"Miss."
Thea stopped abruptly and turned to face the stranger. He was incredibly handsome, but his mischievous grin caught her off guard.
"Sir, thank you.." Thea said, recognizing him as the good man who had called the ambulance.
The young man chuckled. "You should thank me. By the way, your suitcase..."
Thea’s eyes widened. "Yes, I left it at the incident site. I need to go get it."
The young man grasped her wrist, gently holding her back. "No need to rush, Miss. Your suitcase is right here."
Thea’s confusion deepened. "Huh? But how...?"
The young man smiled. "You left it behind, so I brought it for you."
"Oh, thank you, Sir..." Thea said, her voice filled with gratitude.
"Sir?" Nash repeated, laughing. "Do I look that old?"
Thea smiled. "I’m Alethea."
"Nice to meet you, Alethea.." Nash replied. "I’m Nash. Your name is beautiful."
Thea chuckled. "Thanks."
"You’re not in school, I presume?" Nash asked.
"Do I look like a school student?"
Nash nodded, grinning. "Yes..."
"I’ve already graduated school.." Thea clarified.
Nash smiled. "Oh, my bad."
"And you?"
"I’m a junior.." Nash replied.
