LPR 9

"Are you sure you want to go home today, sir? I think it would be better if you rest for at least one more day."

Wade exhaled briefly as he got out of the hospital bed. He looked at the IV needle still attached to his left wrist, then shook his head. "I don't like resting in the hospital, it's very boring."

"The problem is, you don't like resting at home either, sir," Rocky replied, looking at Wade with a meaningful look. "So, I don't know how to get you to rest from all your routines."

"I'm sure what you need to do now is call the doctor, Rocky."

Rocky nodded once. He decided not to press Wade any further. "All right, sir. I'll call the doctor right away."

Rocky left immediately, while Wade clicked his tongue quietly and shook his head. He thought Rocky had finally stopped nagging him about resting, because it was clearly not a topic he liked. On the contrary, he avoided this discussion the most, although he couldn't really get angry at Rocky.

Wade realized that Rocky only cared about him, and that made sense. His work habits were no joke, so much so that it could almost be said that he never took a vacation, never really took a break from all the work, just like Rocky had mentioned before.

It seemed that it was Rocky who got tired watching Wade work. Especially since Rocky knew that Wade didn't really need to work at all.

Literally, Wade was no longer part of the Palace family. He still had the great name of Pendleton, but he no longer had the honor of being a member of the Alpha family. But that didn't mean he had nothing left. He still had many things that should have been more than enough to provide for his life and even the lives of his children and grandchildren for several generations.

Unfortunately, for Wade, work was not a way to make a living. On the contrary, it was his way of keeping his mind occupied. The only legitimate way for him to forget all the longing that had been nesting in his heart for years. The only legitimate way for him to continue enjoying life.

Ironically, Wade now often asked himself, "Do I still have a life?"

A knock on the door interrupted Wade's reverie. He blinked and realized in a moment that he had been staring out the window for a while, right at the bright blue sky.

The door opened. Wade turned around, assuming it was the doctor Rocky had called. But he was wrong.

"Estelle."

Estelle closed the door and entered awkwardly. She seemed reluctant to go any further and even to look at Wade. "Hello, Wade. May I come in?"

"Of course," Wade replied, nodding repeatedly. "Besides, you're already inside."

Estelle's footsteps immediately stopped. Her face turned red.

Wade clamped his mouth shut. He cursed himself. "Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you. I just..." He took a deep breath, trying to calm the sudden turmoil in his chest. "...didn't expect you to visit me." But then his brow furrowed. "Um. You came to visit me, didn't you?"

"Of course." Estelle nodded quickly. She continued walking, this time wringing her hands, which were beginning to feel damp with sweat. "I really wanted to see you. I wanted to see how you were doing." She watched Wade's appearance. "Are you okay?" Then her focus shifted to the small bandage on the side of Wade's head. Her expression changed. "You don't seem okay."

Reflexively, Wade's hand went up to touch the bandage on his head. "Oh, that. There's nothing to worry about. It's just a small wound. The doctor even shaved off some of my hair to sew it up. So don't worry about it."

Wade's explanation only made Estelle imagine it spontaneously. Being shaved and stitched up was clearly a sign that it wasn't a minor wound. As a result, her expression became increasingly guilty.

"It seems I misspoke." Wade closed his mouth for a moment to chastise himself. "Well, how about you sit down? I'm afraid your legs will get tired if you stand too long."

Estelle seemed hesitant, but finally accepted the offer. "Thank you."

The awkward atmosphere was palpable as Estelle and Wade sat. They didn't say anything, seemed confused. Especially Estelle, who seemed more focused on avoiding Wade's gaze.

Wade furrowed his brow. Estelle's behavior confused him again. "Actually, I wasn't expecting you to visit me, Estelle."

Estelle suddenly looked up when she heard Wade. Their eyes met.

"Besides the fact that your family visited me a few days ago, I also remember what you said that night."

Estelle froze.

"It was clear that you didn't want anything to do with me," Wade said, a little confused. He wasn't sure how to describe that night. "I mean, you asked me not to approach you, and that's why I've been confused these past few days."

Estelle dramatically closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Wade. I didn't mean to act like that. It's just that..." She bit her lower lip. There was turmoil in her eyes. "...I can't explain it to you."

"Estelle, have I done something to you? You can tell me. I know I may have offended you unconsciously."

Estelle shook her head and answered, holding back a wince. "No. You haven't offended me or done anything, but-"

"Is this about your engagement to Lennon?"

Estelle's words were cut off. Wade interrupted her with a question that stunned her for a moment. It took her a second to digest Wade's meaning and her eyes widened. "It's not like that, Wade."

"I thought it was," Wade said with a bitter smile. Then he nodded. "All right, Estelle. It all makes sense now, and you were right to ask me not to approach you or, uh, get involved with you. I'll make sure that this incident doesn't hurt you at all. You don't have to worry. Besides, everyone knows it was an accident.”

Just as Wade finished speaking, the door opened again. Rocky entered with a doctor named Darius Antonio Lopez.

"Sir, I—"

Rocky's words stopped immediately, as did his footsteps, when he saw that not only Wade was inside, but Estelle as well. His expression clearly showed surprise, as did Darius'.

Rocky quickly composed himself and made his expression look neutral again. "Good afternoon, Miss Estelle."

Estelle smiled awkwardly. "Good afternoon, Rocky."

"Well," Wade murmured briefly. Then he stood up. "You're just in time, Rocky. Estelle just happened to be leaving."

Rocky looked confused. "Oh."

Estelle, on the other hand, bit her lip. "All right, Wade. I have to go now, and I'm sorry again. I hope you feel better soon."

Wade nodded briefly before Estelle actually left. After the door closed, Rocky approached him immediately.

"I hope I didn't interrupt your conversation, sir."

Wade shook his head and gestured for Darius to examine him. "Not at all. On the contrary, I'm grateful to you." He looked at Rocky. "You came at the right time."

*

Estelle grabbed the wall hastily. Her knees were really weak, her legs were shaking and her steps faltered several times. She seemed completely powerless, her body felt weak, and it made her realize something: maybe going to see Wade was a bad idea.

She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall for real this time. She took several deep breaths, trying to stay calm amidst the turmoil in her mind.

Estelle felt so terrible. She was blaming Wade for something that hadn't happened yet, and worse, she was causing Wade to get hurt. She couldn't protect herself from the onslaught of emotions.

It took Estelle longer than expected to regain full control. Even then, it was because she was still defending herself in her heart. She was just being cautious and careful. She just wanted to take precautions, but unfortunately, she went a bit too far.

Estelle opened her eyes and felt calmer now. Then she decided to leave, really leave.

Estelle's hand wavered slightly as she gripped the wheel. She took a deep breath before finally starting the car.

Unlike the situation when she had left earlier, Estelle now found her way back to the office marred by a bit of traffic. The traffic was a bit congested, but it didn't really slow her down.

Estelle's breath caught in her chest as she saw a car cut in front of her. Luckily, she was quick enough to hit the brake pedal. Still, she let out a long breath to stifle the curses that were on the tip of her tongue.

It had been an exhausting day. Estelle didn't want to waste her remaining energy on something pointless. So, she decided to turn on the music instead of venting her emotions by muttering.

She reached out. Estelle was about to find her favorite song when her eyes accidentally caught a strange sight in the rearview mirror. Her forehead furrowed as she tried to remember. Do I know this car?

Estelle wasn't sure, although a part of her told her that she had seen this car before. Maybe not to the point of knowing, but she had seen it.

The trip, briefly delayed, resumed about five minutes later. She turned the wheel and didn't forget to turn on the blinker. The car turned right as she looked in the side mirror to make sure everything was okay.

Estelle squinted. The car she saw earlier was still behind her. Is it just on the same route as me or...?

Estelle didn't pursue the thought. Instead, her heart began to race as a pressing thought echoed in her mind. So, she decided not to go directly to the office, but in a different direction.

Now Estelle's heart seemed to stop. She realized that the car was indeed following her. She had been driving aimlessly for almost thirty minutes and the car was still behind her!

Estelle couldn't stand it any longer. She suddenly hit the brake pedal. The car came to an abrupt stop and her head hit the steering wheel lightly. At the same time, a fleeting memory flashed through her mind. That car was right behind mine when I left the hospital.

*