#04 My Other Name

"That's right. He's currently blind and paralyzed. In the process of recovery, too. A small blood clot in his head, caused by the impact during the accident, is affecting the nerves that control his vision."

Gia once more seemed taken aback.

"Actually, surgery could quickly restore his eyesight. But the clot's location is extremely precarious. Even the slightest mistake could result in permanent blindness. The doctors are trying to dissolve the clot with medication. Hopefully, it works. But, like physical therapy, the results might take months to show."

This explanation brought Gia a sense of relief. If Raven was blind, then he wouldn’t know who she was.

"Did you already send my details to Mr. Lindgren?" Gia asked carefully.

"Why would I? Raven doesn't have the right to choose who I send. He just has to accept whoever I send. I only need to send a photo and your name to his secretary to set up the payroll contract. Why?" Stefan asked, frowning in confusion.

"It's nothing. Just curious. Gia shook her head in a slight panic, a plan beginning to form in her mind.

---

"I'll buy a new car, some luggage, and maybe a house."

Gia made a mental list of things to buy once the dreadful job was done. Under normal circumstances, she didn’t care about money, but this situation was exceptional. The only reason Gia could bear the thought of taking care of the man she hated most in the world was money—it was a suffocating reality.

Gia wanted to stop the car and scream in the street. Maybe it would ease her heart a little. But having accepted this job, she planned to do it well. In short, she would be professional, get paid, and then leave. That’s it.

Gia had done her best to forget the Lindgren brothers, but cruel fate had placed her directly in front of Raven. Not Lonan, but Raven. If it had been Lonan, perhaps she would have been a little more cooperative. Just slightly. To Gia, Lonan wasn’t much different from Raven.

After that night, Lonan made no effort to reach out to Gia. He ignored the dozens of voicemails and texts she sent. Gia had only reached out to apologize, not to restore their relationship. Guilt lingered as she had clearly enjoyed Raven’s kiss.

But Lonan hadn’t responded to her apology. After nearly two months without a response, Gia finally gave up on him. She wanted to handle this tangled mess maturely, but Lonan made her feel like a golddigger for chasing him after the relationship had ended.

Deciding to move on, Gia changed her phone number and threw herself into work, taking long shifts at the hospital and enrolling in nearly every available class, ensuring she had no free time.

She tried every possible way to forget the Lindgren brothers—both the good and bad memories. She wanted to disappear from their lives completely.

Now, all those memories returned, filling her mind as if no time had passed. She could still remember how Raven's eyes looked at her when their lips met.

"STOP IT, Gia!"

Gia finally shouted in desperation as her mind mercilessly replayed every detail from that office encounter. Her body also vividly remembered Raven’s every touch.

Amid her anger toward Raven tonight, Gia also harbored frustration toward herself. Her heart was filled with concern for Raven. As soon as she realized that Raven was the patient, she blurted out a question about his condition.

Her mind pictured Raven’s likely pitiful state. She should have felt happiness knowing he was gravely injured, not pity.

"I need clothes, a car, luggage, a house, and a vacation." Gia whispered, reiterating her wish list in an attempt to maintain her composure.

---

"What's wrong with you? You're usually so meticulous. I've never seen you this anxious."

Rose—Gia’s friend, who was driving her to the airport—looked confused by Gia’s restless actions as she repeatedly checked her belongings. 

Normally, Gia was very thorough and organized, a necessity of her job. But this time, she looked nervous and unsure of herself.

"It's nothing. I’m just worried about the patients I’m leaving behind," Gia weakly replied, although all her patients had accepted her departure well. Even Beth, who had initially protested, understood that Gia was more needed elsewhere.

"Could you stop thinking about all your patients for just a moment?" Rose rolled her eyes.

"A private jet awaits, and you're thinking about all those patients?"

Rose gestured in awe at the private jet provided by the Lindgrens. But she didn’t know that this wasn’t Gia’s first time seeing the plane. Lonan had used it to take her to Sweden five years ago.

Gia didn’t know if it was the same plane, but the Lindgren logo and writing were identical. She remembered pinching herself repeatedly back then to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She imagined herself looking as awestruck as Rose does now.

"Ah...they’re coming." Rose pointed to a pilot walking toward them slowly.

"Stop pointing!" Gia hissed. She regretted asking Rose to drive her today; Rose was too easily impressed and couldn’t hide her excitement gracefully. But Gia didn’t have many choices. Her busy life left her with few friends.

She knew almost everyone at the hospital, but her relationships with them were strictly professional. Rose was Gia’s only friend, though they rarely spent time together.

Rose was a kindergarten teacher, and her enthusiasm suited her work environment well. Her patience was the trait that allowed her to stay friends with Gia.

Gia stood nervously, her mind unable to function properly as she imagined she would soon meet Raven. She barely listened to the pilot’s introductions, responding half-heartedly.

Once seated and buckled in, Gia’s anxiety became nearly unbearable. She couldn’t appreciate the luxurious interior of the jet, staring out the window instead. 

She refused every offer of food and drink from the flight attendant as her stomach churned. She felt airsick, despite never experiencing it before.

---

Those three hours felt short. Gia still didn’t feel ready to face Raven. But there was no turning back. Pulling her coat tighter, Gia descended the plane’s steps. The Swedish air was colder than in London. Her coat wasn’t warm enough.

"Welcome, Miss Harken. I’m Jasper Nicklas, Mr. Lindgren's secretary."

The man welcoming her at the bottom of the stairs appeared impeccable. His suit was neat, and his hair combed perfectly without a single stray strand. His rectangular glasses gave him a sharp look. He was the kind of employee who exuded robotic air.

But then he smiled kindly at Gia, his face appearing more lively and handsome as he did so. Gia shook his warm hand without hesitation.

“You seem cold.”

Jasper noticed Gia’s hand trembling. “Yes, I didn’t expect it to be colder here than in London.” Gia rubbed her hands, bare and without gloves. She wasn’t sure if her hands were shaking from the cold or just nerves.

“Let’s continue our conversation in the car,” Jasper said, gesturing toward a nearby black limousine.

“Please, to warm yourself up.”

Jasper offered her a glass of wine once they were seated in the car. Along with the wine, Gia saw an array of fruits arranged beautifully before her. She politely declined.

“I’m sorry. I don’t drink alcohol. Health reasons.” Mental health reasons, really. Gia couldn’t face Raven while drunk. Even one glass of high-quality wine would put her to sleep.

“Oh... I understand.” Jasper quickly opened a notebook in his lap, noting that Gia didn’t drink alcohol.

“Do you really need to note that?” Gia asked, surprised to catch sight of his writing.

Jasper nodded. “I’m responsible for all your needs while you care for Mr. Lindgren, so small details like this must be recorded. I hope you don’t mind, Miss Harken.”

Gia shook her head, unfazed by it. But there was one thing she had to clarify before they reached their destination.

“Um, Mr. Niklas, could you call me Hazel? There’s no need to be so formal. I’m just an employee, not a guest.”

Jasper glanced at his book. “Your name is Gia Harken.” He read her profile.

“Correct. Hazel is my middle name. And I prefer to be called that. Gia sounds too common. Ha..Ha.” Gia forced a laugh, having prepared that line ever since Stefan said he would send her profile to Raven’s secretary.

Jasper smiled. “Of course, and you... you can call me Jasper as well. I'm merely an employee, so there's no need for excessive formality."

Gia sighed in relief. One obstacle was overcome. “I think it’ll be more pleasant this way. I’d get bored if I had to be formal with you too.”

With the casual atmosphere, Jasper’s rigid demeanor softened. He was quite friendly, though his expression became serious again when discussing work.

“We’ve arrived.”

“This isn’t the Lindgren Mansion.” Gia was a bit surprised when they stopped in front of a luxurious, modern house, unlike the castle-like building she had visited before.

“Oh, it isn’t. Mr. Lindgren moved here after the accident. It’s his private residence, unknown to the press,” Jasper explained.

Gia nodded, feeling naive for assuming Raven would have only one residence.

“Besides, you landed in Gothenburg, not Stockholm. The Lindgren Mansion is closer to Stockholm’s airport,” Jasper continued.

“Ha...Ha...” Gia chuckled awkwardly, feeling foolish for not noticing the airport difference. She was too anxious.

“But how did you know this isn’t the Lindgren Mansion?” Jasper’s question was natural, but Gia froze, her mind scrambling to find a reason.