Happy In The Present

Mrs. Ron felt a slight tinge of pain in her heart looking at the delirious Elaine. In the warm silent room a girl clasping the hand of an old lady looked beautiful but each one was lost in their own thoughts. Once she felt her eyes and head clear up she saw the face of Mrs. Ron instead of her mom. Mrs. Ron looked with pity as the hopeful face of the girl turned into one with a disappointment. Elaine felt as if someone had poured basin of cold water on when she was sleeping cruelly bringing her back to reality.

Still she managed to hold her disappointment inside her and spoke with a hoarse voice, "Grandma, what brings you here?" She tried to get up but her body was too weak to support her and her throat hurt as if needles were stuck there. She grasped her throat to ease the burning sensation even though she wasn't sure it will work or not.

"You were caught in rain and got cold and fever. But it's not serious. Take some food, medicine and rest and you will be good as new." Mrs. Ron told slowly so as not to excite the patient as she patted her hair. She had only eaten a cup of noodle the last night and nothing more. Even though she wasn't feeling hungry her empty stomach growled. Elaine turned red with embarrassment and tried to hide herself under the blanket.

"What are you embarrassed of?" Mrs. Ron laughed lightly as she watched the action of the silly girl. "I have even taken care of you when you had dysentery. I have bathed you." She added, "I have even seen you naked."

"But that was when I was a kid." Elaine resorted to save her last shred of dignity.

"As if you are grown up now! Before us old trunks you are still kid in diapers." She replied as she spanked her butt.

"...."

"....."

"I'm..." Elaine stuttered, "I'm not talking with you anymore grandma….humph." Elaine turned her back to her.

"Fine fine this old lady is sorry. Now have some food before it gets cold." She laughingly said looking at the sulking little girl.

Hearing food she wanted to get up as the aroma had brought back her hunger still she stubbornly didn't budge. Chatting and talking with her made the bitterness in her heart disappear so she silently thanked god for giving her such a wonderful people around her.

"I hurt broke my back cooking but this girl doesn't even eat it… I'm sad." The old lady made a sad sound.

Hearing the old lady she felt little guilty and hesitatingly got up. The old lady looked aside and winked, "It always works."

"Grandma what are you doing looking aside?" Elaine who was opening the lid of basket looked strangely at the her who was chuckling alone.

"Nope. It's nothing."

Elaine ohhed and lifted the spoon ready to dig in but found herself weak to even lift at. She looked at the old lady who took the lunch box and spoon from her. "Come now. I will feed you."

Probably because of her fever or maybe because her subconscious desire to have someone care her she not only didn't reject this offer she kind of felt very happy. She sat on the bed looking at her with twinkling and happy eyes. 'This child is so precious. God, please always keep her smiling.' The old lady prayed silently as she blew on the congee before feeding her.

The old man who was making herbs had come up with the medicine in a bowl. The door was open when he came to the room. From the door looking at this harmonious he felt his heart going soft and a drop of tear fell from the corner of his eyes. Whatever happened in the past and what will happen in the past wasn't in their control but he prayed they would at least be happy in the present. Feeling the tears he took a deep breath before he came inside.

"Oh my. Look at this little rabbit." He chuckled as he entered the room and with him entered the bitter smell of whatever medicine he was carrying.

"Grandpa!" Elaine exclaimed with her cheeks bulging with food inside. Worried she might choke on the food Mrs. Ron quickly filled a glass with warm water and scolded lightly, "Don't talk with food in your mouth."

Despite being scolded Elaine was beaming with joy. After finishing the meal the pharmacist finally brought forward the nightmare she wanted to avoid.

It was a drink made with the paste of herbs and it looked sick. She actually felt sicker looking at that. "Grandma", she looked at her with a pitiful expression, "I don't want to eat that." She pointed to the bowl still looking at her face expectantly.

"Honey, tell her to drink this. She will get better in no time. Otherwise this medicine might get wasted."

"Grandma, I love you." Elaine acted the cutest to her capability.

"Honey, I love you to the moon and back." Mr. Ron made a heart with his finger as he sent a flying kiss towards the woman.

Elaine didn't expect this and she clapped happily looking at the old man flirting with his wife. She had never laughed as much as she did today since two years.

  Mrs. Ron was in trouble now. She watched both of them who were expecting her to answer in their favor. "Well" she looked at Elaine and said, "I will drink half and you can drink half. How does that sound?" Elaine knew it will do her good but it was bitter and she hated bitter things but she didn't want her to drink that bitter medicine just for her sake. And considering how much they cared about her she didn't want to put them at spot.

"Your flying kiss won grandpa. I admit defeat." So she reluctantly took the bowl and gulped down the medicine in one shot.

"It was bitterer than she had imagined so she couldn't help but stick out her tongue. Her reactions made the couple laugh their heart out. All three of them ended laughing. That house for the first time in two years looked alive.

That very day,

In the reception of SER Group.

A neatly dressed woman was sitting looking at the schedule for the day. Kim came with a box in his hand. He was politely greeted by her. "I'm here to deliver a gift to the president of your company." He emphasized, "I'm sure he will love this present." The man was wearing a formal suit so she didn't really doubt his words and when she asked for the name of sender he replied, "You can inform him that it is from the boss of Tyrell group."

Who in the city didn't know about the cold blooded clan of the city and the feud between the SER group and Tyrell group? It must be something important and to prevent any misunderstanding she quickly called the secretary of the president and explained everything.

Inside the office the C.E.O was talking on the phone with a client regarding some business.

"Sir, a gift has arrived for you." The secretary bit her lips as she nervously said, "It's from the Master of Tyrell group."

She left the box on the table and went out as soon as possible to prevent herself from the anger of boss if anything improper was in the box.

The man looked at the beautifully wrapped box and smirked wrinkling the corner of his eyes showings a victory smile.