"After that day, I stopped attending university, but I attended online classes. My friends would send me recordings and notes, so I was up to date with my studies.
I am sure Elise felt guilty about it." He sighed wryly.
"Anyway, I would be with her day and night, but in the evening, I would make some time to visit Alice's grave every day. And one evening… I saw a lady in black glasses, wearing a black dress, black watch, black shoes, and carrying a black umbrella."
"Wow… she must love the black color," Eleanor smiled slightly.
"That Lady was you."
"Oh… black is never my first choice. And was it raining that day?" Eleanor asked curiously.
"Sort of…" Rudy nodded. "It was cloudy weather, and the sky was covered in black. It was early evening, yet it seemed as though the sun had already set."
Rudy let out a short sigh and continued, "I was sitting by Alice's grave as usual, and you approached me from behind. I hadn't seen you, nor I knew it was you, as I had never seen you in such attire before.
You asked me if Alice was close to me, and I replied with yes. You then asked if she was the closest opposite gender in your heart, and I said yes. Then you asked if I loved her, and I…
I didn't reply to that question. I didn't deserve to love her. So I turned back and saw you. I didn't recognize you at first. You had also cut your hair to a bob-cut hairstyle.
You asked me the same question again, but instead of replying, I asked, 'Who are you?' to Alice?
You smiled slightly and took off your glasses. Only then… I recognized you.
'So I am now a 'who' for you, huh?' You asked with a bitter smile.
We exchanged a few conversations until I received a call from the nurse at the hospital. I was supposed to buy medicines for Elise. So I excused myself, but you called me and said you would give me a ride.
You asked me about Elise and my relationship on the way, and you seemed… a little upset. You weren't angry or disappointed… you had a sad look on your face.
You dropped me at the hospital and drove away. I was a little sad because I wanted to have a proper conversation with you and settle that matter for forever. But I ran into you again in the hospital elevator.
You had gone to park your car on the underground floor and taken the elevator from there. After getting off the elevator, I went straight to Elise's room, hoping you would follow me.
I gave the medicines to the nurse, and I had apparently forgotten to buy the prescribed injection. The nurse then checked the prescription I was given and apologized to me, as there was no mention of the syringe in that prescription.
I sat by Elise's side and talked with her. She teased me about my messy hair. She then looked me in the eyes and asked me if I was doing okay, and I obviously replied with a yes because I didn't want to worry her unnecessarily.
She fell asleep soon after as her meds had started taking effect. I kissed her on the forehead and left the room. On the way, the nurse informed me that the doctor was calling me to her office.
I… was scared after hearing that. Usually, the doctors would call a relative to their office to tell some bad news. And I wasn't prepared to know that. I was anxious. I didn't want anything to happen to Elise…. I couldn't afford to lose her.
When I reached the doctor's office, I knocked on her door, and she asked me to come inside. I sat on the chair, anxious and scared. All kinds of thoughts were racing in my mind, and I didn't want any of them to win.
The doctor gave me a paperclip that had some information written on it. I read it and still couldn't understand what it was, so I asked her. And she said that a famous doctor specialized in skin treatment would come here to treat Elise.
I was surprised. I knew about that doctor, but her fees were so high that not even Elise's family could manage in a short time. So I asked the doctor, and she said everything was taken care of.
I was confused, but I assumed that Elise's family must have arranged the money from somewhere. But the doctor shook her head and said, 'The lady in the black dress came here and gave me this paper slip. She said that the special doctor is her friend and she would visit this hospital for a week.'
That's when I realized how you knew the directions in the hospital even though it was your first time there. You had even selected the floor on the elevator."
"Wait…" Eleanor pondered for a few seconds and asked, "Was that specialist doctor's name… Hannah?"
"Yes… Do you know her…?"
"Yes, she's my friend, actually. She owes me a few million, took money from me to complete her medical studies, and start her own pharmaceutical brand— which I co-own."
"Is that so? I thought Eleanor lied."
"She must have researched everything well before approaching you. And believe me, I am damn sure that her running into you in that cemetery that day wasn't a coincidence. It was all part of her plan."
"..." Rudy couldn't say anything in response, so he stayed silent.
"Tell me, what happened after that?" Eleanor asked with a curious yet knowing look on her face.
Since it was night, I decided to leave for my apartment. I wanted to take a long bath, make some dinner and return to the hospital early in the morning. So I left the hospital and found you sitting in your car, seemingly waiting for me.
You asked me to get in, and I did. I didn't want to deal with anything at that time. I told you to drop me off at that apartment, but you took me to a hotel, saying you had already reserved a table for both of us."
'I can already see where this is going…' Eleanor uttered inwardly.
