The chef arrived carrying a plate of grilled salmon with quinoa and lemon-dill sauce into the private dining room of suite 18. The room was quiet, the aroma of coffee wafting through the air, the sound of papers being shuffled. In the corner of the room, a man sat busy with his laptop and several files waiting to be completed.
The private lounge had been set up like an office for the time being. Sean deliberately moved all his work here. He wouldn't be able to focus if he had to leave Liora alone in this condition. Sean glanced at his watch. It had been an hour since his girlfriend had been fighting in the operating room to save a life. Breathing slowly, Sean leaned back on the lounge sofa. He was used to his girlfriend's schedule, which always required her to be ready for anything. He was used to being secondary to the greater priority of human life.
A few hours later
At the end of the city's main road, there was a food stall that was still brightly lit with a long queue. The aroma of cooking oil and malt vinegar wafted through the humid air, whetting the appetite. Ten minutes later, a couple stood holding paper bags containing fish and chips. Then, they sat on a long bench in a park directly across the street. The woman rested her head on the man's shoulder. His hand gently stroked her hair. They chatted while enjoying the food they had just bought.
"Why do you like me?" asked the woman.
"This. I like you just the way you are. You're different." while showing his food.
Sean appreciates its simplicity. It teaches him a lot about life. Sean used to complain about his life, but now he is fortunate because his life is what many people dream of. Many people want a life like Sean's.
Sean also never thought he would enjoy street food. It was something Sean never did with his friends. Until now, he only ate fancy food. His luxurious lifestyle matched his social status.
Shortly thereafter, they left the place they had visited a few hours earlier. Walking arm in arm, they explored the city center. A gentle breeze greeted the trees and branches, then descended in droplets. It slightly dampened the woman's face. Seeing this, Sean immediately took a handkerchief from his pocket.
The white linen handkerchief, folded into a triangle, was always neatly tucked into the pocket of his Dormeuil Vanquish II suit. Sean paused for a moment, staring at the gold embroidery with the initial "L." He let his hand linger briefly over the embroidery, gently tracing it, recalling memories that had never truly faded.
"Liora." The woman turned toward the voice. Sean bent down slightly and wiped the raindrops from her beautiful face. His fingers moved slowly, as if afraid of hurting her. When his fingers stopped at her chin, he looked at her and pulled her neck toward him. Their lips met, and he kissed her between her irregular breaths.
***
The sound of heels clicking echoed down the hospital hallway. A tall figure with a beautiful face and shoulder-length hair entered a room. Her fancy bag was thrown down carelessly. Her sharp gaze fixed on the woman in scrubs who was focused on reading a patient's medical records. She approached, startling the woman with her arrival. Before she could ask why she was here, A slap already greeted her beautiful face.
The woman pulled his hand, causing him to fall to the floor. With hatred, she stomped on the innocent woman's hand in front of her with her pointed heels. She bent down slightly and whispered something. The woman, who heard it and was in pain, shook her head slowly.
"Never. He loves me." Hearing Liora's words, the woman pulled her hair. Until she heard her opponent moan in pain, which truly satisfied her.
"People from lower classes are not fit to be with Sean. This isn't a fairy tale where a prince finds his Cinderella. Power and wealth are essential here. Stop dreaming of getting Sean." The woman said firmly and then left the gynecology room. Liora could only cry.
***
In the corner of the city, an exclusive cafe with a modern design stands majestically. The walls are decorated with wooden shelves filled with books and green plants that add to the fresh and comfortable atmosphere. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the scent of artisan cakes fresh out of the oven waft softly in the cool air.
At a large table near the window, four friends sat close together. Two men and two women. They wore suits and blazers with luxury watches adorning their wrists. Alexa, a woman with a sharp, confident gaze, played with her coffee cup. Next to her, the energetic and always cheerful Becca cracked a joke to Julian. Julian, the life of the party, was always eager to respond to his friends' jokes. Raphael just sat quietly and listened to the conversation.
Shortly after, Sean suddenly appeared. He approached with an angry face.
Slap!
With one swift motion, a slap landed on Alexa's beautiful face. The sound of the slap broke the silence, causing all eyes to turn to them. Raphael immediately restrained Sean. Becca, who couldn't accept her friend being treated like that, tried to retaliate, but unfortunately, Julian stopped her.
"Calm down, bro, what's wrong?" Julian asked Sean. Raphael patted him on the shoulder so Sean could control his emotions better. After all, Alexa was his best friend. Sean couldn't be rude to her.
"Stop bothering Liora." Sean's sharp gaze accompanied his intimidating voice.
"Wow, the prince is trying to protect his woman." Alexa laughed, holding her cheeks.
"Lexie. I've found my choice. Liora is the person I've been looking for all this time. I hope you can accept it," Sean explained.
"So she's a fugitive," Alexa said casually. Blood was clearly flowing from the corner of her mouth. Sean felt very guilty when he saw this. It was the first time Sean had ever slapped Alexa. The man Alexa trusted would never hurt her turned out to be just the same as all the others. All men are the same when faced with the woman they love.
"Lexie, I didn't mean to." He tried to get closer to hold the corner of Alexa's bleeding lip. Alexa, who saw that, immediately pushed his hand away.
"What makes you interested in that country girl, huh? Your taste is so low, Sean. I feel quite insulted that you chose her!" Her gaze couldn't lie. This time, Alexa felt very angry with him.
"Lexie, enough! She's very different from you, even from any other woman." He growled.
"Is she abnormal, huh?" said Alexa.
"Oops," Becca replied, covering her mouth.
Julian heard Alexa's blunt remark. He couldn't help but laugh. He burst out laughing when he saw Raphael also trying to hold back his laughter. Sean stared sharply at his two friends, silencing them.
Alexa tried to get closer, Sean reached out his hand. He knew very well that Alexa would never be able to get angry at him. Look, their faces were getting closer, there was almost no distance between them, only the warm breath on their skin. Then, Alexa gently held Sean's cheek and after that...
Slap!
A slap landed on Sean's cheek. It was in response to his earlier slap. His friend was shocked. He didn't expect Alexa to slap Sean. Sean was also surprised that Alexa would do this to him. Didn't Alexa love him very much?
"We're even. What you did just now was like spitting in my face. In front of everyone here! And you had the nerve to do that to me." Alexa pointed at all the people who were now looking at them.
"YOU!" Sean pointed right at her face.