Chapter 801
A Life Debt Repaid
John then began to recount how he started dating Nana. âI happened to run into Nana at the time. She was just about to get a heart transplant surgery with not much chance of success, around sixty to seventy.â
Cordyâs fingers clenched on her wine glass-she hated it, but she also wanted to know his past.
âOne of the care workers had wheeled me out on a stroll in the garden of the hospital. I looked like a mummy, with my whole face bandaged. She mustâve found my appearance amusing, so she approached me and asked what condition I had.â
âShe spoke in Zidonian, and it gave me a sense of familiarity in contrast to my parents. Moreover, itâs been a while since I just woke up from the accident. I basically never spoke to anyone⦠And yet, I talked to her a lot that day, and we learned about our respective situations.â 1 âThat was when she said sheâd date me if she survives the surgery. I said yes.â
John glanced at Cordy as he said that, and saw her calmly sipping her red wine, looking almost unaffected.
It made senseâit was the past, and she was rational enough to not get petty.
Since it was of no concern, he continued, âActually, I never felt any sort of attraction towards her at the time. We were just mostly licking each otherâs wounds under desperate circumstances. I stayed with her until she was wheeled into surgery, and the surgery was a successâthe doctors said she could even live like a normal person.â
âAnd with that, we started dating. She stayed at the hospital with me for another six months, even though she couldâve been discharged much earlier.â
âWhen the bandages came off my face and revealed my hideousness, even I hated myself-but she didnât. I admit, she touched my heart at the time. And so, feelings began to bud right then.â
âTo be honest, before I met you, I always thought I loved Nana. The reason we decided to date each other in the first place was whimsical, sure, but I never felt repulsed towards her after years of being with her. In fact, I wanted to care for her. But after I met you⦠I realized that attraction isnât soft and warm, nor was it a responsibility. You literally go crazy in love.â
Cordy kept sipping on her wind, though her heart rate was accelerating.
âLet me put it to you this way: I was hostile to you because I couldnât accept how I was drawn to you.
While I dated Nana, I met my fair share of women eager to have me. Some even went as far as going naked. I never felt a thing towards them, and I was actually disgusted by them. Thatâs why I just donât get why I couldnât help falling for you. Youâre not the most beautifulââ
Cordy looked up at him, and he promptly corrected himself. âErr, I mean, youâre very beautiful, but youâre the type with hidden depths and are devastatingly attractive.â
At that, Cordy looked away and kept sipping her wine.
With that, John continued, âI never considered myself shallow, and Iâm used to beautiful people since I was constantly in contact with them. Even so, your appearance left me entranced. I was afraid to see you again, because things might escalate to a point beyond no return. Thatâs why I was so hostile around you, so that youâd be keen to keep your distance.â
âAnd yet, itâs as if youâve latched onto me. You always showed up exactly when I didnât want to see you.
And the more I see you, the more I fall for youâ¦â
John trailed off for a moment, as if he was crumbling inside. âI think Iâd really die by your hands in this life, Cordy.â
âNever say die,â Cordy said sternly.
John did a double take, before smiling broadly. âYouâre worried that Iâd die?â
âIâd be worried if anyone dies.â
âDonât worry-lâm born lucky, so Iâm not going to die. My parents told me how miraculous it was for me to survive that car crashâ¦â John trailed off again-he was proud of that for a second, but cut himself short when he noticed the scowl on Cordyâs face.
He even promised tamely, âI swear that Iâll outlive you.â
Cordy scowled even harder-was he insinuating that she would die earlier?
John quickly came to a realization and corrected himself. âI mean, Iâll definitely take good care of my body. Iâll stay in top form and take care of you for the rest of our lives.â
Cordyâs lips curled up into an obvious smile.