Chapter 12: Small Acts of Care

Grandma looked at Angeline with affection and compassion. She had not expected the young girl to be so delicate and fragile. Grandma hugged Angeline tightly and patted her back lovingly. "Grandma understands now. It's okay if you don't invite anyone else. I understand that you just want your two parents to be there. Let Grandma represent them. I will be your bridesmaid." Angeline was overwhelmed with sadness and cried in Grandma's embrace, unable to contain her grief. She thought of her mother, who must be longing to see her now. It had been days since Angeline had communicated with her, and the agonizing sense of longing overwhelmed her. She sobbed uncontrollably in her grandmother's comforting embrace. Bryan remained silent, watching the two of them. He was amazed and wondered if Angeline's acting skills were so incredible that she could make everyone who saw her cry with her. Bryan was almost mesmerized and tried to calm himself by leaving the room. "Wasn't her acting amazing? I almost cried when I heard her cry," John commented as he followed Bryan. "Let her be. I'm going to the office now," Bryan said. John prepared to accompany Bryan and leave the hospital. Angeline rested, and Grandma stayed by her side, watching her with a tender heart. Although this was their first meeting, Grandmother felt an immense affection for Angeline. She sensed that Angeline was a kind-hearted woman who would be a perfect life partner for Bryan. "Grandma is very grateful that you've finally met Bryan. No, thank you for meeting Bryan and becoming his life partner. I am sure you will be a couple that loves each other very much. You two are so much alike," Grandma whispered, gently caressing Angeline's face. Grandma then left without waking Angeline, who had fallen into a deep sleep after taking her medication. In the evening, Bryan had just finished a meeting. As he was leaving the room, something occurred to him and he stopped. He looked at an employee who was cleaning up a desk. "What do you usually eat or drink when you're menstruating?" Bryan asked. The employees looked confused and exchanged glances. "Mr. President... are you asking us?" one of them inquired. Bryan nodded awkwardly. "Have you been taking painkillers?" "I don't know, but the doctor probably prescribed them." "Eat salmon. My girlfriend always treats me to salmon sushi when I have stomach cramps and it really helps." "If it were me, I would usually drink chamomile tea. It not only reduces stomach cramps, but also helps with mood swings and anxiety," another employee replied. Bryan nodded and smiled slightly. This caught the attention of the female employees who rarely saw Bryan smile. Bryan left the room feeling relieved. "Did you see that? The President smiled for the first time." "Does he have a girlfriend?" "I heard the President is getting married, maybe his fiancée is sick." "Is this the expression of a president in love?" John, who was still in the room, was surprised to hear the comments from the staff. It was the first time he had seen Bryan care so much about someone, to the point of worrying so much about them. John had never expected Bryan to fall in love for real. Now they were both in the hospital, waiting for the elevator to go up to the third floor where Angeline's room was. Bryan held two gifts in his hands: salmon sushi and chamomile tea that he had bought on the way. John continued to watch Bryan and was amazed at his constant smile. Once they were in the elevator, John couldn't resist teasing Bryan. "Is the President so concerned about Miss Angeline that he bought salmon sushi and chamomile tea? I think the President is in love with Miss Angeline," John teased. Their relationship wasn't just that of CEO and secretary; they were also close friends who could always bounce ideas off each other. So John didn't hesitate to tease Bryan, who seemed to be in love. When the elevator doors opened, Bryan stood still, not moving at all, which puzzled John. He asked, "Why are you just standing there? The sushi will get cold if you don't get it to Miss Angeline quickly." Bryan handed over the two packages and asked John to get off the elevator. "Why?" John inquired. "Just give them to her. I have something urgent to attend to," Bryan replied, his demeanor turning cold again. John remained silent, still confused. Bryan pushed him out of the elevator. "Why don't you give it to her yourself?" John protested. "I'm not that worried; this is just to help her recover quickly because the wedding is in four days. Besides, it doesn't really matter who gives it," Bryan said and then closed the elevator door. John was perplexed by Bryan's sudden change in attitude. One moment, Bryan seemed genuinely concerned and happy to give Angeline what he had bought. But the next moment, Bryan became distant and indifferent, instructing John to deliver it to Angeline. In Angeline's room, she hadn't gone to sleep yet. She was busy watching a movie on her cell phone. John entered and made Angeline immediately turn off her phone. "You're not asleep yet?" John asked as he set up a small dining table for Angeline. Angeline looked behind John as if looking for someone. "I'm not sleepy. What's all this?" Angeline inquired. "This is food and drink to help you recover quickly. So please finish it." "Are you alone?" "Yes and no. I came with the president, and he bought all this for you after asking the female employees. But suddenly he told me to give it to you and left abruptly. He's been acting very strange lately." "The president... bought all this?" Angeline asked, looking at the slices of salmon sushi and the still warm chamomile tea on the table. "Yes. The doctor said you can go home tomorrow. So get some rest tonight, because you're going to be very busy starting the day after tomorrow." "Thank you." Angeline smiled with happiness when she heard about Bryan's actions. She believed that Bryan wasn't as cold and unfeeling as he seemed. Angeline was convinced that Bryan had a gentle heart, just as Grandma had described while she was asleep. Angeline hadn't really been asleep when Grandma had talked about all this. She had secretly smiled, knowing Bryan's true nature, which was hidden by his cold and stern demeanor. Angeline understood that Bryan acted that way because of the demands of his job. Considering the stepmother's attitude and the executives' behavior at the banquet the day before, Angeline sympathized with why Bryan had to act that way. She then enjoyed her salmon sushi and chamomile tea with a sense of satisfaction.