The hospital hadn't changed much since my last visit. Not that I expected it to, given the relatively short span of time I had been away.
The usual mix of people, some dealing with illnesses, others victims of accidents. It was a sad reminder of life's fragility. Just being here, in a place like this, felt like a luxury for those who have money—one that came with a hefty price tag.
"I'm here to see a patient," I informed the reception desk, providing Yae's full name.
I got the info from one of my employees that Yae had been relocated to a different room after waking up.
he staff at the front desk swiftly passed me the room number, and I headed straight for the second floor.
Navigating through the hospital corridors, I finally reached the far end and located Yae's room.
To my surprise, she wasn't alone; there were four people with her. Two adults, likely in their middle age, and two young girls, no older than twelve, were present.
Naturally, my abrupt entrance caught everyone off guard, and their gaze turned toward me with expressions of shock. It wasn't so much the fact that I barged into the room but rather because they did not expected someone of my status to come here.
"What a handsome Oppa!" chirped one of the girls, her eyes lighting up as she examined me closely. There was a discernible resemblance between her features and Yae's, as if some shared familial traits manifested in their faces.
"And you are?" questioned the middle-aged man, his eyes appraising me from head to toe.
Decked out in expensive clothing and accessories, coupled with my handsome demeanor, I must have given off the vibe of a rich tycoon with too much money to burn.
"I'm her boyfriend," I responded with a smile, my gaze shifting toward Yae, who was still peacefully asleep.
Her complexion had noticeably improved, and the visible relief in her condition was a weight off my shoulders. Despite any perception others might have of me as an evil individual, when it came to those I cared about, my protective instincts kicked in full force .
"You're welcome, I'm Zyden," I said, aiming to alleviate the tension and steer the conversation toward a lighter tone. I threw my hand up for a handshake, extending the invitation toward Yae's father.
He took the handshake, and as our hands met, I sensed the calluses on his palms, evidence of hard work—clearly not a desk job.
His physical labor left its mark. Observing their attire, it became apparent that they weren't living in luxury. The modest clothing and the thin appearance of even the kids hinted at a life that demanded resilience in the face of financial constraints.
As the atmosphere settled, we gathered around Yae's bed, taking seats and patiently waiting for her to wake up.
Once the initial awkwardness dissipated, Yae's father took the lead in breaking the silence, initiating a conversation.
"So how did you meet my daughter?"He asked.
His directness caught me off guard, but considering he was Yae's father, I figured his curiosity was reasonable.
Moreover, learning about Yae's past relationship, where her ex-boyfriend had sliced her neck for no reason, I understood the need for caution on their part. I couldn't help but wonder if they were sizing me up, perhaps worried about repeating history.
Sighing inwardly, I mused, 'Maybe they think that I'm also a crazy person, like her ex?"'
"I own the company she works for," I replied with a very humble tone.
The moment those words slipped out, their shock became more visible. It was as if they had just discovered Yae had won the lottery.
They probably knew she was working for someone handsome, generous, and loaded, but hearing it confirmed must have been like hitting the jackpot.
I couldn't help but chuckle internally, thinking, 'I'm basically an overpriced tuna in this ocean of potential husband in their view.'