5 – Sad News 

That morning, on the way to the restaurant, Carol sees Troy again on the bright side. On the way, the man gave his jacket to an old woman who was sweeping by the side of the road.

"Why did you give your jacket to that woman?" asked Carol as they continued on their way. "Looks like it's not the first time. She said you should come to her house to get your jackets."

"That grandma is all alone. Every morning, she would come out to sweep, no matter how cold it was, even when it was raining." Troy sighed. "Her only purpose in life, was to wait for her child who was nowhere. She had been waiting for years, but her son never came. So I should at least give her a reason to survive by leaving my jackets on her."

Carol smiled sadly at that. "You … are really a good person," she said sincerely.

"You've only known me a week, Rose," Troy replied.

"And a week is enough for me to see how good you are," Carol replied. "You are the kindest person I have ever met in my life. After my parents."

Troy turned to her. "You remember about your parents?"

Carol stuttered at her slip. "N-no, but … my parents must be nice people, right?"

Troy nodded. "Yes. They must be good people."

Carol was somewhat surprised at the man's reaction. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

Troy turned to her and smiled. "Don't think about bad things when you can't remember anything. It will only scare you into remembering who you are."

Carol smiled. "You really are a good person. Aren't you afraid that your kindness will be used by others?"

"Is that what you did? Taking advantage of my kindness?" Troy asked again.

Yes, that's what Carol did. However, Carol didn't even dare to admit it.

"You shouldn't take advantage of other people's kindness, you know, right?" said Troy again.

Carol nodded.

"It doesn't matter as long as you don't do it," the man said as he gently patted the top of Carol's head.

Carol secretly glanced at the man, feeling guilty. What would he do if he found out that Carol was taking advantage of his kindness? Hopefully the man can understand Carol's situation.

As soon as they arrived at the restaurant, James looked surprised when he saw that Carol had come with Troy. Actually, there was another reason why Carol insisted on coming here.

Troy greeted James and asked James to check on Carol, then informed him that Carol will be here until lunchtime. James invited Carol to go to his room. As soon as James closed the door to the room, the old man immediately rebuked Carol,

"Why did you come here, Young Lady? You should have stayed at Troy's house and not appeared in front of anyone."

"Why is that?" challenged Carol.

"You're in danger, you know that too, right, Young Lady?" James replied.

Carol frowned. "I know. I just want to know how my dad's condition is. You're the only one who can give me information about that."

James sighed sadly. "Master Harlan is currently in a coma and news of Young Lady missing in the accident is being discussed in the media. The media said it was a single accident, that means, your family definitely didn't expect you to come back, right?"

Carol clenched her fists in anger. Remembering her father's message about how her father had to die so that Carol could live. Ironic and tragic. Carol has lost her mother, and can't even do anything when faced with her mother's killer. Should she lose his father in this tragic way too?

James touched her arm gently. "Young Lady, for now, it's best for you to …"

"Don't touch me," said Carol harshly. She looked at James hatefully. "When this is over, you better get out of here. Unless you want to die by my hands."

James just looked down, before the man turned and left Carol alone in the room. Carol suddenly went limp and sat on the floor. The thought of her father made Carol's chest tighten.

However, Carol would not fall like this. It can't fall like this. Carol clenched her fists, steeling her resolve. She will survive, no matter what, and avenge those who have ruined her life.

Carol was about to get up when the door to the room opened and Troy, who had just entered, was startled.

"What happened to you? Are you feeling dizzy? Feeling unwell?" the man asked anxiously as he approached Carol.

Carol who was still sitting looked at Troy who was now kneeling in front of her.

"Let me call James for you," Troy said as he was about to stand up, but Carol grabbed his arm.

"Don't go," said Carol.

Troy frowned. "What happened to you?" the man asked again.

Carol shook her head. "I just tripped and fell myself earlier," she lied.

Troy heaved a sigh of relief at that. "I thought you were dizzy or something!" He sounded a little annoyed.

"Is there anything I can help you with here?" asked Carol.

"Nothing," Troy replied as he grabbed Carol's arm and led her to stand with him. "You just wait here until lunchtime. I'll take you home at lunch time."

"Then, can I just wait outside? I want to see you at work," said Carol.

Troy looked thoughtful for a moment, but finally nodded. "Okay. But, has James checked on you? What did James say?"

"He said I was fine. Over time, I'll be able to remember who I am," Carol lied again.

Troy just nodded. "Alright, let's go out. I have to work."

Carol nodded, then felt Troy's hand take hers, leading her out of the room. The man pulled up a chair at the side table of the restaurant.

"You just wait here so as not to be disturbed by visitors who come. I'll get you some water and snacks," Troy said before the man left.

Carol's gaze followed Troy as he headed toward the kitchen. Before long, the man came out carrying a tray with a drink and a plate of snacks on it. However, the man's steps were stopped when suddenly, a group of grandparents entered the restaurant and went straight to Troy to greet him.

In an instant, the man was surrounded by the grandparents. He seems quite popular. While trying to answer the greeting of his fans, the man turned to Carol with a confused expression. Carol was curious, how good was the man that these people adored him so much?

However, considering how the man had been willing to take Carol into his house when he didn't know who she was, as well as how he had given his jacket to the old woman they had met on the street earlier, Carol could see a little of the man's kindness. Because of that too, right now Carol had to take advantage of the man's kindness for her own safety, right?

Unlike the man who had a kind heart, Carol was the exact opposite. Unlike Troy, who is kind and helpful to others, Carol is a bad and selfish person. To Carol, she and her life matter most. Therefore, Carol will do whatever it takes to survive.

Anything.

***