Alexander had begun to change significantly since the previous night.
Before, he never took his medication on time. Sometimes he ate on schedule, and sometimes he went the whole day without eating. The doctors explained it to him repeatedly, but he never listened to anyone.
But now, everything was beginning to change.
He woke up on time in the morning.
He ate breakfast.
He took his medication on time.
And most importantly, he had even started going out for morning walks on the streets of Milan.
The people in his household were astonished by this change.
Especially his grandfather, Sir Thomas.
Sir Thomas had been quietly watching Alexander for the past several days.
Alexander had gotten up early again that morning.
He ate breakfast, took his medication, put on his coat, and was about to head outside.
Sir Thomas lowered his newspaper.
Sir Thomas: Where are you going so early?
Alexander stopped.
Alexander: I'm going for a little walk, Grandpa.
Sir Thomas: Alone?
Alexander: Yes.
Sir Thomas: You used to hate even getting out of bed in the morning.
Alexander smiled.
Alexander: I feel like it now.
Sir Thomas began studying him carefully.
Alexander had just started toward the door when Sir Thomas called out again.
Sir Thomas: Alexander.
Alexander: Yes?
Sir Thomas: Come here.
Alexander came back and sat down in front of him.
Sir Thomas studied his face for a while.
Sir Thomas: You've been looking very happy lately.
Alexander grew a little embarrassed.
Alexander: It's nothing like that, Grandpa.
Sir Thomas: Don't tell me that. I've watched you since you were a child.
Alexander laughed.
Alexander: Really, there's nothing going on.
Sir Thomas: You used to make a face whenever it was time to take your medicine. When the doctor told you to go for walks, you said you would get tired. And now look at you... getting up early and going out for a walk all by yourself.
Alexander said nothing.
Sir Thomas leaned closer to him.
Sir Thomas: Is there a girl?
Alexander immediately looked startled.
Alexander: What?
Sir Thomas: I asked if there's a girl.
Alexander: No.
Sir Thomas: Then why are you blushing so much?
Alexander lowered his gaze.
Alexander: There's nothing, Grandpa.
Sir Thomas laughed.
Sir Thomas: All right, fine. If you don't want to tell me yet, don't.
Alexander started to get up.
Sir Thomas: But can I tell you one thing?
Alexander: Yes.
Sir Thomas: Seeing you happy makes me very happy.
Alexander remained silent for a few moments.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Alexander: It makes me happy too.
Sir Thomas: Just stay this way. When you find happiness in life, don't let it go.
Alexander nodded.
Alexander: All right, Grandpa.
He went outside.
As soon as he left the house, he drew a deep breath.
The cool morning air brushed against his face.
He began walking slowly down the street.
The streets of Milan were not fully awake yet. A few shops were opening. The scent of coffee drifted from some places, while elsewhere people hurried to get to work.
Alexander walked aimlessly for a while.
Suddenly, pain shot through his chest.
He sat down on a bench by the side of the road.
Then he slowly took out some gel and rubbed it over his chest.
Suddenly, his heart seemed to say,
“Alexander, has your desire to live awakened?”
Then he laughed and said, “Yeah, buddy. Now I want to breathe in the open air.”
Just then, a message came through on his phone.
He looked at it.
It was from Elena.
Elena: Where are you out so early this morning?
A smile immediately spread across Alexander's face.
He typed a reply—
Alexander: Just out for a walk.
A few seconds later, Elena replied.
Elena: Liar. You never get up this early on your own.
Alexander laughed.
Alexander: I do now.
Elena: That's good. Take care of your health.
Alexander read the message and stared at his phone for a while.
Then he replied—
Alexander: I will.
He put his phone in his pocket.
But the smile never left his face.
He kept walking.
Meanwhile, at the Rosewood family home, Elena was eating breakfast.
Ryan sat across from her, watching her.
Ryan: Sis.
Elena: What?
Ryan: Why do you keep smiling so much whenever you look at your phone these days?
Elena immediately set her phone down.
Elena: When was I smiling?
Ryan: You were just smiling.
Elena: Eat your breakfast quietly.
Annie was sitting there too.
She said to Ryan—
Annie: Big brother, someone keeps messaging Sis.
Ryan: Who?
Elena glared at both of them.
Elena: Don't you two have anything better to do?
They both laughed.
Just then, Elena's mother came in.
Mom: Elena, is Jason coming this evening?
Elena: I don't know.
Mom: Tell him to set the wedding date soon.
Elena fell silent.
Mom: It's been five years. How much longer are you going to wait?
Ryan: Mom, you should say that to Jason instead of Sis.
Mom looked at Ryan.
Mom: Don't butt in.
Elena changed the subject.
Elena: Mom, Benjamin called today.
Mom's expression changed slightly.
Mom: What did he say?
Elena: He might come to Milan next week.
Ryan brightened.
Ryan: Really? Big brother is coming?
Elena: Yes.
Annie exclaimed happily too—
Annie: I'll bake a cake for Big Brother.
Elena smiled.
Benjamin was everyone's favorite in the family.
He was also very close friends with Jason.
That was why Elena trusted Jason so much.
She thought that the boy her brother considered his friend could never do anything wrong to her.
But she had no idea that Jason had something else in mind.
In the afternoon, Alexander sat down to take his medication again.
Before, he used to avoid taking it.
Today, he checked the time himself.
He took out the medicine and swallowed it with water.
His doctor stood nearby, watching all of this.
Doctor: Looks like I won't have to remind you to take your medicine anymore.
Alexander smiled.
Alexander: I remember now.
Doctor: And you've started going for walks in the morning too?
Alexander: Yes.
Doctor: Very good. Keep it up.
Alexander nodded.
After the doctor left, he went and stood by the window.
Elena's face kept appearing in his mind.
Her laughter.
The things she said.
The way she repeatedly asked whether he was taking his medication on time.
Alexander smiled to himself.
He couldn't understand how someone had become so special to him in such a short time.
By evening, he had decided that he would go to the Rosewood family home again the next day.
But he didn't know that, at that very moment, Jason was also thinking about him.
Jason was sitting in his room, talking to someone on the phone.
Jason: Yes, everything is going according to plan.
The person on the other end asked him something.
Jason smiled.
Jason: Alexander has started falling for Elena.
He was silent for a few moments.
Then he said—
Jason: Now we just have to wait for the right time.
As Jason ended the call, his smile deepened.
He felt that his plan was slowly moving in the right direction.
He said to himself, “Elena just has to agree to the marriage somehow.”
“Then I won't have to depend on Benjamin for money anymore.”
He had barely begun savoring the thought when Sam called out,
Sam: Jason, some girl named Rosie is asking for you.
Jason felt the happiness catch in his throat.
He said nervously, “You go ahead. I'll be there.”
Sam: Come quickly, or she'll bring four big guys with her too.
Jason: Oh God, where did she come from? If Elena finds out, Benjamin will dig my grave before he comes home.
His body was drenched in sweat from fear. ..........🤐🫣
Priya Arvind.