Chapter 37

Present

After two months of testing and making a vaccine for the virus, Anastasia's hard work paid off. The entire nation got vaccinated in two months, but she wasn't there to witness it.

Avery had told her that they had sensed a weird presence lingering around Scarlett for quite a while. A weird smell, like peach juice. It was probably mixed with chemicals, but it smelt like it!

Margret didn't want to go back there, since she was being weird and having mood swings more than usual, she wanted to stay. Hunter, being a devoted husband to her, complied with his wife's wishes.

Stellamaris and Zenobia got emotional since they won't see their big sister anymore. But Anastasia promised that she would call them every day. Before she left, Stellamaris mumbled in her ear.

"Good luck pursuing your crush, big sister!"

… This kid.

Anyway, Scarlett was just chilling on the couch, watching TV while the doggos had flopped onto her. Avery had gone outside to buy groceries since it was their turn.

She rolled her eyes when the couple started kissing and made out on the bed, touching and removing each other's clothes right on the first episode.

One, these stupid shows don't know about yearning and pinning for each other! Two, they seriously need to watch an Asian drama or read a 100k+ AO3 fic!

Motherfuckers! Who the fuck starts kissing and fucking in the first episode itself? Ain't it creepy? Bitches!

She kept mocking and cursing whoever wrote the script and didn't hear the door being unlocked. The doggos immediately got up and ran off to the door. Scarlett sat and turned to the door. "Hey, Av.."

She stopped mid-sentence, seeing who was at the door. A five-foot ten-inch tall girl with white, jade-like skin and blonde hair, petting the doggos. Anastasia looked up and smiled. "Hi, Scarlett. Didn't see you there."

Scarlett immediately ran and threw herself on Anastasia's. She nearly fell down by the sudden weight thrown on her and hugged Scarlett to not let her fall. She was a bit red because Scarlett suddenly threw herself.

"I missed you," Scarlett mumbled.

Anastasia blushed. "Uhh me too. You know I came from outside, right? And I haven't taken a bath?"

"It's okay, I didn't shower for the entire day either. So no worries."

"Okay~"

Scarlett felt the penthouse was empty, even if the doggos would fill the house with happiness. It was missing something.

Margret and Hunter were crazy in love penguins who'd fight over the silliest things then make up. But even if they were gone for a while, the penthouse felt complete.

Anastasia, she had an aura that had a duality. It was the warmest thing ever; it reminded you of a family's embrace. But it could be the coldest and cruelest when she was mad.

Scarlett didn't see her mad, but once she did see her getting pissed. Her aura felt so cold and scary when she would be mad. Something else can happen.

"Uhhh, can you koala bears move? I get it, you missed each other and I have a lot of things in my hands. Move it!" Scarlett rolled her eyes and got off Anastasia.

Anastasia looked away and covered her face to not let anyone see she was red. Avery dropped the bags and put their hands on their hip. "Oh Anastasia, you're here."

"What did you expect then?"

"Whatever, go take a bath."

A few days later, Scarlett suddenly got a call while reading a book she just bought. She blew her nose on a tissue while reading an emotional scene.

The ML and the FL were being separated for the sake of their children and probably won't see each other at all. Her phone rang, and she picked it up. She cleared her throat to not let the person on the other side know she was crying. "Hello?"

"Is this Miss Scarlett Danksworth?"

"Umm yes, may I know who I'm talking to?"

"Uhh, I'm… someone from the X hospital. There was going to be surgery for a brain tumor, but the original surgeon has suddenly backed off due to personal reasons. The patient's about fifteen years and-"

"What?! That… young?" she had done surgeries for people who were twenty-five or above. Someone who had suddenly got a tumor that young was devastating.

"Yes, ma'am. And since we can't find a surgeon right now, we thought you'll be willing to do so. It's okay if you don't want to. Since your last surgery failed and-"

"No, no, no, no! It's okay! I can do it."

"Okay, ma'am. You'll notify the rest of your team?"

"Hmm. but which X hospital? Ya know which branch and from where?"

"Ma'am, I'm calling from… city A? Yup city A."

"Oh." City A was far away from where she lived in the capital. It took at least two-three hours to reach there.

"Ma'am, is it okay for you to travel that much?"

"Yes! It's okay with traveling that much! Umm, when is the surgery?"

"When you and your team can come here?"

"Umm probably by the day after tomorrow?"

"Okay, ma'am. I'll tell the heads about it."

"Okay then. Bye."

"Have a great day ma'am." and she cut the call then messaged her team about the surgery. Instantly, messages came saying they agreed to it and would start packing right now.

She kept her phone down and kept reading the book. She didn't notice footsteps approaching. Anastasia knocked on the table and Scarlett flinched. "Oh, it's you. You scared me."

"I know… do you want to go outside? Ya know, for a walk with the doggos?"

"Oh okay then. I'll go get dressed."

Anastasia was shooketh inside, but she remained cool outside. "I'll be waiting in the living room then."

(me: did you ask just her out? To go on a walk with you?

Anastasia in trance: yes, I did.

Me: and how does it make you feel?

Anastasia: I want to scream right now.

Me: Okay then, let it all out. *passes pillow*

Anastasia: *muffled screaming* she said yes!

Me takes a pillow as well: *muffled screaming* she said yes!)

When Scarlett was climbing down the stairs, Anastasia was amazed. She had her hair tied up in a high ponytail and was wearing jean overalls and a white full-hand shirt.

That was enough for making Anastasia red. Can she stop making her heart go boom-boom for a fucking second?!

"You look great," Anastasia said in a trance state.

Scarlett smiled. "Thank you. So are we going there?"

Anastasia dumbly nodded. "Yeah."

When they exited the building, Anastasia asked. "Do you want to go somewhere?"

"Umm yeah, I heard there's this cafe where they make cute-shaped cakes. Maybe even cookies."

"Okay then. I'll search it up."

A few seconds later, she showed her phone to Scarlett. "Is this the place?" Scarlett read the descriptions and the pictures, then nodded. "Yup."

"Oh, the reviews are also good. And it's not that far either."

"Let's go."

After thirty minutes later, they reached the cafe. It was painted in bright colors and had a cat header on the top. There were tables outside as well, and it was brightly lit.

Did I tell you that there was a long line?

Oh great.