FORTUNE: A FREENBECKY STORY

Chapter 52 👩🏽‍🏫

"Hi Noey, you wanted to see me?" Baitoey said as she entered Noey's office.
"Baitoey, come in!" Noey replied

Baitoey entered the room and took a seat in-front of Noey. She felt a little uneasy because she had never been called into Noey's office like that before.

"Relax Baitoey you haven't done anything 😅" Noey laughed
"Oh that's a relief!" Baitoey replied with a sigh of relief
"I wanted to get your advice about something" Noey said
"Really? Ok, what's up?" Baitoey asked

Noey reached into their drawer and brought out a stack of papers.
"I got a letter back from the research programme I put you and Becky up for, Becky's proposal was accepted."

Baitoey jumped up with genuine excitement and joy.
"That's amazing! Have you told her?" Baitoey said
"Well. I need your advice. As you know she resigned in the wake of her fathers death and has had no intention of coming back since." Noey said
"Yes, if that's what you're worried about then I think this news might be the only thing that would bring her back. She's a complete nerd and I think she really wanted this." Baitoey said

"I'm not so sure. A few days before Becky came in to resign I was at the farmers market and happened to bump into Richie, her brother. I recognised him because he'd picked her up from campus a few times. I approached him to say hello but overheard a conversation he was having with someone I knew. They said Becky was dying." Noey said

"Dying? What?" Baitoey said concerned
"I was shocked too when I heard it so I confirmed this with the person, Chen, who is actually my little sisters class teacher. He was pretty tight lipped about it and didn't know much of the details but eventually confessed that Richie had been really worried because Becky didn't have much time left to live." Noey said

"That can't be right. She looks fine." Baitoey
"Had I not heard it myself I wouldn't believe it either. But that's the main reason I didn't push at all when she resigned." Noey said
"That makes sense. I'm sorry I'm still in shock." Baitoey said

"Yes... well, the issue now is, I know you're probably well aware that Freen and Becky are in love. I heard she's taken a job as Freen's secretary." Noey said
"She's working?! In her condition?" Baitoey said shocked

"My guess is she wants to spend the time she has left near the ones she loves by any means." Noey said
"That tracks" Baitoey said
"I don't know whether to tell Becky. I don't know how much time she has left but what do you think? Would it be inappropriate for me to keep it to myself? You know her better than me. Would she want to know?" Noey said
"Never mind that! Does Freen know she's dying?" Baitoey asked
"No, I was tempted to tell her but it's not my personal information to share." Noey said

Baitoey leaned back in thought. She was trying to figure out what was best to do but came up with nothing. Her and Noey sat together mulling over it for a while then made a decision to respect Becky's privacy.

-

Freen had been bed ridden for a few days. The mental and emotional exhaustion had once again caught up to her.

Freen was laid up in bed on her phone. Suddenly text messages started to rush in. Freen knew that it could only be one person, Nam.

[OVER THE LINE APP]
💆🏽‍♀️: Fee!!
💆🏽‍♀️: Why did you change your door code?
💆🏽‍♀️: Are you awake?
💆🏽‍♀️: Hello?
🖤: 👀
🖤: Can I help you?
💆🏽‍♀️: Open the door.

Freen rolled out of bed and went to open the door. When the door opened Freen looked up and saw Nam grinning from ear to ear. Next to her was Heidi.

"Fee! We wanted to surprise you with fruits. We heard you were sick." Nam said
"Heidi..." Freen said
"Hi Freen," Heidi said with warmth in her voice.