You Are Hot Then You Are Cold

Vol 3 - Week 8 (3)

Time slowly returns to its place. The seemingly forever slowly flowing moments gradually settle into the orbit. Things get slightly better since he can somehow close his eyes by taking sleeping pills. The body which didn't improve at all despite Luther's prescription, and the constantly collapsed mind, have gradually calmed down.

Changes can also be seen on the outside. The factors that make up Karlyle's life remain the same, but the most important thing has changed. He no longer has to be engaged to someone he doesn't want.

At the early breakfast time, Karlyle runs into Alice. It is possible because after he moved out of his mansion, Karlyle has been staying at his parents' house. While he is stiff at the unexpected situation, Alice sits next to him.

As always, there is silence. Alice doesn't say any words until the meal is served. But after seeing Karlyle not even emptying half of his given salad and omelet, Alice speaks first.

"You must still not be well."

For Karlyle, unless he is in a reasonable situation, eating a proper amount of food is his obligation, so he shouldn't leave food behind. Alice points out that the fact that he hasn't eaten much since his appetite has not fully returned. Picking up the knife and fork he has lowered, Karlyle apologizes.

"I'm sorry."

No doubt it is an embarrassing thing for an adult to not be able to properly take care of his body. Karlyle repents. But Alice stops him again.

"... If it hurts a lot, you should call Mr. Milan (doctor Luther's name)"

Don't force yourself to eat. Karlyle can't find anything to say for a moment, then lowers his eyes.

It's weird. Situations where someone is worried about him have been happening a lot lately, so he thought he'd gotten used to it a bit... but no. At Alice's words, his fingers twitch. How should he respond to her?

"I'm fine now. I'm sorry to make you worry."

A careful sentence. Karlyle ponders a few seconds between saying he has troubled her and that he has made her worried. Because he isn't sure whether Alice is worried about him.

Moving the knife on the plate like a machine, Alice stops at his words. Staring at the food with an expressionless face, she answers after a long silence.

"You don't have to say sorry."

It is very difficult to return the answer this time. Karlyle looks at Alice with helpless eyes. He lowers his gaze and tries to cut the remaining omelet again, but after hesitating, he puts the cutlery down.

After that, a quiet conversation follows. It's been a long time since he has sat and talked with Alice like this, not just breakfast.

Alice says he never has to think about the engagement again. Then, as Jonathan and Kyle say, it would be good for him to take a break from work for a while.

Feeling useless, Karlyle cautiously expressed his will not to do so. Alice looks at him, and replies that he can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

After such a conversation, even after making it clear about all the needed topics, Alice does not leave Karlyle's side. Quietly sipping tea, Karlyle spends a quiet morning with Alice.

At last, Alice only leaves when the secretary looking for her enters the dining room. She leaves with a wish for him to have a good day.

Rest is a very foreign word to Karlyle, who has only lived a life of working for someone else, precisely for the sake of his family. Of course, it's not that he works without a break. He takes adequate rest before bedtime as needed.