I'm in A Novel?

Chapter 38

Andy slowly blinked her eyes open, the soft light of the hospital room filtering in. The surroundings felt familiar, and memories flooded back as she realized she was in the same hospital where she had been admitted when she was still known as Jane. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she whispered to herself, "I really came back."

As she took in her surroundings, her gaze fell upon Kayden, peacefully asleep beside her, holding her hand. "Mr. Hayes," she croaked, her voice still weak from her ordeal. Kayden stirred from his slumber and immediately rose, rushing to embrace Andy.

"Andy! It's really you, isn't it?" Kayden exclaimed, holding her close. How he missed this closeness with her.

"Ouch.." Andy winced slightly as Kayden's embrace caused her wounds to ache, but she couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness being there with Kayden.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I'm just really happy to be with you again," he said softly, his hands gently holding hers. He tenderly kissed her hand, his touch filled with affection and care. As he looked into her eyes, he could see the mix of emotions within her, reflecting both sadness and joy.

"I'm happy too. I thought I could never come back here again," she replied, her voice filled with emotion as she gazed at Kayden, grateful to be reunited with him once more. Her eyes conveyed a depth of feeling, revealing the journey she had been through.

"So, is it the real you?" Kayden asked, his eyes focused on Andy, searching for confirmation amidst the overwhelming emotions.

"Yes," she affirmed with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with renewed strength and determination. "Let me introduce myself again. I'm Andy Lopez, the messy and the nerd. The extra of this Novel called Life. Andy Lopez at your service." Her attempt to bow down was met with laughter as her body still bore the traces of her recent weakness.

The soft, radiant glow of her smile never failed to lift his spirits. Despite the changes in her appearance, that familiar, reassuring smile remained unchanged.

"May I reach out and touch you?" Kayden asked, his eyes brimming with yearning.

"You're already holding my hands," Andy replied, a playful glint dancing in her eyes.

"I apologize. It just feels surreal to have you here by my side again," he confessed.

"Isn't it awkward?" she asked, leaving Kayden puzzled. "I mean, my face. I'm no longer the beautiful Jane. I’m just this ordinary Andy. I bet I have bags under my eyes as we speak, and when we met again, I looked haggard as well. It's embarrassing for me, for sure." She listed her own insecurities, but Kayden simply gazed at her and smiled as she revealed her vulnerabilities.

"You're beautiful just the way you are," he said with a smile that seemed to light up the room.

"Why are you so sure it's me? You didn't even know my face, and you're not one to trust easily," she replied, gazing at Kayden.

"I don't trust easily, but I trust my heart," he responded. Standing up, he recounted the moment as he act, "When you bravely stepped in front of me and took the bullet that was meant for me, I knew it was you from the start. I was hesitant at first, but when I saw your warm smile and heard you say 'you're back,' I was certain. I knew it was you."

As the two were engrossed in conversation, Carl walked into the room carrying bags of fresh fruit.

"Kay, what do you want-" he began, but his words trailed off as he caught sight of Kayden goofing around in front of Andy. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see anything," he quickly apologized, knowing that Kayden would be furious if he laughed.

Kayden straightened up and cleared his throat. "It's okay. What brings you here?"

"Oh, I've got some fresh fruits," he said, glancing towards the door with a touch of uncertainty. "Ms. Jane is outside, and um, could we have a quick chat?" he added.

"Jane is outside?" They both turned to look at Andy when she spoke. "Can I talk to her? I've missed her," she added eagerly.

"Of course, I'll let her know you're awake," Kayden reassured her. He then accompanied Carl outside, where Jane was seated on a waiting bench.

"Jane, I can't express how grateful I am for everything you've done," Kayden said, his voice filled with sincerity. He then took Jane's hand and gently caressed it. "Andy would like to speak with you. I'll leave you two to chat while Carl and I catch up." With a warm smile, Jane nodded and entered the room.

After Jane departed, Kayden shifted his attention to Carl and inquired, "Hey, what's going on?"

"What's the matter with you? Don't you have any shame? Jane is right here. Did you forget that she used to be your girlfriend? Have you two broken up?" Carl asked, bombarding Kayden with questions. He was taken aback by Kayden's behavior. First, it was Eli, then Jane, and now another girl. Carl looked at Kayden with a mix of surprise and disappointment.

"Wait, what? What are you talking about? I only have feelings for one person, and that's Andy," Kayden exclaimed, almost forgetting that Andy used to be Jane.

"Are you out of your mind? Those are two different individuals, Kay!" Carl whispered in shock. "Who is this Andy anyway? I've never even met her before," he added. Turning away, he continued, "I appreciate that she saved you, but if you have any decency left in you, you won't break Miss Jane's heart."

"I would never intentionally hurt anyone," Kayden insisted, but then he realized that Carl had every right to be upset. After all, Carl didn't even know Andy.

"Remember when I mentioned that Jane told me she was not from this world? It's true! They may seem like two different individuals, but they used to share the same body. The person you knew as Jane was actually Andy. And now, Andy has returned with her true self." Kayden clarified.

"Carl's face twisted in confusion as he questioned Kayden's revelation about Andy. "What? I don't understand. I remember you telling me that, but is that true? How is that even possible? And how can you be so sure that you're not insane right now?" His mind struggled to grasp the concept that they could merely be characters in a novel. It had initially seemed like a comforting possibility to entertain Kayden, but now it was difficult to fathom. Who would even believe such a thing?"

"I'm telling you the truth, okay? Don't worry about Jane, because she knew Andy a lot more than you and me," Kayden reassured Carl.

"Okay, if you say so. I want to believe you, but it's just hard to understand. Wait, she's awake now, right? Have you already called the doctor? Isn't that the first thing you should do when a patient wakes up?" asked Carl, but Kayden just froze. He completely forgot that. He was really happy when Andy woke up that he forgot to call a doctor.

"That slipped my mind. But, they're still talking. Let's just call the doctor later," said Kayden in his nonchalant self. He didn't want to embarrass himself to Carl after all.

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