David was sitting at his desk, quietly studying.
The room was silent except for the soft sound of pages turning.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
It was his father.
David quickly picked up the call.
David:
"Hi, Dad."
David's Father:
"Hello, son."
David sensed something unusual in his father's voice.
David:
"Yes, Dad… is there something important? Why did you call?"
There was a brief pause.
Then his father spoke slowly.
David's Father:
"David… I need you to come to Lore tomorrow."
David frowned slightly.
David:
"But Dad, tomorrow I have university."
Another silence followed.
Then his father said something that made David freeze.
David's Father:
"Your grandfather… is no more."
David felt like the world suddenly stopped.
David:
"What… what are you saying?"
His voice trembled.
His father sighed heavily.
David's Father:
"You know he had been sick for years."
David slowly lowered his head.
His hand tightened around the phone.
David:
"...Okay. I'm coming."
The call ended.
For a moment, David just stood there in silence.
Then he sat down on the couch and placed his hand over his head.
David (whispering):
"I can't believe this…"
He covered his face with his hands.
Tears slowly began falling from the corners of his eyes.
David was an only child, and he had always been closest to his grandfather.
His grandfather was not only family—he was also the chairman of their automobile company.
But to David, he was simply the person who had raised him with warmth and kindness.
David had spent most of his childhood beside him.
Memories rushed through his mind.
He leaned back on the couch, quietly crying.
Eventually, exhaustion overcame him.
He fell asleep there.
The Next Morning
Morning sunlight entered through the window.
David slowly woke up.
His eyes were swollen, and his face looked pale.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
David walked slowly and opened it.
Standing outside was their family's long-time servant.
David:
"Oh… Mr. James. Please come in."
His voice sounded tired and weak.
Mr. James stepped inside.
Mr. James:
"Hello, Mr. David. Are you okay?"
David nodded faintly.
David:
"Yes… I'm fine."
Mr. James spoke gently.
Mr. James:
"I'm here to pick you up."
David rubbed his forehead.
David:
"I could have gone by myself. I already booked a flight ticket."
Mr. James looked surprised.
Mr. James:
"But sir, you have your own private jet. Why did you book a flight?"
David looked down quietly.
David:
"I… don't know."
Mr. James understood the situation.
He spoke softly.
Mr. James:
"Please go and get ready. We'll head to the airport, and I'll arrange breakfast on the way."
David shook his head.
David:
"No… I'm not in the mood to eat."
Mr. James didn't say anything more.
He knew how dear David's grandfather had been to him.
David went to get ready.
After a short while, he came outside.
A beautiful and expensive car was waiting for him.
But David had never cared much about luxury.
To him, these things meant very little.
Soon he boarded his private jet and left for Lore.
At the University
At the same time, Luisa was sitting on the bus on her way to the university.
The bus stopped at David's usual stop.
Luisa looked outside.
But David didn't appear.
She frowned slightly.
Luisa (thinking):
What happened? David didn't come.
Maybe he'll come later. He never misses a lecture.
When the bus reached the university, Luisa got off.
She looked around the campus, hoping to see him.
But he wasn't there.
Just then, a voice came from behind her.
Ben:
"Good morning, Luisa."
Luisa turned around in surprise.
It was Ben.
He looked calmer today, almost relaxed.
Luisa hesitated a little.
Luisa:
"G-good morning, Ben. How are you?"
Then she looked around again.
Luisa:
"Where is David? You two are always together."
Ben shrugged slightly.
Ben:
"I don't know. Maybe he's late today."
Then he added with a small smile,
Ben:
"And it's not like we're always together."
Luisa nodded.
Luisa:
"Oh… I see."
They walked toward the classroom.
Luisa felt shy again, but she couldn't stop glancing at Ben occasionally.
Soon the lecture began.
But during the class, Luisa turned her head a few times toward David's empty seat.
He still hadn't come.
Luisa (thinking):
I'll call him after class.
After Class
When the lecture ended, Luisa walked to the university garden.
She took out her phone and called David.
But he didn't answer.
Luisa looked a little worried.
Luisa:
"I think he must be busy or something."
While walking and looking at her phone, she suddenly bumped into someone.
Ben:
"Hey, watch out."
Luisa looked up quickly.
Luisa:
"Oh, I'm sorry!"
Ben smiled.
Ben:
"Oh, it's you, Luisa. What are you doing?"
Luisa:
"Nothing… I was just calling David."
Ben smiled slightly.
Ben:
"Are you two secretly dating?"
Luisa's eyes widened immediately.
Luisa:
"Oh no! No, no! We're just friends!"
Ben chuckled softly.
Ben:
"Oh, I see."
Then he asked casually,
Ben:
"By the way… do you have a boyfriend?"
Luisa looked shocked again.
Luisa:
"No! I'm not dating anyone."
Ben laughed softly.
Ben:
"Relax, Luisa. I was just asking."
Luisa took a deep breath.
Luisa:
"Okay…"
They continued walking through the garden together.
In the Cafeteria
Later, Luisa and Ben sat together in the cafeteria.
They ate quietly.
Luisa kept glancing at Ben from time to time, but he was calmly eating his food.
Her heart started beating faster again.
Suddenly, Luisa stood up.
Luisa:
"I'm done eating. Bye."
Ben:
"Bye, Luisa."
Luisa quickly left.
Evening
After the university ended, Luisa boarded the bus and went home.
When she arrived home, she freshened up.
Then she took her phone and called David again.
But he still didn't pick up.
Luisa stared at the phone.
She felt a little worried.