Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
After the conversation, she went into the tent for another checkup on Eustace. To her pleasant surprise, she found Eustace sitting on the bed and leaning against the headboard. He was staring at her.
“Are you awake?” Astonished, she walked toward his bed.
He stared at her in silence for a while. Then, he said, “I heard your words when I was buried in the rubble.
Startled, Danika had no words.
“Didn’t you say that if I come out alive, you’ll give me a chance to pursue you? Is that still the case?” he asked. Her cheeks instantly reddened, and she dodged his gaze. He seemed disappointed at her silence.” I thought you were serious, but it looks like you were fooling with me.”
She could tell he was disheartened, and she felt sorry for him. “I am serious.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but I’ll only give you a chance. I’ve never agreed to a relationship. What’s so exciting about that?” she replied, but she had no idea if she was addressing him or herself.
He was unbothered by her statement. Regardless of the outcome, as long as he bagged a chance to date. her, it was proof she didn’t dislike him as much as she used to. That was a marked improvement for him. “Were you watching over me these few days?” He overheard her conversation with Vincent and was secretly over the moon.
As usual, she denied it and shook her head. “Why would I do that? I have many patients to attend to.”
“Oh,” Her denial didn’t affect him because he knew the truth.
Uninterested in continuing the conversation, she changed the topic. “The rescue mission has ended. You can get ready to return to Parrington.”
“What about you?” he wondered aloud.
“I’ll stay for a few days as some of the villagers are still in recovery. They have limited healthcare here, and they would be left with no doctor if I were to leave,” she answered. However, what saddened her the most was the lives of those who survived the earthquake. Since all the houses were destroyed, the villagers would either need to rebuild their homes or leave for greener pastures. They were in poverty, so no matter what decision they made, the future would be challenging for them.
He noticed the sympathy in her eyes. “Are you worried about their lives after the earthquake?”
“Yes. The entire village is ruined, and many houses have collapsed. They don’t even have a roof over their heads. She sighed and felt frustrated at her lack of ability to help.
He couldn’t resist poking fun at her. “I never thought that Dr. Zellweger could be so melancholic.”
“How about you?” she asked. “What type of person are you?” He gave no answer, which was fine by her because she was not expecting one. She said, “The famous Mr. Quincey from Parrington risks his life to save a few kids. I bet nobody would believe it.” She wouldn’t have believed in his magnanimity had she not witnessed it herself.
“I’m not that generous. I helped them because I happened to be there.” He smirked and refused to admit. to his good intentions. She ignored him and left the tent. He suddenly suggested, “The Quincey Group will host a charity program annually. We still haven’t executed our plan this year. I think we could use the funds to rebuild Clearwater Village.”
She stood frozen as she scrambled for a reply.
“Go discuss with the villagers. They can rebuild on top of their old homes or relocate elsewhere. The Quincey Group will bear all the costs,” he explained.
There was a war in her mind. The more she got to know Eustace, the more she realized that he was different from what the rumors portrayed.
“You didn’t have to do that…” she finally blurted out, even though she didn’t know what else to say. He stared deep into her eyes and declared boldly. Til do anything as long as it makes you happy.”
When Danika told the village chief about Eustace’s proposal, he was so elated and grateful that he almost knelt down before her.
“You and Mr. Quincey are both good people, Dr. Zellweger!” His hands trembled, and he was at a loss for how to express his gratitude.
Danika helped to hold him up. “You don’t have to thank me. It’s all thanks to Mr. Quincey.”
All the credit belonged to Eustace, and she didn’t want to take credit for his hard work.
“No, no. Of course we’re grateful for Mr. Quincey’s help in rebuilding the village, but we are also grateful for what you’ve done for us during the earthquake,” the village chief said.
He proceeded to utter a long thank you speech, but Danika couldn’t register most of his words. The words Eustace had said to her as she left the tent echoed in her mind.
“I’ll do anything as long as it makes you happy.”
It always confused her that Eustace liked her. After all, she didn’t think she was particularly charming enough to attract him.
“Dr. Zellweger, I’m going to talk to the villagers and thank Mr. Quincey.” With that, the village chief gathered everyone to discuss the reconstruction of the village. Since it was such a big deal for the village, everyone had to be involved in the discussion.
Danika didn’t stop him from leaving. After all, the reconstruction of the village was an important matter that had to be discussed in great detail.
After the village chief left, Danika was about to visit the patients. Just then, she spotted Justin and Lilian huddling outside the tent, watching her secretly. Her heart ached with sorrow at the sight of them, but she made sure it didn’t show on her face. “Come here, you guys.”
“Danika!” the two kids shouted in unison.
Danika pulled them into her arms and asked, “Have you had enough to eat? Did you eat the candies they brought you?”
“Yes.” They nodded.
“Danika, we didn’t mean to eavesdrop. We just happened to come over to play with you,” Justin said, sounding very mature.
With a smile, Danika said, “It’s okay; it’s not a secret anyway. Since you’re also members of this village, you can give your opinions.”
Justin fell silent. “Danika, I actually know everything,” he said.
Danika froze; a thousand emotions bombarded her. It turned out that he already knew everything. It upset her, and she didn’t know how to comfort them.