“How are you feeling today, Professor?”
When they were not in a therapeutic relationship, Lola addressed him as ‘Professor’ when they sat together on the bench and chatted comfortably.
“How do I look to you, Dr.?”
“You look much better.”
Xavier smiled broadly.
“It’s good because I can see my daughter’s face every day, right?”
“I think it’s good for me to see your face every day too.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Xavier’s gaze briefly turned to the sky. The sky was particularly high and blue, and the sunlight was warm.
After glancing at the side of Xavier’s face, which seemed to carry many stories, Lola gently opened her mouth.
“Professor, sometimes it seems like you’re trying to handle too much on your own. How about just managing what’s yours?”
“……”
He seemed to understand the meaning of her words, but Xavier did not respond.
“Are you worried about your daughter?”
“Yes.”
Xavier did not evade the question.
Lola felt heavy-hearted.
She was not unaware of what Xavier was worried about, nor of his inner fears and anxieties.
After losing his wife early on, Xavier had not remarried and had raised his only daughter alone.
His daughter was growing day by day, while Xavier was aging. And he began to suffer from inexplicable anxiety and fear.
Especially after undergoing colon cancer surgery five years ago, his symptoms worsened, eventually leading to panic attacks.
Xavier must have been very afraid.
What would happen to his daughter if he suddenly died one day?
He must have worried a lot about whether this child, who knew nothing about the world, could survive in such a harsh reality.
His daughter complained that her father nagged too much, but Lola thought that was just his way of showing love.
It was just that the way of expressing love was different.
“People sometimes go through trial and error and repeat mistakes. In the process, they learn and realize something. I think your daughter is the same. Sometimes, how about not intervening and just observing?”
Instead of answering, Xavier sighed.
Perhaps he knew that truth well.
But his thoughts and feelings might be at odds.
“Dad.”
A refreshing voice suddenly flew into the bench where only the two of them were sitting. The sound of footsteps approaching gradually made the woman’s voice clearer.
“What are you doing here? I looked for you for a long time. Huh? Dr., you’re here too.”
After glancing at Lola, Nina sat down next to Xavier on his right side.
“Is something wrong?”
“I have something to ask Dad.”
“What is it?”
“You know those guys who visit you often in the hospital?”
She seemed to be referring to Dylan and his friends.
Originally, Lola had intended to give them space to talk comfortably, but Nina’s words caught her off guard, and she couldn’t immediately get up.
“Why them?”
“There’s the most handsome guy among them. Who is he?”
“I think they’re all handsome, so who are you talking about?”
Xavier was puzzled by Nina’s vague description. Nina looked frustrated.
“Why can’t you understand what I’m saying? The most handsome and tall guy!”
“Still, I said they’re all handsome. They’re all tall too.”
Nina let out a long sigh.
Lola’s heart skipped a beat.
‘It sounds like she’s talking about Dylan Eve.’
“But why?”
“I want to give him a gift.”
“……?”
“He’s totally my ideal type. I wonder if he has a girlfriend.”
Seeing Nina shyly say that, Lola felt a sudden pang in her heart.
‘Nina, that guy is absolutely not okay!’
She was barely holding back the urge to shout.
‘Why does it have to be Dylan Eve?’
There were other guys who were all handsome too.
Xavier cleared his throat.
“So who exactly are you talking about?”
“The most handsome and tall guy. His impression is a bit cold, I guess.”
“Who would understand that description?”
Xavier turned to Lola and asked.
“Do you happen to know who it is, Dr.?”
“Well, I think I might know a little, but I’m not sure…”
As Lola awkwardly laughed and trailed off, Nina quickly moved to sit next to her. She grabbed Lola’s arm and spoke in a somewhat excited voice.
“Dr., then I have a favor to ask.”
