Me After Meeting You

So Amber told him a story on the spot via voice message. It was a little story about a lamb and its friends. After the lamb encountered some danger, its usual friends ran away, and only a little dog had come to help it. Afterwards, those friends who had fled blamed the lamb for not telling them that she had been in danger, and only then did the small dog silently leave.

Once upon a time, this story had been an exam question for Amber, and even now, she had a strong impression of it. She also felt that it was an appropriate story for Ian-its motto was that friends didn’t need to stay together all the time; it was sufficient for them to stand up when you were in times of need.

Just like her. She didn’t need to be his partner, but she was willing to be someone who would sincerely help him.

After she sent the story over, Ian didn’t reply, and she didn’t ask him to. Having visited Elly’s ward again out of habit, she returned home.

By then, Calvin had woken up. He didn’t leave, only tidying himself up and sitting back down on the sofa. When Amber entered, his expression was dark and gloomy, his gaze deep.

Amber didn’t seem to have noticed his unusual behavior, normally walking over and putting her bag down. “You’re finally awake! Do you feel alright? I left you some porridge in the kitchen. Did you eat it?”

Her tone was warm and calm. It reflected the perfect amount of concern, and would make anyone relax and feel very comfortable.

Calvin eased up and replied, “Yes, I ate it. It was very tasty.” His complexion wasn’t too good, his voice was hoarse and rough, and his gaze probed her carefully. “I’m sorry, I seem to have troubled you.’

“No.” Amber smiled, poured him a glass of warm water, and then sat down opposite him. “I’ve always thought that being able to vent your feelings when you’re bothered is a very healthy means of coping. Have a glass of water, your voice is really hoarse.”

Calvin thanked her again, took the glass, and drained it all in one gulp before drooping his head back down. “I’m sorry. I should have come here earlier, but at that time, I didn’t have the courage to face you, so I turned to alcohol to give me more courage. But, unfortunately, I drank too much.”

After having tempered himself alone overseas for so many years, his attitude was much more frank than before. On the other hand, Amber felt that this Calvin had lost some of the cuteness he had had in his youth.

She explained her thoughts frankly. Calvin was somewhat at a loss for words, and his first reaction was to laugh bitterly.

“If hiding would have prevented all that from happening, then I wish I had hid.” He rubbed his face. “My mom. She … didn’t say anything overbearing, did she?”

“No.”

“That’s good.” He lowered his head, his thumb anxiously pressing down on his palm. One could see that he still hadn’t calmed down inside, but he still said, “Thanks for telling me this beforehand. I was too shocked back then and didn’t dare believe it. But if there’s anything that you need me to do, I’ll do my best to help.”

“Okay. I won’t be modest then.” Amber smiled slightly. She actually could understand Calvin’s indecision, anger, and loathing. If Calvin’s mother and the drunken Calvin’s words were both true, then the traumatic experience that they had suffered at Mark’s hands was more than sufficient to traumatize them for their entire lives. Just like his mother, perhaps what was most triggering to him was not Elly or this incident itself, but rather that nightmarish period in the past.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Those who hadn’t experienced something similar for themselves could never understand how painful it had been.

She tried to change the topic to something more relaxing. “Would you like me to tell you about her?” After receiving his assent, she proceeded. “She draws very well. Do you want to see?”

Calvin actually didn’t have much interest in it, but after seeing her hopeful expression, he nodded.

Amber opened her phone and showed him the many drawings of Elly that she had taken pictures of. Calvin originally just glanced at them, but as he looked, he couldn’t help but become entranced and take the phone.

“… She drew all this?”

“Yes. She doesn’t talk to anyone, but she really likes to draw. I heard that she never took any lessons, but look at this piece, and that one. Doesn’t she have tremendous talent?”

Calvin nodded. Even though he had studied the sciences, he still appreciated art and had even been a model at an art gallery when he was overseas, so he understood a bit of art.

Even though Elly’s drawings were dark and gloomy, and her skills were quite inexperienced, her lines all flowed naturally to one another, and the feeling at the tip of her instruments seemed to explode from those lines, leading to a particularly eye catching result.

This was no longer just mere talent, she could almost be considered a genius.

Amber finished looking at all of Elly’s artwork with him. These pieces of art, which seemed like the horrifying truth in Mark’s eyes, had instead led to a heartfelt resonance in Calvin.

It was because he had experienced these dark and terrifying experiences himself as well.

After he finished looking at all the drawings in Amber’s phone, Calvin’s feelings had returned to normal. This time, he said very seriously, “Thank you. I’ll take good care of her. As for my mother … I’ll persuade her somehow. No matter what, she’s still my sister.”

This time, he spoke much more firmly.

Amber gazed at him. “I know that this must be somewhat surprising for you, and I’m very happy that you’re responding in this manner. I’ll try my best to help her improve, at least to the point where she can live on her own, so that she won’t be a burden to anyone. In the early stages, however, you guys might have to invest more effort on her, because mental illnesses are unlike regular bodily ones.

For this sort of illness, besides medication, what’s most important is familiar company and familial love. Curing such illnesses is a long and arduous process; I might be able to get her well enough to be released from the hospital, but I can’t promise that she won’t relapse in the future. At this time, she needs friends, and particularly family.”

“I know. It’s just that I was unable to accept it at the beginning. Don’t worry, I know what to do. She’s only fourteen, and her life is full of untapped potential. I will also do my best to help her.”

Amber smiled upon hearing Calvin’s declaration, her gaze as bright and clear as the pear blossoms blooming in April, her expression was pure white and radiant.

She stood very close to him, no longer like the person of his dreams who stood far away. Even though she knew of his private matters, no disdainfulness or hint of teasing showed on her face, and no pity either. She simply looked at him, with just her honest feelings, with a warm and gentle smile. Her sole presence made others feel content for no other reason at all.

He wanted to stay by her side, for the rest of time.