Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Chapter 232: Alice Evergreen [3]

"I can't get out of this..." Alice said as she tried to get up from the capsule however since she just woke up after five years from a coma state there was no strength in her body at all.

Wait a minute! Don't push yourself!..." seeing his daughter struggling to get out of the capsule, Dereck said and waved his hand and the capsule enveloping Alice tore apart. A gentle white glow enveloped Alice as she levitated in the air.

Waving his hand once again, Alice slowly moved toward the ground.

As Alice's feet touched the ground, she stumbled a couple of steps. Isabella did try to offer her a hand, but raising her hand, Alice refused.

"Let me."

Taking two steps forward she was somehow able to stabilize her body.

Having stayed in a coma for over five years, this sort of reaction was understandable. Her brain needed to get adjusted to her muscles once again.

"Haa..."

Taking a deep breath, Alice finally stood straight. Taking a deep breath she turned towards Isabella who standing near her.

'Beautiful...' that was her thought as she gazed at Isabella. Isabella however gave her a confused look as Alice stared at her few seconds.

"...You've grown up so well."

With a face mixed with many different emotions, Isabella lowered her head. A smile also blossomed on her face.

"You must be around how old now?"

Without waiting for Isabella to speak, Alice placed her hand on her chin and pondered.

Alice's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she continued, "Let me guess... seventeen? Eighteen?"

Isabella chuckled, "Close enough, sis. I'm seventeen now."

Alice grinned, "Seventeen? Time does fly. You were just eleven when I... well, you know."

Isabella nodded, understanding the unspoken words. "I missed you every day, Sis. But now, you're back, and that's what matters."

Alice just silently nodded her head as she lost herself in thought, Alice was five years older than Isabella before she went into a coma but now Isabella is only two years younger than her if you took into account the fact that she had been frozen for five years of her life. Her mentality and personality were still that of her nineteen-year-old self.

As Alice was thinking all of this a sudden thought entered her mind.

Turning her head word her father, Alice asked,

"Dad! How you were able to cure me?"

Dereck eyes narrow as he remembers Lucas. He was still thinking that Lucas was after Isabella.

"The friend of Isabella gave me the cure for you," Dereck said bitterly, he was still regretting the fact that it was thanks to Lucas that Alive was able to come alive.

Nonetheless, he was still grateful to Lucas...

Alice turned her head and looked at Isabella.

"A friend? I guess you could call that to him." Isabella mutters to herself, somehow calling Lucas a friend didn't seem to sit with her.

Alice however notices these suitable changes in Isabella.

"Is it a boy?"

Alice's words were sharp, but Isabella didn't seem to have noticed it as she nodded her head.

"...Yes."

"I see, I see. You are indeed at that age."

Glancing around the room and seeing that there was no one else, she asked.

"Where is this so-called boy?"

"...Eh?"

Isabella tilted her head as she looked at her mother with a confused look on her face.

"Why do you want to know where he is?"

"Of course, I want to know where he is. He is the one that saved me after all!" Alice replied, her voice raising a couple of pitches.

Isabella blushed slightly, realizing the playful tone in Alice's voice. "Well, he's... around."

"Around? You make it sound like he's a stray cat," Alice teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Dereck, who had been listening, couldn't help but join in. "As far as I don't like to admit but he is a trustworthy individual."

Alice smirked, "Trustworthy, huh? Isabella, sounds like you've got an interesting 'friend'."

Isabella stammered, "It's not like that, Sis. He's just... helping."

Alice laughed, "Relax, Isabella. I'm just teasing you. I can see the gratitude in your eyes."

With a sly grin, she continued, "But if he's ever around, make sure to introduce me properly. I wouldn't want to scare away your 'friend.'"

Isabella rolled her eyes, "I'll consider it, sis."

Dereck chuckled at the exchange, relieved to see a lighthearted atmosphere after the recent challenges they faced.

As they continued their banter, the Evergreen family, now reunited, prepared to face the future together, supported by newfound allies and the bonds that had withstood the test of time.

***

-Knock!, -Knock!, -Knock!

-Knock!, -Knock!, -Knock!

"Aghh...Who is this early in the morning?" I muttered as I got from my comfortable bed even though I didn't want to.

Without noticing my surroundings I walk toward the door half-awake and half-sleep.

-Click!

"Lucas you don't... Believe..."

Isabella froze up as I opened the door and stopped in mid-sentence.

She was just staring at me...

Isabella's face turned a deep shade of red as her eyes widened in shock. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't expect... I mean, I thought you'd be..." She stumbled over her words, desperately trying to avert her gaze.

I blinked, realizing I was standing there shirtless. "Uh, give me a moment." I rushed back inside, hastily grabbing a shirt and throwing it on.

Isabella continued to stand there, covering her eyes with one hand while extending the other to shield her face. "I-I didn't mean to intrude. I should've waited outside."

"No, it's fine. I should've been more mindful," I said, trying to hide my embarrassment. "What brings you here so early, though?"

She peeked through her fingers, her cheeks still flushed. "Alice is awake. She asked about you."

I felt a mix of relief and curiosity. "She's awake? How is she?"

"She's doing well, but She insisted on meeting the person who helped save her."

"Right, I should go see her," I said, glancing around for my shoes.

Isabella lowered her hand, her embarrassment giving way to a mischievous smile. "Just... next time, consider wearing a shirt."

I chuckled, feeling the heat in my cheeks. "Noted. Let me grab my shoes, and we can go together."

As I fumbled to put on my shoes, Isabella couldn't help but tease, "Quite a way to make an impression, Lucas."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Well, it's one way to start the day, I guess."

With a shared laugh, we headed towards Alice's room.