The night is cold,but Andrea felt cold and hot at the same time.
She was sweaty and she was filled with panic as she sat by her grandmother's bedside.She of all people knew that there was no hope left for her grandmother anymore but she wanted to hang on to a little glimpse of hope.
"An...Andrea,don't cry."Her Grandmother stuttered and coughed."It is my time to go."
More tears spilled from Andrea's eyes.Her grandmother had cancer,it had been an illness that Andrea had fought so hard to treat for about five years now. Even with her exceptional medical skills, it was of no avail. She had saved so many lives, yet she couldn't save her own grandmother.
"Don't leave me,Grandma,I don't want to be alone."Andrea wept.
"You...you won't be alone."
Andrea sniffed and watched as her grandmother weakly placed a diamond pendant on her hands.
"Find Sebastian Munoz. He's your fiancé."
That got Andrea confused."My...my fiancé?"
When did she acquire a fiancé?
Her grandmother nodded. "Years ago,I struck a deal with his grandfather.You two are already bonded by a marriage contract."
"But..."
"Sweetie, I do not want you to be alone. This man will take good care of you so go find him and get married to him. I want you to always have someone on your side."
Andrea sniffed again as she stared at the pendant.
Her grandmother was unaware of Andrea's true identity and profession, oblivious to the fact that she was the mysterious doctor highly sought after by many. Naturally, she worried about Andrea's future. Although she believed that her grandmother's chosen man must not be a bad person, but...
Just as she hesitated, her grandma shakily grabbed hold of her hand.
"Andrea.Promise me.This is my last wish, my dying wish is for you to be with this man."
Andrea tearfully stared at the old woman.
The weight of her grandmother's words weighed heavily on her heart.
But she couldn't bear to say no to her.
She couldn't bear to disobey her.
Being a doctor, she was well aware that her grandmother's time was running out. She shouldn't let her leave with regrets.
"I... I promise. I will go find him," she assured.
The old woman smiled at her and Andrea was grateful for that smile.
"Give me a hug,my dear."Her grandmother requested.
Andrea stood up and gently hugged her.
"I...I want you to live a very long and happy life." The old woman whispered.
Few minutes later,Andrea felt the old woman become heavy and cold in her arms.
No one needed to tell her what had happened.
Still hugging her grandmother,uncontrollable tears spilled from her eyes.
"Grandma... Grandma... you can rest assured, I will," she whispered with determination.
***
One week later.
The breeze was refreshing and the fruits were in full bloom.
At the foot of a quiet mountain,an Argentinian-style courtyard came in view,a fusion of classical and modern,simple and elegant.
Inside the courtyard,a simple and beautiful girl with a calm temperament was sitting on a rock chair,with a laptop on her laps,her fingers tapping away, rapidly.
A moment later, the girl held her cheeks and looked at the photo on the screen, her eyes lit up.
"Not bad. He looks quite charming but the internet can be deceiving.I wonder if he looks exactly like this in person." Andrea said to herself.
A few seconds later,she frowned and discovered that the man's profile was a bit too simple.
He appears to be mysterious.
"Andrea,are you really just going to go ahead and marry that Munoz guy?"Paula sneakily glanced at the screen of her laptop.
Andrea placed the laptop on a small table and sighed.
"This is grandma's final wish. At the very least, I should give it a try," she affirmed.
The old woman saved her and took her in. She loved her and took good care of her as if she was her real granddaughter.
She taught Andrea everything she knows and even sent her abroad to study.Before her grandmother passed away,she told her that she had set up an arranged married for her with the Munoz family.
The old woman's wish was for Andrea to never be alone.She wanted Andrea to have a home and someone she could rely on.
At least it was a beautiful wish, and something within her power to accomplish.
Paula pulled aside a wooden chair and sat down,frowning. "That's because she doesn't know how in demand you are!"
As she spoke, she took out her phone and began checking Andrea's appointment schedule. "Look, that Bruno from Buenos Aires is offering a high price for another appointment. Are you going to turn him down again this time?"
Andrea reclined towards the rocking chair,turned her eyes to look at the beautiful scenery of the setting sun outside the courtyard.
"I don't have the time for that at the moment."
Paula nodded without surprise, "I knew it, so I rejected it for you a long time ago!"
Andrea chuckled at her words.
Paula stared at her. Since her grandmother's passing a week ago, Andrea had seldom smiled or shown any expressions. Paula was getting worried. Perhaps leaving this place was a good choice.
However, she still brought up Andrea's investigation into her prospective fiancé, "I heard this Munoz guy is cold and ruthless. People say he doesn't treat women nicely."
Unexpectedly, Andrea's smile grew even wider, and she self-deprecatingly said, "Isn't that better? Don't worry, he won't be interested in this country bumpkin like me."
Paula paused for a second, then burst into laughter, "I knew it! So, you had a plan all along!"
Immediately, she took out a small bottle with a smile, "Here. Andrea, take this. Make sure you never lose it. If he forces you, feed him this!"
Andrea gasped, "I'm a doctor, not a killer."
"Calm down. This isn't poison, okay? It only makes one itchy in all places. You're so beautiful, who knows if that man might get tempted!" Paula handed over the bottle, and Andrea, feeling helpless, accepted it, "Well, thank you."
As she looked at the small bottle in her hand, recalling the handsome face on the screen, she sighed, hoping her intuition wouldn't lead her astray.