CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION
Life is never exactly what we dream of. Each step we take—whether painful, uncertain, or surprising—is simply part of the journey we call life. Lena's life wasn't perfect, but it wasn't hopeless either. She tried to stay cheerful, even though she constantly struggled to earn enough and fit into a world that seemed too expensive for someone like her. At the end of every day, she always returned to the same small, unwealthy home she shared with her family.
Today was her father's forty-fifth birthday, though he had been missing for two months. No calls, no signs, nothing from the friends who once knew his every move. Everyone in the area knew Mr. Luke —unless they were strangers. A drunkard, careless, loud, and impossible to ignore. All that was just memory now; the rest had slipped into uncertainty.
Lena stepped out of her room and headed straight to the kitchen for her morning tea. She had recently completed university and managed to secure a small job—barely enough to support her family, but she carried the responsibility anyway. Her mother was always away, long before her father disappeared, so everything fell on her shoulders. Her younger siblings, Lisa and Bena, were the ones who pushed her to keep going, to make sure they didn't lack anything she could provide.
Just as she lifted the warm golden cup to her lips, a loud voice pierced the quiet morning.
"Lena! Lena!"
"Shit," she muttered, setting the cup down and rushing out.
"Moody, what's wrong with you? Why are you shouting my name this early?"
"Lena… it's… gosh, my heart…" Moody bent over, breathing heavily.
"Okay boy! slow down. Breathe in and out. You're scaring me," Lena said, gripping his shoulders.
"It's about… Lena, please don't freak out. It's about your—"
"About who? You're making me nervous. I'm late for work and not in the mood for your games. If you won't talk, I'm leaving."
As she turned, Moody grabbed her hand.
"Your dad. He's… he's in the—"
"What happened to him? Is he okay? Where is he? Was he beaten by robbers?" Lena's voice cracked as tears welled up.
"No, no… nothing like that. Please calm down. He wasn't robbed."
"Then what? Why run here early in the morning just to tell me there's 'nothing bad'? Moody, if this is some stupid joke—"
"It's not! Just listen to me, please." Moody inhaled. "Your dad is in the hospital."
Lena froze.
"A group of young men found him yesterday… unconscious under a tree. Not here—far from this area."
"Dear Lord…" Lena sank to the floor, hands buried in her dry hair. "What? W-what? Moody, are you serious? Why… why are you telling me this now?"
"Lena, please don't lose it. We'll figure something out."
"Figure? How? It's already happened!"
"Hey," Moody whispered, helping her up, "we just need to get to him. He's at Treat and Care Hospital."
"That far?" Lena swallowed hard. "Do you know how much the transport alone—? God, Moody… no wonder we couldn't find him."
They both stood silently, staring at nothing, minds empty. Moody crossed his arms, thinking.
"Okay," he finally said, "I have some savings. We'll use that for the transport. But promise me one thing."
"Fine. What?"
"You'll pay me back when you can. Not now, not tomorrow—just someday."
"Wow. That's it?" Lena blinked.
"That's it. Now hurry. We'll grab my bag, then catch a bus to Youvil States."
"But my work and—"
"What nonsense are you mumbling?" Moody snapped. "It's only a five-hour trip. And don't worry—I already talked to your manager. He agreed to give you leave… on one condition."
"Moody?"
"Don't be late next week, or he'll deduct your pay."
Before Moody could react, Lena threw her arms around him.
"Thank you, babe—wait, why are you looking at me like that? Can't I hug my best friend?"
"Tsch. Now I'm your baby? Move. We're running out of time."
"Yes, boss." Lena bowed dramatically, hiding her smile.
Though everything felt heavy and terrifying, Lena couldn't help but feel grateful. Moody Whiskey —chaotic, loud, and stubborn—was the kindest person she knew. His family was wealthy, yet he chose to live in these cracked streets instead of their mansion. Lena often wondered why someone who had everything would prefer a place like this… and why he cared so deeply for her.
As the bus rolled down the long road, Lena found herself staring at Moody again, wondering how she got so lucky.
"Stop drooling," Moody muttered, smirking at the window.
"I'm not," Lena whispered, "just wondering…"
"About what?"
"Nothing. Just you."
"Don't worry about me. I'm here for you. I'm just a mystery man from another world," Moody said with a slow smile.
"But I—"
"No more questions. We're getting off soon."
"Yes, ma'am…"
Minutes later, the bus dropped them off in front of the tall hospital building. The entrance felt intimidating, almost suffocating. Lena's heart pounded. It had been months since she last saw her father, and the thought of what awaited behind those cold walls made her knees shake.
After signing a few documents, a nurse directed them to visit Room 6.
The elevator doors slid open, and Lena stepped inside, fear and hope tangled tightly in her chest.