Chapter 21
21
While waiting for the test results, I couldn’t help but ask about Mr. Holland, Back when t decided to drop out of school and venture into business, the disappointment in his eyes haunted me to this day, making me too afraid to contact him even after all these years.
All I’ve ever dared to do was send occasional holiday greetings in the group chats we were both in
Mr. Holland had really put all his heart into teaching me back then. He was already established in the industry, so he didn’t need to take on graduate students anymore, but he made an exception just for me. He was the second person in the world to treat me well, aside from Grandma
However, I dropped out after being accepted into the graduate program with him as my mentor. The only reason I did that was to take care of Irwin, as he was too busy to do so himself when he first started his company. Back then, he often had stomach issues, so I wanted to be there for hirm
My memories were coming back to me now. I remembered how earnestly Mr. Holland had tried to dissuade me.
He told me that, as a man himself, he understood men better than anyone else. If a man liked me, he wouldn’t ask me to give up my studies to help him. Asking me to make sacrifices meant that he didn’t love me as much as I thought he did.
To give up everything for someone who didn’t love me as much as I wanted him to would only leave me with scars and nothing else.
I didn’t remember what I said to him. In fact, I couldn’t remember almost anything about Irwin, including that intense and fiery love I had for him in the past. This was probably a coping mechanism my mind came up with after all the trauma he put me through.
Forgetting my love for him was probably the only way I could continue living.
Time proved that Mr. Holland was right; he’d foreseen my future even back then, which was why he was so disappointed in me when I told him that I was giving up my studies for Irwin. He’d told me that he never wanted to see me again.
Because of this, I haven’t dared to contact him all these years.
However, I missed him. I wanted to know how he was doing, so I couldn’t help but ask Shaun. He told me that Mr. Holland had fallen sick and had been hospitalized for over a week now.
Despite knowing that Mr. Holland didn’t want to see me, I couldn’t resist checking on him secretly, so I arranged with Sham to visit him
21
+25 BONOS
Unfortunately, we arrived at the hospital only to find out that he’d been discharged and had returned home.
I was glad to know that he was feeling better but also disappointed that I wasn’t able to see him, however covertly.
Mr. Holland didn’t teach anymore. After retiring, he spent most of his time either at his laboratory or at his home, which was part of the university’s residential compound. Both places required registration and prior approval to enter, so I wouldn’t be able to sneak in and see him.
Seeing my disappointment, Shaun patted me on the shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll find an excuse to invite Mr. Holland to lunch in a few days. You can see him then.”
I brightened at that. How could I forget that I had Mr. Holland’s favorite student helping me? With him around, I wouldn’t have to worry about not being able to see Mr. Holland!
I smiled. “Thank you, Professor Green. I’ll treat you to a meal someday! Also, I still owe you for saving my life. Don’t hesitate to ask me for anything in the future. I’ll help you with anything as long as it’s within my power!” I said earnestly.
I was serious. There was no repaying a life debt. If he needed me, I would do anything to help him.
Shaun chuckled. “If that’s the case, how should I repay you for introducing me to Mr. Holland back in the day? Without you, I wouldn’t be Professor Green today.”
I was just about to reply when a shrill scream interrupted us. “Emilia!”