Bitter & Sweet
The Part 35
Seeing Matthew seem to have trouble sleeping, Chloe took the initiative to go pick something up, which could help Matthew fall asleep immediately.
"I won't be long. I'm just going to go to the kitchen for a little while" said Chloe, continuing to climb down from the top of the bed.
Chloe then went to get a glass of fresh milk from the fridge in the kitchen, and immediately returned to Matthew's room.
"Try this! ... Maybe you can be calmer, and you can fall asleep quickly," said Chloe, holding a glass of fresh milk, and then sitting on the edge of the bed, next to Matthew.
"You look like you're used to taking care of someone who's sick" Matthew chirped, then sipped some milk from his glass.
"Before I died, my daddy was very sick for months. And I take care of him at home....
... Because in addition to buying the drugs, we are no longer able to bear the cost of care in the hospital."
Maybe it was because she was exhausted, so Chloe could tell Matthew about her past, without thinking much more.
"I'm sorry.." said Matthew.
"It's okay, Sir ... I don't think about it much anymore. Because daddy died almost six years ago....
... And I assume that it is the best. Rather than me having to see her miserable because of the pain," said Chloe, then smiled faintly.
"Then, was it possible that you were in college?" matthew asked, then hurriedly seemed to regret his words. "I'm sorry ... I must look insensitive."
Chloe took the glass from Matthew's hand, which was half finished, then placed it on the nightstand, saying, saying,
"Daddy fell ill, as I was just entering the last semester ... But I'm very grateful, because it's acceptable to work for Mister Nathan, not long after I graduate."
Matthew seemed to notice Chloe, putting on a serious look, as if he still wanted to hear the continuation of Chloe's story.
"Without purpose, Mister Nathan found out that my daddy was sick, and I left him alone at home, and relied solely on the help of the neighbors....
... In those days, I was just working as his assistant. But Mister Nathan wants to give me some leeway, so I can go home and take care of my daddy" continued Chloe.
"What about your mommy?" matthew asked, looking curious.
"I was able to get into university and become a scholar, not because we had a lot of money. We were just lucky, because I was able to get a full scholarship."
While speaking, Chloe reminisced about the times when her daddy was still alive, where her daddy was very affectionate and aspiring to Chloe.
Her dad wanted Chloe to be a successful person, and there was no need to live a life as difficult as her.
"Daddy only works as a janitor in a government office. The pay of daddy is very low, and without any health insurance....
...Even when daddy was sick, the small house that was the sole legacy of Grandpa and Grandma, sold to finance his treatment....
... Mommy may not be able to stand the time of having to live a mediocre life, and even arguably all shortcomings like that," said Chloe, while looking at Matthew who looked at him.
"Mommy left home, when I was almost 10 years old ... And until now, I didn't know where she was" Chloe continued, then chuckled.
However, Matthew may realize that Chloe is laughing at her past that is far from perfect.
So from the look on his face, Matthew looks as if he feels sorry for Chloe.
"It must have been very difficult ... You don't have to cover it up with a laugh" Matthew said.
"Yes ... To be honest, if remembered again, it feels quite difficult ... I have long since made peace with the past....
... Right now all I'm thinking about is how to be a successful person, to be able to realize my daddy's dream and for my own good" Chloe said, honestly.
Chloe then let out a long sigh that felt heavy, then exhaled it slowly.
"But it seems I still mess up a lot. So that the journey to success is getting further," continued Chloe, with a small laugh.
Before Matthew responded to her words and only extended the discussion of her personal matters, Chloe then stood up and picked up the glass of milk on the nightstand, saying,
"Do you feel better?"
Matthew held out a hand, asking for the milk glass Chloe was holding. "Let me spend it!"
"Hm ... Okay, Sir!" Chloe paused her intention to drive the dirty glass back to the kitchen, and immediately went back to lying on the bed.
Just now Chloe was going to turn off the table lamp, Matthew then said,
"Who knows about your parents?"
"In addition to some of his college friends, only Mister Nathan knows. And I think maybe your mommy knows it too" Chloe replied.
"Why?" ask Matthew.
Chloe who felt that the question from Matthew was not clear, then lay on her back and turned to Matthew, then asked back,
"What do you mean, why can I feel that your mommy knows?"
"Your mommy was very nice to me, even though at that time she had not known me for how long....
... Maybe it was just because he felt sorry. But to be sure, I consider him a good person, just like your daddy," continued Chloe, hurriedly.
"That's not what I'm asking" Matthew said. "Why do only my daddy know? Did you never tell David that?"
"Hm ... I don't want to tell people I know in the office. It might sound arrogant, but I don't want to be pitied....
... I prefer it if people see me because of what I do. And not just out of over-sympathy, to the point of not being able to objectively judge me" Chloe replied.
"To be honest, right now I don't know why I can tell you either ... Maybe, because I consider you the same as your parents....
... So I feel normal, if I tell you all that," Chloe continued, explaining.
"It sounds like you admire my parents quite a bit" Matthew said.
"Yes!" answer Chloe, steady.
"Mister Nathan appreciates my work. He treated me well, even though he didn't know what happened to my daddy....
... And after she found out, Mister Nathan's attitude toward me didn't change at all" Chloe continued, and sat on the bed.
"Do you know? ... When I said that Mister Nathan gave me leeway, he didn't actually do it outright. I just realized it, when daddy died....
...Mister Nathan suddenly asked me to take a leave of absence. Because I thought that he was going to fire me, of course I panicked, and finally asked him....
... At that time, only then did Mister Nathan tell me that he wanted to give me a chance to grieve, and do the daddy funeral process well."
After she finished speaking, Chloe then smiled broadly, while looking at Matthew.
"If you judge from your words, I think you like my parents too much. You also trust them too much....
... What if they ask you to do something that doesn't go your way?" said Matthew.
"Hm ... I think good people are still good people. And there is no way a good person would have bad intentions to harm another person....
... It might not be in line with my wishes, but that doesn't mean what they ask for is something that could hurt—"
Chloe stopped her words, then glanced at Matthew with the tip of her eye, then continued saying,
"... But so a little exception, when I'm asked to take care of you who's grumpy and rude."
At that instant, Matthew seemed to put on an unhappy face, then said,
"So that's what you think of me?"
Chloe laughed, while covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "Are you still unconscious?"
Like a child sulking, Matthew seemed to frown as he was then seen moving down, and immediately lay sideways on Chloe's back.
Chloe then fixes Matthew's blanket, pulling him up, to cover part of Matthew's body.
"Good night, sir! ... Sleep well!" chloe said, then immediately turned off the table lamp, and lay sideways on Matthew's back.