REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 64: Frostiebun... this isn’t funny.

Adrian stood stiffly, staring at his fingers. At that moment, he didn’t seem to recognize them. His hand was still slightly raised, but the faint tremor that ran through it was barely visible. Slowly, his fingers curled inward, pressing into his palm as if testing something that wasn’t there.

His gaze shifted passing over the bed without stopping. The sheets were scattered and the view stung his eyes. He looked away almost immediately.

He turned and walked to the window. As he pushed it open, cool night air slipped in brushing against his face. He took out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it.

He stood like that for a long time, staring at nothing in particular. His reflection was faint against the glass, blurred by the lights outside.

Even as the cigarette burned down, he didn’t react immediately. Not until the heat reached his skin.

His hand jerked slightly as it stung him. The cigarette slipped from his fingers and dropped to the floor. He looked at it for a second, then turned away as if it no longer mattered.

In one swift motion, he picked up his coat and slipped it on. He then walked to the door, opened it, and stepped out.

When he got to the hall, he noticed that the noise had dimmed. Only fewer people still stayed around. Some were whispering while the others were already leaving.

Adrian’s gaze moved across the space at once.

There was no sign of her. No trace at all.

As he made to walk forward, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

"Boss."

Harris approached him quickly, stopping in front of him. He was breathing hard.

Though he is always like this even in minor situations, Adrian still felt that something was wrong...

"Someone drowned... It’s Miss Elara."

Adrian stopped, not abruptly. His expression didn’t change, but his eyes had fixed on nothing in particular.

"...What did you say?"

He asked calmly, turning his attention to Harris face.

Harris swallowed, "Miss Elara... she fell into the pool."

Silence followed.

Adrian’s fingers tightened at his side, then it relaxed again.

"...Where is she?" he asked, already moving again, walking towards the entrance.

"She’s been taken to the hospital," Harris said quickly. "It’s quite serious."

Adrian’s feet finally came to an abrupt stop...

–

"Even if a thousand hearts turn away from you,

there will always be one that stays." ...

–

The room was very quiet that morning. Warm light slipped in through the curtains, resting gently on the figure lying on the bed.

The machines by the sides kept beeping every now and then.

Ziva stood by the bed, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. A bowl of warm water sat on the table beside her. She dipped the cloth in her hand into it and wrung it carefully. Then she began to wipe Elara’s arm with slow motions.

She didn’t rush...it was as if she had done this many times before. She moved from her arm to her shoulder...then she adjusted the sleeve of her gown neatly.

After that, she set the cloth aside, dried her hands, and glanced at Elara’s expressionless face for a second longer than needed. She then turned and walked into the restroom.

A few minutes later, she came back out, drying her hands with a small towel. She walked over and pulled the chair closer, sitting down beside the bed like she always did.

Ziva’s eyes stayed on Elara’s face.

She reached out and adjusted the blanket, smoothing it gently over her. Then she lifted her hand and brushed a few strands of hair away from Elara’s face, tucking them neatly behind her ear.

She paused. Then, almost like she wasn’t sure she should, she leaned closer. Her movement slowed halfway in hesitation. But she didn’t stop.

She pressed a small, soft kiss against her temple. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The moment it ended, she pulled back quickly, like she hadn’t meant to do that. She sighed deeply as she leaned into the chair again, reaching out to hold Elara’s hand.

Her fingers wrapped around it fondly.

"You’ve been sleeping for three months.... Do you know how expensive this room is?"

She paused, her thumb brushing lightly over Elara’s hand.

"So you should wake up before the Vales go bankrupt."

Another pause.

Ziva let out a small breath, her gaze dropping for a second before lifting again.

"And if you don’t wake up soon... you might lose your fans." she said quietly, and tilted her head a bit, as if thinking.

"They weren’t that many anyway, so you should at least try to keep them." she muttered. Then suddenly, her eyes brightened a little.

She leaned forward a bit, the corners of her lips lifting into a small smile.

"Ah—right...Can you believe it? Those high school students are still supporting you even at a time like this. They’ve been posting about you every now and then."

She snorted.

"They’re quite stubborn."

She had just muttered this when the door opened. Thinking that it was the doctor, she turned back to greet him. But whom she saw was another person entirely...

A man stood at the doorway, not moving or even... maybe..not planning to move. His gaze was fixed on the bed and the disbelief on his face wasn’t hidden.

Ziva frowned a bit. She didn’t recognize him.

But before she could speak, he had suddenly stepped forward.

Ziva stood up quickly, moving to block his path without hesitation.

"Excuse me." she said raising a hand to stop him in place.

She scanned him for a moment. Then she spoke up. "Who are you?" she asked firmly.

Then after a brief pause, she added,

"And more importantly... why do you walk in here like you own the hospital?"

The man didn’t answer. He only looked at Ziva for a moment, then past her again, his eyes landing on the bed. "Move," he said.

"No," Ziva replied immediately.

He blinked, then let out a short snort. "Woah—are you security or a decoration?"

Ziva didn’t react to his illogical question. Her face stayed calm as she opened her mouth.

"What do you want?"

"I want to see Frostiebun." the man replied immediately.

Ziva frowned on confusion. "I’m sorry... who?"

The man exhaled, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He pointed past her.

"Isn’t it very obvious...Her." he said,and then added. "I’m her friend."

Ziva scoffed softly as she glared at him. "She isn’t any Frostiebun. Her name is Elara."

He didn’t seem to care. He stepped forward again, trying to walk past her. "Frostiebun, this isn’t funny."

Ziva moved quickly and blocked him again. "Who are you?"

The man stopped, and for a second, he looked at her like he hadn’t heard her properly. Then he let out a loud snort. "You must be joking, right?"

Ziva didn’t respond. She only looked at him, waiting silently for his reply.

Then he clicked his tongue lightly and straightened up, adjusting the neckline of his sportswear.

"I’m Tonio Adrelo... Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of me before." he said...