chap 11  The Appetite for Truth

The silence that followed the slamming door was heavy, ringing in Aika's ears like the aftermath of an explosion. She sat propped up against the pillows, her eyes fixed on the empty space where two grown men had just been acting like "psycho-idiots."

Seriously? she thought, rubbing her temples. Who was that Helena? Why was she so desperate for a glance from people who treat her like a nuisance? And Airon... he isn't just a jerk; he's actually creepy. Watching a girl eat poison and staying on the phone? That's not just cold. That's calculated.

She realized with a jolt of anxiety that she had almost no information. She was living in a house full of vipers, and she didn't even have the "Viper's Manual" to know which ones were venomous.

"Go Aika, go," she whispered to herself, trying to pump some courage into her shaky chest. "You can do this. You survived your side gigs along studies and your personal hobby as well so i can surely going to survive this book "

Then, her stomach gave a loud, treacherous growl.

"Darn it," she hissed, clutching her midsection. "Fighting for your life is a workout. How rude can they be? They spend twenty minutes shouting about 'protecting' me, but not one of them brought a sandwich? No manners. Not even bring fruit to sick person ."

She looked at the bedside table. Empty.

Then her eyes fell on the small, crumpled paper tucked into her personal belongings bag—the contract she'd signed to move far away and manage an orphanage. It was her "get out of jail free" card. Her escape plan.

I already signed it, she thought, her fingers hovering over the paper. I was so ready to leave. But if I leave now, I leave as 'Helena the Crazy.' I'll be running away with a target on my back. If I don't find out what these people are hiding about her past... I'll never truly be free.

She looked at the door. She was hungry, she was weak, but for the first time, she was curious.

"First, I get rid of this hunger," she muttered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Her feet hit the cold floor—not with a stumble this time, but with a firm thud. "Then, I figure out how to get rid of that contract. I'm not running. I'm investigating."

She stood up, pulling her hospital robe tighter. She needed to see if anyone was left in the hallway. Maybe Vahn was still lingering. Or maybe she'd have to hunt down a nurse and demand a meal. The Only Person Who Remembers

Aika reached for the door handle, her stomach still grumbling in protest, but the heavy wood moved before she could touch it. She flinched back, expecting another round of shouting from Airon or Noel.

Instead, the door swung open with a quiet, controlled grace.

Standing there was a man who looked like he belonged in a different world than the chaos she had just witnessed. He was dressed in a sharp, impeccably tailored black suit that made him look like a shadow in the brightly lit hospital. His dark hair was pulled back neatly into a low ponytail, revealing a face that was calm, observant, and—for the first time since Aika had woken up—devoid of any hidden agenda.

He was adjusting his lapels, a small, habit-like gesture of a man who valued order. Unlike the brothers who barged in like they owned the air she breathed, he stood at a respectful distance, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that wasn't frightening, but grounding.

Who is this? Aika wondered, her breath catching.

He didn't look at her with the "annoyance" of Airon or the "guilt" of Noel. He looked at her as if he were checking to see if a precious piece of glass had been repaired correctly.

"You're awake," he said, his voice low and steady. He didn't wait for her to apologize or explain. Instead, he reached into the pocket of his blazer and pulled out a small, wrapped item—a high-quality protein bar and a bottle of water. "I assumed they forgot to feed you. They usually do when they're busy listening to their own voices."

Aika stared at the food, then back at his calm eyes. For the first time, she felt like she wasn't just Helena the "Villainess" or Helena the "Patient." To this man, she was just... Helena.

His hands paused on his jacket and he is looking straight at her . A flicker of something—was it sadness? or just realization?—crossed his face before his mask of professionalism returned.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice sharp and guarded. "And why are you in my room? 

The man paused. He didn't look offended by her suspicious tone. Instead, he gave a small, respectful bow—the kind of bow a true gentleman gives to someone he deeply cares for.

"It's understandable that you don't recognize me, Miss Helena," he said. His voice was like silk—deep, gentle, and incredibly soothing. "I've been abroad for the last three years, managing your father's interests in Europe. I only landed an hour ago i am an loyal person ."

Aika blinked, surprised. "You came straight from the airport?" her thoughts be like suspicious this person is both creepy and kinda weird he is so much suspicious. 

"I heard the news from Airon the moment I touched down," he explained, stepping closer but keeping a respectful distance. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, warm bag and a bottle of mineral water. "I assumed that amidst all the shouting and 'protecting,' no one actually bothered to ask if you were hungry. Please, eat this."

The way he spoke was so different from the others. He wasn't demanding she eat; he was offering it like a gift.

"I am Ren," he introduced himself, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "Your father's personal assistant, and... if you'll allow it, someone who would like to be your friend again. I'm sorry I wasn't here when things got difficult. The Calculated Welcome

Aika watched as the man—Ren—stepped into the room with an aura of calm that felt almost alien in this hospital. Despite his gentle expression, Aika's instincts screamed at her to stay guarded. In her old life, she had learned that the most dangerous people were often the ones who smiled the most politely.

Instead of softening, she straightened her posture. She didn't know him, and in this world of vipers, "friends" were just enemies you hadn't caught yet.

With a practiced, elegant movements, Aika offered a shallow, formal bow in return. "I apologize for the sudden interrogation, Sir," she said, her voice cool and perfectly polite. "I've had a lot 'unexpected' guests today. My mind is a bit crowded." her brain already calculating just play along with him 

Ren's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise—perhaps the old Helena never apologized—but he quickly masked it with a respectful nod.

"It is quite alright, Miss Helena," he said softly.

Aika accepted the warm bag of food, careful not to let her fingers touch his. "Thank you. I'll make good use of this. " she thought its okie first eat if he did something so u got energy to run at least 

She walked back to her bed with a steady gait, sat down, and began to eat. She didn't invite him to sit; she simply ate in silence, watching him over the rim of her water bottle like a hawk. She was listening, waiting for him to trip over his own words.

he began speaking , standing comfortably with his hands clasped behind his back. "I am your father's personal assistant. I've spent the last three years overseas handling the D'Arven Group's European mergers.

Aika paused, a piece of food halfway to her mouth. She arched an eyebrow, her gaze turning suspicious again.

"My father's assistant?" she repeated, her tone skeptical. "Then, Sir, what exactly are you doing here? If you just landed after three years, surely you should be reporting to the Chairman's office. My father isn't in this hospital room, is he?"

Ren didn't flinch at her coldness. Instead, a very light, genuine smile touched his lips—the kind of smile a man gives when he's found something far more interesting than a business report.

"You are correct, Miss Helena. The Chairman is currently at the office," Ren replied, his voice dropping into a tone that was dangerously kind. "But you are here, Madam. And after three years away, I found that my priority had shifted before I even cleared customs." The Memory of a Gentleman

Aika's jaw stopped mid-chew. She stared at him, her eyes wide, a piece of the protein bar still tucked in her cheek just like a shocked squirrel. she be like he is laying for sure who stupid calculate that much before speak huh are you taking me a dumb The "cool, collected CEO" persona she was trying to build crumbled instantly under the weight of his words. her brain be like he is way to creepy i can't pretend any more 

"Huh?" she blurted out, the word muffled by her food. "What?"

She didn't notice how ungraceful she looked in that moment, but Ren certainly did. His eyes crinkled at the corners—not with mockery, but with a deep, hidden fondness.

"I was your personal attendant long before I became your father's assistant, Miss," Ren said, his voice dropping into a gentle, nostalgic tone. He stepped forward, not to crowd her, but to offer a clean linen tissue from his pocket. "I've known you since you were very young. Seeing you like this... I think Master Airon was right for once. You really have lost your memory."

Aika took the tissue, her fingers trembling slightly. She quickly wiped her mouth and swallowed, trying to regain her dignity.

"An attendant?" she whispered.

"I was the one who taught you how to hide your tears so your father wouldn't see them," Ren added, his gaze dropping to her hands. "And the one who promised to come back for you. It seems I took too long to return."

Aika looked down at the tissue in her hand. This wasn't in the book. Or if it was, it was a detail so small she had missed it. She looked at Ren again—this man wasn't just a "gentleman"; he was Helena's only ally. she thought He is helena ally may or may be not should i take a risk i have to there is no other option and its just a novel lets see what happen play along i think is better then being look i don't believe in his any single word 

"I don't remember," she said honestly, her voice losing its sharp edge. "I don't remember anything about you, Ren."

"That's alright," he replied, his light smile returning as he adjusted his lapel. "I remember enough for the both of us. And I remember that the Helena I knew would never agree to be sent away to an orphanage without a fight."The Title of a Gentleman

Aika's jaw remained frozen, her cheek puffed out with the half-chewed protein bar. She looked exactly like a startled forest animal caught in a flashlight—eyes wide, frozen, and completely losing her "ice queen" dignity.

She swallowed hard, the food feeling like a lump in her throat as she processed his words. Her attendant? Since she was little? This wasn't just a stranger; he was a piece of Helena's soul she didn't know existed.

"Huh?" she finally managed to squeak out, her voice a octave higher than usual.

Ren didn't laugh. He simply watched her with that calm, patient gaze, as if he had seen her look this way a thousand times before. He took the tissue back after she used it, his movements fluid and silent.

Aika cleared her throat, trying to force her face back into a neutral expression, though her ears were still pink. She looked him up and down, taking in the expensive suit and the way he held himself with more authority than her own brothers.

"So..." she started, leaning back against the hospital pillows to create some distance. "If you've known me that long, and you're my father's right hand... what am I supposed to call you? I mean, you're clearly older than me."

She tilted her head, a spark of her modern, playful sarcasm returning to her eyes. "Should I call you 'Sir'? Or maybe 'Uncle'? Or 'Brother'?" she teased, though the word Brother felt bitter on her tongue after dealing with Airon and Noel. "What exactly would you prefer, considering you've seen me cry into my sleeves for ten years?"

Ren's expression remained composed, but a flash of something warm—almost a challenge—danced in his dark eyes. He took a step closer to the bed, bowing his head just enough to be at her eye level.

"I am neither your uncle nor your brother, Miss Helena," he whispered, his voice vibrating with a gentle authority that made her heart skip a beat. "And 'Sir' feels a bit too distant for two people who have shared as many secrets as we have."

He stood up straight again, adjusting his tie. "You used to call me 'Ren.' I would prefer you keep doing so. Unless, of course, you'd rather call me 'yours'?"

Aika nearly choked on her water. The Night Shift

Seeing her still struggling to find the right words and clearly flustered by his "call me yours" teasing, Ren let out a soft, melodic chuckle. He reached out and adjusted the tray over her lap, his movements steady.

"Feel free to talk to me formally if it makes you comfortable, Miss Helena," he said, his voice returning to its professional silkiness. "But for now, please finish your food. You need your strength. You're going home tonight."