Chapter 2 Playing Dumb

• Gaston lay on the hospital bed, his mind drifting far away. Suddenly, he heard a voice, even from a distance. Maybe it was just the effect of the medication still coursing through his body. The atmosphere around him was calm, with only the sound of his own breathing and the gentle hum of medical machines.
• The door to the room opened, and a nurse stepped out. Gaston sensed someone's presence. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to gather his strength. Footsteps approached, and a gentle voice he recognized emerged.
• "Gaston!" the voice called to him. Vivian.
• Gaston opened his eyes and saw Vivian standing beside him, her face filled with concern. She quickly moved closer, checking the wounds that adorned Gaston's body. Her delicate fingers touched his skin gently.
• "Oh my gosh, look at your wounds," Vivian said, furrowing her brow. "This must hurt."
• Strangely, Gaston felt no pain. It was as if all the fear that had consumed him had evaporated. "Gaston, you're such an idiot," Vivian continued, her tone slightly exasperated. "What were you thinking driving that car?"
• Idiot? Yes, Gaston knew he was indeed foolish. However, after the accident, everything felt different. He sensed something had changed within him, though he didn't fully understand what it was.
• Gaston considered whether he should express his feelings or not. But when Vivian called his name again, he fell silent. "Gaston!" Vivian urged, her voice a bit louder.
• Gaston was still thinking, trying to find the right words. Vivian, noticing his hesitation, let out a sigh. "Oh my God! You're such an idiot. You probably don't even understand what I'm saying!"
• Once again, Gaston fell silent. Pretending to be clueless might be the best way to protect himself right now. He didn't want Vivian to worry more than she already was. After all, his intelligence and strength wouldn't be predictable for long. He needed to find out more about what had really happened, especially concerning Rosaline, his mother-in-law, who was surely involved in the accident.
• Gaston tried to act spoiled, like a child seeking attention. He hugged Vivian tightly. "Vivi! I need to take the stuff in the trunk of that car home," he said in a coaxing tone.
• Vivian frowned, clearly sensing that his excuse wasn't entirely true. "Gaston, you know that's not possible," she said gently stroking his head. "Even though you're being foolish, you need to remember everything that happened yesterday. You can do that, right?"
• Gaston nodded, trying to convince himself. "Yeah, I can," he replied innocently, as if he were a little kid just learning to talk.
• "Now, let's focus on your treatment first," Vivian said firmly, looking at him seriously.
• Gaston shook his head. "Vivi, I'm already better," he said in a whiny tone, trying to sound convincing.
• "What?" Vivian looked at him in disbelief. "But your injuries are pretty serious, right?"
• "No," Gaston insisted. "I'm already better!"
• Vivian checked his wounds again, her expression showing deep concern. "You need to be treated here first," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
• "No, I'm fine! I want to go home!" Gaston replied, his tone rising as he tried to express his desire.
• Vivian looked confused, unsure of what to do. Gaston quickly thought of a way to keep her from suspecting anything. "I'm scared of needles. The doctor keeps giving me shots!" he said, adding a hint of drama to his voice.
• Vivian sighed, as if she understood his situation. "Alright, I'll take you home," she finally said, although her tone still sounded hesitant.
• Gaston smiled brightly, feeling a small victory.
• "Turns out, idiots never really get hurt," Vivian muttered.
• Vivian efficiently handled the hospital paperwork. She filled out forms, spoke with staff, and made sure all payments were settled. After confirming that all documents were signed, she turned to Gaston, who was waiting.
• "Gaston, everything's ready. Let's go home," she said with a wide smile.
• Gaston stood up, feeling a bit stronger. Vivian planned to guide him, but Gaston shook his head. "No need. I can walk by myself," he said innocently, trying to show his independence.
• "Alright then, just don't fall because I'm not helping you!" Vivian retorted.
• "Got it," Gaston replied.
• They headed to the elevator. The atmosphere in the hospital felt calm, despite the bustle outside. The elevator arrived and the doors opened. They stepped inside, and Vivian pressed the button for the ground floor. As they descended, Gaston focused on the changing numbers.
• The elevator stopped, and the doors opened. They walked out toward the waiting area. However, the calm was soon disrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps. Several nurses were running by, their faces showing panic, as if there was an emergency somewhere.
• With his heightened senses, Gaston quickly assessed the situation. He saw that Vivian and the nurses were about to collide. Without thinking, he pulled Vivian aside. "Watch out!" he shouted.
• Vivian was startled, but in an instant, she found herself in Gaston's embrace. They froze for a moment, staring at each other. Vivian could smell Gaston's warmth, soothing and comforting. She heard his heart racing, as if matching the tension of the moment.
• That moment felt long, even though it was brief. Vivian was captivated, her eyes unable to leave Gaston's face. There was a sense of safety flowing between them, despite the chaos around them.
• But something felt off. Gaston, who was usually slow and a bit foolish, seemed so quick to respond today. After pulling Vivian away, he realized how agile his reaction had been. This revelation left him astonished.
• "Gaston, why did you—" Vivian asked, narrowing her eyes, looking at him suspiciously.
• Gaston, suddenly aware of his quick reflexes, felt a surge of panic. He didn't want Vivian to suspect anything or, worse, discover the secret of his newfound abilities.
• Vivian studied his face closely, trying to figure out what was going on. There was doubt in her eyes, and Gaston felt as if every second was stretching out painfully. He tried to distract her from probing further.
• "Vivi, I was just helping you!" Gaston said in a childlike tone, raising both hands as if celebrating a small victory.
• Vivian stood straight, looking at him with slight confusion, but there was a smile at the corner of her mouth. "Yeah, you helped me," she replied, trying to stifle a laugh.
• "Pretty great, huh?" Gaston exclaimed, clapping his hands, his face beaming with joy.
• Yet, inside Vivian, there was a mix of emotions. Just moments ago, she felt Gaston was so brave and handsome for saving her from the collision. How embarrassing that her heart had fluttered. Now, he was back to his childish self.
• "Okay, stop moving around so much!" Vivian gently scolded, but there was a note of concern in her voice. "You don't want your wounds to hurt again!"
• Gaston looked a bit guilty. He quickly intertwined his fingers and tried to appear obedient.
• "Let's go!" Vivian said, gesturing for Gaston to continue walking.
• Gaston nodded, obediently following Vivian's lead.