Olivia resisted the urge to laugh and sat on the bed, saying, “Okay, quit it. Shaving your hair was necessary. Otherwise, they couldn’t stitch the wound properly. There’s a risk of infection and inflammation if they hadn’t done that. If it gets worse, the doctor might suggest shaving your whole head. So, it’s fine for now. Your hair will grow back in a few days, and you can style it to cover the area.”
Halma’s eyes welled up with tears again, and she murmured with a hint of grievance, “I look hideous.”
Before Olivia could speak, Nathan earnestly interjected, “No, you don’t!”
Halma wanted to glare at him, but when she looked up, she was stunned. His previously cool hairstyle had been shaved into a bald head, but she had to admit he looked quite handsome even with no hair! She could not help but stifle a laugh, but as her lips curled up, she suddenly felt a sour taste in her mouth, and her eyes grew warm. Silly!
With a tearful voice, she asked, “You weren’t injured, so why did you shave your head?”
Seeing that she finally responded to him, he took a few steps closer and gently grabbed her hand. “I want you to know I’ll be by your side no matter how you look.”
Her vision instantly blurred, but she continued to tease him. “Do you even realize how ridiculously ugly you are?”
With a smile, Nathan embraced Halma tenderly. “I don’t care about appearances as long as you don’t mind.”
Olivia was rendered speechless. This is no longer about my persuasion. This is just a blatant PDA!
After attentively feeding Halma some soup, he affectionately spent some time with her before standing up and saying, “Olivia, can you look after Halma for me? I need to go to the police station.”
Knowing that Nathan would not let Lexie off easily after what happened to Halma, Olivia readily agreed. With the man gone, she and Halma were left alone in the hospital room. She could not resist joking, “Seems like you’ve become quite arrogant with all the attention he’s giving you. When he called me, he acted like the world was ending, and I thought something major happened. In the end, you cried so much over a simple haircut?”
Halma embarrassingly glared at her. “I can’t believe you’re still making fun of me. Can’t you see how upset I am?”
“Why should you be upset? I was blinded by all the love and affection you guys displayed. He even shaved his head without a fuss. You know how narcissistic he can be. Tsk tsktsk. Once he’s awakened, there will be no stopping him!”
At her remarks, Halma’s eyes welled up with tears once again. Memories of Nathan’s bald head flashed in her mind and evoked a tender expression on her face. In a choked voice, she asked, “Am I hideous?”
Olivia laughed and honestly replied, “It’s not that bad.”
Halma felt even more disheartened. If it’s not that bad, then it must be pretty ugly.
“As the chief editor of a fashion magazine, how can I face people looking like this?”
Olivia replied, “You’re a fashion editor. You lead fashion trends. Even if you had a bald head, people would consider it fashionable. You’re beautiful no matter what. Others might even think you look unique.”
Halma pouted. “Forget it. Who would consider my chewed-up hair beautiful?”
Olivia could not hold back her laughter. “Let it go. Your hair will grow back in a few days. If it really bothers you, you can shave it all off.”
“Screw you!” Halma glared at her. “I’m not that daring. I want my elegant long hair back. Damn, Lexie. I’ll make her regret this once I get better!”
“Don’t worry. Nathan won’t let her off easily.” Olivia looked at Halma and teased with a smile. “I didn’t expect Lexie to fail in provoking you. You’ve grown up!”
Halma explained, “It’s not that I’ve grown up, but I’ve figured things out. I hate being indecisive; I should be more assertive and confident. Why should I step back when it comes to the man I’ve invested in? I won’t back down!”
Olivia smiled. “You’re right. Love is supposed to make you happier, not reduce you into nothing.”
