Worthless - Chapter 89

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Hanahaki disease:

A disease primarily affecting the lungs and respiratory tract. Classic symptoms are expulsion of flower blossoms from the lungs through coughing and exhalation, irritation of the throat, and allergic reactions with no obvious external cause.

The flowers take root in the capillaries of the alveoli and grow using nutrients provided by the blood. Several studies have suggested a correlation between unrequited love and incidence of the disease.

Medical attention is only necessary if the flowers inhibit regular breathing patterns.

Cure:

It can also be cured by the reciprocation of the victim’s feelings.

Hanahaki disease can be cured through surgical removal of the plants’ roots, but this excision also has the effect of removing the patient’s capacity for romantic love. It may also erase the patient’s feelings for and memories of the enamored.

Surgery has to be done if the disease has spreaded all over, meaning if the flowers have fully bloomed because it can cause difficulty in breathing that can bring death upon the patient.

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Zeke Roderick was a man of science.

He believed in the power of knowledge and evidence.

In other words, Zeke Roderick was a rational man.

He had gone his days normally like that. Life was, Zeke noted, going pretty well for him.

Until the universe seemed to no longer favor him and decided to turn his world upside down.

That Zeke had to succumb and lean more towards emotional rather than rational when he started coughing out flowers.

***

The only son of the Roderick family smacked his dry lips, finally waking up from his slumber. His body had an internal clock, making him wake up at 6 on point every morning.

Zeke stretched his body like any feline creature would and buried himself under the blanket once more, unwilling to leave the safety cocoon of warmth. Winter was such harsh weather after all.

But he knew that wouldn’t be possible.

His serenity would be disrupted.

A blizzard would hit him in five seconds.

The young Alpha silently did a countdown.

Five.

Four. Zeke snapped his eyes open.

Three.

Two. He tensed his body, ready himself to spring at any sudden attack.

One.

At the same time Zeke launched himself off the bed, a loud bang resonated as his door was being slammed open. The young Alpha barely had time to dodge a bucket of ice cold water that was dumped on the place he was sleeping on before.

“Son, you are no fun at all.” Derek pouted childishly, still holding on to the empty bucket, which Zeke only responded with a flick of his middle finger before rushing into the bathroom.

He cleaned himself up and got ready. Picking out the best outfit he had, Zeke combed his bangs, pushing them above his forehead, however, one stubborn strand kept on falling back to its original place no matter what Zeke did.

Clicking his tongue, the young man finally gave up, but the appearance on the mirror was so satisfying that he gave himself a thumbs up.

Today, for a specific reason, Zeke was suddenly feeling really pumped. He ran down the stairs, almost tripping on his own foot.

Snatching a piece of bread from the kitchen, in which he received a small scolding from Lynn, telling him to wash his hands first, Zeke zoomed out of the mansion.

He skipped in his steps, partially too happy to care or even worry about the looks he was receiving. Who cared about being a distinguished gentleman when you finally found your mate.

Since all of you were curious, Zeke was willing to elaborate.

Today, on this specific day, he was going to have a date with his lover, the cutest and most adorable man in the universe, Jian Yu!

Like the way his eyes crinkle first before he smiles; how his lower lip jutted out whenever he was feeling attacked or pouty; the way he would grin when he got something right; the way he blushed and rubbed the back of his neck when embarrassed; the way he clamped his lips together when trying not to snort–

Every little thing that Jian Yu did was fugging adorable! And there was so much more!

Zeke recalled the day of confession and his heart went all giddy once more that he couldn’t stop his body from drumming in excitement.

And right now, they were planning to spend their first Christmas together at the newly opened carnival.

Well, actually not just them, there were also Mika, Clement, and Jian Yu’s younger brother who the Beta roped into joining. Dong-Hyun was supposed to join, but he ditched them for his mate, not that Zeke minded at all.

Because he really wanted to ditch this group of friends and robbed Jian Yu away so they could have their alone time.

Zeke decided to go to a florist, picking up a banquet of red roses, before meeting up with the rest. However, under all the giddiness, the Alpha noticed something strange on a perfectly snowy afternoon.

“Zeke! Over here!”

The Alpha glanced to his left, catching sight of Mika who waved his arms widely as if he wasn’t eye-catching enough.

Zeke grinned, bounding up to them, not before handing the banquet of red roses to Jian Yu, who blushed furiously. An image that Zeke quickly captured and stored inside his mind.

Mika whistled while Clement only rolled her eyes. What he didn’t expect was the daggers of glares sent by the younger brother.

Jian Yu laughed sheepishly, thanking him for the roses before apologizing for Rei’s behavior.

The group of friends chatted as they strolled into the carnival. There were various food stalls and games. Colorful clouds of cotton candy hung from different stalls, making the whole place bright and full of fun.

They played and laughed at each other, cheering when playing dart games, and Zeke paused– there was a sudden thud in his chest and he felt a little more out of breath than usual.