Cleo cannot understand what her brother is trying to say right now. She had an accident? But how? The last memory that Cloe remembered was her wedding day when she feels so alone and her grandmother is the only relative she have who attended it.

Herrace knows his sister very well. As a person who takes his role as a big brother seriously, he can easily read her mannerisms and facial expressions. It seems like Cleo cannot remember what happened to her. Seeing her having furrowed eyebrows and squinted eyes, Herrace knows that Cleo is not trying to act in front of him at all.

But before he can question her about it, a doctor accompanied by a female nurse entered the room. Herrace quickly made a space for them so they can examine his sister's condition more. Cleo remains quiet while answering a few questions that the doctor asks from her. While waiting, Herrace also takes this chance to call their parents and inform them that Cleo is now awake.

After the doctor's check-up, he instructed the nurse what to do next and prepare the medicines that Cleo will need to take for the next few days. While the nurse is busy checking the dextrose connected to his sister's arm, Herrace invited the doctor outside the room to ask him about Cleo's condition. Herrace mentioned that his sister seems a bit weird ever since she woke up earlier. He also informed that she looks a bit lost and spacing out a few times.

The doctor explained to him in simple words that Cleo probably had a temporary trauma due to her accident. Seeing the small cut on her right temple, it seems like she received a hard impact on her head at that time. Luckily, she did not receive any serious injuries aside from the bruises and minor cuts that her body received in the accident. The doctor advised to let the patient have a lot of rest and avoid making her stressed and tired for fast recovery.

After thanking the doctor, Herrace entered the room again. The nurse just finished what she needs to do and quietly leaves the room. Now that the siblings are alone, Herrace can now clearly see the obvious confusion on Cleo's face.

"Brother, did I really get into an accident?" Cleo asked in an unsure tone of voice.

"Yeah. To be honest with you, that accident was so big that it got reported and broadcasted on television." Herrace replied.

Herrace sits on the chair he placed next to Cleo's bed and starts explaining what happened a few days ago. According to the investigation, a drunk truck driver suddenly made a turn that made the other people's cars behind him unprepared and they collided into it. Some cars tried to avoid the truck by moving their steering wheels in the other direction but it was just a futile attempt.

One of those people is Cleo.

According to the police who investigated her car, Cleo probably tried to avoid colliding with those cars by moving in another direction. But she lost control and her car was hit on a tree. The onlookers found her bleeding and unconscious inside the car and they quickly called an ambulance to help her and the other victims of that accident. After that, Herrace and their parents received a call and notice from a hospital saying Cleo got into an accident and they quickly rushed to see her condition.

"Your doctor said you had a minor concussion after your examination the first day you were brought here. Seeing that you are now awake and aware of your surroundings means there is nothing wrong with your body coordination. You just have to rest for the next two weeks until you fully recover." Herrace explained before letting out a sigh.

Although her brother explained everything to her as clear as day, Cleo is still confused and lost on what really happened to her. Cleo's brain really wants to reject her brother's explanation. How can she be involved in a huge car accident when she was supposed to be in a reception room with their grandmother? She also cannot remember leaving the reception venue with a car at that time too.

"As much as I want to scold you right now, the doctor told me not to stress you out. So let us take these things very simple, okay? From now on, I will not allow you to drive alone. I will also confiscate all of your car keys. And lastly, I will hire a good driver that can drive you anywhere you want to go."

"What?"

"You cannot change my mind on this one, Cleo Andrews. Not this time." Herrace said in a serious voice. "Look at what happened. You almost died in that accident, Cleo! Fortunately and thankfully, your luck is too good. I thought I lost my soul for a moment when I heard you got into an accident over the phone. Even mom almost fainted after seeing you unconscious and so pale on the hospital bed."

Herrace takes another deep breath before he continues.

"Cleo, I know that you are still in your rebellious phase. Trust me, I also had a phase like that a few years ago so I can completely understand you. But it does not mean you can just leave without informing anyone because we did not allow you to join your class trip abroad."

"Class trip?" Cleo asked again.

"Your class decided to go abroad for a whole week just to unwind after finishing your final examinations."

Herrace clicked his tongue when he remembered it again. Cleo had already experienced going to different foreign countries in the past. But it is different since Herrace or their parents is always accompanying her in those places. They did not allow Cleo to go on a foreign land all alone until now.

So when Cleo asked permission from their parents if she can go with her classmates, they are quick to say no. Even Herrace has the same opinion as them. They are not allowing Cleo to go not because they do not want her to enjoy her semestral break. They are not allowing it because the people who will come with her are mostly boys that have a lot of bad reputations.

Although Cleo is spoiled, unreasonable most of the time, and shows her viciousness sometimes, Herrace is still not willing to let his sister join her classmates. He already made a quick background check on those guys and most of them are all experts in playing with a girl's heart and always changing their girlfriends every month. He does not want Cleo to be hurt and get influenced by them. Herrace will always allow Cleo to be spoiled but he will not let any person hurt or touch his sister.

When Cleo repeatedly received a clear rejection from her family, she stomped her feet to show her bad temper at them and quickly disappeared from their sight. But what they did not know was Cleo snatched one of her car keys and left their house without saying anything. And just an hour after she left, they received a call from a hospital.

"I should have steeled my heart years ago and give you a few smacks when you are still a kid." Herrace said as he carefully massage his temples. "You are already in college and but you still dare to act like a child."

'Wait. College? Me? But I already graduated five years ago!'

"Brother..." Cleo softly called him.

"What is it?"

"How... How old am I right now?"

Herrace suddenly stops what he is doing and looks at Safina with a complicated look on his face.

"Do I have to call the doctor again? Do you feel any pain? Headaches? Dizziness?"

"No need for that, brother. I think I am still confused that is why I am asking you."

Though he looks unconvinced, Herrace still nodded his head in understanding.

"So how old am I again this year?" Cleo carefully asked.

"You are currently eighteen, Cleo. You celebrated your eighteenth birthday three months ago."