Chapter 8: A Favor

Words : 1761 Updated : Sep 24th, 2025

Wyrm Bay Villas, Leaville. This was where the wealthy lived. Each villa stood alone with its own garden and an outdoor pool. As Harley's car rolled up to the gate, the iron gate opened automatically. "We're here." Harley cut the engine and stepped out. Ramon got out after her. He looked up, took in the villa, then followed her. "Harley, here to see grandpa again?" Margaret's voice floated over just as Harley opened the door, warmth in every word. "Grandma, where's Grandpa?" Harley had invited Ramon to treat her grandfather, Alberto. She got straight to the point. "In the backyard." Margaret glanced at Ramon's security uniform and thought nothing of it, assuming he was just the driver Harley brought along. They headed into the backyard. Alberto lay dozing in a rattan recliner, his breathing deep and even. "Hey, wake up. Harley's here to see you." Margaret touched his arm and gave the chair a gentle rock. Alberto stirred. His eyes opened, clear with affection. "Come to see me again, huh?" "Grandpa, how have you been feeling lately?" Harley moved closer, concern creasing her brow. "The same old trouble. Nothing new." Alberto let out a small laugh, outwardly unconcerned. He'd lived long enough to have made his peace with life and death. "Grandpa, this is one of my employees. He knows traditional medicine. Let him take a look at you." Harley gestured toward Ramon as she introduced him. Only then did her grandparents give Ramon a proper once-over. "You're so young and already know traditional medicine. Not bad, not bad," Alberto said approvingly, though he didn't get his hopes up. He understood his granddaughter's good intentions. "Thank you," Ramon replied simply. "Grandpa, he's really good. I saw it myself. Let him check you." Harley, worried Alberto might refuse, quickly reassured him. "All right, all right. If you vouch for him, how could I not trust him? Young man, help this old fellow out," Alberto said, smiling indulgently at Harley before nodding to Ramon. "Ms. Ashby, could you please bring me a set of silver needles?" Ramon asked. "Okay, give me a second." Harley turned and hurried off. While she was gone, Alberto sized up Ramon and lowered his voice. "Young man, I've had this disease for years. At my age, surgery's not ideal. Whatever happens, say something reassuring so Harley doesn't worry." "Understood," Ramon said. Before long, Harley returned with a slim case of silver acupuncture needles. She handed it to Ramon. "Will these do?" "They're perfect." He took the case and nodded. "Sir, lie back a little more for me," Ramon said to Alberto. "All right." Alberto scooted down a bit, lay straighter, and kept still. Ramon took his pulse. When he finished, he said nothing more. He drew a needle and, with quick precision, slid it into an acupoint near the heart. One after another, he placed several more at the corresponding acupoints. He didn't stop at just inserting them. He began to work the needles, channeling energy through them. Each needle trembled so faintly it was barely visible. Harley couldn't see what Ramon was doing, but Alberto felt it. A gentle current flowed from the needles, radiating through his chest. The sensation was, surprisingly, pleasant. You can tell a master as soon as they get to work. Alberto's eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face. Ramon was the real deal. About ten minutes in, a fine sheen of sweat formed on Alberto's forehead. The energy pulsing from the needles suffused his body with warmth. He wanted to ask questions, but held back, not wanting to break Ramon's concentration. He might have claimed to accept fate, but no one really wanted to live with illness if there was a way out. He only resigned himself because he had no choice. Watching Ramon's hands, he felt a spark of hope ignite within him. Once he finished the technique, Ramon withdrew the needles one by one. He looked at Alberto and said, "Sir, I'll prescribe two packets of herbal medicine to stabilize your body. You'll be fully recovered in about two weeks." "Two weeks?" All three thought they had misheard. Harley's eyes lit up. "Can my grandpa's heart condition really be cured?" "Strictly speaking, it's already cured. The herbs will help stabilize it." Ramon closed the case and offered it to Harley. She was so stunned she forgot to take it. "Thanks, Doctor." Alberto's voice carried its usual authority. He knew his own body better than anyone. The heaviness that had weighed on his chest for years felt, for the first time, remarkably light. "Grandpa, how do you feel?" Harley asked, moving closer. "Much better. Just like the doctor said, I feel fine." Alberto laughed, buoyant with relief. "I'll call another doctor to run some tests," Harley said, and she dashed toward the house. A heart disease was cured with needles in a dozen minutes. No one would believe it. Harley trusted Ramon's skill, but she'd never imagined a heart disease could be reversed so quickly. She left quickly and came back even faster, with a doctor in tow. He was the personal physician she'd hired for Alberto. "Mr. Alberto, Ms. Ashby says your heart condition has been cured. I'll examine you right away," the doctor said, already lifting his stethoscope. Then he used the equipment to run a full set of tests. It took about half an hour for him to finish. "This... How is this possible?" He stared at the results, stunned. He believed in traditional medicine and respected its strengths, but a heart disease fixed with a few needles was unheard of. "What is it?" Harley asked, catching the shock on his face. "It's truly healed. This is nothing short of a miracle," the doctor said, awe in his voice. He knew that without surgery, heart disease didn't just resolve, especially at Alberto's age. Yet the test results were right in front of him. He couldn't deny them. "Young man, I'm Aaron. How did you do it?" The doctor turned to Ramon, respectful and curious. "Traditional medicine is vast and profound. It's hard to explain," Ramon replied with a small smile. After all, he'd guided energy through the needles—something most people would find hard to believe. Aaron figured he was protecting a trade secret and nodded. "That was presumptuous of me. I'm sorry."

Chapter 8: A Favor

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