She never expected those first aid lessons would actuallye in handy.


    Effie remembered the training well. The instructor had said that if you started CPR within four minutes of cardiac arrest, the chances of saving someone were much


    higher.


    Past those four minutes, brain cells could start suffering irreversible damage from theck of oxygen.


    Watching the man regain his breathing before being taken away by the paramedics, both Effie and Nita let out a collective sigh of relief.


    Nita cleared her throat, then reached out as if holding an invisible microphone. "Let''s do a quick interview-Miss Effie, were you scared at all just now? When you rushed over to help, did it cross your mind that he or his family might turn on you and me you if things went wrong?"


    Effie shook her head. "Honestly, my mind wentpletely nk. I just wanted him to start breathing again. There wasn''t time to think about anything else."


    "I mean, it''s a living, breathing person. How could I just stand by and do nothing?"


    Nita grinned. "Seriously, you''re amazing."


    "You look exhausted. I''m treating you to a massagee on, you deserve to rx." Nita insisted.


    Effie gave a rueful smile. "Don''t even joke, I really need it. My arms feel like they''re about to fall off."


    To Effie, the whole incident was just a small detour in her day. By the next morning, it was already fading from her mind.


    But when she got to work, someone unexpectedly came looking for her.


    Effie groaned inwardly. Please don''t let this be more trouble.


    Then a man appeared in the doorway, catching her off guard.


    "You''re..."


    The man stepped forward. "Hi, I''m Lionel. You saved my lifest night. If it weren''t


    for you, I wouldn''t have made it until the ambnce arrived."


    Effie replied, "It was nothing, just doing what anyone would do."


    Lionel asked, "Do you know who I am?"


    Effie found the question a bit odd, but something in his eyes gave her a hint.


    She answered, "Honestly, I didn''t know who you werest night and I still don''t, I''m not interested in your identity. You don''t need to thank


    me-it was just basic de thank ne


    Anyone else would have done the same. In the end, it was the doctors at the hospital who really saved you."


    Lionel looked stunned, clearly not expecting that response.


    Then he broke into a broad grin. "Either way, I really want to thank you. How about letting me buy you dinner?"


    Effie''s guard went up. "That''s not necessary."


    Lionelughed, picking up on her wariness. He''d half expected her to try to cozy up to him, but apparently, she was more worried about his intentions.


    She really was an interesting one.


    He handed her his business card. "No worries. Take this if you ever need anything, give me a call."


    Effie took the card. "Thank you."


    Lionel left, and Effie slipped his card into her purse without a second thought.


    That evening, Lyman called. "Want toe with me to a dinner tonight?" "Sure," Effie replied.


    "I''ll have Luther pick you up."


    Effie hesitated. "Is this a formal event? Should I dress up?"


    Lyman


    rxed, but Effie


    if it was a formal


    gathering and she showed


    underdressed, it would embarrass


    him.


    "Don''t worry, it''s just a casual get-together. Wear whatever you like," Lyman told her.


    Effie nodded, feeling a little relieved.