“I’m just following instructions,” he said. “Dr. Pace instructed me to admit you in here. You can take your reservations up with him when he returns for his shift at night. The police brought over your belongings. They’re in the drawer beside you.”
Both nurses flashed her a smile and left her to herself.
It was a restless couple of hours for her until she decided to pick up the phone to call her boss.
The bakery store owner answered and expressed his condolences for her accident in a sour voice. “The van has been sent in for repairs,” he mentioned bitterly. “It is going to cost a couple thousand dollars. You should have been careful.”
I was, she thought but didn't dare speak.
“I hope you have a speedy recovery,” he said. “Get well soon.”
She stared at the phone in despair as he hung up and didn’t realize that the tears had begun to run down her cheeks until the door opened. She wiped them away and turned to meet the watchful gaze of Dr. Caleb Pace.
Her heart gave a slight jolt. She watched him come over to her bedside, and with his hands in his pocket, check her vitals from the monitor. Without a word, he placed the buds of the stethoscope to her chest and listened to the beat of her heart.
She tried but failed to take her eyes away from him. He had a strong jaw and a straight nose, eyes that seared and a stance that spoke of his aloofness. He was clean shaven, a nice difference to the man she had seen a few days earlier, but his hair was a dark, unruly mass.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“Uh?” was her startled response as she shifted her gaze to his. “Um, I-I feel alright.”
“Any pain?”
“Just a discomfort around my chest and at the small of my back.”
“Have you eaten?”
“I had dinner a little while ago.”
“Do you want something different?”
For a few seconds, she battled with herself against her intended response, but in the end, she chose the path of prudence. “No, the hospital’s food is alright.”
“Liar,” he said, but it was muttered so low that she couldn’t take it up with him.
“I’ll send for a meal,” he announced, wrapped his stethoscope around his neck and walked out. She stared at him as he went, a bit flustered, but it was only a few moments later that she remembered all the questions and requests she needed to make of him. With a heavy sigh, she returned to her thoughts and pondered on her countless worries.
Less than twenty minutes later, the door opened once again, and in he came with a takeout bag. Without a word, he pulled the table over the bed and drew a chair to her side upon which he sat.
He began to place the dishes in front of her and when he was done, handed over a pair of chopsticks. Without speaking he tore open his bowl of black bean noodles and began to eat.
She didn’t know how to react, so she muttered her thanks and then pulled open her bowl of rice. Upon the sight of the black beans that littered the top, she paused for a moment. However, she picked up her spoon and put a handful in her mouth. She felt his eyes rest on her in that moment.
She ate with abandon, consuming the kimchi and seaweed soup as quickly as she could so that he could leave, and soon they were both done. He leaned against his chair and stared at her.
“I once knew someone who looked exactly like you,” he said. “She hated black beans though.”
She downed her plastic cup of water and met his gaze. “Really? I love them. Always have. Thanks for the meal.”
“What’s your story?” he asked.
“I... uh... I work for a bakery. I was returning from a delivery when I met the accident. I wasn’t able to stop my van on time.”
He stared into her eyes as she spoke, leaning ever so casually against the chair. “Is that all?”
She nodded.
“Your name is Joan?”
She nodded again.
“The tattoo between your breasts...” he said. “It’s interesting.”
Her face instantly began to burn a bright shade of red. Flustered at his bold comment, she tucked her hair behind her ears and brought them over her shoulder to fall down her chest. “Thank you,” she muttered in response.
“Care to explain its history?”
“I’d rather not,” she said, his intimidating presence getting to her. “I’d like to rest.”
He remained silent for a few more moments before he spoke again. “You performed a complicated procedure in the ER. It’s something that even residents sometimes have difficulty doing, yet you did it with a shard of glass in your abdomen and without the fear that you might take a life. Explain yourself.”
She worked up a smile at him. “I am incredibly sorry about that, I saw her struggling to breathe by my side and I just reacted without thought. I was scared that she would die.”
He didn’t respond. He just kept watching her and she knew that she was yet to answer the question that he had asked.
“I got into an accident about six years ago, and from it, I lost a part of my memory, as well as my parents, I was told. But I do have a cousin and it was he who told me all about myself. I’ve suspected my medical knowledge over the years but it was not until that night in the ER that I realized it. It felt as though my actions were second nature, I didn’t even have to think about the procedure that I carried out. Perhaps I was an ambulance personnel prior to my accident.”
“Hm,” he responded.
He rose then and began to walk away.
“Wait!” she called out and he stopped to shoot her a glance. “Why am I in a private ward? I cannot afford it. Please send me back to the general ward.”
He nodded and turned to leave but she stopped him yet again. “One more thing. How soon can I leave? I have to get back to work. I have bills overdue.”
“You can leave when I say so,” he responded, and before she could think of a reply, the door was shut behind him.
A few moments later, Kevin came in looking reluctant. “Why does he keep telling me to keep an eye on you?” he asked her and Joan shrugged her shoulders.
“You’re not going to run away without paying your bills, are you?” he asked, and for a brief second their eyes met.
He stopped in his tracks. “Don’t you dare,” he said, and she couldn’t help the smile that rose to her lips.
Chapter 5
Caleb returned to his office to find the Head Nurse awaiting him.
“I brought you a meal,” she said and lifted up the food flask. Caleb nodded politely to the older woman and ushered her in. He took off his white coat while she busied herself with setting out the food on his desk.
“Did you cook this?” he asked as he dragged the plate of beef casserole to himself.
“Of course I did.”
He grinned at her. “Okay.”
“I only included store bought wings for you that one time,” she said. “Once! The batch I had tossed in the oven got burnt and I was already late for my shift.”
“Okay,” he repeated and continued to eat.
He could feel her eyes on him as he ate and knew that she wanted to speak to him, otherwise she would have left. So he took a few more spoonfuls and began to pack the plates. She was surprised.
“You’re not eating it all?”
“I’ll finish it after midnight. I just had dinner with Miss Joan.”
“Oh,” she sighed and helped him to continue packing up the plates. “I’ll leave this in the staff room fridge,” she said and placed the food aside. “I want to talk to you.”
“Go ahead,” he said and listened attentively.
“The Director...” she began, “he has been here for three days already and you are yet to pay him a visit.”
“I’ve been exceptionally busy.”
She paused at his lackluster defense and continued as though he hadn’t said a word. “He has undergone multiple tests and observations thus far, to w
hich you have the results. Go see him to address them before he loses his temper. He might have been your father’s best friend but he is also a high authority figure. Our hospital is under the management of his.”
Caleb nodded in agreement.
“Put aside whatever reservations you may still harbor. You’ve already agreed to his surgery.”
He nodded again.
“Another thing,” she began, “Miss Joan.”
Although he tried, he couldn’t help the tightening of his insides, and the tension that stiffened his spine at her mention.
“Are you aware that I have in the past come across her picture in that drawer over there?”
Caleb nodded.
“Are they the same person?”
“They are,” he replied, “but she is refusing to acknowledge it. She is claiming partial memory loss.”
“Perhaps she is telling the truth?”
“Perhaps she is. I will find out either way. I know her, so she is bound to give something away sooner or later.”
“How certain are you that she is the one?”
Caleb chuckled. “There is no doubt in my mind that she is.”
“Alright,” the nurse said and rose to her feet. I hope you handle it properly.”
“I hope so too.”
She gave him an encouraging squeeze of his hand and took her leave.
Against his reluctance, he knew that he could not prolong the visit anymore so he stood up from his seat and left his office. A few minutes later, he arrived at the room of the Doldam Hospital Director and slid the door open.
His daughter Kate was sitting by his bed, her phone in her hands, while his eyes were shut. She lifted her gaze at his entrance and although it slightly widened at his presence, a scowl of offense followed.
Caleb ignored her. “Mr. Hades” he called and the man’s eyes flew open.”
“Caleb,” he called. “You have been rude. I’ve been here for a few days already and this is the first time I am laying eyes on you.”
“My apologies. I have been busy.”
He picked up the chart and began to read it but Director’s daughter recited out his progress sourly.
He blocked out her voice and concentrated, and when he was done, he pulled out a chair to sit. “I want to go through the risk of this procedure once again. You are-”
“I am an alcoholic,” the Director recited, “therefore although my surgery for ischemic colitis is not a complicated one, I stand the risk of delirium tremens. I have also been diagnosed with pneumatosis intestinalis which you will have to cut out. All these you have already mentioned. You still have the bad habit of treating everyone around you as though they were slow-witted.”
Caleb didn’t have a response. Instead, he reminded him of his promises. “Only two of the equipment you ordered for us have arrived. There remain four more, and until they arrive it will be difficult for me to continue with preparations for the surgery in good faith. Also, you promised us an increase in fund allocation and more doctors. I would like to see some fulfillment of these as your surgery date draws nearer.”
“Are you arranging a business deal or treating my father?” Kate scoffed in disgust. “Caleb, you have become too bold. He literally watched you grow up.”
Caleb ignored her and turned to the Director, his eyes as cold as his memories of them both.
“It will be done,” the Director said. “Be rest assured.”
“Alright then,” Caleb said and rose to his feet. “We have a few more tests to take after which you can return. I’ll contact you soon on your allocated surgery date.”
He turned around and went on his way.
He thought to head on to his office, but then he found himself heading down the dim corridor towards Aisha’s room. When he arrived, he looked through the glass door and alarm bells went off within him when he found that she was no longer there. He opened the door and upon confirming her absence, turned around and went down the hallway. He quickened his steps, his heart racing in fear. When he reached the end of the corridor and had still not sighted her, he pulled out his phone to make a call and turned towards the right.
“Manager Hogarth, quickly alert security,” he said.
“Why, what’s wrong?” the manager asked but as he was about to explain, he sighted her peeping into the Oncology Room.
“Never mind,” he said into the receiver and ended the call. He allowed himself a deep breath of relief and watched her as she moved away from the door and continued walking suspiciously down the corridor, rolling her IV stand along. She opened yet another door and fully entered the room. He walked over and leaned against the wall to await her. A few minutes later, she appeared at the door, her face full of disappointment, and gasped in shock when she saw him.
“Oh My God!” she said and for a moment, it was as though he was transported back in time. The memories of the countless times she had exclaimed just like that out of fear or shock came back to him in waves of nostalgia that left him feeling as though he would melt into a puddle. Such hold she had over him and he truly wondered if she had ever realized it. He could not imagine that she had, and had still found the guts to run away from him.
He finally got his brain to work. “What are you doing?” he asked, and she breathed deeply to calm herself. Thereafter, a breathtaking grin spread across her face and for a moment, he panicked that she had truly forgotten him. She was acting as though he were a complete stranger.
“Sightseeing,” she replied and he cocked an eyebrow at her.
She changed her tone. ”I needed the exercise,” she said and began to lightly kick out her legs. “It’s quite tiresome to remain in bed all day.”
“That was what you used to love to do the most,” he said and her response was a blink at the disturbing comment.
“What? Are you talking about me?”
He sighed and straightened himself, then with a look to confirm that there were no incoming visitors, he stood in front of her and took a step closer. Just as he had expected, she responded with one backward.
He stared down at her, making sure to look deeply into her eyes.
“You’re not searching for an escape route are you?”
Her blinding grin hacked bitter-sweetly at his heart. “Of course not, doctor,” she replied. “I am offended that you would suspect so. I might be poor but I am not irresponsible.”
He took another step closer to her, his hands in his pockets, and she took one more back. He lowered his voice as he spoke his next words. “Do you truly not remember me?” he asked.
She stared blankly at him and then shook her head. He retrieved a hand from his pocket and placed it upon the door above her head. Then he took another step closer and she crashed into the door from trying to avoid him.
“D-Dr. Pace,” she breathed. “What are you doing?”
He moved his gaze deliberately from her eyes, down her nose, and to rest on her mouth.
“Reminiscing,” he whispered. He felt his hands trembling at her mere presence, and was more than grateful that she could not see them. He knew that he appeared calm but a tornado was tearing his insides apart.
“D-Dr. Pace, I do not condone this,” she stuttered.
He returned his gaze back to her. “Condone what?” he asked, suddenly angry at her. He couldn’t tell if she was pretending or if she truly did not recall him and it tore his heart. She was giving nothing away.
“This,” she said.
“Push me away then,” he dared her and she gazed into his eyes. He could feel the air around him brimming with searing heat, and even though her eyes spoke of her reluctance, he could tell that her body refused to respond to the logic of her brain. Her free hand raised halfway to push him away, however it hung in mid-air as they both stared into the eyes of the other.
He watched as her eyes moved down to his lips and she swallowed with longing. His heart did a little triumphant dance. She wanted him too.
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She licked her suddenly parched lips and his head inched closer to hers. She did not move. He felt her raised hand finally settle against his chest and then her fingers slowly curl his scrubs into her fist.
She pulled him towards her, just a small, almost absent-minded tug, but it was all the permission that he needed. He brushed his lips against hers and the shot of pleasure down his groin made it hard for him to breathe.
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