"Mom, I wouldn't subject anyone to that kind of torture. Besides, this kind of love you've described doesn't happen," I said.
"It does, sweetheart. You only need to find the right person," My mom insisted.
"Come on, dad, can you please make her see reason?" I turned to him imploringly.
"I have to agree with her, Alan. You're a fine young man. You deserve all the love, care, and attention you can get from a good woman," My dad said.
"I should have known you would take sides with mom," I said with a sigh. "But it's not going to happen, mom."
"Won't you at least give it a try with Diana?" My mom asked.
"And have my hopes raised? Then have my heartbroken when she realizes I’m infertile and she leaves? Mom, as much as I appreciate you looking out for me, I'm sorry, but I can't do that to myself. Not again. Trust me, it's best for everyone," I said.
"Please, just think about it," My mom pleaded. My eyes widened as I saw her eyes filling with tears, her lips trembling as she tried to hold them back.
"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked as I crossed over to sit next to her.
"I … " she started to say before tears started slipping from her eyes. Immediately, my dad joined us and sat on Mom’s other side and wrapped his arm around her.
"Mom, why are you crying?" I asked gently.
"You don't deserve all that you have gone through. You deserve the best," She sobbed as she looked at me with red-rimmed eyes.
"Mom, please stop crying," I said as I tried to console her.
"Promise to try it with Diana. If it doesn't work, I promise to leave you to your own devices," She said as more tears fell down her cheeks.
"Mom … " I started to say quietly.
"Please," She said; she looked so vulnerable.
There is no way I'll be able to deny her this request now.
"Fine, I'll give it a go," I said resignedly and watched a smile light up her face.
"But please don't get your hopes up, mom. I’m not promising anything," I said.
"I’m just happy that you’re willing to try," She gushed.
"Okay, I'm glad I'm able to make you smile," I said.
"Thank you," She whispered while my dad smiled at me. I merely shrugged as I looked at the two of them, clearly excited at the prospect of me being in a relationship. I had been so caught up trying to get myself over my heartbreak that I hadn't realized how my situation had affected them. Just giving her a tour won’t hurt. I told myself as I left their place later that evening. They had tried to make me spend the night, but I wanted to have some time alone to think about the events of the night.
Chapter 4: Dr. Rock
Dr. Rock
"Wow," I muttered as I stared around the crowd. I was surrounded by my colleagues wearing glamorous attire; they looked almost unrecognizable to me. It was two weeks after the eventful dinner at my parent's house. I hadn't been able to make time for the tour I had promised Diana since then, even though she frequently called to ask about it. Tonight my colleagues and I were at the dinner organized for us by the hospital.
I was wearing a black suit, which I had purchased a few days earlier. I wasn't one to go shopping, but I hadn’t had anything suitable to wear to the dinner.
I moved further into the room and watched everyone as they stood in twos and threes, happily chatting while slow music played in the background. I had to admit that the room looked amazing.
What am I going to do before we are called in to sit for dinner? I thought to myself as I stared around. I had no friends, so I couldn't go join anyone to start a conversation. Maybe, I should just look around. I started walking around the room but there wasn’t much to occupy my attention. I was about to go back to where I had been standing when I saw an open door. Curiosity got the better part of me, and I decided to see where it led. I was delighted to find a garden with a lone bench. I took a sharp intake of breath as the cool breeze hit my face. I sat on the bench and leaned my head backward with my eyes closed while I savored the cool air. I would go back to the hall as soon as we were called in.
"Would you mind if I joined you?" At this, I snapped my eyes open only to find myself staring into a set of beautiful blue eyes.
"Dr. Rock?" She said as she watched me carefully. I frowned as I realized who it was; it was Dr. Elsa, one of my colleagues.
"Sure," I said even though it was the total opposite of what I really wanted.
"Thank you." I moved along the bench and she sat next to me.
"You're welcome," I said with a shrug.
"What are you doing out here all by yourself when the party is just starting?" She asked.
"I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing out here when you could be in there, mingling with the numerous men throwing themselves at you?" I fired at her with raised eyebrows. I've always tried to avoid having anything to do with Dr. Elsa because I had seen on numerous occasions how she had effortlessly woven her web around the men at the hospital. She was just like Stella, who had always found it easy to wrap any man around her fingers. I wanted to stay away from women, especially ones who reminded me of Stella.
"I see, so you noticed that after all," She said with a smile that I was sure made men flock to her. Despite my best efforts, I could feel my body reacting to the smile as well.
"Who wouldn't? You are the lady most men at the hospital want to be with," I scoffed, ignoring how her smile made me feel.
"I see, and that's a problem?" She asked with raised eyebrows, staring at me as if she could see right through me.
"Of course not, I don’t care if you flirt your way through the hospital," I replied off-handedly. Why did she think that I would be affected by what she did at the hospital?
"I don't flirt my way around, as you so nicely put it. I just try to be polite and cheerful to the people around me and not put on a grumpy face as though I just had a fight with somebody, unlike some people I know of," She retorted.
"Wait a minute, are you talking about me here?" I asked in confusion.
"If the shoe fits," She said with a shrug.
"If I want to be by myself, it doesn't mean that I'm grumpy or whatever. However, you can't understand that, so I'll just leave you to enjoy the air. I’d rather be inside, bored out of my mind than spend any more time with you," I said as I stood, intending to go back in. I stopped short as she grabbed my wrist before I could move further. What made me stop was the strange current I felt pass through us when we touched.
"I'm sorry, you have the right to act whatever way pleases you. If anyone should leave, it should be me," She said softly.
"It's fine," I said, and my eyes widened because I didn't know why I said that. It must be because of the feeling when she grabbed my hand, I thought.
"You wouldn't mind sitting beside me again, right?" She asked hopefully.
"Of course not," I said as I took my seat beside her once more. I let it a sigh of relief as she let go of my hand, but disappointment washed through me at the loss of the contact. What on earth is happening?
"Is it boring inside?" She asked with a smile.
"Obviously, you wouldn't be here if it wasn't, right?" I said as I watched her carefully.
"That’s fair enough, I stepped out for the fresh air," she said with a shrug.
"I see, and your fans let you slip away so easily?" I asked with raised eyebrows.
"My fans?" She asked before she burst into laughter. I gasped inwardly as her beautiful features became even more pronounced. No wonder every man wanted her.
"Yes, your fans," I said, averting my gaze from her before I became too entranced.
"Okay, first off, they aren't my fans. I just like to keep a light, friendly environment. So, I make sure people are free to talk to me at any time," she said as she watched me.
"Oh, I see," I said.
"Yes," She said and was silent, making me look back at her. That was a big mistake because I became captivated by her gaze.
"Ahem," She coughed as she broke the stare and l
ooked away.
"Is this your first time at the annual dinner?" She asked after an awkward pause.
"Yes, it is," I said with a shrug.
"Any reason you haven't attended before?" She asked.
"It's not something that interests me," I said honestly.
"Oh, I see, and what changed this year?" She seemed genuinely interested in me.
"I promised Dr. Edward that I would attend, so here I am," I said with another shrug.
"That's good of him. Trust me, these events aren't meaningless and can be quite fun if you give them a chance," She said softly.
"You think?" I asked with raised brows.
"I know, I've attended it several times, and I still keep coming back."
"I see," I said.
"Yes, people have a good time, and the donations are really helpful for the community," She said enthusiastically.
"Well, that’s good," I said. We both went silent after this, doing nothing but staring at each other.
"You're a very handsome man, and this suit is gorgeous − you look so smart," She said after a long pause.
"Is that one of the lines you use on them?" I asked softly while I stared at her. Our gazes were locked, and it felt like I couldn't take my eyes away from hers even if I tried.
"No, it's not a line. I mean it. You are one handsome man Alan," She whispered. In a moment, our heads had drawn impossibly closer until we could feel each other's breath on our faces and how lips were almost touching. We abruptly separated as we heard a door slam.
"Ahem," I coughed as I stood up, looking everywhere except at her.
"I better go back in now. I'm sure dinner will start soon," I said as I hurriedly left the garden and went back inside before she could say anything. My heart was beating so fast I was scared it would explode at any minute. What just happened out there? I thought as I joined the crowd inside. I let out a sigh of relief as I leaned against a pillar. Had I just been about to kiss Dr. Elsa? What on earth is happening to me? Women are off-limits, especially flirty ones like that.
We were ushered into dinner a few minutes later, and I was still trying to wrap my mind around the situation. I gasped as I saw the well-arranged tables and chairs and the impressive decorations, what had almost happened between Dr. Elsa and me momentarily forgotten. If I had thought the first room was stunning, then this was on another level. Each table was arranged with place cards. It was at this point I realized the usefulness of the cards we had been asked to take before we had entered. I stared at the card in my hand, which said table fifteen. My eyes darted around in search of the table before I finally saw it a few feet away. I moved towards it, just like the others trying to find their table. In minutes, I had settled down in my seat, waiting for the other members of my table. The first person arrived, and I recognized him as Dr. Gabriel.
"Good evening," He said in a soft deep voice.
"Good evening," I responded as I watched him take her seat. I watched people around me finding their seats. My gaze drifted to the entrance, but then I looked away as I saw Dr. Elsa walk in. You can end this dinner and not have any contact with her, I thought to myself. However, I couldn't help myself as I returned my gaze to where I had seen her standing, but I was disappointed when I couldn't find her.
I turned as I heard the chair beside me pull back, announcing the arrival of another table member. I gaped as I saw that it was none other than Dr. Elsa.
"Good evening," She said with a grin as she looked at the other doctor and me. I recovered from the shock and quickly diverted my attention away from her when I caught Dr. Gabriel gawking at her. Oh, he is also a fan, I thought. That was enough to dampen the effect she had on me.
"Good evening," Dr. Gabriel said with a charming smile.
"Good evening," I muttered under my breath. Everyone had almost settled when the last member of the table joined us. Soon, the annual dinner started in earnest. I tried concentrating on what was happening, but I was conscious of Dr. Elsa's presence beside me. I couldn't explain how she was evoking this kind of feeling in me. All I knew was that she could do it effortlessly. I caught her stealing glances at me on several occasions while I pretended that the event had most of my attention.
"Now, to the most interesting part of the evening," The host announced sometime later.
"Handsome doctors in the house, can you step forward?" The host asked, causing me to frown. I watched as the other male doctors stood.
"You should join them because you are handsome, and it's for a good cause," Dr. Elsa whispered beside me.
"What's happening?" I asked her.
"It's like an auction but with you men as the highlight of the day," She said casually.
"What?" I hissed as I gaped at her like she had grown two heads.
"It’s nothing really. A simple date, and that's only if the doctor who bids on you insists on it," She said, grinning at my reaction.
"I don't still see how any of that is for a good cause," I said with a bewildered expression.
"The money bid is used to help the sick people at our hospital and the hospitals at the neighboring town.”
"I can still see a handsome man right there," The host announced, pointing in my direction. I was embarrassed as everyone in the room looked at me.
"Good luck," I heard Dr. Elsa chuckle as I stood and walked towards the front, feeling my face burning with embarrassment.
"Now, beautiful doctors in the house, we have some very handsome doctors here who will go on a date with you for a donation. Doesn't that sound good?" The host said while I watched coy smiles on the faces before me.
"If you have been thinking of asking any of them out on a date without looking awkward, this is your golden opportunity. These men need little shoves sometimes you know," The host continued, earning chuckles from the crowd.
"Now, without further ado, let's begin," He moved to the first person in the line.
I watched him exchange a silent conversation with the first doctor. I recognized him, but I couldn't remember his name.
"Right here we have Dr. Ambrose, cardiologist. I'm sure you all know what that means. It means he cares for the heart, so one of you might get lucky and have him take care of your heart," The host said to yet more laughter.
"Now, let's start the bidding at $100!" He announced.
"150!" Someone called out.
"170!" Another doctor shouted, and it went on like that till someone made a bid of $500. Then the process repeated with the next doctor and onto the next one. Who will bid on me? I hope whoever it is doesn’t take the dating aspect seriously. I realized it was my turn and the host was next to me.
"Your name and your specialty," The host whispered. Oh, so that’s what he was asking the others.
"Dr Alan Rock, Cardiologist," I said.
"Beautiful ladies, we have another very handsome cardiologist, Dr. Rock!" He announced. "$100!" He started the same way as he had done with the others.
"$500!" I heard from behind. Wait a minute, that's Dr. Carmen. Why is she bidding me?
"750!" Someone else said. I could see Dr. Carmen smiling at me.
"800!" Dr. Elsa called. She’s bidding on me too?
"1000!" Dr. Carmen announced. The air seemed to have grown thick with anticipation.
"1500!" Dr. Elsa said, causing me to gasp. The host was now looking from Dr. Carmen to Dr. Elsa with amusement. The bidding went on until Dr. Elsa made a bid of $2000, and Dr. Carmen conceded defeat.
"Going, going, gone!" The host announced to my relief. I'm sure this would be a good piece of gossip when we returned to the hospital.
"What was that all about?" I whispered as I returned to my seat.
"What?" Dr. Elsa feigned ignorance while I glared at her.
"What was with all those biddings?" I asked urgently.
"I told you it's for a good cause, didn't I?" She asked with raised eyebrows.
"What?" I whispered.
"We’ll draw attention to ourselves if we keep this up," She
said with a grin while still facing the front. "Not that I mind that but I know how you are about these things, so we really should stop talking." I gaped at her for a few moments before I decided to enjoy the rest of the evening.
"A date or your first dance?" Dr. Elsa suddenly asked as the host finished the auctioning.
"Excuse me?" I asked with a puzzled expression.
"You can choose to go on a date with me now, or you can dance with me, and there won't be a need for a date anymore. Not that I mind if you want to give me both, but I'm sure you aren't that generous with these things," Dr. Elsa said as she watched me intently. A date or a dance. Definitely a dance, I don’t want to be worrying about going on a date with her.
"I'll go for the dance," I said.
"I thought as much," Dr. Elsa said with a broad grin. I watched her for a moment before I returned my attention to the front just as the host introduced the band and invited people up to the dancefloor.
"Shall we?" Dr. Elsa asked as she held out her hand for me to hold. I was nervous of taking it after what had happened at our contact earlier. Nevertheless, I gave in and took her hand. As expected, the electric current passed through my hand again, but I was able to control myself and followed her to the dancefloor. The band had started with a slow song, and I held one of her hands in mine while my other hand moved to her waist. What the hell is this? I thought as I felt shivers run through me as I held her. I felt the unexpected stirring of an erection in my pants.
"Are you okay?" She asked as we started moving slowly to the rhythm of the music. She must have noticed how tense I was.
"Yes, I’m fine," I said without looking her in the eye.
"You should relax so you can enjoy the music," She said softly.
"Okay," I whispered, and I made the mistake of looking down till our eyes met. Everything around me seemed to come to a halt as I lost myself in her gaze.
"Mesmerizing," She whispered as I looked into her eyes.
"Why did you bid on me when most of our colleagues would have been over the moon if you bid on them?" I said.
"You aren't most of our colleagues. Besides, why would I settle for less when I can have the most handsome man dancing with me?" She asked, and I gasped at her words. Women are off the menu, remember? Whatever reaction you have with her is just because you've been away from a woman for so long. It's nothing more than hormones. I'm sure that by the time the night is over, all of this will be in the past. We moved to the song for a few more minutes before it stopped playing, everyone applauded the band and they began to play a new song. Dr. Elsa didn’t let go of my hand.
Dr. Rock (Healing Hands Book 5): A Steamy Workplace Romance Page 4
