Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

“What?!” Seno growled when his assistant informed him of something that made his blood boil instantly. Seno’s neck felt tight, but he tried to endure it. In a few minutes, Seno would be going up on stage for the launch of his new drug that he had been working on: Escitalopram.

The drug was planned to be distributed massively to the public at subsidized prices considering… Seno was currently launching an action to reap unlimited profits from the side effects it would produce.

“Contact the Police Chief! I want to talk to him!” Seno replied gruffly before hanging up. He took a deep breath and tried to stabilize his erratic heartbeat. This time, Seno couldn’t afford to lose track of Lara.

“What’s wrong? Why do you look like that?” Olivia asked, joining him behind the stage.

“It’s none of your business,” Seno replied quickly. Lately, Seno’s tension had been rising drastically. This was due to failure after failure in getting rid of Lara and Mahya. He couldn’t afford to fall into the same pit again: poverty, just because of two people with big mouths.

“Sir, it’s time,” an event assistant signaled to Seno to go up on stage. There, Seno would give a short speech and introduce his latest drug. Covered with some sweet nothings, Seno was sure his plan would succeed.

***

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lara still looked lonely. She didn’t want Andre’s company even though the doctor’s professional duty was over. Lara didn’t want to discuss matters of romance with her friend anymore.

“Ugh… it’s so stuffy in here,” Lara muttered. She felt like she had been cooped up in the treatment room for too long. “Nurse, can I take a walk in the garden?” she asked when a nurse came in to change her IV fluid.

“Wait for the doctor’s approval first, Ma’am. Let me change your IV first,” she said while performing her duties as a working nurse.

Lara nodded slowly as she looked outwards. The afternoon weather was quite bright, after several days of rain during this time. Lara wanted to breathe fresh air outside while relaxing her tense body. Being a patient truly made her feel fragile and vulnerable. Lara wanted to get back to normal activities and… find her missing child!

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Lara,” greeted a doctor who was well known to her.

“Afternoon, Doctor Andre,” Lara replied shortly with a forced smile. She felt uncomfortable.

Andre cleared his throat. He also seemed awkward because he had rushed to express his feelings. Andre thought that was the right time, but he was wrong.

“What’s bothering you?” Andre asked, walking closer to Lara. His broad chest was covered in a doctor’s suit, making him look like a prince in a fairy tale, if it weren’t for the stethoscope hanging around his neck.

“Ah, well… for now, nothing, Doctor,” Lara said softly. “I want to take a walk in the garden, is it allowed?” she pleaded. Even her eyes were teary, deliberately, so Andre would allow her to go out. Lara really wanted to breathe fresh air.

“Hmm…” Andre seemed to consider something, momentarily, he felt sorry for Lara’s gaze. That gaze was the same as when she was a child. If Andre had her favorite strawberry ice cream, she would definitely ask for it, even if there was still some left.

The end result was predictable, of course, Andre gave in. Lara’s face was like a helpless kitten in need of attention. It was understandable if Andre then felt pity.

“Yes, you may, but there’s a condition,” Andre replied, folding his arms across his chest.

“Yes? What’s the condition?” Lara wanted to know.

Andre just smiled at Lara’s question. In his heart, he wanted to immediately set the condition that she could only go out with him, but… considering there was also a nurse there, Andre wouldn’t compromise his dignity.

“If accompanied by a guardian, yes, you may. If you plan to stroll around by yourself, I’m afraid I will not let you do that,” he continued.

Lara widened her eyes. “A guardian? Where do I find a guardian?” She retorted to the doctor as if he were mocking her. Andre laughed again. “Bi Yani, please come in,” he said. Not long after, Bi Yani came from the waiting room in front.

“Mrs. Lara,” she called out, tears welling up. “Thank goodness you’re okay,” she added, holding Lara’s hands tightly with tears of joy.

“Bi Yani! How did you know I’m here?” Lara’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn’t known that Bi Yani was the one handling all her administrative matters while Mahya was also in a coma.

“Who else if not me, Ma’am?” Bi Yani smiled and caressed Lara’s head like her own daughter. They were one generation apart. Bi Yani truly was like an aunt to Lara, replacing her deceased mother.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Are you feeling better, Ma’am?” Bi Yani asked with concern. Lara nodded softly. She felt very happy that Bi Yani was with her now. “I missed you, Auntie. Thank goodness we met again,” she said, shedding tears.

Bi Yani smiled and hugged Lara, patting her employer’s back gently. She also echoed the happiness felt by Lara. “I missed you too.”

Andre was touched by the scene before him. He bid farewell because he felt it was okay to leave Lara now. Bi Yani would now take care of Lara, replacing him.

“Thank you, Ndre,” Lara said sincerely, waving her hand.

“Do let me know if you need anything, Lara,” Andre said, concluding his duties for the day.

Lara then talked with Bi Yani and laid out her plans to take a walk in the garden. Andromeda Hospital wasn’t unfamiliar to her; Lara had been treated here before, often even.

“There’s a beautiful garden behind this room, shall we go for a walk there?” Lara asked for her former assistant’s approval.

“Great idea, and the weather is sunny, it’ll be delightful,” Bi Yani replied, helping Lara to stand up. They then walked slowly through the corridors to reach the intended garden.

The greenery and blooming flowers of various colors made the garden look beautiful. The fresh fountain water also added to the beauty of the landscape. Lara and Bi Yani chose an empty bench near the flower bed on the west side of the fountain.

“So, tell me, where has Bi Yani been all this time?” Lara asked curiously. “I’ve been waiting, why didn’t you come back to my house?” she added with a slightly melancholic tone.

“Sorry, Ma’am. I was busy in the village, taking care of my mother’s paperwork. When I visited your house, I heard there was a new maid, so I decided to leave,” Bi Yani explained with her characteristic smile.

“Who said that?”

“Your new driver. I forgot his name.”

“Oh, that’s Seno’s driver. How insolent!” Lara growled. She seemed unhappy with the driver’s unilateral decision that harmed her. “The more assistants, the better! He’s so audacious!”

“Enough, Ma’am. Maybe that’s also part of fate. If I were still working there… maybe we wouldn’t be able to meet like this,” Bi Yani tried to console Lara. However, instead of feeling comforted, Lara was startled. “You’re right. This is better,”

She imagined Bi Yani’s vulnerable safety if she continued to be her assistant. A woman as strong as Mahya was struck by a truck and fell into a coma, let alone an elderly woman like her? Bi Yani was Lara’s person, Seno would not hesitate to finish her off.

“What really happened, Ma’am? Why did everything end up like this? I really don’t understand,” she asked worriedly. The wounds on Lara’s body explained that her marriage boat brought disaster.

“It’s a long story. You don’t need to get too involved. It’s dangerous,” Lara didn’t want to tell the truth.

“Who knows, maybe I can help, Ma’am. Mrs. Lara has helped me a lot,” Bi Yani insisted. Even at the age of 50, Bi Yani believed she was still useful to Lara. Bi Yani also regularly exercised, she wasn’t an old woman who was vulnerable and could still be relied upon.

“Let it be, Auntie. Having Bi Yani accompany me is enough. Thank you,” Lara said, looking straight at her. Bi Yani sighed and nodded in understanding. Perhaps Lara was right in her considerations, she shouldn’t get involved in secretive matters.

“Let’s go back, shall we? The dark clouds are coming!” Bi Yani exclaimed after looking up to check the suddenly darkening sunny weather.

“Let’s,” Lara agreed. She felt content with this short walk. Lara and Bi Yani would return to their room.

As before, they passed through the corridors before reaching Lara’s treatment room. While they were chatting and walking back to the room, suddenly, a stranger asked for help. Bi Yani helped him find the room he was looking for. “Wait here for a moment, Ma’am,” she requested. Lara nodded.

“It’s difficult when you’re too attentive,” Lara muttered, laughing. Actually, Bi Yani could have directed him to the guard or nurse at the end of the corridor, but that was Bi Yani’s nature, she was a hands-on person.

Lara waited patiently while looking around. However, what she didn’t realize was that the man who had gotten lost was actually just pretending, leaving Lara unguarded.

A man in a black hat and looking suspicious was seen walking quickly towards Lara. Then… suddenly…