Chapter 51

51 How He Cares

“Wow, really...” I said in awe.

“Yup. It’s not as big of a deal as you think but it does mean that I have to take care of his case along with the other doctors,” Adrian said.

“I see...” I mumbled.

Adrian flashed me a smile before he started taking off his suit and, in its place, he put on his white doctor coat again.

‘Welcome back, Doctor Adrian’ I said to myself in my mind as I smiled at him. One day I’ll get used to this transition of his, but not today.

Soon, I found out that Adrian was right. I did recognize the politician immediately. He’s the minister of foreign affairs and is often seen on television during news segments.

“Doctor Adrian, thank you helping me out today,” the man said with a friendly smile.

“It always a pleasure to have you here at our hospital. How have you been feeling?” Adrian asked with a look of genuine concern.

“Like usual. The treatment last time worked very well,” the minister replied.

.....

“Then let’s do the usual monitoring tests to follow up from last time,” Adrian suggested.

“Sure. Thank you,” the minister readily agreed.

“This way please. I’ll also have the same team of doctors assist you with the entire procedure. It’s the same as last time so there’s nothing for you to worry about,” Adrian reassured the man.

“Great great...” the minister said approvingly.

Together with Adrian and the other doctors on the team, we walked from the lobby to private rooms for VVIP patients and then to test rooms where the machines necessary for the procedures were located. Apparently, the minister of foreign affairs had a chronic lung condition that was treated before but needed monthly monitoring through tests and x-ray scans.

By the time that we were done sending the minister back to his car in front of the hospital, my ankle felt quite sore, and it became challenging to put my weight on it when I walked. Not wanting to disturb Adrian or anyone else, I just sucked it up and tried to put my weight on my other leg instead. It would be time to go back home soon, and I can deal with it when I get home. I have some medicine gel that I could apply and that should suffice.

After the minister rode away on his car and the other doctors had left to get on with their work, Adrian and I were the only ones left in the hospital’s lobby. As I turned around to walk into the hospital, Adrian called after me. I felt his hand around my wrist as he stopped me from walking away.

“Wait, Elena...” Adrian called out to me.

Instinctively, I turned around to face him.

“Yes?” I said, wondering what he wanted.

Without replying to me, Adrian crouched down in front of me. My eyes widened at his sudden action and some people paused in their walk to see what was going on. What is he doing?

“Adrian?” I called his name questioningly.

“What’s been bothering you? Is it your feet or your ankle?” Adrian asked without looking at me.

His gaze was concentrated on my ankle as he reached out a hand and gently traced his fingertips around my right ankle.

He could he tell?

“No, it’s nothing...” I quickly denied.

“So, you normally walk with limp?” Adrian asked sarcastically as he looked up and smiled knowingly at me.

“No...” I replied softly, feeling quite embarrassed that he had called me out.

“Then what is hurting?” he asked again.

“My right ankle...” I admitted softly.

“Since when?” he asked immediately.

“Probably since the trolley incident this morning,” I replied, not quite knowing why I was feeling so guilty in front of him.

“And you were walking all day in these heels?” Adrian scolded me like I was a dumb kid.

His worried face made a heart skip a beat. For some reason, it felt sort of nice to have someone worry about me so much like this.

“Excuse me, can you get me a wheelchair?” Adrian turned to say to a nurse who happened to walk by at that moment.

The nurse seemed confused at first, but she nodded and readily agreed to do so.

“Sorry, but I don’t think that’s necessary,” I quickly told Adrian.

“You can’t walk like this. You’ll make it worst,” he said firmly.

It would be a little embarrassing to be wheeled along in a wheelchair though. My condition wasn’t serious enough for that. Honestly, I could still walk by myself.

“I don’t want a wheelchair...” I mumbled.

“Sorry. There’s no need for a wheelchair anymore. Thank you though. You can get back to work,” Adrian quickly said to the nurse.

She nodded at him with a confused look on her face. I was confused too at how quickly Adrian changed his mind since he seemed so insistent before.

“Adrian!” I called his name quite loudly in my shock.

It all happened so suddenly and the next thing I knew he was carrying me princess-style in his arms. My mouth dropped open in shock.

“Wait...” I protested immediately.

This is even more embarrassing. Everyone was staring at us, and my dress wasn’t designed to adequately cover my legs when I’m carried in this position.

“You’re not taking another step in those heels until I get a proper look at your ankle. If you don’t want the wheelchair then I’ve got no other choice but to carry you,” Adrian said as he started walking.

“But...” I began protesting.

“No, buts...” Adrian cut me off before I could say anything more.

He took me to a private room and placed me on a chair. He got down on one knee and his hands were on my right ankle and foot as he started examining my ankle.

“Does it hurt when I move it like this?” he asked as he glanced up at me.

“A little...” I admitted.

“What about this?” he asked.

“It hurts...” I replied honestly.

“Alright. It’s probably just a sprain but you did make it a lot worse by not getting it treated right away. No more walking in heels for you until this heals up properly,” Adrian said authoritatively.

–To be continued...