Helena made her way to the hospital, heading straight to her room where she sat down, taking deep breaths, her mind in complete disarray, clueless about what to do or think.
Helena: What's gotten into me? How did I let things get this far? What is this feeling I'm experiencing?
She wondered as someone knocked and entered.
Mateo: Good morning, my princess.
Helena: G-Good morning.
Mateo: I'm glad you came to work today. Have you started seeing patients?
Helena: Not yet.
Mateo moved closer to give her a kiss, but Helena turned her face so that his lips met her cheek instead.
Mateo: What's wrong?
Helena: 💭 I don't know... 💭 Someone might come in.
Mateo: Alright. How about lunch together later?
Helena: Yes.
Mateo: I've got a surgery now. Have a good day at work.
Helena: Thank you, you too, good luck with the surgery.
Mateo: Thanks, love.
He left, and Helena went to the window to draw in fresh air, feeling as though she was suffocating, something in her throat and body causing restlessness and anguish. She took deep, calming breaths for several minutes.
A nurse came in, asking if she could send in the first patient, and Helena affirmed before starting her consultations.
.
.
.
William spent the whole day lying around, totally listless. He thought about his own engagement and now about Helena, feeling utterly foolish for the things he had said to her, without understanding why he'd said them—perhaps it was an open heart or just the moment.
It was another blow to his ego, on top of everything, months of effort, and now this. He chalked it up to loneliness, accepted it, and as he turned over, he fell asleep.
The day wore on with Helena busy working. As she headed to the parking lot at the end of the day, night had fallen. As she opened her car door, she received a call from an unsaved number.
📲 Helena: Hello?
📲 Otavio: Hi Helena, it's Otavio. Sorry for calling at this hour.
📲 Helena: Oh, hi Otavio, no worries, I can talk.
📲 Otavio: William isn't doing well, Helena. He's got a fever and body aches.
📲 Helena: Has he been seen by anyone?
📲 Otavio: Yes, the family doctor came, but he said to check with you too. He thought it could be due to overexertion or stress.
📲 Helena: No, it can't be, I didn't let him exert himself too much. I'll come over.
📲 Otavio: Okay.
Helena sighed, got in her car, and made her way there.
Upon arrival, Otavio greeted and ushered her in. She sat on the sofa.
Otavio: Thank you for coming.
Helena: Is he getting any better?
Otavio: The fever's gone, but he's still in pain. The doctor said it might be from the fever or the exercises.
Helena: He was only on his feet today, withstood it the whole time, unless he lied.
Otavio: I don't know, and he won't admit it. Can you do something to ease his pain?
Helena: Can we see him?
Otavio: Yes.
They went upstairs to William's room. Helena was taken aback by its stark black and gray decor; William was lying there, asleep. Approaching him, Helena checked his temperature by touching his face, causing him to stir in his delirium.
William: H-Helena.
Helena's cheeks flushed as he called her name in his sleep; Otavio smiled. Helena wasn't sure what to do, but for now, what mattered was him.
Helena: I'll take care of his pain.
Otavio: Alright, I'll leave him in your care; I need to pick up Juliana from her mother's place.
Helena: Okay, I'll look after him.
Otavio: Thanks.
He left, and Helena moved to his legs, but he grabbed her hand.
Helena: It's okay, I'm here to ease your pain, okay?
William: D-Don't go.
Helena: I won't. I'm here to take care of you.
William: It hurts.
Helena: Where does it hurt the most?
William: In the muscle.
Helena: Did you overexert yourself?
William: I need to recover quickly.
Helena: Be patient; soon you'll be better and able to walk a lot.
Helena uncovered his legs and lifted the pant leg to massage his calf. William winced but soon relaxed as she applied a cooling gel. She spent a few minutes easing the inflammation, then checked his forehead, taking a damp cloth from the bathroom and laying it there.
As he opened his eyes, he gazed at her while she cared for him.
William: Why did you come, Dr. Irritating?
Helena: Is that what you call me?
William: Yes, I like to annoy you.
Helena: I've noticed.
I came to care for my patient.
William: You didn't have to; a doctor already came.
Helena: Did he ease your pain?
William: No.
Helena: That's why I came.
William: Doctor, you're ugly.
Helena: Ha, and you're a pesky patient.
William: You know who you're talking to, right?
Helena: Ha, worse, but right now, you can't do anything.
William: How dare you?
Helena: Rest, stop complaining.
William: Are you telling me to shut up in my own house?
Helena: Yes.
William: Why don't you come here and make me, Doctor?
Laughing, she placed the cloth on his mouth, and William looked at her with a frown.
William: What did you do today, Doctor?
Helena: I consulted with my more pleasant patients.
William: Glad I'm the only one.
Helena: Ha, you can be sure of that.
William: Did you see your doctor?
Helena: Why don't you sleep a bit?
William: You won't be happy with him, Doctor; he's not the right man for you.
Helena: How can you be so sure?
William: I'm sure of everything, Doctor.
Helena: You can't be; we've known each other for a month.
William: Doctor, you've been with him for months and don't love him, you've been helping me for a month and feel something for me. It’s not about time; it's about the person. You’re still young.
Helena: And you're the experienced one?
William: Exactly.
Helena: Ha, get some rest.
William: Don't go; stay here with me.
Helena: I'll just wet the towel again.
She left, facing herself in the mirror, his words echoing in her head, washing her face trying to quell the alien feelings inside. She repeated to herself several times that it couldn't be possible, it must not be.
Returning to his room, she found William asleep and sat in an armchair, watching him – he looked angelic, handsome, and utterly charming, not at all the cold man he seemed to be.
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