Five Months

It was dark again, the nighttime where the night owls had yet to rest upon their pillows and the night where people alike him seek entertainment after the sun retired.

Be it a simple cabaret, alcohol or even carnal desire. The dusk was meant for pleasure seekers.

The iridescent light from the hanging glitter ball blinded his eyes. As well as the sensual gyrate on the dance floor. The intoxicating hubbub wasn't something to be in awe of.

Not that he would be as he's long used to it. Yet the unending pleasure others praised of, elevated to the sky-high disenchanted him.

He's tired, way too tired.

If one wish was all that's given, gifts of miracles were all he would wish for. A delayed into existing godsend he's deluding himself into believing.

For when the delay would be lifted... he never was enlightened about.

Because if memories would fade at command, then he wouldn't be here silencing the chaos in his mind with the external buzzes.

The dual force of liveliness... yet cancelling one another was their importance.

Now, even mere entertainment drained him. Nothing truly does inspirit him, not anymore.

His five slender fingers that clutched the tequila spun the glass in circular motions with elbows casually rested on the armrest.

His ambience tickled others fancy whilst keeping them at the arm's length.

Naturally, some were interested to be listed as one of his top priorities. If not, being the ticket to the blissful one night in heaven was enough.

A skittish gent in barely-covered costume vaguely fastened under the sun-coloured hood hurled a wink his way. He showed no abashment in his intent, not the slightest.

Despite his wooden response, the man tiptoed around, circling his seat in a rather persistent friskiness. The obvious hinting he made was yet to bait the targeted interest.

Like other invitations, he's about to turn a blind eye to this guy in fervour for someone's fills. That's until some obtrusive memories popped up in his head, urging him to erase his every thought with the warmth of others.

Furthermore, the hooded guy muttered words and words, persistently promising him a night filled with pleasure while coquettishly sitting on his lap.

Advances after advances, the two had made their way out of the nightclub, the favour was siding the hooded guy.

The guy then pulled him into a store, stocking up the used up condoms for their night play. The high-pitched daintily played voice of the words he spoke floated in and out of his conscience. He simply couldn't care enough to listen to his rants.

One genuine wonder. Because as of whom will enjoy listening to the complaints one had about their past bed partner? Especially one from your one-night stand partner.

Well, not him.

Nevertheless, he wasn't interested in complicating anything any further, so saying something was never an option.

Much later, after paying for their selections, both were out of the store with goods in hand.

Nothing was unusual, no playing hooky with the winking eyes or wandering hands of no boundary that groped every meaty part of the other's body, no nothing.

Regardless of that in mind, he's rushed into matching his paces, the pacing of someone aroused into action.

Action ignited by the flames of desire? Yes.

All happened while he still couldn't figure out what's with the abrupt haste. Despite that, the face was void of any impression, just going along with everything he's done to.

He's being led to a lone and precarious backway, purposely or not, he didn't possess the luxury of interest in identifying it.

After his footsteps receded, he's randily lunged onto. It's not something he hadn't expected for but in all honesty, being pushed to the wall by someone shorter than him was pretty awkward.

As to why did his main spotlight was flashed on to that irrelevant concern, he had no idea.

Their distinct height was fractions of it, but his unenthusiastic spirit was partly to be reprimanded for. Being unaroused in that particular mood made such efforts terribly uncomfortable in his point of view.

But his silence was golden, akin to a masking tape but greater than its silver metallic colour.

Seemingly to his hooking up partner's actions, they'll be making out, out there... exhibitionism of some sort?

They're pillow mates for a night--- well, perhaps not so pillow mates since there's no actual pillow to be located near them in this meagre alley.

The steamy session had undertaken. With his eager mouth cupping his, the guy writhed his body, appearing sensual.

They're to be engaging fornicate yet his heart perceived oblivion as if this was a simple hand-holding bout.

The hooded guy was grinding his legs near his, stimulating himself and the other one.

Still, the long-awaited arousal never stirred inside him. Deeming so, he simply consented the guy to do as he pleased. He was sorry for the one-sided sexual tension they're radiating.

It was... yet another plodding fruition night.

*thump *

How weird... that wasn't his heart thumping out of joy nor was it the sleek sound of skin humping against the skin of another.

Rather, something had hit the ground and adverser, it's within sniffing distance of their spot.

Despite that, he wasn't exactly spooked by the fact that he's spotted in the middle of coitus.

He took his time before swaying his gazes to the unsolicited spectator without the bother of parting his lips with the latter. Neither did he withdraw from the guy's undiminished approaches.

On account of the source of light behind the said person, he's able to make out the intriguing appearance of his spectator. A young...guy?

At a glance, one won't be able to differentiate his birth gender if not for his clear cut features being outlined. His build was androgynous, fairly slender and small.

Draped in a dark topcoat paired with black attires that probably could even blend into the background stealthily. Nothing stood out about him in the darkness except his lengthy hair and conspicuous fair skin.

Even from the dark, the fair shades of his white hair and skin was distinctive... attractive.

His eyesight was blessed with the help of street light, making the appearance of this little spectator even accessible to his vision.

He's a real stunner. A magnificent beauty with soft blue eyes, lighter-than-flaxen platinum hair, pale porcelain skin.

The contrast made between the person and the clothing stood out flawlessly.

He... possessed remarkable familiar traits. One he seldom wished to forget. One he's unable to stop recalling. One that harshly resembled 'him'.

His eyes were lost while fathoming the fascination that unfurled in him, abandoning the presence of his ongoing steamy session.

The spectator too seemed profoundly entranced similar to as did he under an undone spell of trances. But, the hooded guy interposed their exchanges, awaking them from the dazes:

“What are you looking at now? Hurry up, I need more.”

Although the words weren't meant for him, the little spectator seemingly regained his sense and bustled an abrupt but cloddish retreat. He soon disappeared from his line of sight, itching something near his heart.

His regards toward his making out completely depleted, unintendedly bequeathed by the spectator who'd abscond elsewhere.

He... was astounded, upset even. By this strange greetings he'd vouched as stunning. How come he'd experience this lonely emotion once again?

Being deserted without actual connection...

The mood was spoiled by his frustration, perhaps, there's none to even begin with.

He pushed the libidinal guy, distancing him from himself before saying, “I lost my interest, let's stop here, okay. Sorry.” Being pushed aside while listening to such words naturally would offend just anyone especially in such conditions.

Inevitably, it's no exception to this hooded one. Him saying that's equal to saying that you're no fun, you dispirit me, let's quit doing this because I got bored.

The guy fumed his way out only after pouring every single cuss word he could conceive. The apathetic expression he always wore didn't help to soothe the other party.

Instead, it tokened tons more curses that could even last three generations of his offspring. Not that he planned on having one though.

He endured in acquiescence the words spit to him. Technically speaking, he's at fault here and that's enough as an excuse. It's lucky enough he wasn't left with a palm imprint engraved on his cheek tonight after behaving so.

Although, it was quite admirable how the hooded guy hadn't once repeated the same curses he'd flung his way.

Only after the angered guy left did he take the same turn to leave. Inadvertently, he booted something, a wallet, his wallet to be precise on the ground with the strides he made.

Braining the inclusive situation, only then did he comprehend where had the thumping noise earlier rooted from.

Including the actual reason the little spectator became his onlooker. He's thoughtfully trying... to return the wallet... but to no avail. Being served with such a display instead must be a rather traumatising experience.

He pondered upon these thoughts while gently caressing the image carefully kept inside his wallet using the thumb. He sighed recalling the striking resemblance the little spectator had with 'him'.

Surely, it's just another delusion his mind deluding him with. He averted his gaze from the wallet as he wallowed in silence.

The deep bootprints that traced on the snow piles caught his sight. Were these the little spectator's tracks?

His mentality was stuck in between desire and rationale. His heart kept confiding him to pursue the track left before it faded, gainsaying his mind that chose to abide by the reasonable principle as to dismiss his traces.

He shook his head, clearing his thought. Trailing someone, a stranger's footprints would associate him to a certain creepy level impeached for the perverse stalking.

What a frightening way of thinking...

He picked up the threads and decided to leave for his workplace which was the private hospital located just around the block. He had to fetch the suitcase he'd left by accident before running back to his residence.

After walking for a while, he halted in his track.

Would one phrase this uncanny plausibility as a coincidence?

The path he's taking was one that's rarely used since it's secluded from the main road. A shortcut, an alternative way to the hospital he's fond of for the uncrowded and deserted condition.

So, his question was how did his path had aligned with the footprints left by the little spectator?

He was about to dismiss the thoughts as his delusions once again before noticing the path were leading to the empty soccer field right across the hospital.

The field was presently abundant with snow and wasn't a place one would recommend you to hop onto.

What was the use of going to a snow-filled field in the middle of the night, nevertheless? Purposely for the aesthetic?

Regarding so, it was rather unusual for one to thread such a path in the evening unless the little spectator was actually him who's relishing the silence.

Due to the lack of lighting where he was, it's tough to spot anyone, particularly after heavy snowfalls.

The prints preserving deep into the snow was astonishing, perhaps owing to the storm that had just ceased.

A tinge of glister dazzled his eyes, burning his sight for mere secs. It's reflected by something glistening possibly of shiny surfaces laid among the snow.

Still, its shine was too little in quantity to be something big... what might it be?

Curiosity had devoured his sense of astute.

He approached closer and closer guided by the reflected light. With each step taken, suspense flared his mind with irrational thrill.

The crisp sound of the stomped snow hit his ears pleasingly. But his heart dropped to the gutter in a heartbeat that's frozen after sighting the reflected light actual source.

***

.

.

.

.

It was black, rogue black.

Pitch unending darkness that had loomed his surrounding encircled him whole.

Emptiness, nothingness. The verbatim of the figment that resided in his mind. An insight as barren as his essence, it was plainly... utterly nothing.

Dismal rain.

Loomed over by the dim clouds, the sky was spattered with a sable atmosphere. As if nature was to mourn alongside the livings in black over the dead that's summoned by heaven underneath the sky.

Stifled sobbing.

Was a beating heart to be ripped apart callously, mayhap the anguished reverberation of the shriek would ring to an indiscernible parallel to the sobs. A weeping that wrung the heart of the ears heeded to it.

Unsparing stares.

Unfailing fixation imbued with either undying pity, spiteful scorn or possibly even closeted delight that all refused to tone down on them. Caging the bereaved family alike exotic beings at the centre of the circus ring.

Stentorian susurration.

Muddled perception, sensation and awareness urged his desire for his two hands would rip the ears that had overheard the ridicules. The rotten mutters of the black-hearted were simply intolerable.

Yet the little boy hugging his knee was detached and devoided of emotion. Showcasing indifference to the oldest daughter's grieving heart who'd broken down in tears.

His capability of thinking that proclaimed him a gifted genius was obstructed by an impenetrable abstract wall.

What had... happened? What was happening? Where's he? Was this the brutal reality or another projection of his befogging hallucination?

He's in a state of incapability distinguishing between what's authentic and what's not. The more he thought of it, the more he's stumped with ambiguity.

Ah... how draining... He yearned to moan out the agony yet no tears were to obey his wishes.

This hurt, hurt, hurt a lot... too much, too painful having to handle this overwhelming grief that won't seem to ever pass.

Had someone somehow decided to trip over and over jabbing his heart with a knife? Haha... this unending line of people slicing its heartbeat was immense. It's not even funny.

Quickly... quickly ended it, so this pain will subside, as would his breath.

It's too taxing, too tiring and... he's done with it.

But, it's all right because he's numbed, he was long numbed. By this constant declining temperature that's like holding an icicle close to his chest.

The coldness of the icicle that numbed like an anaesthetic eliminated the physical pain as it so coldly, so slowly impaled the heart it had frozen.

It bled nothing, simply scattered like ashes released by the seaside. Bits by bits, his heart was brought away by the wind, to a land nobody would know about.

Little by little, the boy's little physique was enveloped in an abyss of darkness that's gradually swallowing him whole.

And as darkness encroached, he no longer possessed the might nor the will to withdraw from the embrace of eternal silence.

The farther it brought him the better, whatever this force was, he won't resist.

Ultimately... it was all silence.

There, there's nothing and no one to bother him, no one to hurt him anymore as he's now all alone by himself.

He's free from pain. The pain that had tormented his sweet dreams, his pleasant wishings. No pain could have reached him any longer.

He'd escaped far from reality with not an ounce of regret. No longer wishing his return to the nightmare, he allowed this phantom cessation. If only will this tranquillity last for eternity...

Then, a gorgeous laughing voice resonated in his ears, lightly lifting his sealed eyelids.

A brilliance superior to the angel's halo and euphonious even more than the golden harp, scattering luminous lights everywhere.

Somewhere deep in his gradually materializing heart throbbed warmly, radiating cosy warmth that streamed all over his vessels.

A snuggle warmth that existed no dullness, a warmth he would bask in for perpetuity.

He fluttered open his eyes, scrutinizing over a beautiful family of four, the scene where the young ones were sending off their parents who's off for a work excursion.

Despite their lingering disinclination, the assurance promised upon them arched their little lips into a beam.

A promise sealed by hooking their little pinky fingers together alongside joyful rhymes that they clinched by singing.

The little boy struggled as he's suffocated by the incessant kisses that landed one after another but he wasn't the least discouraged by it.

Even treasuring it as did the older girl in the ocean blue dress, his older sister that grinned from ear to ear as the kisses were lovingly planted onto her head.

The teasing words, the giggling expressions and the loving cuddles were exchanged, countless times and it was yet to be sufficient.

Contemplating over this harmony, he smiled tenderly. Truly, smile was the only contagious condition he's inclined to.

Perceiving the expended time, the sibling pairs waved their hands, motioning valediction while wishing them safety:

"Have a safe trip, mother, father!" The said mother mope with pouted lips, mouthing a mesmerised ”Awwh”, revealing her maternal heart that had melted.

What a shame it was that her two angels had to be left home. The mother's facial expression paraded her obvious reluctance leaving her little ones behind.

Seeing this, the father suavely hooked his wife by her waist while bending down to plant farewell kisses on their children, his greatest treasure.

He hid his mellow smile beneath a feigned sigh, pretending to be disheartened at his wife firm refusal.

When he truly was no different from his beloved who'd hate to be away from the kids. Regardless, the weight of the obligation must be fulfilled.

Lamenting so, the father gently tugged his wife to the car despite her having barely concluded their parting.

More accurately, after she's marginally satisfied with the scaturient advice also cuddles, her figure was grabbed from behind.

Later on, proceeded to be effortlessly tossed into the vehicle before being properly strapped to the seat by the safety belt with the help, or to say, the conduct of her spouse.

The bafflement on their mother's face from being thrown off the balance invited titters from the little ones who struggled to suppress it.

The father accountable for the charge wore a guiltless grinning face. He knew for a fact he'd done a good job preventing his wife from doing the unexpected as she often did.

The awestruck wife accordingly hooked a passive smile. For their lovely laughter, shedding her not-so-cool and discomposed face earlier was worth it.

Well, she will at least spar her beloved from scolding and a tug on the ears that he merited for later just this once.

Her eyelids were eased by lots, eyes glancing at her significant others. Both exchanged a secret smile only the two of them inferred the bliss of.

The latter wrapped his arm around her shoulder while patting her hair, also with a smile loosely plastered to his face.

"Be good, honeys. We'll be back soon!"

The pairs set off, not perceiving how the temporary parting the mortals had intended was destined to be an eternal one by the will of the empyrean.

The adieu words had betokened nightmarish lucks to this once happy family.

.

.

.

"Sorry. We love you, Luca..." The words being muttered departed from the mouth of the person that had just abandoned him and the earth.

His wet fluttering eyelashes unveiled a blurred view of the white silhouettes towering by his side of the bed. A... curtain?

He's lightheaded, feeling as if he was high up amongst the cloud dismissing the itching and burning sensation on his head also knuckles.

But the agonies of the heart had appeased more to his senses. The dreams he's caught in tore his heart into two.

"It hurts so much..."

He mumbled with unsought tears accompanying his cheek from the shut eyes that were heavy as if it was weighed with a boulder.

He's unable to tell if he was still wafting in the dreamland or not with a mentality still being half-conscious at the moment.

Nonetheless, he could tell his hands were grasped tenderly as if the person holding it feared that the slightest movement would crush his feeble wrists. ‘He’ then slowly asked, "Where does it hurt?"

As the words reached his ears, his hands were picked up and led to brush lightly onto something supple and soft, like the touch of a dragonfly landing very lightly at the centre of a pond full of water lotus.

A delicate something, so delicate he yearned more of that softness. A rather addicting mellowness.

Luca unwittingly mumbled, "...everywhere, so don't. Please..." He clenched his fist tightly, refusing to let go of the attention now given to him. His long clean nails dug into his flesh from clenching too hard from the tension.

The hands that were tending to him caressed his hand that wounded itself as if it was consoling the worked up hands to ease down.

And so, the hands softened, immediately tamed by the solacing warmth.

‘He’, responding to his mutterings asked, "Don't... what?" Gently, ‘he’ opened Luca's clenched hands, finger by fingers. With each finger unwrapped, he pecked a soothing kiss each.

His acts were like a prickly porcupine slowly exposing his soft belly to the person coddling him so gently.

After successfully pacifying him with the tiny but assuring gestures, ‘his’ thumbs caressed the crescent moon-like marks on Luca's palms left by nails.

So meticulously, ‘he’ replaced the spots with showering kisses on the palm, long but subtle pecks.

Luca's voice was hoarse, hardly audible to the ears while being even barely able not to fumble his words. "...I'll be good, so please... don't leave me..."

Yet, as if professing to his words, one deep smooch landed onto the back of his white hands, transmitting warmth to the pale skins.

Then, everything was once again slowly veiled into the comfortable darkness, sending him back into a deeper slumber.

Before his consciousness was completely engulfed, he overheard an answer, one that was said firmly but softly as if not intending for it to even be heeded.

"I won't, Luca."

***

A pair of birds of grey feathers chirped by his windows, whistling nature's lullaby oh-so pleasing to the ears. The invisible melodies in black and white notes were scattered back by the winds.

A scenery oh-so praiseworthy one could figure the high prestige it upheld with mere glances. So beautiful one had a hard time shifting the visions from one to another stance.

The sun soared up high, shone transparent lights brilliantly among the white cloud that appeared similar to soft cotton candy, truly oh-so appetising to the eyes.

Strictly speaking, only for the eyes.

It was the beauty of nature bestowed by the great creator. Oh-so magnificent that the balls of his eyes won't move an inch from the view seen through the windows sills.

His gazes hadn't been absent of these sights yet the notions of his were empty, blank pages when rolled open.

Why...? Why had the dazzling sunshine he basked in appear sombre and grimace? Where had the brilliance faded away to?

The perception of achromatic lenses ends that was to remain in spectacles had escaped from its lenses. And now, it had encroached his views of the world without the assistance of advanced tools.

Colourless, toneless and bland. The realm in his visions was painted with bleak shades of greyscale, disenchanting the spectators in a blink of an eye.

Why... had this emptiness once again bathed his world?

*slam!* The hefty sliding doors were shoved open, reverberating the private one-person ward he was in.

"Luca... Elouise Luca Theodore!!! Luca!"

Alexander Holand, still in his white gown rushed into the ward carrying his heavy heart ample of the undying distress.

His spirit dropped immediately scrutinizing the patient sitting still on the bed, gazing mindlessly at the outdoor panorama.

The patient however hadn't batted an eye to the other's storming wrath, remaining motionless on the bed like a lifeless plastic doll being positioned in a dollhouse.

His two blue irises were soullessly gazing somewhere further than the scenes themselves. The gaze itself belonged not alike the livings but was the deads.

Nothing seemed to be able to disturb or faze him, not his hair that swept past his face by the breeze. Not even the incoming fury of his undocumented guardian friend.

“Umm-- Chief Physician, I beg your pardon but the patient... He had been in that state for quite a while." The attending nurse by his side reported her findings instantly, sensing the poor air circulating them.

The drawback of his own pent up outrage had steered Alexander erupting with his volcanic bits and pieces of distress to the lost-in-his-own-world Luca who he's not even sure was listening.

“...Are you tired of living already? Laying on the snow outside on a hecking cold day someplace you don't even know, are you giving up on life!? Just... what exactly are you trying to do, Luca?”

Although he's shrieking with all his claws protruding, it was all yet maintained in hushed tones. It was all thanks to his daily practised effort in silently protesting at work.

[Besides, it's not possible to punch a patient, is it?]

But his expressions did confide all the uneasiness conceived upon his mind.

“...”

Regardless, the reactions from the latter remained none that he's better off conversing with a wall or even a pebblestone by the shore at such rate.

The person in questions head was still tilted towards the window as if an exhilarating something had diverted his thinkings, securing his eyes on the currently empty children playground.

Even his thick eyelashes were edged downwards, halfway shut.

“I'm scared... actually am terrified. Don't make me fear this every time, Luca. You, you promised me, so don't just go back on your words! I beg you... don't be like this, please.”

Alec clenched his teeth, subsequently closing his eyes tautly as frowns outlined his facial skin. He let out a sigh, massaging the temple he unintendedly flexed in a worn-out gesture.

The burst of emotion he's possessed by earlier subsided, clearing his sensibility, opening more rooms for thinking.

Not only that, he too had opened a room for self-inflicted disgraces from remorse, chancing his luck to somehow dig a hole he could bury himself of a few minutes ago along with his outburst.

Geez... just what was he doing? Attempting to reason someone whose conscience wasn't even there, well barely was there.

He probably wasn't even aware of the surrounding. Subtle laments arose like bubbles, dissolving his franticness in the sea of regret.

He should've been much more tolerant and reasonable. While he had his justification for acting out, it wasn't exactly the fairest thing he could have done in such a predicament.

Luca, he's not strong... and from his aspect alone, Alexander merely fretted for the worse to happen to Luca and the idea of that clouded his rationale.

Selena who's stationed conveniently nearby approached the speechless physician that clearly had lots in his mind.

She wouldn't have to glance his way to even notice that. "Doc Alec, I must ask you to cool down first, alright? It won't be pleasing for this to go on, dear."

Was this scene to blather on, the supposedly hidden bystander by the door most likely will generate another ton of nonsense their directing spirit had failed to when auditioning before.

Negative ones were to be expected.

In all sincerity, she's not quite willing to see the recent headline blasting about their chief physician being engaged in a verbal fight with an unstable patient, having sold out like hotcakes later on.

Whilst it's a personal matter, the regard of the situation was indeed a matter of the professionals and their reputation too.

While in actuality an admonition was waiting for this particular guy, she highly doubted that possibility.

She chose to play along, for the reason that few things were better left unknown. Ignorance is bliss, yes?

"...head nurse..."

Hearing herself being pinpointed, Selena spun a reassuring smile with her lip. Say no more, she'd planned to handle it all anyhow.

"Don't fuss, Alec. Our patient seems to suffer from the shock, he won't be able to understand you nor answer you, you know that too. Give both yourself and him some time first, alright?"

Her left hand casually patted his shoulder, as she also gave him a light nudge this time to his back.

"I'll take over from here, go ahead."

She indicated the direction of the corridors, giving him the space needed outside as it's more adequate for cooling down.

Call it a woman instinct or whatever, but she's ninety-nine point nine per cent convinced his internal self already repented it.

Nevertheless, it was necessary to ease the atmosphere.

Alexander, with his eyes pinned on the motionless Luca, balanced over a short-lived hesitation before quietly asserting thanks as he fleed his way with his box of cigarettes.

He's so going to smoke away all his concerns.

Having accomplished shooing the doctor away, Selena edged closer to the patient's bed, wanting to learn his profile.

Right, the patient's a gorgeous male near in his...30s?

Did they get his medical records straight? Or did she mishear it from the executive? Was this sort of sophistication even conceivable?

This person appeared like a fledging minor the age of an eighteen years old, he could go for younger.

Well, maybe not, considering his slender built. It was taller than the average person, well not too tall that he surpassed the door.

However, imagine actually being twofold the age of ones facial beauty though. She patted her face, sighing her daydream away as she shrugged off her thoughts.

Selena's been way too absorbed peering at this peerless glamour. The old book proverbs don't judge a book by its cover was more applicable here than it did in her middle-school assessment paper, it can't be helped.

Perhaps due to being too bedazzled by his face, she had just realised something that induced a chuckle out her mouth.

Sorry, Alexander... she thought, desperately holding back the laughter in her chest. Her face was then crimson red from cackling on her poor friend sympathetic fate.

Here's the deal:

As Alexander was venting out his heart, notably turning their private ward into a one-way debating council, this precious patient was already in a peacefully asleep condition.

Luca had long entered the dreamland during all of that disturbance in a sitting posture leaned on the bed's head. How ironic was that?

Sympathizing with his not so comfortable position for resting, she adjusted the bed inclination also tucking him in bed.

A sense of satisfaction kicked in, somehow giving her the illusion the person she's tucking to sleep wasn't a middle-aged guy but a small and little boy dreaming so peacefully.

Curbing her laughing condition, she turned around with a wiped out peace, missing the definition of consideration on her face while announcing out loud.

Loud and clear so all the abominable ones would disappear~

Well, it's more like-- all of the unpleasant ears stuck to the wall would politely mind their own business but indeed.

"And the rest of you that can't help but buzz like damn flies...”

Without needing her to complete the sentence, every single mortal, listing from medical staffers to their magically well now patients thanks to all the attentive hearing tests they're doing behind the door.

She could have sworn a second ago, each and every person were exceedingly diligent concerning themselves with someone else's problems.

She puffed out a laugh, shaking her head regarding how ridiculous it was. While it won't pose for a good example, it's not for her to bother with these people who won't survive a mere day without dishing all kinds of rumours.

Having finished her essential obligations, Selena stepped out of the ward but before she was able to close the wooden doors, someone obstructed her halfway there.

It was in some way, she had been greeted by the surprise that ‘startlingly’ was out the door totally ‘coincidental’.

Well duh, he ain't a literal gift falling from heaven that was brought to a place without his wills taken into account.

It's a living organism, the most complex out of all, a being from humankind that no common mortal being could fathom the scheme of his mind.

It's their youngest doctor, Noah Octavius, who she had yet to fathom intentions or motivations of.

She wasn't that much of a prier who enjoyed meddling into someone's nature for no purpose. Not that she will stop with that said though.

Speaking from her personal experience, this little one just didn't look like a simple and charming colleague you would stare at every day, no.

Strictly noted, she didn't do that.

[That's technically stalking, but let's set those aside for now.]

This simple was in a literal implication, not conditioned on his appearances. He'd leastwise gone through a tough time in his life, hasn't he?

Why? He owned one of that golden halo that hovered over the typical lion-hearted hero that barely was allowed to let out an inaudible sob.

Hmm... a depressed good-looking somebody burdened by the weight of love? Yeap, close enough.

Having collected another precious clue, her sadistic tendency flared with eagerness expressed in the reflection of her eyes.

Indeed, it's not a decent habit, messing people occasionally but it's not like she's erring... hold up, was she?

A simper usurped over her not-so-docile face. Hmm... "I wonder what our youngest is doing here? You don't seem to be the type to indulge a habit of spilling the teas now or are you, Noah?"

This stone reincarnates glimpsed at her from the corner of his eyes before turning his head unhurriedly her way.

"...I had only finished attending to my patient."

Baffled, the laughter she hold in was a thread close to escaping. Her mouth quivered from the excessive quake perceived by this man ahead of her.

Her eyes nearly teared up genuine tears, knowing well what he's trying to cover up.

Her casual expression was taking a deep breath as the interior of her mind had exclusively rolled on the floor choking on giggles. Still, she's determined not to hastily terminate her session of heckling somebody.

"Is that so? Well, you wouldn't mind attending to him a little longer, right?"

Hearing this, Noah jolted, rapidly eyeing the head nurse. Shortly, his lips decorated with a smile unequivocally not one of innocence, but a grimace of hostility.

A bitterness masked under the poised smile.

He however forgot to erase the furrowing eyebrows directed at her that affirmed with clarity of his displeasures. "...you... how long have you been here for?"

If this were a world where consequences were nonexistent, she would've had answered his concern unambiguously with something like:

‘I have been here even before I witness you, little doctor so lovingly taking utmost care of our honoured patient. It's quite a spectacle, I must say’

But of course, she sealed shut her mouth that so desired to speak of the truth.

Coughing once, Selena said, "In any case, certainly longer than you would've expected."

"You see, personally, I believed that quenching the thirst always come first. If it were me, I'd not want to hold out any longer with my appetites, you know? It creates lo~ts of problems."

"What would you mean by that?" Noah's look pierced her, he couldn't help but crease even more of his forehead. Although trivial, it was apparent.

Then again, oof, what an intense glare... if a glare could kill she would long be nailed to her brand new coffin. If not for the laws, yeah.

Not that she was particularly offended or so. But oh boy, looked like she'd accidentally grazed his limits today, time to cease this before her prior nonsense turned into reality.

"Hahaha, what a worrywart! What are you assuming? I'm just going to have some coffee from the vending machine, want some?" Selena smiled, giving absolutely no face to his peering look that pressured for an actual explanation.

"No, thank you." Behaving out of the context, Noah flashed a vacuous smile that scared the living soul out of her body with all ends of her hair stood. This person... was truly unreadable.

Straightening her flipped collar and brushing away the invisible dust on her coat, she neaten her inner confidences.

Selena breathed out a sigh.

"Noah, be sure to take good care of our special patient, alright? Also, you're being held responsible for him, dear doctor since I heard that he's been brought in by you."

Silence unveiled and as if averting to her actual meaning, he deliberately mentioned an extraneous point with eyes lowered significantly, "His medical records were strictly prohibited from even medical teams, how much of exclusive is he to be given such privilege?"

This was a genuine question. Upon receiving this patient, the upper management had intruded in the matters of his personal medical records, strictly assigning senior medical personnel for him.

This was all executed without much explanation to the medical folks, eventually seeding in them, interests for this out of the ordinary patient.

Inescapably, words had travelled to all sorts of ears even that of other patients through the chatter of the rumour spreaders.

Some believed that he was part of the massive funding conglomerates and had to have his condition confidential due to potential threats. Exaggerating about how individuals of bad intention might misuse his health condition if one were to get their hands on his record.

There's also that absurd rumour that he was infected with a new type of infection unbeknownst to the public and the higher up was currently sealing the mouth of those entangled to prevent the news from leaking.

It's hilarious to listen to but much too bothersome when there's surely more than just one or two speculations drifting the air.

Selena cracked up heartfelt laughter from her guts, shakily patting the shoulder of the stunned Noah at her sudden laugh. "How would I know that as part of the medical staff, Noah? Hahaha!"

As she cackled, her feet dragged away to retire from the scene.

"..." Noah stood there blankly essentially deliberating life after he's being laughed at.

Selena strolled farther away headed toward the beloved coffee machine that supplied everyone with their fuel to function.

Shaking her head, she grumbled,

"Young people, what a showoff to the lonely one. Still, it seemed that springs finally will reach the barren winter land."

The coffee in the cup was directly gulped down her throat in seconds, tracing her upper lips with the coffee stains.

She reached out to wipe it away as her other hand accurately toss the cup into the trash can.

Selena intensively stretched her body, releasing herself from the soreness and tension. Her arms swinging from the attempts that although fruitless, relatively provide for relief.

But... Elouise Luca Theodore? Their major benefactor?

•To be continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***