ELARA
The next day, we had to bring food and some books. I could barely sleep last night. All I could think about was Dr Tian. Why had my necklace reacted to him? Why had it turned hot, yet I was only dizzy? Who was he?
When we arrived at the hospital, my mom turned to me. "Elara? Could you please go and buy an iced Americano for your aunt?"
"Sure. Do you want one?" I asked.
"No."
"I'm coming with you," William said, taking my hand.
"Obviously you are. Where else would you go?" I teased.
"I'm glued to you, baby girl. You can't get rid of me that easily," he said, amused.
I just shook my head, laughing.
"Do you want something?" I asked him.
"No. You?"
"Nothing for now."
Before I could even pay, William had already taken care of it. I picked up the coffee and smiled at him. He smiled back, his arm sliding around my waist. But the smile disappeared from my face before we even turned to leave. I froze. My necklace turned warm. He is here.
After a few seconds of standing still, I slowly turned around, scanning the cafeteria.
I didn't see him.
"Are you okay?" William asked.
"Yeah," I replied, forcing a faint smile.
He took my hand, and we started walking, but after only a few steps I bumped into something solid.
"I'm so sorry," I said, looking up.
"I apologise. I wasn't looking where I was going," the voice answered.
Dr Tian.
"Baby, you're okay?" William asked, pulling me slightly closer to himself.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Let me buy you another coffee," Dr T said calmly.
"You don't have to. I was careless too. I wasn't paying attention," I replied, still looking at him.
His eyes shifted from my face down to my hand intertwined with William's. The moment his gaze settled there, something changed. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes darkened slightly. His jaw tightened. Then he looked back at me.
"I insist."
I didn't argue. I simply gestured for him to go ahead. A few minutes later he returned with the coffee.
As I reached to take it, our fingers brushed. The moment our skin touched, my necklace turned hot. For a split second, dizziness hit me. He released the cup immediately.
"Thank you," I said, pretending I was fine.
He nodded once and walked away. As we continued down the corridor, I noticed a few supernatural beings staring at me, whispering among themselves.
Are they serious? They're worse than old ladies gossiping.
"I officially don't like it here," William muttered.
"Why?" I asked, trying not to laugh. He looked cute when he pouted like a child.
"Too many men staring at you."
"Jealous?" I teased.
"Of course. I have a beautiful girlfriend. Your white skin, your face, those big eyes, your black wavy
hair, your model body. Who wouldn't look at you?"
"Don't be jealous; calm down."
Usually I didn't mind reassuring him, but lately it was getting to be too much. Almost every few minutes I had to calm him down.
He stopped walking and pulled me closer.
"Then kiss me."
I smiled. "Now?"
"Obviously."
I kissed him.
"Still jealous?"
"A little," he said smugly.
I kissed him again. "Little devil. Now let's go."
"It took you some time to buy one coffee," my mom said when we returned.
I handed the cup to my aunt.
"Sorry you had to wait."
"It's okay", she smiled.
"You've become really beautiful," my uncle said.
"Thank you," I replied.
"You must be the boyfriend."
"Yes, I am," William answered politely.
"They make a good couple," my uncle said.
William and I smiled.
"Tonight I will stay", my grandma announced.
"Sister-in-law, you don't have to," my aunt said.
"You look tired. Go home and rest," Grandma insisted.
"Ma, I can stay. You're not young. You need rest too", my mom added.
"Are you saying I'm too old to even do this much?" Grandma snapped lightly.
"I'll stay", my aunt said firmly.
Are they serious?
"I can stay", I said.
"We can stay", William corrected.
"Are you sure?" my aunt asked.
"Yes," we both answered at the same time.
After the others left, William and I kept my uncle company. We talked with him. When pain hit, William called the doctor. They gave him medication, and he fell asleep. We took a short walk in the hospital garden, then came back upstairs, trying to pass the time by teasing each other.
Around 8 p.m., my necklace turned warm again. Dr T entered the room.
"I came for a quick check-up," he said. "Which one of you is staying for the night?"
William and I looked at each other.
"Both of us", I answered.
"I'm sorry, but hospital policy allows only one person," Dr. Tian replied calmly.
"Yeah, right," William muttered, annoyed.
Here we go again.
"It's not my rule. It's hospital policy," Dr. T said evenly.
"Excuse us for a second," I said, pulling William into the hallway.
"Why are you annoyed now?" I asked.
"Why do you have to stay?" he shot back.
"I'm staying for my uncle. Why else?" I said calmly.
"I don't like it."
"I didn't come all the way to China for a holiday. I came for my uncle. You know that. So stop being jealous every five seconds."
He exhaled loudly.
"Sorry, baby. I just don't like that doctor."
"So because you don't like him, you act like this?"
"No… yes… no…" He paused. "I'm jealous. Okay?"
I kissed him. "I'm still your girl."
He kissed me back a little too long.
"Stop. This is a hospital. Behave," I said.
"What? I'm just kissing my girl."
I rolled my eyes, and we went back inside.
"Sorry about that," I said.
Dr. T didn't respond, but his eyes were fixed on William's hand around my waist.
"She'll stay tonight", William stated.
"Okay", Dr. T replied shortly.
William turned to me, still holding me close. "I'll see you in the morning, baby."
"Okay."
Why does this make me uncomfortable?
Then William kissed me again, short and possessive.
"I told you to behave."
"I am behaving. I'm just kissing my girl," he said smugly.
God.
When I looked at Dr. T, his eyes had not left William. His face remained neutral, but his jaw was tight.
"Bye", William said before leaving.
Silence fell. Dr. T and I stood there, staring at each other. Neither of us broke eye contact. Neither of us spoke. It felt like the air between us had thickened. Then the door opened.
"Dr. T, we need you urgently," a nurse said.
He nodded and turned to leave. As he passed me, he stopped.
"I'll be back in three hours to check on him."
"Okay," I said quietly.
He walked out. The moment he left—
My necklace turned cold.