It was a cold day today, and today Sienna was off duty, a very rare luxury she couldn't bear to waste resting; instead, she decided to visit some patients who had been demanding to meet her, some even requesting to pay any amount for as little as one minute of her time just for a diagnosis. That was how desperate people were to meet with the miracle Dr. Rivers.
She came to a halt in front of a tea shop, her last stop for the day; slipped on her dark shades, and stepped out of the car. Ava followed after her, silent but very vigilant. It had been four days since her mistress "was robbed," and she didn't dare risk letting Sienna leave the house without her again.
They walked into the tea shop and were immediately hit with an old-money vibe that the exterior had suggested nothing about. Rich mahogany panels lined the walls, soft amber lighting created intimate shadows, and the scent of rare teas hung in the air like expensive perfume. There was barely anyone in the shop other than the staff, and Sienna began to wonder if she was in the wrong address.
Just then, the barista walked to them and, with a heavy French accent, spoke, "Welcome to The Doré, my lady. How may I help you today?" He wore the best professional smile Sienna had ever seen on anyone as he spoke, and Sienna couldn't help but be momentarily mesmerized.
"Someone with the name Dee," Sienna said.
His eyes brightened immediately. "You must be Dr. Rivers, then. Such an honor seeing you in person. We have been expecting you." His professionalism suddenly held an excited edge, like a fan meeting his idol.
"Oh, that's good, then," Sienna replied.
"Come with me, my lady." He led them to a private quarters at the far end of the shop, knocked respectfully on the door, and announced, "Dr. Rivers is here, good sir."
A beautiful, cool voice replied from inside replied: "Let her in."
For some reason, the voice made hair stand on Sienna's skin, but she dismissed it. She couldn't remember ever hearing such a voice before.
The barista pushed the door open and bowed respectfully as Sienna and Ava walked in.
The moment Sienna stepped into the room, she and Isaac locked gazes. She didn't recognize him; she only had this little feeling that he looked familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had ever met him. But even without recognition, she was still blown away by how handsome he looked. Even the cold Ava could hardly hide her admiration. He was so handsome it felt like a sin.
Isaac, on the other hand, had a deep expression on his face upon seeing Sienna. Something new and hungry stirring behind his calm facade. The scenes from that night were still very clear in his head: every sound she had made in the dark, every movement of her body beneath his. It was still so vivid, and seeing her again made his blood boil. But he couldn't show that.
"Welcome, Dr. Rivers." Isaac's subordinate, Craig, greeted, standing up from where he was seated to properly welcome Sienna. Sienna smiled in response. He then gestured for her to take a seat, and she did, directly facing the silent Isaac. She could hardly stop herself from blushing in front of such an ethereal creation, even though he had this very guarded aura around him. Ava, on the other hand, maintained a respectful distance but was still vigilant.
"This is my master, Isaac Deema..." Craig began, but Isaac interrupted him before he finished.
"I am your patient." He pushed the envelope in front of him toward her. "You should check that, Dr. Rivers, before we proceed with our conversation. For better flow." He was so calm, not a single expression on his face to discern what he was thinking.
Sienna picked up the envelope, thinking it was past medical records. She opened it and brought out its contents, only to be met with pictures that made her blood turn ice cold.
A picture of her entering a room, from that night.
Another picture of her in bed with... THE MAN SITTING IN FRONT OF HER. She even looked up at him as if to confirm her eyes were working fine; she now only just understood the odd familiarity.
They were both asleep in the picture, so it was obvious he hadn't taken the picture, and luckily she was snuggled in his arms with no parts of her exposed. But if these pictures were to leak, her well-built reputation would be so ruined.
The admiration in her eyes disappeared immediately, and her gaze turned dark.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"Wouldn't it be better if your bodyguard excused us?" Isaac replied.
Sienna gritted her teeth. Indeed, Ava must not know.
"Excuse me, Ava. The patient needs privacy."
Ava could sense the tension in the air. Her eyes flickered between Sienna and the stranger with clear suspicion, but she obediently left the room as Sienna asked.
"Now what do you want?" Sienna demanded.
"I am from Subrind, and I need your help with my ailment," Isaac began.
Sienna's face darkened further, and she went silent for a while before eventually speaking. "You are the Crown Prince of Subrind, aren't you? The hidden son of King Draven Deema."
Since the tension and enmity between Dilrik and Subrind began a year ago, she had read a lot of things about Subrind personally and had seen information on news websites. Hearing the sacred Subrind name Deema and connecting it to this sudden Subrind national, she was able to conclude accurately that this man in front of her was Subrind's hidden Crown Prince or a relation that somehow wasn't in any of the articles she read, even though this man looked nothing like king Deema himself. Craig was surprised; she had deciphered it quite easily. A fleeting flash of something, not really admiration passed through Isaac's eyes before he affirmed.
"Indeed I am. And I am here seeking your help to be free from the ailment that has haunted me all my life." He didn't sound like he was begging at all, in fact he was very calm, like he was so certain she would do it.
"Do you understand what you are asking from me, Prince? I am sure you are very much aware of the enmity between Dilrik and Subrind. Even with the fact that I am one of Dilrik's most treasured persons, if I were caught treating someone from Subrind, not just anyone but the Crown Prince, I would be executed for treason. Maybe you could get some kind of pardon, but I am different. I know my country." Sienna's voice shook with fury and agitation.
Isaac understood that too. In fact, he would suffer exactly the same fate if caught with her. But he was ready to risk it.
"You have no choice, Dr. Rivers. If I released these pictures, you would face the same fate. So it's your choice now."
"You BASTARD!" Sienna yelled and shredded the pictures in anger. "You Subrind bastards are just as you were described. "DAMN you!" She cursed in agitation and stormed away.
"You have three days to decide, Dr. Rivers," Isaac called after her.
She almost turned and pounced on him to bite his head off but she controlled herself, Instead, she stormed out of the room, carrying a stormy aura that Ava, who was not too far away, noticed immediately and quickly walked over.
"What happened, Doctor?" she asked, voice sharp with concern.
"Nothing much. His case is just more complex and is actually challenging my skills."
Ava didn't believe that at all. What type of case could make Doctor Rivers like this? She had worked with Sienna for almost six years, and she knew very well difficult cases excited Sienna rather than offended her, but she couldn't say anything. There must be a reason her mistress was hiding what happened from her.
"Come on, let's go." Sienna walked to her car with Ava. She even had Ava drive so she wouldn't drive into something in her anger.