SAVING THE DEVILISHLY HANDSOME DOCTOR

CHAPTER 9

“I am good your majesty, how are you?” John talked besides me, bowing a little so he was not looking down at the king which just showed how tall he was for the king was tall himself yet John towered over him. My hands were sweaty and if there was a way I could run out of there I would but I was sure the soldiers would tackle me down thinking I was up to something. 

My head snapped down, I did not even know if it was allowed staring at the king in the eyes or what, just standing there freaking the f**k out happy the mountain for a man was next to me for he was my anchor, sure to have collapsed if not for his strong hold on me. 

“I am well, thank you, how are you finding the country so far?”

“Beautiful your majesty but I have not gone to many places, work has me busy night and day.” John replied, my cheeks burning, everything in me burning. 

The king laughed, his voice, his laugh, so beautiful and he seemed so nice and polite. The king was humble so I had heard but there I was seeing it with my own eyes. 

“I can imagine the work you have, so far what challenges are you having?” The king asked, him moving to grab a chair with my eyes going even wider. Why was he sitting, hell, he was not moving on like he had with the others. The king sat on one of the chairs in the nearby tables and John moved to walk towards it, my worst nightmare. I nearly was like ‘uhm, you can go, I will just stand here’. But chicken me, I couldn’t. I wished Snowy was there, she would be deep in the conversation, greeting everyone and taking the king’s heart while I stood there like a lost puppy. 

I had no choice than to follow because John was not letting go of my hand and I found myself falling into step and walking besides him. He pulled a chair to mention for me to sit and I swear I had a stroke for all eyes turned to me and it was then the king’s eyes fell on me only for him to graciously smile. 

My eyes quickly averted, sitting with John pushing the seat it, leaving me pale and so stiff if the wind blew I would fly of the chair. 

“Aahh, please, excuse my manners, greetings.” The king said and I knew, hell, I knew he was speaking to me. My head was bowed, surely I wanted to cry at how nervous I was but I swallowed, my head tipping up. 

“Greetings your majesty.” I greeted back with him smiling as if I was just any other girl and he was any other normal man in the room but he was not, the was the king. 

“May I have you name miss?” He asked, and I was freaking out. He wanted to know my name, he wanted to know my name!

“Mbali Dlamini your highness.” I said back, not even sure if he heard my shaky voice, my whole body shaking but John took my hand in his to place it on his lap with my eyes travelling to our intertwined hands. I took a deep breath,finally just getting myself all together. 

“Hau Nkhosi, Hlubi lomuhle.” The king said my praise name and lord, it was from out of this world. He was so humble, I was the one who was supposed to be saying his praise name not him but lord, this was my worst and best day ever. 

I bowed my head in respect before looking up yet sure not to stare at his eyes. 

The king averted his eyes back to John with them picking up the conversation they were having and for that I was gratefulfor. They talked about all the challenges he was having while in charge of the hospitals and all that was needed, getting into political issues now and ago. The king did not move an inch for hours and after an hour most of my fear left me for that table was treated with such speciality. They brought all kinds of food and drinks, only the best, no one daring to interrupt the king from his conversation with people just lingering around staring in such awe but never getting close. The prime minister was the only one who joined with a few ministers and they talked about politics, not just of the country but of the whole wide world and I found myself really enjoying the night. I got to see how the king thought , saw things along with the whole governing body. I learned a lot, how funny they actually all were and deep while also very educated. It really inspired me and I could not help how all the others besides the king treated John with such respect, as if he was above them in station. 

I sat back, drinking my glass of champagne watching each and every man dazed as John told them his plan of directing the health care of the country into a better one. He talked mostly with the minister of health and after the king was called away they were left talking about medical things which I knew nothing of but I kept up with the conversation, just learning a lot of things. 

“Ladies a gentlemen, can we please settle down for the king to take the stage.” Someone spoke on the microphone after a while with the king standing and walking to the centre of stage taking everyone’s attention. I still could not believe I had sat with him at the same table, what a magnificent man. He was truly an inspiration with me looking at John who ended the conversation with the minister of health then gave me one look which had my heart flutter. He smiled at me as I smiled back at him, dazed really. His head then snapped to the king who began talking. The king thanked all those who attended, said a few words then began talking about health with the conversation moving to John having my eyes wide open. The whole event was held for him, he was the guest of honour. I could not help but cover my mouth which was wide open, turning to stare at him in amazement as others did too. 

“I personally want to thank Doctor Mackay and his organization for donating over a hundred million to our health care. Mackay, don’t be shy, come over here.” The king finished, everyone applauding at the man with me next to him just staring at him with my mouth closed then, thankfully but not even sure what to say or do. He gently pulled his hand from mine, probably wet from all my sweating, so embarrassing but I immediately missed his warmth. My hand went to meet the other, applauding along with the crowd. He gave me a polite smile before standing up and walking to the stage to stand next to the king. I was blown away, who was this man? And I suddenly felt like running away. There was no way this man could date me or anything. I was freaked out, my heart drumming so hard with my eyes never falling from him. 

Hundred million. That was a large number, that was a very large number, gulping and swallowing before my own saliva choked me. I could not believe it, he was definitely in his element then. He was not uncomfortable being here at all because this was his environment, he just fit right in, his kind of people. I sat back, wishing the chair could swallow me with his voice filling my ears. 

“Thank you your majesty, I am so honoured to be here today. Everyone has been so kind and I want thank his majesty again for his kind words. Well, for those who don’t know me and are wondering what this man is doing here in front of us when we want to get the night over and done with. My name is John Mackay and I am the new medical director at all the government hospitals. I came here with the goal to make sure that all citizens in the country get the best health care they need at little to no cost at all. I am here to make sure the hospitals are running efficiently so that we can make the most from such little input providing all the best for those seeking medical attention….”

He spoke like a leader, everyone hung on his every word with all my worries gone as I stared at him, just taking him in for he was magnificent. If he was selling something then I would have long bought it for he was just a man you could never say no to. His voice was captivating and his mind was sharp with his words inspiring. He was no longer just the handsome doctor but he was a man with a vision, a man who was smart and a man who could capture a room for everyone there seemed to be under the spell. 

My hands shook where they were, even the king just staring at him even though they had talked all about what he was saying not long ago. He spoke about the health sector then moved to tell how the better health care can boost the economy bringing it into so many sectors in such a simple way even I understood. The man was brilliant, me as an economist just taken and nodding at all the sense he was making. I fell even deeper into his spell, him peeling all his boundaries and showing me so many sides of him, pulling me deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole that led me to hell. 

I am sure I was the first to start clapping hands, standing up with my clap loud and proud. Hell I did not care with the whole room standing up then filled with such applause. I was taken, what a wow. Who the hell was this man? I had never been so excited about anything and anyone like I was excited about him and his vision. I watched as he shook hands with the king then all the queens next, him talking with some of them about something. A lot of people were standing just below the podium waiting to get a chance to talk to him and once he got down he was deep in it. Everyone wanted a piece of him, all standing around him asking him this and that. I, myself was too excited to sit down so I just stood there,staring at him talk and talk about health which seemed to brighten him up. He really loved medicine, he like a sun in the sky just lighting up the whole room. 

I shook my head, he was not just any guy, he was not just a guy but he was someone I could not even describe and my heart was stolen for him never to give it back. I did not mind standing there for the next two hours all by myself, I could just watch him dance his way through the crowd stealing not only my heart but everyone else’s for they all stared at him like he was a God or someone so important. He worked his way, making so many connection s with all wanting to get a piece of him. I watched it all happen, him working his magic, giving out cards like an ice cream man on a hot day and by the time he got to me most had left, even the king gone with just a little left in the hall. It was something I could watch over and over again. 

My smile was so wide, my cheeks so sore especially since I had been holding it for several hours. I shook my head, not even knowing what to say to him, seriously, I was out of words. His tall figure was soon standing just in front of me, looking so gorgeous and smelling even better. I could just grab him and smash my lips onto him but I would not do that, leaning against the wall I found myself next to, my head angled at him with such wonder. I wanted to know him, wanted to know what made him happy, what made him tick for I already knew what he was so passionate about, it made him shine. 

“I am so sorry…”He began with me cutting him off, blushing and staring at our feet before staring up. 

“Please don’t, you were amazing out there.” I said, shaking my head and biting my lip. 

“So you are not mad?” He asked, he was so cute. 

“No, never. I could never.” I said, staring at his breath taking eyes and just losing myself in them. They were so green I thought they would swallow me. I loved them for suddenly green was my favourite colour. 

“You must be so tired, lets go.” He said, holding out his hand with me placing mine on it, not helping my laugh for I was still in shock on what happened tonight, it was like magic.

You would be amazed for I was not tired, not even by chance, him turning with me following suit. We walked to the door, stepping out with the cool air just kissing my skin. I closed my eyes, taking in the fresh air, it feeling so nice being outside. I wished I could just sit down in a mountain somewhere and watch the world asleep with the sky alive. 

The stars twinkled with such force with the moon so bright it lit up the whole of earth, chasing the darkness away. 

I shook my shoulders for the air was nippy, my bare shoulders covered with nothing but goose bumps. John pulled away his hand having me stare down, nearly sulking but who was I to sulk. I had to accept the fact that him and I were never going to happen. He was just too out of my league and I would always be the friend or the girl who is always around. My head snapped up as a fabric brushed my skin, my eyes laying on my shoulders seeing his suit jacket as if I was not already falling so hard. 

“Thank you.” I said politely, my eyes moving from the suit jacket that was surely made of clouds threaded into cotton at how soft and good it felt on my skin. I closed my eyes, his hand taking mine again sending me crazy. What was he doing to me? Why was he doing this to me? 

I knew I would cry, knew at some point I would cry and never be the same for I would be too broken. I swallowed, holding tightly to his hand for all the bad things felt so good and I was just throwing myself to hell with him. His cologne filled my nostrils, my stomach turning with the butterflies having a field day, just an army of them flying around attacking all my insides. It was one special night I would never forget, I wouldnever forget him. 

He unlocked the car, opening the door for me having me blush, it was all too much, he was too perfect. 

“Thank you.” I politely said, passing him, feeling so sad that I had to let go of his hand. I felt so cold without his touch, none the less I let go of his hand and slipped in the car with him closing the door after me. My mind was just too tired to process it all, sure I would process in a few hours where I would scream, cry and scream again. How wonderful mynight was, one I would talk about for years and years. I could just see it all again in my head and it felt like a movie or something. 

John opened his door, slipped in and closed it to start the car. The radio came to life, lighting up the whole car with my eyes on the screen nearly gasping as I read the time. It was four o’clock in the morning, shaking my head not believing it. John clipped his seat belt as I did the same with him taking a deep breath then sat back to stare at me. 

I turned, staring at him, my heart skipping so many beats for each time I stared at him I had a heart attack. 

“Tired?” I asked with him just staring at me, giving me a smile.  

“I can drive.” I offered, really wishing he says not for I did not trust my driving skills and his car was way expensive. There was no way I can pay for damages if I crushed it but just looking at him my heart cried out, ready to get behind the wheel and take us home. 

“No, its okay.” He said, taking a deep breath then sitting up and pushing the gear to drive. I watched him as he turned the car around, nearly no car left in the parking lot. We drove past the gate then just made our way home. He was not speeding, just driving in a way that was comforting, little to no cars on the road. 

We took a turn and joined the high way. 

My hands moved, plugging in my phone and playing some soft music lowly just to keep us company as we made our way home. I clung to his jacket, it smelling of nothing but him which was heaven to me. My eyes trailed to the window seeing the trails of orange on the horizon with the sun ready to take its place on the southern skies again. I watched in amazement, my head on the seat, just staring out as the sky got lighter and lighter, the orange spreading like a virus and turning everything into shades or red and orange. It was such a beautiful thing to see, my head turning back around to see John having his eyes on the road. He looked so beautiful, marking each and every line on his face. I could make him out in my sleep, suddenly knew each mark on his face. 

“Thank you for taking me to the event, I had so much fun even though at first I thought I would die.” I said, his head snapping to me with him giving me his million dollar smile. 

“I should be the one thanking you, you saved me tonight.” He said, me blushing like hell even at four in the morning. I had never known how to take compliments, feeling so giddy with my mind going all mush on me. I turned my head away before I burst in front of him or said something crazy. Man, I was dying here. 

My eyes picked up, seeing a group of people jogging. I watched them, filled with envy wishing I could join them and exercise even if it was once a month for crying out loud. The further down we took the highway the more people we saw and finally the sun made itself known at half past five, so bright it was blinding, closing my eyes for a second yet it felt so good closing them , just drifting away thinking of no one but John. He filled my every waking hour along with my every sleeping hour. He was poisoning not only my mind but my whole body little by little for I was taken by him. I drifted in a place where all I could see was him. I went to a place where he was just there staring back at me with his smile that made my heart swell so much it ached. I smiled back at him, taking a step closer as he also took one until we just stood before each other. I could stand there forever. I did not mind, just being in his presence. We did not even have to talk yet as I stood there I felt as if someone was holding my body. I stirred, the person holding me firmly with my head on something hard yet warm. I groaned, shifting with my arms moving around the form, holding on tighter before I drifted with nothing but my favourite scent calming me down.