Yes, Doctor!

Chapter 7: Make-Over

Serena still felt a faint headache as she gobbled the delicious pancakes. Mr and Mrs York were cheerfully chatting with her and she could barely keep up with their energy. The doctor sure had wonderful parents. She continued, “And after completing my art degree, I tried selling my paintings online but I wasn’t getting buyers. I was pretty demotivated then.” 

Billy York puffed, waving his hand as if brushing her words off, “Ah nothing’s good on the internet but you should persevere, girl.” 

She played with a blueberry on her plate, “I got the chance to exhibit my paintings…but I messed it up. I broke the deal and now…I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t…care.” 

Maria shook her head, pushing the platter of pancakes more towards her, “Aw, don’t talk like that. Take it step by step. Everything will come out to be alright, you’ll see.” 

She gazed at her hand. She didn’t feel like painting anymore. Was that possible? To suddenly lose interest in the thing that captivated her the most? She trembled, clenching her fist, hating herself for ruining a family, “I want…to talk to Kassandra but she won’t listen.” 

Billy said, almost sounding proud, “My stubborn little girl.” Maria pursed her lips, kicking him lightly under the table, “I could hear you two fighting last night but Kassandra refused to tell me about it during dinner. Is something the matter? She’s not…in trouble, is she?” 

She bit her lips. These people were truly amazing to care so much. She recalled the doctor’s words. That woman clearly threatened her not to tell a word to her parents and she guessed she should respect that. That was the least she could do. “It’s nothing like that! She’s perfectly doing well! I…I unknowingly did something wrong to her and she won’t hear me out. I want to move on. I can’t…not without her.” 

Billy and Maria shared a confused look, getting even more anxious now and Serena laughed softly, trying to reassure them, “I must sound mad. I’m sorry. I have taken enough of your time. You have been very kind to me. Thank you very much but I think, I should get going now.” 

She stood and Maria jovially hugged her, “You can drop in anytime, honey.” She smiled, knowing this was the last time she would see these people, “Thank you. So…uh, where’s the exit?” 

Billy led her through the house and after going through a large wooden door, they were back into the bar. It was completely empty. Probably too early to expect clients. She chuckled, “That’s a really nice bar you got here.” He laughed, “Pff, you’re too kind. It used to be glorious but now only the nearby drunkards come by. The good old times are gone.” 

She stood in the middle of the room, taking a good look around, creative ideas popping in her mind. Billy sighed, patting the counter, “My daughter wants me to sell it because it’s falling apart. She doesn’t understand that it’s part of old man Billy.” 

Serena smiled, seeing how affectionately the man was talking about it. “I’d enjoy giving it a makeover.” He arched an eyebrow and feeling slightly embarrassed, she explained, “But with paint of course. I know nothing else.” 

Billy grinned, “Meh, I won’t mind. It looks like a ruin.” “Really? I can? You’ll let me?” He put his hands on his waist, thinking hard, “As long as there’s no orange. I hate that color.” She exclaimed, "What? But you're wearing an orange shirt!" He cleared his voice, muttering, "That's only because Maria thought it would look good on me." He winked, "Special exception. Can't upset the wifey." She chuckled, "Wise words." 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She heard a few small knocks on her office door and Kassandra shouted, wondering why the new receptionist didn't announce whoever that was in, “It’s open.” 

Jillian and Emma walked in and she asked, scribbling observations she was making about the results of one of her patients, “Why are you both here? It’s Saturday.” 

Emma whispered, “You replaced me with a guy?” 

“Nothing wrong with that. I needed a receptionist and you are a nurse Emma. You’ll help only in that area as from now.” 

She fumed, “I liked doing both. Diversity y'know?” 

Jillian crossed her arms, “And...the new nurses look really nervous, doc. I'm downright anxious here.” “Give them a day or two and they’ll be fine. Professor Lodewicks requested me to take these two graduates and teach them the ropes of the job…just like I taught you. Now be gone you two. I have work. I’ll see you on Monday.” 

Emma sighed, “You’re rude.” 

“Thank you.” 

“You’re not telling us.” 

“Telling you what?” They seemed to hesitate before Emma decided to speak. “You’ve not been yourself these last three days. You’re hiding something from us. Are you still angry with what we did?” 

Jillian exclaimed, dramatically putting her hand on her chest as if surrendering, “Fine! I shouldn’t have slammed your door that loud…or spoken to you so rudely.” 

Kassandra leaned back in her chair, slightly amused that they’re still thinking about this, “This has nothing to do with you. I was never angry at you. Annoyed, yes but not angry. I could never be.” 

Jillian crossed her arms, “Then what? What's bothering you?” 

“I promise we’ll talk about this… Just not now. I need to get some things done.” 

Emma walked to her side, patting her head, “Don’t bottle up like that, doctor. We’re here for you.” “I know…Now…uh, off you go. Stop messing with my hair.” 

Jillian sighed in frustration, “This is going to be such a boring weekend. See you, Kass.” “Have fun you two.”

Once they were gone, she exhaled tensely. She should have been thinking about Jason but instead she was constantly thinking about that woman. They have stood so close together when they were arguing. She chuckled when she recalled her expression when she told her that she had three kids. Hah… she was probably feeling even more guilty now. She shouldn’t have lied like that. 

She had wanted to call her mother just to ask if she had recovered but she had restrained herself. What was she thinking? She was probably fine. She and Jason might be enjoying each other’s company at the current moment. It irritated her at the mere thought of this. 

She still couldn’t believe how she never doubted him. By how things were, she knew that this marriage was doomed to be disastrous. It happened sooner than she thought though. Part of her knew that she never cared enough about him. She was the bad guy here. She would never care enough about anyone.

The intercom buzzed and Charles, the new receptionist said, “Doctor, a client by the name of Mrs. Carla Darwin has arrived for her fourth appointment for a pre-pregnancy check-up.” “I’ll be there, Charles. Thank you.” Such a polite man and a competent one, too.

Charles Terrence took calls and booked the appointments meticulously. She had to admit that she didn’t regret hiring him at all. Emma and Jillian would probably take some time to warm up to these changes but sure, they would come around.

The man was perplexed to see how full the doctor’s week was. She was remarkable. The number of patients she took care in a day. He had worked for former private doctors before and none came close to the amount of hours she dedicated to her work.

He had been lucky to experience how she delivered a baby today. He recalled the look of panic as the father stopped his car, honking madly outside the office. The nurses deployed the stretcher, the security guard helping her on it. She was brought to the room and the doctor rushed in and hours later, he heard the joyful sound of a baby’s first cry. 

The look of satisfaction on the doctor’s face didn’t go unnoticed as she walked out of the room to go and clean up while the nurses prepared the aftercare for the baby. It seemed like such an important moment.

The main door opened and a woman walked in. This one was quite peculiar. He didn’t fail to notice the strokes of colorful paint covered on her arms. He sat straight, hoping he didn’t stare too much. “Good evening. Are you here for an appointment?” 

She looked away nervously, as if searching for someone. “Er…I wish to see Dr. Wagner. Can I?” He was puzzled, “There’s no Dr. Wagner here.” She exclaimed, holding onto the counter, startling him, “What? But I know this is her work address! Her dad gave it to me!” Her shoulders slumped, her nervousness fading away.

She wasn’t here. Serena pouted. Did Billy deliberately give her the wrong address? “I’m Dr. Wagner.” Charles stuttered as the doctor happened to walk through the room from the laboratory, “I’m sorry, ma’am!” Kassandra gently smiled, “It’s alright, Charles. You couldn’t have known. Wagner is not a name I associate with my profession in any way. Only an unwanted stranger would make such an assumption.” 

She coldly spared a look at that woman, “You can book your appointment with Charles here.” Serena gulped, courageously stepped towards her, instinctively reaching out to clasp her hand before she could go, “Kassandra, hear me out!” 

“Do not call me like that. I told you I won’t be kind if you come back. I mean it.” She glared at her and Serena nodded slowly, too scared to look her in the eyes. She dropped her gaze to their hands, unconsciously squeezing her slender fingers before she released her, stepping away from her. 

Kassandra furiously walked back to her office and Serena dumbly stared as she closed the door, their eyes meeting one last second. It was clear that she wasn’t welcomed here. She sighed, her heart pounding in her chest. Why did she think that she’d finally agree to listen to her? 

She should have known that the doctor would never want to see her. She looked at her hand which was tingling. Her touch has been so warm unlike her gaze. She was so beautiful in that white coat, looked so professional…more intimidating. She clenched her hand. She wanted to say sorry to her and pay for the pain that she brought her. If only she’d just let her speak.

Charles cleared his voice, bringing her from her thoughts, “So, are you free on Monday 7 p.m.?” “What?” “I’m asking if you want to schedule your appointment on Monday at 7 in the evening.” “Ah…”

Serena got in the bus. She absently looked at the monotonous buildings outside. She’d been thinking of her too much. Far too much than she should. How she wished that she had spared her a few minutes of her time. What would it be like to have a normal conversation with her? 

Part of her badly wanted to meet her and the other part was just scared. She gazed at her hand, recalling how she had glared at her when she held her. She involuntarily shuddered. That woman was just cold and intimidating and…terribly attractive in that doctor’s coat. She was flustered at the thought she was having. It was probably best to just leave her be.

It would take her half an hour to get to Billy’s bar now. She had called her university friends and they’d agree to meet and give that bar a makeover. It had been a perfect occasion to catch up with them. Two of her friends were married. The other three were still dating and while their life has taken different turns, one thing was the same for all of them. Their career was pretty stagnant. Who knew it’d be so hard to make a living with selling art?

She walked from the bus stop, along the pavement till she reached the bar. It was starting to look really chic and cozy now. Billy was standing outside while the young women were constantly asking him if he liked the design of this and the pattern of that. 

He seemed to love everything. It was quite rare that someone gave them the liberty to express their passion like that. Billy looked over his shoulder, feeling someone approaching. He exhaled contently, “I still can’t believe you really brought your friends here to work!”

“Hah, believe me they’re having more fun than you know.” One of her friends heard them and joked, “Far more fun than taking care of kids.” “Or taking care of a grown-ass man called husband if you ask me.” They all cackled at that.

Maria walked out with a tray of beers balanced on one hand and a tray of burgers on the other, “Let’s take a break, girls!” Serena smiled, “I’ll just change my clothes, Billy.” “Sure thing, girl.” The house had plenty of rooms and her friends and her were staying here for a few days till the bar was done. It was an escape from reality for all of them. 

She has been staying in Kassandra’s bedroom all this time. She walked by the vanity table, looking at a picture of her when she was in kindergarten. So cute. There was another frame as well. A photo of her on her graduation day. Isn’t she simply amazing to have accomplished all of that? She had lots of novels on her bookshelf along with huge medical textbooks. Such a nerd.

Maria told her how people advised Kassandra that she should just continue working in the hospital instead of opening a private office, but she didn’t listen and now, she was better off. Independent. Beautiful. Intelligent. She didn’t deserve what Jason and she did to her. 

What would happen to the kids? This broken marriage would ruin their life. She wished she never met Jason. She had been the third wheel all this time, the…other woman. She wanted to tell her how truly sorry she was. She needed her to forgive her but then, the doctor was probably a woman who didn’t depend on anyone.

She noticed a thin file stuck between two thick books and feeling curious, she drew it out. She brushed the dust off it and opened it to find pictures of the doctor. She sat on the side of the bed, going through the album, yearning to know more about that fascinating woman.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kassandra switched off the engine as she pulled over her Range Rover in the garage and pressed her head against the steering wheel, letting out a long sigh of frustration. She was absolutely depleted. 

She had been wrong to think it would be easy to manage two new trainees on her own. She had had to explain every single little procedure to them in details and it was exhausting. Ugh. Plus they were always chatting noisily and were so energetic. What a weekend. 

She was so glad it was Sunday evening. She leaned over towards the seat beside her, reaching out for the house key which she had tuck in her laptop bag. As she pulled it out, it slipped from her fingers and fell somewhere between the seats. Oh bother. As if the day was not hard enough. 

She slid her hand in the crevice, straining to reach the bottom and she touched something else. She clasped it, carefully pulled it out and stared at the cracked phone. What was it doing here? Whose phone was it? 

A vague memory swooshed through her mind and she realized that she must have taken it by accident in a fit of anger. She slammed the back of her head against her seat and muttered, “Oh f*****g hell.” It belonged to that woman. What was she going to do about it now? 

She pressed the power button, turning it on and found that it was drained of battery. Of course. How long has it been? Two, three days? She’d better charge it up and think about what to do with it. Leave it at the police station maybe? Hell, if she had found it earlier, she could have given it back to the girl when she came to meet her in the office. 

She gazed at her hand, remembering her warm touch and the way she had held her fingers. She should have let her talk… Damn it. Maybe she just came to ask for her phone and like an i***t, she refused to hear her out. Great. She would not be surprised if she heard from the police and be accused of stealing any time now.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~