A GENIUS KIND OF LOVE

CHAPTER 2

(Alexis)

Monday

I don't hate weekdays I like the days I work. I prefer doing the things that running on my mind and the fact that I don't have any social life at all is a big factor.

But I do like that too, I'm not comfortable with getting acquainted with people or on other terms socializing, I don't get why many drown themselves in useless parties that more than not, make their lives miserable.

Going back on why Mondays are not my favorite...no, I'm not having a hard time waking up...but I do hate mornings because when I'm going to work seeing the people work in the hospital, some of those people who sneer at my existence.

No...I don't know why they don't like me, I'm not doing anything against them because if they're pretending I'm invisible I'm doing the same.

While I'm sighing looking outside the window of the taxi I'm in, I remember the event last Wednesday. The day the owner of GPH came to ask or demand about the development of the medicine I've been working on. It is my baby, the fruit of my hard work, so his arrogance is unacceptable.

'Always try to be the bigger person at work love, make sure that you look at the problems in a different perspective' I can't help but sigh remembering what my grandma told me the day I first started working at GPH.

"We're here," The driver said grabbing my wandering mind back to the current time.

I took a deep breath, then drag my own feet to work.

"Good morning Doctor Kent," Danny the security who is one of the few who's nice to me.

"Good morning to Da," I replied quietly as I hurriedly get inside the building avoiding any more conversation that may end up with me making a fool out of myself.

As I walked into the lobby, the prominent shade of white, blue, green, and more shades of the rainbow greeted me and the busy people walking here and there. Busy doctors and nurses that are on duty are all in a hurry this early. Trying not to get any attention I power walk to the elevator to the lab and my office but sometimes the more you avoid hassles it's there to find you.

"Hey, doctor Kent how're you," a very sugary voice called me.

I slowly turn around to watch one of the prettiest doctors at this hospital.

"Doctor Miles."

"I'm on my way to the cafeteria to grab something to eat wanna join me?" She said with that toothpaste-worthy smile.

Zoe Miles is a heart surgeon and once upon a time I believed that she was friendly and nice towards me, I was glad for those who don't wanna be friends with not only beautiful but also intelligent women like her right? But my already beyond-the-floor ego was been trampled repeatedly when I heard her talking on the doctor's lounge with the other doctors and nurses when they're making fun of her for wasting her time with the dull doctor of the unknown, yeah that's me.

And she told them she's a philanthropist that looked after the less fortunate and she will look even better if she's with me, the dullest crayon in the box.

Okay, she was right, I'm not that bright but still... it hit the softest part of my fragile ego.

I think it's better to just stay alone. Nothing to think about aside from myself.

"I'm sorry doc, I have something to do," I said leaving immediately without waiting for her reply. I can feel her glare behind me but I didn't bother looking back.

Sigh. Can we all just be nice?

My lab is my sanctuary it is the only place in the hospital where I can be whoever I am. I mean there's nothing special even when I'm alone just stuff about chemicals and formulas but this is my world my little paradise.

As I start working again, I forgot about the time and those insignificant worries, I can't feel the hunger as I busied myself with things I'm familiar with. This project is my baby. And this

is something that I want to contribute to the world before I die so I want this to work so badly.

Then the moment of truth, time for me to check the potency of Syres...

The truth is, I'm nervous..at this point I don't think I can handle another failure. Taking a deep breath I start checking the meds...10%...13% ..this is the longest seconds of my life ...25%...36%...70%....my heart is thumping against my ribs I can almost see it jumping off my chest..that's how nervous I am..82%..85%..90%...94% then it stops..stops at 99.95 %. My knees give out as I stare at the monitor...I did it..yes I did it... I started jumping around laughing.. I've been waiting for this day, my hard work paid off at last.

I carefully put the capsule in a container and decided to visit

Doctor Manning to tell him the good news.

Putting the medication in a safe container then walked out of my lab elated.

It feels like I'm on a cloud, a soft and fluffy cloud. This is it...

I didn't notice I already arrived at Doc Fred's office with my excitement...wiping my sweaty palm on my lab coat before knocking twice.

I opened the door after hearing someone say to come in.

"Alex, you need something son?" The older man asked with his fatherly smile. I'm stunned for a moment for I'm still not used to his kind smile.

"Um..." I clear the lump that forms on my throat as I put the clear case in front of the director.

I watched as Doctor Manning's eyes grew wide.

"T-this is....i-is this what I think it is?." The smile on the older man's face is so big I'm afraid his face will split. I'm happy with that reaction, no I'm feeling fantastic that I can dance right at this moment.

"Sir, this is it...I created something that I'm so proud of." I said.

I'm shocked when the Doctor

Stand up abruptly and grab me to stand before giving me a tight embrace.

"I'm so proud of you Alex, I'm so proud of you."

I'm proud of you love...always... like hearing the voice of my grandma in my ear.

Before I knew it my shoulder shook as tears well on my eyes.

"I'm sure Marie is so proud while watching you up there...so I want you to cheer up and show your grandma that you are indeed the strong man he left here on my care, you don't want her cursing me from heaven won't you?." Doctor Manning joked while I wiped my face dry on shame. My granny knows Doctor Manning, she saw the good Doctor grow and his family used to live on our street.

"Now..this is what we are going to do, tomorrow's top priority is meeting with Levi first before introducing this breakthrough to the board then the public and I want to remind you, son, your life will change once the product is introduced to the public, although it still a long process but it's just a speck." The huge smile that is all over Doc Manning's face is so contagious. It's making my not-so-big confidence blow up. But then I thought over what he said and double-take.

I give him the questioning look wanting him to elaborate about my life going to change. What is there to change aside from the workload?

"You'll be an instant celebrity, Alex." Doctor Manning chuckles.

I gave him a blank looked wondering what that means.

The older Doctor can't help but sigh, he's wondering how can be someone so intelligent so slow on many simple things.

"You just made a breakthrough that been anyone on medical Field's dream Alex, it is not something simple it is the biggest invention because you will be saving lives...countless of lives."

"But it doesn't mean I have to go public right?.. Sir, I can be on the sidelines and you and Mr. Preston can face the public..." I'm panicking...I never thought of it, how can I face groups of people without having panic attacks. I'm not very good with crowds. Or people in general.

" Son, even I want to help you with this but you need this...you can't just hide inside your lab, you made something extraordinary, a miracle and by the way starting next week you'll be back on emergency." Doctor Manning is thinking that the young doctor's anxiety is not acceptable for people with their profession. They meant to meet people and encounter different types of humans.

"B-but sir..... I- I can't I w-will.." grasping for a right word... I can't think of the right term for what I'm feeling. I thought after inventing this I can go back to my lab and bask in its quietness alone.

"Alexis...it's for your good." The good Doctor sighed.

" By the way where's your assistant?."

I forgot about Sophia, come to think of ... I haven't seen her since last week.

"I'm not sure sir," I replied slightly blushing for not knowing where's my assistant.

"Give me your phone." The groom looked on the director's face tells me he's not pleased. I fumbled at my old school phone that I rarely used and turn red when the kind Doctor looked at the phone and then at me then back at the phone with amusement.

"Alex, is your salary, not enough for you to buy a decent phone? Mine is even way better than yours and I'm old and still don't understand most about it." The twinkling of the older man's eyes made me look down at my shoes.

"I- I don't think I need it sir I don't need to get a much-complicated one," I whispered.

"I know..but for the one who invented much-complicated things you sure are odd, I mean looked at me I'm an old man and I use newer tech than you." Doctor Manning shook his head in amusement.

He pressed some keys on my phone then put the mobile near his left ear.

I got startled when the ring become audible for me, looking up I saw the phone on speaker.

"What!!!...." After some time Sophia answered with an annoyed tone. The older Doctor frown while looking at the small gadget.

"Doctor Kent, do you need anything? I'm busy right now..." She continues with her annoyed voice making Doctor Manning's face grow darker.

"Is this how you treat your Superior Ms. Hale?" Doctor Manning asked her in a serious voice. "Give me your resignation tomorrow personally in my office." The doctor said cutting the panic voice of the nurse before shutting the call.

"Is this how she treats you? Why didn't tell me? and why did you just let her." The older Doctor asked seriously while I only looked away ashamed that even subordinates treat me badly.

"I don't notice her existence much and she kind of helping..."

"You can't let people walk all over you Alexis, if your grandma is still here...she will whoop your assistant." The doctor breathed in exasperation.

"I'm sorry sir."

"From now on I'm expecting you to tell me what's going on to you, good or bad understand?" Doctor Manning firmly said giving me a serious look.

"Yes, sir," I replied shamefully. For a 33-year-old guy I know I should have the firm traits of a man but I'm not like that I'm not outgoing, I'm introverted I'm not a social person I prefer alone.

The next day, my anxiety doubled. To say I'm nervous is an understatement.

I came to the hospital as usual but I notice that everyone is going around like headless chickens. The rush is too visible to go unnoticed.

I walked fast to the elevator ignoring people around me.

As I arrive on my floor a red eyes Sophia almost bump into me.

"Are you blind?!!." She shouts then glared when she realized it was me.

"Are you happy now huh?" The volume of her voice is enough to make my hearing hurt. Wondering what's was she talking about I only wrinkled my forehead.

" You made me get fired you, weirdo!!!" She screamed making me step back.

I looked around the empty corridor wondering what to do.

"I don't know what you are talking about." I finally said. I have the idea but I thought doctor Manning just want to talk to this woman.

"You liar...you want to get rid of me don't you?" The crazy woman sneered inching closer to me.

"Miss..." I clutched my satchel as I walked backward. I am slow to dodge when her hand moves forward for a slap. The sound of flesh that had been hit by a palm with force echoed on the corridor. My right cheek felt numb as I clutched it looking at the angry woman.

I raise my free hand to stop her when she goes for a repeat.

"What's going on here?!!" A booming voice startled us both. I glanced where the sound came up from and involuntary sidestep. Levi Preston, two older couples, and more older people step out of the elevator. The younger man looked at us with h gloomy face while the others with curiosity.

"Well??..can someone tell me what's going on?"

"I-i ..we are..um." I stuttered. What should I say? That I was attacked by a crazy woman? Slapped in the face?

I just realized that's facepalm worthy on how pathetic that will sound.

A wail took my attention back when the crazy girl throw herself onto the startled CEO while crying.

"Sir ..Doctor Kent here made me get fired, he told lies to Dr. Manning about me." The sound of annoying cries and the confused looked on the faces of the people who just arrived is funny if I'm not involved. I fidget with the unnecessary attention I'm getting. As Levi Preston just push her away l

with disgust.

"What are you talking about?" The older woman asked...she give me a questioning look and was somehow glad that it doesn't contain any accusations just plain puzzlement.

"M-ma'am...I'm...." I'm stuttering, this is not my fault so why should I explain myself?

I looked around the faces of seven people in the hallway and saw the blaming stares of some my way. I glanced at Sophia and saw the smug face she was showing at me.

"Well?." The older guy asked raising a brow at me.

"Angelo, Grace!! What are you people standing here ganging up against Alex?" Dr. Manning appeared at the right moment when I'm about to just walk away.

"Well, this young lady here said guy made her get fired?" Grace Preston said.

"Oh?" Doctor Manning exclaimed as he looked at Sophia who is now trying to make herself smaller. "Did this young lady also tell you why?" He asked in sarcasm.

"Dr. Manning, I'm sorry I think I will just excuse myself now."

"But Alex ..."

"Excuse me, sir." I cut him then walk for the elevator without glancing back.

I hail a cab outside the hospital and find myself outside my childhood home.

I don't come here much because I'll just miss my grandma a lot.

I pay some people to clean and maintain the place.

Looking around and reminiscing the memories I had. As I entered the door sadness envelopes me as the familiar place comes in view.

Maybe I'm being sensitive and nostalgic but I'm just tired. And dealing with people is exhausting.

The fact that I can't even express myself in front of others is getting out of hand.

And you made a big fool of yourself in front of the bosses...

His conscience chirp in.

Yep! that too.

Kill me now!