The Doctor's Playmate

Chapter 1- Miss Violent

Sophie

“Later this day, when all the words have been spoken, when all the songs have been sung, we will stand at the graveside and commit the body of our friend, Beatrice ‘Betty’ Santos, to the keeping of this earth until the coming of the Lord, and we will commit his soul into the loving hands of the God he served… bringing an end to the final chapter of his earthly life….”

My tears won’t stop falling while listening to the preacher say his last prayer before my Grandma Betty was laid to rest. The one and only woman who had protected me since I was a kid. “Grandma…” I cried, hugging my brother Sawyer closer. “She’s gone, Sawyer….”

“She will finally get the rest she needs, Sophie..” Sawyer mumbled, holding me tight.

My brother was right. At eighty, my grandma lived a great long life. Not perfect, but she was my strength, protector, and, most of all, my mother.

“But it will not be the end of his story because the memory of her life and the influence of her life remains….”

She was the only mother figure that I knew. My forever teacher and my family. Her memory and words will always remain in my heart.

Sawyer and I lived with her after our parents left us. They suddenly vanished from our lives. I was only seven years old, and Sawyer was ten at that time. Grandma took us home, and we lived in New Jersey for most of our lives until we moved to a small town in Pennsylvania, when she got sick and took a breather too.

“Sophie…” It was Trina, giving me flowers. It was time to lower the coffin into the grave.

I looked at her and sadly smiled. My legs were trembling as I held closer to my brother. I hadn’t had enough rest since the day Grandma died. “Thanks…” I barely mumbled.

The funeral song played, and the priest went to the graveside and read another prayer. “Give him, o Lord, your peace and let your eternal light shine upon him. Let us go in the peace of the Lord.”

“Amen…” Everyone said as the preacher looked at the coffin where Grandma was finally resting.

“I won't see her no more….” I mumbled, mourning in sadness.

“She will always be in our hearts….” Sawyer replied as we slowly walked towards the graveside. The funeral men began to lower the casket.

I heaved a deep breath before taking one last look at Grandma’s coffin, yet, I was surprised and couldn't believe what I saw below.

“No…no… no…Sawyer….” I looked at my brother with my gaping eyes. “No…Elisha…no!” I stared back at the casket, and it was indeed my best friend Elisha’s body laying inside.

“Sophie…”

She was dead and wearing a white dress with babies on her side. “Sawyer! No! No, that’s not Elisha!” I hysterically cried as I bent down on the ground to reach her. “Elishaaaa!”

“Sophie!” Trina yelled and yanked me.

“Elisha! Elish! No, you’re not dead!” I screamed, trying to hold onto the coffin that was carrying my best friend. “She’s not dead! Why are you there!? Elisha!”

“Sophie! Sophie! No!”

My heart couldn't contain the sadness and disbelief as I watched my friend being buried and taken down to the grave. It was my grandma we were mourning, not Elisha. “Elisha! Elisha! No!” I yelled while they dragged me away from the graveside. “Elishaaaaa!”

“Sophie!” I felt a strong thump on my body, followed by slight taps on my face. “Wake up!” My eyes opened, and I quickly got up. I was catching my breath, panting. Then I saw two figures sitting beside me. “Trina…Sawyer…”

“Oh, God…” Sawyer hugged me right away. “You’re having a nightmare…” he mumbled, rubbing my back.

I gulped and breathed heavily. I was sweating profusely while I thought about what had just happened earlier. “Elisha…”

“Yes, you are calling Elisha’s name….” Trina answered, holding my hand. “You missed her….”

It took me a while to answer as I thought about the nightmare. It was indeed Elisha I saw being lowered into the grave earlier where my grandmother should be. “I saw her…she’s inside grandma’s coffin…” I cried once more.

Sawyer snorted and broke the hug. “You passed out earlier during the interment. Your mind must be tired. Take a rest….”

“I passed out?” I scowled.

“Yes,” Trina answered. “You were out for five hours, and then we heard you screaming and crying in your sleep.”

I inhaled a deep heavy breath before looking around. I was already home and on the couch in the living room, still wearing my black dress. “I didnt know….”

“It’s okay. Drink this,” Trina said, giving me a bottle. “Maybe you need to call Elisha. You need her at this time of your life,” she added.

My eyes gaped once more after realizing she was right. “Damn…I really need to call her….” I mumbled, palming my forehead before drinking the water.

I felt slightly refreshed after downing the bottle. And relieved as well, knowing it was only a dream.

Elisha and I communicated a few days ago after not talking for months. We quarreled and stopped speaking with each other. My best friend chose the man she just met a couple of months ago. We ended our friendship after years of being best friends.

I didn't have a chance to reply to her messages since I was busy with grandma’s viewing and funeral arrangements.

“I already charged your phone. It's inside your room,” Trina said.

I smiled. “Thanks. What time is it?”

Sawyer stood up and checked his watch. “Ten o'clock. Come eat dinner with us before you freshen up,” he said, extending his hand to help me get up.

“Okay,” I mumbled, standing up with Sawyer’s help.

I silently ate my late dinner with Sawyer and Trina while they talked about their plans to go back to California. They were both working in the same city. Now that Grandma was gone and I had no responsibility to care for anyone anymore, perhaps I should start planning my life.

I should be in my freshman year in college, but Grandma’s body became frail as the years passed by. I had to come here and live in Florida to take care of her. It was closer to her children. I didn’t mind moving here, although Elisha and I planned our lives back in New Jersey.

“Sophie…” Sawyer called my attention.

“Yes…”

“You should follow us to LA. You can continue your studies there. I am pretty sure you’ll get a job while getting your degrees there.”

I nodded. “Let me see. I need to rest first.”

I got to. The past three months have been hard for me. I was with Grandma all day and night in the hospital. She didn't want anyone but me until her final days. She died in her sleep the night I sang her favorite song.

It was hard to accept that I wouldn't see her anymore, but like what she told me that night, I should continue my dreams and be brave enough to face the world and challenges in life.

A few years back, I wasn't the strong Sophie everyone knew. I had a terrible short past, and Grandma helped me heal aside from the friends I had met in the small town near Pittsburg.

“Sophie…you need to start resting,” Trina chuckled, breaking my thoughts. “You’re spacing out, sweety. Call Elisha tomorrow once you are okay, yes?”

I wiped my lips with the table napkin. “I’ll just take a shower and then rest. Thank you, and goodnight.” I bade before leaving the dining table.

“Goodnight,” Trina and Sawyer replied.

I headed inside my room and couldn't help but cry once more. Sadness embraced me again. “Damn…this has to stop…” I muttered before walking towards the bathroom. I turned the bathtub tap on before removing my clothes.

I heaved a deep breath as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The dark shade under my eyes was evident that I hadn't had enough rest and sleep. My brown and curly wavy hair was dry. I couldn't even remember when I last washed them.

“Sophia Kay…” I murmured, staring at my pale and tired face, huffing. “You look hideous, girl….”

I looked back and checked the bathtub. I took and dropped my favorite glitter bath and got inside as it bubbled up with its glittering colors.

I laid and rested my aching back, enjoying the warm water and relaxing scent of my bath. “You are strong, Sophie,” I mumbled, tipping my head to the ceiling. I needed those affirmations for myself.

People might find me bubbly and always happy, but deep inside, I was a lost and lonely soul. Nobody knew me well aside from Grandma and Elisha, not even my brother. They were the closest to my heart.

Elisha Houston was my best friend. Though it felt like we had known each other for years, she and I only met three years ago. We were each other’s safety net. Elisha was from an affluent family in town though she only found out her real identity a few years back.

We seemed to live the same fate. Her life was as sad as mine though she was lucky to find her real father. She also had her Grandma but not her real one. She had a mom who constantly beat her, but thankfully, it was over.

Elisha and I decided to leave our small town and start our lives together in New Jersey after our graduation. The place where I grew up and had my very first moments in life. All the sweet and painful experiences in the nineteen years of my life.

I still chose to move back to the city despite the bad memories, because it was always my first home.

It was just unfortunate that I had to leave her after we broke up our friendship because of Kyle on the day of my birthday. I had another reason too, and that was to take care of Grandma.

“Oh, Elisha…” I sighed. My nightmare seemed real. She was dead with babies. “Damn, what does it mean?... Oh, you can’t be pregnant, El… no way….” I uttered, though I bet this was the reason why she asked for my help three days ago.

Perhaps Kyle knocked her up. They seemed in trouble a few days ago. Kyle asked for my number from Trina, and we spoke briefly. He was looking for Elisha. I didn't worry about it since I knew Elisha well enough. She needed space whenever she felt upset.

I needed to call and check on her. She was still my friend even if she chose the manipulator Kyle over me. Elisha probably found out that I was right after all. Kyle destroyed our friendship so he could take Elisha all by himself.

I just hoped he didn't do anything bad to her. She was blindsided by love. Yet, those harrowing scenes in my dream started to creep through me, but I calmed myself this time.

I continued my bath and took a warm shower right after. As soon as I was done dressing up in my pajamas, I went to check my phone. “Damn…” I huffed. Trina said she charged my phone, but it was off and had no battery.

I rested in my bed and plugged it in. Once it had enough power, I checked the screen and found hundreds of unread text and voice messages. Some from unknown numbers. I left my voice mail on for the past two days. And I bet most of them were just condolences and sympathy messages.

Grandma’s funeral didn't last that long. It had only been three days since she left this world. I promised to call her, but I totally forgot about it.

I dialed Elisha’s number, and it went straight to her voicemail. I tried again, but it was fruitless.

I checked my inbox and found an overwhelming amount of text. “Ugh…” I scrolled, finding Elisha’s name. I saw hers and opened it. There were a couple of voice messages, and I was about to open one when I heard my door open.

“Sophie…” It was Sawyer.

“Hey…” I smiled at him, putting my phone down.

Sawyer walked inside and sat next to me. “Sis…”

I held Sawyer’s hand. “Thanks for the offer, Sy. I will think about it, but I just want to stay here for a while,” I said, talking about his offer earlier. I knew I still had enough time for the next school year. However, Grandma’s lawyer said he would be in touch with me about her last will.

“I hear you. Just let me know, and my place is always ready for you.” Sawyer smiled.

I squeezed his hand. “Thanks. I need to speak with Elisha too….”

Sawyer nodded. “Oh, yeah. You must ask what’s going on. Trina mentioned to me the call she received from Kyle. It must be serious.”

“Yeah, I need to listen to see Elisha’s message first. She’s not answering her phone,” I glanced at my charging phone.

“I see…but Sophie…”

There was something serious in Sawyer’s voice that sent shivers through my skin. “Hey…”

“Chase. He’s out….”

“Huh? What do you mean he’s out?”

“I heard from his cousin that he was paroled after serving some time of his sentence… I’m sorry….”

“Damn…” I palmed my face in dismay.

Chase Donner. My ex-boyfriend assaulted me when I was fifteen. My childhood friend, whom I trusted and fell in love with once, abused me. He got ten years in prison for that. And it meant he only got a few since he came out too early.

Sawyer hugged me. “It's okay. I’ll ensure he will never touch you or go near you again,” he promised.

I heaved a deep breath. “I am not afraid of that bastard anymore. I just don't want to see or bump into him anytime soon,” I uttered.

Chase didnt scare me anymore. I used to, but this time he wouldn’t intimidate me. The teenage vulnerability got me. Chase was three years older than me, and he easily manipulated my life. One of the reasons why Sawyer and I had to move states aside from taking care of Grandma.

“I know you. You’ve grown spine this time…” Sawyer snorted.

“I got to….”

“Anyway, take a rest. Call Elisha tomorrow. She must be resting now too….”

I nodded. “Yes. You’re right,” I agreed.

Sawyer and I bade goodnight. He turned my lights off, and I laid my exhausted body back in bed. I took my phone and saw the hundreds of unread messages on the screen. My heart kept telling me to check them, but my body was too weary of moving. “Tomorrow..” I mumbled, closing my eyes to sleep.

I woke up quite okay the next day. I checked the time, and it was only six in the morning. It was getting colder here in the city since it was also the time of the year. The Christmas season was almost here.

I stood up and prepared myself. I bet Sawyer and Trina were still asleep, so I decided to cook them breakfast. An hour had passed, and we were all ready and eating our daily meal.

“Sophie. I received some missed calls from Kyle and his sister Sam yesterday. My phone was off as well, too, and I just saw it this morning,” Trina said before drinking her coffee.

“Oh, yes…” My eyes gaped. For some reason, earlier, my thought was all over about Elisha while cooking breakfast. I thought about listening to her unopened voice message, but I got overlooked with many thoughts.

I took my phone and played the voice messages. I didn't know what happened next. All I remembered was howling at Trina and begging my brother to book me a flight to New Jersey, where Kyle lived.

What we heard broke my heart into pieces. It scared me so much.

“Sophie…” Trina hugged me as soon as we got out of the car. I was already at the airport, ready to leave Florida for a while.

I needed to know what had happened to Elisha and where she was now. Her voice messages were sent three days ago. She sounded desperate and helpless. I had no idea. No f*cking idea she had suffered so much in Kyle’s hands. I knew it. He was bound to make her life a living hell. The same hell I once escaped.

“I need to know where she is. Oh, God…she’s pregnant! My dream can’t be real….” I sobbed. I told them on our way that I dreamt of Elisha inside the coffin with two dead babies next to her.

“That’s not going to happen….” Sawyer hugged me too. “Calm yourself, Sophie….”

I broke the hug and composed myself. “Thanks, Sy…Trina…I will call you soon….” I said before heading inside the departure area. My heart was heavy and sad. It was one heartbreak after another, and I didn't know when I would feel better again.

It took me hours to reach New Jersey. The flight delay was unbearable, and all I did was cry during the flight. As soon as I landed, I took a taxi and asked the driver to send me to Kyle’s penthouse.

I wasn't sure at first if he was there, but I would travel the world just to talk to him and to settle a score with him.

After paying the driver, I dashed inside the massive foyer and headed toward the front desk.

Just my luck. I saw a tall, familiar man with tousled dark brown hair standing at the counter, back facing me. “You mother-fucker Kyle….” I grittily uttered. Without any second thoughts, I grabbed my small backpack from behind and smacked it over his back, and began thumping him with it. I wasn’t a violent person, but my judgment had already taken me.

“Ouch…Hey…hey…Stop!” I didnt stop as I continued hitting him, sending him to the floor. “Why are you hurting me?” he calmly asked, arms covering his face.

“I hate you, Kyle! I f*cking hate you! Where’s Elisha?!... Where the…” I was about to hit him again when I took a clear look at his face.

“I’m not Kyle….”

My eyes gaped wide as soon as I realized it wasn't Kyle. This man looked exactly like Kyle but with a bit leaner physique and a clean-shaved face. He was wearing eyeglasses that I seemed to break. “Damn…” I just wanted the ground to open and take me.

The man scooted back and slowly pulled himself up. I looked around and saw people snooping around us. I noticed him waving his hand to someone behind me. I glanced back and saw the security men about to get me.

“It’s okay….” The guy stood up and composed himself. I was left standing in front of him, stunned in disbelief. “Hey, Miss…I’m Samuel, not Kyle… He’s my brother…” he coolly said, albeit I knew I had hurt him as he patted the side of his head. “Your water bottle got me…” he added.

“Ooppsss…I’m sorry…I’m sorry….” I could only say in shock and regret. I had a metal water flask inside my small backpack.

The man named Samuel smiled at me, huffing. “I’m on my way to New York now. I can drive you to my brother Kyle’s office,” he calmly offered.

I gulped with eyes still gaping at him. “Please…do…” I shamelessly accepted the offer. A few minutes or so later, I was already inside Samuel or Doctor Sammy’s car.

“Buckle up, miss? What’s your name again….” Sammy asked, arching his brow, offering his hand to shake. My lips quivered as I stared back at his slightly beaten face. He had thick dark hair and amber-colored eyes, but Sammy looked different from Kyle. His bastard brother was cunningly handsome, but this doctor was dangerously gorgeous. “Miss Violent, right?” he asked again, bringing me back to my senses.

“Huh?”

“Just kidding…”

“I’m really sorry. I’m Sophie. Elisha’s friend,” I was really ashamed. ‘Miss Violent’ I inwardly chuckled.

Sammy smirked. “It’s okay…just buckle up…”

“Sure…” I nodded, buckling up. I bet this trip was going to be a long, tedious ride with Doctor Sammy.