The Doctor's Playmate

Chapter 32- The Gift

“Bonjour! Qui est cette personne?”

“C'est moi, Thomas.”

“Thomas…”

“Oui, j'ai besoin que vous répondiez à quelques questions.”

“This is Sammy, Tom,” I said, sighing.

“I know. I need to know your brother's plan.”

“About what?”

“Kyle sent me an email. He’s inviting me to a party on Tuesday. It’s a surprise party for Elisha, but I didn’t buy it,” Thomas stated.

My brows creased after hearing Thomas. Yes, there would be a party, but it wasn’t for Elisha but for Gideon. I wasn’t sure if Thomas already knew what happened last Friday night or if it was just a simple question about whatever faux-party Kyle said to the man. “Oh, y..yes…” I could only confirm., quickly thinking about what it might be. “Yes, there’ll be a party.”

“I see…” Thomas mumbled, “I am not sure if I could go. I have…”

“You have to go...” I said before Tom could continue his words, “Elisha will be happy to see you.”

“I know. Let me see what I can do,” Tom replied.

“Let me know soon. I could arrange it for you,” I offered. I wasn’t sure yet, but I prayed that whatever Kyle designed would work and wouldn’t mess everything up.

“No, but thank you. And Samuel…”

“Yes?”

“I also need to ask you something. It’s all about Amanda.”

“What do you want to know about my sister?” I sternly asked.

I heard uneven, heavy breaths on the other side. Tom seemingly became hesitant to talk again. “I’m sorry. Are you busy? You must be at work.”

“Not really, Tom. I am about to end my shift and go home. Sam isn’t in the city. She’s in Florida with her...twin Kyle.” I answered, almost dropping Gideon’s name.

“I see…” Tom paused, “I want to know what happened to your sister when she returned to the States a few years ago. I don't have access to all of her contacts,” He said, “She's not even responding to my emails.?

It took me a while to answer his not-so-simple question. I would say a lot has happened. ‘My sister almost died with her son during childbirth. Sam lost her mind and hit rock bottom.’ “How much do you know about what happened to her?” I asked him back. Chance-wise, he was still oblivious to the truth.

“Kyle used my sister to avenge what I had done to Amanda in the past. That was very cruel and vile,” Tom stated. “I knew I had made a mistake, but I love Amanda, I mean Sam. However, something unfortunate happened in our relationship. I know I ghosted Sam because she was the one who cheated on me. She slept with Max.”

“She didn’t! Sam didn’t cheat on you,” I quickly refuted his words, “My sister loves you. Max is the only friend who helped her that fateful night. He saved her.” I added, stopping myself from revealing the truth. It wasn’t my place to say what I knew.

“I know that. I had just found out about the truth that happened in the following hours of that night when I saw them,”

“How?” My brows creased as I sat up straight on my swivel chair. I wondered how he learned about it. Perhaps Tom already had an idea then.

“A mutual friend of ours went to my office today and told me about her and Maximus. Caroline was there that morning and helped Max. She was the one who...

“Emergency in the ER. Doctor Samuel Owens is needed ASAP. Thank you. Emergency in the ER. Doctor Samuel Owens is needed ASAP. Thank you.”

I quickly stood up after hearing my name paged inside the call room. My heart raced as I wondered what could be so urgent that they immediately needed me. I grabbed my stethoscope. "Oh, Thomas. I need to go. Let's have a chat tomorrow. I'll message you."

“Yes, thanks!” I heard Tom reply before I ended the phone call. I rushed down the hallway, trying to keep my thoughts in check after the interrupted conversation with Tom.

As I arrived at the emergency room, I saw doctors and nurses huddled around several beds. I spent another long hour doing my job, assisting and helping patients, before returning to the call room to end my shift.

I left the hospital feeling exhausted but satisfied with my work. As soon as I returned home, I called Sophie to update her on my day and the call I received from Thomas. I was uninformed about the party Kyle mentioned to Tom, plus a new revelation Tom received from a lady named Caroline.

For some reason, I needed Sophie's advice on what to do or say to Thomas, but I didn't want to reveal too much information about the situation. I promised to tell her the whole story about Sam’s troubles in exchange for her long-awaited tales about Chase.

Sophie and I were in the middle of our conversation when she abruptly ended the call, which I understood. Knowing I wouldn’t get to talk to her until later, I decided to get some sleep and recharge my body. I was too weary to ask Kyle about his plans, so I made a mental note to speak with him.

Hours passed, and I regained my energy to study and do another hospital duty. My tummy started to grumble in hunger after taking a long, hot bath. I went back downstairs and was greeted with darkness and silence. I wondered where Mom and Dad were. Sam, Kyle, and Gideon were scheduled to fly around midnight. And Sophie and Elisha might be home in a few hours. I decided to whip up a quick meal before returning to the hospital for my next duty.

“Oh, you’re awake!” I heard Yelena’s voice as she walked out of the kitchen. “I thought about bringing your food to your room since you didn’t eat breakfast today, and lunchtime is over!” she said, fixing the plates on the table.

“Yes, I didn’t realize it. I was on my last legs this morning,” I answered, pulling out a chair to sit at the dining table.

“Are you going to stay in your apartment tonight?” Yelena asked, serving drinks at the table. “Mama is still there cleaning your room! Dios mío, she said it was messy! Your clothes, blankets, and pillows were all around the floor!” she laughingly expressed. “She asked me what you have been doing in your life, and you seemed to follow your brother’s antics!”

“Oh…really…” I could only say, remembering how I left it untidy. Sophie wanted to fix and tidy them up, but I said Yelena would come and clean them the next day. “Well, I thought you’d be the one cleaning them!” I snorted. Yelena knew my antics as a man with needs. I didn’t clutter much, not unless I did hook-ups.

Yelena shook her head and said, “Si! Si! I knew you, Samuel! Whenever you had a wild night with your ladies! But Mama, Dios mío! She doesn't realize you're a handsome young man with needs!”

“Mama Melba thinks I am still a child,” I smiled while serving my plate with all the delicious meals Yelena had prepared.

“No! She thinks you have become wilder! Your bedside lamps are broken, wet towels are everywhere, used and unused c*ndoms are thrown in the bin, and your bed’s headrest is almost jammed on the wall!” Yelena described, cracking me up.

“Oh, come on! That’s not true!” I snickered.

“No lo niegue, Samuel! It’s true! I have photos as evidence!” Yelena replied.

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as a sudden embarrassment rushed over me. “Yeah, Dile a Mamá Melba que lo siento! It was just an awesome night with So…” I stopped before I could complete Sophie’s name.

“With whom?”

I sipped my orange juice and then glanced at Yelena, “With Kendra,” I answered. Yelena was already familiar with Doc Kendra and who she was.

“Oh, the beauty is here.”

“She was. She went back to Florida yesterday,” I lied.

“Si! Si! I’ll just talk to Mama later. I need to tell the cooks to prepare breakfast early tomorrow. Your mom and dad will arrive early from Philly. Disfruta de tu comida!” Yelena said before turning around to leave me.

“Gracias, Yelena!” I replied, then went back to my food. I felt sorry for Mama Melba for doing so many jobs in my room. Sophie and I stayed there for barely two hours. Our deed was so hot, wild, and steamy that we tried everything, even on the floor and my couch. “Oh, I miss that lady,” I mumbled, thinking about Sophie.

It crossed my mind to call her, but I stopped myself. She must be having time with her friends, and I didn’t want to pressure her by explaining why I called. I headed back to my bedroom and proceeded to my usual study time. I started writing notes for my upcoming tests. I kept racking my brain so I could do well. I didn’t aim to ace the exam but just to pass and be over with residency and practice.

I was busy reading and writing when I heard knocks on my door. “Come in!” A little while later, the door opened, and Yelena came in with the package. “Eso es mío?” My brows knitted. It looked like a gift, judging from its wrapping.

“Si! Someone delivered it. Did you order this?” Yelena asked, putting the box on my table.

I shook my head, “No. I didn’t,” I said, wondering who sent it.

“No address. The driver outside received it,” Yelena added, looking at the box as I held it, the blue-laced brown box with a little plush bear on top. “Maybe an admirer.”

I snorted, “It should've been sent to my apartment.” I didn’t use our mansion’s house as my home address. If there were packages sent to me or things I ordered online, the delivery address would always be my apartment.

“I see. Check it! I’m curious! ” Yelena smiled, wiggling her brows.

I laughed, “Fine,” I said, opening the lid. The box contained a couple of items, like a gray and blue necktie, and what seemed to be an expensive ballpoint pen with my name engraved on it. ‘Dr. Samuel Alistair Owens’ “Oh....”

“That’s it? From who?” Yelena scoffed.

I nodded, taking it out of the box. There was a neatly folded blue card inside. “Sweet Sammy,” I read.

“Ohh!” Yelena shrieked and giggled, ”An admirer!”

“Stop…” I clicked my tongue. I have a hint of where it came from now. I opened the letter and skimmed the message inside.

“What did it say?” Yelena nosily asked.

I looked at her, “Nothing. Just thanking me for helping and tending to her mom in the hospital,” I lied.

“Wow! That’s awesome, though!” Yelena remarked, “Anyway, I shall go now. Dinner time is in forty. Come quick, I've prepared your favorite!” She winked at me before turning around.

“I will, Gracias!” I smiled back at Yelena, holding the card tightly. As soon as she left, I opened the card once more.

‘My gorgeous, sweet guy.

It's difficult to be apart from you, but the memories we've shared never leave me alone. It has been seven years since we drifted apart, but the promise you gave me has never left my heart. I’ll be coming home, my love. Together, we will fulfill the future we dreamed of when we were younger. I am willing to leave everything behind in order to be with you, Sammy! Jess would be happy to see us together from above after all the years you and I have been through! See you soon! I love you!’

Demi xx’

I let out a deep sigh, feeling overwhelmed as I read the letter in my hands. It had been seven long years since I had last seen Demi. As I read through the words again on the paper, I couldn't help but wonder if my feelings for her were still as strong as they once were.

“Oh, Demi…” We had both moved on with our lives after the tragic loss of Jess, but now it felt like the past was coming back to haunt me.

I was silent for a while as I contemplated what my life would be like in the following days or weeks. Demi and Sophie. Both ladies were close to my heart.

Demi was my first relationship. We didn’t break up. We just parted ways, but not without giving our promises to each other. We had a pact. It wasn't just love. It was to keep a secret about what had indeed happened to Jess.

I knew Demi was guilty of telling her sister about the terrible idea. And I was guilty of giving her the answer to Jess’s problem. I had always felt inculpable, but I knew I couldn't place all the blame on Demi.

“My Lord…” I held my breath, placing my hands over my head. I've got to do something,” I murmured. My head throbbed from the tension lingering in my body.

Sophie brought happiness and liveliness to my dull life. Being in her company was an absolute pleasure. Physically and mentally. Sophie's lovely and vibrant demeanor truly helped with my sanity. We had just begun this fun and wild connection. I didn’t want to end it yet.

“I need to rest it off,” I murmured, closing my eyes to calm my restless mind.

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