The Beautiful Target (Protector Series 3)

Chapter 16:On The Edge

"She's dehydrated and overfatigued, Ivan," deklara ni Dr. Andrew Lavigne habang inaayos ang ginamit nitong stethoscope sa bag nito. "I gave her intravenous medications for faster results. I will come back this afternoon para i-check siya ulit.  Just call me should her fever comes back," dugtong pa ng doktor bago tumayo mula sa gilid ng kama ni Ellie.

Ivan heaved a sigh of relief. Para siyang nabunutan ng tinik sa sinabi ni Dr. Andrew.  Kanina, kung saan-saan na naman nakarating ang isip niya sa pag-aalala kay Ellie. Who wouldn't? She was fine when he left her last night. 

Nakakalagnat na ba ngayon ang halik niya? 

"You've been here for almost a week and yet you're only calling me now that you needed my services for your ward. When Dax told me that you're coming to San Gabriel, I was expecting  you to see me. You got my message haven't you?" Dr. Andrew asked, his eyes were intently looking at him.

Napakurap siya sa sinabi ng doktor. Oo nga pala, pinakaiiwas-iwasan niya si Dr. Andrew nitong nakaraang halos isang taon pero ito rin ang una niyang tinawagan nang mangailangan si Ellie ng doktor.

Napabuntong-hininga siya.

 Maybe because he was in a panic. Or maybe because it was a force of habit. Dr. Andrew is a family... at least, sa pagkakakalam niya. They always had a good relationship. Siya pa nga ang madalas magsilbing tulay noon para dito at kina Dax at Andie dahil hindi maayos ang relasyon ng mga ito mula nang lihim na magpakasal ang anak nitong si  Dax at ang foster sister niya na si Andie . But everything changed after Prague.

Dumaan ang pamilyar na sakit sa dibdib niya. Maya-maya pa, tuluyan na siyang nilunod ng kanyang kunsensiya.

Prague was his fault. He had always known it was his fault. He was the first one who fell into that false intel. Siya ang nakatanggap ng intel e—directly from CIA. Dr. Andrew warned him about it, that he shouldn't be too trusting. But he pushed through with it... confidently. Akala niya kasi kapag nagtagumpay sila sa misyon nila sa Prague, matatapos na ang lahat. They'd all get the revenge they deserve.

But Prague was never a mission, it was a bait. A bait for the last remaining members of The Organization. And he was the reason why his friends fell right through the trap that caused Andrea's life.

"I got busy," mapaklang sagot niya, may halong inis. 

Naiinis siya kasi dahil hindi pa siya nito diretsohin. Alam naman niya na matagal na siya nitong gustong kausapin tungkol sa nangyari sa Prague almost a year ago. Siya lang ang umiiwas dahil alam niyang sasabunin siya nito dahil sa kapalpakan niya sa Prague. 

"You got busy or you're intentionally avoiding me?" Dr. Andrew squared his shoulders and picked up his bag. "Excuses won't get you anywhere, Ivan."

"Bakit hindi mo na lang ako diretsahin? Blame me for my sister's death. Blame me for the falling out between you and Dax. Blame me everything!" he snapped, his fists clenched.

Dr. Andrew chuckled, sarcastic.  Nagbuga ng marahang hininga ang doktor. "I'll go ahead," anito binigyan pa siya ng marahang tapik sa balikat bago tuluyang naglakad palayo.

Kuyom ang mga kamay niyang hinayon ng tingin ang papalayong bulto ni Dr. Andrew. Nang tuluyang makalabas ng silid ang doktor, muli siyang binisita ng mga masasakit na alaala kahit na ayaw niya.

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Mahinang pagtunog ng aircon ang nagpagising kay Ellie. She groaned and tried to move but a familiar voice spoke before she could even open her eyes.