The Man of My Prayers (Fitzmael 3) - COMPLETED

11: A Hundred Beats Per Minute

FRANCO DENROUN FITZMAEL

I JUST HANDED in my resignation letter at my parents' office. I just left it there since they weren't around. I also sent them an email to make sure they'd read it. I told them that I'd still go through with the scheduled appointments and surgeries, but I wouldn't be accepting any new patients.

I was already in the parking lot when I placed the big box filled with my things from the office at the back of my car. I drove home after that. As soon as I got there, Tatay George greeted me. I gave him a wide smile and hugged him.

"Have you eaten, anak?" That's always the first thing he asks me.

I'd only had coffee, so I was still a bit full, but I knew Tatay always prepared food for me, and I never turn that down. "Not yet, Tay. Actually, I'm pretty hungry," I said with a smile.

"I cooked your favorites," he said. He was about to grab the big box to bring it inside.

"I'll take it, Tay," I said, then I took the box from him.

"I'll just take your bag inside," he said, picking up my bag.

We both went inside together and set my things down before sitting down to eat.

"By the way, how's Serene? I haven't seen your sister in ages," Tatay asked while we were eating.

I paused for a moment, saddened by the thought. "We still don't talk much, Tay."

"I understand that you've disappointed her, and that's why you've been keeping your distance... but you don't need to push away the people who love you. I'm getting older, anak. I don't want to leave this world knowing you're lonely, with no one by your side. You don't deserve that. You've been punishing yourself for the last six years. You need to forgive yourself."

I looked at him and smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you for being a father, Tay."

"ARE YOU GOING to the wake?"

"Yes," I replied briefly while checking my reflection in the mirror.

"We'll pick you up."

"Thanks, Imil. Who's with you?"

"Ren."

"Okay, be careful."

A few minutes later, I heard a honk outside. I didn't let them in the house since the funeral home was still far away, and we needed to get there as soon as possible.

"Thanks for coming," Hunter said when he saw us. "Doc, I'm glad you made it," he gently tapped my arm. "Have you eaten? We've prepared some food. Come..."

Imil and Ren followed Hunter, while I stayed behind and sat at the back. The first person I looked for was Adorn, and I wasn't disappointed— I quickly spotted her sitting in the front.

"Does Hunter not know about you and Attorney?" Ren whispered to me when they got back.

I immediately shook my head. "We haven't even reached that stage yet. I didn't even know that Attorney's mother was my patient."

"That's crazy," Ren said, then handed me a packed meal and juice. "Eat."

I accepted it. "Thank you."

"I still owe you a drink. Just let me know when," Imil reminded me.

"There's just been so much going on that I haven't had a chance to destress," I admitted.

"Is that Chase?" Ren asked.

"Chase who?" I frowned.

"That guy sitting next to Attorney," Imil chimed in. "He's a prosecutor, but he rarely takes on cases. If I remember correctly, his last one was about the victim of an ex-senator. The case became quite the talk of the town because the ex-senator was a former celebrity, and no one expected something like that to happen."