Chased by a Gentleman

Chapter 1

❝I didn't think that our first meeting after four years will be this awful.❞

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"Isn't that Miles Bailey?" Eloise whispered to herself.

"Let's go, Eloise. We might get scolded."

"Coming!" She followed her fellow intern and distributed the cups of coffee that they were holding.

If her eyes did not betray her, that means she just saw Miles Bailey who ran away from her five minutes ago. He still had the 90s curtains hairstyle that he had back in high school. He got taller and hotter. Eloise realized that she made so many memories with him before they graduated high school. 

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Fortunately, Eloise had mistakenly assumed that they would spend the entire day running errands for the crew.

"We're tasked to film at the Pediatrics department." The producer paused and eyed the interns' direction.

"Girl with the plaid top and boy with the backward cap, come with me." Eloise mentally squealed when she realized that she was indeed wearing a plaid shirt.

"We're going to interview Dr. Hughes. What are your names, by the way?"

"My name is Eloise Clark! I'm 22 years old and I'm a 4th-year film major!" She enthusiastically exclaimed.

"Woah there missy. How about you?" The other intern calmly introduced himself.

"Okay, Eloise Clark. You try interviewing Dr. Hughes, we prepped some questions beforehand so you should be fine. If you have your own questions for him, you can add that too."

"While you mister with the tacky hat, you help with the sound." Eloise finally had a significant task that didn't involve buying some food or drinks for the crew.

Eloise reviewed the contents written on the clipboard with the biggest smile on her face.

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Hughes!" Eloise looked up from her clipboard and saw the famous Dr. Hughes. He looked younger than she thought, and also very attractive than she initially imagined. Any woman would die for the kind face he had. He also had a very clean appearance.

"Please do what you always do and pretend the camera isn't here. We will conduct an interview later, so please be prepared," The producer explained.

"Very well." He softly smiled. Eloise saw him take a quick look at her, but he said nothing as she had anticipated. She kept urging him inside her head to speak once more just so she could hear his satisfying British accent. 

Miles was standing nearby and staring at her with a troubled expression, but Eloise was so ecstatic with this boy that she hardly noticed.

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"We meet again, Mr. Bailey." Miles gave him a small smile to be polite.

Brahms handed him a wooden clipboard. "You're making my rounds with me along with the other interns, so please observe."

Miles followed him as they started doing what they needed to do. A nurse suddenly interrupted them.

"I think it's for the documentary. They already asked for the patients' consent to be filmed. They just need yours, Dr. Hughes." Before Brahms could reply to the nurse, a cheerful producer popped up.

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Hughes!"

"Please do what you always do and pretend the camera isn't here. We will conduct an interview later, so please be prepared," The producer explained.

"Very well." He softly smiled.

Miles' feet were glued to the floor. What to do next eluded him. His efforts to forget her had been fruitless up to this point. He believed that starting his university life would aid in his transition. 

Eloise walked away with the others, smiling as usual. How could she just bubbly walk away, when he was hurting solely because of her presence? But of course, Eloise would have no idea.

All of the sorrow from high school resurfaced in his heart as if those events had only happened yesterday. Miles walked as if he was a ticking time bomb. Eloise on the other hand attentively walked with her notepad. He tried to ignore his internal suffering and tried to focus.

They took a 30-minute break before starting the interview. Eloise went to refill her water bottle and caught a glimpse of Miles who appeared to be carrying too much load on his shoulders.

I'm an old friend, I should check up on him.

Eloise sat down beside him, feeling relieved that she chose to wear jeans today and not feel the cold metal hospital chairs.

"You good?" Eloise asked as she drank from her jug.

Miles slowly turned his head to Eloise who wore a concerned face. He couldn't distinguish if she was really doing this or if she was making fun of him.

Eloise realized that he never once acknowledged her today. It's not like they are complete strangers.

"Long time no see." Miles remained silent and did nothing but stare at his lap.

"You're going to talk to me or..." Miles let out a sigh and rose from his seat.

Before he could depart, Eloise held his wrist. His body tensed even more from her touch.

"I didn't think that our first meeting after four years will be this awful," Eloise softly said, without her cheerful tone this time.

"Me neither."