Chased by a Gentleman

Chapter 3

❝It's alright. Because it's you.❞

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trigger warning // mention of blood

"Why are you sitting here? It's dark."

His eyes were a little red, and Eloise surmised that he probably teared up or had fallen asleep.

"Don't worry. It's okay to cry. Even if you're a guy. You have the right to cry. Oh my god, that rhymed." Miles remained quiet and ignored her enthusiasm. 

Eloise made a quick stop at the university's library, where she had left a few items. She then came across Miles.

"Mind sharing what happened?" Eloise questioned and nudged his arm.

She was supposed to be avoiding him. But her happy-go-lucky self couldn't resist it.

"My bosses are making my internship the worst."

"Did Dr. Hughes scold you?" Eloise couldn't imagine him mad or screaming at anyone. Dr. Hughes was like an angel sent from heaven. She doubts he could hurt a fly.

"No. Not him. The other doctors are so entitled."

"Well, they're just like that. Some doctors feel superior just because of their important job. But what can we do? Our society needs them."

There was a moment of silence and no one dared to speak. The two are almost convinced that one another is praying inside their head.

"So..." Eloise paused to think of what to say.

"If this major is so hard for you, why did you even choose this in the first place?" Miles chuckled to himself, knowing that he was in an emotional state and he would undoubtedly expose himself.

"I think it's because of the person who mentioned they found doctors hot because they watched too much Grey's Anatomy," Miles confessed as he failed to keep in his smile.

"No way. Do you still remember that? You weren't even part of the conversation. I recall telling that to Bridget."

"You and Bridget's conversations are my favorite. That's the best part of sitting in front of you two back in high school." Eloise suddenly recalled all the crap she did back in high school.

"So, in other words. You were-"

"I was trying to impress you. You have no idea what I did back in high school. I did a lot of risky stuff for you."

Miles did everything for Eloise. You can say that he was lowkey about his feelings, but in the end, he went all out for her.

"I wasn't interested in medicine and applied as a joke. But my father found out about it and encouraged me so hard."

Miles grew up with a silver spoon. His father is the mayor of Mearl Haven, which explains where his wealth came from. Miles' parents expected a lot from their children to keep their reputation clean and respected.

"He pressured me to pass the entrance exams but I wasn't even going to go even if I was accepted. You can say that I did it for you." Miles softly smiled at her, but a hint of sadness can still be detected in his eyes.

Did he go through all of this just because of Eloise? He wouldn't be in this predicament if she hadn't made that joke.

"I'm really sorry Miles."

"It's alright. Because it's you."

____

"Freddie, you have to take your medicine." The kid's face got wrinklier and screamed his lungs out.

Freddie repeated what Brahms just said, but in a mocking tone—trying to imitate his accent. The kid stuck his tongue out to top it off. Miles couldn't help but look away to smile.

Brahms took a deep breath and showed him his brightest smile. "Please Freddie~ Do it for Dr. Hughes."

"You choose. I go get Dr. Vegas or you drink your medicine?" Freddie started crying when he heard the horrifying name. He started screaming even louder than before.

He took the nearest object which happened to be his mother's mug and threw it across his ward.

Everyone gasped, including the nurses who were on stand-by. Eloise just had to stand in the direction where he flung the cup. She was in the room because they were supposed to film but the patient suddenly threw a tantrum which caused the filming to halt.

Eloise could feel a certain liquid flow down from her forehead. "Blood!"

Here she is, seated inside the treatment room with Dr. Hughes and Miles. "I apologize on Freddie's behalf. He's always like that."

"Kids are kids." Eloise laughed at her own statement.

Brahms suddenly smiled at Eloise, who immediately fell silent. She ducked out of his gaze after being taken off guard.

Eloise is a girl who, it may be said, doesn't fall in love easily. Throughout high school, Miles pursued her, but he was unable to win her affection. That is because all her devotion and passion were consumed by something else. She spent so much time pursuing the career she desires, that she was as unable to entertain any lover in her life. This girl is literally building her career even before she entered college. 

But how could a mere smile from Dr. Brahms make her heart shake?

"Does your head hurt?" She completely lost track of Miles' presence in the room.

"Not for now," Eloise claimed as she hopped off the bed.

"Don't move," Brahms stated and held her shoulders. She felt his fingers touch her hair, removing some particles from her hair.

"There are some shards in your hair. Make sure to wash your hair later to shake off the remaining shards. It's not that serious, thankfully."

As Miles stood there, watching Brahms assist Eloise, he felt compelled to intervene. He studied her expressions and Miles could clearly tell that she had suddenly gotten shy. How could the optimistic and bubbly Eloise ever get shy? Only once did Eloise feel shy around him. That was the moment at which he revealed his emotions. After that, she pretended nothing happened and continued being her jolly self.

What about this man that made her bashful without trying hard? Of course, Miles got envious. That's very natural for him to feel.

He just stood there with a blank face as Eloise acted all reserved. "Thank you, Dr. Hughes."

"No problem," He replied and flashed that stupid smile again.

Miles spent all of his high school life quietly chasing Eloise. It felt so unfair. But he doesn't blame Eloise. He blames Brahms for getting in his way.

Brahms removed his gloves and exited the treatment room.

"Eloise," He quietly called.

Eloise hummed in response.

"Have you eaten dinner?"