𝖧𝖾𝗋 𝖣𝖾𝗌𝗂𝗋𝖾𝗌 •|KTH |• 21+

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚒𝚟𝚎 🥀

"T-thirty thousand?!" I gasped, struggling to process the amount. "Is there an issue? Should I repeat myself?" my bank manager inquired. "N-no, I'm just a bit shocked, thank you," I replied, ending the call. My hand fell into my lap as I closed my eyes. We hadn't even been intimate, and he had given that much?! Who was this man?

How could he have so much wealth?!

I felt a mix of emotions, wanting to cry and express my gratitude, but that seemed too vulnerable. I was merely a pet to him, and I might never see him again. I licked my parched lips and glanced at my dad, resting in the hospital bed. "Once you're out of here, I can take care of both of us—you won't have to worry about me anymore, appa. I could even return to college," I said, a hint of hope in my voice.

"Sweetheart." I looked up to see the nurse entering the room. "Your father's doctor would like to speak with you," she said gently. My heart raced, and I gripped the chair tightly. "Is everything alright?" I asked softly. "He's waiting outside," was her only response.

I nodded, standing up and making my way out. "Doctor," I called softly to catch his attention. He turned and approached me with a warm smile. "Rai," he greeted. However, his expression shifted to seriousness as he glanced at the papers in his hand. "We're doing everything possible. As you know, the chemotherapy was halted when he fell into a coma. Without it, the cancer has been able to progress," he explained.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. "I understand," I whispered, my voice barely audible. He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We can't take any action while he remains in a coma, Rai," he said gently.

"How serious is it?" I asked, looking up at him. "No more than a year," he replied. I paused, feeling warmth flood my cheeks and my throat tighten. I wanted to cry, to scream, to express how unfair this all felt. The only family I had left was slipping away. I wiped my tears and forced a weak smile. "You don't have to put on a brave face, sweetheart. I know how much you've endured—paying hospital bills alone for nearly a year. I'm not just your father's doctor, Rai, I'm here for you." He tells me softly.

Ryan, my father's physician, had a special connection with me because his mother was a friend of mine. After her passing, our bond deepened even more.

"Thank you, Ryan. I can't express how much I appreciate you."

"Just wait a moment; I'll drive you home once my shift ends." He envelops me in a warm hug before looking down at me. "Is that okay?" he asks again. I nod, and he beams at me. "Doctor, you need to complete the paperwork for patient thirteen," the same nurse from earlier reminds him. He reluctantly shifts his gaze from me to her. "Alright," he exhales. My father often said Ryan was the kind of person he would have wanted me to be with—intelligent, attractive, and, of course, a doctor. But beyond those qualities, he was truly a wonderful person.

However, he was the friend I had been longing for. The support I desperately needed.

Ryan left with the nurse and I felt this weird feeling stir up within me causing the hairs on my arms and neck to prickle. It almost felt as if I could feel the warmth of a gaze. I looked around till my eyes found a familiar pair. It was him, the man from earlier, and he was studying me with such intent, I felt it.

I swallowed hard and maintained eye contact. Why? I couldn't say. There was something about this mysterious man which captivated me.

__

An hour after:

"There is truly no need for you to give me a ride-" I started, but Ryan interrupted me. "Get in," he told me, solemnity in his voice. He did not spare me another glance and I fell silent and sat inside the car.

It wasn't often that I allowed him to drive me; I disliked feeling indebted to anyone. To avoid that feeling, I usually kept my distance. "Seatbelt." he reminded me as he turned the ignition.

I quickly reached for the seatbelt and fastened it across my chest, noticing him watching me as I clicked the buckle into place. Once secured, I sank back into the plush leather seat, appreciating the comfort of not having to ride the bus. I recalled the countless times I had been jostled or brushed against by strangers. "Are you alright?" he asked, as we pulled away from the hospital. Leaving always stung.

It felt like I was leaving my father behind, and knowing how much he despised hospitals only deepened the pain. "I'm fine," I exhaled softly, my gaze falling on him.

His eyes were focused on the road ahead showing me his sharp nose and the swell of his pink lips. He was beautiful, I'll tell you that much, with his dark hair and tan skin. His physique was impressive also; I could see the fabric of his shirt straining against his muscles each time he reached for the gear stick.

If he weren't a doctor, I might have thought he belonged to some powerful mob or some other agency I wasn't aware of.

It was perplexing how he could possess such considerable wealth solely from his shifts at the hospital. It made no sense to me. The vehicle in which I was seated could potentially settle my college debts while also addressing my father's medical expenses and his mortgage—perhaps his affluence is derived from his family.

"You could always stay with me, Rai. You know that," he offered, and my eyes returned to his mouth as he spoke. It wasn't the first time he's asked me to come stay with him. I would never burden him like that. 

"You know how much I appreciate you, Ryan, but you're also aware of my need to be independent, for my father, at least. I also got my first paycheck today," I replied, my voice trailing off at the end.

Please, do not ask about my job... Please...

"That's incredible, Rai, where do you work?"

Shit...

"I—I do babysitting and a little café downtown for part time. " I lied through my teeth, and I hated it.

He smiled and nodded, but there was a seriousness in his expression after. "If things ever get overwhelming, just come to me, alright?" he said, almost as a caution. I had no one else to go to.

We fell into a comfortable silence for the rest of the ride. I enjoyed his company, but his work shifts always got in the way for us to do anything to divert our minds.

He parked in front of my apartment building and I turned to him while unbuckling my seatbelt, "Thank you, I owe y-" I went to say, but he cut me off. "Stop saying that. You owe me nothing." he tells me, and I press my lips together. "Do you have dinner?" he asks, and I smile, "I do."

Due to my recent payment, I was able to pay off my rent and afford a good, nutritional meal. I was able to get by just fine merely because of a stranger.

"Alright, get some rest," he says, leaning in closer. My body tenses and I become engulfed in his warm and gentle mix of his cologne and my own vanilla perfume as he plants a soft, lingering kiss on my cheekbone. His plan caresses the back of my head and he pulls away with the most sweetest smile on his mouth. "Goodnight." I tell him.

I wait for him to drive off before searching for my keys in my pocket while walking to the building, my phone begins to vibrate just then. I lift it to my ear, "Whatever you did on your first day, keep it up! We'll see you tomorrow." It was someone from work. My eyes widened in surprise, "Of course, yes. Thank you. I'll be there tomorrow," I replied,  clenching my keys in my other palm.

I wanted there to be another way.

—-

Ryan^