A Melody of You: Book Five

Cristina

"You. Sit down. Now."

Leanne acts like she is too busy and continues to look through files with a few students. I scoff at the audacity to ignore me. So I cross my arms on my chest as I follow the group towards the elevator. Some of them aren't even part of the cardiology department. She took most of my students!

I clear my throat and those that are my students look up, ready to follow my command. But Leanne continues to talk with a few other students so I say, "Hey!"

Finally, Leanne looks up and her brows rise. "Oh, Dr. Wong. I didn't see you there."

"Really?" She notices how I continue to talk in Korean and knows to keep cautious.

She awkwardly clears her throat when the students look at her with surprise. "Don't you have a patient meeting soon?"

I raise an eyebrow at her and say, "Get out of the elevator now, Dr. Nam."

She knows she cannot run away anymore and tells her students, "Make rounds and connect with patients. Remember that the most important part about being a doctor is listening."

"Really? I wouldn't know," I say as she steps out and my students look at me. I give them a nod and they obey Leanne's commands as they go back into the elevator.

She sighs once they are gone and says, "I'm busy."

"No, you're not. It's lunchtime."

She frowns and crosses her arms on her chest with annoyance. "I don't feel like eating fried chicken today. I have to take care of my health."

"Fine. Then let's eat a sandwich. I'll pay this time."

She starts to think about it and wants to reject it, so I just take her arm without warning. I don't care anymore what she says or does. I pull her with me and her eyes are wide. "Let me go!"

I put an arm around her shoulders so she doesn't use her surprising strength to escape. "Let's go eat. Don't worry. I'll make sure to take us somewhere your tummy will be happy and I can finally hear all about my best friend's trip!"

She lets out a defeated sigh and lets me guide her to my car. We are silent on our way there until I turn to look at her at a stoplight. She quietly looks out the window and my heart shivers with worry. I know that look. She's pensive. She is too thoughtful and quiet, especially after a trip.

She's nervous...

"Did you bring me a souvenir?" I say to ease the tension in her mind.

She looks over and nods. I'm surprised to see her take it out of her sling bag. I give her a warm smile and say, "Thank you. You didn't have to. I was just kidding."

"I have something else for you in my car. I just haven't seen you since I've come back..."

She looks away again because she knows she's been avoiding me. But I don't ask her right now. I stay by her side as we order our sandwiches and wait at a small table. She quietly sips her drink and looks around. She's trying to avoid my eyes...

I can't hold back anymore as I scoff. "What did you do over there?"

She raises her brows but is quick to hide her surprise. "What do you mean?"

"You've been avoiding me. You can't even look at me in the eyes right now. What did you do other than get drunk with your mentor?"

Her eyes grow wide and she looks around to see if anyone has listened. She gives my arm a small slap and says, "Don't say that so loud!"

I chuckle and raise my brows. "Why are you avoiding me then?"

Her expression grows small again and she moves the straw around in her cup. She clears her throat and softly says, "Because I knew you would get upset with me about that night..."