Love's So Contagious

Responsible

Gulf made a sincere effort to reduce his workload. He consistently left work by seven o'clock every evening. The staff, not only at his hospital but also at the other hospitals, were highly competent. In any case, they were in a sort of holding pattern until another attack occurred. They would strictly adhere to the treatment protocol. The outcome for the victims would solely depend on their survival. Gulf's presence hardly made a significant difference once the correct diagnosis was made and the treatment plan was decided upon.

If there was ever a need for him, if something went wrong or an unexpected situation arose, they could always reach him by phone.

Mew's investigation seemed to be progressing more smoothly now that Gulf wasn't constantly worried about his well-being. Gulf hadn't realized how much time Mew had been sacrificing to take care of him. He felt guilty about that. Would they have already apprehended the killer if he and Mew hadn't been involved?

Perhaps, perhaps not. They struggled to resist the temptation of each other's touch. Maybe they would have carried on, constantly distracted by one another, and nothing would have been accomplished. Perhaps the residents of Vihokratana Enterprise would have never experienced an attack, as the culprit would have been apprehended. The residents wouldn't have contracted meningitis, but they would still be trapped in Vihokratana Enterprise. The investigation into the facility was still ongoing and would likely continue for a significant period of time.

The elderly patients continued to pass away at a concerning rate, leading to inquiries from local and national media. Gulf's colleagues at the CID requested extensive notes. Gulf understood their reasoning, as even if nothing else came out of this situation, there would be valuable data regarding the impact of meningococcal disease on the elderly. The hospital, both the previous administration and their new corporate superiors from Samut Sakhun, believed that another press conference would be beneficial.

Gulf realized the importance of addressing the public's concerns, even if it meant facing another press conference. Despite the chaotic nature of the media, it was the most effective way to disseminate information. Alongside Mew, Gulf stood before a crowd of reporters, feeling a bit uneasy. Not only had he been unable to resolve the meningitis outbreaks, but he also felt self-conscious about his ill-fitting clothes. He wasn't the youthful and stylish doctor he used to be, and he couldn't help but notice that his clothes had become tighter.

He couldn't change the situation now. He didn't have the time to go shopping for paternity.

The hospital's outgoing communication director gave a brief introduction, and then it was all about Gulf and Mew. It bothered Gulf that he was becoming accustomed to this. He had learned public speaking, yes, but he hadn't expected to use it like this. It was just one of those things he had to do in junior high. If Mr. Watittapan could see me now.

He cleared his throat. "Good afternoon. I understand that there has been some concern about the high death rate among meningitis patients from the attack at Vihokratana Enterprise. To be honest, we have also been concerned about that. The truth is, there isn't much information available on how meningitis affects the elderly population. They are not typically included in the patient profile for meningitis patients in the United States. We are doing everything we can for these patients, but we feel it is important to note that these seniors were already in a very vulnerable state before the attacker struck."

A national cable news channel reporter raised his hand and sneered. "Are you holding the seniors responsible for their own deaths?"

Mew frowned at the reporter. "Are you serious?" He turned to Gulf. "Is he joking? Did he not hear what you just said?" A small chuckle spread among the gathered reporters, and a few cameras focused on the reporter in question. "No. Nobody is blaming the senior citizens themselves. They had every right to expect safety at Vihokratana Enterprise. I'm not even blaming Vihokratana Enterprise for this attack. Healthy individuals don't usually end up in a skilled nursing facility, folks. This killer—and let's be clear, they are a murderer—sneaked into a building full of elderly people who were already dealing with an illness, injury, or some other condition, and then deliberately released a deadly bacteria in a way that the seniors had no choice but to ingest it. Which part of that makes it seem like the seniors are being held accountable, huh?"