Destined Love

Chapter 4- Lisa

There wasn't much to do after preparing for work so I went down to my favorite café. It's called "Literary Nourish". I love the place, the vibes, and everything about it. It's a bookshop along with a café and bakery that is also a flower shop, ideal for readers like me. The interior is vintage like you watch in movies while some famous quotes are engraved on the wall from different best-selling books in a beautiful manner. There's a small corner in the coffee shop that has a variety of t-shirts and sweatshirts that can be customized with your favorite quotes. It's a home for readers and that's why it's my go-to place as well whenever I feel low. I've become friends with the owner in a very short time after I moved here. It was the time when Anna just started this coffee shop with some books and a café and it grew. She also recommends books here to read while her customers enjoy their coffee. Her husband usually travels for work so she runs this café. It was her passion so she made it her profession. The moment I entered the cafe, Lisa, Anna's two-year-old daughter was roaming around. She came running towards me the moment her eyes landed on me. Her ocean blue eyes glittered holding a sparkle same as her smile.

"Hey there, girl! ", I pulled her up in my arms.

She wasn't ready to let go of the hug yet. Before going to London, my schedule was so hectic that I couldn't come here for the whole week. I didn't expect her to notice my absence but kids are unpredictable. You never know what catches their eye. They barely need any reasons to love. They just give out love with all their darling little hearts.

"Liii....sa!" She called

I was at the edge of shedding tears, This was the first time I'd loved my name being called by someone.

"Yes, love. I missed you too and I'll be missing you more from now on", I held her in my arms and kissed her cheeks when she hugged me again. She held me around my neck this time and rested her head on my shoulder while we made our way towards her mother.

"Hey! Quite a long gap for my usual customer", She came from behind the counter and embraced me with our usual hug.

"I was in London for my workshops. Forget about work, when did she learn to say my name? Her name! Okay, our name!", We both laughed aloud.

"Well, to be precise, She's been trying the name for quite some time, but she started practicing it more when you weren't around. She used to wait for you every day and asked about you.", Anna explained.

"Aww! What did you bribe God to have this adorable little creature?"I teased while I held Lisa closer to me than she already was.

"Some pretty genes and a handsome man can do the job. You have the first one, just need to work on the second part", Anna chuckled.

"And that is what requires some serious effort which I don't have time to put in" I winked.

"She looks a little lazy today. Is she alright?", I added. Lisa wasn't the kid who could stay in a single position for more than a minute and I've been holding her like this for almost five minutes now.

"Yeah! She might be tired. She got up early today." Anna answered

We stayed there for some time catching up on the last two weeks and when I went to check on Lisa who was still lying on my shoulder, she was deep asleep.

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Work has always kept me sane so Mondays don't haunt me like other people. I woke up and went to my kitchen for breakfast. I've never skipped breakfast in life besides when there's an emergency so today was no exception. Even though I wasn't hungry, skipping breakfast wasn't an option. I'm not a person of discipline, but there are a few rules I've set for myself and I don't go against them. I had my usual boiled egg along with some fresh seasonal fruits. Then I got ready for work grabbed my tumbler and filled it with water before I left. My day usually starts with sitting in my cabin with a cup of coffee while I go through my emails and messages. I don't check my phone right after getting up in the morning besides any important calls and there weren't any. I went to the wards for the daily round. There weren't many patients today so I ended it up early and came back to the room. The main hall was filled with patients by the time I came back. I received a call from Anna while I was with one of my patients. I usually don't take calls with patients, but Anna never calls during my work hours until it's an emergency.

"Hey, Lisa. Are you at the hospital?" Anna enquired as soon as I answered my phone. She's usually a calm person so seeing her panicked was never an option, but since she asked me about being here, it's something serious.

"Yeah. Is everything alright?", I asked

"Lisa's been having a fever since last night." She finally admitted

"Come right away and give me a call the moment you reach", I instructed while hanging up.

Anna is a good mother and visiting hospitals has always been her last option. She usually treats Lisa with natural remedies which is the best thing she's doing for her little one.

"Hey, I'm here" Anna texted

"I've informed my assistant. Just tell your name and come inside after this" I replied

"Okay"

Lisa was exactly like her mother. No matter what happens, she acts like it's nothing. Her fever was 103F and she was being all mischievous like she usually is. We had a little fun when I treated her and gave her chocolates and a lollipop. She smiled and hugged me before she left and waved until the door closed. Whenever I have kids, I know I need a daughter just like her. I rang the bell on my table for the next patient while I went to the sink behind my desk to wash and sanitize my hands before I saw the next patient. There was a knock on my door.

"Come in," I said aloud.

I turned around and I could not believe my eyes. Out of all the people in this world what is he doing here and most importantly why did he show up out of nowhere? What does he want now? Panic initiated taking place in me but I managed to look calm.

"What are you doing here?", I enquired harshly.

According to the look on his face, it seemed like he wasn't expecting this reaction from me. What else? A warm welcome with flowers after what he did!

I was weighing my next move towards my table, torn between maintaining my professional composure and confronting the whirlwind of emotions he had brought back into my life. The silence stretched on, heavy and oppressive, as we stood there, two people bound by a past neither of us could escape.

Just as he was about to speak, the door behind him swung open again, Emily, my assistant entered, carrying a stack of files. She looked between us, sensing the tension in the room, and paused, uncertain. "Dr. Miller, discharge papers are ready for bed 24," she said quietly.

I blinked, breaking the spell. He turned to face Emily, her voice steady but her eyes still clouded with confusion. "Thank you, Emily. I'll be with them shortly." Emily nodded and exited, leaving us alone once more.

I took a deep breath, gathering my strength, and then finally met his gaze again. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low but firm. "But not here. Meet me somewhere we can sit and talk, anytime you're available."

I stood blank, understanding that whatever conversation we were about to have required more privacy than this clinical setting could offer. I turned to leave the room without any word, leaving him behind with a hundred questions swirling in my mind. He held my hand from the back.

"Please, Lisa!" He insisted.

His tone conveyed serious concern, and I could sense the weight of his words. I took a card from my drawer and handed it to him. "Text me, and we'll discuss the rest later." Without another word, I left the room, leaving him behind.

I informed Emily to let the patients know that I would be back in about 20 minutes as I needed to visit the ward. As I walked through the waiting room, the tension in my shoulders grew heavier. I knew my life wasn't done playing tricks on me yet.

What could Enzo possibly want to talk about now after all these years?

°°°°°

What could Enzo possibly want to talk about? Why is he back in Lisa's life? Will Lisa give him a chance? And most importantly will Lisa believe him?

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Happy Reading!