Always, Lily

▫️Thirty one

LILITH

Congratulations!

I had received that a lot for the past week. Whether from my colleagues at work or from friends, I didn't grow tired hearing that.

From winning in the project presentations to finally opening a store with Enzo, I was definitely over the moon.

Even now as I walked on the hospital hallways, doctors I wasn't even acquainted with offered a smile when I walked past them.

I wasn't that popular before, but the success of my project had made a new title for me.

I wasn't that quiet and reserved paediatrician anymore. Eyes would turn to me when I entered a room, and honestly, I was still adjusting myself into this semi famous phase of my career.

My phone vibrated from my lab coat pocket and I took it out, reading mom's recent message.

She was checking whether my schedule for the week was packed, having planned to visit on the weekend.

I didn't have a definite answer for her at the moment, but I promised to make time on Sunday, a day I was sure we would meet undisturbed.

I also knew that this time she was visiting because of Enzo. After catching up with Orion and realizing that they were friends, she had purposed to meet the three of us.

Through text, I informed Enzo about my mom's plan, quickly slipping my phone back in my pocket before anyone could see me slacking off.

Like I'd said, most eyes were on me.

The outpatient ward was also not a place to behave as freely, so I hurried into the consultant room on my right to take over from the doctor who had been there since morning.

I settled myself on the chair behind the mahogany table, quickly checking my phone one last time before starting to receive patients.

Enzo hadn't replied yet and I could only imagine how busy he might be all alone. Today was when he met with Jordan, the guy who was to handle the store in our absentia.

Elle had told me about him. She had promised that he was a good and reliable man so I hoped Enzo was going to get along with him.

Patients came in and left. Most of them had just caught a cold, given that the weather was barely predictable now.

I had caught one myself, though the events leading to that were totally different.

I love you, Lilith.

The warmth in his soft voice caressed my skin and an irresistible smile played on my lips.

I couldn't take that confession off my mind. I hadn't given him a response yet, but deep down, I knew the feeling was mutual.

The confidence to admit my love for him was lacking. I felt like something was still holding me back.

Even though the words were right at the tip of my tongue, I couldn't bring myself to say them. I didn't understand why, but I was grateful that he was being patient with me.

I checked my phone again after another patient had walked out, but there was still no response.

He always replied right away so I was starting to feel a bit uneasy. Did the conversation with Jordan go well?

I added another text and asked him to call me as soon as he was done.

With the help of two nurses, I was able to attend to the rest of the patients well, though my eyes would turn to my phone in between sessions.