Falling for the Goddess

I Want to Treat Dr. Lewis to a Meal

Ella Duvall was a woman of action—once she set her mind to something, she wasted no time.

She meticulously crafted a plan and executed the first step: securing an appointment with Sam, a highly sought-after doctor.

After waiting hours in line, she finally walked into Sam Lewis's consultation room. When he saw her, he paused briefly, surprise flickering in his usually calm eyes.

"Miss Duvall, are you feeling unwell?" Sam asked, seated at his desk in his white coat, his tone as gentle and composed as ever.

Ella sat down across from him and smiled faintly. "Yes, a minor issue. I've tried some medicine, but it hasn't been effective."

"What are your symptoms?"

"Menstrual cramps," Ella replied directly.

Sam's expression remained professional as he placed a pulse pillow before her. His voice was calm and warm. "Let me check your pulse."

Ella rolled up her sleeve slightly and placed her wrist on the pillow. Her wrist was delicate and her skin fair and smooth, but to Sam, it was no different from any other patient's.

As his slender fingers rested on her pulse with practiced precision, Ella found herself staring at his hands.

His fingers were long and well-defined, with neatly trimmed nails and faint veins visible on the back of his hands. They were beautiful—clean and strong, yet elegant.

She was momentarily entranced.

After a brief silence, Sam withdrew his hand. "Do you often experience cold hands and feet, especially in winter? And abdominal cramps before your period?"

Ella blinked and looked at him with genuine admiration. "Dr. Lewis, you're incredible!"

Sam offered a faint smile, unmoved by the praise.

Truthfully, Ella did suffer from painful periods. Though she was here partly because she pursued Sam, she genuinely hoped Chinese medicine might help alleviate her discomfort.

"This condition started when you first began menstruating, correct?" he asked, completely professional, though his direct question made Ella feel a rare sense of embarrassment.

"Yes," she admitted softly.

"I'll prescribe a round of traditional medicine for you. Take it for one cycle, and then come back for a follow-up. I'll adjust the prescription as needed," he said while writing out the prescription.

As he handed the prescription to his assistant, he looked at Ella and added thoughtfully, "This is a common issue among women, but it takes time to resolve completely. In addition to the medication, you need to keep warm, avoid cold foods, and pay particular attention before your period. Regular foot soaks and exercise will help."

He paused for a moment before glancing at her outfit—a stylish, high-waisted jacket that revealed a sliver of her waist when seated.

"Winter has arrived. Miss Duvall, be sure to keep your abdomen warm," he reminded her with a hint of seriousness.

Ella glanced down at her outfit, suddenly feeling slightly self-conscious. She had spent so much time dressing up, only for Dr. Lewis to focus on whether she'd catch a chill.

He really is so proper, she thought.

Before leaving, Ella checked the time and smiled charmingly. "It's almost lunchtime, Dr. Lewis. Would you do me the honor of joining me for a meal?"

Sam shook his head politely. "I still have patients to see. I'm afraid I must decline, Miss Duvall."

Ella wasn't discouraged. Her lips curved into a playful smile. "I never got the chance to properly apologize for rear-ending your car the other day. Since you refused any compensation, let me treat you to a meal instead. I'll likely be troubling you frequently for follow-ups, and this is just a small gesture."

Before Sam could refuse again, Ella added quickly, "It's nearly lunchtime—you have to eat, right?"

Sam glanced at her and, after a brief pause, relented. "I'm done at twelve."

Ella's eyes lit up, her smile dazzling. "Great! I'll wait for you outside."

The assistant, quietly observing, widened his eyes in shock.

In all the time he'd worked at the clinic, countless female patients had tried to invite Dr. Lewis for lunch or dinner, but he had never accepted.

However, this woman—who looked like a stunning actress—had managed to break through his defenses. It seemed her bright smile and confident demeanor were hard to refuse.

Still, to his surprise, Sam resumed seeing patients as though nothing unusual had happened. Calm, composed, and as polite as ever.

Ella waited in the clinic's lounge, casually scrolling through her phone as she planned lunch. Knowing Sam's reserved and health-conscious nature, she opted for a private Chinese restaurant nearby—a safe choice for their first meal together.

At exactly noon, Sam stepped out of his office. Ella, propping her chin on her hand, turned to him with a bright smile.

"Did I keep you waiting, Miss Duvall?"

Ella stood up and teased lightly, "Waiting for Dr. Lewis is worth it, no matter how long it takes."

Though her words bordered on flirtation, Ella delivered them so naturally they felt more playful than forward.

Sam simply smiled politely.

Ella suggested, "The restaurant is close by. Shall we walk?"

"Sure," he agreed.

They strolled side by side along the tree-lined path. The golden leaves of the sycamores fluttered to the ground in the soft breeze, and the streets were quiet at this hour.

The pair attracted a few curious glances from passersby—an elegant doctor and a strikingly beautiful woman made for an eye-catching duo.

"Dr. Lewis, you must be very busy with your work, right?" Ella turned to look at him.

"It's manageable," he replied.

She seized the opportunity to learn more. "Do you usually have meals at the clinic?"

"Sometimes. There's an auntie who cooks for the clinic, or my family sends food over," Sam explained casually.

Ella made a mental note of this.

The restaurant was a quiet, upscale spot. Ella had reserved a private room and handed the menu to him. "Dr. Lewis, please order first."

Sam didn't decline. After selecting two dishes, he asked for her preferences before finalizing the order.

Ella kept the conversation light throughout the meal, steering it with just the right amount of curiosity and wit. By the end, she had learned that Sam lived independently rather than with his family, spent weekends hiking or at the gym, and researched the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with Western practices.

She also noticed his eating habits—his taste was notably light and healthy, consistent with his image as a doctor.

After lunch, Ella paid the bill and followed him to the restaurant's entrance. "Are you heading back to the clinic now?"

"Yes," Sam nodded.

Ella gestured to her car parked nearby. "My car's just here. I'll give you a lift."

"Thank you," he agreed.

As they walked toward the car, Ella glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She wondered what it would take to make this calm, gentle doctor reveal a different side of himself.

I'll figure it out eventually, she thought with a determined smile.