Hook: The Novel (English)

Chapter 34: The Burst

THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V.

Gadiel leaned back on the couch inside his office, the soft whir of the air conditioner doing little to soothe the weight pressing on his chest. He'd just wrapped up a long and draining day—an intense surgery followed by several patient rounds and a stack of consults he hadn't even touched yet.

Being a doctor was exhausting. That wasn't new.

But what drained him more than any twelve-hour shift was the constant presence of Ford in his thoughts.

Every time he thought he could finally breathe, Ford would come rushing back—uninvited, unrelenting, always lingering somewhere at the edge of his consciousness. The frustration of it made his temples throb.

And what made it worse?
Miracle. That Miracle. Name of fortune but her presence is unfortunate.

She was everywhere. At Ford's office, at Ford's side, always chirping and teasing and laughing, as if she belonged there.
Gadiel couldn't even get a moment alone with Ford to talk about work.

It's not like he was jealous.

Why would he be?

He wasn't. Of course not.

It was just... unpleasant.

Unprofessional, even.

Yes. That's it. They were supposed to be collaborating, the two of them. Just the two of them. It was work, after all — serious work. Not some sort of... social circus.

Or was that just an excuse he kept feeding himself?

Gadiel let out a sigh and rubbed his temple.

This project needed to end.

Maybe once it was over, the swirling mess in his chest would settle.

Maybe when Ford was no longer constantly around, Gadiel could finally sleep at night without replaying every sharp word or lingering glance between them.

Maybe.

Just as he closed his eyes, his phone buzzed sharply against the glass table. Gadiel reached for it without thinking. He wasn't hoping it was a message from Ford — definitely not — but he still felt something twist in his stomach the moment he saw it wasn't.

It was the group chat of his friends.

His thumb hovered over the preview, and something like unease slithered down his spine. When he opened the chat, his eyes narrowed.

Owen had sent a photo.

Owen:
Caught on CCTV, Doctor's Architect on a date LMAO!!

Julian:
You really look up to dispatch, aren't you?

Prince:
Why are they so cute? Kinda ship them.

Finn:
Oh that's why he took a leave, he's with "Miracle"

Mikel:
Do you find them cute @Gadiel

Sho:
Yeah, what do you think?

Can you all stop mentioning me?
I'm busy.
And Sho, It's not my business because I don't even care.
Don't disturb me anymore!

Pierre:
Cousin In Law. What's with the exclamation mark? Lol!!

Gadiel clicked the lock button on his phone a little harder than necessary, the screen going black as if that could shut out the irritation festering inside him.

He tossed the phone onto the couch beside him and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. All he wanted was peace. A moment to just breathe, to rest. But instead, the group chat was filled with noise — their noise — like they were deliberately trying to get under his skin.