Just For Tonight

Mini Chap 15

"Look here, Mr. Westcliff. I understand your need to find her, but I can't help you with that because I don't know. The last time we talked she was-"

Annabelle Hunt, Simon's pediatrician and Lillian's one of the few close friends in the hospital, have never been annoyed this much before. Her composure was too lost at that moment that she almost spilled something very personal about Lillian that she knows she shouldn't share to this man, no matter how gentle and charming he was before.

"She was what?" Marcus was trying to ask for Lillian's whereabouts for half an hour now, and the doctor was trying to avoid asking him direct answers until that little break in her defense. A flicker of hope rose on his chest

They looked at each other, the other glaring in irritation while the other looking with desperation.

Annabelle was determined to protect her friend's privacy, considering Lillian always have this courtesy calls from men she met on her rare appearance in public places. Because of her straightforward attitude and experience with Lillian's charm with men, she was always the one who chase them all away.

But why is Simon's uncle, who has always been a constant face in this hospital for years now get tangled with Lillian and why can't she do what she always did with the others and chase him away?

"Dr. Hunt?" She glanced down beside Marcus Westcliff at Simon who was fervently holding his uncle's hand waiting for them to finish, "Yes, Simon?"

"Please help us." He handed her a sketch of Lillian that Marcus drew last night, "This lady is Uncle's Rose from the Little Prince book. He changed after he met her and it's terrible seeing him like this." 

Both adults were surprised by Simon's interruption. 

"It was my fault. I just wanted him to meet someone, just like how Dad met Miss Zoe. It was supposed to be you I wanted Uncle to talk to, Dr. Hunt, because you're the only one I know who can solve the riddle about the elephant and the boa. You were also there at the wedding party so I thought he would start looking there."

Annabelle and Marcus looked at each other in disbelief. They both thought this little boy's incredible mind was supposed to give them potential problem.

"I'm 7 now. I can handle myself. Uncle Marcus needs to have a life without babysitting me every weekend."

"Simon......."

Annabelle hugged the boy, being touched by the maturity he was exhibiting at such a young age. She looked straight at his uncle who was consoling the boy with a hand in his back, "Lillian was the one who made me read the Little Prince in the first place."

He gave her a tight smile, "I wouldn't believe it any other way."

"So she's your Rose?"

"No. She's my hermit."

Annabelle was further surprised, and also finally assured. Simon severed the embrace and moved back to stand beside Marcus. Standing up, she was still pondering if she should tell this man about Lillian's condition.

"She's no longer affiliated with this hospital, Mr. Westcliff. She tendered her resignation a few days ago."

"You said that to me earlier."

"Yeah, well the first time was a practiced line to drive Lillian's suitors away, this time I'm saying it because it's real."

He showed a bitter smile, "Lillian and her dating phobia."

She sympathized with him, "Yeah. Her dating phobia."

Well, stalling him was working. But Annabelle was feeling guilty that she was about to keep that fact from him.