Doctor's Order

Chapter 17

The whole day, Richard was worried about Maine. He already knows that Maine was not feeling well but she's not telling anyone. He knows that her work is taking a toll on her health. He knows that Maine is a hardworking doctor and really likes what she's doing, but at the same time her body is taking its toll. She's spending more and more time in the hospital than at her apartment.

Since Richard can't avoid worrying about Maine, he called Valeen.

"Hi Valeen!"

"Hi Richard. You called?"

"I would just like to check on Maine."

"Check on Maine? Why, what happened?" Valeen's voice sounds worried.

"No, no. Nothing happened. I hope. It's just that earlier this morning when I brought her breakfast she looks like she's already under the weather. So I wanted to check on her thru you since you're both working on the hospital."

"Oh. Didn't you know, I'm on a vacation. I left the other day with Jerald. We are on a trip for the next two weeks."

"Oh. Is that so. So, Maine is alone at your apartment for the next two weeks."

"Yes. Sorry. I can't help you at the moment. Maybe you can call the hospital and ask someone there or better yet call her instead."

"I tried calling her, but she's not answering. I think she's still busy." Alden said worriedly.

"Hey, don't worry about her. She's in a hospital. If she's not feeling well, there are a lot of doctors who can help her. And may I remind you that she's also a doctor."

"Yes, I know that. But you do know your friend. She's workaholic."

"That I know. Okay, maybe I will just drop by the hospital later this afternoon to check on her."

"I think that will be good idea." Valeen continued, "Please update me as well, okay?"

"Of course. No problem. Well, I won't keep you any longer. I might have disturbed your vacation."

"Hahahaha... Actually, you are. Jerald here is already pouting." Valeen said while laughing.

"Sorry... Please tell Jerald sorry as well. Haahahaha...."

"Okay. Well, just keep in touch okay."

"Okay, Bye. Enjoy the rest of your vacation."

"Bye. Thank you." Valeen said and then she hung up the phone.

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Richard still cannot keep his mind off Maine. So at exactly 5PM, he cleaned his desk and took his bag and leave his office. He went directly to the hospital. He received a text message from his uncle that he needs to pass by his office for some documents and so he went directly to Dr. De Leon's office.

"Hi Tito! How are you?"

"Richard! Come in, come in. Take a sit." Dr. De Leon gestured as he's still on the phone talking to someone.

After Dr. De Leon's phone call, he faced Richard and spoke, "Richard, how are you?"

"I'm good. Better actually." Richard said with a smile.

"Well, your father did called me yesterday. He said that you are somehow smitten by a certain doctor."

"Wahahaha... Dad really called you."

"Of course. You do know that we are like brothers. And you being his only son, of course he is more than concern."

"Well, what did he told you?"

"Oh, you know your dad. He just asked about her. And he seems like he already approves of her."

"What's not to approve? For sure you have given him your own insight about her."

"Wahahaha... My lips are sealed. Let's just say, I put up a good word for her. Not that she needs it anyway. From the way your father talks about her, it seems like that she likes this one."

"For sure. She's one of a kind." Richard said.

Before any of them can continue talking a soft knock was heard from the other side of the door.

"Come in." Dr. De Leon said.

His secretary came looking at she ran 3 kilometers and was looking all panicky.

"Are you alright Ruby? Why are you panicking?" Dr. De Leon asked.

"I---it's...Dr. Mendoza." Ruby said.

Upon hearing the name Mendoza, Richard's attention was turned to the secretary. "Maine? What happened to Maine?" he asked her and was already standing up and is about to bolt out of the room.

"S—she...co---col----collapsed while doing her rounds." Ruby tried to explain at the same time she's still trying to catch her breath.

When Richard heard what happened to Maine, he immediately run out of his uncle's office and headed straight to the ward. Dr. De Leon closely following him.

When they arrived at the ward, Maine was nowhere to be seen. So Dr. De Leon immediately asked the nurse situated in that ward.

"Where's Dr. Mendoza? What happened to her?" Dr. De Leon asked.

Richard is already panicking and worry is written all over his face.

The nurse replied, "She was brought to one of the more private rooms across the hall. Dr. Ejercito is currently attending to her."

Richard immediately dash off the room that the nurse mentioned. He immediately entered the room and looked at the patient at the bed. After about 10 seconds Dr. De Leon also arrived the room. Dr. Ejercito just finished checking on Maine. Richard immediately walked to the other side of Maine's bed and held her hand.

"What happened to her" Dr. De Leon asked.

"She collapsed while conducting her rounds. Apparently she's already feeling under the weather and is somehow dehydrated. I think she's exhausted beyond her capacity." Dr. Ejercito said.

"Okay." Dr. De Leon said.

"There's really nothing to worry about." Dr. Ejercito said as he addressed Richard. "She just needs to have complete bed rest for at least a week to fully recover. I have given her some paracetamol to lower her fever. She can go home once she wakes up."

"Isn't it better if she's here? I mean she's sick and obviously she needs doctor's attention." Richard asked pointedly.

"Richard, it's just a viral infection. She doesn't need to be admitted here in the hospital. All she needs is enough rest." Dr. De Leon answered him.

"Are you sure? I'm more than willing to pay for her bills if necessary." Richard said.

"RJ, you might have forgotten that she's a doctor here. She will get free hospitalization as part of her benefits. However, on this instance she doesn't need to be confined. A week-long rest will be enough, I believe." Dr. De Leon pointed out to his nephew.

"Okay, I will stay here with her and just bring her home once she wakes up." Richard said on a conceded tone.

"Well, since that's settled, I will be on my way now. I will cover for her rounds and the scheduled operations. Excuse me." Dr. Ejercito said and he immediately went out of the room.