I, Ache Vol. III

Fairy Tales | Ugly Duckling

Written by TinapieCV

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

Dr. Cody Fletcher was no stranger to beautiful women. After all, he was a renowned cosmetic surgeon in the state of Texas. He sees them day in and day out, from the modelesque to the plain Janes, and worked on their perceived physical imperfections. But numerous women also throw themselves at his feet because of his looks--he had the face of an angel and a body that was oh so sexy as sin.

So it came as no surprise when a tall, stunning woman with eyes as dark as midnight wanted to sit beside him in an almost empty bar. She unabashedly stared at him, from his well-groomed hair down to the tips of his expensive brown oxfords.

"No ma'am," he drawled.

"Dirty martini please. With three olives," she told the bartender before facing him and offering her hand. "Sarah."

"Good evening, Miss Sarah," he murmured as he tipped his head in greeting. "Cody Fletcher."

"Are you here by your lonesome? Or should I stay away lest I get bitten by a rabidly jealous girlfriend?"

"It's just me and my bourbon tonight," he chuckled while shaking his head.

"Glad I amuse you, Mr. Fletcher," she said, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Oh you are both amusing and gorgeous," he said with a flourish, eyeing her appreciatively.

"Why thank you, I believe that was the best compliment I've heard so far," she giggled. "You don't look so bad yourself, you know."

All of a sudden, a painful recollection came flashing to his mind and hit him like a freight train. He was transported back to fifth grade, when facing bullies became part of his daily routine in school.

He walked along the hallway with his shoulders slumped and his head down as he tried to make himself as little as possible. It has only been three days since classes began yet blonde-haired, blue-eyed Amy and her gaggle of equally beautiful but insipid friends have already started to pick on him.

"Hey Cody!" Amy yelled. "Did your mom drop you on your face when you were a baby? Cos your nose is ginormous!"

They doubled over in laughter while the other kids snickered and watched him trudge to his next class, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Awww, are you crying? You should wipe your eyes and watch your step so you don't fall on your big, fat ass!"

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Hmm? Oh I'm so sorry, my mind drifted for a bit there," he said apologetically. He smiled at her but it could not hide the bitterness he felt over the memory. Their spiteful words were like poison that has seeped through every nook and cranny of his brain, tainting his thoughts.

"So, what is it that you do, Mr. Fletcher?" She ran the tip of her finger around the rim of the cocktail glass as she crossed her legs, her red dress hiking further up her smooth thighs.

"I turn ugly ducklings into swans," he replied with a wink.

"Are you a cosmetic surgeon?"

"Yep, that I am."

"Well I'll be damned!" She exclaimed at her stroke of unexpected luck. "I've been meaning to consult one and then, here you are! It's like you just fell on my lap or something."

"Aren't you the lucky one tonight?" He noted before taking a swig of his bourbon.

"Oh I definitely am! Like, what are the odds of meeting a hot and unattached surgeon at a bar, right?" She placed her hand on top of his and squeezed it before flashing him a come hither look.