DOCTOR 1: Nicole Alison

episode 18

The next days, Alison became busy again. Most of her days were spent inside the hospital which she loved the most. It's her dream after all—to help and treat sick people.

Hayden watched as she walked towards him. He texted her that he would be waiting today for her and they would have lunch together.

During the past days, Hayden has been constantly treating Alison like a princess and up until now, she's still creeped out by his sudden change of behavior around her.

That morning when they made love again, Hayden explained about Nicole. That when she came back more than a year ago, he broke up with her because his heart has already been occupied by Alison. The talk ended with their bodies pressed together inside his shower room.

"Hi." He greeted her as he gave her the bouquet of tulips in his hands.

"Hey. You didn't have to do this every day, Hayden. The doctor's lounge is full of these already." She said but accepted the flowers, nevertheless.

"I know, but I want to." He smiled. "Come, I already prepared everything for us back at the restaurant."

Hayden offered his hand and she took it. He intertwined their hands together as they walked towards his restaurant. After a few minutes, he opened the door for her as they walked inside the restaurant.

"Good afternoon, sir, ma'am. This way, please." The waiter said, ushering them towards the VIP room inside his restaurant.

"Woah. What's the occasion?" She asked the moment the door opened and saw a table for two, filled with different dishes.

"Every day with you is special." He answered as he pulled the chair for her. "I cooked everything here without anyone's help. It's for you. I know you didn't eat much at the hospital." He added, sitting across her.

Her heart warmed for him, increasing its pace to four beats per second.

"Thanks." She managed to say, indulging herself in the feast in front of her. "I love your food but, seriously. You don't have to do this. You're not even letting me pay you." She all but looked at him or else, he might find out every emotion she's feeling right now. It's overwhelming.

"Of course, it's for you. You didn't need to pay for it. I like doing this for you, Alison. It's the least I could do for all the pain I've caused you." Hayden's face softened as he looked at her. Vulnerable. Transparent.

"I know this is not enough compared to what I did. But I'll do more. I'll do everything for you, Alison."

Alison sensed the sincerity in his voice. "Hayden, you don't have to do all of this." She said, looking more like she's talking to a 3-year-old child rather than a 29-year-old man.

"I know. But I want to. I want to make it up to you. Will you let me do that?"

"Hayden."

"No, Alison. I know, it's all my fault. I love you. I've been telling you how much I love you but I can feel that you don't believe me. And it's all my fault. I'm so sorry.

"I was too blinded by my love for her that I thought I still love her. Nicole has been my girlfriend for two years and I almost asked her to marry me. I built my world around her that I thought I still love her even when I already have you.

"I'm sorry, Alison. I'm so sorry. It kept haunting me that I let you leave that way. I'm sorry that I thought I still love her when in fact I am so fucking in love with you long before she came back."

He stood up then walked towards her. He captured her hands then slowly knelt in front of her.

Alison gasped as a new batch of tears threatened to flow.

"I'm so sorry, Alison. I've been a selfish jerk. I'm so sorry I can't even justify my actions. I'm so sorry that even if I hurt you so bad, I am still asking for another chance. I'm so sorry for breaking you. I'm so sorry, Alison." He said as she felt her hands get wet by his tears.

Alison's heart tightened as she looked at his shaking shoulders. She knelt in front of him then hugged him instead. He immediately wrapped his hands to her waist and continued sobbing in the crook of her neck as he keeps on saying sorry over and over again.

"I told you, I already forgave you long before you realized your mistakes. I loved you too much before to get mad at you." She whispered as she cried with him.

At her words, he smiled bitterly as he shook his head. "I'm such a fool for wasting your love. I clearly don't deserve you."

"You can't say that. Everyone deserves to be happy and loved."

"Yes, except me. I've caused you nothing but pain."

"And you already apologized. Stop being so hard on yourself. And for your information, you made me happy, too. Now get up. My legs hurt." She said, trying to lighten the mood. Besides she still wanted to eat. The food is really fantastic she can't leave it all behind.

But before she even push herself upwards, Hayden pulled her towards him and engulfed her body in a warm hug.

His tear-stricken face is buried in her neck, inhaling the sweetest scent he ever loved.

"I love you, Alison." He murmured.

'I love you, too, so much it hurts.' She wanted to say but her fears get the best of her.

"I know. I-I just find it hard for me to believe it because I saw how much you love her." It wasn't an easy thought for her. Every time she wanted to say how much she loves him, before and now, she's always reminded by the sight of him with Nicole in his arms inside his restaurant. It wasn't a pleasant sight for her heart but she endured it all. And now, it seemed planted in her memory forever.

"I know, for a moment I was confused, too. But when you left, that's when I remembered that I already have you the same time I already lost you." He wiped her tears away. "Please, give me a chance."

"You know I can't say no." She smiled then he grinned.

"Well, I thought you would say no." He whispered before finally kissing her.

Alison smiled in between their kisses.

"Let's take it slow. One step at a time." She said as he pulled away from the kiss.

"Yes. One step at a time."