Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

Lara widened her eyes at her friend’s request. However, was Andre fit to be called that? When the hit-and-run case involving her mother still lingered in her mind.

“Sorry, Ndre. I want to rest,” Lara redirected the conversation. She didn’t want to answer Andre’s questions, which seemed to expect hope for clarity in their relationship. It wasn’t appropriate for them to reconnect. Their families were supposed to be enemies.

“Lara….” Andre seemed to understand Lara’s defensive attitude. No matter how hard he tried, it seemed that Lara still believed that the Ramsey family was responsible for her mother’s death. Yet, the autopsy results said otherwise.

“Please….” Lara now curled up and hid under her blanket. She thought, with her safety and the easing of the threat to Mahya, it should be enough evidence that Andre still valued their friendship from the past.

Enough, that’s all. Lara couldn’t give Andre anything else, especially… if it concerned her feelings.

Andre sighed deeply. He knew it was still premature to do this. Andre should give Lara time to rearrange her miserable life. “I’ll go,” Andre finally excused himself to leave, though reluctantly. His heart couldn’t bear the tightness from Lara’s outright rejection. But Andre had to be strong.

The door closed, accompanied by Lara’s head reappearing from under the blanket. After making sure that Andre had left her room, Lara finally chose to just sit.

She stared at the night sky from the window. The twinkling lights along with the stars visible from Lara’s room felt beautiful. The tranquility of the night like this was a luxury Lara could feel after experiencing various life-threatening events. “If only my child could be found,” she murmured amidst her sadness.

Lara’s main goal was, of course, to find her child. But even just to touch Seno, she couldn’t. Lara really didn’t know what to do.

***

Meanwhile, outside Mahya’s room, the two brown-uniformed guards were no longer visible. Riko’s father’s movement was very fast, Andre only had to wait a few hours for the two officers to disappear on their own.

“Thanks, Bro!” Andre said over the phone to his friend.

“You’re welcome, Bro! When else can we help, right? I’m also really glad to be useful!” Riko exclaimed amidst his midnight date. Behind him, a woman’s voice calling his name could be heard. Andre just laughed.

“Okay, just continue, Bro! Thanks!”

“Sure!”

They ended the conversation. Andre could breathe a sigh of relief and inform Carol and James. The two executives from the news office couldn’t wait to file a lawsuit.

“Relax, the situation is under control,” Andre said to Carol once again over the phone. The Australian descendant woman then smiled with relief.

“Thank you very much, Doctor! We really owe you a debt of gratitude.”

“No need for that. It’s my duty as a friend,” said Andre, humbling himself. Carol continued to praise him as a hero without insignia. Andre laughed as he heard it.

***

Unnoticed, the morning has come. Andre was still at the hospital; he slept in the doctors’ dorm not far from the VIP room there.

“Good morning, Lara,” Andre greeted upon arriving at Lara’s room. The woman had just opened her eyes and was sitting leaning on the headboard with a smile.

“Good morning, Doctor,” Lara greeted after seeing Andre come with several assistants who would examine her condition. They always exchanged terms of endearment and professionalism. Lara didn’t want to sound rude if Andre came as a doctor doing rounds in her room.

“Good morning, Mrs. Lara. How are you feeling today?” the doctor asked politely.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“I feel a little better,” Lara answered with a thin smile on her face.

The atmosphere in Lara’s treatment room seemed calm. Doctor Andre, in his white suit, seemed to enter the room with firm steps. A nurse and a doctor’s assistant also attended this medical visit.

“I’ll check your blood pressure, Mrs. Lara,” said the nurse, preparing the measuring instrument and also notes to record the results to be displayed. Meanwhile, the doctor’s assistant helped Andre examine the post-operative wounds and involved in other physical examinations.

“What do you think, Doctor Aulia? What is your view on the progress of this surgical wound?”

The assistant doctor arranged some notes in his hands. “Overall, it seems that the surgical wound is in good condition. There are no signs of infection or noticeable complications. The patient’s recovery seems to be going according to plan.”

Andre nodded in agreement. “Yes, it seems so. However, we still need to monitor closely. Lara has gone through quite an intensive procedure, and we don’t want any mistakes or complications in the future.”

“I agree, Doctor. I will record all the results of this examination and ensure that the treatment protocol we have made is strictly followed.”

“Thank you, Doc. We do need to ensure that the patient receives the best care,” Andre said, observing other incisions that he had made during Lara’s surgery.

Meanwhile, the doctor’s assistant helped Andre examine Lara’s surgical wounds carefully. Lara felt a little nervous, but Andre’s warm smile made her feel calmer.

“How does it feel, Mrs. Lara? Does it hurt or not?” the assistant asked, pressing Lara’s wound to check its condition.

Lara tried to smile although she felt uncomfortable. “A little sore, Doctor. But not too much.”

Andre nodded in understanding. “That’s normal, Mrs. Lara. The surgical wound is still in the healing stage. We will make sure you get the right treatment. Now, I will do some physical examinations to make sure everything is going as planned.”

Carefully, Andre examined the area around the surgical wound, ensuring that there were no signs of inflammation or excessive discomfort. The assistant noted all the examination developments carefully and in detail. They needed adequate medical records to be evaluated later.

“I’m glad to see that the healing process is going well, Mrs. Lara. You truly have extraordinary spirit,” Andre praised while noting some points on the patient’s medical card brought by the assistant.

Lara blushed but she was happy to feel valued and loved. “Thank you, Doctor. I just want to recover soon and get back to normal life.”

Andre looked at Lara with a comforting gaze. For a moment, the boundary between professionalism and personal feelings blurred. Andre really wanted to hug Lara and soothe her in his arms.

“Ahem. If there’s anything you want to talk about or if you feel the need for additional support, me and the medical team are here to help,” Andre finally said after daydreaming for a while.

Lara nodded softly. “Thank you, Doctor Andre. I’m really lucky to have a medical team that cares so much like this.”

After the medical visit was over, Andre bid farewell. “I hope your day continues to improve, Mrs. Lara. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to inform the nurse or contact me. We’re here to help you fully recover.”

Lara chuckled softly and nodded in understanding. She didn’t expect the doctor to be so chatty and caring. “Thank you, Doc. Thank you,” Lara said later.

“I have a surgery schedule. I’ll take my leave,” Andre said as he walked away. His upright figure moved away from Lara’s sight, followed by the loud sound of dress shoes clattering on the room floor.

Lara felt sad after Andre left, but she quickly dismissed her sadness. Lara didn’t have time to hesitate and be confused. Her child had to be found soon!

***

“Sir! Our personnel were pulled out of the hospital! We lost our spies!”