Page 96 of Grumpy Bossy Doctor

I found it…hot.

"If you insist," I replied and looked away.

"Thank you," he said.

We didn't talk after that, not about ourselves and not about what he'd discuss with me later, nothing at all. Except when he wanted to make fun of the host for mispronouncing some names and words, Ian didn't say anything. He was nervous. I could easily tell. There's no woman who wouldn't be able to tell when a man was nervous.

"I missed you," he said as the crowd cheered.

I almost didn't hear it as it got drowned out by the applause but luckily enough, I heard him perfectly. I turned to look at him, and his gaze was on the stage. I looked down and noticed his open hand asking for mine. I placed my hand, and he held closed his hand around mine.

****

"And the award for this year’s most outstanding doctor is one a lot of us have been unable to stop talking about," the announcer read. "She's worked with several hospitals and done a lot of work volunteering cross the world. She's none other than the beautiful Dr. Natasha James."

I had received a lot of awards and honors, but this was one of the best moments of my life. As I got up to receive the award, I couldn't ignore the proud look Ian gave me. My parents had hardly been to any of my award presentations, so this was the first time anyone truly close to me was there for me. As I accepted the gift, I turned to give my speech.

"This wouldn't have been possible without the hospitals that allowed me to make a difference through them," I said. "To be honest, I didn't exactly want this path of being a medical doctor. But looking at my journey so far, I'm glad that I passed through this phase. I look forward to saving more lives. Thank you, all."

They clapped and cheered. I descended from the stage and made my way back to my seat.

"That was nice. First speech?" Ian asked.

"Well, I usually don't have to give speeches, but this one required I did," I explained.

"Did you notice the look of disbelief on everyone's faces when you revealed that you didn't want to be on this path in first place?" he asked.

"I did notice it," I replied. "I felt it was also time I cleared that up. Along with the misconception that I'm a prodigy."

"In a way, you actually are," he said. "No one's as fast as you when it comes to learning on the spot. That's something people would normally train for years to achieve. Then again you did train years for it."

There he went again, turning something that many would call me a goddess for into a normal feat that anyone could achieve if they put their mind to it.

"I missed you too," I revealed.

He turned to look at me and let out a warm smile. I didn't know what he planned on telling me after the event was over, but I was more than ready to listen. I was ready to forgive him. I still remembered hitting him and the way he acted, but he didn't seem to remember being hit. The event was coming to an end…it was time to hear him out.

Chapter twenty

Forbidden Fruit and the Desire to Eat

Ian

After the event, a lot of people wanted to speak with her. I waited for her to round up with them.

Her question from earlier still fresh on my mind.

"Finally done," she sighed.

"I know a cafe nearby," I said. "We can go there for tea."

"Okay, but I need to get changed," she said. "My hotel room is in the building."

"I'll wait on you," I said.

"Or you could just come along so you don't get to be stuck here with people you don't know," she advised.

"Alright then," I agreed.

---