Page 7 of Dr. Damaged Protector

“You still have half of my loyalty," Sebastian assured him.

"Thank you, that reassures me,” Father said, but his expression indicated that he wasn’t amused in the slightest.

“And what would this favor be? Do I have to attend to the medical needs of one of your many puppets in politics? Or have you joined Mother on the dark side to have me kill someone on her behalf through my knowledge of medicine?” I was being sarcastic, but…

“You can do that?” he seemed genuinely interested. “Never mind. But you seem to have a false image of me. Maybe it’s just me, but I think you see me as a monster.”

I said nothing. My silence was enough to tell him what I thought about his statement.

“Hmmm,” he hummed with a grin, satisfied that he had gotten under my skin. “I need you to hire someone. She’ll be coming to the hospital tomorrow. One of your staff informed me that you might be in need of a secretary. She’s pretty talented, and I need her to be in a good job position. It would make me look good and give me an edge.”

I stared at him blankly. This man wasn’t ashamed to let me know that the only reason he was going to help whoever this person was for his own selfish end. I couldn’t care less; the offer of having my father in my debt was too good to ignore. He may have been scum, but he kept his word.

“While I do not like the fact that you have already assured whoever the person is of a job before I have even met them, I do like the idea of you being indebted to me,” I said. “You have a deal.”

****

The next day…

“Good morning, sir.”

“You look lovely today.”

“Glad you’re here with us.”

I replied to the greetings and compliments in equal or a greater amount. My smile was a gift to the nurses who admired me openly. My words of encouragement boost the confidence of young doctors.

“Sir,” Jane called; she was in charge of the nurses.

“Good morning to you,” I said, urging her to calm down as she seemed to be in a hurry.

“Good morning. So sorry,” she apologized. “Your father was here the other day, and he asked what job position was open…”

“So, you were the one who told him,” I said, keeping my voice neutral so as not to cause any more panic than what she was already suppressing.

“I apologize once again. Your father can be a little overwhelming.”

“I understand it’s not your fault. Frankly, I’m not interested in hiring just about anyone for a job as sensitive as being my secretary,” I said, walking past her and heading toward my office. “Inform me once she gets here.”

“About that…” she said as she hurried to me.

I stopped as I saw the angelic being pacing back and forth in front of my door. Brown hair, beautiful glossy lips, long natural eyelashes that gently batted like a butterfly's wings. The lady ran her fingers through her hair and sighed, seeming to be exhausted. Just like she once did at the bar. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“As I was trying to tell you,” Jane said, finally catching up to me. “The lady is already here. She’s been here for an hour.”

I checked my wristwatch – a few minutes past seven a.m.

“Leave this to me,” I whispered to Jane. “Get back to work.”

She seemed confused but didn't say anything to oppose me. Graciously exiting, it left me to deal with the woman that had reappeared in my life.

“You,” I called to her attention.

She was startled, turning to meet my gaze.

“What the…” The words escaped her as she recognized me. “What are you doing here?”

“I should ask you the same question,” I said. Approaching her, I hoped that I wasn’t grinning.

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