《Saving Grace》


 Chapter 1

    The stark smell of bleach was overwhelming. Grace tried to fight the nausea rising in the pit of her stomach. She scrunched her eyes at the bright light that was sipping through her closed eyelids. The strong smell of disinfectant filled her nose. She could almost feel her lungs shrinking. She slowly opened her eyes, squinting, as she blinked severely in an attempt to sharpen the blurry images before her.


    She heard the beeping of a machine and slowly turned her head toward the source of the noise. She groaned at the feeling of the stiff muscles at her neck; a massage right now would be heaven sent. She examined her surroundings. The room was pristine clean and gloomy, the walls were a sickly green color and the linens were grayish. The ce looked nothing like a room where a patient should be motivated to get better. She gazed at herself through the transparent window and noticed she was in a hospital gown.


    Her body was powerless and weak. She stared at her lower body, which was covered with a warm nket, and she flung it aside. Her legs were covered with a thick whitish material that felt unnecessary. She tried to shift her legs, but they felt numb and heavy. She tried once more by shifting her head erratically, and due to the pressure she applied on her body, her head hung upside down at the tip of the hospital bed.


    She recollected thest words she heard from a nurse before she was wheeled into the operation room.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯s ever going to walk!¡±


    Grace let out a shaky gasp as her thoughts were jumbled with different interpretations on her current situation. All she could remember was being bashed by an iing car and she cked out. Her muddled thoughts were halted when a pair of strong hands cupped her head gently and positioned it appropriately on the bed.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Grace lifted her neck and gazed at her saviour. He had thick tousled dark brown hair, which was thick and lustrous. His eyes were a mesmerizing deep ocean blue, silvery light performed ballets throughout. His face was strong and defined; his features seemed molded from granite. He had dark eye brows which sloped downward in a serious expression. His lips were pale and thin and his nose, slender and rounded; a prominent jaw curved gracefully around his neck and enamelled by the sun, he radiated energy and brio. His mountain peak cheekbones appeared chiselled into shape by a master craftsman. He was dressed in a white coat and a stethoscope hung around his neck was an icing on the cake added to his handsome features.


    Completely mesmerized by the handsome stranger hovering over her face, Grace extended her right hand which trembled with shyness and ced it on his cheek.


    ¡°I must be in heaven because I am looking at an angel!¡± Grace said groggily, a smile etching on her face.

 Chapter 2

    Joshua closely observed the woman on the hospital bed whose palm was cupping his cheek that were now deeply flushed at her words. Locks of chestnut-brown hair curtained her oval face, she had alluring, gxy-blue eyes and it enhanced hypnotic quality to them. They were orbit round. A pair of arched eyebrows looked down on sweeping eyshes. Her delicate ears framed a button nose. Her megawatt smile seemed fixed with fluorescent, archangel-white teeth that sent jolts of electric current down his spine. She had puffy lips, they were kiss-inspiring.


    Snapping out of his temporary daze, Joshua smiled and removed her right hand slowly from his cheek which were now filled with warmth from her touch.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I am a doctor not an angel but you can call me that too, I really don¡¯t mind,¡± He joked.


    Grace blinked, clearing her throat repeatedly and gazed at the ceiling, her blush burned through her cheeks and her face felt like a hot oven. She suddenly felt awkward as she attempted to hide her rosey cheeks behind her skinny fingers.


    ¡°Anyways what¡¯s your name? Do you know where you are? Can you tell today¡¯s date?¡± Joshua asked.


    ¡°Go easy with the questions, I just woke up,¡± Grace rolled her eyes, replying with a smug look. She wondered if he treated all his patients exactly like this.


    ¡°Can you please tell me your name?¡± Joshua tried again after a sigh.


    ¡°Well, my name is none of your business,¡± Grace said,ughing softly at the look on Joshua¡¯s face.


    Joshua rubbed his hands on his forehead, he desperately wished he could squeeze her pouty lips till she talked sense. He was only here to check on the patient that sparked conversations among his colleagues, the patient he was assigned to.


    A smirk grew on his face as he looked back at her. ¡°Would you like to borrow my name?¡± Joshua teased, leaning on the side rails of the bed.


    ¡°It¡¯s Grace¡­. Grace Waters.¡± Grace confessed with a bright smile.


    ¡°Nice name befitting for a pretty woman,¡± Joshuaplemented, touching the sides of his nose. He didn¡¯t mean to be flirty, it was his own way of making his patients rx. He brought out a scorecard from his coat breast pocket and began scribbling.


    ¡°Age?¡± He asked.


    ¡°27,¡± Grace replied.


    ¡°You have been out for two weeks since your surgery.¡± He informed her.


    ¡°Two weeks?¡± Grace whispered, ¡°I¡¯ve been out for two weeks?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Joshua said answered. She tore her gaze from him, looking at a corner in the room, her eyes opened wide, a panicked expression growing on her face.


    Grace¡¯s face changed on remembering something, she turned back to Joshua and asked, ¡°Why can¡¯t I move my legs? I tried to move them but they didn¡¯t budge.¡±


    ¡°Well, I was hoping you would ask that question. You had an ident and your spinal cord was damaged which affected your legs majorly, that¡¯s probably why you can¡¯t feel anything,¡± Joshua replied, chewing on his lower lip. Rying bad news to his patient was something he always found hard.


    ¡°So I am never going to walk?¡± She asked, each wording from her lips slowly. ¡°I am going to be bedridden forever,¡± Grace stated, salty tears arose in her eyes, she blinked causing them to roll down her face.


    Joshua found it hard to answer her question as he scratched the back of his neck. He reached for a stic chair, drew it closer to the hospital bed and sat on it. He took her hand in his and rubbedforting circles on her palm.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that, there could be a miracle,¡± He soothed.


    Grace shook her head andughed with no humor, ¡°Everyone knows that miracles don¡¯t happen. My life ispletely useless. Why the hell did those surgeons save me? Death is so much better.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, you have your life. ¡°Joshua looked her in the eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not something to discount. You are awake and healthy. Appreciate that and the rest is just an inconvenience.¡±


    ¡°Is that supposed to beforting because you are really doing a bad job at it. You have your legs, you can move around. Maybe you don¡¯t understand, my legs were the reason for my persistence in life and now they feel like shackles that are going to draw me backward,¡± Grace spat, her shoulders trembling.


    Joshua grimaced. He couldn¡¯t find a direct answer to her words. The pain evident in her tone shook him emotionally. He drummed his fingers against his cheek, searching for an ideal statement to say.


    ¡°Can I be your opthalmologist? cause I can¡¯t gazing into your eyes,¡± Joshua cheekily said, a subtle dimple gracing his left cheek. He wished his words will fill out its purpose, and calm her down a bit.


    Grace shifted her face backward as it pressed closer into her neck. She was shocked and amused at his yful pickup line. He looked mature but the words that flew from his lips were flirty and it sent tingles of sensation down in her belly.


    ¡°What¡­ are¡­. you¡­ doing?¡± She asked, her voice low. ¡°A-Are you trying to flirt with me. Isn¡¯t that against your work ethics?¡± Grace stuttered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want me to flirt with you? You look like my type. Can I seduce you as well?¡± He winked with a smile dancing on his thin pink lips, his eyes yful and mischievous.


    ¡°Please stop. You are creeping me out.¡± Grace begged with big pleading eyes. He looked like an angel earlier but now he sounded like a seductive devil to her. Joshua tilted his head and his pink lips turned pouty as he advanced towards her dramatically, his eyes closed and begging for a kiss.


    Heat rose from Grace¡¯s stomach to her chest, her cheeks turning a pinkish hue. His lips were getting closer and closer and her heart decided to skip a beat. She shut her eyes and parted her lips stupidly awaiting his lips but warm air fanned her face instead. She opened her eyes to see a ridiculous look on his face.


    ¡°Are you really desperate for my lips?¡± Joshua chuckled, arranging the ballpoint pen in his coat pocket.


    ¡°Nope!¡± Grace shook her head violently, almost yelling. She wanted to punch the stupid doctor in the face for messing with her, but she couldn¡¯t because she was the one that stupidly followed in the action.


    Joshua smiled at her as a vibration buzzed in his pocket notifying him of hismitments. He peeked at it and noticed it was a text from Helen, a doctor and his best friend. She had sent him a text saying that his attention was needed in the emergency unit.


    ¡°I have to go.¡± He stood up and looked at the door before bringing his eyes back at her.


    ¡°Go?¡± Grace asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion.


    ¡°I am a doctor, remember? I¡¯ll let the nurses know that you are awake. Just press the buzzer over there if you need me, I¡¯lle right up,¡± Joshua stated with a shrug as he walked over to the door.


    Grace nodded with a small smile.


    ¡°And I almost forgot, My name is Dr Joshua Rogers, but just call me Joshua.¡± He continued, patting the knob before mming the door shut.


    Joshua dragged his feet as he headed to where he was supposed to be with regret colouring his mood. He had given her his name. He¡¯d told her to ask for him if she needed anything. What a stupid thing to do. He was going to be busy all day over trivial things. Why did he do that?


    He wanted to believe that regret was due to him giving his assurance andfort but deep down he knew that it was because he had to leave her. He knew the insecurities she was feeling and how much she needed to know that she wasn¡¯t alone. He could fix the physical pains but not the emotional ones. He had no right to be the man who held her and helped her through the fears she was facing. She would have to find someone¡¯s else to take up that role but the problem was that he didn¡¯t want anyone else doing that for her, and that scared him. He doesn¡¯t understand why he felt that way about someone he just met. He tapped the sides of his face repeatedly, why was he still worried about her?


    Just another patient, he reaffirmed. He could handle that, he was a professional. He just couldn¡¯t understand why she was still invading his thoughts. He just needed to screw his head back on before he screwed everything up.


    He knew he was in trouble. He was in big trouble!

 Chapter 3

    Joshua strode down the hospital hallways, greeting his busy colleagues with a slight nod and a dashing smile toplement. He walked over to the emergency unit with hasty steps and was about to fling the door open when Helen popped up right in front of him with a cherubic smile.


    ¡°Hello Doctor Joshua, where are you going?¡± Helen questioned, folding her arms under her voluptuous bosom, causing them to rise and reveal fair cleavage to the eyes of the one in front of her.


    With a loud smack on his dry and crackly lips, Joshua replied, ¡°I got your text, you said my attention was needed in the emergency unit.¡± He was confused at her question.


    ¡°Oh, did I say your attention was needed in the emergency unit?¡± Helen blinked, flipping her midnight ck hair that toppled over her shoulders.


    ¡°Yes, you did!¡± Joshua red at her, he was starting to get irritated, he couldn¡¯tprehend why she was ying silly games with his mind. He nced at his wristwatch briefly and folded his arms behind his back.


    ¡°I meant to say that I needed your attention. My phone must have typed the wrong message.¡± Helen chuckled, then proceeded to pluck out two buttons off her shirt letting some of her ample chest spill out and giving him a glimpse of redce that was hidden behind her blouse.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Joshua gulped, sucking in a deep breath. He looked at the redce bra that barely contained her big mounds, her nipples were hard and seemed to be begging for his touch through the bra, her white coat made her look even more irresistible. He groaned out, the sound of a man fighting his instincts. He wasn¡¯t willing yet she was begging for it.


    ¡°Then I should probably go back and check on my next patient,¡± Joshua told her, shutting his eyes to remove the lustful image of Helen in his brain. He didn¡¯t want her, but he was a man and had needs.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t busy, I already looked through your schedule, you have no patients to attend to this afternoon and you have no night shifts either.¡± Helen pressured, a pout on her red lips as her eyes begged.


    ¡°Are you sure? The shifts would have changed. Why don¡¯t I go check?¡± Joshua argued, worryced in his tone. He looked around the room, anywhere else but the inviting bosom in front of him.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we go to that fancy restaurant and have some fun?¡± Helen suggested, reaching out to caress Joshua¡¯s chest through his shirt, pretending that he had specs of dust on his starched blue shirt.


    ¡°Or I should probably head home and have some fun, alone.¡± Joshua concluded helplessly, raising his hands up in the air.


    ¡°But-¡± Helen interjected.


    ¡°Next time, call me when there¡¯s an actual patient,¡± Joshua replied with a frown growing on his face.


    ¡°But you are always busy and this was the only way I could draw you out. I miss my best friend,¡± She cooed, pouting her lips again.


    ¡°That¡¯s not an excuse, Helen. Go attend to your patients. I am damn sure they are crying out for you.¡± He ordered, peering daggers at her fluttering eyshes.


    ¡°Give me a hug so I¡¯ll feel better,¡± Helen replied, stretching her arms out.


    She wanted to use that and trap him and he knew it, one hug with her breast pressed against his chest, may be his downfall. Joshua bluntly declined and turned around. He refused to look back, fearing that her tear stricken eyes might draw him back. He could still hear Helen grumble and stomp her feet angrily in rejection, almost like a child throwing a tantrum. The drive to walk faster pumped into his legs.


    Helen was his best friend ever since they both began medical school and she always disyed her affections openly. He never liked her in a sensual or sexual way, neither did he ever catch feelings for her but she was always persistent, even when histe wife, Sally was still alive, Helen was still into him knowing he was married. Couldn¡¯t she see from the way he stared at her or from the way he stood her up on several asions?


    Helen was cute but not in a knock off your socks kind of way. She hadmbent, jade-green eyes that could melt a man¡¯s heart and a soothing voice to match. She had a sculpted figure which was twine-thin. Her waist was tapered and she had a burnishedplexion. She wore skirts and pants trousers that brought the firm swell of her hips and from what he noticed, her skirt hitched up her thighs anytime they were alone in the doctor¡¯s lounge.


    Joshua simply ignored her body advances without telling her his true feelings. He didn¡¯t want to ruin a long time friendship, he hoped that she would move on over her silly crush on him and find a nice guy to settle down with. Someone who will love her for who she was and not what her body was offering.


    He reached the parking lot and raced towards his car, he removed his coat and rolled up his sleeves. He opened the vehicle door and bent his head before flopping on the seat. His height was always a problem even with doors. He started the engine with vigour and he drove fast, faster than he should have, the mental picture of Grace swiped in his head and then a guilty picture of a dead Sally and histe two year old daughter popped up in his head. He swore loyalty to his dead wife as he punished the steering wheel with a death grip.


    This was torture, This was hell. This was wrong. He needed to get Grace out of his head but her puffy pink lips didn¡¯t help his predicament. She was just a normal patient, they had met only once and he was already smitten by her physical beauty.


    ******


    It was almost night when Joshua stopped in front of his small apartment which was situated in a secluded ce in Ohio, he jerked the car to a abrupt stop and removed his car keys from the hole. Grabbing hold of his doctor¡¯s coat, he strode towards the front porch with his lips pressed in a thin line. He unlocked the door and the wisp smell of loneliness lingered around the nearly pitch ck living room. Empty packs of noodles greeted him as he walked over to the refrigerator to grab a drink.


    cing his white coat on a nearby couch, he bent low to pick up the empty noodle packs and he threw them into the trash can. He then opened the refrigerator and after some quick thinking, he settled for a soda. He took huge gulps in his mouth as his Adam¡¯s apple bobbled, reacting to the sweet taste of the soda in his right hand.


    Joshua reached to remove a portrait on the wall with his left hand and then flopped on the soft couch. He trailed a finger over the portrait that showed him and Sally with his daughter, Leah smiling brightly at the camera. The picture was taken a year ago, few months before they both lost their precious lives to a bomb explosion in Florida. A tear rolled down his right cheek, then another followed and another.


    Oceans of water kept running down his face, he sniffed, trying to get control of himself, but it was all in vain. Everyday, he worked hard in the hospital with a determination to treat lives but he couldn¡¯t even save his own family. His brain tried to persuade him that everything was going to be alright but the loud thumping of his heart said otherwise. He took anotherrge gulp of the soda and wiped his tears with the back of his hand.


    Joshua was a man who smiled sweetly in the day and cried himself to sleep at night.

 Chapter 4

    Sunlight pooled into the room as Grace tossed on the bed, her brown hair sprawled all over the white pillow. She opened her eyes slowly and carefully to meet a pair of cleopatra eyshes of a lush, subus-ck over her ungte shaped eyes twinkling in delight.


    Grace shrieked and a scream fell out of her mouth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, I am the nurse on duty. I just came here to check up on you,¡± The nurse said, pushing her hands farther into the pockets of her blue scrub.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Grace hummed, calming down.


    Grace watched as the nurse ced a te of chopped pineapples and watermelons on a pickup tray beside her bed. She drank in the nurse¡¯s physical features. The nurse was plump and short, she seemed to have a cheerful personality from the way her Cupid bowed lips stretched to give a gentle smile.


    ¡°I hope that fruits might make you feel better, make sure to have fun with them.¡± The nurse continued, moving towards the window.


    The nurse adjusted the curtains, handling them with expertise. Her hands worked on it quickly, her concentration fixed on the curtains. She had heard of the patient in this room, the patient who was doomed. The patient who couldn¡¯t walk, she felt like starting a conversation but she shrugged it off, deeming it as unnecessary and irrevnt.


    ¡°Is this alright?¡± The nurse asked, ncing back at Grace, her hands still holding on to the green curtains.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± Grace replied as her dry hands reached to grab a pineapple and it went straight into her hungry mouth. She smiled as the juice filled her mouth, kissing her taste buds before sliding down her throat.


    ¡°Thank you for the fruits.¡± Grace continued amidst the loud chewing from her mouth.


    ¡°You are wee,¡± The nurse replied sweetly before stepping out of the room.


    Grace propped her chin up and nced at the empty room. She wished that Joshua, her angel was here, talking flirty words to her. Being alone didn¡¯t suit her at all. She remembered Tom, her boyfriend and scoffed. She was sure he knew she was in the hospital yet he didn¡¯t see it as mandatory to check up on her health.


    Grace extended her arms and picked up the ceramic te. But her hands felt numb all of a sudden and she clumsily dropped the te filled with fruits on the white tiled floor. The clear liquid produced from the fruits made slow trails on the tiled floor to the brown door.


    ¡°Oh no, what have I done?¡± Grace muttered, panic itching on her face.


    Grace looked at the floor, she was about to try bending or crawling as an option when red heels entered into the room, majestically that could be spotted from a mile away. She raised her head steadily and met her mother¡¯s piercing gaze. Her mother, Jane Waters looked stunning in a vintage white dress and and her elegant red purse brought out her smoky eye shadow. Everything about her appearance screamed solid.


    Time froze for a long time as Grace narrowed her eyes at her mother who held a firm frown on her face. They both stared at each other intently, both unwilling the back out.


    ¡°Hello Mother,¡± Grace finally said as her hands grabbed a fistful of the bed sheets. Thest time she saw her mother, the atmosphere was tense and thick. Grace had no interest in working in herte father¡¯spany and she also had a burning passion to be an althete. Her mother wanted her to be a CEO just like her father. It had been nine months since they both talked or conversed, most of their conversations began and ended with arguments.


    Her mother scanned the room with her eyes and let out a bitter chuckle, pretending not to have heard Grace.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you actually remember your first child exists. How are you doing?¡± Grace continued, trying hard to keep her face at ease. She knew her mother wasn¡¯t here to be theforting mother she never was.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I gave birth to a useless child.¡± Her mother finally responded as she eyed Grace on the bed, her manicured fingers curved around her expensive purse.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen or heard from you in months and that¡¯s the first word you say to your daughter? You really are the mother of the year,¡± Grace snarled as she ced her right hand under her chin.


    ¡°I am not in the mood for your silly sarcastic replies, I just came here because your sister, Sarah kept bugging me.¡± Her mother retorted angrily, her voice slightly raised.


    ¡°Then you should have chosen to stay at home!¡± Grace spat venomously, her body trembling in rage.


    ¡°Did you end up in the hospital because of your stupid dreams and aspirations?¡± Her mother enquired with a sneer, brushing her hair over her shoulder.


    ¡°It¡¯s not stupid, you know how much I love running and that¡¯s why I decided to be an athlete. You don¡¯t approve of anything I do or decide on my own but you would be happy and delighted if I do something you want!¡± Grace yelled with all the strength in her aching body. Each statement that fell out of her mother¡¯s lips infuriated her.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°That¡¯s because I want the best for you, Grace,¡± She said, but Grace knew that was a lie. All her mother ever wanted was what she will benefit her and bring her up in the public.


    ¡°You being an althete won¡¯tst long, You are liable to injuries and once you clock thirty five, your body bes weak and it¡¯s hard for you to perform on the tracks. But if you worked at your father¡¯spany, it would be so easy for you. Your life would be stable and bnced as a woman. Quit that childish dream and grow up,¡± Her mother replied as she rambled on and on, gesticting and emphasizing each word with her outstretched arm.


    ¡°No, you simply want the best for yourself, Mom. You want to unt it in front of your crazy rich friends and show that you are a great mother which to be honest you are definitely not. If you really cared for me, you would have approved of me being an althete and supported me,¡± Grace snapped, her eyes soaked with tears.


    ¡°Look at your current situation Grace, you can¡¯t walk and it¡¯s not certain you are ever going to walk. Shouldn¡¯t this convince you that it¡¯s not the right path for you. Do you think you are ever going to be an Olympic champion? You are just a cripple, just admit that you were wrong for not listening to your loving mother!¡± Her mother roared, fumbling with her purse.


    Grace watched her mother who pulled out a cigarette and a lighter from her purse. Her mother still had that old habit of smoking ever since her father passed away. She squeezed her lips and wondered why her mother couldn¡¯t just trust her wishes. Hot salty tears rolled down her cheeks as she inhaled the sharp smell of smoke that wafted round the room.


    ¡°Smoking isn¡¯t allowed in the hospital,¡± Grace mumbled.


    ¡°You are the reason why I smoke. Your stubbornness makes my blood pressure go dreadfully high. Don¡¯t you think it would be better to just change your mindset?¡± Her mother insisted with a quick drag of the cigarette that settled between two slender fingers. She closed her eyes and gave a sigh of relief as she puffed it out, the odour filling the room and finding it¡¯s way to Grace nostrils.


    ¡°Mom, just stop it!¡± Grace yelled, shutting her eyes.


    ¡°Stop addressing me as your mother because as long as you don¡¯t listen or oblige to my demands, you aren¡¯t my daughter anymore.¡± Her mother stressed with a eye roll.


    ¡°Most motherse to the hospital tofort and crack jokes with their daughter, make them feel better. But you came here with nothing but insults and pain. I know I am never going to walk but you are supposed to give me a pinch of hope!¡± Grace screamed, holding the sides of her abdomen.


    ¡°Most daughters listen to their mothers. You are only a disgrace, you are a wretched child.¡± Her mother fumed as her eyes turned red with rage.


    ¡°You disgust me, Grace. You disgust me!¡± Her mother repeated, her glowering eyes filled with pure hatred.


    Each syble pierced Grace¡¯s heart. Her mother thought of her as disgusting. The atmosphere was frigid. Something angry and bitter trickled down her eyes.


    Her mother opened her lips once more but halted on seeing the shadow of a doctor, leaning against the door with a nk expression. Grace bent her head in embarrassment on sighting Joshua who walked up to her mother with a bone chilling look imprinted on his face.


    ¡°First of all, smoking isn¡¯t allowed in the hospital especially with patients around. Smoking isn¡¯t good for your age either, as an old woman you are liable to die soon.¡± Joshua began, a devilish smile growing on his face.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Her mother asked with a gasp, Grace mouth fell open with shock at the words from Joshua¡¯s lips.


    Joshua ignored her question and went on. ¡°Secondly, you are causing my patient so much distress, she just woke up yesterday. You are making her recovery slower. You don¡¯t have to yell at her, keep your voice low and calm, she¡¯s even crying.¡± Joshua pointed at a perplexed Grace.


    ¡°Andstly, Get out!¡± Joshua screamed.


    Grace¡¯s eyes widened in awe, her mouth gaped open in shock. He was truly an angel!

 Chapter 5

    Joshua stared at the woman in front of him for a brief second after spilling out his mind, if eyes could shootsers, he would have died instantly. He had nned earlier on to check up on Grace and probably chat but as soon as he got closer to her room, he could hear raised voices and as the sharp smell of smoke hit his noise, he knew something was definitely wrong.


    ¡°And who are you to tell me that?¡± Her mother demanded with a light chuckle, but with a death re in her eyes.


    ¡°I am Dr Rogers and you seem like a barking dog.¡± Joshua smirked, rubbing his nose.


    ¡°Excuse me, are you speaking to me?¡± Her mother questioned with a confused look.


    ¡°Yes I am, but since you are a female, a bitch might be appropriate.¡± Joshua grinned, delight twinkling in his eyes. Her confused expression gave him the utmost will to mock her.


    Grace tried to hold back augh and she ended up covering her lips with her hands.


    ¡°I am her mother and you are such a rude doctor. I am going to speak to the director of this dreadful hospital and I¡¯ll ensure you are punished to my satisfaction.¡± Her mother growled as she reached for her sunsses in her purse.


    ¡°And I¡¯ll also inform the director that you were smoking directly in front of a patient. I really don¡¯t care about family rtions when ites to my patients,¡± Joshua countered.


    ¡°So, are we even ma¡¯am?¡± Joshua continued, stretching forth his right hand for a handshake he knew he was never going to get.


    She looked down at his palms, eyeing it. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve your license!¡± Her mother thundered before storming out of the room, her heels making angry noises around the hallways.


    As soon as she left, Grace gave a sigh of relief and turned to Joshua. ¡°Thank you!¡± She smiled, her pink lips stretched themselves till their limit.


    Joshua bemused by his small achievement, turned around and winked. Her nectarine voice soothed him and it made him feel on top of the world.


    He then ced a strong muscr arm on the side rails and spoke, ¡°Is she your stepmom or your real mom?¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to answer that.¡± Grace shook her head slightly. This wasn¡¯t the first time she was being asked that, and she couldn¡¯t stand the look of pity when she gave them the answer.


    ¡°Understood!¡± Joshua raised his hands in defeat.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± Grace asked with her eyebrow raised.


    ¡°Are you having a problem with your short term memory? Do you need a brain scan?¡± Joshua looked closely at her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with my short term memory, Why are you here?¡± Grace red at him in suspicion.


    ¡°I am visiting you,¡± He said the words slowly like English wasn¡¯t her firstnguage.


    ¡°Really?¡± Grace replied incredulously at his slow speaking.


    ¡°Yes, really.¡± Joshua responded with a smug look on his face.


    ¡°Wow! Aren¡¯t I the lucky one,¡± Grace said, she had no idea what he was doing but figured that this must be part of a joke or something equally immature.


    ¡°Thank you for gracing me with your presence. Now go!¡± Grace barked.


    ¡°Sorry?¡± The smirk dropped from his face.


    ¡°Get out, you heard me. Shoo!¡± Grace hissed.


    ¡°Shoo?¡± Joshua looked suprised like this was not what he expected at all. ¡°Did you just say ¡®Shoo¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Yes, shoo, depart, exit and leave here. I want to rest.¡±  Grace flicked her hands at him to emphasize the words.


    ¡°But I am visiting you,¡± Joshua persisted, he was still hovering at the edge of her bed.


    ¡°I heard you and don¡¯t think I don¡¯t appreciate your valuable time, which is why I¡¯m suggesting you allocate it somewhere else.¡± Grace gave a broad fake smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad because I am allocating it here and now,¡± Joshua replied, pulling up a chair.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t sit down.¡± Grace red at him as he purposely sat down and made himselffortable.


    Grace mmed her palm on her forehead, which wasn¡¯t a good idea because all she got was pain. ¡°What¡¯s your problem?¡± She questioned, infuriated by his persistence.


    ¡°What kind of food do you like Miss Waters?¡± Joshua changed the topic. ¡°I could bring in some takeaway, the hospital food gets tiring. I know this restaurant down town, their fried chicken are to die for.¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°What are you doing Dr Joshua?¡± Grace asked with a confused look.


    ¡°Joshua.¡± He corrected, ¡°I told you yesterday that I preferred being called Joshua.¡±


    ¡°Why should I call you anything at all? I don¡¯t even know why you are here, mind telling me?¡± Grace asked.


    ¡°Oh! I want to be your friend.¡± Joshua simply stated with a shrug.


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t want you as a friend? Aren¡¯t you satisfied with being my doctor?¡± Grace growled.


    ¡°Then I can be something more than a friend,¡± Joshua responded, his eye serious all of a sudden.


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± Grace muttered, ¡°You are unbelievable!¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Joshua smiled.


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t apliment and the fact that you took it as one proves you are truly arrogant.¡± Graceughed.


    ¡°Is this the way you treat everyone who makes an effort to be your friend? That would exin why you are lying here on your own,¡± Joshua replied as his eyebrows went up and his jaws flinched.


    ¡°Did you really just say that?¡± Grace blinked as she stared at him in disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to say that, you¡¯re being difficult, and it just came out.¡± Joshua frowned.


    ¡°I am being difficult? Are you serious?¡± Grace yelled.


    ¡°Have you eaten?¡± Joshua changed the topic.


    She eyed him, and took a deep breathe. ¡°Yeah, I have.¡± Grace nodded.


    Joshua scanned his surroundings carefully and noticed a trail of liquid fruiting from the side of the bed.


    ¡°I think your meal is on the floor, Is that your way of eating? Floor food?¡± Joshua pointed at the floor.


    Grace suddenly remembered the earlier incident. ¡°Why are you still here? Get out!¡± Grace snapped.


    ¡°I am being a good friend, stop yelling at me.¡± Joshua red at her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to see your face, it¡¯s really ufortable.¡± Grace insisted stubbornly.


    ¡°My angelic face?¡± Joshua grinned.


    Grace squeezed her eyes shut on remembering how she called him an angel when they first met the previous day.


    ¡°It was nice talking with you, Grace. Take care of yourself.¡± Joshua beamed, standing up.


    ¡°It was nice conversing with you too, Joshua.¡± Grace finally confessed with a smile.


    Joshua gave her a quick smile before bolting the door. He grinned to himself as he dipped his hands into his coat pockets. He loved the way his name rolled off her lips with such sweetness. He took hold of his phone in his arms and dialed a familiar number. He ced the device on his ear and listened to the ringtone that followed.


    ********


    Helen moaned in pleasure as she felt a warm tongue lick the entrance of her vagina. She panted as he licked her greedily, pulling her soft lips apart so that he could suck on her clit. She gasped and her knees buckled when his mouth closed around the sensitive nub. Two fingers swirled around her wet, hot entrance and her moaning increased. Her tiny office echoed dirty groans.


    ¡°Oh my, Rob I¡¯ming!¡± Helen cried. Rob was her patient who was consulting with her on his low sperm count. He was sexy with the small stubble on his chin and his masculine features made her wet. She seduced him by spreading her legs wide open with no panties on when he reached below to pick up his pen that fell suddenly on the floor. Completely hypnotized, Rob crawled under the wooden table and began licking her off, like a starved cat.


    Her hole clenched around his wicked fingers, squeezing and releasing. He didn¡¯t stop though, sucking her clit and furiously pumping his fingers into her as she spasmed. She screamed and threaded her fingers on his hair, trying to pull him away but he didn¡¯t stop. His hands soon found their way into her low cut blouse as he drifted her white coat apart. He kneaded her breasts through the blouse, feeling her hard nipples, she moaned again, a little louder.


    Suddenly her phone thatid on the table untouched, buzzed with an iing call. With a frustrated groan, she lifted her neck to check and her eyes twinkled on noticing the call was from Joshua.


    She grabbed the phone hastily in her arms and slid the ept button before cing it on her right ear.


    ¡°Hello Joshua,¡± Helen said with a light chuckle as she tried to catch her breathe.


    ¡°Hello to you too, I need a favor Helen,¡± Joshua replied hurriedly.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    ¡°Alright. I am listening,¡± Helen responded.


    ¡°What do women like generally?¡± Joshua asked in a hushed tone.


    ¡°Well flowers, Why do you ask?¡± Helen replied, scratching her hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s for a special person,¡± Joshua said as heughed through the phone.


    Helen¡¯s face grew hot in envy as she realized the reason for the call. He liked someone and was seeking her opinion. Her face melted in sadness. She thought he was finally going to ask her out probably to lunch. She thought that since his wife, the only obstacle was dead and he was avable. She could finally fill up the position of an ideal wife.


    A wet tongue suddenly flicked her swollen nub and Helen realized that her patient, Rob was still there, under the table. Helen gasped and a moan flew out of her mouth without caution.


    ¡°Helen, is there something wrong?¡± Joshua asked, his voiceced with worry.


    ¡°I have a slight headache.¡± She lied through her clenched teeth.


    ¡°Okay, take care of yourself.¡± Joshua concluded and hung up the phone.


    Bathed in frustration, Helen threw her mobile phone on the table and drew Rob¡¯s face deeper into her entrance and it aroused her further. She ripped open her blouse, her bra followed and she brought out her firm breasts, she kneaded them with her hands and guided Rob¡¯s strong calloused hand towards her perky nipples that ached for his touch. She didn¡¯t like him at all, she only needed him to drench her anger and frustration. She liked Joshua and would do absolutely anything to ensure he was hers.

 Chapter 6

    Three days passed like a sh and boredom was slowly crawling into Grace. She read newspapers and magazines that she got from the nurses that frequently visited her room. She begged the nurses to get chips and chicken from the hospital cafeteria but they proved adamant and ensured Grace took only vegetables and fruits. There were no TV or radios not even a telephone existed in her room. Her onlyfort was a buzzer that she could only use when her health was in danger.


    ¡°My life is just so boring!¡± Grace yelled into the silent room.


    Grace adjusted her head on the fluffy pillow and stared at her legs thatid unmoved in the bed. They were smooth but they were immobile. Grace wished that ident never happened. She nced at the calendar on the wall and squeezed her brows.


    The Olympics that she prepared so hard for in three years was now dangerously close. But now she had nothing to prove or show for it. Grace felt useless and unloved. She believed that her future was bleak. She squeezed the magazine in her right hand and dropped it on the floor.


    She heard the door creak slightly and she turned. A wheelchair was pushed into the room with a slight force and Joshua entered, wearing a huge smile.


    ¡°Hello Grace, how are you doing?¡± Joshua asked, his hand reaching into his suit pockets. He felt nervous and giddy all of a sudden.


    ¡°I feel so bored, why didn¡¯t check up on my health in the past few days?¡± Grace wailed.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Did you miss me? I feel so ttered.¡± Joshua joked with a slight tilt of his head.


    ¡°No, I did not,¡± Grace lied. ¡°It¡¯s your job to check up on your patients and ensure they get better.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very true. But you are in luck this afternoon. Would you like to take a walk with me? ¡± Joshua asked, the dimple on his cheek suddenly etched on his perfect face.


    ¡°Are you trying to be sarcastic or rude?¡± Grace snarled, his words prickled her soul.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way, Grace. I just want to make you feel better.¡± Joshua whispered gently, holding his hands out. He didn¡¯t want to hurt her feelings, he just wanted to make a great impression.


    ¡°And how do you expect me to go for a walk if I can¡¯t walk?¡± Grace asked, both eyebrows lifted.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I brought this.¡± Joshua patted the wheelchair beside him.


    Grace nearly choked, she never imagined that she would set her eyes on a wheelchair. She felt it was for old people.


    ¡°And how am I going to get on that?¡± Grace stupidly asked.


    Joshua walked up to her with hasty steps and looked briefly into her eyes before cupping his hands under her neck.


    Grace shrieked and with a rmed voice yelled, ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, what are you trying to do?¡±


    ¡°Calm down tigress, I just want to carry you into the wheelchair,¡± Joshua replied with a chuckle, she obviously didn¡¯t like being touched.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t do anything silly. You can easily call a female nurse.¡± Grace tried to persuade him.


    ¡°Are you sexist or something? Grab on to my neck.¡± Joshua ordered as his hands immediately reached under her legs.


    Grace impulsively grabbed on like he requested and she quickly muttered a quick curse if his hands dared reached her thighs. She felt her limp body being lifted and her heart raced. Her face was now inches away from him and if he tried looking sideways, their lips would definitely meet. She stared at his impressive jawline and she giggled lightly. She could smell his cologne but she couldn¡¯t ce her memory on the brand.


    Before she knew it, her lower back suddenly hit a hard surface and she screamed.


    ¡°Why did you drop me so hard?¡± She yelled.


    ¡°I am sorry, but I have to confess that you are really heavy,¡± Joshua replied, wiping his brows which was now drenched with sticky sweat.


    ¡°I am not heavy, maybe I am since I don¡¯t walk around anymore.¡± Grace pouted, resting her arms on the wheelchair.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go on that walk, you talk too much.¡± Joshua joked, taking hold of the handgrip on the wheelchair.


    Grace exhaled deeply as he pushed her gently towards the door. Her breathing became ragged and raspy as she could feel his gaze at the back of her head. They reached the elevator and were lucky to be the only ones in it. Her heart mmed against its ribcage when they got out of the elevator.


    She looked at her surroundings and noticed they were already in the reception area, she could see people waiting to see a doctor staring at her. Some even shook their head with a pitiful expression on their face. She bent her head low, her self esteem waspletely crushed. She feltpletely weak and helpless.


    ******


    Joshua¡¯s happy demeanor was seen by everyone in the reception room except Grace who was on the wheelchair. He bent a bit to look at Grace but he noticed that her facial expression waspletely out of bnce, she was sad.


    He leaned against her right ear and said, ¡°Stop looking so downcast, there are so many patients here who are blind, there are patients who can¡¯t speak, there are patients who have just three months to live. Don¡¯t worry about the way people look at you.¡±


    Joshua could hear her stifle, she was trying so hard to hold back her emotions. He understood what pain felt like when his wife and daughter died. He didn¡¯t know how tofort himself so he drank beer till he passed out.


    He decided not to speak and pushed the wheelchair gently outside of the hospital, he knew Grace was relieved to be outside from the smile that formed on her face.


    ¡°Do you feel better now?¡± Joshua asked, removing his hand from the handgrip.


    Grace exhaled deeply before answered, ¡°To be frank, I feel a lot better. Seeing the sun makes my heart flutter but the fact that I am bound to this wheelchair forever makes me sad.¡±


    Joshua bent his knees and examined Grace, her hair was moving simultaneously with the wind and it looked so beautiful. He smiled and ced a hand on his head.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you believe that you will walk eventually? I told you that miracles do happen, Grace.¡± Joshua pleaded with his eyes.


    ¡°Look at my legs Joshua, they are stiff and lifeless. I know that I am never going to walk. I am sure you know that too. My mother was right, I am just so stubborn not to see the truth, and stop talking about miracles. I told you earlier that miracles don¡¯t exist.¡± Grace protested as her eyes welled up in tears.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really know you, Grace. But there¡¯s one thing that I am certain of. You can¡¯t lose hope, not today and not tomorrow either. You are alive for a reason. You may not walk now but what if you can, in the future? What if you just need to believe in yourself?¡± Joshua assured, patting her left arm.


    ¡°I am alive for nothing. I ampletely useless. What is the point of being on this if I can¡¯t walk? Why can¡¯t you just be honest with me? Stop spilling nonsense and please just be honest with me.¡± Grace sobbed quietly, leaning on the arm rest of the wheelchair.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I am here for you, Grace.¡± Joshua uttered, he didn¡¯t know what to say. He felt she was just selfish and ungrateful, he wondered why she couldn¡¯t be happy to be alive.


    His eyes left Grace and wandered about his surroundings, he caught a glimpse of Helen walking towards him. He rose up on his feet and dusted his white coat.


    ¡°Helen, what are you doing here?¡± Joshua said with a grin.


    ¡°And what exactly are you doing here? What if there¡¯s a patient that needs your attention in the emergency unit?¡± Helen retorted angrily as she swayed her head to look at the woman on the wheelchair. Fury enveloped her on realizing that Joshua was spending time with a patient.


    ¡°I was just trying to make my patient feel better. Helen, please meet Grace. ¡± Joshua mentioned, nudging Helen by the elbow. He was disappointed that Helen refused to acknowledge Grace.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t your job, Joshua. If she wanted to go outside, she should have requested for a female nurse instead. You have to consider other patients!¡± Helen yelled further.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Helen. You can leave now. I appreciate your concern,¡± Joshua muttered, he was beginning to get tired of her words.


    ¡°Are you asking me to leave?¡± Helen whispered, her voice lowered in disappointment.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to stay, so why don¡¯t you leave? I still have a lot to learn from my patient.¡± Joshua taunted, staring at Grace.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll leave but I am warning you, you don¡¯t have to go overboard. Stick to your job as a doctor,¡± Helen replied as she walked away slowly. She seemed disappointed and displeased with Joshua.


    Joshua rolled his eyes and turned to look at Grace. But he noticed she was trying not tough. He tilted his head and held the handgrip of the wheelchair tightly.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± he asked in a calm tone.


    ******


    Grace suddenly erupted into a bigugh and she patted her hands against her thighs repeatedly to steady herself.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your girlfriend?¡± Grace enquired after a while.


    Joshua held out his index finger and waved it in front of her face, ¡°She¡¯s not my girlfriend. She¡¯s my best friend.¡±


    ¡°Then why was she acting so possessive?¡± Grace pressed further, mischief twinkling in her eyes.


    ¡°She was just being a good friend. How is that possessive?¡± Joshua objected with a frown.


    Grace gulped and pondered deeply. She recollected the way Helen stared at her, it was as if someone snatched her favorite toy away from her. She wondered why Joshua couldn¡¯t see it. It was so clear and obvious that Helen disliked her already.


    ¡°She¡¯s not my type, Grace.¡± Joshua spat suddenly.


    ¡°I never asked you that. Why are you telling me that?¡± Grace asked with a confused expression.


    ¡°She¡¯s just a friend to me and that¡¯s what she would ever be.¡± Joshua continued.


    Grace was dumbfounded, why was he exining that? She wasn¡¯t bothered about Helen being his best friend. But in-depth., she felt relieved that Helen wasn¡¯t his girlfriend.

 Chapter 7

    Grace suddenly felt a difort in her stomach, it was growling for food. She remembered that most of her breakfast ended up on the floor. She shot a nce at Joshua who was engrossed with his phone. She extended her right hand and tugged on his coat.


    ¡°I am hungry,¡± Grace said.


    With a sigh, Joshua replied, ¡°What do you want to eat?¡±


    ¡°Well, I am craving for pancakes, pizza, fried chicken, scotch eggs and a bottle of wine.¡± Grace mentioned happily.


    Joshua¡¯s mouth flew open in disbelief. ¡°Are you pregnant?¡±


    Grace shook her head violently. How could he say that?


    ¡°No, I am not. I am just hungry.¡±


    ¡°Your cravings are extraordinary and excessive. Why can¡¯t you just mention vegetables? They are nutritious.¡± Joshua blurted, still surprise at the amount of food Grace wants to consume.


    ¡°I have been eating vegetables for the past three days. I am tired of them. I want something else that¡¯s not green.¡± Grace argued as she pouted her lips. She hoped he wasn¡¯t so particr about healthy foods.


    ¡°But it¡¯s not good for your health. I can¡¯t allow you eat that.¡± Joshua countered.


    ¡°You said you wanted to be my friend right?¡± Grace asked with a wink.


    ¡°Of course.¡± Joshua nodded, wondering where she was going with this.


    ¡°Then you have to get me anything I ask for.¡± Grace replied with augh.


    Grace knew that no man could refuse her charm. From the confused look on Joshua¡¯s face, she had a hunch he won¡¯t refuse.


    ¡°Are you trying to ckmail me?¡± Joshua inquired, the corners of his mouth twitched in amazement.


    ¡°Why would I do that? I am just desperate to be your friend just like the way you badly want me as your friend. ¡± Grace chuckled.


    She watched as Joshua ced a hand on his forehead and made funny noises with his mouth. She knew he was going to ept but he hesitated for some seconds before speaking.


    ¡°You are a maniptive woman!¡± He shot her a frustrated look and with that, walked away.


    Graceughed aloud till her ribs hurt. She hadn¡¯t felt this way in a long time, not with Tom, her boyfriend. She looked around and noticed the huge states from the nurses and doctors who walked right past her. She was happy that Joshua willingly spent time with her regardless of the numerous patients that he should be attending to. Comfort and affection surged into her veins, she felt peace as she took in fresh air into her slender nostrils.


    ******


    Joshua kicked empty bottles of water lying on the ground with his left leg as he walked out of the hospital cafeteria. His right hand held arge nylon filled with snacks while his left hand which held a bunch of flowers was  concealed behind his back. As he moved closer to his destination, he could see the outline of Grace seated in the wheelchair, her face straight and radiant. Her blond hair that toppled over her shoulders moved with the breezy wind. His heart thumped faster as he approached her carefully.


    ¡°I got what you wanted.¡± Joshua announced as be approached, dropping the nylon on herp. He saw excitement on her face as her eyes lit up in delight and he chuckled lightly.


    He watched as she opened it carefully, her slender fingers opening them with ease. Her face turned to dismay when she looked into the nylon to check out it¡¯s content.


    ¡°Why did you get me only two pancakes? Why are there no pizza here? There¡¯s no wine or ice-cream either. The fried chicken is too small, it¡¯s not looking greasy enough and the scotch eggs, they don¡¯t look like they have eggs in it.¡± Graceined, her voice raised in annoyance and disappointment.


    Joshua exhaled deeply, he expected her sudden reaction. Did she really think he was going to get all those junk food she requested for? She was like a grumbling child, throwing a tantrum.


    ¡°And why did you buy four apples? I never asked for apples!¡± Grace yelled, shutting her small eyes.


    Joshua rubbed his face with his sweaty palm, then he held the arm rest of the wheel chair and stared at Grace.


    ¡°Everything you asked for is simply outrageous. As your doctor, I am certain of what¡¯s best for you. You can¡¯t eat junks, you are a woman not a child. I bought apples because you need lots of them to get your strength back and also, they are not green if you noticed. I never wanted to buy pancakes either.¡± Joshua countered with a smug look.


    ¡°Then I guess we can¡¯t be friends.¡± Grace shrugged as she gobbled up a piece of fried chicken into her mouth.


    With a smirk etching on his face, Joshua grabbed the next fried chicken that Grace was about to throw into her mouth. He smiled at the confused and angry expression on her face as he took hold of the food nylon on herp.


    ¡°Then you aren¡¯t eating anything either since you don¡¯t want to be my friend.¡± Joshua beamed as he took a bite of the fleshy chicken.


    ¡°You really want to be petty? You are going to starve me because of friendship? You are such a great doctor.¡± Grace gritted her teeth, watching as he chewed the piece of chicken in his mouth with annoyance.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°If I really wanted to be petty, I wouldn¡¯t even be here. So if you want to eat, you have to be my friend.¡± Joshua chuckled.


    ¡°Offer declined, leave me alone!¡± Grace pouted, her face squeezed in absolute rage.


    Joshuaughed and tilted his head, examining her reaction. She turned her face away from his gaze and settled her eyes at the sun.


    ¡°Are you sure? You haven¡¯t eaten anything since morning. Do you really want to punish your stomach because of your fat ego?¡± Joshua stated.


    ¡°Yes, I am sure. I don¡¯t want to be your friend. I am not that gullible.¡± Grace insisted with a frown.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be leaving then. Make sure to scream out loud for a nurse when you are ready to return back to your room.¡± Joshua instructed with a  silly grin.


    Without caring to look at her facial expression, Joshua turned around and pocketed the bunch of flowers into his coat pocket and began walking, he counted the steps he took as he was certain of her desperation to eat. He hadn¡¯t taken up to twenty steps when he heard Grace yelling his name.


    ¡°She¡¯s not tough, just as I expected,¡± Joshua muttered as he walked further, but slowly.


    He heard another yell from Grace and he unconsciously ced a finger into his ear. Did she really have to be so loud? He turned around and stuck his tongue out like a child which transformed Grace¡¯s frowning face into a beautiful,ughing and bubbly face.


    He then walked hurriedly towards Grace, smartly and stylishly with confidence oozing all over his body.


    ¡°You were yelling my name? Is there a problem Miss Waters?¡± Joshua smiled mischievously.


    ¡°I am so hungry, so freaking hungry. If you don¡¯t give me those snacks in your hand, I¡¯ll bite you, really hard.¡± Grace bawled as she rambled on and on.


    Joshuaughed.


    ¡°Will you be my friend or not?¡± Joshua asked gently.


    He sensed hesitation as she mumbled inaudible words. He smiled wider, making it obvious that she didn¡¯t have a choice.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll be your friend. Now give it to me. I¡¯m starving,¡± Grace replied hurriedly, extending her arms and beckoning.


    But Joshua had something elseing, he shoved the bunch of flowers he had pocketed earlier into her outstretched hand. He examined her astonished expression closely. She looked at it with an irritated look. Joshua stifled. Was she rejecting it?


    Then suddenly Grace sneezed and she threw the flowers in her hand on the floor and curled her fingers around her Joshua¡¯s heart broke when he saw the bunch of flowers lying dead on the ground. He found it on his way to the hospital cafeteria and the different striking colours appealed to him.


    ¡°If you knew you were going to reject it, you could have said so instead of doing that.¡± Joshua uttered with pain evident in his tone.


    ¡°I hate flowers.¡± Gracey blurted with confidence.


    ¡°And why do you hate flowers?¡± Joshua pressed further, his shoulders lifted.


    ¡°Because I am allergic to them!¡± Grace yelled with vigour, rubbing her palms on her hospital gown.


    Joshua swallowed a mold of saliva before replying, ¡°How can you be allergic to flowers, there are flowers literally around the hospital premises.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because it wasn¡¯t shoved into my hand.¡± Grace rolled her eyes, retorting dramatically.


    ¡°Whatever, just have this.¡± Joshua held out the nylon filled with food. Grace grabbed it and began to munch on anything her hands could grab quickly.


    Joshua chuckled softly and proceeded to sit on the ground, he sat in front of Grace and crossed his legs.


    Grace raised an eyebrow. ¡°Can¡¯t you at least have a bit of dignity? How can you sit on the ground in that manner especially with a white coat on?¡± Grace spat as she bit down on a fleshy mould of fried chicken.


    ¡°I have an extra one in my office, thank you for your concern,¡± Joshua replied with a beaming smile.


    ¡°Why did you get me flowers anyways?¡± Grace changed the subject.


    ¡°I thought women liked flowers so I got you one.¡± Joshua answered with a shrug, he didn¡¯t want her to push it or put more importance into it.


    ¡°You really don¡¯t know what I like,¡± Grace replied,ughing.


    ¡°Then, what do you like, Grace?¡± Joshua asked. He examined her closely as she masticated a big piece of fried chicken, her mouth taking a irregr shape. It reminded him of Sally, histe wife who loved fried chicken and would do anything to have it everyday. Grace¡¯s loud chewing reminded him of histe daughter. He bent his head slightly and wiped streaks of tears that had began to run down his cheeks.


    ¡°I like food,¡± Grace replied with a chuckle.


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty obvious.¡± Joshuaughed aloud.


    ¡°What¡¯s your favorite colour?¡± Joshua added as he reached out for his phone in his  trouser pocket. If he kept his phone there for a minutete, it would be squashed due to the pressure made by his firm buttocks.


    ¡°Pink.¡± Grace answered.


    ¡°Why do women love pink? It¡¯s not that awesome.¡± Joshua countered. He was beginning to gain interest in Grace. Sally¡¯s favorite colour was ck and it scared him because she wore it every single day of their marriage.


    ¡°What¡¯s your favorite colour?¡± Grace asked, propping her elbow on the arm rest.


    ¡°Red,¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you would look good in red.¡± Grace confessed with a grin.


    ¡°And I don¡¯t think you would look great in pink either.¡± Joshua stated with a knowing smile.


    ¡°What¡¯s your ideal type of man?¡± Joshua questioned while folding his arms.


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡± Grace replied with a smirk.


    ¡°I asked you a question first, it¡¯s really annoying when you ask someone a question and they reply back with a question.¡± Joshua sighed. He knew she was deliberately doing it to get on his nerves.


    ¡°Do you really want me to answer your question?¡± Grace whispered.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Joshua cried out with joy.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll give you a simple reply, my ideal man mustn¡¯t be good-looking, He mustn¡¯t be annoying or irritating and he shouldn¡¯t be a doctor either. I would prefer it if he were a CEO.¡± Grace replied.


    ¡°So you fancy ugly men?¡± Joshua noted with a nod of his head.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡± Grace tried to correct with a flick of her index finger.


    ¡°Then what exactly are you trying to say?¡± Joshua responded with a confused look. He dreaded her reply.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t my ideal type of man Joshua,¡± Grace replied, tearing her gaze away from his. Something pricked Joshua¡¯s chest. It felt like something or someone stopped the earth from rotating. Why would she say that so simply? She was so blunt with her words, it seemed she never cared how it would affect the other. He tried to open his mouth to speak but nothing came out. It felt as if he had just been rejected. He wasn¡¯t expecting her harsh reply at all. It was like someone turned off her bubbly personality and reced it with a dark and gloomy personality. Thick tension rose between them as neither could look at each other in the eye, both concealing their true feelings.

 Chapter 8

    Grace blinked over and over. For the past four days, Joshua refused to visit and when sheined to the nurses on duty, their response were alike. They said that he probably would have travelled. But she had a gut feeling that they were wrong. It was clearly because of her harsh statement. She knew that because after she said it, he took her back into the hospital without saying a word and he even ignored her when she mentioned that his grip was harsh when he dropped her on her bed. She didn¡¯t mean to say it that way but she wanted to stamp a limit between them. She was a patient, he was a doctor and that was all.


    She was already falling in love with his petty performances and funny faces. The way he advised her on the right meals to take and the way he was interested in what she liked. Not even Tom, her so called boyfriend asked what she liked or wanted. Their rtionship was obviously based on sex alone. Tom was her trainer and he often flirted with other women which annoyed her constantly.


    Grace then shut her eyes and  recollected the reason how she got into that dreadful ident. She wanted to surprise Tom with a visit to his house on his birthday. She wore her best lingerie under her skimpy dress and made her face up in the most seductive way but she was shocked when she looked through one of his apartment windows and noticed the scenario before her.


    He was in an intimate position with another woman in his living room and it didn¡¯t look like it was his first time at all. But what baffled her was that Tom allowed that woman to touch him everything. He never allowed Grace to touch him anytime they had sex. He told her it digusted him and apparently, he found her digusting as well. With a broken heart, Grace left his apartment. Her thoughts were disoriented and in the middle of all the crisis happening in her heart, she was hit by an iing car.


    Grace opened her eyes and sighed deeply, she knew she had to let go of him but she still felt attached to him emotionally. She tilted her head at looked at the time on the wall clock, it was afternoon. She banged her head against the pillow and muttered inaudible words. The door slightly creaked and she stopped talking to herself, she saw a shadow hovering around the door and she guessed the person was reluctant to enter. She fixed her gaze on the door and watched as the person entered slowly and turned out to be Joshua.


    She cleared her throat and tried to keep a straight face but she was happy because he showed up. She examined his nk facial expression as he moved closer to her. Her heart heated faster and butterflies danced in her stomach. She felt him reach for her wrist, he took it in his hand and checked her pulse. He then opened her eyelids rudely and looked into them for a brief second before tearing his gaze away from her.


    Disappointment crawled into Grace¡¯s skin. Was he ignoring her? She watched as he stood rooted for some minutes without saying a word. She knew she deserved the silent treatment but he was breaking her heart slowly. She watched as he made to leave. She pondered within herself whether to talk or let him leave. She found her voice eventually.


    ¡°Joshua.¡± She called.


    But he didn¡¯t respond, his fingers were tightly curled around the door knob.


    ¡°Joshua!¡± She tried again, her voice a bit louder this time.


    ¡°It¡¯s Dr Joshua.¡± He corrected slowly, he was irritated.


    ¡°You said that you preferred me calling you Joshua instead of Dr Joshua. Why the sudden change?¡± Grace asked, perplexed by his words.


    ¡°People change, Miss Waters,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you check up on me? What if I needed your attention? You asked me to press the buzzer if I needed you but you never showed up. You only checked my vitals and you refused to talk or rte with me.¡± Grace stated as she tasted something salty in her mouth, whenever she was hurt, she had the tendency to cry.


    ¡°That¡¯s not clearly in my job description. I was asked to make sure you get better, not chat with you about irrevnt things. There are so many patients in this hospital that I have to attend to and you are the least important of them all, Miss Waters.¡± Joshua red at her with his hands buried inside his coat.


    ¡°I am less important?¡± Grace whispered, she never expected that from him. Because of what she said, he was being mean and insensitive.


    ¡°ording to this hospital policy, I am only allowed to see a patient for ten minutes, then move on to another patient but now I have wasted twenty minutes here doing absolutely nothing, my ie at the end of this month is going to be deducted, all thanks to you,¡± Joshua answered bitterly, as he joined his hands together to praise her for her ironic feat.


    Grace wiped a tear under her eyelids and braced herself. She thought her mother was the worst person in the world but Joshua topped the chart already without a hitch.


    ¡°You are the most irritating, stupid, disgusting, irrational and unreasonable doctor I have ever met,¡± Grace said between gritted teeth. She felt aches in her heart and she twisted her hands into her dress and gripped them for support.


    He didn¡¯t react, his fingers were still curled around the knob.


    ¡°Was it because I said you weren¡¯t my type?¡± Grace inquired, tilting her head. She wasn¡¯t surprised that Joshua refused to make eye contact with her.


    He still wasn¡¯t shaken by her words.


    ¡°Asshole!¡± Grace yelled.


    And that was enough to bend him.


    Turning around on his heels, Joshuaughed like a maniac and replied icily, ¡°There are many things I can tolerate but being called an asshole ispletely out of it. If you want me to respect you, you have to earn it. I am only doing my job. What else do you want?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°But we are friends, Joshua!¡± Grace yelled.


    ¡°No, we aren¡¯t. Friends don¡¯t call their friends assholes.¡± Joshua responded with a shake of his index finger.


    ¡°I said you weren¡¯t my type because I have a boyfriend and I didn¡¯t want to lead you on. I am sorry.¡± Grace exined, holding out her arms. She knew this was the only way to clear their misunderstanding.


    Her heart beat felt steady when he folded his arms and looked at her with a confused expression. She knew that she was gradually making progress towards a positive result.


    ¡°You have a boyfriend?¡± he asked with an eyebrow raised.


    ¡°Yes.¡± She nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡± Joshua remarked with a shrug.


    ¡°But I am dead serious. Why can¡¯t you believe me?¡± Grace tried to persuade him.


    ¡°Because when I looked into your eyes, the first day I met you. You didn¡¯t look like someone that belonged to anyone!¡± Joshua uttered, his tone leaving a wisp of honesty.


    ¡°Then maybe you should have looked closer, Dr Joshua. Maybe you don¡¯t know your job so well.¡± Grace insisted. She knew he was right but she had to push him farther away from her.


    ¡°To be honest, you are the one that looks like an asshole and let¡¯s be clear here, you aren¡¯t my type either!¡± Joshua bellowed.


    Grace bit her bottom lip  and muttered, ¡°That¡¯s a lie, that¡¯s a freaking lie.¡±


    ¡°Better believe it, asshole!¡± he snapped before walking towards the door. He turned around again at looked at Grace with disgust then he flung the door open and shut it with tremendous strength and anger.


    Grace covered her face with her hands and sobbed quietly.


    ¡°It¡¯s for the best. It¡¯s for the best,¡± Grace mumbled repeatedly, trying to assure herself. She pushed him away and he also did the same. He did what she wanted but why was she hurt? Why was she feeling pain everywhere?


    She felt like broken ss that was impossible to fix.


    *********


    Joshua grunted like as a pig as he strolled angrily towards his office. He reached for his office keys in his pocket and unlocked the door. He entered hastily flopped on his chair without removing his coat. He made a fist with his right hand and bashed it on the table.


    ¡°Asshole? She¡¯s the asshole.¡± Joshua muttered. He knew he didn¡¯t mean that but her words pierced him and sent his heart racing into obvilion.


    ¡°She¡¯s not even that pretty.¡± Joshua sneered,  he was trying to persuade himself that Grace wasn¡¯t worth it.


    He heard a dry knock on the door and yelled, ¡°You cane inside!¡±


    He thought it was a patient but was astonished to see Helen. He folded his hands under the table and red at her.


    ¡°Hey buddy!¡± Helen chanted.


    ¡°I am really not in the mood, Helen.¡± Joshua stated sternly with a wave of his hand.


    Helen leaned her elbows on the desk and replied, ¡°What¡¯s wrong Joshua? You can talk to me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a crazy patient, she¡¯s really getting on my nerves and she even had the guts to call me an asshole.¡± Joshua confessed while rubbing his eyes with his fingers.


    ¡°Are you referring to that patient I saw you with around the hospital premises three days ago. What did you even call her name? Grass?¡± Helen asked while the corner of her mouth twitched.


    ¡°It¡¯s Grace.¡± Joshua corrected, removing his stethoscope gently from his neck.


    ¡°I don¡¯t really care what her name is. I had a feeling that she was bad news.¡± Helen reported.


    ¡°Really Helen? That¡¯s the only thing you could say?¡± Joshua enquired. He expected her to give him some sort of advise.


    ¡°I think the best thing to do is that you stop being her doctor. You can¡¯t treat a patient that disrespects you and calls you an asshole. You know your self worth, don¡¯t let a stupid patient tell you otherwise.¡± Helen cooed, giving him a stunning smile.


    ¡°She¡¯s not stupid, Helen.¡± Joshua corrected as he twirled around in his chair.


    ¡°Oh! Then she¡¯s an idiot.¡± Helen shrugged and sat down at the edge of the table.


    ¡°She¡¯s not an idiot either, Helen.¡± Joshua corrected, unknotting his tie.


    ¡°Then she¡¯s probably a bird, you know birds don¡¯t have the capacity to umte much information-¡± Helen rambled.


    ¡°She¡¯s not a bird, Helen.¡± Joshuaughed. In times like this, Helen seemed like a circus clown.


    ¡°Did I just make youugh?¡± Helen asked as she yed with her hair.


    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t.¡± Joshua lied and covered his lips.


    ¡°Yes, I did. I brightened your day and I can do it for you life as well.¡± Helen cooed, raising her eye brows to emphasize her point.


    ¡°I think you are going to darken it, Drac.¡± Joshuaughed aloud, he held his sides and continuedughing and Helen¡¯s smug look made it worse.


    ¡°Your sense of humor is pathetic.¡± Helen joked as she rose up on her feet.


    ¡°Have a lovely day, Joshua,¡± Helen said, blowing him a invisible kiss.


    ¡°Thank you, Helen.¡± Joshua admitted with sheer honesty as Helen smiled at him before bolting the door shut.


    This was the Helen he wanted and needed, not the provocative and slutty Helen. He knew she didn¡¯t give him a tangible advice and he felt even more broken. A picture of Grace crossed his mind and he ced his head on the desk, inhaling the sharp smell of dust.


    ¡°Dammit!¡± he yelled, he didn¡¯t know to do or think. Grace kept popping up in his head like an endless advertisement and he was scared of drowning in it.

 Chapter 9

    The sunlight beamed through the white blinds, presenting the morning sun against Grace¡¯s pretty face. The day was moving slowly and she was beginning to understand why people hated hospitals. Her eyes were still heavy from crying from the previous day. She woke up at dawn, thinking of Joshua and even when she ate, she still thought of Joshua.


    Her eyes were sunken and pimples branded her cheeks. She smacked her dry lips wet and raised her head from the pillow with slight difficulty. She heard the slight opening of the door and raised her chin.


    She was sure it was Joshua so she stered a smile on her face, hoping it would melt the rage he felt towards her. Her eyes widened in shock when she scanned the man thoroughly who stood in the middle of the room. His hair was shiny ck and his well structured chin defined a handsome face. His muscr features were bulging through his T- shirt and his jeans were blue just like the color of his eyes. Grace tilted and shook her head, It felt like a dream that could never be real.


    ¡°Tom?¡± Grace whispered, disbelief written all over her face. She wondered how and why he was here.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Why are you acting so surprised?¡± Tom finally said with a chuckle.


    ¡°I am not surprised, I am just shocked. What are you doing here?¡± Grace inquired, her face trying to stay calm. For once she was d she couldn¡¯t walk because if she did, she would have attacked him with so much venom in her heart.


    ¡°I am your boyfriend. What are you talking about, babe?¡± Tom replied, scratching his head in confusion.


    ¡°I have been in this hospital for the past four weeks and you never showed up. Are you certain of that ¡®boyfriend¡¯ title you call yourself, Tom?¡± Grace gave him a fake smile and ced two fingers under her chin.


    ¡°I-It¡¯s not that way, babe. I have been so fucking busy with work and you know that¡¯s the only way I can pay for my debt.¡± Tom stuttered as he walked towards the side of her bed.


    Grace suddenly felt a rush of anger flow through her windpipe. She knew that he was merely trying to manipte and justify his actions.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking use that swear word Tom.¡± Grace blurted out, her voice raised slightly.


    ¡°But you just swore, Grace.¡± Tom countered with his mouth wide open.


    ¡°I have the right to swear, you don¡¯t.¡± Grace insisted with a gold of her arms.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on with you babe? Are you mad at me for visiting you?¡± Tom replied as he held the iron side rails of the bed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking call me babe.¡± Grace replied coldly.


    ¡°Then what do you want me to call you? Is it because of your condition? I understand that you are never going to walk and I am going to be with you every step of the way.¡± Tom assured as he leaned closer to devour her lips.


    With ragged breath, Grace responded, ¡°What do you think you are doing?¡±


    ¡°I miss you, babe. I miss your lips and everything about you. I can¡¯t wait to have sex with you when you are discharged from this hospital.¡± Tom answered with a groan and began licking her right ear, doing in the most sensual way.


    Grace felt numbness all over her body as he began to feel her breast through the hospital gown, pressing down with two fingers and slowly rotating them. She was braless. His hands felt warm and soft as he worked his way around her hard nipples.


    ¡°Mmmmm,¡± Grace moaned, he was doing it again, driving her senseless with his hands.


    She encouraged him by parting open her lips and the next thing she knew, he had mmed his lips into hers and nearly knocked all the wind away from her lungs.


    She hardly had a moment to react before he pressed his tongue to the seam of her lips and, at her grant of ess, delved inside her mouth. It was a very sloppy kiss with the strong scent of old wine being exchanged in the intermingling of their billowing breaths.


    In an instant Grace pulled away, her breathing faster than normal and she looked into his lustful eyes. She was trying to recollect why she was kissing him like a sex starved girlfriend. She was shocked when Tom leaned forward again to capture her lips. Rage engulfed her as she pped him across the face.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you Grace? Why did you hit me across the face?¡± Tom yelled as he rubbed the agonized cheek.


    ¡°I pped you because you kissed me,¡± Grace replied, nonchntly.


    ¡°But you kissed me back, Grace.¡± Tom insisted, trying to keep his emotions in check.


    ¡°That was because you seduced me and then you began touching me.¡± Grace red at him.


    ¡°You didn¡¯tin when I touched you. You moaned into my mouth and your nipples were so hard when I touched them.¡± Tom countered as he licked his lower lip.


    Grace waspletely digusted with his words and she ced a tired palm on her forehead.


    ¡°Do you know what happened on July 3rd this year?¡± Grace suddenly asked with a small smile.


    Tom furrowed his full eyebrows and replied, ¡°It was my birthday and what happened was that you never showed up at my house.¡±


    ¡°I never showed up?¡± Grace muttered with a tilt of her head.


    ¡°You never did, Grace and you are lucky that I¡¯m letting that slide.¡± Tom exined, sticking his hands into his jeans pocket.


    ¡°So where did you celebrate your birthday?¡± Grace pressed further with a grin.


    ¡°I celebrated it at an empty club, I drank with the bardy but I only took two shots.¡± Tom replied with a wink.


    ¡°Really Tom?¡± Grace questioned.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s where I spent my boring  birthday, babe.¡± Tom assured with a quick nod of his head.


    ¡°You know what, you don¡¯t deserve to call me babe. I don¡¯t even think that you deserve to be my boyfriend.¡± Grace spoke with a serious tone, her eyes dangerous and  concealing.


    ¡°What are you talking about, babe?¡± Tom held out his hands in shock and confusion.


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me Tom and stop calling me babe.¡± Grace warned as she mashed her lips together.


    ¡°Is this the time of the month where you get all moody and creepy because I can¡¯t understand what you are talking about.¡± Tom responded.


    ¡°You want to know what I am driving at right?¡± Grace stated.


    ¡°Yes, exactly!¡± Tom agreed.


    ¡°You are a liar, a big fat liar.¡± Grace spelled out, opening her mouth dramatically.


    ¡°You know me, Grace. I am not a liar, I love you so much. I can¡¯t believe you are spilling out all this trash talk.¡± Tom retorted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know you Tom. You are just so unpredictable and so cunning. I can¡¯t believe that I even loved you. I feel like a damn fool.¡± Grace continued.


    ¡°Alright, you got me. I actually spent my birthday in bed, smoking. I know you hate it when I smoke but it was so tempting and I had to. I am sorry, Grace.¡± Tom begged with his adorable eyes.


    Grace shook her head and responded slowly, ¡°You are really good at lying, aren¡¯t you? Did you graduate from the school of lies because I have to confess, you deserve a honorary degree. ¡±


    Grace watched Tom as he gritted his teeth in agitation.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong is you, Grace? Why are you so mad at me? I didn¡¯t do anything wrong and here you keep hurting me with your words.¡± Tom objected as he balled his hands into a fist.


    ¡°You really want to know, Tom?¡± Grace asked with a knowing smile.


    ¡°You already know my answer so just get on with it.¡± Tom grunted.


    ¡°You cheated on me Tom.¡± Grace finally said.


    ¡°W¨CWhat? I never cheated on you, Why would you think that way, Grace. You are the only woman I love and cherish. No woman is as attractive as you. I never cheated.¡± Tom argued as she advanced towards her hastily.


    ¡°Stop lying, Tom. I can see it through your eyes.¡± Grace begged as a tear rolled down her right cheek.


    ¡°I¨CI am really serious. I never cheated on you,¡± Tom stuttered.


    Grace was beginning to get upset, why was he still denying it?


    ¡°I saw it all Tom.¡± Grace blurted out.


    ¡°Saw what? What are you talking about?¡± Tom cried out in frustration.


    ¡°I came to your house that day to surprise you and I looked through the window to check whether you were in and do you know what I saw, Tom?¡± Grace began as another tear dropped from her eyes.


    Grace noticed the change in Tom¡¯s facial expression. It was obvious that he had an idea of what she was about to say.


    ¡°I saw you with another woman in your living room. You were really going at it with her so well. You even allowed her to touch you, I thought you said you hated me touching you whenever we had sex. You deceived me, told me that you loved me and you broke my heart. You are a devil, Tom.¡± Grace muttered amidst sobs.


    ¡°Grace, that never happened. I never had sex-¡±


    ¡°Shut it, Tom. Just shut it. I am not buying your stupid lies!¡± Grace yelled.


    ¡°I really like you, Grace.¡± Tom started.


    ¡°I am starting to get a feeling that there¡¯s a buting.¡± Grace braced herself with a smile.


    ¡°But I never loved you. I tried to, Grace. It was easy to say it but it felt empty and meaningless, so I realized that sex was the only way our rtionship could stay alive.¡±


    ¡°Are you even listening to yourself?¡± Grace whispered. ¡°We dated for four freaking years and you pretended to love me?¡± Grace continued as her hands rose up to the sides of her face.


    ¡°You asked me out, Grace. You asked me to be your boyfriend.¡± Tom drifted the me.


    ¡°I never forced you to say yes, If you didn¡¯t like me, you could have said no instead of deceiving me.¡± Grace chuckled bitterly.


    ¡°I had to. I needed you on my team. If I said no, you would have left. You would have given up on being an athlete. I didn¡¯t want to hurt your feelings.¡± Tom exined


    Grace covered her lips with both hands and cried aloud. She thought that their rtionship was dying because of sex but now she realized that it was the fire that kept the rtionship burning.

 Chapter 10

    Grace examined Tom with tear stricken eyes and spat, ¡°How could you pretend to love me for four years? I loved you, Tom. How could you be so heartless?¡±


    ¡°I had to pretend because if I rejected you, you would have given up on your childish dream. You know how sensitive you are. ¡± Tom muttered, tearing his gaze away from her face.


    ¡°Why are you justifying what you did?¡± Grace whispered. She couldn¡¯t believe it. Tom never loved her.


    ¡°You know, that day you asked to be your boyfriend, it was the most confusing day of my life. You were so bold and confident. You looked at me with those pretty eyes and I just melted into them. I just had to say yes. To be honest, you and I weren¡¯t really going to work out. You liked me because you were lonely and you desired attention.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Grace¡¯s mouth gaped open.


    ¡°Yes, you craved attention and I gave it to you. You spoke constantly about your dream of being an Olympic champion even when you knew it was impossible.¡± Tom confessed, taking few steps backwards.


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Grace cried.


    ¡°I trained you but you weren¡¯t the best. You were too slow and you didn¡¯t really have the motivation to run. You were alwaysining after working out on the treadmill. I couldn¡¯t speak or scold you because you were my girlfriend. I tried so many times to exin that you were only living in a dream. I tried to wake you up and show you reality but you were so stubborn and determined. You wanted to be an althete to escape from your mother. It was never your passion, Grace.¡± Tom admitted with a shaky voice.


    Everything in Grace¡¯s head exploded into fireworks. Her heart raced faster and her hands trembled as if electrocuted. Was Tom trying to bring her down to her lowest point or was he really saying the truth?


    ¡°Fuck you, Tom. Fuck you!¡± Grace yelled and waterworks began to fall down her cheeks.


    ¡°You can swear at me all you want but you and I both know that you were never meant to be an althete.¡± Tomughed.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny about what I said?¡± Grace roared.


    ¡°It¡¯s actually twisted. You are the one who¡¯s fucked. You are the one who¡¯s lying on an hospital bed. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s never going to walk. So fuck you, Grace.¡± Tom screamed while pointing his middle finger at her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s break up, Tom. Let¡¯s break up.¡± Grace barked at him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to ask. We aren¡¯t a couple anymore.¡± Tom shrugged.


    ¡°I hate you, I hate so much.¡± Grace wept, she didn¡¯t know why the tears kept pouring down and her vision was foggy.


    ¡°I know you still love me, you still want me, don¡¯t you?¡± Tom mocked.


    ¡°You are sick, Tom. You are sick in the head.¡± Grace rebuffed.


    ¡°I hope you get better, Grace. I am so damn honored to be your first ex.¡± Tomughed aloud.


    Grace squeezed her lips together and held back a scream. She looked at Tom with sheer disgust and she loathed him.


    ¡°Get out!¡± Grace yelled frantically.


    ¡°Let me give you a goodbye kiss, so the pain you feel in your heart can grow bigger.¡± Tom sassed and then took quick strides towards Grace.


    Panic rose from the pit of her stomach and she yelled, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare do it.¡±


    ¡°Do what?¡± he replied and before Grace could react, he had nted a wet sloppy kiss on her lips.


    ¡°Goodbye, Grace.¡± Tom chanted to a shocked Grace and walked towards the door.


    ¡°I hope that you rot in hell, you sick bastard.¡± Grace bellowed, her face hardened just like her heart.


    ¡°Whatever, Have a good life.¡± Tom replied coldly before shutting the door.


    Grace grabbed the pillow under her head with her shaking hand and thrusted it into her face. She sobbed aloud and tortured the innocent pillow with her tears. She still couldn¡¯t believe it. Tom had never spoken to her in that way. He was ruthlessly honest and she wished he lied.


    She thought that he was the one who was going to get hurt but now she was the only one hurting. Brick by brick, her walls came tumbling down. As much as she tried to hold it in, the pain came out like an uproar from her throat in the form of a silent scream. The beads of water started falling down one after another, without a sign of stopping. She hit the pillow with her forehead and tried to scream. The world turned into a blur, and so did all the sounds. The taste. The smell. Everything was gone.


    A hand grazed her knuckles slightly, adrenaline shot up in her veins and she shouted, ¡± Get the hell out of there!¡±


    With the pillow still stuck on her face, she felt the bed sink and knew someone was on the bed, sitting so dangerously close to her.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you just let me be?¡± Grace yelled again.


    ¡°Grace?¡±


    Grace instantly recognized that voice and slowly removed the pillow from her face. Embarrassment written all over her face when her eyes met Joshua¡¯s. She scanned his facial expression, it was like he was waiting for her to react or speak. She wanted to drive him away from her like she did the previous day but she knew she needed him now.


    Without warning or caution, Grace shifted her neck and ced her head on his chest. She felt a jolt in his body movement and knew he was startled by what she did.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t go away. Just stay and hold me.¡± Grace croaked out.


    She immediately felt strong arms wrap around her back and she leaned her head farther into his chest. His cologne oozed of a fruity scent.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Joshua asked as he started patting her back gently.


    ¡°M¨CMy boyfriend broke¡­I mean I broke up with him. He said I wasn¡¯t good enough as an althete, he said I pursued a childish dream. He deceived me.¡± Grace hastily replied as more tears gushed out of her eyes.


    ¡°Then stop crying, does he really deserve those tears?¡± Joshua demanded with an hint of jealousy.


    ¡°No, but¨C¡±


    ¡°There are no buts, you don¡¯t deserve to cry for a man who broke your heart. That man is foolish and idiotic. He¡¯s also a birdbrain who can¡¯t think. Why would anyone want to break such a beautiful soul?¡± Joshua whispered and resumed patting her back.


    ¡°You think I have a beautiful soul?¡± Grace tried to lighten up, a smile etching on her face.


    ¡°I meant to say ugly. I slipped. You have such a ugly soul.¡± Joshua joked light-heartedly.


    Grace then ced her hands in front of his chest that was covered with a suit and began hitting it so much vigour. ¡°Can¡¯t you justpliment me? I still feel so much pain in my heart.¡±


    ¡°Now I am also feeling pain since you are hitting my chest. Why do you have strong knuckles?¡± Joshua retorted dramatically.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop thinking about him. I can still hear those words he said, reying into my head. Why can¡¯t I stop thinking about him?¡± Grace quaked with worry.


    ¡°You need a new distraction to forget him.¡± Joshua replied bluntly.


    ¡°What?¡± Grace was ted.


    ¡°Me.¡± Joshua answered with a chuckle.


    Grace lifted her head from his chest and shot a deadly re at him.


    ¡°What?¡± Joshua asked with a confused look.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you be serious for once? Is everything a joke to you?¡± Grace yelled at him.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t joking. I can be a good distraction.¡± Joshua replied her.


    ¡°How?¡± Grace spoke.


    ¡°Why am I not your type, Grace?¡± Joshua asked out of the blues.


    Grace felt goosebumps all over her body. She felt it was too early to confess, she just broke up with Tom. She was happy and nervous about his question. Why now? Why was he so persistent on that question.


    With a straight face, Grace replied, ¡± Then why am I not your type?¡±


    ¡°You are my type of woman. I lied because you said I wasn¡¯t your type and I felt hurt about it. If you weren¡¯t my type, would I be here?¡± Joshua raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Oh!¡± was all Grace could say.


    ¡°Then tell me, why am I not your type?¡± he persisted.


    Grace swallowed a mold of saliva and began rubbing her left palm against the other.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the reason tommorow.¡± Grace tore her gaze away from his piercing look.


    ¡°I am not free tommorow, I¡¯ll be free on Friday. I am going to be in the operating room for a long while.¡± Joshua replied hurriedly.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait till then.¡± Grace spoke bluntly.


    ¡°Are you blowing me off?¡± Joshua tilted his head.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    ¡°No, why would I do that? Don¡¯t you have somewhere else to go?¡± Grace rubbed her neck.


    ¡°Now you are blowing me off.¡± Joshuaughed aloud.


    ¡°Please leave, I am feeling ufortable.¡± Grace confessed.


    Joshua winked before replying, ¡°My handsome features can make a grandma ufortable.¡±


    ¡°Shoo!¡± Grace flicked her fingers at him.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Joshua admitted defeat and rose up sharply from the bed. The bed made a plop sound and returned back to it¡¯s normal form. Grace felt loneliness creeping in as she watched him walk over to the door.


    ¡°Thank you, Namjachingu!¡± Grace yelled with a giggle.


    Joshua turned around and asked frantically,¡± What type ofnguage is that? What¡¯s the meaning?¡±


    ¡°Ask Google.¡± Grace answered with a wink.


    ¡°I take it back, you don¡¯t have a ugly soul. You have a crazy soul.¡± Joshua admitted and beganughing.


    Grace bent her head and  tucked in a strand of hair that kept straying and caught Joshua smiling at her. His smile was as infectious as a virus and as they gazed at each other, his smile grew wider and deeper.


    ¡°Why are you smiling at me? You look weird. ¡± Grace jeered.


    ¡°Are you a camera?¡± Joshua began with a grin.


    ¡°No!¡± Grace almost yelled.


    ¡°But why are you asking that?¡± Grace continued, lifting an eyebrow.


    ¡°Because everytime I look at you, I just want to smile forever.¡± Joshua replied smoothly.


    It felt like time stopped. Grace felt her head spin. Why did he have to so direct and romantic? She felt her heart race faster and she ced a trembling palm on her chest, trying to steady her breathing.


    ¡°T¨CThank you.¡± Grace stuttered.


    She watched him again as he walked towards the door. She was about to turn her head towards the window when she heard him speak.


    ¡°Maybe I¡¯m toote to be your first man but I am preparing to be yourst.¡± Joshua beamed at her.


    ¡°Enough with the cheesy words. Shoo.¡± Grace held her flushing cheeks with her hands.


    ¡°Dream of me when you sleep, Grace.¡± Joshua spoke before walking out of the door.


    Grace slowly ced her back on the bed and inhaled sharply when her head hit the fluffy pillow. She then beganughing quietly, then it transformed into a bigger and brighterugh. She recollected all the cheesy and romantic words he said and she danced within herself.


    ¡°He likes me. He likes me. He freaking likes me.¡± Grace chanted repeatedly to herself like a child.


    Grace then realized something crucial. She lost Tom, someone she had loved for the past four years but now she was ready to give Joshua a chance,  not because she was lonely or boyfriend deprived, But because she felt that he deserved a chance to prove how far he was willing to like or love her eventually.


    *********


    As soon as Joshua got home, he flopped on the couch without removing his coat and reached out for his phone and typed in the strange word that Grace said.


    ¡°Namjachingu.¡± He typed it on Google and vibrated his phone, nervous about the iing result.


    When the results came spilling out, Joshua scrolled back and forth but the trantion of that word only had one meaning.


    Boyfriend.


    Joshua bit his bottom lip and tried to conceal a smile but he ended up grinning. He was surprised and shocked. He expected the trantion to be devil or handsome fool but he was d that she called him boyfriend.


    He positioned his head on the head rest of the couch and ced his arm above his head and pondered deeply. He casted a nce at the portrait on the wall and heaved deeply.


    ¡°Do you want me to move on, Sally?¡± he muttered to himself.


    Still staring intently at the portrait, he spoke again with tears breaming in his eyes, ¡°I am sorry, but I have to move on. Life goes on and I have to move on. That¡¯s the only way I can stay happy.¡±


    Tears ran down his cheeks and he tried to wipe them with the back of his hand but they kept running down his cheeks without halting. He looked at the wallpaper on his lock screen. It was a picture of him, Sally and his daughter. It was overdue for a change and he already knew the person who would fill in for it in his heart.


    Grace.


    His Grace.

 Chapter 11

    Joshua stood at the scrub sink and began scrubbing his hands with a scrub brush, all the way to his elbow. He had been in and out of the operating room for the past three days. His eyes were bulging out of their sockets and his neck was longer. He barely ate and he simply resorted to soft drinks and snacks instead to fill his belly. He thought about Grace, he wondered how she was doing. He smiled to himself and was eager about seeing her. He then heard a cough and he instantly turned his head sideways.


    With a bright smile, he greeted Helen, ¡°Hello Doctor.¡±


    ¡°Why are you smiling after three long days in the operation room?¡± Helen wondered while turning on the tap and then began scrubbing her hands clean.


    ¡°I enjoyed operating on my patients.¡± Joshua joked.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie. I can see it through your eyes.¡± Helen retorted.


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret. ¡± Joshua simply responded.


    ¡°You know how much I hate secrets. Spill it. ¡± Helen tried to persuade as she turned off the tap.


    Joshua ced his wet hands into his pocket and sighed before replying, ¡°Then it won¡¯t be a secret. I have to go now. Catch youter. ¡±


    Before he could walk away, Helen grabbed his arm and he red at her.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten anything sensible in days, get something to eat before doing anything. I am scared for your health. ¡± Helen argued.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go rest? Your eye bags are very visible. It doesn¡¯t look good on you, thank you for your concern. ¡± Joshua shed a smile at her.


    ¡°Thank you, Joshua.¡± Helen replied with a smile.


    ¡°You are wee.¡± Joshua stretched out and yawned. He walked faster and quicker. He longed deeply to see Grace and he was d that he was finally seeing her after three days.


    As he reached thest hallway that led towards Grace¡¯s room. He then realized that he was still dressed in his scrubs. He then contemted within himself on whether to change or just let it be. With a quick nod of his head, he strode towards her room.


    He opened it without knocking and his heart fluttered when he set his eyes on Grace. She was deeply immersed in a magazine, her pretty eyes fixed on what she was reading. Her skin was radiant and she looked more beautiful.


    He cleared his throat and Grace looked up from the magazine and gave off a shy smile.


    ¡°Hello Babe!¡± Joshua greeted, sitting down on the bed.


    ¡°Babe?¡± Grace tried to hold back augh.


    ¡°Do you prefer baby doll or princess then?¡± Joshua winked.


    ¡°I prefer none. Just call me Grace.¡± She replied with a smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad because I have a lot of sexy names for you.¡± Joshuaughed.


    ¡°It seems you are in a great mood. How was your day?¡± Grace asked warmly.


    ¡°My day was very good, it was better than the past two days. I operated on five patients and they were really critical.¡± Joshua stated with a smile.


    ¡°Wow, you did well.¡± Grace gave him a thumbs up.


    ¡°Two patients died on the operating table.¡± Joshua suddenly stated with a frown.


    ¡°That¡¯s bad. That¡¯s really sad.¡± Grace muttered with a sigh.


    ¡°But howe you are taking it so well?¡± Grace enquired.


    ¡°Well, there were numerous times I operated on patients and they died on the operating table, I cried and begged for them toe back because I already promised their families that I¡¯ll do my best. Then I realized that I actually did my best. I have learnt to take it, the way it is.¡± Joshua responded sadly.


    To lighten up the mood, Joshua changed the topic, ¡°Did you know that Namjachingu is a Korean word that when tranted to english means boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°W¨CWhat?¡± Grace nearly choked on her saliva.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua nodded.


    ¡°I made a mistake. I meant to say Oppa.¡± Grace widened her smile.


    ¡°And what does that mean?¡± Joshua ced his left hand on his chin.


    ¡°It means elder brother, well it means brother actually.¡± Grace shook her head slightly.


    ¡°I refuse to be called by that name. ¡± Joshua retorted dramatically.


    He then watched as Grace suddenly broke into a bigugh.


    ¡°It seems that you are enjoying our date.¡± Joshua threw her a yful wink.


    ¡°Date? You never asked me out on a date with you.¡± Grace looked at him with a confused expression.


    ¡°It¡¯s old school to ask. We aren¡¯t teenagers, we¡¯re adults.¡± Joshua spelt out.


    ¡°But it¡¯s romantic to ask. Women like that¡± Grace then winked at him.


    Joshua sighed and gritted his teeth.


    ¡°I find it embarrassing to ask but would you go out on a date with me?¡± Joshua asked with an outstretched arm.


    ¡°Yes, I would love to go out on a date with you.¡± Grace answered, cing her hand on his palm.


    ¡°But where exactly are we going to for our date?¡± Grace inquired excitedly.


    Joshua chuckled before replying, ¡°We are actually staying here for our date. I would be here till 7pm.¡±


    ¡°Really? You would stay here till 7pm? Grace wanted to confirm his statement.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Joshua nodded.


    ¡°But I want to know everything about you, I want to know who you are, Grace.¡± Joshua finalized, urging her with a smile.


    ********


    Grace exhaled deeply and looked at Joshua. She searched his eyes and sawpassion.  She missed him for the past three days and from his eyes, she could see how stressed he was. But he still wanted to talk, he still wanted to know more about her.


    ¡°Well, you know my name already. My father died when I was thirteen. I have a mum and a younger sibling, her name is Sarah.¡± Grace began and gulped.


    Joshua gave her signals with his eyes, begging her to continue.


    ¡°Well, I enjoyed running with my father from when I was five and I wished to be an althete. The thrill I feel when the wind makes contact with my face is overwhelming and wonderful.  Althetes like Usain Bolt, Allyson Felix, Justin Gatlin really motivated me emotionally. I really wanted to be an althete even though my mother disapproved of it. So I left home.¡±


    ¡°I met Tom, who was a trainer and I decided to work with him. He trained me on my weaknesses and I fell in love with him.¡± Grace swallowed her saliva and stopped talking.


    ¡°I am not jealous, he¡¯s your ex so I am not really bothered.¡± Joshuaughed which gave Grace the willingness to continue.


    ¡°But what I realize now is that Tom never really pushed me to my limit, after every run or jog. He was simply content with it. But what if he was right? What if I was just chasing a childish dream?¡± Grace shot Joshua a nce.


    ¡°Well, from what I have heard from you. I think you would have made a great athlete with your strong determination.¡± Joshua answered.


    ¡°Really?¡± Grace smiled.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua affirmed.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± The smile on her face grew wider.


    ¡°Then tell me about yourself.¡±  Grace asked him.


    ¡°You want me to talk about myself?¡± Joshua wanted to confirm.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Grace nodded.


    ¡°Then be prepared to cry.¡± Joshua stated with a straight face.


    ¡°What?¡± Grace¡¯s face fell.


    ¡°You are going to cry when I talk about myself because to be honest, it was simply hell on earth.¡± Joshua frowned and bent his head.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Grace muttered.


    ¡°Where do I start from? My name is Joshua Rogers and I am so good-looking.¡± Joshua winked but noticed that Grace wasn¡¯tughing.


    ¡°I was twelve when my parents died. I ran home from school and saw an ambnce and some pretty cool police cars. The house looked like it was set on fire. I thought someone broke into the house until I saw my parents being wheeled out, I could barely recognize them.¡± Joshua began.


    ¡°Why couldn¡¯t you recognize them?¡± Grace asked, lifting her neck.


    ¡°They were burnt, nearly to ashes.¡± Joshua replied, tearing his gaze away from Grace.


    ¡°So they died from a fire ident?¡± Grace pressed further.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua sniffed.


    ¡°I am so sorry about that.¡± Grace ced her hand on his and Joshua turned and looked at her with tear stricken eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s when I decided to be a doctor. ¡± Joshua wiped the tears that escaped from his eyes.


    Grace felt emotions rush into her veins as she watched the walls that held Joshua copse.


    Impulsively, Grace leaned forward and pressed her dry lips to his. The start of the soft touch sent a strong feeling of warmth spiraling through her system. Her eyes closed fearlessly, but the closure didn¡¯t let her see darkness, it instead created colours of fondness. Her tense nerves soon began to rx, her troubles, her pain began to melt away and the surroundings began to disappear leaving only her and Joshua.  This felt true. This felt good. This felt right.


    His lips felt so gentle so warm, she felt her hand begin to slide up his chest and encircle his neck, as the kiss began to grow heavy. His cold lips brushed against hers as he tugged her closer. She pressed her hand against his sculpted chest, relishing the firm, hard muscle. Nestling closer, she listened for his heartbeat. It was there, that thunderous, rapid pounding that made her giggle with amusement.


    Her frozen breath mingled with his as they stared at each other, both, a little unsteady. Desire and hunger glowed in his amber eyes while he held her against him. She drew her tongue over his teeth and swallowed his groan of pleasure as they slid closer to each other, no visible gap between them. A kiss like this was a beginning, a promise of much more toe.


    ¡°Sally.¡± Joshua whispered slowly.


    Grace broke away from the kiss, shocked by the name he said and she pped him across the face instantly.


    ¡°What was that for?¡± Joshua cried while holding his cheek.


    ¡°Who¡¯s Sally? You mentioned Sally when we kissed.¡± Grace spat with rage engulfing her.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you.¡± Joshua sighed.


    ¡°She¡¯s your girlfriend? Are you using me as your side chick?¡± Grace rambled on and on. She felt used and cheap all of a sudden and his silence wasn¡¯t helping either.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you.¡± Joshua repeated, his voice a little louder.


    ¡°I thought you were different, I wanted to give you a chance but now I see that men are all the same. You are all idiots and birdbrains.¡± Grace yelled at him.


    It felt like minutes as Joshua simply rotated his head and rubbed his left palm against the other.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to talk, I¨C¡± Grace began but was interrupted.


    ¡°Sally was my wife. ¡± he confessed and looked at the floor.


    Grace was stunned. He was married. How did she not notice? He looked vibrant and single from the way he talked and flirted with her.


    ¡°You are divorced?¡± Grace asked.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s dead.¡± Joshua whispered.


    ¡°I am so sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have asked.¡± Grace replied, cing a hand on her forehead.


    ¡°I was married with a daughter.¡± Joshua began.


    Grace¡¯s face fell on realizing that he had a child.


    ¡°Her name was Leah, she was so beautiful and bubbly. She¡¯s also dead.¡± Joshua blurted out.


    ¡°Oh!¡± was all Grace could say.


    ¡°Sally wanted to travel with Leah to Florida. I¡­. told her that Leah was too young, she just clocked two for goodness¡¯s sake. But Sally was stubborn and there was really nothing I could do about it. I was on a night shift in the hospital when ambnces started ring from the hospital parking space. I was chatting with my colleagues when patients were brought into the emergency unit. I wondered what was going on and decided to go to the reception room. I looked at the news on the TV and it stated that a bomb explosion happened at Florida and many lives were imed.¡± Joshua started, his voice breaking.


    ¡°My heart felt heavy for the victims, Grace. Then¡­¡± he blinked back the stinging tears. He¡¯d gone past all the tears but he could never get over them. ¡°Then¡­then, two nurses came rushing towards me wheeling in two stretchers covered with a white cloth. I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be her until one hand fell out. Christ, her nail polish. It had been Sally¡¯s favorite. I told them to stop¡­I opened the white cloth covering the patient and I felt my heart stop beating, then I walked over to the next patient. The patient looked so small from the outline of the cloth and it sparked a sense of fear into my head. The moment I opened it, I felt my entire world crashing beneath me. Leah¡­my baby, she.. was lying there, looking so lifeless. She still had the bracelet I got her for her one year old birthday. Leah never got to go to kingarten. ¡± he pinched the corners of his eyes. ¡°I hate myself for letting them go. If they didn¡¯t, they¡¯d never have gotten killed in a bomb explosion.¡±


    ¡°Ever since then, it felt hard for me to treat a patient. I nearly killed a patient who needed a minor surgery due tock of concentration. I was dismissed for a month. But it didn¡¯t make me feel better. Everyday, I woke up to see the other side of my bed empty. My daughter¡¯s room was silent and lifeless. I was a doctor but I didn¡¯t even have the chance to save my family.¡± Joshua finally concluded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say. You have lost so much.¡± Grace muttered with a sigh.


    ¡°Then now, you should realize that you really haven¡¯t lost so much, Grace. You are alive and you should be grateful for that.¡± Joshua told her, his face still straight and without emotion.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t walk.¡± Grace chuckled bitterly.


    ¡°Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect.¡± Joshua shook his head slightly,¡±We are the same, Grace. We are both injured by circumstances in our lives.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Joshua. Let it go.¡± Grace assured. She could see his shoulders trembling for support and his eyes were wet with tears.


    And at that moment, Joshua wrapped his arms around Grace and ced his head in the crook of her neck and began sobbing like a child. The tears that refused to rush down for thest eight months finally gushed down like a river. Grace felt d that he told her everything about himself. She patted him gently on the back and muttered words of encouragement into his ear.


    ********Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Helen leaned against the door and shut her eyes briefly. She found out Joshua¡¯s location from a nurse and decided to check up on him. She was disappointed that he went to see a patient, the patient that called him an asshole. She knew instantly that Joshua liked Grace.


    She then peeped into the room and her eyes widened in shock. Joshua was crying on Grace¡¯s neck.


    She tore her gaze away from the scenario and then leaned against the wall. Her eyes were already bringing out water and she wiped them quickly as they came. She couldn¡¯t believe it. Joshua was ready to move on but it wasn¡¯t her that he wanted. She had waited months, nned on how to capture his heart but still Joshua didn¡¯t like her.


    What did Joshua see in Grace that he couldn¡¯t see in her? She had been best friends with him for almost twelve years. But he had only known Grace for two weeks and he already liked her.


    Helen bit her bottom lip and forced herself not to cry aloud. She tangled her fingers into her hair and closed her eyes. This wasn¡¯t what she expected. Grace couldn¡¯t walk but Joshua still liked her regardless of that.


    With a sharp exhale, Helen turned on her heels and began walking, she walked in slow motion. It was as if the world was non existent to her. Nothing mattered to her except Joshua and he was now stripped away from her.


    Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she reached for it quickly. With a quick nce at the caller ID, she slid the ept button.


    ¡°I need you, I need sex now!¡± Helen whispered into the phone.

 Chapter 12

    Joshua strode into the hospital wearing a different kind of smile. A smile that defined all odds. A smile that made women pregnant instantly. His head was swimming in happiness and delight. He recollected the kiss that happened the previous day and his smile grew wider. Grace initiated it and it was perfect. He also reminded himself that he told Grace, painful memories that urred in his life.


    He walked over to the doctors lounge and sat on a couch. He then looked sideways and greeted the doctor sitting beside him, who was engrossed with reading a big textbook.


    ¡°Good morning rk.¡± Joshua greeted.


    rk shifted his position on the couch and replied gently, ¡°Good morning to you too.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s that textbook you are reading?¡±  Joshua remarked, lifting his neck.


    ¡°It¡¯s long and frustrating.¡± rk closed the textbook and ced it on the table.


    ¡°I have been there too, brother.¡± Joshua chuckled and the duoughed aloud simultaneously.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on with you, Joshua?¡± rk asked him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand, what do you mean?¡± Joshua shook his head.


    ¡°Can you remember thest time you spoke to me?¡± rk continued.


    ¡°No.¡± Joshua still shook his head.


    ¡°It was five months ago, Joshua. I have never seen you so high spirited until today. Something¡¯s changed about you.¡± rk remarked with a smile.


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s apliment.¡± Joshua smiled awkwardly.


    ¡°I spotted you yesterday,ing out of a patient¡¯s room at 8pm. That patient that everyone knows, can¡¯t walk, her name is Grace Waters right?¡± rk said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Joshua affirmed.


    ¡°What were you doing there?¡± rk lifted an eyebrow.


    Joshua red at him, ¡°I was doing my job as a doctor.¡±


    ¡°Then why were you smiling so widely when you came out of her room?¡± rk pressed further.


    Joshua exhaled deeply before replying, ¡°Do you expect me to frown then? What are you driving at, rk?¡±


    ¡°Thest time I remember seeing you smile that way was the day you brought a your daughter to the hospital and that was a year ago, Joshua.¡± rk continued.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand you.¡± Joshua rubbed his neck with his left hand.


    ¡°That smile proves that you like that patient or you might be falling in love with her.¡± rk remarked.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t get you.¡± Joshua insisted stubbornly.


    ¡°What you are doing is unprofessional and dangerous. You are getting attached to that patient emotionally.¡± rk responded sternly.


    ¡°What if that patient makes me happy? What if that patient is the reason I smile? What if that patient takes away all the painful memories in my life?¡± Joshua asked.


    ¡°I understand what you are saying, Joshua but even if you want to move on or date someone, I don¡¯t think it should be that patient.¡± rk ced a tired finger on his eye lid.


    ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t it be her?¡± Joshua tilted his head, eager to know why.


    ¡°Because she¡¯s crippled.¡± rk whispered into Joshua¡¯s ear.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s not!¡± Joshua objected, his voice slightly raised.


    ¡°Then she¡¯s disabled.¡± rk shrugged.


    ¡°She¡¯s not disabled either.¡± Joshua insisted, anger shing through his eyes like lightning.


    ¡°Stop denying it, why would you date someone in that category? You might get hurt, Joshua and I don¡¯t think you have the ability to take pain anymore.¡± rk tried to persuade him.


    ¡°Are you a doctor, rk?¡± Joshua questioned.


    ¡°Yes!¡± rk nodded.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you give hope to patients as a doctor? What right do you have to call her crippled or disabled? You treat patients worse off then her for goodness sake. How could you be so pessimistic?¡± Joshua barked at him and then  doctors who were discussing in the lounge turned to look at him, with their eyes widened in amazement.


    ¡°Keep your voice down, Joshua. I am not being pessimistic. I am just stating reality but it¡¯s sad that you can¡¯t see it.¡± rk countered.


    ¡°You are stating absolute nonsense.¡± Joshua gritted his teeth.


    Before rk could open his mouth, Joshua stood up and picked up the textbook on the table. He shoved it into rk¡¯s chest and held it with a firm grip.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you getting so worked up because of what I said?¡± rk asked frantically.


    ¡°As a member of the medical profession. I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity. The health and well-being of my patient will be my first consideration, I will respect the autonomy and dignity of my patient. I will maintain the utmost respect for human life. I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient. I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died. ¡±


    ¡°I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity and in ordance with good medical practice. I will foster the honor and noble traditions of the medical profession. I will give to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due. I will share my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of healthcare. I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard. I will not use my medical knowledge to vite human rights and civil liberties, even under threat. I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor. That is the hippocratic oath.¡± Joshua yelled at rk with so much rage bottled up inside of him.


    ¡°Do you remember the hippocratic oath we took when we finished medical school?¡± Joshua shot a piercing look at him.


    ¡°Y¨CYes.¡± rk stammered the word out of his lips.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you do, make sure you read it over and over when you get home tonight. I¡¯ll rip open your brain if you ever repeat what you just told me.¡± Joshua snapped at him.


    Joshua then removed his hand that was holding the textbook and the textbook fell on the floor with a loud thud. He then eyed rk from head to toe before walking towards the door.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I speak my mind freely? Is it because of that goddamned patient called Grace Waters?¡± rk cried out.


    Joshua turned back on his heels sharply when he heard rk¡¯s statement. He balled both hands into a fist and strode towards rk with quick strides. He wasn¡¯t thinking when he let out his boiling antipathy and swung his tight fist, too quick and potent, into rk¡¯s defined jaw; the impact like thousands of venomous des piercing apart his mmed fist. It led him to one conclusion, that his words hurt him. The doctors in the lounge were now standing and gasping in amazement. He watched as rk stumbled on the floor, crimson leaking from the side of his mouth.


    rk rose up quickly from the floor and wiped the blood off his lips. rk then drew his fist and ploughed it into Joshua¡¯s stomach. It was like hitting a train head on. Joshua felt pain erupting from the impact. They both stumbled apart for a brief second to catch their breath before diving at each another, eyes narrowed in determination.


    Joshua dodged rk¡¯s iing fist and came up with his, rk¡¯s eyes widened in shock before he managed to tilt his head and m it into Joshua¡¯s head. Stars burst into Joshua¡¯s vision and he shook it off blindly.


    Joshua stepped back, trying to evade rk¡¯s angry fist and spoke, ¡°Is that all you got?¡±


    rk could barely respond.


    Joshua smirked infuriatingly at rk and then charged at him with so much venom. He battered rk till he fell on the floor. His chest gently rose and sank with each shallow breath he took in.


    He was about to throw another punch when a hand grabbed his fist. He turned back, sweat drenching his coat. Joshua was surprised to see a disappointed Helen, holding his fist.


    ¡°What the hell have you just done?¡± Helen demanded.


    The anger he felt previously now melted when he saw Helen¡¯s enraged look.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Joshua simply stated, wiping blood off his cheek.


    ¡°Nothing? Then why did you beat up a doctor?¡¯ Helen folded her arms.


    ¡°Because I felt like.¡± Joshua exined, taking a quick nce at rk¡¯s face which was already bruised.


    ¡°You can¡¯t beat up a patient just because you feel like. Stop being a jerk and apologize to him.¡± Helen shouted and the doctors in the lounge began rotating their heads. It was clear and obvious, they all feared Helen¡¯s temperament.


    ¡°I won¡¯t. I won¡¯t apologize to him. He¡¯s the one being a jerk not me.¡± Joshua argued back.


    Helen looked at the doctor¡¯s lounge before staring at Joshua, ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside.¡±


    Before Joshua could react, Helen had dragged him out of the doctor¡¯s lounge and was marching towards her office.


    ¡°Slow down, you are walking too fast.¡± Joshua cautioned, he couldn¡¯t keep up with her pace.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t slow down while beating up rk, you continued because you felt like. Then why should I slow down for you?¡± Helen taunted him.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°Why must you be so petty?¡± Joshua spat out.


    Helen scoffed and pushed him gently into her office. Joshua sat down and looked around. Her office was so tiny. He watched as Helen looked through her drawers, searching for something. Helen then dropped a packet of cotton buds and methted spirit on the desk.


    ¡°What happened, Joshua?¡± Helen demanded as she flopped on her seat.


    ¡°rk called Grace a cripple. He said she¡¯s disabled.¡± Joshua admitted.


    ¡°Grace?¡± Helen opened her mouth in disbelief.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He replied.


    ¡°But she¡¯s actually crippled. Everyone knows that.¡± Helen acknowledged and shrugged.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s not. How can you say that?¡± Joshua looked at Helen with a disappointed look.


    ¡°Because it¡¯s true. You are the only person that¡¯s actually denying it.¡± Helen argued back.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have the right to say that, Helen.¡± Joshua screamed.


    ¡°What the heck is going on with you, Joshua. Why are you so angry?¡± Helen sputtered.


    Joshua simply tore his gaze away from Helen and directed his attention to the white ceiling.


    ¡°You¡­. like¡­her?¡± Helen¡¯s voice broke.


    Joshua ignored Helen and drummed his fingers on the desk.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking say you like her. Look at me, Joshua. Tell me you don¡¯t.¡± Helen reached out and twisted Joshua¡¯s chin to meet her gaze.


    ¡°I like her. I like Grace Waters, I said it.¡± Joshua raised his hands and chuckled softly.


    ¡°You just met her two weeks ago. How would you possibly like her? She¡­. called you an asshole. Joshua, she called you a fucking asshole.¡± Helen yelled.


    ¡°Can you stop swearing for once?¡± Joshua begged with his eyes.


    ¡°And yes, I¡­just met her two weeks ago and we clicked, she called me an asshole and to be fair, I was actually¡­. an asshole.¡± Joshua added.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. How could you like someone so low? She¡¯s not in your ss, she¡¯s disabled¡­. I mean¡­ she can¡¯t walk.¡± Helen tried to reason with him.


    ¡°She¡¯s not disabled, stop saying that.¡± Joshuained.


    ¡°Then tell me, what exactly do you see in that patient? What do you see in Grace?¡± Helen tilted her head, her fingers vibrating.


    ¡°She¡¯s pretty and smart. She¡¯s funny and she makes me smile even when I don¡¯t want to.¡± Joshua admitted with a smile etching on his face.


    ¡°I am pretty and smart. I am funny and I  make you smile everyday. What¡¯s then special about her?¡± Helen boasted.


    ¡°Don¡¯tpare yourself to Grace. You are way below her standard.¡± Joshua scoffed.


    ¡°What?¡± Helen yelled.


    ¡°She¡¯s the only one that can drive those painful and hurtful memories away from my life. You can¡¯t even do that as a best friend.¡± Joshua bragged.


    ¡°And do you think that Sally would approve of this? You are nning to date a cripple.¡± Helen spat.


    ¡°The dead is already dead, Helen. I have to move on with my life.¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°Then you leave me no choice, Joshua.¡± Helen kept a straight face.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Joshua was confused.


    ¡°I am going to see the director and I am telling him that you are having an illicit rtionship with your patient.¡± Helen uttered.


    Joshua shook his head slowly andughed.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll also go to the director and I¡¯ll tell him about your sexual escapades with your patients. Which patient should I tell him about? Is it Mark or John? Or is it Rob?¡± Joshua ced his fourth finger on his lips.


    ¡°What are you talking about? Are you trying to threaten me?¡± Helen was shocked beyond oblivion.


    ¡°I am just trying to tell you to mind your own business. I am sure you¡¯ll make the right choice.¡± Joshuaughed and rose up in his feet.


    ¡°And thank you for this.¡± Joshua held the pack of cotton buds and methted spirit in his right hand.


    ¡°Goodbye bestie!¡± Joshua winked at her before walking out of the office.


    Joshua strode through the hallways with a heavy heart and walked towards the room where he could find peace.


    Grace¡¯s room.


    ********


    Helen sat rooted on her seat, her gaze fixed on the wooden door. She wondered how Joshua figured out that she was sleeping around with her male patients. She shut her eyes and tears started streaming down to her cheeks. The tears melted into her foundation and her makeup was getting ruined by her tears.


    Joshua confessed that he liked Grace and that shattered her heart into a million pieces.


    She heard the opening of her office door and she gently wiped her tears with her arm. She was surprised to see rk, smiling  at her. She watched as he walked over to where she was seated and he sat on the desk.


    With a stutter, Helen spoke,¡±What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Well I came to thank you, If you didn¡¯t show up, Joshua would have killed me.¡± rk chuckled.


    ¡°You are wee.¡± Helen nonchntly replied.


    She thought that rk would take the cue and leave, knowing that she wasn¡¯t interested in talking to him. She was shocked when his right hand grazed her blouse.


    ¡°What are you doing, rk?¡± her mouth opened in amazement.


    ¡°Having fun.¡± rk winked at her.


    ¡°Get out!¡± Helen yelled.


    She was again taken aback when rk reached out and began to unbutton her blouse.


    ¡°Stop it, rk.¡± Helen tried to remove his grip from her blouse but it was fruitless. He had unbuttoned it all.


    ¡°rk¡­. you better stop this or else¡­¡±


    But rk had already torn the fragilecy bra and her breasts were released to him. Cold air kissed her skin. Her eyes glittered darkly as he looked down on her breasts, the aree surrounding the nipples, a dark husky pink.


    Her hard little nipples like ripe berries.


    Hard, stiff and swollen.


    rk reached out and held her nipples with  both thumbs and Helen groaned. Her nipples felt hard between his thumbs and the overwhelming need to draw her nipples into his mouth aroused him. His head lowered so that he might taste one of those berries. He took one into his mouth and sucked gently, wanting to enjoy the sensual moment.


    ¡°Please¡­stop¡­.. rk¡­., please¡­. don¡¯t stop.¡± Helen was already on cloud nine. Her eyes drooped shut as she relished the feel of his tongue on her nipples.


    She then encouraged him by threading her fingers into his ck bushy hair and she drew him closer. rk then reached for one of her legs and ced it on the desk. Still sucking on her nipples, his hands trailed a line from her bellybutton to her lower body.


    rk gasped in amusement on noticing that Helen wasn¡¯t wearing any panties, he then whispered, ¡°I like it when you don¡¯t wear panties. ¡±


    Helen simply moaned in response. She felt cold air bathing her bare vagina. She then gasped when rk ced a finger, then he ced another.


    ¡°Mhmmmmmmmmmmmmm.¡± Helen kept moaning with pleasure.


    rk lifted his neck and ced his mouth on her nipples, he released it with a pop sound and continued fingering her.


    ¡°You were moaning louder when I fucked here yesterday evening.¡± rk uttered in a dirty tone.


    But Helen couldn¡¯t find her voice, her only way of responding was her loud moans of ecstasy.


    ¡°You better scream louder like the slut you are, Helen.¡± rk demanded, still pumping his fingers into her.


    ¡°Mhmmmmmnmmmmmm.¡± Helen screamed louder and held her hair in her hands.


    Then rk carried her and ced her on the desk, her legs wide open to his naked eyes. With her free hand, Helen quickly undid rk¡¯s belt and zipper and found him hard, thick and ready. She pulled it out and stroked it as she stroked herself, and then pulled him to her, lifting her leg to his waist. rk held Helen¡¯s leg around him and felt her wetness as she guided him inside her.


    She gasped as he took control and began to push slowly inside, little by little. She wanted all of him immediately, and she wasn¡¯t prepared to wait. She began to grind him up and down, filling herself with him, holding him at the back of his neck for leverage and the other hand still pleasuring herself, enjoying the firmness of his grip in her hair.


    rk lifted her leg a little higher and stroked long, satisfying strokes in and out of her. Helen could feel his strength, he was essentially pressing her into the table. Her legs became weak as a familiar wave of pleasure rolled up her body, and she began to meet his thrusts with her own as she edged closer and closer. The waves of pleasure began to mount and evolve into bodily convulsions that gripped rk tightly as he entered her, bringing him closer to his own peak.


    Their grips tightened on each other, Helen¡¯s fingernails digging into rk¡¯s neck and rk¡¯s fist pulling her head to one side by her hair. Helen¡¯s free hand worked furiously on herself, her legs weakening further with every flick of her finger. Their faces were both turned up at the ceiling, eyes closed, mouths opened, soaking wet and moaning loudly.


    Finally, Helen allowed the wave to crash down on her and every muscle seized, hot convulsions shattering her whole body, breathing obscenities through gritted teeth. The convulsions gripped and massaged rk within her, causing him to lose control, and he released a visceral growl as he climaxed inside her orgasm-wracked body. Exhausted, they slumped into each other and pressed their foreheads together and kissed.


    ¡°I love you, Helen. I love you.¡± rk admitted but Helen was certain that he was referring to the sex. They had nothing inmon apart from sex. As she listened to rk¡¯s ragged breathing, she thought of Joshua. She had lostpletely to Grace, a cripple. She then wrapped her arms around rk and sobbed quietly into his neck.

 Chapter 13

    The night was still young and the moon set it¡¯s reflection on the window and struck a magnificent view into the room. Grace yawned and slowly tilted her head. She saw the shadow of someone seated ntly on a chair, his right hands ced on his chin and his legs dangling, she shrieked in fright.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that you don¡¯t recognize your man.¡± Joshua joked.


    Grace was relieved that it was Joshua and she banged her chest with her hands gently.


    ¡°What were you doing there? You got me scared.¡± Grace pouted.


    ¡°I was thinking about something and I was also watching you sleep.¡± Joshua grinned.


    ¡°And since when have you been watching me sleep?¡± Grace asked with a hint of yfulness.


    ¡°Since five hours ago.¡± Joshua shrugged.


    Grace¡¯s mouth flew open. She wondered how and why he could watch her sleep. She knew her sleeping posture was bad, she often slept with her mouth wide open.


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Grace inquired.


    ¡°Everyone thinks that you are wrong for me, they believe that you are disabled and youck meaning to me. But I don¡¯t believe that. I can¡¯t deny my feelings for you, I like you, Grace. I like you so much. What do you think I should do?¡± Joshua confessed, staring intently into Grace¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Follow your heart, your heart will tell you what to do.¡± Grace suggested. She was ted that he liked her regardless of the fact that she couldn¡¯t walk.


    ¡°I want you, I always wanted you even when I didn¡¯t know what I wanted. Even before I really knew you, it was you. You were the Chapter that I didn¡¯t know the words to but always knew it existed and when I finally found it and began to read. I knew I was home.¡± Joshua admitted honestly, scooting closer to Grace¡¯s bed.


    His romantic words shook Gracepletely, she had never heard someone confess that to her. Tom was her first boyfriend and she regretted dating him now. Her heart was racing and she couldn¡¯t stop the immense joy she felt.


    ¡°When¡­. was the first time you liked me?¡± Grace spoke with difficulty, nervousness creeping into her mouth.


    ¡°I liked you from the first day I set my eyes on you, I liked you from the first time you ced your warm hand on my cheek. I tried to deny it but I realized that I was already falling helplessly in love with you.¡± Joshua confessed.


    ¡°Really?¡± Grace¡¯s cheeks began to turn pink.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Joshua affirmed with a nod.


    ¡°So when was the first time you liked me?¡± Joshua asked her with his eyebrows raised.


    ¡°You¡­. want¡­. me¡­.. to¡­say¡­. it?¡± Grace was getting nervous, she fanned herself but there wasn¡¯t hot, it was hot inside her. She felt a little bit reassured seeing that it was night.


    Joshua nodded.


    Grace gulped.


    ¡°Well¡­¡­I¡­.. liked you from the first time I saw you. You looked too handsome for a doctor, so I called you an angel. And to be frank, that name is still stuck in my head because you are still my angel.¡± Grace chuckled.


    She watched as Joshua¡¯s smile grew wider. He then rose up and sat on the bed.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going home anytime soon?¡± Grace wondered.


    ¡°No, I intend to sleep here tonight.¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°You are lying.¡± Grace couldn¡¯t believe him.


    ¡°Really?¡± Joshua raised a brow and then proceeded to lie down on the bed.


    ¡°You can¡¯t sleep on the same bed with me, you¡¯ll break the bed with your body weight.¡± Grace snapped at him.


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t. Let me show you.¡± Joshua responded andid his entire body on the bed. The bed made a creaking sound, a very quiet one.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Grace admitted defeat.


    Joshua crossed his legs and spoke, ¡°What else do you enjoy doing apart from running?¡±


    Grace looked at the ceiling for a brief second and then replied slowly, ¡°I enjoy writing books. Well mostly novels.¡±


    ¡°Have you published any?¡± Joshua continued.


    ¡°No, I never finished them. I wrote them all halfway.¡± Grace replied.


    ¡°Then what if you start writing now? It could lessen the boredom you feel and you can also show me your works when you are done with them.¡± Joshua suggested.


    ¡°Do you really think that would work?¡± Grace tilted her head to look at him.


    ¡°It will, trust me.¡±Joshua assured and cupped her face in his left palm.


    Grace felt warmth radiate from his palm to her flushed cheeks. She watched as Joshua stared at her as if he was searching for something missing.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me that way?¡± Grace whispered.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You are looking at me in the way someone stares at food.¡± Grace grumbled with a pout.


    ¡°Oh, it must be because you look so delicious.¡± Joshua winked.


    ¡°Quit the cheesy words, I know I look so ugly right now.¡± Grace argued, a blush creeping up on her cheeks.


    ¡°You are beautiful both in the day and night. You are a goddess, Grace.¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Grace hit him yfully on his shoulders.


    ¡°You are supposed to say thank you instead of hitting me. Can¡¯t you just be romantic for once?¡± Joshua joked.


    ¡°Well¡­I can be romantic.¡± Grace suddenly said out of the blues.


    An idea popped up into her head and a mischievous smile settled on the corner of her lips. She began to unbutton his blue shirt and refused to stop amidst his soft protests.


    ¡°This is sexual harassment, Grace.¡±


    ¡°Are you dying to see my abs?¡±


    ¡°How can you just unbutton my shirt without permission?¡±


    ¡°You are a pervert.¡±


    ¡°Grace, talk to me.¡±


    ¡°Answer me, I didn¡¯t mean to call you a-¡±


    Grace groaned aloud, she was already tired of his rants and she stated, ¡°I was trying to be romantic, just like you suggested.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± was all Joshua could whisper.


    ¡°If you wanted to be romantic, you should have done this.¡± Joshua stated with a wink before demonstrating something that left Grace bbergasted.


    Grace watched as Joshua peeled off his shirt and ced her hand on his rock hard chest, she swallowed a mold of saliva when he ced his firm hand on her waist and pulled her towards him, her head resting on his shoulder.


    ¡°Now that¡¯s romantic.¡± Joshua dered.


    Grace couldn¡¯t respond so she resorted to staring at his eyes. Those eyes could bewitch the cruelest soul. She simply drowned in the beauty of them. She was astonished when Joshua raised his head and pecked her lips but it became crazier when he lingered on her bottom lip. She looked into his eyes when he withdrew from her lips and all she saw was desire.


    ¡°If you want me to stop, tell me now.¡± Joshua whispered. When Grace nothing, he brushed his mouth against the hollow of her temple. ¡°Or now.¡± He traced the line of her cheekbone. ¡°Or now.¡± His lips were against hers.


    ¡°Or-¡±


    But Grace had reached up and pulled him down to her, and the rest of his words were lost against her mouth. He kissed her gently, carefully, but it wasn¡¯t gentleness she wanted, not now, not after all this time, and she knotted her fists on his hard chest, pulling him harder against her. He groaned softly, low in his throat, and then his arms circled her, gathering her against him.


    ¡°We really shouldn¡¯t be doing this,¡± Grace said softly.


    ¡°Yes, we should.¡± Joshua managed to whisper.


    Grace was about to counter his statement when she felt a hand brush her neck slightly. She moaned into his mouth when the hand travelled into her hospital gown, desperate to find it¡¯s sce. She stifled when his palm wrapped around her naked breast, shepletely forgot that she wasn¡¯t wearing a bra. His fingers then curled around her nipple, pinching it yfully. His hands felt good, gently massaging her, ying with her nipples, making them harden and swell.


    ¡°Your breasts are so full.¡± Joshua whispered against her lips. Her right nipple was suddenly caught firmly in his hand, then squeezed. Grace gasped so much from the sensation and she heard Joshua growl into her ear with each breath. Through her hospital dress, her nipple was kneaded between his fingers, then pulled, then rolled. She began to moan helplessly, needing more. Joshua¡¯s thumb stroked her nipple, flicking it back and forth and Grace moaned again.


    Suddenly she pulled away from his lips, her lips hot from the kiss. But his fingers were still tightly curled around her right nipple.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do this Joshua, it¡¯s not right.¡± Grace whispered, reaching her hand into her dress to remove his hand. But as soon as her hand touched his. He pinched her nipple.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Gracemanded.


    ¡°No.¡± Joshua was unwilling.


    ¡°Joshua, I¡¯ll kill you if you don¡¯t-¡± Grace started but was interrupted with a kiss. She tried to fight him but that encouraged him and he kneaded her breasts, diving his other hand into her dress.


    ¡°Please.¡± Grace begged, closing her eyes.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Joshua replied and removed his hands from her dress slowly.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Grace responded but her nipples suddenly felt lonely and cold.


    ¡°I am sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have touched you.¡± Joshua touched her cheeks.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. But we need to take this slowly. Let¡¯s start from being friends and see where it goes.¡± Grace suggested with a smile.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me, after all what had happened in thest forty eight hours, I don¡¯t think we can be friends.¡± Joshua objected.


    ¡°Then what are we? Enemies?¡± Grace inquired.


    ¡°No!¡± Joshua grinned.


    ¡°Then what?¡± Grace spoke with mild irritation.


    ¡°All I know is that you are mine and I am yours.¡± Joshua replied with a wink.


    Grace nodded slowly with a small smile  and curled her head into his chest, she wrapped her arms around his back. Dizziness was catching up with her and all she desired now was sleep. She yawned loudly and Joshua got the message and responded by cing his hand on her hair, gently smoothening it with his palm. It felt warm and fuzzy.


    ¡°Am I ever going to walk, Joshua?¡± Grace whispered.


    ¡°Sleep tigress.¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°But I just want to know if¨C¡±


    But her words were stuck in her mouth when Joshua wrapped his arms around her and patted her on the back.


    ¡°Sleep tigress.¡± He repeated.


    Grace snuggled into his chest and closed her eyes, she heard him sing a luby and she giggled. Slowly and slowly, the luby sank into her brain and his gentle voice was thest thing she heard before rousing into sleep.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.

 Chapter 14

    Grace squinted her eyes repeatedly and slowly lifted her eye lids to embrace the sunlight but all she saw was darkness, a huge mass of darkness which was rock hard. She slowly shifted her head backwards and realized that it was Joshua¡¯s chest. She gasped at the thin line of drool that settled on chest. Trepidation shot into her veins and her fingernails were instantly in her mouth. She reached to wipe it with her thumb but curiosity got the best of her. She couldn¡¯t see him clearly the previous night because of the darkness but now she could.


    His chest shone almostpeting with the sun and she trailed her fingers over his chest. It was smooth and hard and at a point, she could hear his heart beat. Dirty thoughts flew into her head and her hand travelled farther. She unbuckled his belt gently and dipped her hand into his pants. She felt his morning wood through his boxers and stroked it with her hand. It was hard and she massaged it back and forth.


    She heard Joshua stir and she immediately pressed her lips to his. It took a few seconds before Joshua responded, gliding his tongue into hers. Her hand was still clutching his morning wood, reluctant to let go. Joshua broke away from the kiss and pressed small kisses on her neck and instantly Grace removed her hold from his morning wood.


    ¡°Keep doing that.¡± Joshua pleaded as he guided her hand towards his morning wood but Grace pped his arm away.


    ¡°I was just teasing you, consider that the best way to say good morning.¡± Graceughed, pressing a soft kiss on his left cheek.


    ¡°Damn, you really are a crazy woman.¡± Joshuaughed aloud.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be on your way, it¡¯s 9pm.¡± Grace pointed at the wall clock.


    She giggled as Joshua jumped down from the bed in a hurry and began to wear his shirt.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you take a bath before wearing that?¡± Grace asked.


    ¡°Shut it, woman.¡±


    And Graceughed aloud.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you give me a goodbye kiss before leaving?¡± Grace asked again, as Joshua made to leave.


    ¡°Dammit!¡± he responded, taking quick strides towards Grace and he pressed his lips to hers, grabbing her by the neck. He tilted her head and kissed her slowly, savoring everything in her mouth. Grace closed her eyes and drew him closer to her. Before he released her from the hot kiss, he kneaded her breasts with his free hand, circling her nipples. Grace knew that he wasn¡¯t going to let go so she pushed him gently on the chest.


    ¡°Have a great day.¡± Joshua winked, giving her nipple a tight squeeze before he  walked out of the door, bolting it behind him.


    Grace felt tingles of warmth in her heart and she hugged herself. In the past two weeks, she had been loved, desired and cared for by Joshua. She smiled to herself and shifted her head on the pillow, his cologne still had a fresh smell on the bed. She reached out and gripped the sheets with her hands. She imagined the sheets to be Joshua and concluded one thing in her heart.


    She wasn¡¯t going to let him go.


    The door opened once more and Grace squealed like a little child, expecting candy. She thought it was Joshua until when she saw ck heels, heels that she could recognize in her sleep. She lifted her head and her eyes met with her mother¡¯s. Her mother was wearing a white hugging dress and surprisingly, she had no makeup on.


    ¡°Grace darling, I came here to¨C¡± her mother began, advancing towards the rails of the bed.


    ¡°Get out!¡±


    ¡°But I came here to reason with you, my beautiful daughter. Just listen to¨C¡± her mother held the railings and held out her hand to cup Grace¡¯s face but Grace shot up a arm and pped her mother¡¯s hand away before it reached her cheek.


    ¡°Get the hell out of here, Jane.¡± Grace yelled.


    ¡°Why are you calling me by my first name? I am your mother for goodness¡¯s sake. Do you realize how hard it was for me to actuallye here? You are so¨C¡± her mother started but paused, trying to suppress her anger.


    ¡°I am so what? Annoying? Stupid? Crazy?¡± Grace raised a brow.


    ¡°I never said that, Grace.¡±


    ¡°You said it yourself, I¡¯m not your daughter and you are definitely not my mother so get out.¡± Grace shot her a death re.


    ¡°Just listen to me, Grace.¡± Her mother repeated, gesticting with her hands.


    ¡°Did you ever listen to me for once in your life?¡± Grace asked.


    ¡°No, but¨C¡± her mother started again but was interrupted by Grace.


    ¡°Get the hell out of here, Jane. I am warning you.¡± Grace screamed louder.


    ¡°When did you be like this? When did you be so harsh and wicked?¡± her mother shook her head in confusion.


    ¡°I guess I took after the woman who gave birth to me.¡± Grace replied icily.


    ¡°Grace, it doesn¡¯t have to be this way.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it has to be this way. Get the hell out of here.¡± Grace shouted.


    ¡°I know my daughter well, she¡¯s kind and she has a good heart. I may be a bad mother but you aren¡¯t bad like me. Grace, I just need you to listen to me.¡± Her mother pleaded with tears threatening to fall.


    ¡°Are you deaf? Get the freaking hell out of here.¡± Grace repeated.


    She watched as her mother walked out, slowly with obvious fear written all over her. Grace knew that her mother was tough but she had never seen her like this before. Her eyes were now misty and her vision was blurry.


    Grace wiped away the tears from her eyelids and muttered, ¡°Why am I crying? She deserved it. ¡±


    But guilt overpowered her as she recollected the way her mother stared at her, it was like she was staring at another person entirely but Grace knew that it was toote to mend their broken rtionship. It was toote to fix what was already broken.


    *******


    After several aching rounds around the hospital wards, Joshua flexed his muscles and squinted his eyes to look through the window. He then noticed a tap and walked towards it. On opening the faucet, he immediately bathed his face with water.


    He then raised up his head slowly and turned off the tap. He checked his watch and shook his head. He wanted to see Grace by all means. Talking to her would take all the stress away from his body. He touched his lips and grinned. He wanted her lips. He looked at his groin, his morning wood waspletely gone. Not even the young nurses whose backside could raise the dead from the grave could seduce him.


    He began walking, his right hand holding his phone. He suddenly felt a hand blocking his path and he looked up to see Helen chuckling, with  her left hand holding two boxes of pizza.


    ¡°Hey best friend.¡± Helen winked.


    ¡°Hey idiot.¡± Joshua winked back.


    ¡°I am not an idiot.¡± Helen objected.


    ¡°But you are, a cute one.¡± Joshua pinched her nose yfully.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± Helen asked, holding out the box of pizza.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua took a box of pizza.


    ¡°So let¡¯s talk after you eat.¡± Helen suggested with a shrug.


    ¡°Alright idiot.¡± Joshua answered with a wink.


    ¡°Gosh, you¡¯re so annoying.¡± Helen gritted her teeth.


    ¡°And you like me like that.¡± Joshua winked and turned back on his heels.


    The smell of the pizza was do tantalizing that he nearly lost his senses.


    He turned again and noticed that Helen was rooted on the spot where he left her.


    ¡°Thank you for the pizza. ¡± Joshua shook his head, embarrassed that he forgot to thank her.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee idiot. ¡± Helen answered and ran, her heels making annoying noises with the floor.


    Joshua smiled to himself and watched as Helen ran like a child being chased by an adult. He nced at the box of pizza in his hand and began walking.


    In his heart, he knew his destination.


    He was so focused on his phone that he didn¡¯t notice he had bumped into someone. He then gasped on realizing that it was a woman, she was wearing a white gown and because of the intensity of the bump, she was already on the floor and her blond hair was disarranged, covering her entire face.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Joshua bent his knees and reached out to help her. As soon as she raised her head, Joshua flinched. He gulped on realizing that it was Grace¡¯s mother.


    ¡°You!¡± she attacked him with her index finger.


    ¡°You are that crazy doctor.¡± She continued.


    ¡°I am so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean those words. It was because you made your daughter cry.¡± Joshua exined.


    ¡°Guess what, my daughter just made me cry.¡± She yelled.


    ¡°What?¡± Joshua was confused.


    ¡°Just leave me alone.¡± She asked, rising up on her feet.


    Her legs wobbled and Joshua held her hand instantly.


    ¡°Let go of me, you crazy doctor.¡± Shemanded.


    ¡°You wanted to settle your misunderstandings with Grace, that¡¯s why you are here right?¡± Joshua inquired, breathing heavily.


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business, young man.¡± She replied.


    ¡°What if I can talk to her? What if I exin what you want to reason with her?¡± Joshua continued.


    ¡°And why on earth would you do that?¡± she raised a brow while dusting her dress.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a gesture.¡± Joshua lied. He already saw Grace¡¯s mother as his mother inw already and he was willing to get on her good side regardless of how she might treat him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust you.¡± She spat.


    ¡°You should, because I¡¯m special to Grace.¡± Joshua stated, burying his hand into his pocket.


    ¡°Excuse me? What did you just say?¡± she tilted her head, anger evident in her voice.


    ¡°Nothing ma¡¯am, I¡¯ll go talk to her. Goodbye.¡± Joshua replied hastily and turned on his heels in without looking back. He knew he shouldn¡¯t have said that. He could feel her burning gaze at the back of his head. He didn¡¯t understand why he was nervous and soft towards her, probably because he felt sorry for her.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Joshua heard her say and he stopped on track . He couldn¡¯t believe it, so he examined her. She was smiling at him with admiration. He smiled to himself and continued walking.


    He nced at his watch and scoffed. With hasty steps, he ran towards Grace¡¯s room.

 Chapter 15

    Grace dropped the pen she was holding and exhaled. Her fingers ached for release, she had been writing for several hours. She had gotten a notebook and pen from a nurse and decided to write away the boredom she felt. She interlocked her fingers and yed with them. The door opened and she shut her eyes, hoping fervently that it wasn¡¯t her mother.


    ¡°Hey tigress!¡±


    Relief washed into her bones on realizing that it was Joshua, her Joshua.


    ¡°Hey tiger.¡± Grace replied with a smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m a lion.¡± Joshua argued back, using his leg to m the door shut.


    ¡°Alright frog.¡±Grace stuck her tongue out.


    Joshuaughed and replied,¡±You are in a good mood today, I can see that.¡±


    ¡°Thank you frog.¡± Grace grinned.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let it slide anyways. Are you hungry for pizza?¡± Joshua asked, holding out the box of pizza in his hand.


    ¡°Of course, yes.¡± Grace was ted, she swallowed her saliva when he opened the box. The pizza was tantalizing and the best part was that it had her favorite topping, pepperoni.


    Her gaze travelled wide and she watched as Joshua took a chair and sat close to her bed. She watched as he opened the box and took a slice of pizza, he then reached to feed it to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a child, Joshua. I can feed myself.¡± Grace pouted, shaking her head.


    ¡°I am not giving you a choice, tigress. Open your mouth.¡± Joshuamanded.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Grace obliged, opening her mouth wide to receive the generous slice of pizza.


    As soon as the taste of the pizza hit her tongue, Grace moaned in delight. The pizza was absolutely delicious.


    ¡°It¡¯s great right?¡± Joshua asked, taking a slice into his mouth.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Grace nodded, still munching the pizza.


    ¡°So how are you doing, tigress. Tell me how your day went.¡± Joshua inquired.


    ¡°Well it was quite boring until I got a notebook and a pen from a nurse and began writing.¡± Grace responded hurriedly. She didn¡¯t want to talk about her mother.


    ¡°And how¡¯s writing going? Do you want to show me?¡± Joshua gave her another slice.


    ¡°I¡¯m not yet done with it. I¡¯ll show you tommorow.¡± Grace admitted.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    And there was a thick silence between them. Grace kept making sounds with her mouth while Joshua kept staring at her as if something was wrong.


    ¡°Grace.¡± Joshua started.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I know you are going to hate me for saying this.¡± Joshua acknowledged.


    ¡°Saying what?¡±


    ¡°You see¡­I kind of¡­..¡± Joshua stammered.


    Grace sensed something was off from his facial expression. He was trying so hard to say it and she knew instantly that it would be something she disliked.


    ¡°Did¡­. you cheat on me?¡± Grace propped up an eyebrow.


    ¡°No, I would never cheat on you, Grace. I¡¯m not that kind of man.¡± Joshua assured.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s wrong?¡± Grace croaked, she hoped he wasn¡¯t moving away. Her mind travelled wide thinking different situations. Was Joshua leaving her? Had his feelings changed? Or did he have cancer? Her thoughts were halted when Joshua spoke.


    ¡°I met your mother.¡±


    The pizza uneaten in Grace¡¯s hand fell on the ground instantly. She red at Joshua, demanding more words from him. What business did he have with her mother? She then kept a straight face to control her emotions.


    ¡°And so? You made it look like you had a problem or something.¡± Grace shrugged.


    ¡°She wanted to talk to you and you pushed her away.¡± Joshua muttered.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t care.¡± Grace replied.


    ¡°You pushed her away.¡± Joshua repeated.


    ¡°I¡¯m not deaf. I heard you the first time. Grace answered coldly.


    ¡°You should have given her a chance to exin herself. She must have felt sorry about talking to you that way. Listening to her is the proper thing to do.¡± Joshua exined.


    ¡°Are you here to lecture me or make me feel happy and loved? What goes on in my family is none of your business.¡± Grace dictated.


    ¡°It is my business. She was really hurt. She think you hate her and-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want her to think that I hate her. I want her to know that I hate her.¡± Grace responded with a wave of her index finger.


    Anger was boiling inside her like a vnco ready to erupt.


    ¡°You have to learn to forgive, she¡¯s your mother. She gave birth to you for goodness sake.¡± Joshua tried to persuade.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you understand what my mother did, she insulted my dream and called it childish. She never supported me in anything I did on my own. She didn¡¯t care about my health either so why the fucking hell should I forgive her? I guess you don¡¯t understand because you don¡¯t have parents anymore so-¡± Grace started but was interrupted.


    ¡°Watch what you say, tigress. Don¡¯t let me get mad at you. ¡± Joshua said icily.


    ¡°Okay, Fine!¡± Grace admitted and tore her gaze away from him. Why was he so impulsive?


    Seconds flew by, Grace didn¡¯t feel the need to talk anymore so she stared at the window. Then she turned and looked at him.


    ¡°Then¡­tell me, do you know anything about forgiveness?¡± Grace stuttered.


    Joshua looked at her straight in the eyes before replying, ¡°I know a lot about forgiveness.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Grace tilted her head.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua nodded.


    ¡°Care to exin?¡± Grace asked.


    ¡°Sure tigress.¡± Joshua gave off a fake smile, he was slightly pissed.


    ¡°When I was still married and my wife was still alive, she cheated on me severally with different men even with the plumber who repaired the sink in our home.¡± Joshuaughed humorlessly.


    ¡°What the-¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t count the number of times I caught her on top of a man in our bed and surprisingly I can¡¯t count the number of times I¡¯ve forgiven her for cheating on me. And every time I forgive her, she ends up doing it again and I also end up forgiving her. I loved my wife so much. I neglected the fact that she was whoring around. She even did it when she was pregnant, I guess she loved sex and I wasn¡¯t around to give it to her since I was always having night shifts in the hospital. ¡± Joshua said.


    ¡°Because you were busy in the hospital saving lives doesn¡¯t mean she should cheat on you. It doesn¡¯t make sense. Did she bewitch you or something?¡± Grace said with a confused expression.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t bewitch me. I was just certain that she would eventually stop sleeping around with men.¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°Did she ever stop?¡± Grace asked.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°So if I cheat on you, you¡¯ll forgive me right?¡± Grace winked at him yfully.


    ¡°Hell no!¡± Joshua shouted.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Grace asked with a pout.


    ¡°You are mine and mine alone.¡± Joshua dered.


    ¡°Why are you being possessive? You forgave your wife when she cheated on you.¡± Grace objected.


    ¡°Well I¡¯ve changed. I don¡¯t think I would be able to forgive you if you do that.¡± Joshua replied with seriousness.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Grace shrugged.


    ¡°Then would you forgive your mother? I¡¯ve given a reason to forgive.¡± Joshua ced his elbows on the iron rails.


    ¡°I won¡¯t forgive her and I don¡¯t intend to.¡± Grace obstinately replied.


    ¡°Grace, I want you to just listen-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to listen. Please go away.¡± Grace snapped.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You heard me Joshua. You are really getting me angry and I don¡¯t want to say something I¡¯ll regret.¡± Grace begged.


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Please just go.¡± Grace repeated.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll leave.¡± Joshua rose up on his feet.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Grace was shocked when Joshua slightly bent and pressed a feather kiss on her forehead.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I made you upset or angry. You know how much you mean to me. But promise me, you¡¯ll think about it. Everyone deserves a second chance.¡± Joshua whispered.


    Grace simply smiled and turned around, tearing her gaze away from his. Tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to fall. She mashed her lips together, trying to hold it together but it was fruitless. The tears fell like Pompeii. She tried to wipe the tears as they came but she couldn¡¯t keep up with it because it didn¡¯t stop flowing. When she turned to look at Joshua, he was already gone. He did what she wanted but why was she hurting about it.


    Grace covered her face with her hands and wept aloud till she was worn out.


    ******Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Joshua threw the empty box that held no pizza in it into the waste bin. He then paused and leaned on the wall. He knew Grace wasn¡¯t mad at him, she just wanted space. He wanted to see herugh but he ended up making her sad.


    ¡°I¡¯m a bad boyfriend.¡± Joshua muttered, banging his head on the wall.


    He wished he never mentioned talking to her mother. He regretted opening his lips to voice it but now it was toote. A soft tapping on his left shoulder brought him of his reverie and he slowly lifted his head away from the wall.


    His eyes locked with Helen and he gasped dramatically. Why was she everywhere?


    ¡°How many hours does it take you to eat? You have been gone for over an hour. You aren¡¯t a slow eater. Where were you?¡± Helen asked, folding her arms.


    ¡°Well¡­. I was with a patient. I actually shared the pizza with her.¡± Joshua scratched his head nervously.


    ¡°Her?¡± Helen was dumbfounded.


    ¡°Are you referring to Grace?¡± Helen¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua leisurely nodded.


    ¡°Are you guys dating or what?¡± Helen asked.


    ¡°Something like that.¡± Joshua replied with a grin.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua nodded.


    ¡°And you think it¡¯s alright?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°Are you really a fool Joshua? Can¡¯t you see that you are being used emotionally? She¡¯s probably bored and needs attention. You were supposed to be her doctor and now you are her boyfriend. What the heck is wrong with you? You are supposed to treat and fix her not dive into her life like a Prince. She definitely doesn¡¯t need saving. I¡¯m really disappointed in you.¡± Helen yelled.


    ¡°Are you done with your pep talk?¡± Joshua shot her a re. He was utterly irritated by her words.


    ¡°Pep talk? Are you really not listening to me? You even shared pizza with her, you shared the pizza I gave you with a patient.¡± Helen ranted.


    ¡°I¡¯ve a patient to attend to. You are wasting my time.¡± Joshua replied icily.


    ¡°What the hell? Are you really ignoring me? You don¡¯t know what you are doing Joshua. You only have a stupid crush on her. You really don¡¯t care about her.¡± Helen ced a hand on her hip.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you only have a stupid, childish and foolish crush on her.¡± Helen gaggled her eyes at him.


    ¡°Then congrattions.¡± Joshua grinned.


    ¡°For what?¡± Helen shot him a confused look.


    ¡°You just won the award for being the worst best friend ever.¡± Joshua replied with an appluase. He advanced towards Helen and pped in her face dramatically.


    Joshua then dipped his hands into his pockets and then drew it out, producing a five dor bill. He then threw it on Helen¡¯s face without batting an eye lid.


    ¡°That¡¯s for the pizza and by the way, it wasn¡¯t so delicious.¡± Joshua said with a smirk and began walking with both hands in his pockets. He could feel her burning gaze at the back of his head but he wasn¡¯t bothered. She had no right to insult his love life and definitely had no right to talk bad about Grace, his Grace.

 Chapter 16

    Grace endured the boredom that struck her for two weeks straight. She wrote till she was tired, she also tore off some displeasing pages off the notebook. Joshua visited her everyday andplimented her beauty, he  refused to talk about their previous conversation concerning her mother. He was her light and her salvation. She stared at her immobile legs and bit her lips. If only she could walk. If only she could stand on her feet.


    Due to the heat, Grace removed two buttons from her hospital gown, then another. The creamy flesh exposed to the air. She looked down on her cleavage and smiled. Her breasts had grown bigger in the hospital.


    Her stray thoughts were halted when she sighted Joshua at the door with a amused look on his face.


    ¡°You do know you are supposed to knock?¡± Grace smiled.


    ¡°Well I don¡¯t know and I don¡¯t intend to. ¡± Joshua replied with a husky voice.


    Grace wondered why his eyes were so dark until she looked at her cleavage. She internally facepalmed herself for revealing so much. She then proceeded to button up but Joshua had already walked up to the bed with crazy strides. Grace then ced her hands on her cleavage, trying to protect herself in a dramatic way.


    Joshua chuckled.


    Grace gasped. What was he thinking?


    Before she could protest, he had shoved her hands away from her cleavage. Joshua brought his fingers to her chest teasingly and slid them up her cleavage, all the way to her neck, then down again. She bit her lip. She was so sensitive and she knew he loved that. She watched as Joshua sat on the bed and her breathing became quicker and ragged.


    Joshua ran his hands to the mounds of flesh that were her breasts, and squeezed them while he leaned closer to kiss her jaw, then her neck. She ran her hands over his back as he licked and grazed the skin of her neck with his teeth, leaving little marks that wouldn¡¯t stay there long, but the sight of them on her pale, sensitive skin still turned him on. He did the same with her corbone, brushing at her skin with his lips to tease her, before kissing and sucking gently.


    Her breathing was already getting a little louder and faster and she had her hands folded up around his back, pressing him down against her. He left a trail of kisses from her neck to one of her breasts squeezing it in his hand as he kissed all around it yfully.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± she moaned as he lingered on the side where he could feel her ribs. She was a little bit ticklish there. She threw one arm over her head as she arched her back slightly. She wanted more but he wasn¡¯t going to give it to her just yet. Instead he licked the skin under her breasts, just at the line where they started while squeezing them both in his hands and ying with them, pushing them together. Then he let go, letting them fall and he kissed the skin between them. As he pulled back, he admired how hard and flushed her nipples were.


    ¡°Has anyone ever told you you¡¯ve got big nipples?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s weird?¡± she asked as she stroked his hair.


    ¡°Are you kidding? No, I love it, they¡¯re beautiful¡­¡±


    He took one between his thumb and index finger and pinched it gently as he kissed the skin around it, working his way to the nipple excruciatingly slowly. He sucked at her skin, leaving a couple of hickeys. She let out a cute moan and he felt so turned on, but he wanted to be patient with her. He knew how sensitive she was and he wanted to see if he could please her to her satisfaction.


    She hadn¡¯t been expecting this but now she found herself enjoying it. She didn¡¯t want him to stop. Her breathing got more intense and her eyes lidded as she tangled her pale fingers in Joshua¡¯s dark tousled hair. She loved it, but at the same time it was torture. His tongue expertly licked her skin, making circles before pulling back and letting his lips do the work. And his hot breath against her just-kissed skin made her go crazy. Slowly, so slowly, he got closer to her nipple, which he still held between his fingers, asionally squeezing, sometimes just a little too hard before releasing it right away so she barely had time to register the pain.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ bite my nipple¡­¡± she said before she could stop herself. She blushed at the words she hadn¡¯t even thought before she spoke them out loud.


    He smirked at her, but then he switched to her other breast without even giving her what she wanted.


    ¡°Jerk,¡± she teased.


    ¡°All in good time, tigress,¡± he said huskily then went to work again with his tongue, twirling it against her sensitive, pale skin. He blew across her skin and her nipple teasingly.


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡±


    She wanted his tongue to lick her nipple so bad; she¡¯d never even thought she could crave something like that so badly up until now.


    Joshua continued to kiss all around her breasts for a little while and he ran his warm hands over her body, and her nipples were so hard and neglected that she started to feel a little frustrated. She wanted to feel the friction of his chest against her nipples. But he didn¡¯t let her. And when she reached under his pants with a desperate hand he grabbed both her arms and pinned her wrists above her head.


    He smiled at her. ¡°Impatient much?¡±


    ¡°Joshua,e on, please¡­¡±


    He smirked, then finally indulged her, giving one slow, long lick across her breast before kissing her nipple. She shivered in pleasure, feeling a tingle deep in her privates,  he gave her nipple his full attention, flicking it over and over with his tongue. With his other hand he squeezed the other nipple, flicking it with his finger. She felt all warm and tingly between her legs, and all throughout her body. He was so good with his tongue; she¡¯d never experienced something like that before.


    ¡°Oh my,¡± she eximed when his teeth grazed her nipple.


    She hadn¡¯t been expecting it; definitely took her by surprise but she liked it. He bit it gently, then increasingly hard, but switched to the other nipple before the first one could be too hurt. Using his hands to squeeze her breasts as close together as possible, he licked both her nipples with one long flick of his tongue. Then he focused on just one again, biting it, harder, harder, and she was about to scream out and tell him to stop, afraid that it would hurt too much. But just before she screamed out, he reced his teeth with his lips, then his tongue, and he did that twirling thing again that made her go wild.


    Grace moaned helplessly, expecting more but was perplexed when she felt nothing no more.


    ¡°That¡¯s how you say good afternoon.¡± Joshuaughed while giving her a peck.


    Grace¡¯s face waspletely flushed. She felt cheap like a slut. She thought he was going to give her more.


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t want us to do this.¡± Joshua joked with a wink.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Grace replied.


    She was further perplexed when Joshua brought out his phone from his pocket and moved the device closer to her face.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Grace asked confusedly.


    ¡°Taking a picture.¡± Joshua simply responded.


    Grace watched as Joshua buttoned up the undone buttons, cupping ast feel. Then he urged Grace to smile at the camera. Grace shot him a re before smiling like an angel. She then smiled wider as he took several shots. Her jaws were starting to hurt.


    ¡°Are you not through with taking the pictures?¡± Grace gritted her teeth.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m done.¡± Joshua hurriedly replied on noticing her facial expression.


    ¡°Let me see them.¡± Grace asked, trying to reach out for his phone.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Seriously? It¡¯s my face.¡± Graceined.


    ¡°But it¡¯s my phone.¡± Joshua replied with a smirk.


    Grace decided to ask him a pressing question.


    ¡°Do you like me or you just like my body?¡± Grace asked with boldness, her head gummed to the pillow.


    With a gentle pat on her hand, Joshua replied,¡±I like both.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Why are you asking? You are doubtful of my feelings for you?¡± Joshua questioned.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that. I just want to be certain that this is real.¡± Grace replied.


    ¡°This is real. You and I are real.¡± Joshua whispered, bending his head to devour her lips. Her sweet lips.


    Grace ced her hands at the back of his head and obliged to the kiss. She drowned in the taste of his tongue and she was amazed. When he withdrew from the kiss, Grace smiled at him affectionately.


    ¡°I really like you a lot, Grace Waters. I like the way you smile. It makes me happy. I love your voice, it¡¯s intoxicating. I love your breasts, they are so damn sexy. I like everything about you. ¡± Joshua confessed.


    Grace wanted to cry, she was so happy. Even in her state, she was d that someone still liked and cherished her.


    ¡°I want to stay with you so bad but I have to do something tonight. It¡¯s pretty important. Catch youter, tigress.¡± Joshua winked.


    ¡°I like you too.¡± Grace whispered into his ear.


    ¡°I know.¡± Joshua gantly replied before walking towards the door.


    She smiled as he threw her an invisible kiss before leaving. She felt on top of the world. She was d to meet a man like Joshua.


    *******


    Joshua grinned as he flung the door of the doctor¡¯s lounge open. He wanted to speak to Helen. They were both not on talking terms for two weeks and he felt bad. Helen was always the person who called anytime there was an emergency but now she was indifferent and less concerned. He wasn¡¯t surprised to see that she was the only person in the lounge.


    Joshua advanced towards Helen who was fully engrossed in a textbook. He removed the textbook from her left hand and threw it on the table.


    He needed her attention.


    ¡°What the hell do you want?¡± Helen red.


    ¡°You.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Helen asked.


    ¡°Well¡­. you see¡­. I¡¯m really sorry about what happened but you caused it. You talked brashly about my love life which is none of your business.¡± Joshua responded.


    ¡°Apology not epted.¡± Helen replied.


    ¡°Alright, I mean it. I¡¯m really sorry for what I said.¡± Joshua pressed.


    ¡°Apology not epted.¡± Helen repeated.


    ¡°Okay, what if we go out tonight? I could take you to your favorite bar and we could drink.¡± Joshua was desperate to get his best friend back.


    ¡°Really?¡± Helen said.


    ¡°Yeah and I promise, I won¡¯t stand you up.¡± Joshua was slightly happy that she wasn¡¯t upset.


    ¡°Okay then, what time?¡± Helen smiled.


    ¡°8pm.¡± Joshua replied.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s a date?¡± Helen smirked.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just an outing but you could call it a date.¡± Joshua replied. He wanted to be careful so as not to infuriate her. He heaved a sigh of relief, clutching the couch. He watched as Helen picked up the textbook she was reading with a different smile on her face. Joshua beamed and then walked out of the lounge without speaking.


    Joshua was happy with himself.

 Chapter 17

    Helen smoothened her gown before walking into the bar. She could see men of different heights and sizes lick their lips at the sight of her stunning figure. She wore a red tight-fitting little dress that showed her full curves. Her cleavage was out in full form, begging to jump out of the dress. Her backside jiggled as she walked gracefully but seductively. When she took a seat, gazes pierced through her chest lustfully.


    She opened her phone and checked the time, it was nearly 8pm. She wondered where Joshua was. As she pondered, a waiter came to take her order. Helen declined with a nod and focused her attention on her phone. She was astonished when the waiter stylishly groped her breasts, firmly touching it with boldness. Helen red at him in a rude way and the waiter immediately ran due to fear.


    ¡°Idiot, How could he touch me like that?¡± Helen muttered to herself.


    She then looked through the window and saw Joshua stepping out of his car. She smiled on noticing what he wore. She was ted that he settled for a shirt and jeans. She beamed when he walked into the bar and she noticed the disapproving looks on the men in the bar when he sat down opposite her.


    ¡°I came at 8pm sharp just like I promised.¡± Joshua winked.


    ¡°You arete.¡± Helen simply stated.


    ¡°Just forgive me this once.¡± Joshua pleaded with his index finger which made Helen chuckle.


    ¡°You look ravishing by the way but why expose so much flesh?¡± Joshua rubbed his eyes nervously.


    ¡°That¡¯s just fashion and style.¡± Helen replied with a wink.


    ¡°But still¨C¡±


    ¡°Did youe here to judge my mode of dressing?¡± Helen inquired.


    It was obvious that Joshua was ufortable and nervous, Helen deliberately ced her elbow on the table which showcased her cleavage more.


    Joshua groaned.


    Helen smiled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s order.¡± Joshua finally broke the silence, calling out for a waiter.


    Helen grinned as Joshua ordered for fourrge bottles of whiskey. Helen tilted her head when the waiter brought what he requested for and he left after taking an unnecessary bow.


    ¡°You don¡¯t drink whiskey, why the sudden change?¡± Helen asked.


    ¡°Well it won¡¯t hurt to try right?¡± Joshuaughed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how to drink.¡± Helen stated.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°What? Are you challenging a man?¡± Joshua chuckled, opening the bottle of whiskey.


    ¡°Of course yes. I hope I don¡¯t crush your ego.¡± Helen dramatically eximed.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll prove to you I can drink.¡± Joshua disagreed.


    ¡°You really don¡¯t have to.¡±


    But Joshua had already drowned close to half of the bottle without stopping. He let out a loud belch when he withdrew his lips from the bottle.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Joshua apologized.


    Helen smiled and reached out for a bottle of whiskey and drank all most all of it in one gulp. She sneered as Joshua looked at her with wide opened eyes.


    ¡°H¨CHow did you¡­drink all of that so fast?¡± Joshua stammered.


    ¡°Experience.¡± Helen yfully winked.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ept defeat.¡± Joshua shook his head stubbornly. He drank the remaining content of the whiskey and exhaled deeply.


    But as soon as he looked up to see Helen, she had drowned the remaining content of the whiskey bottle into her mouth. Joshua was shocked beyond words.


    Helen smiled cheekily as Joshua examined her closely like an exam. This was the first time he had given her sincere attention in years and she was ted. She then raised her brows in confusion when Joshua started swaying. The alcohol was beginning to take effect on him. She checked the alcohol percentage on the whiskey bottle.


    Forty percent. Joshua couldn¡¯t handle it, she thought.


    ¡°Joshua, are you alright?¡± Helen asked worriedly.


    ¡°I¡­¡­am¡­.. good¡­. I¡­.. feel¡­so¡­good.¡± Joshua replied slowly.


    ¡°No you aren¡¯t. You are drunk.¡± Helen rebuffed.


    ¡°Drunk? I¡¯m¡­¡­good.¡± Joshua gave her a thumbs up and Helen shook her head.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we talk about something different? Let¡¯s talk about my babe, Grace. She¡­. is¡­.. so¡­.. cute and¨C¡± Joshua began but was cut off.


    ¡°Please, let¡¯s not talk about your love life. Not here. Not now.¡± Helen begged icily.


    Helen¡¯s moodpletely transformed at the mention of that name, Grace. Why did he have to bring up that name every time?


    She took another bottle of whiskey and drowned it instantly into her mouth. She dropped the bottle with a loud thud. Her vision was now blurry, she could hardly picture where Joshua was seated.


    ¡°I¡­. think¡­I need to go home. I¡­.. have¡­a¡­ patient to operate on tommorow¡­.. morning.¡± Joshua voiced out loudly.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Helen yelled nonchntly.


    ¡°Help me get up.¡± Joshua beckoned with his hands.


    Helen rose up on her feet, unsteadily at first but she regained her posture muchter. She helped Joshua rise up on his feet and supported him by cing his hand on her shoulders.


    Gosh, he was so heavy, she thought.


    As they walked, Helen squeezed her lips, she was already tired of walking but she shook her head and persevered. As soon as she reached his car, she helped him search for his keys. She ced him in the passenger¡¯s seat and drove.


    As she drove hastily, she rubbed her eyes repeatedly. Sleep was trying to arrest her but she shook it off. She nced at Joshua who was nearly asleep.


    ¡°He¡¯s not a man, he couldn¡¯t even take two bottles.¡± Helen mumbled.


    As she took thest turning to his house, happiness flooded into her veins. She parked the car close to his house and she  exhaled deeply.


    Carrying Joshua was stressful since he was dead drunk, Helen groaned as she dragged him all the way from the porch to the living room. When Helen was about to drop him on the couch, Joshua suddenly held her by the waist and they both copsed on the couch.


    Joshua was below and Helen was on top. It was a very awkward position but what Helen failed to realize was that one of her breasts had jumped out of the dress and was hovering over Joshua¡¯s lips.


    Helen gasped and thought of retreating but then something popped into her mind. She knew that Joshua waspletely drunk and out of bnce and the situation presently was confusing but at the same time it was arousing.


    What¡¯s the harm in having a little fun?


    Helen then ced pressed her breast into his lips, waiting for a response. She was happy when Joshua immediatelytched on her right nipple, Loosing all self-control, with his hands madly squeezing her firm  bosoms, Joshua then bent over and his lips thentched onto her left nipple and began a rhythmic suckling action while the full width of his hand was pulling and twisting and squeezing her right breast. He was fondling the shit out of her big firm breasts. Helen¡¯s legs started to squirm a bit as she tried to ease the straining of her vagina which was immediately starting to get very wet indeed. She held his head close to her bosom and cradled him as he feasted on her firm breasts.


    Helen felt the orgasm start to build at first touch, and before she could even think about trying to hold it back, she was arching her back , her hips bucking as she groaned in pure delight. They fell back on the bed, kissing, hands stroking everywhere, when she couldn¡¯t take it any longer.


    ¡°Shall we take off our clothes?¡±


    Helen watched a drunk Joshua strip as she took off her own clothing, her eyes filled with lust. He was long and lean, nicely defined pecs and arms, thighs like steel. He has a sexy butt , too, Helen thought.


    In each other¡¯s arms, they were soon on the couch, Helen couldn¡¯t believe how good it felt to have him next to her. This man that she considered a crush.  It worried her that this might be the one and only time she would experience this with Joshua, but her desire for him was overwhelming all else.


    Sheid on her back as Joshua explored her body with his hands, lips, tongue. He spent a long time at her breasts, ying again with her nipples. They were so sensitive, and she reacted strongly to his touch. His tweaking, rubbing and constant sucking left her privates dripping as she subconsciously moved her hips , her vagina wanting to be filled with his penis. Her breathing was ragged when his one hand finally found her privates. She gasped as he parted her lips and started stroking her swollen clit with his index finger. Joshua yed her clit like he was ying a bass guitar. He moved his finger over the swollen pink jewel, feeling her body react, he strummed it faster, moving it back and forth finding the sensitive spot and focusing pressure there.


    Helen felt the orgasm start to build at first touch, and before she could even think about trying to hold it back, she was arching her back , her hips bucking as she groaned in pure delight. Joshua didn¡¯t let up, the orgasm crashed over Helen, wave after wave. She had to push his hand away. It had been a long time since she had been with a man, let alone a man that knew how to please a woman. It had taken him less than a minute to make her body quake to its core.


    ¡°How long did that have to take you?¡± Helen yelled. Helen kissed him long, hard, pushing him on his back as she straddled his slim hips. She could feel his penis under her.


    She pulled at Joshua¡¯s hands until one was on each breast. He raised up , squeezed both breasts, taking one hardened nub in his mouth.


    Joshua stroked his tongue over the nipple and are before he sucked on the nipple. He pulled at it with his lips, ran his tongue around it, over it. His teeth pulled at the one nipple as his tongue teased the tip of it. His hand kneaded her other breast as he pushed the nipple in with his thumb, letting it spring back then pinching it, hard, just the right amount of pain to have Helen grinding her vagina against his penis as she could feel a familiar warmth in her belly.


    ¡°You are so sexy, Helen.¡± Joshua admitted huskily. The alcohol took over his brain and reced it with a lustful feeling.


    Just when she thought things couldn¡¯t get any better, she felt Joshua¡¯s free hand at her vagina. He pushed against her clit, rubbing this time with his thumb in a circr motion. Helen couldn¡¯t deal with the extreme stimtion for long. She had one nipple in his warm, wet mouth, the softness of his tongue and lips an exciting contrast to the sharpness when he tugged with his teeth. Then there was the persistence of his fingers, pinching, pulling, stroking the other nipple. Once she felt his hand at her soaking clit, she knew it would not be long.


    Helen could feel the tension start to build. She fought against it this time, but it didn¡¯t dy anything for more than a few seconds. All the sensations were too much as she felt an even stronger orgasm jolt her body. Her entire body was left quivering and spasming. Every nerve seemed connected to her sensitive nub. Joshua bit her one nipple as he pulled out and pinched the other as hard as he dared. Helen responded by arching her back even more, the groans bing low screams as he continued to add pressure to her clit. She continued to cum, her body shaking, until she pulled away from him, stopping his hand. She stayed straddling his hips, sitting up, her back straight as her body continued to spasm every few seconds.


    After the shaking finally started to subside, she leaned over and kissed Joshua again. Moving carefully, she ced first one leg then the other inside of his thighs. She kissed and nibbled his neck, chest, stomach and thighs as she moved down his body.


    She then took a long look at Joshua¡¯s penis. It was bigger than she had thought it would be, both longer and thicker. She had felt it against her, and had a quick look when they were undressing, but she really examined it now. He was as thick in through the mushroom-capped head as he was at the base. And below the base were thergest, tightest balls she had ever seen. It took both her hands to be able to cup them.


    She started at the base of his penis and licked along his shaft until she hit the head of his cock. Holding the shaft in one hand, she licked around the rim of the head, swirled her tongue around the headpletely until she could see the veins in the shaft pulsing. She slowly sucked the head into her mouth, pushing it out with her tongue, teeth lightly scraping it. She then sucked in as much of his cock as she could , keeping it at a 90 degree angle from his body using only her mouth, as she used her hands to squeeze his balls.


    There were times she had to stop because Joshua was ying again with her sensitive nipples, tugging at them, pinching them, strumming them. They were swollen and hard and she ground her teeth and groaned with the pleasure his teasing brought her. She¡¯d stroke his cock during these times, alternately squeezing his balls and cock as she kept stroking him. She wanted to taste him though, and she made him stop ying so she could continue the blow job.


    She pulled his penis into her mouth, feeling the head at the back of her throat, sucking on it, at it, and keeping the suction hard as she pulled up on his turgid cock until just the tip of his cock head was being held by her lips. She heard Joshua¡¯s  breathing, shallow, almost hyperventting, with a husky ¡°Oh yeah¡± escaping his lips. She continued this long, hard sucking for a couple of minutes before she felt his hands under her arms.


    In one quick move, he pulled Helen up groggily to him, she looked longingly down at the penis she wanted in her mouth, still standing at that 90 degree angle. When their hips were even , He pushed down on Helen¡¯s hips as he pushed his up. She felt her tight vagina stretch to amodate his engorged thickness as he impaled her slick vagina. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she smiled at the instant pleasure she felt.


    Joshua pushed up so hard with his hips, he was lifting Helen off the couch. She had to bnce herself by grabbing into his calves. He kept thrusting up at her, and it was in this motion she felt her vagina just grind into him . She felt his penis deep against her insides, rubbing the walls, his penis rubbing her in a spot that made her back shiver. His penis filled her vagina sopletely. He was still fucking her hard when she felt her third orgasm build. Joshua already adapted to reading Helen¡¯s reactions, reached up and tweaked at her jutting nipples.


    This sent her over the edge.


    As her cum juices ran over Joshua¡¯s penis , her vagina muscles grabbed and pulled at his penis, pulling his penis further in. She fell forward, hands at his shoulders, elbows bent, her arching back pushing her nipples into his chest, his every thrust causing a sensation that just increased the intensity of the orgasm. Her throat grew hoarse from the sounds she made as he continued pounding into her. She couldn¡¯t get enough of him, as he pushed his penis deeper and deeper into her.


    ¡°Mhmmmmmmmmmmmm¡±


    Her vagina was still clenching his penis when she felt it stiffen then he spurted hot fluid into her . The contracting and expanding of his penis as he shot his seed deep into her drew her orgasm out, as her moans of ecstasy filled the room.


    Helen finally copsed on top of him, both of them with heaving chests, her spine and legs still quivering in aftershocks. She had never felt so exhausted or satisfied.


    Twenty minutester, Helen wore her dress  hurriedly and packed her hair into a bun. She watched as Joshua slept naked on the couch and she smiled bitterly. She picked up her purse and opened it, she reached for a pill and swallowed it. It was just a precaution in case a baby was produced due to their steamy make out. She picked up her redcy panties from the floor and ced it on Joshua¡¯s chest. She then kissed Joshua on the lips briefly before running out of the door with a crazy smile on her face. It was the smile of victory.

 Chapter 18

    Joshua woke up with a splitting headache, his body felt weak and tired as if he had ran a marathon. He rose up from the couch and rubbed his eyes repeatedly, he didn¡¯t remember dozing off on the couch. He suddenly stared at the floor and he gasped.


    His shirt and trouser were crumpled on the floor and he was stark naked. He reached out to pick it up but something else sparked his attention.


    It was red, his heart thumped faster against his ribcage. He picked it up and his breathing became faster.


    Redcy panties.


    He nearly choked due to astonishment. Memories of what happened the previous day started flooding into his memory. He dropped the panties on the floor and scratched his head.


    He remembered drinking with Helen, he recollected being drunk. He remembered Helen carrying him into his car. He remembered Helen dragging him all the way up his porch. Then he was confused.


    What the hell happened?


    He nced at the panties and shut his eyes in exasperation.


    ¡°No, No, No!¡± Joshua cried.


    Then he instantly remembered what he dreaded most. He had sex with someone. He had fun with someone and it was Helen.


    He felt vited and sad at home. Why did he allow Helen to seduce him? He remembered her pressing her nipples into his mouth and he stupidly sucked on them. He recollected touching her, everywhere.


    Then he realized something. He had cheated on Grace. He allowed Helen to seduce and explore his desires. He wanted to do all of that with Grace when she was ready and not with Helen.


    He shook his head repeatedly, refusing to believe that had happened. He bent his head finally and cried quietly.


    ****


    Joshua entered the hospital with a gloomy face. He walked slowly, drowning in the events that urred the previous day. He touched his neck slightly and discovered an hickey. Helen bit him, iming possession. He knew Helen was also drunk and he hoped that they can put it behind them without speaking about it.


    He was so engrossed in what he was thinking that he didn¡¯t realize that he had bumped into someone.


    ¡°Hey there, Joshua.¡±


    Joshua looked up to see rk, smiling at him and he simply nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what happened, I shouldn¡¯t have said all that trash.¡± rk pleaded with his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Joshua replied slowly.


    ¡°Are you okay, Joshua?¡± rk asked.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Joshua nodded.


    ¡°You don¡¯t look okay, you are sweating much more than normal.¡± rk replied.


    ¡°I epted your apology, good day.¡± Joshua stated. He was irritated by his nosy attitude.


    He was about to walk past him when rk grabbed his left arm. Joshua shot him a death re.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so rude. It was hard for me to apologise so at least have a little bit of respect. I don¡¯t know what you are facing presently but from the frown on your face, it looks like you had a bad night. Stick in it, don¡¯t take your frustration out on an innocent patient. Bury your crazy attitude and be a doctor. The doctor I can¡¯t stand.¡± rk said, lifting his gaze to meet Joshua¡¯s.


    Joshua exhaled, then removed rk¡¯s firm grip and shoved his hand away.


    cing a fake smile on his face, Joshua replied, ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this but thank you.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, it¡¯s not like you really mean it.¡± rk smirked.


    ¡°Maybe we could grab a drink sometimes.¡± Joshua raised his shoulders, he felt a little bit sorry.


    ¡°Sorry, my profession doesn¡¯t allow it.¡± rkughed.


    ¡°But¨C¡±


    ¡°Good day.¡± rk spoke and began walking way, a smile etching at the corner of his lips.


    Joshua grinned and yelled, ¡°You are rude as well. Hypocrite!¡±


    Heughed harder when rk gave him the middle finger. He walked towards the elevator and drummed his fingers again at the wall.


    ¡°Hey Joshua.¡± Someone cried out his name.


    Joshua turned his head instantly and as soon as his eyesnded on the person calling his name, he stopped drumming his fingers against the wall.


    It was Helen and she was advancing towards him, a smile stered on her face. Joshua gulped and turned around. The elevator opened and he literally ran inside. He clicked a button and ced a hand on his chest to steady his breathing. He saw Helen¡¯s face and his eye popped open.


    Not again. Her naked body flooded into his brain, her perky nipples were all his head could fathom. Her blouse was halfway done and her creamy cleavage was enticing and swaying towards his eyes.


    ¡°Joshua!¡± she repeated but the elevator snapped shut. Joshua exhaled dramatically as the elevator vibrated gently. He didn¡¯t know what to say to Helen  and fleeing was looking like the best option. How was he going to act normal while talking to her?


    The elevator opened, blinding him from his overthinking and he walked towards Grace¡¯s room. He didn¡¯t know why he kept walking but a ma in his heart was drawing him to her. He needed to talk to her,  he needed to exin what happened with him and Helen before he exploded.


    When he reached her room, he looked through the window and inhaled sharply at the beautiful scenario before him. Grace was scribbling something, her hair tucked in at each sides of her ear and she looked fasincating while doing it. It was driving him crazy to see her so rxed while there was a raging storm in his head. He walked towards the door slowly, intending to knock but he couldn¡¯t. His fist was mid way, hanging in the air. He couldn¡¯t do it, the guilt he felt in his heart was enormous.


    He bit his lips and turned on his heels, he shut his eyes briefly and groaned. He walked to his office without sparing anyone a nce. He walked into his office and took off his scrubs from the hanger. He had to perform surgery to keep his head cool and calm, that was the ritual he performed when he lost his wife and daughter. He strode into the tiny bathroom and began to change this clothes. Mid way into changing, he flung his clothes on the floor in anger. He was so disappointed in himself. Why did he give in to Helen?Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 19

    The sun was shining so brightly but Grace¡¯s mood was theplete opposite. She waspletely sad and disappointed. She hadn¡¯t heard or seen from Joshua in thest three weeks. She thought he was probably busy but now it felt like it was on purpose. Joshua was avoiding her but why was he doing that? Grace began to regret opening her heart to him. She realized that she was too quick in falling in love with him. Different thought sted into her beautiful brain. What if Joshua didn¡¯t like her anymore? Or has his feelings for her dwindled? What hurt her the most was the fact that it was her birthday but she wasn¡¯t happy or enthusiastic about it.


    She shot a fake smile at the plump nurse who entered her room.


    ¡°Hello Mary. ¡± Grace greeted.


    ¡°And how are you doing?¡± Mary replied.


    Over the past few weeks, she had bonded with Mary, the middle aged nurse who frequently visited her room on a regr basis. Mary was quite helpful as she understood Grace¡¯s loneliness and she often joked about celebrities, trying to keep Grace happy.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t know. ¡± Grace spoke honestly.


    Mary sensed something was up and she sat on the bed immediately, she shot Grace a look, urging her to speak out her mind.


    ¡°I¡­ really don¡¯t¡­ know¡­how¡­. to¡­. say it. ¡°Grace confessed.


    ¡°Just say it, I won¡¯t judge.¡± Mary reassured, cing a hand on Grace¡¯s palm.


    ¡°I miss him.¡± Grace whispered.


    ¡°Who?¡± Mary cocked an eyebrow.


    ¡°Can you keep a secret?¡± Grace asked. Her lips trembled as she spoke. Could she really trust Mary?


    ¡°Well it¡¯s kind of weird to say this but I don¡¯t know how to say it so¨C¡± Grace began but was cut off immediately.


    ¡°It¡¯s Dr Joshua, isn¡¯t it?¡± Mary gave off a motherly smile.


    Grace¡¯s eyes popped wide open. She was utterly shocked. How on heart did she know?


    ¡°H¨CHow did you know?¡± Grace stuttered.


    ¡°Well it was obvious actually. You have asked about him everyday from me and I can see how much you like him.¡± Mary replied.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Was all Grace could say.


    ¡°But it¡¯s fine. I have seen him a couple of times, he¡¯s always in the hospital. I could tell him that you need his attention.¡± Mary winked.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s actually okay. You don¡¯t have to.¡± Grace said.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Mary inquired.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Grace insisted.


    ¡°I know you are busy with shifts but today is my birthday.¡± Grace forced a smile.


    Mary covered her lips with her hands in amazement,¡±Wow, happy birthday. I had no clue.¡±


    ¡°I think I should tell him so he could¨C¡± Mary  rambled.


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessary.¡± Grace interrupted.


    ¡°Alright, have a lovely birthday. I know that you will be expecting your family so I¡¯ll leave.¡± Mary replied.


    And she left.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Grace shot her a fake smile. She had even forgotten about family. What was family? Did they even care if it was her birthday. She gulped on remembering her mother. Was she even a mother? Tears welled up in her eyes and she shut her eyes instantly, trying to reduce the flow but it wasn¡¯t enough. Even her younger sister, Sarah had not visited her in the hospital for once. Grace shook her head, she didn¡¯t have a family who loved her or stood by her in harsh and bad times.


    A quiet noise from the door startled Grace and she wiped her tears instantly, she mumbled a prayer, hoping it would be Joshua but when the person walked into the room, she felt confused. Where had she met her?


    Her brain clicked finally when she realized that it was Helen. She mentally pped herself for forgetting such details.


    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Dr Helen.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Grace replied with a fake smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m also Joshua¡¯s best friend.¡± Helen continued.


    ¡°I know.¡± Grace repeated.


    ¡°And I¡¯m guessing you must be Grace?¡± Helen cocked an eyebrow.


    ¡°Why are you pretending not to know me? If you didn¡¯t know me, then why are you here?¡± Grace snapped, already tired of herzy approach at conversing.


    ¡°Calm down, I¡¯m just here to talk.¡±, Helen chuckled, lowering herself on a chair gantly.


    Her red painted lips irritated Grace and her exposed creamy cleavage looked disturbing and annoying. Couldn¡¯t she just button up? Her ck hair was attractive but Grace tore her gaze away from it.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    ¡°Talk? We barely know each other.¡± Grace admitted.


    ¡°I agree but I want to know you, Grace. ¡± Helen cooed.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to know you.¡± Grace chided.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you want to know me. Well for a start, I know that you are a cripple.¡± Helen started off with a grin.


    ¡°What?¡± Grace was furious.


    ¡°And you¡¯re also leeching on my best friend.¡± Helen spat finally.


    ¡°You have no freaking right to¨C¡± Grace began but was interrupted.


    ¡°You¡¯re really low for a woman, because you are lonely doesn¡¯t mean you should give your heart away so easily. You don¡¯t deserve Joshua, he¡¯s a good man. He has lost so much and you¡¯ll only be an obstacle.¡± Helen continued.


    Grace gulped and bit her lips. She swore internally, praying to be given the temporary ability to walk. She would have ripped Helen¡¯s head off.


    ¡°And where do you fit in in all of this?¡± Grace croaked.


    ¡°Joshua loves me.¡± Helen smiled.


    ¡°He loves you as a friend.¡± Grace spat venomously.


    ¡°And how do you know that?¡± Helen sneered.


    ¡°He told me.¡± Graceughed.


    She watched as Helen¡¯s eyes turned dark and her brows wrinkled in anger.


    ¡°Did he also tell you that we had sex?¡± Helen chuckled icily.


    Blood drained out instantly of Grace¡¯s face. She shook her head violently, refusing to believe what Helen said.


    ¡°You¡­are just trying to get to me and unfortunately it¡¯s not working.¡± Grace stuttered, stering a fragile smile on her face.


    ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m joking? We had sex, I mean, we made love on his couch.¡± Helenughed aloud.


    ¡°Get out!¡± Grace demanded.


    ¡°Did you know that Joshua was so good in bed?¡± Helen pressured further.


    ¡°Fuck off.¡± Grace spat.


    ¡°It¡¯s not good for a patient to use a swear word. I heard it¡¯s bad luck.¡± Helen persuaded.


    ¡°Please leave.¡± Grace begged, tears threatening to fall.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even heard anything yet. I¡¯m just starting.¡± Helen winked.


    ¡°I am not going to repeat myself¨C¡±Grace was cut off by a wave from Helen¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Watch me.¡± Helen ordered, she adjusted herself on the chair and opened her legs, her skirt expanding itself. Acy pink panties exposed to Grace¡¯s naked eye. Grace forced herself to watch Helen. Helen parted her panties and began to finger herself to Grace¡¯s dismay and Grace tore her gaze instantly.


    Helen moaned and Grace was utterly disgusted.


    ¡°Joshua made me feel this way, he was so good at it.¡± Helen said slowly, shutting her eyes in ecstasy.


    ¡°Please I need you to leave or else I¡¯ll¨C¡±


    ¡°Or what? Joshua never fucked you, did he?  He was just toying with you, darling. If he really did, he would have done it from the day he set his eyes on you.¡± Helen acknowledged.


    Grace bit her lips again and she tasted blood.


    ¡°See this?¡± Helen rotated her neck and a hickey was stered on her neck like a tattoo.


    Grace bowed her head in shame.


    ¡°If you know what¡¯s good for you, I think you better back off from Joshua. Who do you think he¡¯s going to end up with anyways? A cripple? Or a sexy doctor who can walk? It¡¯s just an advice, darling.¡± Helen mocked.


    ¡°Get out!¡± Grace yelled with all her might. The tears that she tried to hide now streamed down her cheeks like an endless river.


    ¡°Did you really think we were just best friends? Were you so dumb to realize that he was never yours in the first ce? Focus on getting better and moving on with your life. Don¡¯t drag an innocent doctor into it.¡± Helen continued.


    Helen walked over to the side of Grace¡¯s bed and Grace flinched instantly.


    ¡°He¡¯s not yours and he would never be.¡± Helen deadpanned.


    ¡°You¡¯re so certain of that.¡± Grace managed to reply.


    ¡°If he was, he would be here. Wouldn¡¯t he?¡± Helen chuckled.


    ¡°Please leave.¡± Grace whispered.


    ¡°It was nice talking to you, do you need a tissue? You have tears staining your pretty face.¡± Helen mocked, reaching out to touch Grace¡¯s face.


    ¡°No thank you.¡± Grace shook her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m d we could discuss like normal women.¡± Helen chuckled, patting Grace¡¯s hand.


    ¡°You are wee.¡± Grace replied sarcastically and watched Helen walk out dramatically, she noticed that Helen stamped her heels annoyingly and she chuckled bitterly.


    ¡°Have a great day.¡± Helen winked before bolting the door shut.


    Grace tried to hold in it but the tears kept flowing. She knew that Helen wasn¡¯t lying but she tried to persuade herself that Joshua didn¡¯t have sex with Helen. But a growing curiosity in her head kept taunting her. Her birthdays were mostly nd but this was the worst birthday ever.

 Chapter 20

    Joshua inhaled sharply while popping open the buttons of his coat. He stood straight facing the mirror and sighed. He knew he had to talk to Grace about it before it ate him uppletely.


    ¡°I can do it.¡± Joshua mumbled to himself in his quiet office.


    Fear of rejection and insulting words from Grace perched into his heart and he swallowed his saliva instantly. His hands ran over his hair and back to the cor of his coat.


    How the hell did he and Helen do all that?


    And something in him knew it was because he was drunk. He hated what he did and his head hurt while reminsicing on it.


    Now he couldn¡¯t face Grace. How could he? How on earth would he look her in the damn eye and exin how he slept with Helen just because he was drunk?


    His hands danced with the water bottle that sat on the oak table and he unconsciously bit his bottom lip.


    Sadness enveloped him like a sudden darkness and he was afraid of drowning in it. He was having a forbidden rtionship with Grace, his patient. He was physically and emotionally attached to her but he didn¡¯t expect the whole Helen thingy.


    Helen was hot. Extremely hot. She was his best friend and that was it. He was well aware of how fucking sexy she was but a drunken mistake made him fall into this mess.


    He needed the balls to tell her. Just a single pound of courage to tell her what he had done. Her reaction would definitely terrify him but pretending that if never happened would make it a lot worse.


    Guilt would start to eat his heart out and then he would be unable to think. Joshua rubbed his eyes once again and crossed his arm over the other.


    He sighed again and his head jerked back, touching the chair¡¯s head rest and his mind began to travel once again, ignoring his environment.


    ****


    ¡°Are you good? You look pale?¡± Helen heard rk say as he entered her office, holding out a Starbucks espresso.


    Helen lifted up her head and shut her eyes for a moment. Her mind waspletely clouded by Joshua. He had been avoiding her ever since they had drunk¡­ sex. She didn¡¯t know whether to call him or just let nature take control. A smile etched on her face when she remembered Grace¡¯s facial expression when she told her about she and Joshua having sex. She wanted to rub it all on her and now she just felt miserable.


    The smile wore off and transformed into a frown.


    Her eyes searched rk¡¯s. All she saw was lust. She sighed heavily, inhaling the fresh air that filled her nostrils. Their rtionship was purely sex and she knew the Starbucks Coffee on her table was just an excuse for him to reveal his true intentions. It had been going on for several months and she knew she just had to stop.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Helen asked as she watched him copse on a chair.


    ¡°I¡­ just came to see you.¡± rk responded with a wink.


    Helen scoffed, ¡°Or you could just say that you¡¯re horny. ¡±


    There was an ufortable silence between the duo as Helen wrapped her ponytail into a bun while rk simply focused his gaze on the ceiling.


    ¡°W-Why do you think that?¡± Helen heard him say.


    ¡°Because that¡¯s all you want, rk,¡± Helen spoke as she brought out files from her drawers, ¡°You don¡¯t give a shit about me unless it¡¯s sex. You just want to fuck me, don¡¯t you? I¡¯m just your¡­ whore. ¡±


    ¡°No,¡± rk said, ¡°We are just in aplicated rtionship¡­..¡±


    Helen cut in with a raised brow, ¡°W-What rtionship? We both don¡¯t have anything inmon¡­. except sex.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you only see me as a fuck toy, Helen,¡± rk responded, pain evident in his voice, ¡°I know you have¡­ feelings for Joshua. You literally are his best friend because you are not his¡­ type and¡­.¡±


    ¡°Stop.¡± Helen warned. His words sent a crippling pain down her nerves, making her legs stiff. Goosebumps graced her neck and hands, revealing her anxiety.


    ¡°-But you know what. You have never given me a damn chance, Helen. You know how I have felt around you since we started medical school and all you¡­ do is use me.¡±


    Helen bit her bottom lip, ¡°You are petty, rk.¡± Her hands balled into a fist. His confession was as clear as water but Helen was impatient and vtile. What feelings was rk talking about?


    He had asked her out twice while they were still in medical school and she turned him down harshly. Now, she only had sex with him because it relieved and washed away her worries.


    ¡°Petty? Or you just don¡¯t want me in your life, Helen?¡±


    ¡°rk, I don¡¯t have time for this, okay? It¡¯s evening and I honestly just want you out of my office. ¡± Helen ordered.


    ¡°Really?¡± rk rose up on his feet and Helen swallowed a globe of saliva as he advanced towards he, taking quick strides.


    ¡°W-What are you¡­..¡±Her words were stuck in mid-sentence when rk gave her a kiss, just as innocent. Just a little one and then a second kiss.  Knowing that Helen didn¡¯t move, he kissed her a third time. Their lips lingered and pressed harder, sucking just a little. He briefly sucked her upper lip and then kissed her again. They opened their mouths at the same time and her tongue brushed against his mouth.


    ¡°Mmmmm¡­¡± Helen¡¯s sweet voice moaned as her tongue danced deep inside his mouth. She brushed it across his throat as he ground against her. Their lips smacked loudly and their heavy breathing echoed through the quiet room.


    What was she doing? Why was her body responding to his kiss? Why did she feel a tingling feeling in her lower body?


    He kissed her cheek and Helen arched her head back, closing her eyes. So he kissed her neck, sucking on the warm flesh as she panted beneath him. His hands unbuttoned her blouse and he pushed them aside, throwing them onto the floor. Dazzled by rk, Helen watched as he undid the buttons on the sleeves of his shirt slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. And the way he looked at her ¡ª like a predator about to ravish his prey. She trembled with arousal, watching him take his shirt off all the while he looked down at her like a man getting ready to devour a feast prepared just for him. rk gently dropped her on the table and if there was anything Helen was grateful about, she was happy that the room was sound proof.


    He kissed down her chest to her cleavage. He kissed where her freckles rested at the bottom of her left breast. He kissed them again before moving lower. Helen touched his warm chest and she heard him groan in pleasure. She was about to remove it when she heard rk whisper with his head buried at the crook of her neck;


    ¡°P-Please don¡¯t. Don¡¯t¡­ do that, Helen. Just today¡­.¡±


    Helen mashed her lips together. She wanted him. Hell, she wanted to ride him. But why didn¡¯t she feel this tension when she and Joshua had sex? Why did their drunken sex feel so rushed?


    With rk, it was as if she was at her peak of euphoria. She moaned as he reverently touched a hand to each breast, gently running his hands over, around, and under them. He squeezed them gently, pulled lightly on the nipples, and then leaned forward and rested his head on them.


    ¡°Damn, your nipples¡­.¡± rk started, ¡°They are so enticing.¡±


    Helen tried to suppress another moan.


    Leaning forward, rk took a nipple into his mouth; his hands were still on her breasts, gently massaging. Sucking the nipple gently, he pulled back slightly, tugging the breast. Helen¡¯s breath hitched and he caught her eyes briefly, and the intensity in his gaze was almost overwhelming. He looked quickly back at her tits. He sucked a bit harder; she could feel herself getting wet. For several minutes rk suckled like a baby, still squeezing both breasts with his hands. Without warning, he took more of her breast into his mouth, and began flicking her nipple with his tongue. His eyes were closed now; he focussed intently on the sensation of therge tit in his mouth, and under his tongue. Helen¡¯s core tingled.


    Helen was about to surrender when he removed her wet panties, exposing her sensitive flesh to cold air when her mind drifted off to Joshua. rk was about to plunge his member into her when Helen suddenly pushed him with her legs and before he could speak, she had imprinted a p across his face.


    ¡°W-What the fuck, Helen? ¡± rk eximed.


    Helen ced her feet on the floor, the smell of lust hitting her nostrils. Her eyes darted to a shirtless rk;


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we should do this anymore. It¡¯s really toxic and I honestly think all you think when you see me is sex,¡± Helen started, ¡°-And yes, I am in love with Joshua and I don¡¯t know if he would ever love me back but you really need to stop doing this.¡±


    ¡°You were the one who¡­ always called me for a fuck, Helen.¡± rk whispered.


    ¡°A-And I am so sorry for¡­ leading you on. I just¡­ needed someone to fuck. ¡± Helen sighed.


    ¡°Someone to fuck?¡± rk replied, with his hands balled into a fist, ¡°-I thought maybe¡­ we could be something more than just fuck buddies, Helen. You don¡¯t want to give me a chance and it¡¯s really not good. Let go of Joshua. It¡¯s been almost a decade. You had a crush on him and yet he got married. He¡¯s not married and he¡¯s still not into you. Don¡¯t you get it?¡±


    Helen crossed a arm across her naked breasts, ¡°Leave me alone, rk.¡±


    ¡°What about we¡­ start over, Helen?¡± rk asked hastily.


    Helen scoffed, ¡°Start over?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°How are we¡­ going to start over, rk? We will both end up having sex and that¡¯s how our cycle will continue. We don¡¯t have anything inmon¡­..¡±


    ¡°What about if we do? We have never talked about what I like or what you like.¡± rk rebuffed.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Helen bit her bottom lip and stared at rk with glossy eyes, ¡°You like me because of my body. That¡¯s what attracts you¡­ to me. ¡±


    ¡°No,¡± rk shook his head, ¡°You are so fucking smart, Helen. You are a great doctor and you are really nice. ¡±


    ¡°Do you even¡­ know me?¡± Helen gasped as she tried to hold in the iing tears, ¡°I-I sleep with some of my patients. I sometimes seduce¡­ them. I am¡­ a whore and I don¡¯t think those words should being from you. ¡±


    ¡°I know you.¡± rk spoke as he wore his clothes slowly, his gaze refusing to leaving hers.


    Helen pouted as her eyes were now glossier than ever. Her throat was itching to cry and she didn¡¯t want rk to see her tearing up.


    She watched as he walked towards her, holding her shoulders.


    ¡°I will never stop¡­ loving you. ¡± She heard him whisper before he took his leave and at once all she wanted was to melt against his body and hear him say those words, over and over.


    The words she craved from Joshua.


    I know it¡¯s a being a while since I updated.


    I hope to see yourments though.


    What do you think about Helen and rk. Do you think she¡¯s scared to open her heart up to him because of Joshua or is it because she feels guilty about using him for sex?


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!