Not more than friends

“Where were you at noon today?” Was the greeting Silas got first immediately after coming in. “Work” he responded and entered.

Unconvinced, Fiona folded her arms across her chest. “Who was she?” She asked

“Who?” Silas entered the kitchen

Fiona raised her voice “The woman who answered the call!”

“The mother to my patient.” He poured himself a glass of water, responding indifferently.

“Oh really?” She sounded skeptical “Why were you with her then?”

Calmly, Silas responded “I wasn't with her, my phone was”

“Why!?”

Silas downed the entire glass and kept the cup. “Her son was having a seizure, and I was in a hurry, so I just tossed it to whoever was close, and she just happened to be the one. I didn't give it to her intentionally.”

Fiona's eyes sized him, she could never tell if he was lying or not. “You should've just kept it in your pocket, Silas”

Silas sighed and said “At that moment, tossing it was out of impulse. Like I said, not intentionally.”

Fiona glared at him, dissatisfied with his responses so far. “I feel like you're not taking this seriously”

Silas stopped and looked at her with narrowed eyes, “This is not something to be taken seriously.”

“What?” Fiona flew off the handle. “Are you saying I'm not important to you? You're out there saving lives, does my life even matter to you? That boy, is his life more important than mine that you stood me up!?” she yelled

Silas placed his hand on her shoulder. “Do you feel any pain in your chest?” He asked

Fiona raised her brow in puzzlement. “What?”

“You don't, right? That is because you have a healthy heart. That boy is suffering from heart failure and that seizure could've killed him if I hadn't been there so yes, his life is more important”

Fiona's eyes whelmed up, “I can't believe you're saying this,”

Silas ascended the stairs, paying her fuss no attention.

“Was there no other doctor to help out? There was, wasn't there? It's not the child you're concerned for; it's his mother, isn’t it? Is she more beautiful than I that you stood me up for her? Why aren't you answering?” She followed him up the stairs, “Don't you love me, Silas?”

“Fiona” He grabbed her shoulders once they were at the room door. “Stop, there's no point in this, this argument makes no sense”

He left her standing with her lips parted slightly and grabbed a white towel. “This all happened at noon, I'm surprised you're still on about it.”

He entered the bathroom and shut the door.

Maybe he was too harsh with his words…. probably not, he's only just trying to help Fiona think clearly. She's being upset for absolutely nothing.

The soft touch of the water cleared his head, giving him space to ponder on what was really important: who. Is. James? and what is his relationship with Wanda?

Why did he pat her head? Did she say he could? How close were they for him to make such a move? And the look in his eyes, it was like he was trying to warn Silas telepathically that Wanda belonged to him.

Silas needed answers. He couldn't ask Wanda, he would be prying into her personal life. Thankfully, that dumbo James gave him his business card, Silas would just have to learn about him manually.

Silas turned off the shower, only to hear muffled sobs. He came out to find Fiona lieing face down on a pillow. He asked wearily “Fiona, why are you crying?”

She heads up “You're neglecting me, Silas”

“I'm not neglecting you”

“You are!” She insisted, “It's like you don't love me anymore”

“That's ridiculous, you know I do” he changed his clothes.

There was a short silence before Fiona spoke “Stay here with me”

Silas looked at her and asked “Why?”

“I don't know, I just…I just need you right now to stay with me and assure me that you do love me”

“I can't,” Silas responded after a sigh.

“Why not?” Her brows creased, desperation longing in her eyes.

“I have something to do downstairs.” he picked up James’s business card.

“Just spare this time, Silas, please, just this once,” Fiona's voice broke in her plea.

Silas was already at the door. “Have a glass of water; it'll make you feel better,” he shut the door.

Silas went into his Realm of Wisdom, his study. He sat on the chair in front of his laptop and began his research.

After an hour, he leaned back and crossed his arms, whispering hoarsely“James Frost,” The owner and founder of Lumina Luxe, a famous hotel known for its ethereal quality and standard facilities.

What does Wanda want with a hotel CEO? He pondered. Clicking his tongue, Silas closed the laptop, hissing in frustration. What was he even doing right now?

Maybe Fiona was right, he spoke rudely to her all night and even refused to stay with her all because of some stupid curiosity.

He walked back to the room, Fiona had already cried herself to sleep. He took some strands of her blonde hair and tucked it behind her ear.

His Fiona was certainly more beautiful than Wanda so why was he more interested in her?

The next day, first thing first, Silas walked over to ward 21. He first peeked through the door and sighed in relief when he didn't see that hotel owner.

This time around, Andy was awake.

“Ah Dr Deane, I didn't see you come in. Good morning” said Wanda, her face gleaming.

“How are you feeling, Wanda?”

She averted her eyes back to Andy and held his little hand. “Because of you, Andy's all better now. I'm really happy."

And those words were enough to incite Silas's heart.

“My mommy said you saved my life,” Said Andy, and only then did Silas finally notice him.

The similarity was clear. He had eyes like his mother though they didn't carry the same aura in them. His hair, black and smooth, his nose, his lips, he was a replica of her.

Silas tucked his hands in his pocket. “Not just me little man but in a way, yes”

The boy's face was indifferent, “You've made mommy stop worrying, and she's happy now; thank you, mister."

Silas noticed how different he looked from what he said. If it were Wanda, she would be gleaming while thanking him, but Andy's face was more like he didn't even mean what he was saying.

“Sure, it's my job after all”. He looked at Wanda. “I'll leave you two to it then.” He excused himself only to bump into James outside. Impulsively, Silas frowned.

In contrast, James was happy to see him. “Silas Deane! What a great morning! You're so rare to catch, and this is my second time meeting you; it must be my lucky week.”

Silas noticed the lunch box he held. Was it for Wanda and Andy?

James was quick-witted and noticed Silas's staring. He lifted the box, smiling widely. “Oh, this! This is just lunch for the misus and Andy. Hope I'm permitted by the doctor to feed them..”

Misus?, Feed them? What is that supposed to mean? “Sure” Silas answered coldly.

“Very well, another time then, pal.” he patted Silas's shoulder and walked in.

Silas's ears twitched at the sound of Wanda happily receiving him.

“James! You're here?” She voiced, followed by Andy.

“Uncle Frosty!” Andy yelled excitedly, completely different from how he spoke to him.

Silas left there angrily.

Clenching his jaw and balling his fist, he grunted. It wasn't even his business so why was it frustrating him so much!?

The aura he exuded while walking back to his office was so dangerous that no one dared to come close or even utter a greeting.

•••

James pinched Andy's nose “How's my favorite Anderson?”

Andy laughed while struggling out of his mild grip. “I'm the only Anderson you know, Uncle Frosty.”

James tilted his head. “Really? I didn't know that”

“Yes, you do; stop joking around,” Andy said seriously, his pouting face similar to a cub.

Watching them both, Wanda's lips curled up. “Why are you here James?” She asked

He lifted the box to her view and shook it “I brought foodies”

She laughed at his childish demeanor “You didn't have to do that you know,"

“I want to,” he said, his voice raw with concern.

“I heard the Mayor is hosting a seminar at your hotel tonight, you should be there right now and not here” Wanda insisted

“Err, nothing comes before you two.” James ruffled Andy's hair and smiled.

“I can never win with you” Wanda sighed out.

“You're right.” He dropped the box with her, ruffled her hair as well, and left while saying, “I'll be back by lunch to check on you two.”

Wanda stared at the box a bit. It wasn't his first time getting her something despite being told not to. It was his way of showing concern.

“Uncle Frosty is very caring” Andy remarked. Wanda smiled, “you love him so much, don't you?” She asked and he nodded vigorously.

From Andy's perspective, James cared for Wanda, unlike his biological father. Seeing his mother happy made him happy as well, and if James can make her happy, then he should be the right one for her.

But to Wanda, James was nothing more or less than a friend.