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CHAPTER 6-Professional Distance.

Author: Succy
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-13 22:58:05

Clarence’s POV.

Surprised to see Julian in the consultation room as opposed to my expectation, I left my gaze on him, my lips slightly parted.

“But…” I filtered off, alternating my gaze from Julian to the first doctor who was still with us.

"Uhm… I thought he is the doctor in charge of my surgery, why are you here?" I asked, avoiding his gaze as much as I could.

Sounding professional, he clasped his hands on the table, “I'm sorry but plans changed." He spoke firmly, my heart constricting against my chest.

His presence made me nervous, I doubt if I would be able to survive the consultation with him.

But why?

Why the sudden change of doctors?

Just when I thought I was going to get this surgery without having Julian involved in any step of it, he showed up.

When I arrived, I was light hearted because Dr Mike had assured me that Julian might not be the doctor in charge of my surgery.

And I had so much belief that I wouldn't meet with him.

Placing my hair behind my ears, I tried to act professional by matching his gaze but I found myself faltering.

Several times, I was tempted to put a call across to Dr Mike to request for another doctor but I couldn't bring myself to do so.

Not only was it going to come off rude and a sign of disrespect but, it was going to make our relationship more sour.

“Ms. Clarence, can I get your attention please." Julian said, drumming his fingers against the table.

Raising my brow at him, I managed to flash him a smile which immediately disappeared when he tilted his head to the side.

“Please excuse us." He said after a while, eliciting a nod from his colleague.

“I’ll take my leave now." The other doctor said and in a few seconds I was left with Julian who was flipping through my charts.

Terrified that he was going to bring up the topic of our past after he had dismissed the doctor, I leaned forward, attempting to stop him before he even thought of starting.

“I have gone through your charts a hundred times already." He said instead.

Since I wasn't expecting things to turn out this way, I kept staring at him with a blank expression on my face.

Out with it already? — I yelled in my head, grabbing the edge of the table.

I believed that he had sent his colleague out so we could get some privacy to discuss about us, but here he is, sounding all professional.

“Ms. Clarence, I will be needing your whole attention for this consultation to be successful." He stressed his words and when I locked eyes with him for a second, he nodded to affirm his words.

Embarrassed and still feeling nervous, I mumbled, “It's just that I wasn't expecting you to be the doctor in charge."

With the confidence I had no idea of being in possession of, I added, “Dr Mike told me you might not be the doctor in charge…”

"If you have a problem with me being your doctor, I think we should fix that now.” He cut in, his voice was mild but firm enough to show a strong stance on his decision.

Picking up the intercom on the table, he pressed some keys but before he could dial the number, I grabbed his hand, halting his actions.

Smiling nervously at him, I quickly apologized, "I’m sorry for acting the way I did.” I said in a breath.

Propping myself on my seat, I kept a straight face, trying to mask my nervousness.

After a few minutes of an uncomfortable silence, he tossed the chart he had been going through on the table as he fell back on his chair.

“I believe Dr Mike had discussed the basics of the surgery with you.” He began, piquing my interest because of the tone of his voice.

“He said I could go for surgery, is there a problem?" I was already panicking as my hopes of getting on my feets were slowly fading away.

Grasping the edge of the table, I was about to start running my mouth but he didn't give me the chance to do so.

“It has been three years since the accident which affected your spinal cord." He waited for a few minutes before he picked up the pace.

"The surgery is going to be 50/50. It's either the surgery is successful and you get your legs back or unsuccessful and you lose your life.”

His words made my eyes start stinging with tears as fear gripped me.

“You shouldn't be hard on yourself." He disrupted my thoughts and at once I locked eyes with him.

“You clearly stated that there is a possibility that I would die on the operating table…”

"I also stated a possibility that you will live and get your feet back.” He smacked his lips. "Instead of dwelling on the negative, why don't you focus on the positive outcome of things?”

"One thing I promise you like I always say to my patients, I will do my best.”

“Thank you." I replied, feeling a bit relieved.

“Least I forget, make sure you don't miss any appointments scheduled by the hospital. We still have to observe you for a while before venturing into surgery."

“Okay, I understand." I said, slumping my shoulder in disappointment.

This was because at each consultation, I was going to meet with him and I wanted to avoid it at all cost.

He must have noticed my demeanour when he said, “The doctor from earlier would be in charge of your consultations, the next time I will be meeting with you is in the operating room.” He said and I let out a sigh of relief which I regretted.

Though he showed no expression at my gesture, I believed he wasn't pleased.

All of a sudden, my countenance fell and I felt bad.

He decided to give up the consultation because of our past. — I thought, fiddling with my fingers as the thought clouded my head.

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