Chapter 21

"So, since the new schedule has been evaluated, you just need to adjust accordingly. For the seminar with the medical faculty students the day after tomorrow, the speakers on the first day will be Alvin and Ethan.”

Asher and his colleagues were currently in the hospital’s meeting room, discussing evaluations and finalizing the seminar schedule for the upcoming week.

One by one, the doctors were assigned their respective tasks. Alvin, Ethan, Alissa, Tsania, Evan, and the others would take turns as speakers for the event.

“This seminar is divided into two sessions each day, right?” Evan asked.

“Yes, each session lasts three hours. There’s a 20-minute break before the second session,” Asher explained.

Evan nodded, understanding the explanation.

“My schedule is confirmed for the day after tomorrow with Tsania, right?”

“Yes,” Asher replied. “Because an obstetrician is usually paired with a pediatrician. However, for your session, the duration is a bit longer.”

“Why is that?” Evan asked, confused.

“It’s a special request from the mothers themselves.”

“They know that Medika Hospital now has a handsome, single doctor,” Alissa teased, making the others laugh. “So, they asked for more time.”

“That’s just your assumption, Alissa,” Evan retorted. “They don’t even know that the speaker is a single guy who deserves sympathy instead.”

“Then go find a girlfriend,” Alvin interjected. “You’ve got everything—a good-looking face, a doctor’s profession, a house, an apartment, and cars that rival the hospital owner’s.”

Evan nodded but replied after a moment, “You don’t know how many times I’ve been in relationships that just didn’t work out.”

“I’m done looking for a girlfriend. I want a wife instead. Just ask Ethan. Every year, my mom scolds me because I bring home a new girl, and it always ends badly. I’ve only ever gotten heartache from relationships.”

“Oh, really? Why? Don’t you have everything women look for?” Alvin and Asher asked in unison.

“All the women I’ve dated just used me to show off. None of them were serious. They just drained my money,” Evan explained.

“Goodness, that’s awful. You’ve really been taken advantage of,” Asher said empathetically.

“What can I do?” Evan shrugged. “Life’s just been like that for me. Sometimes I think I should raffle off my bad luck to someone else.”

The group laughed again. Once everything had been discussed, Asher ended the meeting. The doctors started leaving the room, including Alvin, Ethan, and Evan, who walked to their respective offices together.

“Ethan, wait up. I need to leave something with you,” Evan said.

When they reached his office, Evan quickly went inside and came back with something in his hand.

“Can you give this to Amelia for me?”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, and Alvin, standing beside him, looked equally puzzled.

“What is it?”

“Seriously? You don’t recognize it? It’s Amelia’s lunchbox. She came to the hospital yesterday to see you. On her way home, we bumped into each other, and I ended up giving her a ride to the boutique. Before she got out, I noticed her lunchbox was still full. Rather than letting it go to waste, I ate it,” Evan explained casually.

“So, Amelia went home with you yesterday?” Ethan asked.

Evan nodded nonchalantly. “Yeah. She said her driver couldn’t be reached, so I figured it was better for her to ride with me than to take an online taxi. Besides, I was heading home too, so it worked out.”

Ethan nodded but said nothing more. Alvin also stayed silent, simply listening.

“Anyway,” Evan continued, “just tell her thank you. And thanks to you too.”

“Thank me? For what?” Ethan asked, confused.

Evan nodded again, smiling. “Thanks to you, I got to enjoy a free and delicious meal.”

With that, Evan patted Ethan’s shoulder and went back into his office, while Ethan and Alvin continued to their respective rooms.

---

Meanwhile, at another location, Amelia hurriedly got into her car. This afternoon, she planned to visit her father, who was in a detention center.

For some reason, she had been feeling uneasy about her father since the previous day. To ease her worries, she decided to visit him and see for herself how he was doing.

When she arrived, as usual, Amelia was escorted to the visitation room. After waiting for about ten minutes, she saw her father enter and take a seat at the visitors' table.

“Papa.”

“Amelia. You don’t usually drop by.”

“Yes, Pa. I’ve been feeling uneasy since last night. Are you okay?”

Ahmed nodded. His condition had been stable since he began living in the detention center. Only at the start had he struggled to adjust. After all, it was a drastic change for someone who had lived a life of luxury to suddenly find himself behind bars.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just feeling a little weak these past few days,” the 55-year-old man explained.

“Weak? Why? Have you seen a doctor?” Amelia asked worriedly, scrutinizing her father’s appearance.

“I’m okay, Amelia. Probably just tired from participating in the cleanup activity last Monday. I’ll be fine in no time.”

“Are you sure?”

Ahmed nodded. To reassure her, he reached out and held her hand tightly.

“I’m fine. Just keep praying for my health while I’m here.”

“Of course, Pa.”

After a moment of silence, Amelia handed him the food she had brought for his lunch.

“How are you, Alina, and Clara? Are you all doing well?” Ahmed asked.

“We’re fine,” Amelia replied briefly, busy unwrapping the cutlery for her father.

“And your marriage? Is everything going well? Does your husband treat you right?”

Amelia paused, looking up and smiling at her father.

“Everything is fine. Ethan treats me very well.”

“Are you sure?” Ahmed asked, his gaze steady as he tried to read her expression.

Ahmed had initially disapproved of Amelia’s decision to marry a man who already had a wife. He had been concerned about the challenges his daughter might face. However, after many reassurances, Ahmed had reluctantly given his blessing.

“Everything is fine. If there were any issues, you know Alina would’ve already reported it to you. You know how she is,” Amelia said with a laugh.

Ahmed chuckled. Amelia was right. Alina was fiercely protective of her family. Despite her shy demeanor, she was the boldest among them when it came to standing up for her loved ones.

“Good. I’m glad your husband treats you well,” Ahmed said with a relieved smile. “If anything ever happens, don’t hesitate to turn to Clara, Asher, or Alina for help. I’m sure they’ll support you.”

“Don’t worry, Pa.”

“When you have time, bring your husband to visit me.”

“Of course,” Amelia agreed. She decided she should bring Ethan along to visit her father sometime.

She then encouraged Ahmed to eat while she filled him in on her recent activities. After their visit ended, Amelia left, feeling somewhat reassured.