Chapter 6: Dear Dr. Brown

"What is really going on?" I look into Liam's green eyes.

"Nothing babe, just ignore him. He is obsessed with you. Ignore him wherever you see him."

"You said you wanted to tell me something."

"I just wanted him to leave." He sits on the bed and puts his arm around me.

"I haven't washed my body in days." I try to move away from him.

"I don't care." He smiles, and kisses my head. Then, once again, I feel conflicted about my feelings for him.

"I will pay you back for my medical bill, but in installments," I place my head on his shoulder and I wrap my arm around him.

"No babe, don't pay me. I just want you to be okay. What really happened? Where were you three nights ago?"

"Huh?" I ask, even though I heard his question.

"Where were you three nights ago?"

"I was at the hospital. I heard you came to see me."

"Before that, when you were at home in Minnesota."

His phone rings and I take a peek. I glare at him as he glances at me.

"I have to take this," he turns the screen away.

"Of course," I say bitterly.

He walks out of the room as he takes the call.

I take a shower and change out of the hospital clothes, wondering who changed my clothes when I was unconscious.

When I get out of the shower, I find the room still empty, and I check my email for my timetables.

Then an email catches my eye:

*Dear TA Willow Gordon

You must arrive in class an hour before. Be on time and prepare the material that I have attached. I don't get along with TAs who slack off. You better be useful.

Dr. L. Brown.*

I'm going to be working with this rude lecturer?

Sheesh! This is probably some grumpy person who is going to make my days unbearable. Great.

"What is it with you these days? Do you have something you need to tell me?" I ask as soon as Liam opens the door and comes back in.

"Something like what?" He raises a brow.

"Oh! I don't know. Perhaps you want to break up with me and go back to your wife!"

"I told you it's an arranged marriage. I'm starting to think you enjoy saying that."

"I just want to know what's going on between us." I fold my arms.

"Then where were you three... No, four nights ago? Before you went to the club?"

I look at his piercing gaze, and I feel compelled to tell him the truth. "I'm so sorry. Nothing happened, I promise. I slept in the bedroom and he slept on the couch."

"Who slept on the couch?" He asks calmly.

"Didn't he tell you? The stalker."

"You were really with him?"

"I'm sorry babe, I didn't have a choice. It was raining and..."

"No, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at him!"

"So, you do know each other?"

"Can we not talk about him?"

"Why are my questions always avoided?" I ask angrily.

"I'm not avoiding them, Willow."

"What really happened Liam? I feel like our days of happiness are like a far away dream. Ever since I came back from the holidays, things have changed."

He holds my hand and leads me to the bed. We sit on the edge of the bed, and he doesn't let my hand go.

"Why didn't you tell me when you felt that you didn't love me anymore?" I swallow to stop the tremble in my voice.

He shakes his head.

"Why am I struggling to let you go?" I mumble, my voice still shaking.

"Because we love each other, and we will work this out. Let me talk to my parents first." He puts his finger under my chin.

"Do you think they would let you get a divorce?"

"You are the one that I love, not Lucy. We both know how horrible Lucy is. I can't give you up for her."

"I was so worried. I thought you fell out of love with me."

"That would never happen." He assures me.

I hold out my arms for a hug, and he moves closer to me. We continue to sit on the edge of the bed while we hold each other, and I finally feel my worries melt away.

The doctor walks in and after examining me, she tells me that I'm good to go home. Then Liam offers to drive me to my place.

"Can you believe it? The lecturer that I'm about to work for attached a document that consists of three hundred pages." I say once we are in the car.

"And you should remember everything by tomorrow?"

"Yep," I sigh.

"Send him the doctor's note."

"The problem is, I'm already afraid of whoever he or she is."

"Are they on social media?"

"No, but I got a rude email, and there are no pictures of the lecturer on the campus portal. The surname is Doctor Brown.”

"Doctor Brown?” His eyes widen, and I notice that it takes his every strength to keep his eyes on the road.

"Yes." I look at him in confusion.

"Doctor L Brown?"

"Yes."

"Damn!" He frowns.

"What?"

"Can't you decline his offer?"

“Do you know him?"

"He is not a good person, babe. I will pay you triple the amount that you are supposed to earn. Just don't work for him."

"What's wrong with him?"

"You will find another job. You know you are smart."

"But..."

"Please, promise me." He cuts me off. The car stops at a parking lot and he glances at me.

I nod solemnly.

"Don't worry babe, you don't need him. I will help you find a better job."

I nod, and he kisses my forehead.

He walks me to my room and promises to bring me food.

I take a nap, and he later knocks and gives me a paper bag from a Chinese restaurant.

"I will see you tomorrow. Okay? Love you." He kisses my cheek.

"Love you too."

He smiles and leaves. I open my laptop to send emails to my lectures to inform them that I'm sick and won't be able to go to class. I ignore Dr. Brown and I decide to tell him about my decision not to accept the offer on the next day.

After eating, I toss and turn in bed for about two hours until I decide to look at the email from Dr. Brown that I can't get out of my head.

I type my reply, and I regret it immediately after sending it.

*Dear Dr. Brown

I will make it on time. Thank you for this opportunity. *

I go through the material that he sent me. My eyelids feel like they’re weighed down by dumbbells, but I already feel like Dr. Brown is going to be on my case tomorrow. I study for ten minutes and take one hour breaks in between while trying to stay awake.