Chapter 4

N O E L L E

I gulped as he lifted his head to look at me. He didn’t age at all. He looked exactly the same six years ago. Is he human?

“It’s the same question you asked me the first time we’ve met.” He remarked, and I looked at him like I didn’t have any idea what he was talking about, but that memory was still clear in my mind.

One year after the contract has signed, he decided to meet me. He went to our school and informed me that he’s acknowledging the contract. He also instructed me to take the contract seriously, which I did not do.

I was his reserved or last option fiancée back then. I was hoping he would find a suitable and perfect woman for himself. It’s the reason why I did not take the contract seriously. I did not want to be with this man, or so I thought. I should’ve never changed my mind if I knew the consequence of my actions.

“I’m Dr. Noelle Lewis, a neurosurgeon. Do you need something from me, sir?” I asked casually. I can see him now as my boss only and nothing more. I should avoid thinking about the past if I want to survive in this hospital.

“I bought this hospital because you’re here.” Shit! I almost reacted to his shocking revelation, but it was a good thing I was able to hold myself back. What the hell?! Are you crazy?! “I will transfer the hospital’s ownership to your name once we get married.” He said without the hint of any facetiousness in his facial reaction.

Gosh! The audacity of this jerk?! How could he talk about marriage without feeling guilty about what he did to me?! Gosh! I want to punch him right there and then! I can’t believe he’s this insensitive and stupid! He did not even change! He’s still the same stupid, senseless, most annoying jerk I’ve ever known!

“I think you’re talking to the wrong person, sir.” I said while smiling as I tried to restrain myself from strangling him.

The way he looks at me suddenly changes, it’s the kind of look that tries to see through me, but I won’t let him. I know I cannot pretend all the time that I don’t know him, so let me change how I play.

“It’s been six years, sir. Things changed so did I. You cannot just leave and return as nothing happens. Please refrain from calling me to talk about personal matters because I’m in this hospital to save lives, not to deal with you.”

“The contract—“

“The contract was terminated by the chairman six years ago, sir.” He looked at me with surprise. Chairman Mitchell gave me my freedom the moment his son left, and I was grateful to him for doing that. “Nothing can tie me up with you. I have the freedom to do anything I want.”

He smirks, and it confuses me. He stands up and slowly takes his steps towards me. I take a few steps backward as he tries to narrow the distance between us. “I did not know you have dad’s side on you. Let me tell you, my dear fiancée, that with contract or not, I’m still going to marry you.” His smirk widened as he looked at me intently.

“I am not going to marry you,” I said, stressing every word to make it clear. “I am done dealing with you, and I won’t marry someone who caused me a lot of pain. Marrying you is like committing suicide.”

A hint of pain crossed his eyes, but he quickly recovered. “You’ve grown into a fiercer woman that I always imagine you would, but you trying to push me away by your harsh words won’t stop me from taking you back.”

“I hate you,” I told him with piercing eyes. He was taken aback by my sudden confession that he was lost of words to say. A knock on the door became my signal to get out of here. I opened the door, and I was surprised to see Maxwell smiling at me.

“Are you done? Let’s go home.” He said, and that simple gesture made me breathe again because being with Levi suffocates me.

He looked at Levi and smiled at him. “Good morning, sir. I hope you don’t mind me interrupting your conversation. I’m here to pick her up.” He said without a hint of any negative emotions. You have matured a lot, Maxwell.

Levi glared at Maxwell and did not utter a single word. “I’m Maxwell Hughes, a pediatric surgeon. I hope you still remember me.” Maxwell’s smile widened to the point that it irritates Levi.

“I can still remember you well. You caught my attention while I was delivering my speech. You were flirting with my fiancée, weren’t you?” Levi’s voice was laced with danger and anger. He looks really mad. “I can’t believe you’re still clinging with my fiancée until now.”

“Your… fiancée?” Maxwell repeated as he looked at Levi with amusement. I shake my head in annoyance at the thought that he still considers me as his fiancée. He has no shame at all. “Please stop calling her that.” Maxwell suddenly grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him. “We’re leaving. I’ll see you around, sir.”

I let Maxwell drag me out of Levi’s office until we reached the elevator. I was chuckling the moment Maxwell hit the close button. “What are you laughing at?” Max asked as he shook his head. “That ex-fiancé of yours is unbelievably arrogant and annoying.” He remarked.

I told him what Levi said to me about giving me this hospital and marrying me. Maxwell recited a paragraph of profanity words after hearing it. I can’t blame him for doing so. “Please don’t mention it to anyone except Alyssa. Rumors are already spreading; I don’t want to make it worse.”

“I’ll puke first before mentioning it. I can’t believe he's still insensitive and stupid.” I think I said the same thing. We really are in harmony when it comes to one person we hate the most. “Do you think he knows about Noah?”

I shake my head. “I don’t think so. He did not mention a word about him.”

He sighs as a sign of relief. “I’m glad to know that.” Maxwell was scared about one thing, and it’s about Noah.

Maxwell and I are living in a condominium a few blocks away from the hospital. Maxwell’s condo unit is just next to mine. “I will cook our dinner later. Let’s eat first before leaving for work.”

I nod as I smile at him. “Sure. Don’t forget to take your vitamins before going to bed.” I remind him.

He nods as he kisses me on the forehead. He even winked at me before entering his unit. I chuckle as I shake my head in his gestures.

I can still remember how we first met. It’s an experience I never imagined I would have.

Maxwell Hughes was a former singer who also played as an actor in a few TV series and movies. We unexpectedly met each other in the girl’s powder room.