Chapter 9

N O E L L E

The chairman looks serious and mad. I was standing in front of him for about five minutes now, but he doesn't say anything yet. I smiled at him, but he did not even respond to it.

What the hell is wrong with him?

“I convinced my son to stop bothering you.” My smile widened in happiness. “But he refused to do so.” And just like that, my smile vanished. “I know what you’ve been through because of him; that is why I am doing what I can to stop him.”

“Thank you, chairman.”

“However, you know my son than I do. He doesn’t want to stop pursuing you. He has made his mind, and that’s it.” I sighed as a sign of frustration. “I can’t believe he bought this hospital just to take you back.” He said as he shook his head. “I’ve never seen him this serious.”

“I am also serious in walking away from his life, chairman. We cannot just go back from what we used to be. It’s not that easy.” I exclaimed.

“I understand your sentiments, Noelle. What are your plans now?” I don’t know what to do next, but I am curious about something.

“What happened to Vanessa, chairman? Why did he suddenly come back after six years?” I asked.

He shrugs his shoulders. “I tried to ask him the same questions, but he never answered. What he just said was that he realized that you’re the one he really wants.” Wow. That’s it? I mean, he should have explained at least, right?

“By the way, I have visited Noah.” I suddenly feel nervous upon hearing his name. “Don’t worry. He doesn’t know about him. I’ve told his secretary not to mention anything about Noah.” I sighed as a sign of relief.

“Thank you for supporting my decision, chairman.”

“I have only agreed to this as compensation for what my son did to you. However, you are aware that you cannot keep it from him forever, right?”

My brows knit together. “He is Maxwell’s chairman. He has nothing to do with it. I believe we both agreed on this.” I reminded him as I felt worried.

The chairman sighed in defeat. “Yes, you’re right, Noelle. Let’s stick to our agreement.” He said, and he was about to say more when my phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Doctor Lewis, we need you in the emergency room.” The resident doctor said, and I quickly excused myself to run to the emergency room.

“What happened?” I asked as I arrived in the emergency room. Numbers of patients are complaining about their injuries. Some of them are unconscious, and a few are not.

“It’s multiple vehicle collision, doc.” The nurse answered. I attend to one of the unconscious patients, and his head is seriously not in good condition. I use my penlight to assess the form of his brain injury. It is called pupillary light reflex.

I requested for immediate CT scan and MRI to check his brain and skull. I check the other patients with a head injuries as I wait for the results of the other patients. It’s a chaotic, busy, depressing, and tiring day. But all of these will be worth it if we save all of them.

It was already past 8 pm when I stepped out of the hospital. I did my scheduled surgery despite all the emergency surgeries that I had to do. My neck feels stiff, and my legs cramp. I need a hot bath and an early sleep to regain my strength for tomorrow’s battle.

“My date stood me up.” My eyes widened in surprise to see Maxwell holding a cup of coffee.

“I am so sorry, Max. I forgot!” I said as I walked towards him. “I had emergency surgery and—“ I stopped when he chuckled all of a sudden. “What?” I asked.

“You don’t have to explain, Elle. I’m a doctor too, remember? I understand.” He said as he pulled me closer to him and planted a soft kiss on my cheek.

“Hey! I don’t smell nice!” I warned him.

He sniffs my neck. “You smell alcohol and iodine.” He said, and we both chuckled. The hospital’s scent lingers on us, who spend most of our time in the hospital.

I hit him playfully as I snatched my coffee from his hand. “Thank you. I will cook your breakfast in return.” I said.

He nods. “I talked to Noah earlier. He wants us to go home and spend the weekend with him.” He said with a troubled expression. “I miss the guy. Why don’t we go home? Don’t let Levi affect our relationship with Noah.”

I sighed as I sipped my coffee. “I miss him. Sorry for not considering you and Noah’s feelings.” I said as I smiled at him. “Let’s go home this weekend, then.”

He smiled widely at me. “Call him when you get home. I’m sure he will be happy to hear the good news from you.”

“Thank you, Max,” I said.

“I always got your back, Noelle.” I nodded and hugged him for a few seconds. “Notify me when you get home, okay?” He said as I nodded at him before getting in the taxi to go home.

When I got home, I called Noah and let him know the good news that we were going home this weekend. He shouted and cheered in happiness. I heard his grandma stopping him from jumping, and I laughed at him. My exhaustion and stress suddenly vanished the moment I heard his voice.

He’s the best thing that happens to us after that terrible night.

The next day, I was preparing for surgery when Levi suddenly came in. He placed one cup of coffee on my table.

“What do you want… sir?” I asked while changing my shoes. I look at my watch to check the time. “It’s only seven in the morning, and you dare to bother me this early.”

“Good morning, Noelle.” He said as he sat on the couch. “I just brought you coffee, and I’ve decided to be with you the whole day.” My brows knit together in annoyance.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m free for the whole day. I have time for you now.” He said casually as if we never had the conversation last time we saw each other. Is he playing dumb?

“I did not ask you to spend time with me, sir. I’m busy, and you get in my way are the last thing I want to happen.” I explained as I took off my white coat. I am wearing navy blue scrub suits, and then I arranged my hair into a bun. I put on my surgical cap and mask, and I’m off to the operating room.

“The scrub suits and white coat suits you well,” Levi stated while he was following me to the operating room. “I can still remember how you dreamt of wearing it. Your eyes were dreamy and gentle every time you mentioned something about being a doctor.” I halt and face him with annoyance visible on my face.

“Are we going to talk about the past again?” I asked.

“I’m living in the past, Noelle. It’s the time where we were in love with each other.” I diverted my gaze away from him as I felt embarrassed all of a sudden.

“You’re right. It’s all in the past.” I said as I continued marching going to the operating room. Doctors and nurses look at us with weird expressions on their faces. We are the talk of the town since this CEO came to this hospital. They asked me questions about my relationship with him, but I decided not to say anything.

“Give me another chance, Noelle.” I sighed as I shut my eyes closed. We are in a public place, and here we are talking about personal matters.

“No. I can’t, and I don’t want.” I said firmly. “Why don’t you just go back to Germany? Vanessa must be waiting for you.” I said casually.

“You did not just reject me. You also pushed me away.” He retorted.

“Frankly speaking, I’m happy without you,” I said to stop him from pursuing him. I need to hurt him to stop him.

“Are you telling me you’re happy with Maxwell?” He questioned.

I nod. “I’m happy with Maxwell, and I can’t ask for more,” I said as we reached the operating room scrub sink. I start scrubbing my hands and arms.

“You are hurting me, Noelle.” I looked at him, and his expression tells it all.

“It was my intention. I was happy with you too, but you’re not giving me the same feeling anymore.” I said as I rinsed my hands and arms. I come into the operating room, and the nurse helps me put on the surgical gloves and surgical gown.

“Let’s start,” I announced, and then we started the surgery. It’s an easy surgery, but I still have to be careful. It took us five hours to finish the surgery, and when I stepped out of the operating room, I was startled to see Levi leaning on the wall. “What the hell? Did you wait for me?” I asked as I shook my head.

“I’ll treat my ex-fiancée to lunch since she did a successful surgery.” He announced, and I heard the doctors and nurses behind me squeal. I looked at them in confusion.

What in the freaking world?