THE HANDSOME MEDICAL DOCTOR: CHAPTER FOUR

Mike sat on his verandah as he read the morning newspaper. Quite normal for him to read newspapers on Saturdays when he was outside Zades. It was his first time spending a full day in his new house since he had arrived than in his brother's house.

Well his house was a sight to behold because it was indeed a beautiful one. A bungalow painted with red white, and black, it was surrounded by beautiful flowers unending.

There was a beautiful brown rug just before the door. Velvet drapes framed the windows, the lace inner curtains remained drawn, allowing daylight to enter while rendering the heart-stopping view over the city a blur.

The veranda stretched the entire frontage of the house. The smell the freshness of the white paint was an evidence that he had painted the house not that long. Actually he had bought the house and had remade it according to his taste. Susanne had helped with the furnitures by going shopping in his stead.

He sighed when he saw an article on Zades hospital. It stated that there is a new Doctor who is believed to be Mike Harrison. It further said he was a very good Doctor compared to Ben Harrison as he had saved seven lives in a week. He dropped the paper he was reading in surprise. News really spread fast and they comparing his brother with him makes him even more surprised. Now the full city will know that he has returned.

It was not even a big deal anyways because he was very popular seven years ago and so it will not be surprising if he even appeared on the front cover of the newspaper. Well he had seen himself in the front of the Zades Magazine a million times when he was still living a care-free life. Rape, murder, Party Lord, those were the names given to him by the public then. But now, seeing himself on the newspaper as a Doctor saving lives made him proud of himself. For the first time in his life he felt he has accomplished something.

 His mind further drifted to the events that had transpired during his first week at Zades. He had met old friends and new ones alike, including Marcus, his guy of a friend. That man will not always cease to amaze him, always the guy who would go to any length to get a guy you befriend. He is gay if that is what you are thinking.

He also met some of the women he had played and some chicks he had fun with. He could not believe he had even controlled himself for more than seven years. He was so addicted to sex that he fucked women six times a day. Now he felt disgusted merely thinking about what he used to do. He was not at all interested in that now. He would have taken the mouth-watering offer Clyra, one of his numerous chicks then but he politely declined. He was not the Mike then but now, he just did not seem to want to fuck a woman.

After what he had done to Susanna he never had the will to touch any other woman, he does not know why exactly.  Even if he wanted to, her innocent eyes and cute face he had seen when he had taken her innocence will always hunt him, making him to push the woman he wanted to have fun with away.

He remembered that day clearly like it was yesterday, all he had done to her that faithful night. Whenever he had the thoughts he just pushed them away because the events of that night made him feel so guilty.

It still hunted him till this very day.

And for that reason he wanted her forgiveness because that will only be what will give him his ever craving peace of mind. Why does he even crave for her forgiveness? He could just go on with his life and live as if nothing has ever happened.

He could just ignore her and continue his life whether she forgives him or not. But those eyes, those tears of pain! It makes him so guilty. He just has to find a way to make up with her and at least, support her if that could put a smile on her face.

How he was going to do that clouded his thoughts as he stood up from his chair and made his way into the house. 

Some moments later he was on his bed, responding to the immense call of nature.

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Life was going all well for Mike, and he has hell of a deal contributed to the running of the hospital. It was not that long before news of Mike's skills spread out through Zades and beyond. People now flood the hospital daily either to see the Doctor with 'Magic hands' or undergo a surgery successfully which will always be performed by him. Ben was very proud of his brother because for the first time, he had seen his brother so buried in work instead of moving around causing havoc.

Women are always seen around, because they wanted to try their luck to gain the man's love because he was handsome, very rich and very popular.

Everyone knew Mike then so it was quite a surprise when some people had found out about him being around, some had come to know the location of Mike's house through Ben's given directions. People like Mr and Mrs Polly, who were their relatives had come to visit Mike. Other relatives and close friends alike also came to welcome him back to Zades.

This also helped the hospital as some people will want to visit the hospital just to see Mike, especially the girls and women who has had a crush on him or flirted with him seven years before. Well you know what they came to the hospital for, as all they wanted was to catch a wealthy man like Mike himself but this time their plan was not at all quite successful as he either politely sent them away.

On one occasion, Melissa, one of the girls he had dated back then had come to his office,and even had the audacity to flaunt with him by sitting down on his desk sexily trying to woo him. He was glad his brother had come in at that moment because he would have shown her what it felt like to be discharged and embarrassed.

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It was one of those baby-blue skies, not the psychedelic candy-blue nor the washed out grey so characteristic of wintry mornings. The clouds were as puffs of radiant joy, ready to disperse into the wind, to travel our Earth. At times Mike turns to his window and watched them, pure reflected rays dappled and swirling with sky, until all that remained was that perfect baby-blue, the same hue as before, as if inviting those born of wing to ride warm thermal air heaven-bound.

Mike had seen all of his patients and was on his lunch break. He was about to order the cleaner to go get him some food when Ben came into his office. He had asked him if he would love to eat at the only restaurant in Zades which was not that far from the hospital. 

Mike, having not been to the place before agreed. They had gone into his car and Ben had given him directions to this restaurant.

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Susanna sighed as she walked from the kitchen which was just behind the fancy restaurant to the almost-filled restaurant. 

Madam Shereiki's restaurant was full. She looked around at the busy tables. An old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsing with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their grey suits lighting up cigars. American tourists, trying to decipher the menu. A family and their teenage children. The noise level was high. The smoke level, too. 

But it didn’t bother her one bit. 

She was used to it.

"What are you doing here?" Madam Shieriki asked as she walked up to Susanna, anger quite evident in the woman's eyes.

The woman was clearly old but fighting it every step of the way. Her hair is jet black and the white skin of her face looks too tight. Her lips have been fattened and her eyelashes are false. What she cannot hide is the redistribution of her body fat. Even with countless hours of hot yoga which Susanna have seen her doing, her waist was thicker and stomach more relaxed. Susanna was at the point that the more effort she made to appear youthful, the worse she would look. She was asking wicked, stingy and annoying as her looks.

"I was checking if there was any other customer to serve"

"Is that your work Susanna? Checking them as if they are babies? I see that you are dodging work that is why. You have been late twice this week"

"Madam i explained......"

"Explained what? Using your daughter as bait? All you want to do is skip work and you think i will pay you fully? Well make sure you get it in your skull that i will not pay you well this month as a result of your attitude"

"But...."

"Now get back to work before i lower your pay. Useless thing!"

Taking a deep sigh, she walked back into the kitchen. She did not know why that woman likes to give her a reason to become more miserable. She did not have a choice but to work here judging by the fact that there is no other job in Zades that can employ her since she does not have an education.

Many more customers will be coming and she had to be prepared. She helped the cook in arranging the dishes since Madam Shieriki had ordered her to do it.

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Ben took in on the building before him as he parked his car in the driveway.

The yellow and red colours at the restaurant made the place look even more beautiful as he admired, even after coming out of his car. When he was a little boy, he had wondered why all restaurants he had always been in always use red and yellow paints for their building and even interior decorations. 

This made him to search online for the reason why these two colours were chosen only in restaurants. After searching the internet, he had found some theories.

The most likely theory is that there is a study on the effect of colours on human soul, where the red colour tends to open the appetite while the yellow color gives a sense of happiness and familiarity with the place and people. It is the brightest color in the daylight, making it easy to recognize the restaurant from a distance which causes a person to think of returning to the restuarant again. He followed Ben as they both walked into the restaurant, not without Ben greeting the people he knew. 

The interior decorations were amazing. In face it was hardly describable. Taking a table just close to the wall at the left end of this stylist restaurant, Mike looked around to admire his surroundings again. From his seat he had a view of the entrance, only couples came and left.

"This place is cool bro" Mike said to his brother as he smiled.

"That is why it is the only restaurant in Zades. Any other restaurant will be shut down because everyone in Zades likes this place.

"Ben" Someone called his brother as they both turned around.

"Aunt and Uncle Polly! It is so nice to see you" Ben said as he stood up smiling at them. Mike still sat down but smiled, knowing quite well that they were not in good terms back then.

"Mike! I am finally glad to see you. You have grown into a handsome young man! I had tried to visit you but when we arrived at your place, you were not around. I am really very happy for you, you are doing well and people love you now. I am glad you are back as a changed man"

"Thank you Aunt Polly. I am glad to be back too" Mike said as he gave a smile.

"Where did you go to and why did you come back?"

"I went to explore and came back to make amends and stay. I do not want to talk about this aunt"

"Ok son, i understand"

Mike heaved a sigh as he took one of the menu which was on the table. He hated discussions, especially if it concerns his past life. The others took each a menu. Uncle Polly, who had been talking to Ben called for the waiter who took all their orders. Regardless of what was there he would be ordering butter chicken and pilau rice. Ben ordered the same too while the old couple ordered only coffee.

He closed his eyes as he let herself soak in the ambient music for a few moments, not minding what his aunt, uncle and brother were talking about, wondering what the words were and drinking in the fragranced air. 

"Mike, what about marriage? I thought maybe you will have someone to spend your life with" Uncle Polly spoke to him for the first time as Mike felt the constant stares on him.

He sighed as he opened his eyes. He knew where this conversation was going to and he really did not want to discuss it at all.

"I do not have the intention of getting married neither have i found my soulmate yet so till then, i remain single"

"You are getting older Mike and times go by very quickly. You need someone by your side and children too"

Well he will not argue about that, although he was just thirty-four. He did not at all feel like getting married now at least, he still has his own life to live before catering for his future wife and children.

"I know i am not getting younger. I will soon, when find a woman that i am ok with but for now, i stay single "

Mike gasped as he saw someone who he knew so well. Was it she?

Standing at the counter with a tray of food was Susanna. She was talking to a staff. And why was she dressed like all the other waiters in the restaurant?

Susanna Brownwell.

What was she doing here?