I Am Not a Weakling

The two doctors came into my room with their equipments. They were dressed in white lab coats. One of them headed towards me, I recognized him as Dr Charles, our family doctor while the other one who I didn't know was speaking to Clark.

"It's nice to meet you again Mr Alexander. How are you doing?", he asked as soon as he got to where I was.

"Just get this over with, Dr Charles". I laid down on my bed ignoring his question. The other doctor and Clark came towards us.

"This is Dr Scott, Mr Alexander. He's my new assistant doctor", he said while putting on gloves in his hands and taking out the stethoscope on his neck to check my temperature. My gaze swept over the assistant doctor, he looked quite young. Merely looking at him you'd know he's inexperienced and new to this field. He must be an intern.

Clark brought my gloves to me so I could put them on. I quickly wore them and closed my eyes, I just want them to get this over with.

Dr Charles was almost done when my father walked into my room with his personal bodyguard who stood by the door. He was supposed to be out of the country today for a business trip or did he cancel it?

"Don Marco, you're here", Dr Charles said as he stood up to give my father a handshake which he responded to. " Pardon the gloves on my hands, Don."

"I don't mind. How's he doing, Charles?", my father asked looking at me but I looked away.

"His temperature seems pretty normal, his breathe is okay too." Dr Charles replied just as his assistant doctor started packing up their medical equipments as they were ready to leave.

"What? Was I supposed to have a fever or something?", I scoffed and stood up from my bed so I could leave the room, I was already feeling suffocated.

"Where are you headed, Alex?", my father's question made me stop on my tracks. I spun around to face him.

"I need some air, father".

"We need to talk. Now." I groaned on hearing that, knowing what he wanted to talk to me about.

"We'll get going now, Don Marco, Mr Alexander." Dr Charles said with a little bow and my dad nodded at him.

"I'll see them off", Clark uttered as he left the room with the doctors. I walked back to sit on my bed while my father remained standing.

"I know what this is about father", I started.

"And I'm still opposing to it."

"You need to go out Alex, you can't remain confined in your room forever. How are you supposed to take over from me when you just want to rot away in this mansion?". He slowly approached me. " I'm trying to make you better, Alex. I'm trying to protect you, so just stop being a coward and a weakling". He shouted.

I stared coldly at him but he wasn't even fazed by my stare.

"I have a business meeting with Mr Derulso tomorrow. I'll be meeting with him at one of our restaurants and you're going with me. Brace yourself up son", he said with a final tone.

"I'm not going", I retorted standing up to face him upfront. He can't just force his plans on me. It's his business meeting, he should go alone.

" Don't be a coward, Alex".

"A coward, a weakling... that's all you'll ever see me as? Is it my fault that I have this illness, huh? Do you think I enjoy staying in my room all day? Do you think I want this for myself? I'm trying my best to be better father, I am not a coward neither am I a weakling. So just stop all this". I shouted at him angrily.

"Then prove it. You're going to the meeting with me whether you like it or not. You need to be seen outside Alex even if it's just for once. We have a media presence to protect too and you don't want to be that insignificant and invincible son of the richest man in New York." With that being said, he turned and left the room. I huffed out angrily and went to pour myself a drink to calm myself down.

"I heard raised voices from outside the door. What is it, buddy?", Clark who was back into my room queried.

"He wants me to go to a meeting with him tomorrow". I huffed out in annoyance.

"You know your father wants the best for you Alex and this isn't the first time you're leaving your house. What's the big deal there?", he asked and shrugged.

"It's a big deal Clark, those times I left the house I almost died because I was touched here and there. It was pure torture." I finished my drink and dropped the empty glass on the table.

"Don't be a coward, Alexander", I gave him a hard glare.

"Do you seriously have a death wish, Clark?", I threatened him playfully and he smirked.

"I'm still wondering what the hell you're doing in my house". I said, standing up and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?" , Clark asked behind me.

"To the garden, I need some air. I'm exhausted". I replied already feeling tired.

"If you're tired Alex, then what you need is a good rest", he said behind me.

"Shut up, Clark. You know nothing," I said mocking him.

"At least I know a lot more than you". He laughed loudly but I ignored him completely. I absolutely don't have the strength to banter words with him now.