"Great job, Aiden. You really are impressive," said a young man with jet-black hair, his name tag reading Rainier.
"Thank you, Rainier," Aiden replied.
A long sigh broke the quiet as a brunette girl stepped into the room.
"What's wrong, Mai?" Rainier asked, glancing at his colleague.
She said nothing. Instead, she walked past them, poured herself a glass of water, and drank it all in one go.
"You look exhausted. Was the patient you handled in critical condition?" asked a middle-aged man beside her, Brenner, as his name tag identified.
"Pretty much, Doc," Mai replied. "It was emergency blood transfusion. Luckily, we still had some stock left."
"What happened?" Brenner asked again.
"Seems like a suicide attempt. But... this isn't the first time I've seen that patient."
Aiden, who had been nearby, caught those words and froze, curiosity instantly piqued.
"What do you mean, Miss Hadrien?" Rainier asked.
Mai gave a slight nod. "You know her?"
"I've treated her a few times. She always ends up in the hospital with serious injuries."
"I feel bad for her," Mai said. "She seems like someone carrying too much... like she's depressed."
"I've had that feeling too," Rainier added. "But she always smiles, like nothing's wrong. She's incredibly good at hiding it. I want to talk to her more. Maybe there's something I can do. Do you know which room she's in?"
"Magnolia Room 23," Mai answered.
"I'll stop by after my surgery."
"Oh, and Aiden, could you tidy this up and return it to the lab?" Mai added.
"Hey, don't just boss him around because he's the new assistant," Rainier teased.
"I'm not. I'm asking him because he's clearly done with everything else."
"It's fine, returning these tools back in the lab won't take long," Aiden said with a smile.
He stepped out of the break room reserved for Dr. Brenner and his assistants. Truth be told, he was still thinking about the conversation earlier, so he took the opportunity to quietly check on the patient they mentioned.
Without realizing it, he had stopped right in front of Magnolia Room 23. Slowly, he opened the door just a crack. He knew it was wrong and definitely impolite, but pretending to be a doctor on rounds wasn't a safe bet either. He didn't want to be caught off guard and end up messing things up. Luckily, whoever was inside didn't seem to notice the door slightly ajar.
Aiden stood motionless.
"That girl." His memory darted back to a few days ago. A strange restlessness stirred in him, the kind he hadn't felt in a long time. There was something about her that had caught his attention even from a distance. And now, she was here.
"I'll be okay. I'll make sure we stay connected," said Jolly. "But... I'm sorry. I can't keep our promise to continue our Master's at the same university."
Kiara pulled her friend into another hug, trying to soothe her as best she could. Little did they know, someone by the door had quietly overheard their conversation.
Startled by the sudden voice, Aiden gently shut the door before he was noticed.
"What happened to her?" The question echoed in his mind. Still deep in thought, he walked away with curiosity growing stronger about the girl known as Miss Hadrien.
********
Everyone has secrets ~ some too painful or personal to be shared, even with those closest to them or people we trust the most. Out of the countless hearts that walk this world, many carry unspoken sorrows they've never dared to voice.
Be grateful if someone chooses to open their heart to you. Why? Because It might be the very reason they hold on for another day.
Jolly slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the soft light of morning filtering through the hospital room's curtains. On the bedside table lay a small note and a wrapped package.
I've got an early class today, sorry I couldn't stay. I'll come back right after .Here's your breakfast ~ make sure to eat it and don't forget your meds and vitamins, okay?~ Kiara
A faint smile tugged at her lips as she looked at the note, then at the package, it's her favorite one. While quietly enjoying her meal, a knock came at the door.
It opened a moment later to reveal familiar figure ~ a doctor she had seen more than once.
"Good morning, Miss Hadrien," the doctor greeted. "Ah, sorry for interrupting your breakfast time."
"Good morning, Doctor Rainier," she replied. "It's alright."
"How are you feeling? Do you still feel light-headed or tired?"
She shook her head slowly. "I feel a bit better than yesterday."
"That's good news," he nodded. "Make sure you take your vitamins. After this, we'll change the dressing."
"Alright, Doctor." She hesitated. "By the way, can I go home now?"
Rainier's smile faltered. "Not yet, I'm sorry. You need to stay a little longer."
She frowned, puzzled. "But didn't Doctor Mai said I'd be able to leave once I felt better."
Rainier gave her a small, apologetic smile. "She did, and under normal conditions that would've been okay. But it turns out your wounds are deeper than we initially thought. They haven't started healing properly and still need regular care." he explained.
"To be honest, you didn't take proper care of them last time. Yesterday, when I checked it, they look worse. Without proper care, they might get infected."
The girl lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry, Doctor. I wasn't careful enough."
"That's alright," Rainier replied with a calm tone. "That's why I brought someone with me."
She had noticed the young man beside him but hadn't paid him much mind.
This is Aiden, my assistant. He'll be taking care of your treatment for the next few days, changing your bandages and making sure your wounds heal properly."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Hadrien. I'm Aiden Rousell," the young man said.
Jolly took his hand, a little hesitant. "Jolly Hadrien."
"I'll be looking after you for a while. I hope I can make your stay a bit easier. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Doctor Aiden," she responded quietly.
"I'll leave you both, then," Rainier said. "Take care, Miss Hadrien. I hope you recover soon."
"Thank you, Doctor Rainier."
"Let me help you," Aiden said, carefully unwrapping the bandage from Jolly's arm.
"He was taken aback by what he saw ~ there were several, not just one. Some looked at least a week old, meaning they'd been there since he'd first seen her at the crossroads. The newer ones still looked raw and painful. He couldn't help but wonder what had driven her to hurt herself this badly.
"This might sting a bit, sorry." Aiden said gently, applying antiseptic and medicine to keep the wounds clean and help them heal.
Jolly simply nodded. The pain was there, but it no longer hurt to her. Aiden watched her closely ~ most patients would cry out or wince in pain, especially with wounds like these. But not Jolly Hadrien. She simply closed her eyes and flinched occasionally, completely silent.
"How often must she have hurt herself to be so used to pain?" he thought.
Lost in thought, Aiden was snapped back to the present when Jolly opened her eyes.
"Is it done, Doctor?" her voice pulling him from his daze.
"Ah, yes. Just need to wrap it up," he said, quickly securing the new bandage around her arm. "Does it hurt?" Aiden asked carefully.
Jolly raised an eyebrow at the question.
"Usually, patients with wounds like these would scream or cry, but you seemed... calm. You're incredibly strong, Miss Hadrien."
"..." Jolly went quiet for a moment.
"Ah... I'm sorry if I overstepped," Aiden said quickly, realizing his words might have been too personal. "I didn't mean to be nosy. Please forgive me, Miss Hadrien."
"It hurts," Jolly finally said. "But it's nothing compared to everything else I've been through."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Ah, never mind, doctor." Jolly broke the silence that had lingered for a few moments. "I was just talking nonsense."
Aiden cleared his throat. "Miss Hadrien, if you have anything on your mind or something you want to talk about, feel free to tell me." He said. "I'll listen, and don't worry, it won't go any further."
Jolly was quiet, unsure of how to respond, but eventually gave a small nod.
"Alright, then. Please take your vitamins and medication now," Aiden said.
Jolly nodded, swallowing the pills with a glass of water. Afterward, Aiden helped her lie back down in bed.
"I'll leave you to rest now. If you need anything, just press that button." Aiden pointed to the button next to the bed, which was directly linked to the alarm each doctor in charge of the room carried.
Once he was sure everything was settled, Aiden stood to leave, but then Jolly spoke up, halting him for a moment.
"Thank you, Doctor Aiden."
That young doctor smiled, gave a nod, and left the room, leaving Jolly to try and get some rest.
She tried to close her eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. "Maybe it's still too early."
She tried again, but her mind drifted back to the conversation from earlier.
"It hurts... but it's nothing compared to everything else I've been through."
"Ugh, why did I say that?' Jolly wondered, confused by her own words.
"What will he think? He's probably going to think I'm strange." She thought. "We've only just met, and I said something so weird. Huft! What if he thinks I'm weird?"
"But why do I care about what he thinks? I've never cared this much before. Why am I like this?" Jolly's mind continued to race as she struggled with her thoughts.
********
"Come on, eat a little more," Kiara said, now sitting comfortably as she enjoyed her lunch with her dearest friend at the hospital.
"I'm already full," Jolly replied.
"Seriously? You've only had three bites. How are you supposed to get better like that?" Kiara scolded, clearly annoyed.
"And why are you even having lunch in here?"
"What's wrong with it?"
"I just don't get why you'd rather bring your food and eat in a room that smells like disinfectant than go enjoy it somewhere nice outside."
"What's the point of eating somewhere pretty if I'm alone?"
"Still, it's weird."
"Stop saying weird stuff and finish your food. Then take your medicine or the doctor's going to scold you."
"I'm not a kid, and I told you I'm full," Jolly muttered with a pout.
The door creaked open, and Aiden stepped into the room for his scheduled visit.
"Excuse me ~ ah, looks like you have company. Sorry to interrupt," he said politely.
Kiara shook her head. "It's alright, Doctor. Do you want me to step out?"
"No need, miss. This is just part of the routine check-up."
"Routine check-up?"
"Yes. I'm Aiden, the doctor's assistant. I'll be looking after Miss Hadrien for the next few days. Changing her bandages, making sure she takes her medication and vitamins regularly, and checking on her recovery progress."
Kiara nodded along, taking it all in.
"Miss Hadrien, have you finished your lunch?" Aiden asked as he skillfully adjusted the nearly empty IV bag.
"I have," she replied.
He glanced at the tray. "But there's still quite a bit left. Are you sure you ate?"
Jolly didn't answer.
"You need to eat properly if you want to get better," he reminded her gently.
"But I'm full," she muttered.
"That's hard to believe, considering you haven't eaten anything since the morning check-up," Aiden pointed out. "Is the food doesn't suit you taste?"
Cornered by the observation, Jolly pouted and gave a reluctant nod.
Aiden smiled. "Cute," he thought.
"All right then, what would you like to eat? I'll see what I can do ~ but no instant food, okay?"
"Hm… I want wonton noodles," Jolly said.
"Wonton noodles? That's doable. Give me a second, I'll go order it."
"Oh, let me go instead, doctor." Kiara cut in.
"It's fine, uhm Miss…?"
"Kiara Preston."
"It's all right, Miss Preston. I'll take care of it. There's a wonton noodle shop nearby that's known for being clean and healthy," Aiden said with a reassuring smile.
"Well, thank you so much, Doctor. Sorry for the trouble."
"Don't worry about it," he said, then turned and left the room with a casual wave.
********
Even if it's just a glimmer of hope, isn't it still a chance? Even a tiny speck is enough for me to keep believing that someday, that glimmer will grow into something whole
BANG! "JOLLY!" The loud slam of the door was followed by a deep, booming voice that shattered the silence. "What did you do this time, huh?!"
Startled, Jolly tried to sit up against the bed's headrest. "Mark…"
"Still not satisfied causing me trouble?!"
"How did you even know I was..."
"That's not the point!"
"Please lower your voice, This is a hospital." Kiara cut in, equally shocked.
"Stay out of this!" Mark snapped and stormed toward Jolly, grabbing her collar. "How long are you going to act like a child just to get attention?!"
"Stop it!" Kiara rushed to free her dearest friend from his grip.
"I said don't interfere!" Mark shoved her away violently by her hair, and she stumbled, hitting the floor hard.
"Kiara!" Jolly's eyes widened in horror at her brother's aggression.
"Mom and dad yelled at me because of you!"
Determined, Kiara wrapped her arms around Mark's legs, trying to drag him away. The pain from earlier didn't stop her, she wasn't the type to back down. "Stop it, Mark!"
CLACK ~ Hearing the emergency alarm go off and the commotion inside, Aiden burst into the room without knocking. The scene before him made his heart sink.
"Sir! What do you think you're doing?" Aiden wasted no time and pulled Mark away with one swift motion.
"I told you to stay out of it!"
"You're the one who needs to stay out!" Aiden snapped back. "Do you even realize what you've just done?!"
"I'm teaching this little brat a lesson!"
"What you did was cause a scene and abuse a patient!"
"I'm her brother ~ I can do whatever I want~"
"Well, I'm the doctor, and this is hospital!" Aiden's voice was sharp. "You need to leave now or I'll call security and report you for harassment!"
"Tch." Mark shoved past Aiden, slamming his shoulder into him on purpose as he stormed out of the room.
"Miss Hadrien? Miss Preston? Are you both alright?"
"I'm fine doctor, but Jolly…"
"I'm okay…" Jolly murmured, resting her head against the neck pillow, wincing from the rough pull to her collar.
After carefully checking to make sure she wasn't physically hurt, Aiden let out a soft breath of relief. He stepped out of the room to give her some space, Kiara trailing behind him.
"That guy… seriously, what the hell?"
"He's Jolly's brother," Kiara muttered. "He's always like that, rough and entitled."
"Is that how a brother's supposed to treat his little sister?" Aiden muttered, still visibly upset over what had just happened.
"Jolly's situation with her family is… complicated," Kiara said quietly, her gaze falling to the floor. "Sometimes I want to help her, but honestly don't know what to do."
"If there's anything I can do, just tell me," Aiden offered. "I'll help however I can."
"Thank you doctor," Kiara replied softly.
A pang of guilt tugged at her chest. She felt like she'd failed to protect Jolly. No one needed to explain it to her, she already knew just how heavy the days were for Jolly.
********
The middle-aged man, dressed in a black suit with glasses perched on his nose, was deeply engrossed in the thick book in front of him, surrounded by boards piled with papers full of notes and scribbles.
"Mr. Nael, here's the sales report for September that I've summarized."
"Alright, you can leave it there. I'll review it before afternoon," Nael replied without looking up.
"Understood, I'll take my leave now."
Nael, still absorbed in the folder filled with the company's sales figures, was suddenly distracted by his phone.
"What is it, Leah? I'm working right now."
"..."
"What do you mean? Of course, this is important."
"..."
"Stop it. I don't want to argue. Just tell me what you need."
"..."
"Huh?"
"..."
"Stop shouting. I'll handle everything once I'm done with my work."
Plip. Nael abruptly ended the call, not wanting to let his mood be ruined and risk it affecting his performance or, worse, taking his frustration out on his employees.
********
I felt exhausted and drained, unable to bear the weight of life any longer. There's no one who cares about you or your complaints. They will only judge you with words that hurt even more. When I make a mistake, they treat me as if I'm not human, hating me, avoiding me, or maybe even ostracizing me.
Today, Jolly was allowed to go home, but since Kiara had to attend her afternoon class, Aiden replaced her to accompany Jolly. At first, Jolly refused, insisting on taking a taxi home by herself, but of course, the assistant doctor wasn't about to let that happen. After what happened with her brother's outburst a few days ago, he couldn't stop worrying about Jolly.
The car ride lasted about 20 minutes, and soon they arrived at the towering apartment building. Aiden helped Jolly out of the car and carried the bag that had her belongings from her hospital stay.
"Thank you doctor Aiden, you can go home now."
"Let me help you up to your room," Aiden offered.
"I can do it on my own, doctor. You should go back, you must have a lot of work at the hospital."
"I already got permission from Dr. Brenner," Aiden said, helping her down. "Rainier and Mai are still there to help handle the workload."
Aiden took the bag and walked ahead toward the elevator, ignoring Jolly's protests. Reluctantly, she followed him into the lift. When the elevator reached the tenth floor and the door opened...
SLAP!!
The slap came so quickly that Jolly didn't even realize it at first. She only felt the heat on her cheek as it turned red. Aiden, on the other hand, was frozen in shock, momentarily stunned by the sharp sound of the slap. Jolly's large, beautiful eyes seemed to hold back tears, the pain hitting her both physically and emotionally. Her face reflected a mix of disappointment, sadness, and anger, all at once, as she gazed at the figure standing in the doorway, the person who had just greeted her moments ago.
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*** To Be Continue ***