Healing Mr. Ashford

Chapter One: Under Observation

NATALIA GEORGETTE'

"I see," he said quietly because neither of us spoke after that.

I lowered my eyes to his chart, giving him the few seconds he probably needed to recover from whatever had crossed his mind. It wasn't unusual. Patients often drifted away during consultations, especially when the topic involved something as personal as s****l health.

I clicked my pen and continued writing.

"Mr. Ashford, I'd like to ask a few more questions before we proceed."

He nodded. "Go ahead."

"Do you still experience s****l desire?"

A corner of his mouth lifted into a humorless smile.

"That's the frustrating part. I do."

I simply nodded and wrote it down.

"How about morning erections?"

"They stopped."

"Pain?"

"No."

"Any recent injuries? Diabetes? High blood pressure? Hormonal disorders?"

"No."

"Smoking?"

"Occasionally."

"Alcohol?"

"Socially."

I closed the chart for a moment and looked at him.

"From what you've told me so far, there are several possible causes. Stress is one of them, but I don't want to assume anything yet."

"So..." He leaned back in his chair. "There's still hope."

"I wouldn't have accepted your case if I thought otherwise." For the first time since he entered my office, he smiled but not the confident smile I remembered from college.

This one looked... relieved.

"I'll request a few laboratory tests," I continued. "Blood work, hormone levels, blood sugar, lipid profile, and a few others. Depending on the results, we may also need an ultrasound and, if necessary, a consultation with a urologist."

"I thought you'd prescribe pills."

"I could." I smiled politely. "But I prefer treating the cause, not just the symptom." He studied me for a second before giving a small nod.

"Romeo wasn't exaggerating."

"I'm afraid I don't know what he told you."

"He said you're the kind of doctor who listens before making conclusions."

A faint smile escaped me.

"I try."

He stood after I handed him the laboratory request.

"So, after the tests?"

"You'll come back with the results."

"And then?"

"Then we'll figure it out together."

His eyes lingered on mine for a brief moment before he looked away.

"I appreciate that, Doctor."

I rose from my chair as well.

"It was nice seeing you, Mr. Ashford."

"You too..." He paused, almost as though he wanted to say something else but instead, he simply nodded and walked out of my office.

The room fell silent the moment the door closed. I released a slow breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

Eight years.

Eight years was apparently long enough to forget about my infatuation towards him or so I wanted to believe.

My phone vibrated on the desk.

Ethan ❤️

A smile found its way onto my lips before I answered.

"Hi."

"Done with work?" His warm voice immediately filled the line.

"I just finished my last consultation."

"Good. I already booked dinner tonight."

"You didn't have to."

"I know." He chuckled. "I wanted to." I leaned back in my chair, allowing the familiar comfort of his voice to wash away the unexpected heaviness lingering in my chest.

"I'll pick you up at Five."

"I'll be waiting."

After ending the call, I stared absentmindedly at the closed office door.

Then, without warning, a memory resurfaced.

A paper bag, a handmade blue stress squishya and a boy who had never looked back. I closed my eyes, some memories didn't fade they simply learned how to wait.

The clinic was unusually quiet by the time I stepped outside. The sun had already begun to set, casting a warm amber glow over the streets of Masbate. I adjusted the strap of my bag before making my way toward the parking lot.

A black SUV was already waiting. The moment I opened the passenger door, Ethan flashed me the same gentle smile that had won me over three years ago.

"Long day?"

"The usual."

He leaned over to kiss my forehead before starting the engine.

"You look exhausted."

"I had a few difficult cases today."

"Difficult enough to make you forget to text me?"

I let out a soft laugh.

"I'm sorry."

"You'll make it up to me over dinner."

"I'll try."

He reached for my hand as we drove through the quiet streets.

"So," he said, "how's Romeo's referral?"

I looked out the window.

"Complicated."

"Serious illness?"

"Not exactly," I replied.

Complicated because he wasn't just another patient, he was the one person I had spent years trying to forget. Those are th words in my head, but I will not voice them out anyway.

He glanced at me for a second before returning his attention to the road.

"You can't tell me." I smiled apologetically.

The feelings I once had for that man had long since become a thing of the past. I just let out a quiet sigh before answering.

"Doctor-patient confidentiality."

He nodded in understanding.

"I wasn't asking as your fiance." He smiled. "I was asking as someone who's curious."

"I'm afraid the answer's still the same."

"I figured."

The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that his upcoming court hearing, my hospital schedule, and the wedding venue we still hadn't agreed on.

Everything felt normal, not until we stopped at a red light. Across the street stood a small pharmacy, and just outside its entrance was a familiar figure.

Maximo,

He was leaning against his pickup truck, absentmindedly rubbing the back of his neck while staring at the brown envelope in his hands, the laboratory requests I'd given him less than an hour ago. He didn't look like a man who had just left a doctor's appointment...he looked defeated.

The traffic light turned green, so our SUV slowly pulled away. For reasons I couldn't explain, my eyes remained fixed on him through the side mirror until he disappeared from view.

"You know him?"

Ethan's voice broke my thoughts and I blinked before my voice came out.

"Hm?"

"The guy outside the pharmacy."

I hesitated for the briefest moment.

"We went to the same university." The words left my mouth before I could think of a better answer and I don't know why that was my instant answer, instead of telling him he was my patient.

"Friend?"

I smiled faintly.

"No."

Absolutely not...