Love U, Doctor!

“Dad's condition is deteriorating.” “Has Mom taken Dad for a check-up?” “Your dad doesn't want to, someone mentioned alternative medicine. He wants to try it, but we don't have the funds yet. Plus, your siblings are about to take exams, which also require a lot of money.” “How much does it cost, Mom? After I get paid, I'll take Dad and don't worry about my siblings' expenses. I'll find a way for us.” Her breath was as deep and heavy as the weight of her burdens. Her thin hand had been moving to lift a spoonful of food, but her tongue couldn't find any pleasure in the taste as she chewed. It felt very bland. Lena's appetite had truly vanished, though she forced herself to eat just to stay healthy, to avoid collapsing and causing everything to fall apart. The conversation with her mother a few days ago had left her head spinning. Lena thought her salary was enough to meet her family's needs, but upon seeing the amount, she realized she had to cut back on expenses, eat twice a day, and reduce other costs for her father's treatment and her three siblings' school fees back in the village. "I have to be strong. I can’t give up! No one is going to hand me money for free—I have to earn it myself!" she reminded herself. Still lost in her thoughts amidst the crowd, Helena almost choked on her drink due to the elbow nudge from her fellow nurse at the hospital. “Helena.” “What is it, Viv?! You almost made me choke!” “Aren't you curious about Doctor Dominic, the one everyone here is talking about?!” Lena's brow furrowed as she pieced together bits of conversations she'd often heard since working at the hospital for a month. Everything pointed to one name. Doctor Dominic Ashford. All the workers, especially the nurses and hospital staff, couldn't stop praising the young and handsome doctor. Only Lena hadn't caught the "Doctor Dominic fever." Until Lena asked her fellow nurse, Vivian. Just how handsome is Doctor Dominic Ashford? Helena Sinclair, a young nurse in her early twenties, found herself growing curious. From what Lena heard, Doctor Dominic was not only a doctor at this hospital but also ran his own clinic. He often participated in volunteer medical activities in remote, underserved areas. It seemed Dominic had just returned. “At the entrance, that's him walking with Doctor George and Doctor Cynthia,” Vivian pointed out. Lena was late and could only catch a glimpse of the broad back and wide shoulders that made women imagine the comfort of leaning against them when hugging from behind. The doctor walked away, seemingly heading towards the table at the end of the cafeteria reserved for doctors and hospital executives. "Handsome, right? You're speechless—" "I can't be sure yet, his face was blocked." Lena, who worked as a nurse in the children's ward, couldn't be sure yet. Vivian sighed in annoyance, "You're always late!" "Hm." Lena didn't respond. She focused on enjoying her lunch, as she didn't have much time, letting her friend continue to chatter, mostly praising the young doctor's good looks. "Doctor Dominic Ashford is one hundred eighty centimeters tall, and his shoe size is forty-three—" "You remember everything so well." Helena shook her head slightly, "you even remember his shoe size." Her friend smiled knowingly, "You're too naive, even if I explained it to you, you wouldn't get it!" Lena remained uninterested until Vivian provided information that finally caught her attention. "Doctor Dominic is looking for a personal nurse for his mother." "A nurse for his mother?" Lena raised her gaze to Vivian sitting across from her. "His mother had a stroke. She was in a coma, in this hospital. Her condition fluctuates, and currently, there's a nurse, but I heard the nurse wants to resign. The doctor is looking for a replacement. The salary offered is also tempting, several times more than a regular nurse's salary." "How come? Is Doctor Dominic from a wealthy family?" Vivian gaped, "Oh my gosh, Lena, where have you been living all this time?!" Lena, being naive, didn't understand her friend's words. "Have you ever heard of the name Ashford? Ashford Group?" "Honestly, never." Lena had never heard of it. "I know the Walt Disney family, Jeff Bezos, or Priscilla Chan Zukerberg's husband, who are wealthy businessmen." She answered naively. For Lena, they were more famous because she often saw them on television or social media. Vivian sighed in exasperation, almost wanting to pinch Lena's cheeks. "Pretty but so out of touch!" Lena wasn't offended because she genuinely didn't have time to pay attention to other people's lives; she focused on finding ways to ensure her family didn't lack anything. "So, Doctor Dominic Ashford is rich?" "Very!" Vivian spoke enthusiastically but whispered because the cafeteria was quite crowded. "Doctor Dominic is the second child; his brother, Felix Ashford, runs the family business. The hospital where we work is still owned by his family. Close relatives of the Ashford family." Lena narrowed her eyes, "You seem to know a lot." "It's common knowledge, Lena." Lena finally looked back, right at the table where the person they were talking about was sitting. Unfortunately, Lena could only see his broad back again. Even from behind, his proportional build was evident. “Lena, you need money, right? Try applying to be a personal nurse for his mother.” “No, I usually take care of children here. Besides, I just started. How can I already think about resigning?” “Exactly! Dr. Dominic wants someone from the children's ward. It's a good fit. Taking care of a stroke patient requires patience and care, like taking care of children. Don't worry, if you're accepted as a personal nurse at the doctor's house, the hospital will make it easy for you to resign. Dr. Dominic himself will help you resign,” Vivian explained. Lena never expected that a few days later she would actually meet Dr. Dominic. Boldly, she went to submit an application letter. She had no choice because she desperately needed money for her father's treatment. “Are you the one named Helena?” Lena's heart felt like a bomb ready to explode, for God's sake. Vivian and all the staff who talked about the man in front of her were not lying or spreading false rumors. Lena was nervous, struggling to moisten her lips that felt dry. Her throat too. Her legs trembled. Not only was he handsome and young, but Dr. Dominic had an intense gaze that could make a woman weak at the knees. Oh my God! What was I just thinking? Lena thought. She shook her head impatiently, which puzzled Dominic. “Helana Sinclare—” “Sinclair, that's correct, doctor,” Lena quickly corrected. Dominic looked and read the photocopy of the identity card attached to the front of Lena's application letter again. “Hm, okay.. sorry. Just a slight difference.” Innocently, she nodded. Dominic's detailed gaze made her shiver again. “You just joined the hospital, yet you dare to apply to be a personal nurse for my parent. Why?” Dominic began the interview. Lena took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. She had anticipated that this question would come from Dr. Dominic. “I'm trying—” “I'm looking for a serious nurse, not someone just testing the waters,” he cut in quickly. “Doctor, I haven't explained yet.” “Please, go on.” Dominic's eyes focused on Lena's hands clasped on the table. “Just like you, doctor, I have a parent who is also sick. The difference is, you need a nurse, and I need money for my father's treatment.” Dominic began to show interest, as Lena wasn't making up excuses to impress him. Honest, straightforward. Two qualities that Dominic could immediately see in the young woman in front of him. “What happened to your father?” “He's ill. A year ago, he had a work accident. My father had to undergo a leg amputation.” Every time she thought of her parents in the village, her chest tightened. “I'm the eldest, Sir. Working in this big hospital is already the best opportunity of my life, but I can't stay here if the income is still insufficient.” Lena's appearance was clearly more modest than that of the other hospital staff. It was definitely not because she lived a lavish lifestyle. Lena was indeed the breadwinner of the family. “I can't.” Dominic replied, making Lena's face fall for a moment before she smiled. “Uhm, yes. It's okay. I understand. The important thing is I tried,” Lena then stood up, intending to leave, but Dominic's next words confused her. “Where are you going? I'm not finished talking. Sit back down,” he ordered, and Lena reflexively complied. Lena observed the handsome young doctor in front of her. He had thick eyebrows, a prominent nose framed by glasses, and a jawline with light stubble. His lips were naturally red. His hypnotic gaze could make anyone speaking with him forget everything else. While Dominic read through Lena's application documents, Lena's eyes couldn't stop wandering. Starting from his neck with a prominent Adam's apple, to his well-proportioned body with firm muscles that his shirt couldn't hide. Clearly the result of exercise and a healthy lifestyle. From his face and build, Lena was sure that Dominic had foreign blood. Mixed descent. That's also what she heard from her friends. “Helena,” Kaflin called, making Lena look back at his face. “Just Lena, Doctor.” One of his thick black eyebrows raised, “I didn't accept your application, but I personally request you to work taking care of my mother starting at the end of this month. Can you?” Lena blinked in surprise, “Why is it so complicated, sir?” she asked innocently. “Complicated?” Dominic frowned. “Your sentence, Doctor, so my application is rejected, but you are asking me—“ Bang! Lena jumped when Dominic closed his folder rather loudly. “It's the same thing. So, do you want to be my mother's personal nurse? Yes or no?” Lena reflexively stood up and shook Dominic's hand. “Yes! Of course, Doctor!” Her action brought a sweet smile to the corners of Dominic's lips. “I will personally inform the hospital director about your resignation from the hospital and your employment with me starting at the end of the month.” That day marked the beginning of Helena Sinclair's work with the Ashford family. It was a step that introduced a new chapter in her life.