REFINED ROMANCE

He is ashamed

And then the next day as promised and the next and then you leave town, only to avoid my calls. Over and over again. Liam ,this is a pressing matter. You need to pay attention to it."

"What's going on?" I pried, looking at him. "Obviously you're a Doctor so if something's wrong then I'd like to know."

"No, you don't," he returned, slightly defensive. "This is confidential."

"Then let me just get my jacket and leave," my throat ached. I looked at him and my eyes stung because he obviously wanted to hide stuff from me already. "I'm just standing in the way."

To the chair I went, picked up my jacket and boots echoed behind me. As soon as I turned around, he was blocking my path, brown eyes obstructing my vision. My shoulders were taken and his lips parted.

"Don't leave. Can you wait just here for a few minutes and allow me to handle this quickly?" he pleaded with me. "It's nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure?" I studied his face and only saw hurt.

"Yes, just something relating to my divorce. Sit down like a good girl and drink as much wine as you want..." his voice trembled slightly.

"Are you sick or something?"

"It is nothing to worry about -"

"Are you hurt?" my voice weakened. "Because if you're sick or hurt then I want to help you."

"Just relax," he croaked, his eyes slightly wet from tears. My shoulders were squeezed. "Sophie ,please."

After gazing at him for over a minute, he let go of me and returned to where he stood by the door. Throwing a frown in my direction, the Doctor, whoever he was began a conversation in a hushed tone. I sat on the chair, tense as ever and watched them. My heart was beating slow but heavy. And the wine was sipped, tasting like poison.

But the place was so quiet, I managed to hear snatches of the conversation even though it wasn't desired by me. But it was a good thing that I heard because thinking about it now, if that didn't happen then he wouldn't have told me anything about it.

"And your medication has not been renewed for over a month..."

He sighed. "I am managing just fine."