Flaws Within

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT

As Javier descended the stairs, he found Juandre in the kitchen, attempting to cut vegetables.

"Are you trying to cook?" Javier asked as he approached, attempting to tidy up the messy kitchen.

"Yes, I am. The maids are off today, and I don't want to risk eating outside food. So, here I am, trying to cook an omelet," Juandre explained as he poured an egg into the pan, wincing as the hot oil splattered.

"Hey! Be careful," Javier exclaimed, slightly raising his voice upon seeing the hot oil splashes on Juandre's skin.

"I've burned myself. Could you help me?" Juandre asked, setting down the spatula.

Javier stood there blankly, lost in thought. Seeing Juandre raise an eyebrow, he finally stammered, "But, you told me not to cook."

"I have something for you," Juandre exclaimed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box with a beautiful name badge inside, reading

"Dr. Javier Fernandes."

Javier's face lit up with a smile as he gazed at the gift he had just received. "It's so lovely!" He exclaimed, genuinely happy about his first name badge. Overcome with excitement, he unintentionally hugged Juandre playfully.

As he regained his senses, embarrassment washed over Javier. Before he could back away, Juandre hugged him even tighter. Javier caught a whiff of the strong masculine perfume that Juandre wore, and Juandre softly whispered in his ear,

"I'm sorry, my love."

Juandre released Javier from the close embrace and looked at him, observing Javier's frozen state. The whispered words had tickled Javier's ear, turning his cheeks as red as can be. Juandre smiled, fully aware of the effect he had on Javier.

"It's your first day at the hospital, so I couldn't think of a better present," Juandre stated, breaking the silence as he started to eat.

"Yes, it is my first day," Javier finally broke free from his motionless position and offered Juandre a cup of black coffee that he had just made.

"You remembered," Juandre smiled as he looked at the coffee, appreciating he remembered his preference.

"By the way, are you going to the hospital alone?" Juandre asked, preparing to leave for work.

"No, actually, my friend from university is joining me," Javier replied, maintaining eye contact.

"What's his name? Where does he live?" Juandre asked, stopping his coffee drinking.

"Carlos, he lives nearby the hospital," Javier answered truthfully, aware that Juandre would ask such questions.

"I see. Do you want me to pick you up from the hospital at 9?" Juandre asked another question.

"No, it's okay. I will ride my bike back," Javier replied as he finished cooking.

"Okay, I'm leaving. Don't be late coming home unless you want me to show up there," Juandre said as he grabbed his phone and left the house.

Javier smiled at his words. He thought to himself that if Juandre could always be this sweet, things would be even better.

HOSPITAL'S POV:

"Please, let me go! He's calling me. I have to go back! Louis still loves me!" Veronica Edward, a mentally traumatized patient, once again lost her composure and screamed loudly, disturbing all the other patients around her.

"Ma'am, you need to calm down. No one is calling you," the nurses repeated these phrases, hoping to calm her down.

"No, I want to go back! He didn't abandon me and our children! I'm telling you," Veronica cried desperately, failing to comprehend the trauma of her married life.

"Managing her becomes more challenging day by day. And yet, that heartless man decided to leave her after having two children. This world is so cruel," the doctor commented, entering the room and observing Veronica's condition with a pitying expression.

THYRA'S DREAM:

"Beautiful girl, would you like some chocolate?" Adrian , Javier's father exclaimed, offering Thyra, a 14-year-old, some chocolates in the cabin.

"Yes, she loves chocolates," Louis added, smiling as he sat beside Adrian.

"Thank you, my friend. I owe you so much for what you've done for me," Louis expressed his gratitude to Adrian as he was about to leave the office.

"Don't even mention it. What's the point of friendship if we don't help each other in difficult times?" Adrian smiled at Louis, emphasizing their bond.

"But remember about the agreement. Javier is my everything," Adrian exclaimed, his voice filled with intensity and a raised eyebrow, serving as a reminder to Louis about the importance of their agreement.

Thyra woke up from another dream about her past. Her hands trembled as she remembered Louis's face. She avoided dwelling on it any further and began getting ready for her date with Mark.

"What would you like to eat?" Mark asked Thyra as they sat down at the restaurant.

"I would love to have some white sauce pasta. There's something about the way this restaurant makes it that is so delicious. Once, I came here with my friend, and I became so addicted to these pastas that I had to come three times a week," Thyra continued to speak, while Mark smiled at her talkative nature . There was something about the way she spoke that exuded both politeness and friendliness. The combination of her beautiful smile and the pleasant scent of jasmine seemed to elevate the entire atmosphere around her.

"Oh wow, I didn't know you were a regular customer here," Mark chuckled at Thyra's sweet and charming behavior, which never failed to drive him crazy.

"Oh, I forgot to ask, who gave you my number though?" Thyra inquired, her curiosity evident in her eyes.

"Your stepbrother gave it to me," Mark answered, picking up his fork to start his meal.

"Oh, I see, Juandre did," Thyra unconsciously remarked while capturing pictures of the food items.

Mark paused for a moment, staring at her. Then, he giggled before asking in confusion, "Since when did Juandre become your stepbrother? I meant Javier."

"Oh... right... Javier. I mistook Juandre's name," Thyra hesitantly corrected herself, feeling her heart skip a beat. The rest of the meal, Thyra remained quiet, rethinking her silly mistake over and over again.

"It actually is really delicious," Mark exclaimed, tasting the pasta and breaking the awkward silence.

"I know, right? Mark, I think I should leave now. It's already 9 PM," Thyra exclaimed, picking up her purse and getting ready to leave.

"Oh, Thyra, I wanted to ask you something. There's a new movie coming out this Monday. Do you think you can join me?" Mark asked, looking deeply into Thyra's eyes, hoping for a positive response.

"Oh sure, I will. I had a great time," Thyra said with a smile before leaving the restaurant.

"I never knew this stupid could take me out on actual dates" Thyra murmured to herself, blushing a little as she left the restaurant.

JAVIER'S POV:

"Hey Javier! How are you, man? You've grown quite handsome, I see!" Carlos exclaimed as soon as Javier entered the main ward.

"I'm all good, thanks. And what about you? Totally disappeared," Javier replied, smiling and hugging Carlos, playfully complaining about his absence.

"Oh man, let me tell you! I'm doubting my decision of becoming a doctor now," Carlos sighed, expressing his frustrations.

"Oh, why is that?" Javier asked, remembering Carlos's passion for his dream during their time in university.

"Like, what's the point? You study your whole life while other friends enjoy themselves to the fullest. Even after graduation, these crazy shifts. I think I might need a doctor myself," Carlos complained, focusing only on the negatives of his dream.

"Don't be sad. You are fortunate to be living your dream, no matter how hard it is. You've achieved it. And those who enjoy themselves to the fullest in their teenage years often regret it in the future," Javier explained, placing a hand on Carlos's shoulder and giving him a bright smile.

"You're right, though. The opportunity to save needy people is precious. I should be thankful," Carlos smiled, his eyes momentarily drawn to the shining name badge on Javier's coat.

"Whoa! It's so pretty. It must be really expensive," Carlos remarked, touching Javier's name badge.

"I agree. I just received it as a gift," Javier replied, smiling as he reminisced about the precious moment he shared with Juandre.

"Oh really? Who gave it to you?" Carlos asked, curious about the origin of the gift.

"My boyfriend did," Javier replied, looking at the name badge.

"What! You're dating? Wait, since when?!" Carlos inquired, shock evident in his expression that his best friend had kept this a secret.

"No, bro. We're fake dating. It's been two months," Javier replied, sitting down and reflecting on his love-hate relationship with Juandre.

"Fake dating? But why... don't tell me," Carlos raised his finger, assuming something.

"Yes, you're right. It's to disprove Andriel," Javier replied, as if reading Carlos's mind.

"But you said you would never insult Andriel. What's this for now?" Carlos reminded Javier of his past self, who was madly in love with Andriel.

"Disproving andriel is not the main reason, it's the only way to stop the group of people who have been following me for a while now," Javier explained, his stress evident as he lowered his eyes.

"And how is that? Will they leave you after the reunion?" Carlos asked, taking a seat beside Javier.

"The only reason I want to attend the reunion is because I want Andriel to delete those photos of mine. I'm sure that group of people is going to blackmail me because of those photos," Javier revealed, sharing his sole reason for attending the reunion, which was to protect himself from potential blackmail.

"Let me guess, that witch is a part of this too," Carlos exclaimed, making an educated guess.

"You're right. I hate her to death," Javier replied, revealing his anger towards the masked female member of the group. As Javier clenched his fist in anger, a nurse appeared and informed them about an emergency patient, diverting their attention back to work.

"Javier, bad news!" Carlos shouted as soon as he reached the main ward finding javier busy in patient's reports.