Kiss Me, Heal Me

Chapter 5

Luxien tossed the two packets of ramen on his office table. What the hell will he do with those? He doesn’t even eat instant ramen. He didn’t know why he was faking a reason to come back to the lounge earlier. Geez, he just wanted to talk to Reeva. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry. But instances just won’t let him.

“Korean instant ramen, huh?” teased Marcus Pierce. He was reading a file and he threw a look at the two packets Luxien had just tossed. It was just a brief look, then, he was back on reading again. “Anyway, would you recommend CABG on this patient?” he asked, his forehand and thumb massaging his head.

Marcus is his cousin. He was one of the in-house surgeons at St. Joachim Medical Center and a fellow in cardiothoracic surgery—also one of the bests, of course. He’s a Pierce, anyway.

Luxien frustratedly slumped on his swivel chair.

“A jerk?” he asked into the thin air. He couldn’t believe that Clarke thought of him as a jerk. Did he really cross the boundary? Did he act impulsively? Had he not considered her feelings? He clucked his tongue. Yeah, he definitely insulted her.

Admittedly, being called a jerk by Reeva brought more pain than her slap. It stings more than any physical pain. Darn it.

“This one had an angioplasty, Lux,” Marcus informed him, tossing the file on the table. Annoyance was written all over his face, his chest heaved great gust as he released pent-up frustration. “And you wouldn’t want to hear it from me—because yes, you’ve always been a jerk in everyone’s eyes, Luxien. Not just in this hospital but also in Therese.” He was pertaining to St. Therese of Lisieux Medical Center, one of the hospitals they own.

Luxien’s eyes darted to Marcus. “Really?” he unbelievingly asked. That hurt his ego.

“Yeah,” his cousin playfully said. “Between us, I’m quite the charming one. And you were always the contrary—as they say—”

“Damn it,” he hissed.

Marcus laughed at his antics. “I need your opinion on this case, Lux,” he said, reaching for the file that he tossed and giving it to him. “What’s with you, anyway?” Marcus’s voice was giving a hint of displeasure.

Luxien started to flip the pages of the chart. Then he shook his head.

“Is this about Dr. Clarke?” Marcus asked. “I heard some words… you know,” he added, clearly referring to the incident in the elevator.

Words spread faster than an airborne disease, don’t they? He wanted to smirk. He’s being the ‘talk’ of the town again. But for some reason, he was starting to get used to it. People at the hospital always talk about him. From doctors to nurses to staff to patients. It was like he was a walking headline.

“I know my mistake, Marcus,” he softly said. “I just don’t know how to—”

“Then apologize, you idiot.”

Luxien stood. He grabbed his coat and slid it into his arms in one swift movement. He gave the file back to Marcus. “Let us see the risks first. I’ve read that he was admitted because of pulmonary disease last year.” Then he stopped. “Ask Dad, he may have a different opinion than us. Besides, this patient is running for the presidency, isn’t he?”

Marcus gave him a shrug.

He decided to go back to the lounge, again, to say sorry. He checked his watch. He still has two hours before his surgery. It wasn’t going to take long, though.

Aly was not in there anymore when he arrived. It was just Reeva, who he assumed was preparing coffee.

“Reev,” Luxien called. He almost cringed at himself. Just where did ‘Reev’ come from? So, he got a pet name for her now, after being such a ‘jerk’? He saw her stiffen when she heard his voice. What was with this woman, really? Or was he the problem—her problem?

Reeva faced him. She arched her brows, coaxing him to say something. He was about to open his mouth, but what would he say? Will he explain the pet name?

How about saying you’re sorry? He said to himself.

She tilted her head when he didn’t say anything. “Do you want a cup of coffee? A tea? Anything?” Reeva asked, averting her eyes from him.

“Yeah, that’s it,” he finally said. “Coffee. I was about to ask if you wanted coffee.” Moron. Of course, she wanted coffee. That was the reason why she was making one for herself. Just how stupid he can be? It was the dumbest reason he could have.

Reeva sighed then turned her back at him. She continued making coffee—this time, she added one more cup from the cupboard.

“If you’re going to apologize, just say it,” she said, throwing him a brief look. “It’s not like it’s going to lessen your masculinity.”

Luxien blew a breath and leaned on the wall. “Right,” he conceded. “I am truly sorry about—”

“Apology accepted,” she cut him off. Then, she handed him one of the cups. “Here.”

“Just like that?”

Reeva shrugged. “Just like that,” she answered. “You said sorry, which means you admitted your mistake. Nothing to discuss anymore.”

He accepted the coffee and he unintentionally brushed his fingers with hers. Again, he stiffened slightly. It was a very small, almost unnoticeable detail, but then, he was keen on details.

Luxien took a sip of the coffee. He wanted to moan when the warm liquid touched his tongue. It wasn’t sweet. It wasn’t that bitter either. It was his type of coffee. And it was not that hot, but not cold either. It was warmer than just warm. Just enough not to burn his tongue. Again, this is just right for his preference.

He cleared his throat. “So… why?”

Reeva shot him a look. “W-What?”

“Why do you always stiffen when I’m touching you?” he asked, creasing his forehead. Was it just him, or was she just like that to everyone? He shook his head. Nah, he saw how Reeva bonded with Nurse Aly. He saw how she hugged his dad. She was more at ease. “Are you, somehow, afraid of me?”

She just looked at him. It took her a while before answering. “It’s nothing. I’m just not used to it,” she said, shaking her head. Lie. He can tell that it was a lie. He was sure that there was more to it. Reeva’s a doctor, so she sure was used to others’ touch. “Shouldn’t I be afraid of you, though? Everyone’s afraid of you.”

“Hmm…” Did she notice that, too? That everyone’s afraid of him—no, that’s not the right word. They are aloof. The reason, he doesn’t know. “A virgin? Hymen’s still intact?” He smiled. It wasn’t meant to insult her or piss her off. He was just trying to lighten up the air. And to divert the topic somewhere else.

Really, by asking that?

Reeva coughed. She was taking a sip of her coffee when he asked the question. She even coughed a few more times and slightly gave her chest a tap.

He chuckled as he reached for the tissue on the counter. A bit of coffee had spilled on her chin. He rolled a sheet and attempted to wipe her chin with it, but she avoided his hand too quickly.

“I can handle this,” she said and snatched the tissue from his hand. “Why would you even ask me that?” she asked. She was not mad. Her tone was telling otherwise. Maybe she was just surprised by his question. “Well, to answer that, the current state of my hymen is none of your business.”

Hold on. Was he wrong? Is she mad at him? Again?

“All right, I’m sorry,” he muttered. “Understood. Your hymen is not my business.” Then he chuckled. “Geez.”

She also laughed softly. Dang, he was right. Reeva was not mad. It was a relief. Or did Luxien talk too soon? Because all the relief he felt was flushed out again when he realized that there was Marcus and there were two nurses at the door—silently watching their banter.

Note: CABG – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting