FALLING FOR THE BILLIONAIRE DOC.

CHAPTER 5

It was the third day of a new month and Doc. Bryan had made it quite a habit to visit Juliet every week to check on her progress. He had not just been a Doctor to her but also a physical therapist since the accident and they have become somewhat fond of each other.

Juliet had grown from a wheelchair-bound patient to someone who could now walk but with the aid of crutches.

Right there in her house, Doc. Bryan watched Juliet closely as she held the wall at home, her face scrunched up in effort as she tried to walk. Her mom stood beside her, encouraging her. "You can do it, Darling, just try to leave the wall."

Juliet's voice trembled as she replied, "Mom, it's difficult. It feels so painful." Tears welled up in her eyes, and Doc. Bryan could see the frustration and fear showed on her face.

Her mom's voice remained calm and soothing. "Come on, you can do it. Okay, on three, you have to try your best to leave the wall."

Doc. Bryan counted out loud, his voice steady and reassuring. "One, two, trust you are ready, and... three!"

Juliet took a deep breath and pushed off from the wall, her legs shaking vigorously as she stood upright. But her balance faltered, and she quickly reached for the wall again, her face grinned in pain. "No, no, please, I cannot. I do not think I can do this. I am tired and in pain," she sobbed, her body trembling with exhaustion.

Doc. Bryan's expression remained encouraging. "Look at me, Juliet," he said softly, but she didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the floor. "Juliet, please look at me," he repeated, his voice gentle but firm.

Slowly, Juliet turned her face towards him, a fountain of tears streaming down her cheek to her neck. Doc. Bryan's heart went out to her as he saw the anguish and despair in her eyes. He gently wiped away her tears with his palms, his touch warm and comforting. "You told me you want to walk again, right?" he asked, his voice filled with conviction.

Juliet nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, but..."Doc. Bryan interrupted her, his voice firm but gentle.

"Leave out the buts… You can do whatever you set your mind to do. All things are possible when you believe."

Juliet nodded, still sobbing, and Doc. Bryan continued, "Let us do it this way. As you take a step, you become more determined to walk again. Ready?"

Juliet took a deep breath and nodded again, her eyes fixed on Doc. Bryan's face. "Yes," she replied, her voice still shaking with sobs.

"Alright, now you can begin," Doc. Bryan said, his eyes never leaving hers.

Juliet made her first step, holding the wall with one hand and her other hand spread in the air. "I can do this," she said, her face pinched in pain.

As she took each step, Juliet repeated the phrase, her voice growing stronger and more confident. "I can do this," she said, her eyes fixed on Doc. Bryan's face. "I can do this," she said again, her voice louder and more determined.

Doc. Bryan walked slowly in front of her, his eyes never leaving hers, ready to offer support if she needed it. "Keep coming," he encouraged her, moving backwards as she took each step.

As Juliet took her twenty sixth step, she fell forward but Doc. Bryan was there to catch her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he gently helped her back to her feet.

"Do not give up," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear sending a rush of dopamine through her veins.

Juliet took a deep breath and continued walking, her determination and strength growing with each step.

As she took her next eight steps, a broad smile spread across her face, and she flung her arms around Doc. Bryan's neck, hugging him tightly.

"That was awesome," Doc. Bryan exclaimed, his face beaming with pride as they detangled from the hug.

Her mom rushed over, tears of joy streaming down her face. "Oh, my God, Juliet, you walked! My Baby girl can walk again!" she exclaimed, hugging Juliet tightly as Doc. Bryan smiled broadly, his eyes shining with happiness.

***

Weeks later, Juliet had made tremendous progress. She could walk freely on her own again, her steps confident and strong.

One sunny afternoon, she was singing the song ‘Like you’ by Tatiana Manaois as she dried her clothes on a rope outside her house. Her voice echoed through the neighborhood, filled with joy. Just then, Doc. Bryan drove into the compound, a smile on his face. Juliet quickly left the clothes she was drying and went to meet him, her face lighting up with excitement. She helped him open his car door, and he stepped out, looking handsome in his casual attire.

"Good afternoon, Bryan! You came to check on me," Juliet said, beaming with a smile.

Doc. Bryan chuckled, his eyes fixed on her glowing face "Well... I wouldn't exactly say I came to check on you.

"Juliet's curiosity was aroused. "Okayyyy, so to what do I owe this visit from you, Bryan?"

Doc. Bryan's smile grew wider. "I came to reveal a surprise. Remember, I said if you walk without any aid before the end of next month, I'll surprise you? And here you are, few days to the last day of the month, and you are already walking very well."Juliet's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Thank you for helping me walk again," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Doc. Bryan waved his hand modestly. "I only encouraged you, but your determination helped you walk again."

Juliet nodded, her smile still radiant. "Yeah, true, but your encouragement inspired my determination.

"Doc. Bryan asked, "How's your Mom?"

"She's fine, she stepped out," Juliet replied.

Doc. Bryan nodded, glancing at his watch. "Okay, I wouldn't want to spend much time. Just change and let's go."

Juliet's curiosity grew. “Where was Bryan taking her?” She thought amidst a smile, took the bucket, and went inside to change, her heart filled with a mix excitement and anticipation.

***

As Doc. Bryan drove into a building, he turned to Juliet with a mysterious smile. "Please, I need you to do me a favor."

Juliet's curiosity grew even more. "And... what's the favor you need from me?"

Doc. Bryan's smile grew wider. "Please, close your eyes."

Juliet raised an eyebrow. "Why?"Doc. Bryan's expression remained obscure. "Just close your eyes and please do not open until I tell you to."

Juliet's curiosity turned to excitement. "Hope I am safe," she asked, smiling.

Doc. Bryan reassured her, "Yes, you are."

Juliet nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. "Okay," she said, closing her eyes.

Doc. Bryan parked the car, got out, and walked towards the passenger seat. He gently brought Juliet out of the car, holding her hand. "Easy, just follow my lead," he said, his voice soothing.

Juliet wondered, "What is going on?"

Doc. Bryan teased, "Hope those eyes are not open."

Juliet replied, "No, they are not."Doc. Bryan opened the door and led her inside.

"Now you can open your eyes," he said, his voice filled with excitement.

Juliet opened her eyes to behold herself in a well-furnished bakery. Her jaw dropped in awe. "What are we doing here? This is so lovely, just the kind of bakery I want to have someday, with space for customers to eat in," she said, looking around while Doc. Bryan smiled.

Doc. Bryan's smile grew wider and slyer.

Juliet's eyes lit up with surprise and a confused smile as she saw the expression on his face. "Okayyyy, start talking," she whispered.

Doc. Bryan's expression turned serious. "This is yours."Juliet's eyes widened in shock.

"Mine?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.

He handed her a bunch of keys.

"Please, do not joke with me, I cannot believe this," Juliet said, holding his hand, jumping up and down in great excitement.

Doc. Bryan reassured her, "I am not joking. Here are the keys to the entrance door, the factory, and your office and other offices."

Juliet collected the keys, looked around again, and pulled Doc. Bryan into a tight hug. "My very own bakery," she whispered, looking at him with one hand on her chest, overwhelmed with emotion.

Doc. Bryan hugged her back, smiling. "Why did you go this far for me, Bryan?" Juliet asked, her voice filled with gratitude.

Doc. Bryan who at this point knew what he felt for her but was too shy to admit it replied, "I am only keeping to my words. This is the surprise I spoke about."

Juliet teased, "Oh my, where did you come from exactly? Which angel in Heaven sent you to me?"Doc. Bryan chuckled, "Since you came into my life, you helped me so much; I cannot believe this," Juliet added, still in awe.

He smiled, "You just have to believe it."Juliet left the hug, still smiling. "I am going to make the best cakes and pastries in here," she affirmed, her eyes shining with determination.

As Doc. Bryan took her through the factory and then to her office, Juliet sat on her chair and spun around, grinning. "I am actually a CEO," she exclaimed, her voice filled with pride.

He replied, "Yes, you are," as he sat on the sofa in her office, beaming with pride.In a flash, Doc. Bryan's phone buzzed, breaking the triumphant moment for him. He checked the screen, his heart skipped a beat when he saw it was a message from a number he knew was Sophia's.

Juliet noticed the sudden change in his expression and asked, "Everything okay?"

Doc. Bryan forced a smile and a nod, his eyes fixed on the screen as he read through the message imagining her voice saying it to him, "My forever love, you did not think I would leave you even after we ended things, right? I know I made a mistake again, and I would keep apologizing. It's time I take action and come back to you. I hope you haven't moved on too soon, I hope you are waiting for me like you did before because I am going to take my rightful place in your heart again, no matter what. I love you handsome".

His heart raced as he felt a wave of discomfort wash over him. He glanced out the window, ensuring Sophia was nowhere nearby, before looking back at the screen.

“What’s up”, Juliet asked again noticing his discomfort

“Nothing you should worry about”, he replied

Juliet mutely looked at him in disbelieve.