Blindfolds of Desire

Love Sick Puppy

MAXIMILLIAN

The surgery took four hours.

Maximillian straightens his shoulders as he walks into his office, loosening the stiffness in his muscles. The brain surgery was successful—the patient will wake up confused but alive. That's all that matters.

He sits at his desk. Reaches for the bottle of water he left there this morning. He drinks slowly.

The door opens without a knock.

Maximillian looks up. His hand doesn't stop bringing the bottle to his lips.

The man standing in his doorway is young. Mid-twenties. Dark hair. Red eyes like he hasn't slept in days. His hair is a mess.

Maximillian recognizes him immediately.

Arabella's little boyfriend.

He decides to play it cool. Of course, he's not sure what the guy wants.

He sets the water down.

"How can I help you?"

Liam doesn't answer right away. He just stands there. Observing. Taking in the office. The diplomas on the wall. The man in front of him.

Then he steps inside.

"Dr. Maximillian Reyes."

Maximillian's lips curve slightly. "That's me."

Liam moves closer. He doesn't sit. He just stands there, looking down at Maximillian.

"I need to see a doctor," Liam says.

"You're in a hospital. That's generally where they're found." Maximillian gestures to the chair across from him. "Sit. Tell me what's wrong with you."

Liam sits slowly. Like he's not sure he wants to.

"I have a terrible pain in my chest." His voice is empty. "And I haven't been able to sleep."

"How long?"

"A few days."

"Cough? Shortness of breath?"

"No."

"Fever?"

"No."

Maximillian tilts his head. Watching him. "Any idea what might have caused it?"

Liam lowers his head slightly. "My girlfriend is missing."

Maximillian doesn't react. Doesn't blink. He just nods slowly, like he hears this kind of thing almost every day.

"I see. So you think the chest pain is related to stress?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm here."

Maximillian leans back in his chair. Picks up his pen. Taps it once against the desk.

"Mr…"

"Aguilar. Liam Aguilar."

"Mr. Aguilar. I'm a surgeon. I cut people open and repair what is broken, then fix them right back up. Chest pain from emotional distress?" He shakes his head slightly. "You need a psychiatrist."

Liam's eyes don't leave his face.

"Maybe if I find my girlfriend, I will feel better."

Maximillian's pen stops tapping.

He studies the man in front of him like he is an interesting piece of artwork.

He sets the pen down. Folds his hands on the desk.

"That's… a very specific request, Mr. Aguilar."

Liam looks back up but doesn't say anything.

Interesting, Maximillian thinks. Very bold.

His eyes don't leave Liam's face, trying to picture what is going on in the mechanic's mind.

He smiles. The smile he uses on nervous patients and worried families.

"You shouldn't beat yourself up, Mr. Aguilar. These things happen." He stops talking for a second. "Maybe she didn't disappear. Maybe she just… ran off with someone else."

Liam's hands curl into fists on his knees for a second, then uncurl.

Maximillian notices. He doesn't miss anything about the man in front of him.

"How can you tell?" Liam asks. His voice is steady.

Maximillian raises one hand from the desk. A small gesture. Dismissive.

"It happens every day. Young love. Big emotions. Sometimes people just… get bored. Leave."

Liam studies him for long seconds. Like he's trying to read something on his face.

Then he reaches into his pocket. Pulls out a folded paper. Opens it. Slides it across the desk.

A flyer. Arabella's face. The reward.

"She is the one here." Liam's voice breaks. "If you ever see her… please let me know."

Maximillian looks at the flyer. At Arabella's smile. The girl locked in his house right now.

He looks back at Liam. Smiles gently.

"I'm a doctor, Mr. Aguilar. Not an investigator."

"I know." Liam's eyes don't leave his face. "But you see people every day. Different kinds of people. If someone mentions something… a girl matching her description…" He trails off. Shrugs. "Besides, people usually see your black car near the Garcia estate."

Maximillian just stares at him. Doesn't flinch.

"Of course. A childhood friend lives there. Why?"

Liam nods. Stands. "I just wonder if you saw something four days ago. At around midnight."

Maximillian shakes his head. "No. I was home that day."

Liam nods again. Puts the flyer back in his pocket. "I would appreciate any help I can get." He puts his hands back on the desk. "Can you check my pulse? Make sure everything's fine?"

Maximillian extends his hand. Presses two fingers to the pulse point. Counts.

"Sixty-eight. Normal." He lets go. "You're healthy, Mr. Aguilar. Just make sure you sleep. Stress can do terrible things to the mind."

Liam pulls back his hand. Looks at it for a second. Then at Maximillian.

"Thanks, doc. You've been… helpful." The words sound almost sarcastic.

Maximillian smiles again.

"Feel free to come back if you need anything."

Liam locks eyes with Maximillian for one long minute.

Then he turns. Walks out.

Maximillian doesn't move for a minute.

Then he reaches for his water. Takes a drink.

Liam Aguilar.

The name repeats in his head.

A mechanic with a missing girlfriend. Asking questions.

He came here for that reason. Not just for some chest pain.

He sets the water down. Stares at the closed door.

Did he find out something? No. He would have accused me directly.

Maximillian shakes his head. He's just a lovesick puppy.

But at the same time, he doesn't want to underestimate this puppy.

Liam Aguilar is now on his radar.

He picks up his phone. Texts someone.

Liam Aguilar came to the hospital. Asking questions. Find out what he knows.

He leans back in his chair.

Interesting, he thinks again.

Not stupid.

Not really

But he is sure curious

And curiosity gets people killed many of the times

He wonders if Liam Aguilar knows that.

Probably not.

He thinks about the little princess locked in his house. What would she do if she found out her Liam came to him? Walked rightinto danger because of her?

He imagines the look on her face.

And the thought amuses him.