A Doctor's Path

Chapter 4: Meeting Isabella Again

Silence loomed over the room upon Steven’s departure, a stark contrast to the torrent of emotions rampaging in my heart. Never would I have imagined a mere momentary loss of control would land me in deep waters.

If I had known better, no amount of seduction could lure me to Isabella's place that day. Even though Isabella and I ended up doing nothing, we were indeed caught red-handed, so there was no use crying over spilled milk.

Once I returned to the hospital, my entire being deflated, as if I had been depleted of my strength. My eyes simply gazed blankly at the computer.

Just then, Liliana knocked on the door and walked in. “Mr William, are you free this evening? Can you do me a favor?” Liliana asked.

“Well, tonight…” After a long bout of hesitation, I ended up refusing to help her, “I'm a little busy tonight, sorry.”

Steven's parting words to me reverberated in my head. The date of Isabella's invitation was tonight.  Regardless of whether or not the invitation was real, I felt the need to meet her and get a clear picture of her circumstances.

“I really have something to do tonight. How about tomorrow night instead?” I offered a compromise.

“Okay. It's a deal then.”

The afternoon today dragged on like a century to me. As soon as the clock struck six, I changed into my casual wear in a haste and left the hospital. I called Isabella while in the taxi to Rosedale, but her phone was turned off. I had no other option but to go straight to her home.

The door swung open before I even had a chance to knock. Dressed in only her pajamas, Isabella leaped into my arms mere seconds later, her delicate red lips pressed against mine in an instant. Completely caught off guard, I had no chance to dodge. By the time my mind processed what had just transpired, she had already stepped to the side with her face blushing red.

“Come on in, I knew you will come over after all.” 

I nodded somewhat awkwardly and followed her in, a feeling of unease growing in my chest.

I believe Isabella was not completely blind to the fact that her husband was well aware of our secret tryst that day. And yet, even with that knowledge, she still actively threw herself at me and greeted me with a kiss. Was she really the goddess I had a crush on back then?

Nonetheless, I'm not in a hurry at the moment. Now that I had come over, I need to get to the bottom of things. Isabella, on the other hand, looked unperturbed with the turn of events. She guided me into the dining room and turned off the lights soon after. 

The room was soon bathed in the glow of two burning red candles on the dining table. A delectable spread of exquisite dishes laid on the table, complimented by two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine, a clear indication of it being a romantic candlelight dinner.

“I’ve prepared all of this just for you. What do you think? Do you like it?”

Isabella came sashaying over with her tiny waist swaying from side to side, her eyes as delicate as a morning dew as she gazed at me. In the dim light of the flickering candles, she appeared even more entrancing.

“Isabella, I only came over to…”

Isabella shushed me before I had finished speaking. “Don't say a word, I know what’s on your mind. Just sit down and have something before anything else. I had spent my entire afternoon working on this, so let’s not waste my efforts.”

Without waiting for a response, Isabella gently held my arm as she led me to my seat at the table. She filled both glasses with red wine first before taking the seat opposite mine.

Despite being sleepwear, the nightgown on her had its neckline slopped embarrassingly low. I had no idea if it was intentional, but two of its upper collar buttons were also undone. A single glance at her prompted me to avert my gaze.

I let out a light cough, changing the subject. “Where is your husband?”

“Don't worry, he's out socializing and won't be back tonight.”

“That’s not what I mean. You… all right, Isabella. Spill it; what’s up with the video your husband have? Don’t tell me you do not know about this at all.” My eyes were fixed on Isabella as I attempted to pry answers out.

 “Will you believe me if I tell you I really had no idea he had put up security cameras at home beforehand?”

“Well…”

The question Isabella gave as a response stumped me a little. Was it actually possible for her to be unaware about the cameras in her home?

Regardless, the hint of exhaustion on her face and the look of anticipation in her eyes somehow eased the wariness in my heart.

“Steven came to see me at noon, asking me to do something for him…” A brief moment of hesitation later, I told her the truth about Steven’s motivation for meeting, along with how grave and illegal it is to traffic human placentas.

After warning her about the severity of the matter, I assumed she would at least show some reaction. If not astonishment, at least a tiny gasp in shock. On the contrary, Isabella was surprisingly unfazed. As she took a sip from her wine glass, she turned to face me with a rather complicated expression.

“So, what’s your answer? Are you going to accept or refuse it?”

“Well… The transaction of human placentas is against the law. Can you persuade him to stop his illegal business? Except for this, I promise I will do anything within my capabilities.”

“Will you accept if I beg you to help him out for me?”

A blanket of stress descended upon me. Yes, I admit I still bear feelings for her at the very bottom of my heart, but she is already married. Getting my hands dirty for a married woman was indeed something I couldn’t do.

“Isabella… I would definitely help you out if it was anything else. But… but this is illegal. Once I get caught…” I continued after a brief pause, “That’s why I hope you can try persuading Steven. I…”

Isabella let out a light sigh and raised her hand to cut me off.

“Do you think a person who can even sell his wife just to gain profit will be open to advice?”

“Umm…”

I had never brought up Steven's willingness to get Isabella to keep me company, so her direct mention of it took me completely by surprise.

“You find this ridiculous, don't you?” scoffed Isabella.

In spite of the coolness in her voice, fiery hatred flooded her eyes. The intensity of her glare sent icy coils of fear looping around me, causing me to turn my eyes away in apprehension. Her current self felt like a stranger to me, drenching me with fright. In my entire life, not once had I ever seen such an expression.

“Isabella, can… can you tell me what in the world is Steven's job? Are… are both of you really married?” I swallowed my hesitation and asked her the question that had been nagging in the back of my mind.

“Lewis, I suggest you to leave. Leave far, far away from this city. You can't win against him.” A mixture of sorrow and helplessness was faintly displayed on Isabella's face.

“Why?”

“Don't ask anymore. Just finish your meal and leave. Get away from Toronto.”

With that said, she picked up her glass and turned her eyes towards the red candlelight, lost in thought. I called out to her a few times but she simply ignored me, appearing to be utterly in a trance, as if her soul had vanished into nothingness

Unwilling to stay any longer, I scooped two spoonfuls of rice into my mouth before rising to my feet and wishing her a kind farewell. In return, Isabella sent me to the door, urging me once again before I depart.

“Lewis, if you trust me, leave Toronto right now.”

As I got out of Rosedale, uncertainties began to pile up inside me, crushing my spirit and bringing my heart to a grinding halt. Despite coming over to get a clear idea of the situation, I was not only denied of any answers, but was also boggled down further with even more questions.

What exactly was Steven's job? Isabella seemed to be terrified of him. Moreover, why did Isabella insist on me leaving Toronto over and over again? Are the two of them really a married couple?

The waves of doubts crashing one after another into my mind stressed me out. By some strange twist of fate, I had found myself in the middle of a confusing and rather dangerous vortex.

Instead of taking the taxi, I strolled along the road alone. With how complicated things turned out, I need some time to process and think,

I paid no heed to Isabella’s pleas of getting me to flee Toronto at once; her advice was thrown out of my mind. Toronto was the first stop of my career in the medical industry. Now that my work in the general hospital was beginning to pick up, there was no way I would want to start all over again somewhere else.

In the midst of my aimless stroll, my phone started ringing in my pocket. Despite being a call from an unknown number, I instantly recognized the voice coming through my phone’s speakers the moment I picked up the phone.

“Why did you leave so soon? Don’t tell me Isabella's charm doesn’t really work now? Hahaha…”

“Steven, what… what exactly do you want?”

“Right back at you, Dr. William. You’ve been playing around with my wife while I'm not around, haven’t you? If this gets out, your reputation might be at risk…” Steven took a jab at me before he continued, “Let’s cut to the chase. I’ll give you a week to get me a batch of human placenta, or you’ll be sorry.”

Steven hung up the phone right after, sealing any chances for me to refuse.

A short burst of resentment welled up in me as I stared at the pitch-black screen of my phone, I felt a pang in my heart. What in the hell?! How in the world did I land in this mess from just a simple visit? 

If I had known better, I would rather die than go over to Isabella’s place. Nevertheless, it's too late to try reversing my actions. I could only blame myself for succumbing to the temptation and ending up in deep water because of my impulse.

Now I see why lust is one of the deadly sins.

“Steven, you bastard! How the f**k can I get you human placentas in just one week? f*****g hell! He is just forcing me to break the law!”

I wished I could just berate Steven and straight out refuse, but I was afraid of what he might do with the film. My future would be in jeopardy if the footage were leaked. I could even be arrested if Steven insists that I forced myself on Isabella.

A wildfire of irritation overtook me as I thought about this. It was agonizing to be powerless in the face of such adversity.

In the end, I took a taxi back to the dormitory after spending at least two or three hours wandering around. I didn’t sleep a wink the entire night as I debated over taking up his offer.

The next day, I arrived at my office with deep dark circles under my eyes, giving Liliana quite a shock when she rushed into the room to meet me.

“What's wrong, Lewis?! Did you not sleep last night?”

“Yeah… I had some trouble sleeping. What’s up? Do you need something from me?” I gave a listless nod, feeling as though I might fall asleep at any moment.

“Oh! Umm… Can you do me a favor tonight? I need you to pretend as my boyfriend and accompany me to a party.”

“Huh? You want me to be your pretend boyfriend?!” Liliana’s bizarre request got me between laughter and tears. Why did she want a fake boyfriend when she could just find herself a real one?

Liliana probably noticed the doubts swirling in my eyes as she explained in slight bashfulness, her face flushing red. “My best friends organized this party. Since all of them have boyfriends, it’s kind of weird for me to go alone. So… so I wanted you to come along with me.”

“Haha… Sure! As long as you don’t find me an embarrassment, that is.”

“Not at all! Bringing a hottie like you will most certainly get them green with envy! Hehe! That settles it then! I’ll come over to you after work.”

I could not help but to heave out an exhausted sigh as I watched her leave.