Serpent Twins: The Fall

Cruising The Big Apple

Kimberly’s POV:

I tied up my hair into a bun, removed my wrist watch and earrings, wore my PPE from scrub suit, apron, thyroid collar, surgical cap, mask, and visor, then went to the scrub sink with rolled up sleeves. I took a new package of chlorhexidine scrub from its container above the sink, tore the package and placed it above the motion-sensor flex water tap. I adjusted the water temperature to a warm setting and started performing basic hand wash using antimicrobial soap after pumping the soap from the dispenser using elbow. Then I used the nail cleaner from the package to remove dirt between my fingertip and fingernail under running water and rinsed up. I discarded the nail cleaner into trash bin, took the scrub brush under running water, squeezed and lathered to dissolve solution, then started to carefully stroke my fingernails back and forth. I tried to concentrate, but my mind kept going to Alexander’s letter. I took a deep breath. I have aortic valve patient on the operating table and another with breast cancer after this.

“You came early, Kimmy,” Dr. Robert came to my side and started to take Povidone Iodine scrub package from the container above the sink.

“Is Doctor Henry here?” I asked, moving to left a little to ensure proper position and posture in safe distance from the sink and Dr. Robert.

Along with Dr. Mathias, the three of us will assist Dr. Henry, as he is our main cardiothoracic surgeon with some outstanding subspecialties, one of them that I was pursuing, congenital heart.

“Yes, he’s talking with Mathias outside,” he replied, “Hey, I heard your fellowship will start soon?” he asked, starting to wash his hands.

I nodded, “It’ll be in January,” I answered.

“I wish I can start mine too, Kimmy, but after my student loan paid off, I still have some other things to pay,” he said with a chuckle.

I chuckled, knowing that he just bought a fancy Audi sedan and a new apartment in my neighborhood. Being fellowship means we will get a lot less pay, but I want to be able to perform congenital heart surgery someday, which requires completion of a two-year fellowship on cardiothoracic and one-year fellowship on congenital heart.

“And I heard you were dating Dylan Knight. No wonder you’re not taking over on-call lately,” he teased, as usually I was willingly to cover his on-call for so many times.

“Don’t start, Robert,” I rolled my eyes, carefully rinsed my hands until two inches above my elbows, and left him to the OR room with hands up above my chest to dry my hands with towel and get helped from the nurse to put on my gown and wore my gloves.

øøøøø

It was 02:05 p.m. when I have just finished my salad in my office with Glenn, when my door was knocked. Glenn went to the door and brought Detective Cole inside.

“Oh, I’m sorry for my intrusion, Doctor Vanderwood. Shall I come back later?” he asked.

I shook my head and got up. Glenn gave me an apologetic look. I smiled at him and he took out his lunch with him.

“No. Please, have a seat, Detective,” I quickly drank my lemon-mint infused water.

He came over and shook my hand, “I tried to call, but you didn’t pick up, so I guessed you’re in OR. I’m sorry coming so sudden. It’s quite urgent,” he said.

“Yes, sorry I didn’t check my phone yet as I left it in silent mode. What can I help, Detective?” I asked.

This should be important as I am so tired and urgently need a quick nap before my last surgery in one and a half hour.

“I don’t know if you already heard it, but Mr. Lucas Harding and Olivier Keogh had been reported missing, presumably being kidnapped two nights ago. My partner, Detective Hernandez was also missing for two hours before we found him wandering alone in the Central Park area with loosing memory,” he said.

I dropped my mouth.

Loosing memory?

That sounded familiar.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t follow it. How did it all happen?” I asked.

“After we met Mr. Keogh in Brooklyn, we went to M Club, to meet Mr. Harding. While we were waiting, I went to supermarket to grab some snacks and coffee. When I returned, my partner was gone, leaving the car opened with his phone and gun down, so I called in for his missing right away. Mr. Harding didn’t make it to his car and found missing until now. When we tried to reach Mr. Keogh, he left a note on his desk for his parents, telling he would be traveling out of the state, packed some clothes, and left with his car. But his parents didn’t believe the letter as he actually has his sister’s wedding this weekend,” he told me.

“How about Detective Hernandez? Is he okay?” I asked.

“He only had a small bump on his forehead and a little scratch, other than memory loss, he’s pretty much okay,” he answered.

I sighed, “That’s a good thing, Detective Cole. But still, what can I do to help in this case?” I asked.

“I want you to be honestly tell me from the beginning, why did you visit the morgue a day after the car crash?” he asked, staring at me.

I bit my lips, “Does it have correlation to the kidnapping case?” I asked.

“I honestly don’t know. But somehow, you’re related to the three cases,” he asked.

“I don’t know Dylan Knight before the accident, Detective Cole,” I told him a bit defensive.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like accusing you. What I meant, in the initial case you were there in the ER, in the second one you were the ex-girlfriend of Mr. Bradshaw, in the third one you knew both of the missing persons from Mr. Bradshaw. I personally believe you have no motive and time, but still perhaps there’s something you knew actually important to those cases and it can help to build up the cases,” he told.

I sighed again, “Look, Detective Cole. Before telling you this, you have to know that I had zero substance of any drugs or alcohol during the night of the car crash.”

He nodded.

“Before performing surgery on Mr. Knight, I saw one of the brought in dead male was about being taken to the morgue, had his heart stabbed by a wooden stick,” I told him quietly.

He frowned, “But the three bodies had no hearts,” he said.

“Exactly. I just knew that after visiting the morgue,” I said.

“And why did you go to the morgue?” he asked.

“Because, when I opened the sheet, he opened his eyes. I know, there was medical’s explanation for such condition called as Cadaveric spasm during the period of rigor mortis, considering his violent death ought to be under extremely physical circumstances. Still, I was just curious because rather than blank stare, those green eyes were looking through me,” I told him.

I didn’t tell him those eyes were glowing red.

“Green eyes?” he raised his eyebrow, “I didn’t recall any deceased ones having green eyes,” he continued.

“That was because the corpse I saw on stretcher was different with the one in the morgue,” I told him.

Detective Cole was silent for a second, “That was odd. Perhaps I have to check the footages from that night,” he mumbled himself, “Have you by any chance ever met one of them?” he continued.

I cleared my throat, “No.”

But the next day I met the him alive, just like déjà vu. I couldn’t tell Detective Cole that the male corpse just exactly like Alexander. I would probably tell if only the wooden stick didn’t pass through his chest or Alexander and Nicholas are triplets. And most important, Avery who examined the death didn’t remember about the wooden stick’s stab.

“Do you think you still can describe his face, just in case we need to sketch him?” he asked.

“Yes, but Doctor Avery who checked him first confirmed differently, so what I remembered will conflict to hers,” I explained.

“Well, let me think about this first, Doctor.”

“Is that all, Detective Cole? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to send you away, but I have another schedule in an hour,” I politely smiled.

Detective Cole smiled me back, “I should be the one who apologized, Doctor Vanderwood. But I’m sorry, just one more question, please. Have you ever met any friends of the late Mr. Bradshaw?” he asked.

“The last time I saw them was at Daniel’s funeral,” I answered.

Detective Cole got up and shook my hand, “Thank you for your time, Doctor Vanderwood. If you have something else to tell, you have my number,” he smiled and left with me standing up as he motioned me to stay put.

I went back sitting, thinking about memory loss that Detective Hernandez experienced, just like what happened to my friends, when I thought that I was the one who had memory loss.

What was going on?

I heavily sighed then opened the drawer, taking out Alexander’s letter that I read last night. He wrote in beautiful cursive handwriting on floral scented paper or even ink. I brought the letter under my nose to sniff it again, thinking that it was the ink that had fragrance. I read the letter again.

Kimberly My Dearest,

I am writing this in a hope that you will no longer shed any tears for me as I am not worth for your tears. I made the greatest selfish mistake by the moment I laid my eyes on yours. I was beyond cruel to hurt you by hiding the fact that I am still married with someone I have never loved and been with. I cannot undo my feeling too, that you were the first woman I love and the only I ever wanted and truly needed. This is the last time for me to shamelessly tell that I love you. Immensely.

I really did not mean to drag you into unimaginable darkness. For whatever happened and will happen in your life since our first encounter, you can blame it all on me. I am the most accountable person for everything. I will give up my life if I could only turn back the time. I will give up my life for you if you want me to.

But here I am sincerely asking for forgiveness and wishing you to be able to move on with pride because you are worth the world than I am. And I returned back what was already yours as I already surrendered my heart to you.

Goodbye, My love. Be happier.

Eternally yours,

Alexander

I rolled my eyes reading the closing, recalling that I googled the engraved writings on the watch, which apparently was in Romanian, meaning pretty much as ‘my heart is yours’. They did mention that their parents are in Romania, so I assumed they are Hungarian-Romanian descendants. Alexander is indeed a romantic one, but if he truly loves me, why didn’t he come telling me by himself at Positano? I could understand if he never loved the arranged marriage wife, but never been with her? What does he mean? God, I don’t want to start imagining him making love with another woman and I just couldn’t believe that I made out with a married man. How long has he been married to his wife? What did he mean by unimaginable darkness? Whatever happened and will happen? Was he writing this in drunk state?

I sighed and folded the letter, then desperately tossed it into my drawer.

I hate him.

I hate how he still have the effect on me. My chest was aching, so I drank the remaining of infused water and called Carla, to distract my attention for a while. She picked up after the second beep.

“Hey, you didn’t reply my text,” she scolded me.

“Sorry, I was in OR, I just had my lunch,” I told her.

“Poor girl. Wait, I took it back. How’s your date with Dylan? The nurses here were gossiping that you went to MSG with him at the celebrity row, was that right? Are you sure, you’re going to date those two hunks at once?” she asked.

I sourly grinned, “Leave the celebrity row. Alex sent me a letter saying he’s in love with me, Carla. I’m not so sure any more about this. I mean, I already gave Dylan a hint that I was going to meet someone else too, before making decision. But I felt like being honest was more like hurting him. I doubted if I could say the same thing to Nic. They both knew my feeling for Alex,” I sighed.

“Do you like Dylan over Nicholas?” she asked.

I was silent, “Alex sent me back the watch which I already returned it through Nic. He attached a letter, saying that he loves me immensely. But it was a farewell letter,” I told her.

“Jesus. You’re still fuckingin love with stupid Alex! You kept telling me Alex this and that, Girl,” she raised her voice.

“Perhaps. But I hate him more now, I mean I never hated a person until now. This negativity made me even hate him,” I told her.

She sighed, “Hey, just try selling the watch and go buy something else. Did he give its certificate and receipt?” she curiously asked.

“He didn’t give me when first time I received, but I checked again this morning, they were beneath the box,” I said, recalling my jaw was dropped seeing the digits.

“How much is it?” she asked.

“You were right. It’s nearly three point five millions dollars,” I whispered it.

“Christ! You’re rich, Girl,” Carla yelled it out.

“Ssh, quiet! Just don’t tell anyone, Carla. I still don’t know about it. Part of me wants to sell, another wants to just keep it. But I was kind of worry leaving it in my apartment,” I told her.

“Just rent a safe box at the bank or just install a better home security,” she advised.

“You’re right, Carla. I’ll think about it first. Anyway, Nic texted me that he went to Ukraine and will return just in time for the hiking,” I said.

“Great. I’m just highly curious on this Nicholas. I mean, as you aren’t going to sleep with any of them, just go for it,” she laughed, “Hey, shall we have a drink tonight?” she asked.

“Sorry, Dylan will take me out for dinner at six thirty,” I told her.

“Darn. How lucky you are. Fine, just call me if there’s cancelation,” she mocked me and laughed, “Jason was working overtime lately. Some rich people still work harder than I thought,” she continued.

I laughed back, “Okay, catch you up later, Carl.”

“Bye, Kimmy,” she hung up on me.

I stretched out my stiff legs and took the big envelope on my desk that Glenn brought it before having lunch.

Cole’s POV:

“That was because the corpse I saw on stretcher was different with the one in the morgue,” she said, innocently nibbled on her bottom lip.

I tried harder not to have my mind distracted. What she said didn’t make any sense unless the body was switched. But who would switch dead body over another? It’s not like we can just go to the morgue with a cart without unnoticed. Still I have to look into every lead, even if it seemed ridiculous.

“Perhaps I have to check the footages from that night.”

I was in doubt whether I’ll be required for an official request, court order, or they’ll just willingly cooperate. I surely do hope the last one.

“Have you by any chance ever met one of them?” I asked.

She anxiously cleared her throat, “No.”

Why do I feel like she was lying?

“Do you think you still can describe his face, just in case we need to sketch him?” I asked.

It’s more likely not going to happen, but who knows.

“Yes, but Doctor Avery who checked him first confirmed differently, so what I remembered will conflict to hers,” she told.

She confused me with her story of seeing dead man opened his eyes and the next day, replaced by someone else. As he already presumed dead by another doctor, I don’t think it’s possible for an imposter to play dead and switch the body, but anyway I’ll meet Dr. Avery even if I’m no longer assigned to the case.

“Well, let me think about this first, Doctor.”

I noticed that she was fidgeting her fingers. If she doesn’t hide anything, she shouldn’t be this nervous. Or perhaps, she was just thinking something else.

“Is that all, Detective Cole? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to send you away, but I have another schedule in an hour,” she smiled, reminding me again how bright her blue eyes are.

I smiled back at her, “I should be the one who apologized, Doctor Vanderwood, but I’m sorry, just one more question, please. Have you ever met any friends of the late Mr. Bradshaw?” I asked.

“The last time I saw them was at Daniel’s funeral,” she replied.

I got up and offered a handshake, “Thank you for your time, Doctor Vanderwood. If you have something else to tell, you have my number,” I smiled.

She got up and probably tried to escort me, but I gave her a sign with my hands to stay as she deserved a rest after double big surgeries. I went out and didn’t look back even if I really wanted to. If she was dating with that Knight guy, I have zero chance with her. Now I have to go to security office and the morgue, trying my luck.

Near a bank of elevators, I coughed for few times. I rubbed my chest, thinking about to call my mother as I coughed several times this morning. Mother sent me beetroot capsules and I started to consume it last night as her instruction, but I wondered whether it has side effect like tickly throat leading to dry cough or I just got cold without runny nose.

Dylan’s POV:

I held her shoulder and kissed her cheek the moment she opened her door. She was wearing a sleeveless black turtleneck knitted long dress with side slits and a red coat wrapping on her shoulders. The dress hugged her beautiful curves perfectly. She looked hot in an elegant term.

“You’re a stunner, Kimmy,” I genuinely praised her.

Well, she truly is, with a red lipstick and a loose shiny wavy long hair, she is a bombshell. She could be modeling if only she has longer legs, I mean really longer legs. Honestly, she is the shortest woman I ever dated and talking with her in standing position was probably more like a hard work for both of us. But I finally realized that she is the only one I want to spend time with and she owns my heart and mind. Not because I was just being sexually curious, but because I simply need her in my life.

She looked at me with her bright blue eyes and sheepishly smiled, “Thank you. You look great yourself, Dylan. Shall we just go?” she asked.

“Yes, sure,” I nodded, holding her shoulder and letting her to lock door.

“Isn’t a bit late to get the dinner cruise on board now?” she looked at her wrist watch while we were going to the elevator.

“Don’t worry about it, Kimmy. The night is still so young,” I joked.

It will only take thirty minutes to the marina, and it’s just 06:25 p.m., so the time is just perfect for us and the weather looks fine too.”

She chuckled, “How’s your sleep last night?” she asked.

“The Valerian extract was working great with no side effects. I slept like a baby within ten minutes after taking it,” I smiled.

“I’m glad to hear that. Just be sure to drink a lot of water in the morning, okay?” she asked.

“Yes, Ma’am,” I replied.

She lightly hit my arm and laughed.

øøøøø

Twenty-two minutes later, we arrived at the North Cove Marina whereas my dad’s 197-foot yacht is moored. My dad is a fishing addict, as well as golfing. We used to oppose his plan to buy expensive yacht as the dockage fee, insurance, maintenance and repairs, and the crews’ salaries must set him back over four million dollars annually while he rarely ever used it after the delivery three months ago. But now here I am, trying to impress my love interest for a romantic dinner.

Billy opened the back door for us as Zac stopped the car just before the pier and assisted us to the yacht. I could see my dad’s yacht was anchoring on second dock on the right, trying to fit into the slip. Just before the slant down aluminum gangway connected to the floating dock, our five crews were standing to welcome us, I recognized familiar captain and the chef from the yacht-management company we were hiring. I offered them handshake to each one of them as well as Kimmy.

“How are you, Cap? Is the weather good to sail?” I held Kimmy’s hand to carefully cross the gangway to the concrete dock.

“We’re good, Sir. Thank you for asking and the weather was perfect, Sir,” he replied warmly.

“Good to hear,” I smiled, holding Kimmy’s hand crossing the boarding passerelle onto the yacht.

Once onboard, the captain politely reintroduced all crews to us and led us to sit on lower deck whereas the lounge and dining area situated.

“How many cabins does she have?” she looked around as we sat with stewardess pouring two glasses of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon of 2016.

I specifically asked Maya to prepare wine rather than champagne as I’m not really into champagne, it’s just too sweet on my taste. But she must pack it too just in case we change our mind.

“Three VIP cabins on second deck and three on this deck.” I smiled, realizing that I haven’t been tried even once.

“It’s beautiful and seems brand new. I firstly thought we’re going to cruise dinner with others before seeing the yacht’s name, Iris,” she took a sip of her wine.

“She’s pretty new indeed, arrived just three months ago. My dad ordered her three years ago,” I informed, sipping mine.

“Your dad is such a romantic person naming the ship with your mom’s,” she smiled sweetly.

I put the glass on the table and pulled her closer to kiss her slowly. She blinked and pushed me away a little, obviously feeling shy. The chef and stewardess quietly walked away.

“Do you want to go up?” I blurted out.

She looked at me with accusing stare. I laughed and raised my two hands up.

“Hey, I didn’t mean that way, Kimmy. I haven’t been here for three months, so I want to look around,” I excused myself, grinning widely.

She hit my arm so I caught her hand and pulled her up as I got up. Her coat fell from her shoulders, revealing her beautiful curve. I gulped, starting to feel aroused. I bent to take her coat and helped her to wear it.

“Let’s go up, Kimmy. We’re going to have dinner on second deck,” I took her glass and placed it on the table.

“Did your dad buy this from Europe?” she asked while carefully walking on the wool carpets.

“Watch your steps, Babe,” I let her to carefully climb the stairs in front of me, “Well, many European shipyards are at the top of their games, but my dad wanted her U.S. flagged as building with U.S. yard offered geographical convenience and a sense of patriotism in supporting domestic economy, so she was made in Seattle,” I explained.

“He sounds like a good American,” she said, as she stood on the second deck, looking at the view, she noticed the table has been exquisitely romantic decorated on the outdoor deck with hardwood decking by the pool.

She turned around at me, “This is beautiful, Dylan,” she told me.

I held her closer and dragged her to table, even when I actually wanted to take her into one of the cabin. Two stewardesses came to pull out the chairs for us as we approached the table.

“Are you ready for the dinner, Sir, Miss?” the one with familiar face politely asked, Charlotte was written on her name tag.

The other one was pouring water into the empty glasses.

“Yes, Charlotte. We’d like to have it now, please,” I told her, then turned my attention to Kimberly, “Kimmy, do you want to see the menu book?” I asked.

She shook her head, “I’ll just take whatever the Chef has prepared please,” she smiled.

I smiled back and looked at Charlotte, “You heard the lady, Charlotte.”

“As you wish, Sir, Miss. The dinner will be served in fifteen,” she and her coworker smiled and left.

“Let me guess. It’s got to be red meat as we were served red wine before?” Kimberly asked me.

“Bingo! I thought you’re going to go hiking tomorrow, so it’ll be best to avoid seafood first,” I told her, but fresh seafood should always stock up in the cold room before anyone went onboard.

“How thoughtful of you, Dylan. Thank you. But it should be more like lean meat rather than red one,” she giggled.

“Don’t worry, Kimmy. I ensured them to make it healthier,” I winked and held her hands.

She blushed. Her hair started to be blown away by the wind even when the yacht was sailing so slow. She pulled out her hands and tucked her hair strands behind the ears. Apparently, she wore diamond stud earrings.

“Let’s go up, Kimmy. Do you want to take a drink with you?” I asked.

“If only I’m not wearing heels,” she shook her head and chuckled.

I got up, smiling. I offered my hand to help her walking steadily into the second-deck lounge in symphony of light grey and white created a relaxing atmosphere. My mom was the decision maker on the interior design as this was surely not my dad’s taste.

Thank God.

I leaded Kimberly to climb another fiberglass stairs with wooden veneers to the upper deck whereas the hot tub located.

“They turned on the hot tub, Dylan. Did they think we will soak in tonight?” she laughed.

I grinned, “Well, who knows I might be that lucky to have a night dip in there.”

“You wish!” she pouted her lips.

I took her next to the hot tub and we were soaking up the breathtaking evening views of Manhattan, Brooklyn skylines, and New Jersey. She suddenly laid her head on my arm, I put my arm wrapping her shoulders as my free hand brushed her cold cheek.

“You’re cold, Kimmy. Shall we have dinner inside later?” I asked her softly.

She shook her head and sheepishly put her arms wrapping my hips, “I’m good, Dylan. Just let it be.”

I bent to kiss her head and raised her chin with my fingers.

“Kimmy, can you hear my heartbeat? It screamed out ‘I love you, Kimberly Vanderwood’,” I told her.

I soon regretted to push her as she stared at me with apologetic eyes. She bit her lips.

“I don’t know what to say, Dylan. I’m so grateful to your feeling. But can I ask for a week or two to answer?” she asked.

Rather than answering, I believe the correct word was to make decision.

“How many contenders I should beat, Kimmy?” I asked.

“To be honest, I don’t know. But maybe, there is just one,” she looked away to the river.

“Alexander Mircea?” I asked.

“No! It’s Nicholas,” she quickly replied.

I sighed. I just couldn’t believe this.

Couldn’t she at least lie to me?

But I valued her honesty. It’s difficult to not judging her so I just hugged her tighter.

“I’ll be waiting for you, Kimmy,” I whispered hoarsely.

I was trying hard to suppress my jealousy on that Alexander’s twin.

How could Kimmy have feeling with his twin brother after what Alexander did to her?

I did promise to Kimmy to stop digging information on her date, but can I just exclude the Mircea twins? I sighed again.

“I’m sorry, Dylan. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she turned back and hugged me.

My slight anger on her was melt away. I hugged her tight, then raised her chin up to kiss her slowly, but passionately. She kissed me back and ended the kiss.

“Let’s go down, shall we?” she asked.

I nodded and took her hand to go down to the second deck. She curiously turned her head to the VIP cabins on her left. I smiled and held her hand to stop.

“Do you want to peek into the master bedroom?” I asked.

“No if it belongs to your parents, as if feels like a bit improper,” she sheepishly replied.

“Well, the other two are mine and Ryan’s,” I laughed.

I opened one of the nearest cabin for her to see. All three VIP cabins have sweeping windows giving breathtaking views of the surrounding seascape elegant simplicity in every detail and a notable lack of superfluous flamboyance.

“Go on, get inside for a second,” I encouraged her to get in, pushing her back lightly.

She walked inside, gawking on Madras-silk curtains, fine Townsend leathers, Macassar ebony, finest wool and silk for the hand-tufted carpets, and a range of beautiful veneers all combined into furniture, all were selected by mom with the designer.

“This is lovely and so elegant, Dylan. I love the ivory cotton with light grey duvet,” she said after touching the bed.

“It’s Egyptian cotton, I supposed. Mom kept telling us how fibers were sumptuous yet durable, so it’s just stuck in my head until now,” I chuckled.

Mom made sure no tacky fabric whatsoever in every property of theirs.

“Oh, no wonder it so soft, almost satin-like,” she said, giggling.

“Do you want to try it?” I teased her naughtily.

She pushed me away and went to the window, giggling.

“Nice try,” she said, “breathtaking inside and outside,” she softly spoke, looking at me.

The bed and she were dangerous combination, I started to feel uncomfortable below my belt, so I cleared my throat, offering my hand to her before I lose control on myself.

“Well, shall we?” I asked her.

She came over and took my hand, and we went to the outside deck to savor the gourmet cuisine while we were sitting with the classical music playing on the audio speaker. The stewardess came with the chef, bringing grilled stuffed jalapeños for appetizer and filling in our Bordeaux glasses with same red wine as prior.

“Please enlighten me something about this yacht, Dylan?” she asked, forking her jalapeño into her mouth.

“Well, what do you want to know?” I asked, munching my jalapeño.

The chef did awesome on this healthy snack.

“Whether she was really made from steel, her length, and how far she can travel?” she closed her mouth with her hand, hiding her munching.

Cute.

“She is a sixty meter with aluminum hull and composite superstructure, fiberglass ladders, and she can go as far as her tank capacity, throttle and skipper will allow. My dad will start his long journey with mom to cross the Atlantic oceans right on new year, so we will celebrate New Year’s Eve at his mansion. I wish you can attend it with me, Kimmy,” I told her, putting my hoping expression.

She smiled, “We will see about that, Dylan. I met your parents, they’re just lovely people. Don’t you worry of letting them to sail that far? Is the aluminum yacht safe to cross the oceans?” she asked.

“I’m glad you like them. I want to meet your parents too, Kimmy,” I sipped my wine, “And yes, of course we were so worried at first, but the plan had been made for several years ago, and he will take along the complete professional crews and also four fully armed security personnel, so I just hope they will be okay. For your record, an aluminum boat will just get a dent. It will bend, but it won’t break and she was designed to navigate across oceans,” I forked another jalapeño.

The oceans can be dangerous place not only in term of strong winds, large waves, strong currents, and icebergs, but also for maritime crimes, like burglary and piracy, so after installing a citadel, we also installed a long range acoustic device, infrared thermal imaging cameras, short range radar, and diver detecting sonar. Diver detecting sonar is crucial to overcome submersibles, so we have the ability to create a 'virtual bubble' around the vessel, ensuring that any target, surface, airborne or underwater will be automatically identified and tracked day or night.

The chef came with our main course, as I requested it was Balsamic Steak Salad, made from top sirloin of American prime beef. I watched how Kimmy seemed to like what she saw. I smiled and raised my glass to make a toast.

“To unforgettable journey,” she raised hers, repeated my words, and clinked to mine.

God.

I wish I can marry this woman before my parents go sailing for four months. The more I met her the more I want her.

“This is so delicious, Dylan. Mr. Sanders made it so well. I love it,” she moaned, slowly chewing hers.

“I totally agree,” I commented while eyeing her mouth.

The juicy beef indeed blended perfectly with crunchy arugula, romaine, and radicchio, but her moan caught my attention more.

“I will probably not be able to eat such soon after my fellowship starts,” she said, forking her greens.

“Fellowship? You mean, like taking specialty training?”

The thought of her getting busier endangered my plan.

“Yes. I want to be able to perform congenital heart surgery without supervision which requires completion of a three-year fellowship for specialty in cardiothoracic and subspecialty in congenital heart. Most of fellowship starts in July, but my specialty is continuously available with tbd schedule,” she drank her water.

“Does it mean that you’re going to be busier than you are now, Kimmy?” I carefully asked, getting worried.

“I’m not so busy lately, Dylan. I get used to work eighty hours weekly during my residency,” she laughed, using her knife to slice her steak.

“Can I be honest, Kimmy?” I put my fork and knife, putting serious face.

she was about to put the chunk into her mouth when she put it back on her plate. Her face fell into worried.

“Yes, please go ahead, Dylan,” she replied.

“Have you ever considered to get married?” I asked, staring at her eyes, shining above flickering candles in gold geometric terrarium holders on our table.

She was stunned for a second, “Of course, Dylan. Why would you think I haven’t?” she asked me back.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean doubting you. I’m just curious how will you be able to spare time for the lucky husband. Will you be free during weekend?” I asked.

She swiped away her hair to her back and tucked some strands behind her left ear, smiling.

“As fellow, the clinical and research months can be extremely time consuming, but I’m quite confident to able to control my schedule and to have a good weekend off,” she said.

“I heard residents get paid so much less than licensed medical doctors. Does it apply to fellow doctors?”

“Are you worried about my piggy bank, Dylan? Please don’t be,” she laughed, “Indeed, I’ll make so much less during fellowship later. But despite the long nights, stressful moments, and economic challenges, I feel blessed to be in a position to help others, Dylan,” she continued.

I smirked, attempting to seduce her with an idea, “Well, let’s eat up and help our bodies to lose aching muscles and stiffen limbs by soaking in the hot tub. I’ve been dying to soak in a hot tub for three weeks, Kimmy,” I spoke.

“Dylan, you’re nuts. It’s only been three-week postop, you need minimum another week. Most importantly the whirlpools can cause the water seeping in the incisions and bacteria can also seriously cause severe infections and illness,” she uttered, eating her steak.

“Well, Doctor Henry said I can have a bath after three weeks, but no swimming. Still, you may see my incisions yourself whether there’s really no drainage and gaps after I no longer use that waterproof pad film dressings last week,” I got up, pulled out my shirt, and rolled up my knit sweater.

She shook her head and bit her bottom lip, “You’re crazy. Please sit down, Dylan. For your information, even when you can wet the wounds, but does not mean you may take them submerged and the hot bath can potentially soften the scab and create warm breeding ground for infectious bacteria. Your body is still in a delicate stage after surgery. So, I’m sorry I can’t allow you to soak in tonight,” she put a long-faced, “But I’ll be glad to check your wound with more proper light and place,” she smiled.

I sighed, “Okay, you won, Doctor Vanderwood,” I raised my hands up in the air.

“But soaking our feet in the hot tub after dinner sounds fun,” she winked, probably feeling pity on me.

I laughed, “Better than nothing, I guess,” I turned to Charlotte at my back, motioned her to come closer, “What will we have for dessert, Charlotte?” I asked.

“It’s cinnamon baked pears, Sir,” she replied.

“Perfect. Would you please send it to the upper deck later, with the wine?” I asked.

“Yes, Sir,” she nodded and smiled.

“Are you done, Kimmy?” I glanced to her empty plate.

She nodded, I stood up and offered my hand. She smiled and linked her arm to mine. I smirked, it would be a lie if I wasn’t anticipating a make-out session with the only woman I desire.