Forbidden Night With Him

Chapter 6 Alexander's POV I stood still, my eyes fixed on her as she struggled to steady herself after bumping on me. For as long as the moment lasted, it felt as if the whole world had fallen silent, save for the sound of her uneven breathing. "Y–yes, sir... I mean, doctor..." she stammered, "I'll do just as you say...doctor." Her movements were hesitant, almost guarded, and when she finally stood upright with the documents clutched on her chest, I noticed she did everything but look at me. Her gaze only stayed low and focused so keenly on the papers she surely couldn't read as she stood. This bothered me more than I was willing to admit. How could we work together if she continued to act this way? I leaned forward slightly, trying all I could to remain calm with her, even forming a gentle smile on my face. "Look at me, will you?" I asked in the gentlest of voices. As the words fell off my lips, her head lifted almost instantly. Her eyes met mine for the briefest second before I myself looked away. It became difficult to hold her gaze, and everytime I tried, all I could see was that night. I cleared my throat again in an attempt to shake the memory away. "If you want to get the best out of your internship here," I started in a voice more firmer than before, "then you'll have to work....with an open mind." When I said that, I summoned the courage to meet her eyes once more. This time,I didn't look away. Slowly and without thinking,I reached out and placed my hand gently on her shoulder. I felt her warm skin beneath my touch. Also felt the faint tremble in her hand as she quickly pulled away and lowered her face even more. Then she took a small step back, her shoulders stiff,and her eyes avoiding mine completely. For a moment I felt nothing. I even had the simplest of impulse to take a step towards her and try again. But the moment I looked around and realised that all damn eyes were on me, the longing for her turned into something else– Embarrassment. I straightened,my jaw tightening as a rush of anger and pure humiliation burned through me. Never in time past have I showed such closeness to a mere intern. Not once in all these years! And now, here she was, the same one who had managed to haunt my nights recoiling from my touch as though it meant nothing to her. My pride took the blow deeply. "If you'll excuse me," I muttered more to myself, clearing my throat once more and brushing past her. The faint scent of her perfume lingered as I walked by, only making my frustration worse. I heard footsteps behind me–the other interns following. "Doctor, please wait up!" "Doctor!" They called for my attention, but I ignored them all. Not even a glance. Of course they all wanted me to be their supervisor, I could tell from their constant cries. But I didn't care about this. Getting to my office, I walked in briskly and shut the door behind me, the sound echoing sharply through the quiet room. I pressed my palms against the desk, breathing sharply in an attempt to contain my anger. But it didn't help. How dare she? How dare she struggle against my touch before all those eyes? After she invaded my thoughts and made me lose control of myself for weeks? No woman had ever made me feel half this way before. And yet, here I was, furious, restless and more drawn to this strange intern than ever. The shrill ring of my iPhone snapped me out these thoughts. I tore my gaze from the wall and glanced at the screen almost immediately. Mother. I made a quiet groan, slowly dragging a palm across my face. With certainty I could guess how this conversation would go–her usual lecture about my finding a wife or her myriad of endless matchmaking I believed she enjoyed. I let it ring once or twice before picking it up. "Mother," I greeted, my tone tight but polite. "Oh, Alexander darling," came her forever smooth and graceful voice. "I hope I'm not interrupting a world class surgery or something?" "Yeah, you're doing so," I muttered dryly, knowing that she wouldn't cut the call for anything. "What is it?" Just as I said this,the door opened and Bernard strolled in with a file in his hand. He gave me a teasing grin and silently mouthed, 'Your mom?' I rolled my eyes in response before turning to the window and sticking my fingers between rows of the blinder. "Actually, sweetheart," my mother continued, "I have a business meeting this evening, and I can't make it. Something urgent came up. Couldn't help my age, Alexander, and I was wondering if you could attend in my place." I paused, half expecting her to twist her statement into one of her usual tones, one involving me with yet another woman she wanted me to meet. But she didn't. I smiled faintly and stole a glance at Bernard who was now seated comfortably on the chair facing my desk. "Well,I was worried you were calling to set me up again," I said lightly. "This sounds like a relief, mom." She laughed softly. "Oh, I guess you needed a break. We all do. The meeting will be a La Bella restaurant, nine o'clock sharp. Just sit in for me ,will you, and represent the wine business. It'll run smoothly, I believe?" "Of course it would," I said with a small nod. "Consider it done." "Splendid," she replied in a fine tone. "One more thing. Try to eat something decent for once, okay? A doctor should lead in this aspect." "Of course mother," I replied, smiling despite myself. A few more pleasantries, and she hung up before I placed the phone on the desk. " Well, that was a quick one. What's with the sudden good mood?" Bernard asked,raising an eyebrow. "Mother called," I said, sitting and leaning in my chair. "And for the first time since I left college, she didn't ask for my consent on a date she arranged,or asked about my taste in women. She did none of these!" Bernard chuckled. "Well, that's worth celebrating. But, why the call then?" "She asked that I fill her spot at a business meeting tonight," I explained. "At La Bella. Nine o'clock." Bernard leaned forward, his grin widening. "You don't say. A business meeting, in a restaurant. By nine p.m.?" I frowned slightly. "Yes...? What do you make of it?" He chuckled again. " Your mom's up to something. But that's by the way." Then he leaned back casually, crossing his arms. "So, how's your little... intern time going?" The question hit me harder than I expected, and my smile faded almost instantly. "Oh, that," I muttered, sinking back into my chair and staring blankly at the desk. My jaw clenched, and all I could see again was Mara's face–her desperate eyes that night and the rocking motion of her waist to my movements. Oh God. Not even anger could wipe my feelings away. "Uh oh," Bernard murmured. "That bad, huh?" I didn't answer, just exhaled slowly, my gaze hardening. It was really bad. Mara's POV "OMG!" Lila's voice of a fellow intern cut sharply through the thick cloud of thoughts in my head. I blinked rapidly, quickly realizing I'd been standing in the middle of the hallway for a longer time than usual, staring blankly at the empty space where Doctor Alexander had just walked away. My heart still pounded like a drum. Every pay of eyes around–interns,nurses, even a few patients–seemed to be fixed on me. The silver was heavy and very awkward. Lila's eyes widened as she came closer, her expression torn between amusement and worry. "Girl, what just happened? You literally froze back there!" My lips parted, but no words came out. The scene kept replaying in my head– the way he looked at me, the warmth of his hand on my shoulder, and the intensity of his eyes before I... pulled away. Oh God, why did I do that? Lila must have noticed how flustered I was, as she sighed softly and reached for my hand. "Come on, let's get out of here before they burn holes into you with their stares," Lila whispered as she pulled me by the hand and we walked until we made a turn down the hallway, away from the others. "Are you alright?" she asked gently. I bit my lower lip and shook my head. "Of course I'm not alright! I just made the good doctor furious in front of everyone!" My voice cracked halfway through, and I could feel the sting of tears pressing at the back of my eyes. "Hey hey, calm down," she said smoothly, squeezing my shoulder lightly. "Breathe, okay? You just need to steady yourself. Everything's gonna be fine. Maybe you can just have a fresh start with him tomorrow, alright?" I looked up, desperate to grasp this silver of hope. "You think that's even possible?" "Of course Mara. You were just nervous that's all." I bit my lower lip again, shaking my head faintly. I was nervous, but that wasn't all. How on earth was I supposed to do this internship under the same supervisor who unknowingly fathered my child?