Make use of the door, doctor

          Maria fixed her gaze on Jayden again, who seemed intent on ignoring her. His back was facing her, but his body language was enough to tell her he didn't want any interaction with her. How was she going to start a conversation with a guy that would not even talk to his mother?

She decided to risk it anyway, and turned her attention back to the room, taking a brief scan of the area to regain her composure and prepare herself for whatever was coming before walking forward to stand before him.

"Good morning, Mr. Stanley," she began, stopping in his front so she could speak clearly and loudly to be heard. Her greeting sounded out clearly in the silent room, and there was no response. Not even a twitch. She cleared her throat, hoping to catch his attention, but the man remained quiet and unmoving like a stone statue. "I am sorry if I have disturbed your privacy, but am your new doctor assigned to handle your medical cases, Maria Pat---" Her words were silenced by a low growl that rumbled from the man's throat.

"How much is your salary?" Jayden cut her off, his tone brusque, speaking for the first time. He had the kind of voice that could curdle blood and make anyone stay away from him.

Maria blinked in surprise at the question, taken aback by the sudden change of demeanor. She could not wrap her head around the importance of his question and how it mattered to his treatment. "May I know the reason behind your inquiry, sir?" she questioned in return, trying to make sense of the situation.

The man did not elaborate but remained his gaze fixed on the documents spread over the table, as though they were the most interesting things in his life. When he spoke again, his tone was even colder compared to the last moment. "I will give you a hundred thousand dollars right now so you can get lost." He declared, his eyes never shifting from the papers.

Maria almost choked at his statement, her brows jumping to her hairline. What the hell did he just say? She stared at him blankly, trying to understand his reasoning. She had come across different kinds of patients with special bizarre behavior attributed to each of them but never had she met the type willing to pay her some stacks of papers to get rid of her.

"And I will give you that every month if you don't come here," he proceeded in her silent bewilderment, without bothering to take a look at the different emotions passing her face. "And that won't stop you from earning your normal salary or my end paying the regular medical fees."

Her mouth hung open, and her eyes bulged. There was something wrong with the way he was talking, like he was threatening her instead of offering her a deal. She was not sure about the perfect adjective to describe her state. Her sense was walking in the middle of contrasting emotions. One moment, she wanted to laugh because of the absurdity of the offer; the next instant, she was annoyed by the man's arrogance.

Maria knew she failed herself when a laugh broke through her lips. She tried to hold it in but failed miserably, unable to contain her amusement. It wasn't funny, not at all, but the man's stubbornness amused her. He was ridiculous enough to have assumed she was that cheap and incompetent. She was not working for him and any decision concerning her job was determined by the hospital. Her presence with him was like a representative of the institution.

She shook her head, dismissing the idea of laughing at him further, but it was too late. Her mirthful giggle echoed throughout the room, and she winced at her outburst.

The mocking sounds of her ripples struck him. She was not jumping at the offer, like he had expected, but was reacting to it like an audience of a comedy show. Her actions inflamed the curiosity he never had. He suddenly wanted to know the kind of woman that snorted without loose at bribery.

Jayden slowly peeled his eyes off the printed papers and looked at the woman standing in front of him for the first time. He was surprised to see the grin plastered on her face like a mask as she laughed silently at his proposal. Her eyes were sparkling with merriness and she was shaking her head in amusement. The vibrant color they held was the first attribute he noticed about her, like a small piece of the sky falling to her face, and then her small stature which was barely five foot three inches.

He frowned slightly, trying to understand what made her tick. His body was beginning to tense up at her act that felt like disrespect. He was irritated by her reaction and didn't want to waste his time interacting with someone who would keep smiling and laughing at his demands.

The doctor noticed the piercing way he stared at her and quickly stopped chuckling, realizing her mistake. She quickly composed herself and wiped the smile from her face, before replying to his question. "That's a generous amount." She started, her voice becoming serious. "But I am sorry, I have to refuse. My salary is already paid and I earn my living by helping patients. That is my real gain." Maria stated boldly, her words carrying the authority of a professional.

His frown deepened and he dropped his gaze onto the table, muttering under his breath before speaking loudly. "Two hundred?" He pronounced once again, turning the pages of his papers from side to side as if inspecting them.

Maria straightened her back and locked her jaw firmly. "No, sir." She said firmly, refusing to entertain his demand. "Your health comes first." She added.

"Who are you to care about me?" Jayden gritted out, his voice echoing harshly in the quiet room.

She knitted her brows at his statement. That was the main course of her job, to care for and tend to people like him. But he was being so difficult and trying her patience in every way. "I am a doctor--"

"Get lost." He interrupted her, cutting her short. He was done with her nonsense and needed her to leave immediately. "I would like to be left alone." He instructed curtly, his tone stern and demanding.

Maria's eyes widened at his reply, and she straightened her posture in preparation for the argument that was coming because she would be doing the clear opposite of what he wanted. He sounded daunting but she was not going to back down just because he growled menacingly. She had a job and she was going to do it, rich patient, or not.

"No, I cannot Mr. Stanley. I was assigned to make sure you feel better. I know you are going through a lot. You just have to let me in." She began, speaking softly and persuasively. "Now, please, let me help you." She pleaded.

He muttered something unintelligible and turned his gaze away from her, ignoring her pathetic attempt to persuade him. He was fed up with the entire situation and no longer wanted to engage with her anymore. "Open the doors, Sparkle!" His voice boomed, startling Maria into silence, and his eyes were thrown toward the large double doors behind her frame.

The doctor was struck at his sudden command for she had not heard anyone knock on the door. Her face rolled to look above her shoulders and awaited the entrance of the mentioned Sparkle. No one walked into sight, except for the startling automatic opening of the giant doors followed by a loud mechanic voice of a digital smart assistant. "Instructions obeyed." The synthetic feminine voice, sounding like a robot, announced, jolting the living demons out of Maria.

Maria stepped back without realizing it, her eyes searching frantically for the source of the voice that had resonated through the corners of the room. "Wh-what was that?" She stuttered in bewilderment, her hands clutching tightly onto her bag. Her eyes drove back to her patient who was the most suitable at providing answers but his face remained blank and impassive.

"Make use of the door, doctor." Jayden ushered in a hoarse whisper, ignoring her question which he found illogical.

***