5

5

Aria’s POV

I was just talking with Nora as she was gisting with me about her uncle being a doctor. I know I was being picky, but I couldn’t help it—I loved her naiveness. She talks so innocently and purely, and it made me smile every second. The fact that she wanted to link me up with her uncle made me laugh so hard. I was just enjoying the moment when he walked in....

“Uncle Nolan!” Nora shouted in a tiny, excited voice. She immediately stood up from where she was sitting and rushed toward the door. My eyes followed her, and when I turned back, I froze.

Standing there, smiling as if nothing happened, like he wasn’t the cold-hearted man I knew him to be. the same Dr. Nolan...the man who had rejected me three times just last week and left me broken! I was so quiet and frustrated from the rejection, and now here he was...

I stared at him in disbelief because I couldn't believe that the uncle Nora wanted me to date was him, like Nora was actually Dr. Nolan’s niece!

What were the odds? And just as all these thoughts run through my mind, he looks directly at me as his eyes widen in surprise.

“Miss Aria,” he said, his voice low, and that was when I knew that he recognized me... I smiled at him, and he quickly looked away. As always!

Nora’s eyes sparkled as she held his hand tightly. “Uncle, I’m so happy to see you! Why are you picking me up today? I thought Mom said she’d come.”

Dr. Nolan squatted down, holding her small hand gently; his voice sounded so playful, and I was so surprised because his behavior right now completely contradicted the nonchalant, distant demeanor he showed me earlier at the hospital.

.“Well, your mom said she was very busy at the office today, and then she told me that you missed me. So, I thought I’d surprise you.”

I couldn’t believe my eyes. This was the same man who had been so cold to me. My chest tightened as I approached him again, smiling, and gently took Nora’s hand. “Dr. Nolan,” I said softly.

He stood up; his eyes were fixed on mine as if he were afraid to look away, afraid something might change if he did. “Miss Aria, thank you for taking care of my niece, Nora,” he said, his voice casual and nonchalant as usual. Then, without even waiting for my response, he turned to Nora and said to her with a smile. “Why don’t we head home? It’s getting dark.”

I thought he was leaving, but Nora, as quick as ever, tugged his hand playfully. “Uncle, wait!”

He glanced at her and then turned to me. She said, “Uncle, this is Miss Aria Scott. It seems you two have met each other before, but let me properly introduce you. She’s the beautiful lady I was telling you about, my dance coach. You two should be friends—or maybe even married someday!”

My mouth nearly fell open. Did she just say that? And Dr. Nolan’s face… I could see the surprise plastered on his face too.

I smiled at her and said, “Nora, you’re right. You see...We already met, and you're right as well; your uncle is indeed very picky when it comes to women.”

He stared at me; his face was so unreadable. I wondered what exactly it means...is that annoyance or amusement? I couldn't even tell! Then he finally said it simply. “Goodbye, Miss Aria. We have to go now.” He took Nora’s hand and moved toward the door.

But I wasn’t done; I can't let him go...not when I get him this close to myself, and my rules still stand. “Hold on,” I said to him immediately.He turned slowly and looked at me transfixed. “Um...Dr. Nolan, you see... We need to update our contact list for all the parents at the dance studio. It’s...just a routine.”

I grabbed my phone and handed it to him. I swallowed hard in nervousness and forced a smile. “So...may I have your number now?”

He hesitated, “I’m sorry, Miss Aria, I...” He tried to say, glancing at Nora, but she didn’t even let him finish his protest. “Yes! Uncle, please give her your number!”

“Fine,” he said. Reluctantly, he took the phone and typed it in. My heart leapt immediately; finally I got my hands on his number...I smiled at him, giving him a wink.

His eyes fixed steadily on mine as he entered the digits, and when he handed the phone back, I couldn't even hide the excitement in me anymore!

I added quickly, “Oh! I forgot. Could you give me your social media handle too? So I can tag you in performance photos and stuff like that.”

He rolled his eyes and looked at me tiredly like I was pestering him and said, “I don’t think it can be possi...” Nora quickly intervened again. “Uncle! Please...It’s for my performances! Because I would love you to see how great I am.”

He sighed, but finally he smiled awkwardly at her; he took my phone, giving me a glare and a straight face...he typed in his account.

I was so ecstatic, yes! I don't care whatever he thinks. I was so happy that finally, I had what I had ever wanted. Giving up was not an option—it was never an option.

They left, and I continued training, but I couldn't concentrate anymore, and it was getting dark already. I checked the time, and it was almost 6:30pm.

I changed into my casual wear and left the studio. My friend Linda had already prepared dinner, but I could barely notice it due to the amount of excitement roaming inside of me. We had our dinner, and I couldn't even believe that I was smiling and giggling all through.

She looked at me curiously. “Why are you so excited? A few days ago, you were moody, but ever since you came back home, you've been buzzing around like a bee.”

I smiled and whispered to her happily. “Guess what!? Finally… I got his number!”

Before she could even ask more questions, I rushed upstairs. I quickly took a warm shower, applied my skincare, and collapsed into bed. I tried to sleep, but excitement couldn't even allow me to sleep.

I tossed and turned on the bed, staring directly at the ceiling above me. Finally, I picked up my phone and tried to text him but immediately deleted my first few attempts—each one sounded more desperate than the last.

“Dr. Nolan...thank you for the contact.” I quickly deleted it, shaking my head in dissatisfaction. “No! Sounds weird.” I said I thought for a while and typed again...

“Just texting to check if this is a real number.” I deleted it again. “No! This sounds more desperate.”

“Can I call you, Nolan?” I typed and deleted it again. I groaned and hid my face in my pillow. What was I doing? Eventually, I switched off my phone, forcing myself to sleep.

Dr. Nolan’s POV

That woman from the hospital… I couldn’t get her out of my head. From the first day she came in, complaining of allergies, something about her had captivated me.

I loved her...let me not say I love her—because I don’t actually like women. I’m very picky when it comes to that because my last relationship wasn’t something to write home about, so I decided not to date or fall for anyone again.

But her playfulness, the way she jokes about every slightest thing, made me fall for her. The first time I saw her, at some point as I was wearing the face mask, I laughed so loudly at her silly talks, but I didn’t want her to notice it.

I kept on adjusting my face mask. I was actually thinking of giving her my number, but I thought it would be more unprofessional if I did that, so that was why I quickly declined it. But since then, I’ve been looking for a way to see her again; I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Now, seeing her in front of me, interacting with my niece, I felt something stir in me; I hadn’t felt that way in years. I think fate is working in another dimension, but then I didn’t want to show it, at least not yet. I didn’t know her that well; she’s a stranger. I only like her character, and that’s it.

I wanted to send her a text message when I got home to say something...anything. But then, I could see from the screen, which was showing that she had been typing for a long time!

It took over five minutes, and she couldn’t even send a simple message. It was only showing the word “typing.” What the hell is she typing? What’s wrong with her? I asked myself, but inasmuch as I was irritated, I also wanted to write back to her. I don’t just know why...

I was still trying to do that when my sister Nora’s mother, Bianca, came in. I quickly dropped my phone. Of course, I didn’t want her to notice that I was trying to send a message to a woman because that’s unlike me. I forced a smile, trying to appear casual.

“Hey, Nolan. Who are you messaging?” She asked casually, though her eyes were sharper than she intended. She sat next to me on the couch.

My heart skipped. “Uh… nothing! no one,” I stammered, quickly lowering my phone. She arched an eyebrow but didn’t press further immediately.

“So...why are you here? I thought you said you were busy in the office. Besides, your daughter is upstairs; she’s sleeping. I guess she will have to sleep here today.” I said to her, and she chuckled.

She adjusted her glasses and said to me, "I happened to finish up early...so I decided to come over. And—I’ve never seen my brother’s eyes glued to his screen like this before. Who are you messaging?” she asked, giving me a playful wink.

I quickly said to her, “No! I was just...you know, I was just blanking out, and besides, let’s talk about something else—why are you here? “Because I know that you can’t just come here because you want to take Nora,” I said.

And that was when she said, “Yeah, you’re right, but I’m just here because you didn’t want to visit me. I came to do that by myself. It’s been so long since you came to the family house, you know.”

And that was when I asked her, "How is Dad? Is he still angry at me?“

And then she said to me, “He’s doing well, but he’s very angry. In fact, he’s disappointed, and besides, he’s his only son and the heir to the world’s biggest medical group. Refuses to get a wife and take over the business!” When she said this, I quickly looked away and sighed.

"When will Father stop this persuasion...I already made this issue and my choices clear years ago. He only has to accept them the way they are.” I said,

She shook her head, sighing. “It’s not that simple. You’re stubborn as ever… But do you even realize why Father gets angry? It isn’t always about the hospital. Remember the incident with that random student you saved years ago? You took all the blame, put yourself in that position… People admire you, yes, but Father sees it differently. He’s frustrated because of your persistence.”

I clenched my jaw. “We can’t put a price tag on a human life. I saved her because it was right. Even if she was a stranger, I would have been dead by now if I didn't.”

Bianca softened slightly. “Yes, I know. But your decision kept you in a small hospital instead of taking your place in the family legacy by becoming the chief doctor in our hospital. You need to be careful, Nolan. Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t enough to protect yourself from consequences.”

I nodded slowly, my mind racing with thoughts, but one thing remained in my mind... Aria Scott. She had entered my life in a way I hadn’t expected, and now there was no ignoring her.

“And… by the way,” Bianca added with a sly smile, “you met Nora’s dance teacher yesterday, right? The one you picked her up for?”

“Yes,” I said cautiously, hiding the flutter in my chest.

“Miss Aria Scott, right? She’s charming, isn’t she? Pretty, jovial… perhaps even your type?”

I laughed, a short, forced sound. “No. Absolutely not my type.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Hmm… we’ll see. You can deny it now, but something tells me you won’t be able to stop thinking about her.”

***

I got to work the next day very early in the morning and trust me, all night. I was thinking about Miss Ariel Scott. I don’t know why I can’t keep my mind away from her. I thought that after everything I would just forget her just like how I forget every other girl, but she is different!

Her face kept on appearing every time I closed my eyes. I hardly had a good sleep last night. I don’t know why, but somehow her face kind of looks so familiar to me, like we’ve met before in the past, but then I can’t really tell where I met her, so I just waved off the thought.

I took a cup of coffee from the hospital cafe, and I went straight to my office. I was arranging the files on my table when my phone beeped.

I quickly opened my phone to check whether it was Aria and if she sent a message to me last night, but my face flushed with disappointment that she didn’t...I sighed, staring at the screen.

Then, I heard it:

“Good morning, Dr. Nolan.”

My head snapped up. My heart skipped a beat. She was standing at my door, smiling, radiating warmth and confidence. My eyes scanned her from head to toe, and my chest tightened. I could hear my heart beating faster. I don’t want anything else right now if not her.

I think I need to see a cardiologist because why is my heart beating this fast? Was this… craving?

Yes. She was the one I wanted...and right now, I’m making the first move!