After Years

Jonas' POV

Yesterday's bypass operation went smoothly.  The Minister showed a positive reaction to creating a new pathway for incoming blood flow.  Now his condition is quite stable although still critical. 

This is the umpteenth time in my life that I have been praised by the hospital leadership.  I was given more honorarium and bombarded with promises that he would be promoted.

Sorry, but I worth be arrogant!  Even without promotion from the hospital, my name has entered the ranks of the most well-known doctors in this city. 

All the patients with heart disease queued up for me even though I was the arrogant person anyone had ever known.  Now the Minister's family is gratefully under my feet.

I will never forget how they cursed me as incompetent as a specialist doctor.  They also said that my intelligence was a big lie.  They said I wasn't smart at all, let alone a genius. 

Now it is clear who is stupid.  Obviously they are! And I just spit on their insulted.

I went to inpatient room 107 to check whether the catheter I put in the patient's body last night was working. 

After that, I checked the patient's IV and then analyzed his heart rate again. 

He said he had been taking medicine since breakfast this morning.  Nothing should happen if I don't monitor it any longer.

"Doctor Trent, are you still wearing your white coat? Have you forgotten today's appointment?"

From the door I heard a woman's voice with a respectful tone and a friendly smile. 

I turned my head.  Apparently it was my nurse assistant who was talking. Wendy Kim.

I shook my head once I managed to understand her question. "No, I didn't forget."

A well-known artist with a good image in front of everyone invited me to her house for dinner as well as a small celebration of her new house. 

I was invited because I had been instrumental in saving the life of this senior artist when she got heart attacked last year.

Even now, I'm in a situation where I have to think carefully.  Should I go or not?  Because that kind of event doesn't suit me.  I doubt I'll lighten the mood or just answer pleasantly every time I'm asked.

"Take off your white coat, Doctor. Change your shirt to the nicest shirt you  have. Don't forget the perfume too." Wendy made great suggestions. 

Although, I don't know if I have a good shirt or not.  All my shirts almost smelled like medicine because I had been in the hospital all day.

If only on the day the senior artist manager extended the invitation, I had been able to decline it politely, maybe now I wouldn't be confused.

"I don't think there will be any surgery anytime soon. So taking a night's rest is fine, Doctor Trent. Hope you have a good dinner tonight," she said again.

I think the patient data that she had been holding in her left hand has been filled in completely.

I sighed. Fine! I will go.

***

Xander PoV

European houses with touches of British ornaments amaze me a million times.  On the wall is a large photo displaying a portrait of a famous artist of Italian-French descent.  In the corner of the room were various musical instruments and two expensive microphones.

Mrs. Roselinda Moreno, holds the title of top artist in Italia, stepped down the stairs in her luxurious dress.  She smiled at me.

"Mr. Xander, welcome to my house. Let's join the others!" she said cheerfully.

I'm honored.  Even though she is successful and well known to many people, her personality is very friendly.  I was invited to go up to the second floor after shaking hands.

"What a beautiful house, Madam! I'm sure you can get all this from your hard work all this time," I said politely.

"Yes, to achieve a dream we need to work hard. I think that's a natural law that cannot be changed," she answered me.

I nodded.  While climbing the stairs we chatted with each other about business life amidst the complicated world of entertainment. 

The family room, which is equipped with a set of dark blue sofas, is already busy with people.  They all made small talk while enjoying beer.

Mrs. Rose introduced me to her husband as a successful and quite influential businessman in this city, Lou Moreno.

I just laughed a little when Lou said he had known me for a long time.

"In the midst of the busy day, two years ago, I decided to stop by a hotel. I found Mr. Riordan conducting a seminar session on a financial theme. Yes, I immediately knew that you were a great young man," said Lou. He gave me two thumbs up. "I'm not surprised that your company is growing so rapidly to other countries, Mr.  Riordan."

"I'm just continuing what was started by my ancestor, Mr. Moreno," I said humbly.

"No, no, you have had a big influence on the business world in the last two years, with extraordinary achievements. Even better, you are also not stingy in sharing your knowledge to everyone who is interested in starting a business. That's great, Mr. Riordan," said  Mr  Lou insisted.

"Ah, gentlemen, you are all wonderful," said Mrs.  Rose handed us two glasses of beer.  "Let's enjoy this evening happily!"

I nodded.  My hand reached out, took a glass of beer and drank it until it was finished.  Even after that Mr. Lou respectfully poured me a second beer.

The dinner together as well as the celebration of Mrs. Rose's new house was quite luxurious. 

It's impossible not to be luxurious.  The food served is all kinds of modified meat.  There is my favorite sushi.  It's just that I'm embarrassed to take more.

I met several business people introduced by Mrs.  Rose, after some snacks.

"If you want to do business, learn tips for becoming a successful businessman from Mr. Riordan. He is the best graduate of the University of Rome and managed to hold a bachelor's degree in management and managed almost ten different companies around the world at a young age," said Mrs. Rose tapped my shoulder.   

I smiled a little while shaking my head.

"Wow, that's great Mr. Riordan! Looks like you would be the right mentor for my son," said the bald man.

"No, Mrs. Rose, gentlemans. I am successful today because of my parents' teachings and their hard work," I said humbly.

"Ah, you really like to be humble," said a woman with heavy make up.

"Naturally he is the best inspiration, Mrs. Sherly," said Mrs. Rose. "I feel proud to know him."

"I heard that you are a Dominant Alpha, Mr. Riordan. Looks like my Omega daughter will find a match in you. Come to my house sometime," said the bald man again.

"No, you have to come to my house first. My young daughter is so pretty," said another man.

I'm a little tired of being in this situation!  However, I responded as best I could with a small laugh. 

At least I maintained my own good image.  Even though it's been a long time since then, I still can't stand it.

"Mrs. Rose and everyone, sorry. I think I'm very full. Can I take a short walk in the garden and see more details of your new house, Madam? I also want to smoke," I said politely.

Mrs. Rose turned her head.  "Of course, Mr. Riordan. You can see my house as much as you like. Do you need company?"

"Of course not, Ma'am. I don't want to bother you."

I excused myself from the conversation. I stepped across the grass and stopped in the back yard of the house.  I took out the vape in my trouser pocket and started lighting it.

I took a sip of the vape in one breath and then exhaled.  I repeated it several times while enjoying the quite cold night air. 

After a long time after that, the sound of someone's footsteps alerted me.  I looked back, seeing who had come. 

I froze.

A man in a casual shirt and white sneakers is standing facing me. Our eyes met in one imaginary point in the air.  

Eight years the man was gone.  Without saying goodbye.  I think he wants to focus on education.  Until his name was broadcast on television one year ago.  It is said that he was a great doctor who managed to save the lives of top artists.

If I look back, exactly one week ago, the theme of my seminar was inspired by his figure.

Jonas Finnegant Trent.

Without realizing, I stepped closer.  I closed the distance between us and I blinked repeatedly amidst the waft of woody cigarette smoke.

His serious face and clear glasses on his handsome face made me a little excited. He emits the scent of caramel and raspberry I never forget.

I felt something strange.  I formulated myself a ridiculous statement that suddenly came into my head.  The thought of my treatment to become a Supreme Alpha suddenly came to me.  I bit my lip.

Am I wrong?  That kind of feeling...

MATE! 

My wolf scream.