Lahat ng Kabanata ng SCORNED BY HIM, DESIRED BY THE THREE: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

CONNORI had just finished doing the ward rounds for the morning and had sunk into my office chair, ready for my hot cup of tea, but suddenly, I didn't feel like taking anything anymore.The walls of my stomach felt stiff, leaving me wondering if I truly had to go to the restroom again barely two hours after the last time I went. But then, I was waiting for a call for one of my patients, and I had a spreadsheet to quickly inspect.Deciding on just water, I settled in to work on my computer.Not too long after, a quick knock broke against my door. Then, Claire came in with her hands hanging like they normally would when there was an emergency.There was this sense of urgency in her expression that made me almost grab my lab coat from the hanger in readiness to attend whatever medical emergency it could be."There's someone asking to see you," she dropped finally, causing me to sit back in my chair disappointedly."C'mon Claire. You're not new to this job. You know my schedule and you

FREDDYI rolled my eyes at the plate of snacks in front of me, sighing at how messy my relationship with my family had become, but having no regrets whatsoever concerning my decision."Everything is wrong here," I muttered, grabbing my glass of water and pouring every single drop down my throat.My father grunted beside me, and Eddy made a tired sound, letting his cutlery slip through his fingers to the plate noisily.I swallowed, pushing the words I had to say back down my throat.My eyes wandered over to where Lola sat, unsettled as usual, her face void of any real emotion. It was almost like she was checking her breathing too, careful not to sniff in the wrong direction.Letting my guards down, I allowed my gaze linger longer on her face, and for some reason, I couldn't help but notice how much of the wrong piece she appeared as on the table — not because I think she wasn't family which was sad enough giving that it had to be Eddy, but because her demeanor made her appear so in eve

LOLAI was mostly to myself through the flight, my thoughts everywhere, and my body doing a good job staying calm despite the storm that brewed underneath my skin.It was a long journey. When we touched down at the Norway airport, I was too tired to even think straight, and I felt too sleepy. I couldn't wait to be ushered into our rooms, then take a long hot shower and hide under the blankets, away from the reality I could never actually ever run from.Then, my father in law's words delivered like a blow to my face, "We will watch his practice tonight.""What the heck!" Eddy blurted out, his voice rising above his usual beat."You heard me, Eddy," Mr. Greg shot at him, looking around to make sure nobody had any other objection.Eddy was obviously not comfortable with the plan. He sighed, tugging at his tie uncomfortably as he paced around the space in front of him.Connor, on the other hand, stood at a distance with his hands folded, and his face holding a solid neutral expression.I

LOLAWith my heart hammering hard against my chest, I hurried through the lonely path that led back to the stadium where the rest of the family ought to still be.I was sure practice had ended, and me missing right in that moment wouldn't look too good. The plan was to get there first, and then, Connor could come later.Standing before my father-in-law, all sweaty, my breathing giving away the fact that I had jogged all the way back, I thought of the best response to a question he had not even asked."We had been done for a while now. We were worried," Greg spoke, his eyes scanning every inch of my body in a way that felt rather uncomfortable.Struggling to keep my breathing steady and my shoulders up, I looked from my father-in-law to Eddy — his face was locked in an expression that told me just how much he wanted to say and how he was just waiting for the right time to come at me.Freddy was standing behind them, arms folded across his chest, skin glazed with sweat and his gaze send

FREDDYThrough practice, I couldn't stop thinking about Lola. Maybe because I knew she was watching me like old times, and it sparked feelings that ought to have stayed buried until forever.Through the banter between her, my father and Eddy, I couldn't care less. I just stayed at the parts of her body that weren't concealed under the jacket draped across her shoulders.As soon as I got the opportunity to ask, I took it, and of course, Lola couldn't say No to me.It was a little hard convincing my coach to allow me to stay outside the team house. By the time I had concluded with the boys, checked into a hotel room, got a shave and freshened up, time was far spent.As I scurried into the elevator for the fifth floor, I wondered if she was waiting up for me or perhaps, given up and gone to bed.But then, Eddy was there. I didn't expect him to be. I didn't turn back though. I hadn't made all of those arrangements to chicken out of his presence."You shouldn't have said that, Freddy. What