Falling for the Doctor

The sky-blue canvas blotted out the rest of the art like an ocean tide. People floated around it, their eyes drawn irresistibly to its depths. It was so captivating that they forgot about the other artworks in the room. The six-foot tall painting was a beautiful mess of colors, and they couldn't help but get lost in it. As she listened, she couldn't help but wonder what the crowd thought of it. “It's strange!” “I could do so much better, ugh.” “Instagrammable, oh my. Babe, let's snap a selfie with that!” She sighed, regretting not covering her ears. As terrifying as that was, she had a long way to go before receiving professional criticisms from actual art critics. She supposed she would have to get by with the guests for the time being. She listened attentively. Some described the painting as abstract and modern. Others expressed their displeasure at their inability to grasp what it was trying to convey. For herself, she saw it as a chance to establish a name and gain popularity.

Selena checked her watch constantly and then looked at the building where Jason was. She pursed her lips. 18:05. He should already be out right now. She spotted him and she exclaimed, “That’s him. The guy wearing that sexy white shirt.” The taxi driver gave her a conspicuous look as if he was judging her but right now, she didn’t care. She was focused. She was a spy. She would not let guilt get to her. She watched Jason getting in his car and she commanded, banging her fist against the driver’s seat, “Come on! Follow that car!” “Alright... alright! No need to get excited.” The man muttered as he started the engine. He was going to charge her additionally for making him wait that long. Was she being paranoid to doubt him? She tightened her grip on the car seat, the taxi driver occasionally asking her if that was what she really wanted to do. She knew it wasn’t right. But… what if that ‘doc’ was not a colleague but an actual doctor? What if he was hiding a deadly illness from her a

Her phone flashed with an unknown number. She would call back later. Cassandra tapped her pen on her desk, waiting for her computer to turn on. Her nurses were sorting out some patient’s files in specific drawers and working on the test results they have recently obtained. She cleared her voice, finding herself free enough to engage with them, “I heard you two complaining when you were in the lab. Is there anything wrong?” They froze, stopping what they were doing as they slowly looked at her, their face turning white. She could see that they were nervous. Jillian opened her mouth to say something and Emma protectively stepped forward, exclaiming, “Everything is alright, doctor! You don’t have to worry.”She looked back at her screen, launching her email, “Listen, I know work has been hectic lately. You two are my only assistants and you’ve been overworking yourselves.” Jillian laughed sarcastically, leaning against the edge of her desk, “Look who’s saying.” Emma shook her head as

Selena still felt a faint headache as she gobbled the delicious pancakes. Mr and Mrs York were cheerfully chatting with her and she could barely keep up with their energy. The doctor sure had wonderful parents. She continued, “And after completing my art degree, I tried selling my paintings online but I wasn’t getting buyers. I was pretty demotivated then.” Billy York puffed, waving his hand as if brushing her words off, “Ah nothing’s good on the internet but you should persevere, girl.” She played with a blueberry on her plate, “I got the chance to exhibit my paintings…but I messed it up. I broke the deal and now…I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t…care.” Maria shook her head, pushing the platter of pancakes more towards her, “Aw, don’t talk like that. Take it step by step. Everything will come out to be alright, you’ll see.” She gazed at her hand. She didn’t feel like painting anymore. Was that possible? To suddenly lose interest in the thing that captivated her the mos

The doctor authoritatively said, lecturing her, “You should have done that when you were 21. And you’re 24. We’re not delaying this any further. Come on.” “It won’t hurt?” “It won’t.” “I mean… you won’t hurt me?” She glanced at the sparkling scalpel which rested on a nearby tray and then warily looked at her, finding that she wasn’t pleased with her comment.“Fine…” Selena mumbled as she looked at that damn chair. It looked like an instrument of torture. She was shaking now. She awkwardly climbed on it and lied back on it while the doctor washed her hands. The latter approached the exam table, standing right beside her. Selena stirred till she was comfortable and then, looked up towards the woman, wondering what she was thinking right now. What was she planning to do with her? What if she killed her and one would know?! Why did she even come here for God's sake?“Relax now. I’m going to perform a breast exam.” Selena tensed as the doctor pushed aside the opening in the robe and slid