Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

Andre squinted his eyes as his sister’s name appeared on his phone screen. Why would his sister call him at a time like this? It’s not like her.

“Hello?”

“Andre! It’s urgent! You have to come here right now!” his sister exclaimed, breathless.

“Wait! Come where?” Andre was confused because it was impossible for him to go to Canada in such a short time, just like changing lanes on a minibus. He didn’t understand why his sister was so hurried and panicked like that.

“To the hospital! Not to Canada, Ndre! To your hospital! The director’s office! Now!”

“Sister-”

Click. The phone call was cut off. His sister could always win a contest for ‘who can make people curious the most?’ Andre ruffled his hair roughly. He was puzzled about how to deal with his sister’s request, especially since Lara and Mahya were just enjoying the beauty of the beach in northern Jakarta. Should they go back?

“What’s wrong, Ndre?” Seeing her boyfriend’s troubled face, Lara certainly wanted to ask what made his mood worsen. They had just felt on top of the world, so what was the problem that made his face grimace like that?

“It seems like I need to go to the hospital, Ra,” Andre replied seriously.

“The hospital? Who’s sick?” Lara widened her eyes. She didn’t want anyone else to get hurt because of this case.

“Oh, no! Not to visit someone who’s sick. My sister is coming, Ra,” Andre said with a tense face. Whether Lara would like this news or not, Lara’s hatred for her family came as a package deal with memories that continued to haunt her heart all this time.

“Oh….” Lara just opened her mouth slightly. She remembered that Shanon-Andre’s sister-was one of the people she hated because of the fake death case of his mother. Lara was still sorting out her feelings, trying to forget all the hatred and torment that had gnawed at her heart all this time.

“I’ve called the Backup Driver. He’ll come here, and I can use his car. You guys stay here, it’s okay,” Andre tried to calm the situation. He didn’t want to ruin Lara and Mahya’s reunion moment with his personal matters.

“Driver? Let’s just go home, Ndre,” Lara said, not wanting to bother Andre and make him worried.

“No! Look at Mahya. She’s really enjoying the sea breeze. You can have a picnic here for a while. The driver will come soon,” Andre said then. Lara looked at Mahya, who was looking at the sea with a smile on her face.

“Yes, you’re right,” Lara agreed with Andre’s words. But before he turned around and walked towards the car, Lara suddenly hugged him from behind. “Take care,” Lara said, burying her head on his broad back.

Andre smiled and patted Lara’s hands that were wrapped around his waist. He felt peaceful for a moment. The friction of Lara’s face against his back sent a tingling sensation. Andre’s tension, which had been pressing his body’s nerves, slowly eased as Lara’s embrace tightened.

“I will,” Andre replied, turning around. He then planted a kiss on Lara’s sweet lips in an instant. Lara was surprised, but she didn’t refuse it. She blushed and smiled after Andre’s strong hand held her cheek.

“See you tonight?” Andre said with sparkling eyes reflecting the orange light from the descending twilight. Lara nodded and hooked her pinky with Andre’s.

“See you tonight.”

They parted with warm smiles adorning their faces. The replacement driver had arrived. Andre quickly exchanged the car keys with him. Seconds later, the blue sedan cruised away, cutting through the empty streets that now only left memories.

***

The journey from the beach to Andromeda Hospital took about an hour, luckily, Andre didn’t get stuck in traffic. After driving to South Jakarta, Andre arrived at the intended location.

‘The number you’re calling is not answering’

Andre repeatedly called his sister’s number, but the woman didn’t pick up his phone calls. “Argh! Why!” Andre felt annoyed because his sister was making him so curious. But, what could he do? That’s just how Shanon is.

***

After successfully parking the car in the parking lot, Andre quickly took the elevator to the director’s office. He walked quickly until he was looked at by his former colleagues with a puzzled expression… or more accurately, mocking? Andre shouldn’t be wandering around the hospital after his dismissal.

He put on an indifferent face because he wasn’t easily intimidated just by looks alone. For him, it didn’t matter if he was misunderstood, as long as he could resolve the matter with his sister soon.

“Oh, Doctor Andre?” a nurse greeted as they passed each other in the corridor towards the director’s office.

“Hi, Nurse.” Andre awkwardly waved his hand. The nurse smiled and encouraged him with a fist bump in the air. “Fighting!” she cheered happily.

“Yeah, thanks,” Andre replied, although he didn’t understand what the nurse meant. However, several other nurses also seemed to wave at him, after receiving intimidating stares from his former colleagues.

“Here we go,” Andre muttered as he stood in front of the black door with silver lettering that had a sign saying ‘Director’s Room’. With a heavy breath, Andre grabbed the door handle and entered the room. He stepped in with certainty although his heart was still filled with anxiety.

Inside the room, Andre found a familiar figure. The hospital director was also there, and also… his sister!

“Miriam?” Andre widened his eyes when the girl turned to look at him.

Miriam-the former fiancee-just smiled bitterly when she welcomed Andre’s arrival. Shanon immediately put his hands on his hips followed by the deep baritone voice of a man unfamiliar to Andre.

“Finally you’re here, my little brother,” his sister greeted with a wide smile. The man by her side also smiled when Andre started looking at him.

“Hello, I’m Darren Kennedy, Shanon’s husband,” he said as he reached out his hand.

“Ah, yes, sorry, Mr. Kennedy, I’m a bit dazzled by you,” Andre said, rubbing his temples. He was still confused by this strange reunion. “And… Miriam, why are you here?” Andre asked directly to the heart of the matter.

Shanon laughed. “Isn’t this woman causing trouble, my brother? Aren’t you the one to blame?” he said sharply, hands on his hips. When it comes to brother-complex matters, Shanon is the champion.

Since their mother left, he was the one who raised Andre alone and worked hard to support the family. It was clear that if his brother was in trouble, Shannon would be the first to defend him.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

That’s why Andre didn’t want to tell his sister. Because, if Shanon intervened, then anyone would easily be crushed by her. Moreover, now his sister had married the richest widower in Canada. Shanon’s power was greater than ever.

Long story short, Shanon and Lara’s mother were two women who shouldn’t be antagonized by anyone in the world.

“Sister… I can explain.”