CHAPTER 9

JULEKA

My break was finally over. I resumed with my work at the hospital, relieving myself from some household chores.

Ben has all that covered, only when he returns back home with Ethan after a long day of work.

That's one of the things I love about our relationship. Having a supportive and understanding partner is the best thing ever.

I arrived at the hospital to attend to a patient in ward eighty five.

It was a little girl who got a splinter while playing in her father's woodwork ground.

"Calm down dear. Just relax and be calm," I comforted her while she was inhaling and exhaling in fear.

"Am I gonna bleed?" She asked with worry in her eyes, and I couldn't help but admire her innocence.

When she asked that question, getting all shaky after seeing the little picker in my hand, I immediately seized that moment to distract her from my work, asking about other fun things a girl of her age would like.

"And what about cartoons? Do you have any one in mind?" I asked, carefully taking the tip of the splinter with my picker.

With her mother behind her, caressing and also helping with the distraction...

"Bingo!" I cheered, finally pulling out the splinter.

The little girl turned to face me, looking all thrilled at the successful work done.

"You didn't feel that, did you?" I asked, chuckling at her.

She happily embraced me, showing her appreciation.

"You're my hero," She confessed, blooming my heart.

A fellow doctor who was present, gave out an affectionate moan at the girl's words, making me look at her with a frown.

"Alright kiddo, you're good to go. Stay out of Daddy's workspace if you are going to be all rough, okay?"

"I promise to obey, " She assured me, saluting at once.

I laughed at her cuteness, waving bye at her as she left the room with her mother.

"Kids these days. Well, it's their generation after all."

"You can say that again. It reminds me of my little boy, Ethan. He acts like an old man sometimes," I laughed, getting set to leave the room.

"Your father must be proud of you. You have achieved so much," She said, getting to the door before me.

Her words took my mind to my father. It's been long I saw him.

After recovering from the hospital, I went back to my home to see him, only to learn he moved out.

I managed to trace his new home, but I got the same feedback like the first.

He moved out again.

That left me worried about him. But somehow, I managed to get an information from a neighbor, revealing that he went on a spiritual trip for my sake when I had my accident.

Luckily, I got his contact and we spoke. I was so happy to hear his voice again. He promised to return once he was done.

And I can't wait for him to get back and see his grandson.

"Yeah, he's proud, " I said with a smile, exiting the room with my coworker.

Just as I was heading back to the office, my phone began to ring.

"Sorry, I have to take this."

"Sure thing, Juleka. Later," She said, walking ahead while I made a stop at a corner to answer the call.

I checked and saw it was from Ben.

A smile crept across my face, leaving me curious to know why he was calling me.

"I won't know unless I answer him," I giggled.

On answering Ben's call and slowly walking ahead, Ben asked if I could close early for the day.

"I was thinking if we could have dinner outside as a family. It's been long we did that."

"Really? Eating outside as a family?"

"Yeah, " Ben answered.

I hummed in suspicion, asking him at once, " Is Ethan there with you?"

Silence came from Ben's end.

Just when I was about to repeat my question, a tiny voice, trying to make itself sound deep, came in next.

"Em... No Ethan here. It's just Daddy."

"Ethan, " I uttered, stamping my feet.

"No it's not Ethan. It's Daddy speaking to you in his voice. Hohoho."

"Buster, no one is buying that. Momma caught us already," Ben announced to Ethan, getting me all cackling.

Ethan screamed out and began begging for a family outing, selecting his place of preference.

And I couldn't say no to my sweet angel, so I agreed to it.

"Alright, fine."

"Yes!" Ben and Ethan cheered, leaving smiles across my face while I resumed with my walk.

"But I'm going to close from here by six. Then we can head out for a family dinner," I said, planning the time.

As I drew closer to my office, my eyes caught sight of someone standing right outside my door.

This sent my feet halting, gazing at the fellow who was waiting for me.

"Allen? What is he doing here?"

There he was, all dressed in one of his fancy suit, with his hand behind his back.

He had a smile across his face, waving at me.

I managed to lift my other hand and wave back, carefully approaching him.

"I'll call you later dear. There's an important work I need to attend to, " I said to Ben.

He agreed, ending the call from his end.

When I got closer to Allen, I greeted him with a smile.

"What brings you here this morning?" I asked, still feeling odd about his sudden visit.

"I was passing by and thought I should stop and say hello, " He said.

I nodded my head, seeing it as a normal thing for some people.

Only for him to pull his hand from behind, revealing a beautiful decorated gift in his hold.

"This is for you, " He said handing it over to me.

"Oh Mr Cadell, you didn't have to bring me anything. There was no need, " I said, trying to reject it politely.

But Allen wouldn't listen.

He insisted that I take it, as a way of expressing his friendship towards me, and I just had to take the gift.

"Thank you, " I appreciated, looking at the beautiful wrapper.

"You can check it out when you're free." He smiled at me, and I did the same, admiring his gesture.

Since he was here, I invited him into my office to have a brief conversation with him.

It was going well for just ten minutes before an emergency call came in, putting an end to the moment.

Allen had to leave while I had to face work. After what felt like ten hours, I came back to my office, with my eyes falling on the gift Allen gave to me.

Curious to know what was inside, I sat down and took the gift in my hand, opening it up.

And what I saw left my eyes shimmering.

A beautiful diamond necklace was inside, sparkling all gloriously.

I felt my cheeks burning red, wondering how much it must have cost.

"Is this what he calls a friendly gift or what? This must cost a lot of money!"

I felt strange by this surprise that I had to put a call through to Allen.

Surprisingly, he didn't delay in answering his call.

When he answered, the first thing I did was thank him for the gift which should be done.

"Don't mention it. You deserve it Juleka."

"But isn't this too much? I know it's the first gift you're giving to me, but a diamond necklace? How much does it cost? " I asked at once.

Allen came out laughing, making me feel like a dummy for asking for the price of the gift.

"There's no need to know Juleka. It's a gift after all. The price doesn't count."

"But Allen, this is..."

"Juleka," He called in a soft tone, getting me to stop in my track.

"Don't worry about it. I'm a billionaire after all, and I don't care about the amount I spend on someone, especially a friend. So, it's fine."

His words sounding soothing to me. I felt weird and at the same time, calm.

Since he insisted that it wasn't a biggie, I accepted, thanking him once again for the gift.

"It's really beautiful, I have to admit it."

"And it fits a beauty like you," He flirted, leaving me blushing.

I couldn't even respond to what he said but leave my mouth opened down.

Allen broke the silence by saying he was busy, and I got my voice at once.

"Sure. Thank you again."

"Anytime Juleka. Bye."

"Bye."

He ended the call.

I kept my phone aside, gazing at the beautiful necklace.

I couldn't deny the fact that I was moved by his act. He's a sweet guy.

I lifted the necklace, placing it closer to my neck and visualizing myself in a nice dress.

Really, it's a pretty ornament.

.

As promised, I closed at around six in the evening and arrived home to meet Ben and Ethan waiting for me.

They were already dressed, waiting for me to do the same.

I stepped in to change and came out looking like a model.

Ethan and Ben's reaction can attest to that.

"WOW!" Ethan exclaimed out loudly while Ben in a low voice. But his gaze were just fixed on me in shock.

My cheeks came flushing, thanking them for their genuine reaction, twirling around for them to have a good look at me.

"Thank you for that exclamation." I took a curtsey, leaving Ethan clapping with delight.

But Ben just kept staring and I couldn't help but get all hot with the way he was gawking at me.

"Em... What?" I asked, tucking my hair to the back of my ear.

Ben lifted his hand, pointing right at me.

"Where did you get that necklace from?" He asked.

My whole body shivered as I dropped my gaze down at the necklace.

Damn! I forgot that I didn't show Ben.

"Where did you get it from? " He repeated, getting all curious.

And now that I wore the necklace without showing him first...

"Em... It was gifted to me by a friend."

"A friend? Doesn't that look expensive?" He pointed once again.

I just laughed it off and said, " Come on, someone felt like giving me something special. Isn't that sweet?"

"Hmm. I guess so," Ben agreed.

"It's pretty. Fits you right. This friend sure has a good eye for nice things. It's almost like he placed you in your mind while getting it."

I chuckled at Ben's words, finding it silly. But somehow...

Somehow...

"Let's go, " Ben said, picking Ethan into his arms and heading for the door.

"Okay," I agreed, following from behind.

But my mind was on Allen and the way he stared at me when he handed the gift.

Even his words during the call felt... Strange.

.

Two days later, at the hospital, I was stepping out of a ward with Ben, who came over with a prisoner who was now a patient.

The prisoner had tried to kill himself by cutting his wrist. He was immediately spotted by the cops and rushed to the hospital.

So Ben, being an inspector, came along to monitor things there.

"He'll be fine."

"Well he better be. He must serve his jail term. Psycho freak," Ben insulted.

I rolled my eyes with a smile, only for it to get all wide at who I saw waiting at a corner.

"Allen?" I gazed out in shock.

He's here?