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Alina’s hand automatically went to stroke his hair. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” After a while, she began. “Listen Dereck, there is something we need to talk about.”
Dereck sat up immediately. “Alina, not tonight, okay?” There was a hint of irritation in his voice. “I’m half drunk and tired. You can yell at me about the job tomorrow, okay?” He rose from the chair completely. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.” Then he left Alina alone in the sitting area and headed for the bedroom.
Alina sighed, a sense of loneliness tugging at her heart. She kept telling herself if Dereck knew the extent of what she wanted to talk to him about, he wouldn’t have blown her off, he wouldn’t have ignored her. Still, she couldn’t help but feel an ache in her chest. Dereck was growing more distant lately, more so since his sister visited.
Alina took a deep breath and allowed her eyes to slightly close. She wouldn’t hold him at fault. When Dereck hears her news, things will become better. He would become better. She had to believe that. It was the only thing holding her together.
* * *
Alina looked at her watch,her patience running thin. Dereck was late again. After his dismissal the other night, she held herself back, wanting the moment she told him about her pregnancy to be joyous and not filled with irritation, but he was late again for yet another meet-up.
“Dereck, where are you?” she asked herself while peering outside the restaurant for his toned frame. However, the outcome was disappointing, and Alina sighed with a pouted lip.
“Are you ready to order now?” the server had returned for the third time. She was getting tired of telling the woman to give her more time. Frankly, it was a bit embarrassing.
“Sorry. I’m going to call again and hopefully, I’ll get through this time.” She gave the server a one-sided smile and the server walked away, shaking her head.
Alina had called Dereck several times before, but it went straight to voicemail. This time it rang four times before he picked up the phone. “Dereck, where are you?”
“I’m sorry Alina, I’m running a bit late,” his words were rushed, and he seemed distracted.
She was losing her patience. “Sorry. That’s all I seem to hear from you lately. What’s going on with you Dereck? It seems that you’re always busy with something else.”
Alina didn’t know it, but her conversation had caught the attention of a woman waiting for her takeout order.
“Alina, you know what job I am in? When I neglect my duties, people die.” His voice was a little harsh and Alina caught up on it immediately.
“I’m not telling you to neglect your patients, Dereck. I’m simply saying that I can’t be the only one trying in this relationship.” Alina was speaking as softly as she could, but she was losing control of her patience.
“What are you saying, I don’t try?” Alina could hear the tightness in his jaw as he spoke. “I’m with you every moment I’m away from the hospital. I hardly ever get to see my friends anymore.”
Alina’s head jerked backward. “I have never stopped you from seeing your friends.”
“No, you just expect me to be at your side every moment of the day.” Dereck’s voice was laced with bitterness, and that was exactly what Alina didn’t want, not today.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. When she spoke again, her voice was soft and filled with emotions. “Dereck, I need to talk to you. This is important.”
Dereck’s voice was still harsh. “I said I’ll be there Alina. Just wait for a damned minute.” Silence followed his words, then Alina realized he had cut off the phone.
Alina felt frustrated.
Alina rested her elbows on the table and allowed her forehead to rest lightly in the palm of her hands. Her head was spinning slightly, and she was in the process of regulating her breathing when she heard a soft, feminine voice. “You’re Alina, right?”
Alina raised her head to a slender woman who looked like she could be a model. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
“I doubt you do, but I know about you,” the woman said, her lips curved as she peered down at Alina. “There’s a picture of you in Dereck’s office.”
Alina thought back to being at the hospital, and a vision of that woman wearing a white coat flashed into her thoughts. She saw her once, speaking to Dereck, and thought she was just a little too friendly. The woman was using every opportunity to put her hands all over him.
“Oh,” Alina said after a snarl. “You’re that doctor.”
The woman put her hand on her hip. “I am more than just ‘that’ doctor.” Then she added in a low vindictive tone. “At least to Dereck I am much more.”
Alina didn’t like the way the conversation was headed. She raised her chin. “What are you saying?”
“I know you’re only an artist, but I thought you were smarter than this.” The woman spewed her occupation as if it was something to be ashamed of. Alina tilted her head and widened her eyes. “But since you can’t figure it out,” the woman continued. “Let me spell it out for you. Dereck and I are together.” She leaned in closer to Alina. “As in a couple.”
Alina felt like someone had smacked her across the face. Still, she couldn’t believe what this woman had to say. “You’re lying.”
