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I slowly lifted my eyes and stared at him for a few seconds before returning my attention to the book in hand. “What do you want?”
I only looked away because I felt like I was blushing too hard.
He continued, “You’re an outstanding student, and you make it look so easy. I really admire that.”
I couldn't believe my ears and stared at him for a few seconds, “Is that your attempt at flirting?”
“I am not flirting with you,” he assured me. “I am just trying to initiate an academic proposal.”
I don't know why, but it hurt when I realized he wasn't flirting with me, and I let my emotions spill negatively.
“And why would I do that with someone lower than me in intelligence?” I asked with a smile.
The moment I asked that question, everywhere fell silent.
“Again, I don’t think you should be rude in your responses,” he advised, trying not to get triggered by my arrogance.
“I don’t think you understand, little doctor boy,” I said. “I am above you, and you are beneath. It’s that simple. If you need my help or my guidance, all you have to do is grovel; and maybe, just maybe, I will be willing to teach you how to get better scores and become a better doctor generally. You don’t have to thank me; I’ll do it for you. So kneel.”
What the hell was I even doing? I couldn't stop talking. I was just letting my mouth leak.
Talking to him like that in front of everyone else…
“I don’t think I should grovel. I just want us to…”
“The answer is no,” I said with a stern look as I got to my feet. “I heard you were the top student, and I must admit that it was obvious why you were in that position. Honestly, you’re pretty average in my eyes and in academics, too. Maybe try harder than you would normally do, and then get back to me, okay? I’ll keep beating you because that’s where you belong…at my feet.”
As his eyes narrowed, I knew I had messed up. I wasn't meant to go that far, and yet I did. There was no way he didn't hate me after all that. I couldn't believe what I had done. He never spoke to me again. And it hurt.
Occasionally, I would see him in classes. He will always remain behind, working hard. In terms of the kind of physique I loved to see in men, he needed to improve a lot. But his determination–his ability to ask someone better than him for help–was a trait absent in the lives of my siblings and me. That would be my first heartbreak, but I had caused it myself. I returned to the life I had built for myself. One where I continued to dominate and control everyone else.
It was the only way to stay safe from my parents and maintain an upper hand over my siblings.
****
I wondered what had happened to him. He had the funniest name I had ever heard: Philbert Johan. And I thought my parents were evil. Still, he was the only one who didn't fear me and was ready to put his foot down without being my brother.
Now there was Bruce, someone dominating. If he wanted to, he could be aggressive. His gentle spirit kept him calm, granting him the ability to stare me down whenever I wanted to show my wild side.
I was still worried.
****
Not too long after he had left the office, I decided to do another patrol to see what was going on. I checked one of the sick wards. Usually, I would pass by without noticing anything; but I decided to stop and watch closely.
I saw my nurses and doctors attend to patients with the biggest smile on their faces.How come I had never noticed this?They were so lost in their own world that they barely noticed me. I stood at the doors, watching, while they continued to care for the sick. Bruce was right; I needed to trust them.
Bruce
After I left the office and thought that I had put a hole in my plans, I decided to focus on my work. While I was checking the front desk, someone came by. I recognized him immediately as Shawn. We didn't talk during his hospital's launch. We last spoke when we had graduated from medical school.
I had a feeling that if he was here and had recognized me, he would expose me to Tabitha. So, I hid myself.
Tabitha
My patrol was reaching its final lap when I noticed Bruce in a haste to get away from something. He only stopped to smile at me and hurriedly continued his journey.
“That was weird,” I had to admit.
