"Your aortic valve seems to be doing just fine," I said to my patient, Tyler.

Tyler was a star football player in his high school. The pressure to keep up appearances led him to overwork his heart. He came in last month with a ruptured aortic valve and had to go in for emergency surgery. Luckily, there wasn't too much damage done, so he didn't need a heart transplant.

"Great," he clapped his hands together with a small smile. "So, does that mean I could go back to practising with the guys?"

"Tyler-" his mom warned as she shot him a stern look from his side.

"Yes, but nothing too strenuous. We don't want you back here so soon now, do we?" I stated

"Nah, I'll be careful. I promise doc," he placed a fisted hand over his chest.

I smiled. "Good. So, I'll see you in two months for your next checkup"

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world" he stated, his tone laced with sarcasm.

I chuckled.

His mother gave him a tap on the arm and turned to me with a polite smile. "Thank you so much"

I responded with a subtle head bow.

After addressing a couple of concerns from the mother, I stepped out of the consultation room and headed for my next patient. My phone vibrated within the pocket of my lab coat. I pulled it out to see a text from Nicholas on the screen.

I'll be waiting outside during your lunch break.

Okay and? I texted back.

I was aware he wanted to meet up but it could've been worded better than that. I'm all for being nice and understanding but I'm also a believer in - reciprocating the energy you're given.

Last night, before he left, he snatched my phone and saved his number on it. Then, he proceeded to call his phone so that he, in turn, had mine. After he left, I had some time to myself to think and rethink my plans.

My phone vibrated against my palm.

I expect to see you waiting for me when I arrive at the hospital, don't test me.

Did he just order me right now? O ala kor gini? I'm going to have to set him straight when I set my eyes on him because I won't have that attitude. (Is it madness or what?)

I cleared out any thoughts of him as I dropped my phone back into my pocket. As I approached the next consulting room, I took in a deep breath, squared my shoulders and put on a professional front.

I placed a light knock on the door before pushing it open. "Hello I'm Doctor Amanda, how can I help you today?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

I inspected my scrubs and an inner long-sleeved black tee for any stains as I walked out of the hospital. A black Bentley pulled up to the front and the backseat windows rolled down to reveal Nicholas. He had on a black suit with a loosened tie which told me he came straight from an office.

"Don't ever order me around like that again," I said as soon as I got into the car.

"Well hello to you too," he looked up from his phone and lowered it unto his lap.

I glared at him, awaiting an apology. He didn't seem to get the message as he returned to tapping away on his phone.

"Well?"

"What?" he looked at me, oblivious.

"Aren't you going to apologize?" I asked and he raised a brow like I'd said the most inconceivable thing.

"That's not happening" he stated tersely and went back to his phone.

I stared at him, aghast. He didn't have any courtesy whatsoever. We would have to work on that for us to get along, because I know for sure he won't be throwing orders at me and expect me to run and do them, like some servant.

My nose flared as I exhaled and rested against the seat, with my arms crossed over my chest. I looked out the tinted window and tried to take my mind off his irritable attitude. Instead, I tried to predict what our conservation might be and how I should go about answering them. I made a mental list of all the things I needed to know about him and raked my mind for any more important details that might have escaped me.

We drove over to a little diner, near the hospital so I could make it back in time when my lunch break was over.

The aroma of cinnamon, butter and flour filled the atmosphere of the diner. A soft pop song played in the background, something about 'lighting stuff up like dynamites'. A black chalkboard rested on the wall, bearing the available menus and their prices. It was the peak of the afternoon, so there were a few booths occupied by people but the stools by the counter were empty.

We slid into a booth by a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, having a clear view of pedestrians passing by. A small, curvy waitress came around and took our orders - two large chicken hamburgers and a strawberry smoothie for me and a plain black coffee for him.

I grimaced at his order. Figures, his order matched his personality.

While awaiting our meals- or my meal, he busied himself with running his eyes over my face. Taking his time to study every line and curve on my face - At least, that's what it felt like. I shifted in the lumpy seat and fidgeted with my hands on the table, placing one over the other, then reversing them. My eyes landed on a chipped spot on the red table and I fought back an urge to peel back some more. I brought my hands down, unto my lap after a while and averted my eyes to the view outside.

Despite, my eyes being fixed outside the diner, I could still feel his eyes boring holes into the side of my head. Ignoring the feeling, I began to toss over each question I wanted to ask, deliberating over which should come first.

Should I ask about his job? - Would that seem like I was trying to determine his financial status? I wouldn't want to come off the wrong way. Maybe I should just ask about his family.

Wait, how do I go about that? Tell me about-- no. What's your fam -

"So, how are you doing?" His voice broke off my trail of thoughts.

I looked over at him and my small bump held his gaze. Oh, he's asking about the baby.

"I'm great," I looked down at my stomach and held back from caressing it. "And so is the baby."

He nodded. He had his arms crossed over the table and he drummed his fingers on his arm.

"So, what do you do?" I found myself speaking up.

So much for subtlety.

He leaned back into the seat and focused his eyes on mine. "I'm a businessman."

I rose a brow at his vague response. "What kind of business?"

He looked down at his crossed arms and returned with what resembled the ghost of a smirk, etching on his lips. "One that ensures your line of work--"he leaned forward and lowered his voice. "-never runs out of practice"

I wanted to believe that he was just fibbing but the stoic stare he had, placed a feeling of doubt in my heart.

A slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he leaned back into the seat. "I work at a construction company."

I released a shaky breath, relaxed my muscles and gave out a halfhearted chuckle. "Hilarious"

He threw an arm on top of the seat's backrest but on second thought, drew it back. There were no stains or dust particles on the sleeves of his navy suit but still, he dusted his arm and dropped it unto his lap.

The waitress returned with our order. The sight of my meal made me salivate and immediately, all I could think about was diving in. I dug into my burger and nearly rolled my eyes back into my head as the flavours hit my taste bud. I didn't realize I was so hungry until now.

I looked up to find him doing what he knew how to do best - staring. "What?" I placed a hand over my mouth as I chewed.

His brows flexed as he shook his head and took a sip of his coffee. "I caught a hint of an accent. Where are you from?" He said as he set his cup down.

My eyes shot up in surprise. I was under the expression that I masked it well because most people didn't catch it. "Nigeria. Ever heard of it?"

He picked up his cup and raised it to his lips. "Oh, I've heard quite a few of it" Then took a slow sip from his coffee.

"I'm not even going to ask what?" I muttered and took a bit of my burger. Judging by his tone, I had an inkling about 'what and what' he heard. It was a pity that other than our music, the bad facts of my country preceded the good.

"It doesn't matter what I've heard, I'll be judging you with a clear mind," he said

"Judging?"

"Getting to know you" he rephrased

I eyed him with a mix of distaste and wariness. If anyone should be judged, it was him - with his blank looks and weird jokes. I was going to be leaving my child in his care, for God's sake. My child. I was still coming to terms with accepting this baby, as my own.

Last night, right after he left, I did a lot of thinking. It was clear he was well to do, going by his VIP status at the hospital. And, as serendipitous as it was, his sudden re-appearance into the picture had rendered most of my inhibitions useless. From the looks of things, he was going to be in this baby's life and thankfully, I wouldn't be handling the weight alone.

In the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to keep this baby - he was my first child-but I had to be practical.

So, it had to take your rich baby daddy showing up for you to accept your child.

I dropped what remained of my second burger back unto the plate and pushed it to the side, my appetite was now long gone.

"Are you okay?" Nicholas watched me with concern. He eyed the plate for a split second and returned to my face.

"I'm fine," I managed to put up a small smile then looked down at my stomach "I guess he doesn't want any more"

"He? It's a boy?" For the first time, his face lit up.

"I have no idea," I hesitated a bit then continued. "I didn't want to know what I was having until birth. I just feel better saying 'him' than 'it'. Also, I have a feeling it's a boy"

He nodded. "When is your next doctor's appointment?"

"Next week Friday, actually. Would you want to come?" I mentally tapped the back of my head. Of course, he would want to come, I mean it's his baby too.

"Yeah, of course," He pushed his cup forward and leaned forward with an arm on the table. He raised the other arm and signalled the waitress.

"Okay, I'll send you the details,"

The waitress came over and without a second thought, I paid for the food. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed his clenched jaw and the tic of his veins as he clenched his fist. I got the feeling he didn't appreciate me paying for the meal but I didn't want to set the notion that he has to cater to me.

"Don't ever do that again" he gritted out the moment the waitress walked away with the plates.

"I'm an independent woman and I can pay for my own bills" I retorted

The muscle tic returned in the side of his jaw as he blinked back and narrowed his eyes at me. He leaned forward and tapped the table with his index finger as he spoke. "Be independent when you're alone, but when I'm with you, I pay. Do you understand?"

Who does he think he's talking to?

"You better watch your tone with me." I glared at him, feeling backed into a corner and defensive.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose for a few seconds. He reopened his orbs and flared his nose as he exhaled in exasperation. I maintained my fixed glare at him.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. With the way the words mangled out of his mouth, it was clear he didn't use them very often. "I'm just not comfortable with the idea of you paying for things while I'm there"

"I'm sure I must have bruised your male ego. But from where I come from when a man pays for you, most of the time he always wants something in return" I stated as I relaxed my gaze on him. "Though I guess it's too late for that now since I'm already carrying your child-"I leaned back to show my belly. "-but that notwithstanding I'm used to it, so it's going to be a little hard for me to let you take care of things"

He nodded in understanding. "We'll work on that"

"Just like how we'll work on your manners," I added with a sugary smile and fluttered my lashes.

He broke character and let out a small, genuine laugh. It was nice, he should do that more often. It made him seem less brooding.

For the first time, since we met, I allowed myself to look at him. Like, really look at him, taking notice of his facial features and all. The cool sweep of his gelled back dirty blonde hair and even darker full eyebrows. The high and proud stance of his pointed nose. The deep rouge of pink that took over his lips, just from sipping hot coffee. The refined jawline he possessed and the neat stubble that sprouted out of his warm, natural tanned skin.

There was an unwavering confident aura I received as I met his eyes. His lips curved into a smug smile. He had noticed me inspecting him - his looks. He was definitely a looker. A pompous one- but still delectable.

We drove back to the hospital. Just before I got down, he told me he'll be back when my shift was over, to pick me up. He didn't leave room for me to even disagree, not that I was going to.

As I trudged up to the Hospital's entrance, I replayed the previous events over in my head. I was certain that after meeting up with him, I'd have a sense of direction and most of my questions would be answered. Turned out, I was wrong.

At least, I have an idea as to what I'll be dealing with.

"Did I just see you get down from that Bentley? Or was that a figment of my imagination?" I stopped in my tracks and turned around. Ashley's cream cashmere jacket blew in the breeze behind her as she walked toward me.

"Maybe, maybe not," I said in a singsong manner. Then, shoved my hands into the front pockets of my scrubs as I resumed my steps.

"Don't play with me," she looped her arm into mine and fell in step with me. "You better tell me everything"

"There's nothing to tell. The driver saw me walking down to the hospital and decided to take pity on my condition," I glanced down at my belly, then at her.

"You're lying and I know it. The sides of your lips twitch anytime you lie" she waggled her fingers at my mouth.

"Nawa oo, you too like amebo" I laughed. (You're too nosy)

"I don't know what that means but yes I do," she said as we walked into the hospital building and I laughed even louder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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