Chapter 4
“Give a little love to a child and you will gain a heart”
—John Ruskin
Devon
A few days had passed since my encounter with Cavaller, and I would always catch myself thinking about him at some point.
I sensed it was because that man had impacted me like few people, or to be honest, like no one else had, but I was at peace knowing we wouldn’t see each other again, or perhaps I was disappointed—I couldn’t really say.
I was examining my last patient of the day, a two-month-old baby, when the office phone rang. The nurse accompanying me answered the call.
“Good afternoon. Dr. Dulcet’s office.”
—…
“The doctor is with a patient. You can leave a message or call back in a few minutes.”
—…
“Give me a moment while I find a paper to write down your message.”
—…
“Very well, I’ve written down the name and phone number. The doctor will contact you. Good afternoon.”
—…
When I finished the consultation, the nurse told me someone had left a message and that the details were on a piece of paper inside a folder on my desk. I read the message after closing the patient file on the computer.
Mrs. Alba, Aurora Cavaller’s nanny. Please contact her at tel. 09*******
I couldn’t help thinking about the father, but I tried to stay calm. Although I had no intention of seeing or speaking to him again, I didn’t question calling Alba because I would never disrespect her like that. I picked up the phone decisively and called her.
“Hello?” said a woman’s voice.
“This is Dr. Dulcet.”
“Doctor, how wonderful to hear from you. This is Alba, Aurora Cavaller’s nanny. How are you? Thank you so much for returning my call.”
“No problem, Alba. How are you and Aurora doing?”
“We’re fine, but I should tell you that this little one still remembers you and asks for you. I think you made quite an impression on her. Every time she puts on her princess dress, she says your name.”
I smiled hearing what she told me. It was very touching to know that the little girl remembered me.
“Aurora is a very sweet child.”
“That’s why I was calling. Today she’s a bit down because her father has been away on business for a few days and she’s probably missing him. To cheer her up a little, I thought perhaps you could meet so they can spend some time together, if you’re available and it’s not too much trouble.”
My brain was trying to process all this information. The father was away on a trip, which gave me the assurance that I wouldn’t see him. On the other hand, having the chance to spend time with Aurora made me very happy, so I didn’t hesitate.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’ve finished with my appointments for today and I don’t have to work the emergency room, so I can meet with you. Would you like to come to my place or should we meet somewhere?”
“I don’t want to take advantage of your generosity, but could you possibly come here?”
Go to Cavaller’s house? The idea didn’t appeal to me because I felt like I would be invading his privacy. Alba must have noticed my hesitation because she added:
“It’s just that I’d prefer not to take Aurora out because it’s very hot.”
“No problem, give me the address and tell me what time works best for you,” I asked, because even though I had the address on Cavaller’s business card, I didn’t want to mention it. “I haven’t had lunch yet, but it won’t take me long.”
“Doctor, it’s four in the afternoon and you haven’t had lunch? That’s crazy!” exclaimed Alba.
“Today was a complicated day, but it’s not always like this.”
“If you’d like, you can come have lunch here. We’ve already eaten, but we can keep you company while you eat.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll grab something at the cafeteria in the clinic and then head over.”
“Alright, we’ll be waiting for you. I’ll send you the address by message. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you for inviting me. It’ll be a pleasure to see you both again.”
An hour later, I was entering the Cavaller family home, a house that impressed me with its beauty, size, and security.
To enter with my car, I had to give my name to a security guard.
The house had a beautiful tree-lined garden and was two stories tall.
I parked my car in the garden and, as I was closing the door, Aurora’s sweet voice made me turn around with a big smile.
“Divon, Divon.”
She was in Alba’s arms but was struggling to be put down.
Alba approached with her, and as soon as she was next to me, Aurora stretched out her little arms to come to me.
Her hug made my heart beat faster than normal.
The sincere and genuine affection of a child was one of the most beautifully human sensations.
With Aurora hanging from my neck, life seemed wonderful.
I had never felt these emotions before and they were incredible, as if my heart and soul were being flooded with her tenderness.
“Hello, Princess Aurora,” I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, Alba, how are you?”
Aurora smiled and also kissed my cheek, and Alba greeted me with a smile too, though I think she was surprised by Aurora’s displays of affection.
“Let me see you in that wonderful dress,” I said, setting her down on the floor to make her twirl. “You look beautiful, Princess Aurora.”
She surprised me again by laughing and hugging my legs.
“I swear, doctor, this child has never been this affectionate with anyone. I don’t want to exaggerate, but I think not even with her father.”
“I don’t think so, Alba. It must be because I introduced her to the world of princesses, and little girls love them,” I commented, although I was also surprised by her effusiveness, especially since we barely knew each other, but it was as if we had an inexplicable connection.
“Divon, come on,” she said, taking my hand and tugging me to enter the house.
“I made chocolate chip cookies for us to have as a snack,” Alba said.
“How delicious, thank you. I’m sure they must be Aurora’s favorites.”
She looked at me and smiled.
“Yiiiiiiii.”
The house was beautiful and modern. The impressive two-story exterior facade welcomed you through a glass entrance.
Inside, pale wood and soft, warm tones created a family environment.
The large glass windows not only took advantage of the beautiful views, but with their refined and warm details, gave it a cozy appearance.
The house was flooded with light, and the modern, comfortable furniture helped create that family atmosphere.
It was like a refuge, a home that awakened the senses.
“It’s a beautiful house,” I said, looking around the living and dining area where we were.
“Yes, it is. It’s a shame they don’t enjoy it much. Mr. Cavaller is rarely home, he usually arrives at night and his company makes him travel a lot, like now.”
“That’s a pity,” I said, looking at Aurora, because I was really saying it for her.
Alba must have understood what my words meant because she immediately clarified:
“But Mr. Cavaller is a good father, he lives for his daughter. The thing is that he’s a businessman with many responsibilities.”
“I didn’t say otherwise, Alba. I couldn’t because I don’t know him.”
She nodded and said:
“Let’s sit down and eat some cookies. Would you like tea or coffee?” she asked kindly.
“Whatever you’re having is fine for me.”
We sat on the living room couches while Aurora brought me many toys to play with her.
I had been at the house for a little over an hour and was sitting on the carpet combing dolls’ hair.
Some knocks on the front door made Alba go there, and minutes later she returned accompanied by a man who looked to be about 35 years old or a bit older.
He was a tall, attractive man with dark blond hair and brown eyes.
He was impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, and his build was athletic and elegant.
He looked at me with surprise, and I assumed it was because I was sitting on the carpet, wearing a crown on my head, and drinking tea from a toy teacup.
“As I mentioned to you, this is Dr. Devon Dulcet, a family friend,” Alba said, but she couldn’t hide her smile at seeing me in such a childish pose.
I stood up to greet him, but forgot to take off the crown. Aurora, seeing me stand up, did the same and took my hand, I suppose to prevent me from leaving.
“Doctor, this is Xavier Montepaz, also a family friend,” Alba informed me.
“Pleased to meet you,” I said, extending my hand to greet him.
“The pleasure is mine, Your Highness,” he said, smiling.
At first I looked at him confused, but then I understood his words and took off the crown and smiled.
“When I’m with Aurora, we’re princesses.”
“We’re pwincessess,” Aurora shouted.
“Hello, little one, how are you?” he said, crouching down to Aurora’s level. “Isn’t there a kiss for Uncle Xavier?”
Aurora approached and gave him a kiss on the cheek, but then began tugging at me to take me back to the improvised tea table.
“Divon, come on.”
“We were playing tea party,” I said.
“The doctor is an angel with children, and Aurora loves her,” Alba said, looking at me with a smile.
“I can see that,” he said, and his gaze was so intense that it made me feel a little uncomfortable.
“Mr. Xavier, we were about to have dinner. Would you like to join us?” Alba asked him.
“I’d love to,” he replied, without taking his eyes off me.
Xavier Montepaz sat on the living room couches and joined our game because Aurora gave him a teacup and also gave him one of the chocolate chip cookies. He began eating it eagerly while also pretending to drink tea and praising how delicious it was while Aurora laughed.
We continued like this for several minutes with Aurora telling us what to do, me playing with her, and him not taking his eyes off me. When Alba came and told us dinner was ready, we headed to the kitchen with Aurora holding my hand and him walking behind us.