22. First dinner and Great companionship
Neil's hand tightened on the wheel. He glanced at her briefly, then turned back to the road, jaw set.
Neil: "What do you like to eat?"
She blinked. That wasn't the answer she wanted.
Eva: "Why do you care?"
No reply. Instead, he pulled the car to a stop in front of a restaurant, switched off the engine, and got out.
Neil: "You can sit if you want. I'm hungry."
Eva sat there, sulking, stomach growling loud enough for the empty car to hear. After two minutes, she huffed and climbed out, trailing him with small annoyed steps. He caught sight of her reflection in the glass door and the corner of his mouth twitched into a smile.
Inside, they got a table by the window. The waiter handed them menus.
Eva scanned hers, eyes lighting up.
Eva: "Ooooh, seafood platter! Yes! Grilled prawns, crabs, spicy fish fry... my stomach is already thanking me."
She didn't notice Neil stiffen, his fingers curling against the menu. He didn't say a word, just flipped to the steak section.
Neil: "One medium rare steak. No sauces. Black coffee."
Eva wrinkled her nose.
Eva: "Seriously? Steak and black coffee? That's so... depressing."
Neil: "Simple. Efficient."
Eva: "You sound like a machine, not a human. Food is supposed to hug your soul, not... file a report in your stomach."
Neil arched a brow, unimpressed.
Neil: "And prawns hug your soul?"
Eva, dramatically clutching her heart: "Yes. Like true love. You'll never understand."
He almost chuckled but looked away, hiding it behind his coffee cup when it arrived. She, on the other hand, attacked the seafood with sparkling eyes, practically humming at every bite.
Eva: "Oh my god, Neil, this crab... this crab is heavenly. You sure you don't want to try?" She slid the plate a little toward him.
Neil's gaze flickered to the plate, then to her eager face.
Neil: "No."
Eva shrugged, too busy devouring to care. She cracked open another prawn.
Eva: "Mmm. I swear, if I had to choose between a man and seafood... I'd marry this plate."
Neil muttered under his breath: "Did I really marry this women."
She didn't catch it. Instead, she sipped her mocktail, wiped her lips, and leaned forward.
Eva: "So, Doctor Secrets... where were you all day?"
He met her eyes, steady, unreadable.
Neil: "Not hospital."
Eva groaned, tossing her fork down.
Eva: "That's not an answer!"
Neil: "It's the only one you'll get."
She glared, chewing furiously. He let her sulk, then finally broke the silence.
Neil: "If you keep eating like that, you'll get sick."
Eva shot him a look.
Eva: "Don't boss me around. And don't you dare judge my relationship with prawns."
The waiter brought the bill. Neil picked it up immediately.
Eva: "I can pay for my food, you know."
Neil: "It's our home. It's my responsibility."
She froze for a second, that single word-home-echoing strangely warm in her chest. She quickly masked it with sarcasm.
Eva: "Fine. Then as my responsible husband, you also owe me dessert."
Neil smirked faintly, stood up, and gestured toward the exit.
Neil: "Let's go before you marry the ice cream counter too."
Eva followed with her ice cream scoop in a cup, grumbling, but her lips curved into a secret smile. He didn't know it, but to her... this was the first time it felt like they were having dinner together as something more than just strangers with a contract.
Eva sank onto the couch for a moment, letting out a tired sigh. The house was quiet now, the chaos of the grocery store and dinner fading away. She glanced at the neatly arranged bags on the counter-Neil had actually unpacked some items, placing fragile jars carefully.
Eva took the lead, starting to unpack the groceries from the counter.
Eva: "You seem tired, go get some rest, Neil."
She spoke softly this time, calling him Neil, which he lowkey liked.
Neil: "You're tired too, Eva. We'll do it together-we're a good duo, I guess."
Eva gave him a proud glance and raised an eyebrow.
Eva: "Accepted."
They moved in sync-him unpacking, her arranging the fridge. A jar sat above the counter, just out of her reach. Neil leaned in, grabbed it, and placed it in the cupboard. He could have stepped aside, but he chose not to. Eva froze in place, her heart skipping a beat.
Eva: "Ugghh, finally done. Good job, Neil." She patted him lightly.
Neil gave a small, confident wink.
Neil: "I know. Good night."
Eva's inner thought raced: Wow... a wink. Is he really the grumpy Dr. Mechine?
Eva (thinking): He's... different. Not like the Neil at the hospital. Calm, almost domestic. Huh... maybe I can get used to this "fake husband" act.
Neil, meanwhile, had quietly gone to his room, closing the door softly behind him. From the other side, Eva could hear the faint sound of him settling in-his presence strangely comforting even if he didn't say a word.
For a brief moment, the idea of this fake marriage didn't feel suffocating. It felt... manageable.
Eva whispered softly to herself: One year... I can do one year.
And as the lights dimmed in the new home, both of them settled into their separate rooms, their minds half on the day's chaos, half on the unusual companionship they had just begun.
Both walked out of their rooms, heading towards the car. Eva hesitated, then insisted:
Eva: "I don't want people to know this, Neil. It's our secret."
Neil: "Yeah... it is."
Neil's hand tightened on the steering wheel, his eyes lingering on the empty spot beside him. A strange heaviness filled his chest. Of course, she wouldn't want us to arrive together. It's our secret. Husband and wife in ink, strangers in life.
He leaned back, sighing. But still... walking off like that, as if she doesn't need me. She's going to struggle every single day-buses, taxis, carrying groceries, running around. Alone. Why does that bother me so much?
The thought gnawed at him. Couldn't I just... make it easier for her? Gift her something?
His jaw tightened. But would she even accept it from me? She's stubborn, she'll probably refuse. Damn it, Should I take someone's help.
His fingers tapped on the steering wheel, then reached for his phone. With a reluctant frown, he shot a text to Ryle.
Neil: Need Ria's number.
The reply came back in seconds.
Ryle: Ohhh??? Mr. Mechine suddenly wants the little sis' number? Should I be jealous?
Neil rolled his eyes. He typed back.
Neil: Don't be stupid. I need it for something.
Ryle: Something? Or SOMEONE?
Neil: Ryle.
Ryle: Okay, okay! Relax, Doctor. But wait, this is suspicious.Is this about your pretty wife?
Neil exhaled sharply, lips pressing into a line.
Neil: Just send me the number.
Ryle: Sure, but on one condition- invite me for a dinner this weekend at our new home brother.
Neil's brow twitched, but he said nothing. A notification buzzed. Ria's number blinked on his screen.
Neil: sure.
Ryle (follow-up): P.S. If this is about a gift, make it good. Sunshine girls don't fall for cheap tricks. Trust me.
Neil locked his phone, jaw still tense, but a thought softened him. A gift... Maybe she won't accept it, maybe she will. But at least I'd know I tried.
Neil stared at his phone for a long while, debating. Text would be safer, shorter. But knowing Ria, she'd turn even that into a full-blown interrogation. With a resigned sigh, he pressed call.
"Hellooo?" Ria's voice came through bright and too chirpy for his current mood.
"It's Neil," he said curtly.
There was a pause. Then, "Well well, Dr. Machine himself graces me with a personal call. Did my number dial itself? Or are you lost and accidentally hit the wrong Walter?"
Neil pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't be ridiculous. I needed to ask you something."
"Oh wow," Ria gasped dramatically.
"...Fine. Ria," he corrected tightly. "Can Eva drive?"
Another pause. Then, pure laughter. Loud, unfiltered, echoing in his ear.
Neil's brows drew together. "What's so funny?"
"You," she said between chuckles. "Big scary surgeon asking me like a nervous schoolboy if his secret wife can drive. What, planning to buy her a car?!"
Neil's silence was answer enough.
"Oh my god, you are!" Ria nearly squealed. "This is gold. Wait till Eva hears-"
"You're not telling her." His voice dropped dangerously low.
Ria smirked through the line, he could hear it. "Relax, Machine. Your secret's safe... for now. But honestly, you gifting her something? Didn't think your heart pumped actual blood. Thought it ran on ice."
Neil ignored the jab. "Just answer. Can she drive or not?"
"She can... if you call wobbling ten meters in an empty lot driving. Let's just say she's better at running into walls than avoiding them."
His frown deepened. "...So, no license?"
"No license, no car, no clue." Ria snorted. "Honestly, if you gave her a Ferrari, she'd probably use it as a greenhouse for her plants."
Neil sighed. "Forget it." He went to hang up, but her voice stopped him.
"Wait, wait. Don't pout, Doc. It's kinda sweet, you know. Thinking about her struggles. You wanna help, but don't know how. Very Romeo-meets-Traffic-Cop vibes."
"I don't pout," he muttered.
"Sure," Ria said, grinning. "Anyway, if you're serious-she can drive and have a driver's license too."
Neil paused, her words sounded real this time, Practical. Useful.
"she wouldn't reject."he said simply.
"That's your problem I can't make Eva accept your gift."
"Got it."
"Good." Ria clapped her hands , giggling delighted. "Look at us, bonding like in-laws already. Who knew?!"
Neil:"I knew."
Neil hung up before she could say another word.
On the other end, Ria chuckled to herself. "Yep. I had no idea how much fun this marriage is going to be."
"I am kinda liking it."
Lexi ran towards her spontaneous hug and a bright smile kept on Eva's face.
The hum of coffee machines and quiet chatter filled the small café tucked inside the hospital. Eva sat at the corner table, stirring her cappuccino absentmindedly. Her eyes were glazed, lost in thoughts she didn't want to think about.
Lexi plopped into the chair opposite her, tray loaded with sandwiches, juice, and a double espresso.
Lexi: (dramatic sigh) "Four days. Four freaking days. Do you know what that feels like, Eve? Like forty years in residency terms. You abandoned me !"
Eva blinked back into reality, smiling weakly.
Eva: "You make it sound like a war zone."
Lexi: (mouth full of sandwich) "It is. I'm stuck in orthopedics this month with Dr. Lucus, the man who lectures for forty minutes straight about a bone fracture and then gives pop quizzes on calcium metabolism. Meanwhile, you're sipping tea with Dr. Neil 'The Iceberg' Morris."
Eva bit her lip, lowering her gaze. The name made her heartbeat hitch.
Lexi: (leaning forward, eyes narrowing) "Hold up. Why do you look like that when I say his name? Don't tell me... don't tell me you're starting to like your grumpy boss?"
Eva: (choking on her drink) "W-what? No! Absolutely not. You've been reading too many romance novels."
Lexi: "Ohhh, the denial is strong. Classic symptom." (points finger at her dramatically) "You, my dear, are hiding something."
Eva shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the marriage-secret gnawing at her chest. She wanted to tell Lexi everything, but she couldn't. Not here, not yet.
Eva: (forcing a smile) "I'm just... tired. Cardio rotations are intense, you know that."
Lexi: (rolling eyes) "Girl, you're tired, but your face looks like you're hiding a whole crime scene. Spill. Did Dr. Neil yell at you again? Did he throw his stethoscope? Did he-oh wait-did he finally smile?!"
Eva laughed despite herself, shaking her head.
Eva: "No stethoscope throwing. No smiling either. Just... work. A lot of work."
Lexi: (squinting at her suspiciously) "Hmm. I don't buy it. Something's fishy."
Before Eva could reply, the café door opened and in walked Neil with a couple of doctors. He was in his white coat, sharp, composed, unreadable as ever. Lexi's jaw dropped.
Lexi: (whispering urgently) "Speak of the devil. And he looks like he walked out of a medical drama poster. Ugh. How do you survive around him? I'd die of stres. Probably."
Eva froze in her seat, clutching her cup tighter. Her stomach twisted-part fear of being caught, part something she didn't want to name.
Neil's eyes swept across the café and for the briefest second, they locked with hers. A flicker-barely a second-but Eva felt it. He gave the faintest nod before moving past with his colleagues.
Lexi's sharp gaze darted between them.
Lexi: "...Okay. What was THAT?!"
Eva: (panicking) "That was nothing. Literally nothing."
Lexi: (grinning wickedly) "Oh,Eve. Whatever it is, feels like You're in DEEP trouble."
Cardio Rounds:
The cardio floor was buzzing. Interns flipped through patient charts, and the faint antiseptic smell clung to the air. Neil Morris strode down the hallway, crisp white coat flaring slightly behind him, followed by a trail of residents-Eva among them, clutching her iPad tightly.
"Room 307," Neil ordered without looking back. The residents quickened their pace.
Inside, an elderly man sat propped up on pillows, his chest moving shallowly. Neil's sharp eyes darted to the monitor.
"Mr. William, CABG done six weeks ago. What do you see?" he turned abruptly, fixing his gaze on Eva.
Eva's throat went dry. She knew the answer. She knew. Still, the weight of all eyes on her made her words catch. "Um... his ECG shows-"
Neil's tone cut through. "Speak up, Dr. Walter. If you can't present in a patient's room, where will you present? At a tea party in a café?"
A few muffled chuckles from the residents at the back. Heat rose up Eva's neck. She gripped her iPad tighter and forced the words out. "ECG shows sinus tachycardia, possibly due to post-op anemia. His vitals indicate-"
Neil didn't wait. "You think or you know?" His voice was low, clipped, but the room felt it vibrate. "Half-hearted answers can kill a patient, Dr. Walter."
Eva swallowed hard, cheeks burning. She bit back a reply and nodded instead, hiding the sting in her chest. She didn't miss the sympathetic glance from one of the nurses.
They moved on. Room 309, a young woman recovering from valve replacement. Neil fired rapid questions at the group.
"Causes of mitral stenosis? You-" he pointed to another resident, who answered swiftly. Neil nodded.
By the time they left the ward, Eva trailed behind, heart thudding. The embarrassment sat heavy on her chest. She wasn't incompetent.
Eva's (in her head):
Seriously, what is with him?
One second, it's "Good night, Eva" with that soft smile and-God help me-that stupid wink that made my heart skip like an idiot.
And the next second? Boom. Dr. Neil Morris, king of cardio, emperor of the ICU, standing there like he owns every wall, every bed, every heartbeat in this hospital.
Did he really have to say it like that in front of everyone?
As if I was some clueless intern fumbling with notes.
He doesn't even realize how his words cut when he uses that voice-the one that makes even senior residents shrink like school kids caught cheating.
And me? Standing there like an idiot, cheeks burning, praying the ground would open up and swallow me whole.
But then when it's just us-when the doors close, when no one else is watching-he's... different. Still grumpy, yes, still bossy, but softer. There's this quiet way he looks at me, like he actually listens, like maybe he cares. Like maybe I'm not just another resident he can order around.
And that's the problem. Which Neil is real? The public one who crushes me with every word? Or the private one who grabs jars for me and pretends he isn't leaning too close on purpose?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud voice.
"Break," he said suddenly, dismissing the group in the corridor. The residents scattered like relieved birds. Eva started to follow, but Neil's voice stopped her.
"Dr. Walter. A word."
She turned, stiff. "Yes, sir?"
He replayed his own words. Tea party. Half-hearted answers can kill a patient. Too harsh. He hadn't meant to target her-just to keep the group sharp. But she'd taken it to heart.
Eva blinked. "Excuse me?"
she was waiting for him to talk.
Neil exhaled slowly, his tone softening, almost uncharacteristically. "You answered correctly."
"Your observation-sinus tachycardia due to anemia-was right. I... shouldn't have said it the way I did." His eyes flickered to hers briefly before shifting away, like the admission itself cost him. "You're not half-hearted, Dr. Walter. Not at all."
Eva's lips parted, surprise flashing across her face. For a second, she caught something in his gaze-guilt mixed with something gentler.
Someone walked past them and suddenly,
He straightened, cleared his throat.
"Rounds in 20 minutes again. Don't be late."
He walked off briskly, leaving Eva in the hallway with a confused flutter in her chest.
Ugh. Stop it, Eva. He’s your boss. Your senior. Your… so called fake husband. God, even that word feels ridiculous when I think about him and me in the same sentence.
I need to get my head straight. Residency is already hard enough. Long hours, patients crashing, pressure everywhere. I can’t let him be another weight on my chest. He may own the hospital corridors, but he doesn’t own me.
Still…
Why do I keep catching myself waiting for the softer Neil to show up again?
"Shut up eve, go and check on your patients"
She muttered to herself.