6. Chapter 6 What Have I, No… What Have We Done?
Chapter 6: What Have I, No… What Have We Done?
Killian
As I stare into her eyes, the club doesn't even seem noisy.
I kissed her again, a second time when she had already proven our relationship with the first one. So why did I go ahead with another?
I know one thing for sure: the second kiss wasn't to prove anything to any stalker; that was all me.
Why did I do it?
Wait, why am I even beating myself up about it?
Did she have to kiss me to prove anything?
I can just tell him to back off and involve the police. So why am I playing along?
"Bunch of bastards," the stalker says, causing Madison's gaze and mine to break contact.
"I…" Madison's voice squeaks. She clears her throat before trying again, "I guess that proved and settled it then."
She is facing the stalker, but she moves backward and presses her rear against me. She raises her left hand and holds my head from behind her.
I get what she's trying to do, so I place my head on her shoulder and smirk at him. I hold her hips and pull her close to myself as she sways her hips rhythmically.
I know this is all for the show, but I'm enjoying it.
"You're a slut; that's all you are," the stalker seethes as he turns to leave.
"Thank you for your understanding," Madison replies as we watch him leave the club.
As we're sure he's out of the way, we pull apart.
She quickly turns to look at me.
"About that, I… I wasn't." She touches her lips and quickly removes her hand. "That… was all an act, you know?"
"I know," I reply, then in an attempt to lighten things up, I decide to tease her. "But judging by how much it seems to be bothering you, could it be that you're thinking it was something more than an act?"
Even with the dull lighting from the neon lights at the club, I can tell there's a flush on her cheeks.
"I don't know…" she says softly.
Not the answer I was expecting.
But somehow, it makes my heart a little excited.
I want to test it again.
I hold the right side of her face, and as she gazes at my hand, her attention shifts back to my face again.
The music is drowning out again, replaced by the drumming of my own heart.
I lean toward her slowly. Her lips open slightly as her eyes momentarily leave my eyes and dart a few inches lower before matching my gaze again.
She's not stopping me.
Why is she not stopping me?
Fine, don't blame me if anything happens.
"That was incredible!" a voice exclaims, interrupting the moment.
I let go of her face, and she adjusts herself before turning her attention to the girl.
"Why didn't you tell me you have a boyfriend and…" the girl stops as she exchanges glances between the two of us. "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry I interrupted, didn't I?"
You sure as hell did.
I'm irritated by her carelessness, but at the same time, I'm grateful that she stepped in.
Who knows what would have happened if I had let myself fall so quickly?
With the bratty Madison of all people.
"He's not my boyfriend," Madison says to her. "Gwen, this is Killian Ray, my brother's friend."
I know I'm not her boyfriend, but why am I upset that she has said it aloud?
"You sure? If he isn't your boyfriend, there are other ways to get the stalker off your back by using Killian here to your advantage," Gwen says. "Besides, you two have a chemistry."
Is she one of those airhead friends who become super perceptive at the wrong times?
"Well... I... I thought…" Madison can't find any words to defend herself.
"I understand your point, but this kind of guy can't get the message unless it's forced into his head," I step in. Madison looks at me with eyes of gratitude as I continue, "Besides, she's a little brat who keeps getting into trouble. I'm not sure I can handle her if she was my girlfriend."
The look on Madison's face seems hurt by my statement. I only meant it as a joke. I didn't expect it to do any real damage to her.
"That's a shame, really," Gwen says, then leans in close to me, grabbing my right arm. "Well, if you two aren't together, then that makes you available, right? Coincidentally, I, too, have a stalker that I need to ward off."
"No!" Madison refuses, surprising myself and Gwen. She realizes her outburst and calms herself down. "I mean, you can't because, uh… Steven might come back. And well, Killian is always busy. In fact…" she holds my left hand. "Can we go home now? I feel a bit shaky from the confrontation earlier."
"Home?" Gwen asks. "You two stay together, but aren't dating?"
"It's a little complicated, but nothing's going on," Madison assures her.
I don't say anything.
I feel awkward.
We leave Gwen at the club after she hooks up with a friend of hers.
But on the car ride back home, we don't say anything to each other. Just when I started to think she was okay with me now, things have gotten awkward.
***
As we get home, I struggle to ease the air around us.
"So, uh, I guess you should stay away from that club from now on. Don't go there without me following you if I'm not occupied with work," I suggest.
She's going to go all 'Let me make something clear' and defy me again.
I'm ready to match her this time.
"Okay, I understand," she says politely. "Thank you for… helping."
"Oh uh…" I didn't expect that. "It's no problem."
"Good night," she says and then continues her ascent.
She's different.
***
Back to the hospital.
I've said it before, but Monday is just another routine day for me as a doctor.
But I'm not feeling it even more than usual.
I've attended to four patients today: headaches, a quick surgery, helping with a medical examination, and a prostate exam.
It's now noon.
Despite preaching that my hospital should be a cheerful place, I can't seem to feel cheerful at all.
I'm distracted.
My mind is far away from here… in a club with a stubborn girl's hands on my face… my hands on her waist, pulling her to myself roughly.
Her soft lips, the taste of alcohol in her mouth.
She turns and presses her soft behind against me.
Just recalling it causes my manhood to react. My hands on her hips help her sway according to the music, but it is also an excuse to have her body pressing against my groin area for a longer period.
She turns to face me again… it's Madison. Why does it have to be Madison?
I'd have indeed gone mad if I had started to desire the younger sister of my best friend who has entrusted her into my care.
I touch my lips... I need to stop reminiscing.
"I take it that my research on better ways to treat ulcers can wait," Dr. Stuart says, breaking my thoughts.
"Hmm?" I look up and notice her sitting across from me. The blonde woman is amused about something.
More importantly, when did she get to my office?
"You're distracted, Dr. Ray," she says. "That's rare."
"My apologies; what were you talking about?" I ask as I adjust myself.
"I came in thirty minutes ago to talk to you about treating ulcers," she replies. "You kept on nodding and smiling. So, I assumed you were listening, but a few minutes ago and toward the end, you started to touch your lips; that's when I knew you weren't listening to me."
Shit. How could I have let my guard down?
"You okay, sir?" she asks with concern.
"I am. I just…" I sigh and rub my face. "I think I didn't get enough sleep last night."
"Life of a doctor," she says. "I'm sure it's more than that. Did the Madison fellow do something to you?"
"How do you know that name?" I frown.
She's surprised by my reaction. "I'm sorry...you kept mentioning her name while touching your… lips."
As she hesitates, I can see the blush on her cheeks as she pieces together what could have happened.
"I'm sorry you had to witness that," I apologize. "Do you think you can keep it to yourself?"
"Of course, I can," she promises. "I know how being in an unrequited love situation feels."
"That's where you're wrong," I quickly say. "I'm not in love with anyone. It's just something else that's on my mind."
"Right," she responds. The smirk on her face tells me that she doesn't believe me. I don't blame her; I don't sound convincing even to myself.
This is all Madison's fault. If I could just stop thinking about last night like it meant anything, then my life would be back to normal.
"Well, I'll excuse you then," she says as she gets up to leave. "I'll just discuss my findings with Dr. Ramone. If anything comes up or if you're less… occupied , then I'll come back."
"Thank you, Dr. Stuart," I say as I focus my gaze on my desk and support the left side of my face on my hand.
"Try not to let it bother you too much," she advises before closing the door behind her.
You don't have to tell me twice.
Whatever happened last night was just a cover-up to keep her out of problems.
Speaking of problems, I need to ensure that Steven fellow doesn't do anything too stupid.
Should I involve the police?
That'll just cause Nathan to panic. I want his research in Singapore to go smoothly without him having to worry about anything.
Also, I can't risk him finding out about what Madison did.
I'll find a way to resolve this myself.
My phone starts to ring.
It's Nathan.
"Missing me this much?" I ask as I pick up the phone, trying to sound as natural as possible.
"I guess you could say I've been so lonely," he says. "But the nurses in Singapore are doing their best to keep me occupied with work."
"Sigh, so in the end, all men are scum," I say with despair.
"How is that even…? Never mind," he sighs. "How is Madison? She seemed a little off when I called her this morning."
What?
"Did she say anything?" I ask.
"No, she just seemed weirdly obedient," he replies. "Did something happen?"
A flash of us kissing enters my mind temporarily.
"Nothing happened," I reply. "Maybe she's just feeling out of it."
"Are you okay, Killian?" he asks.
"Why do you ask?" I respond.
"You didn't make fun of her being immature or anything," he explains. "You just straight up said she's feeling out of it."
"Well, it was just an honest assumption," I say with a shrug. "I can't be too hard on her all the time."
"Did something happen?" he asks again, and now I can't shake the feeling of guilt. But I can endure it. No matter what happens, he can't know what happened.
"Nothing did. I'm just tired from work and all," I say. Luckily for me, a yawn arrives, almost like the universe is helping me keep my friendship safe.
"Oh, I understand. Sorry about interrogating you so much," he apologizes. "Both of you acting weird coincidentally just got me confused."
"Never mind that. How may I be of help?" I change the topic.
"Well, I sent something for you via mail to your home address," he replies. "I asked Madison to deliver it to your office. I would have sent it directly to your hospital, but I didn't want it getting lost amongst the many deliveries."
"Is it… that? " I ask.
"Yes, it is. The special surgery blade set," he answers. "I hope it gets the job done."
"It will. Thanks, Nathan," I tell him.
"No problem," he responds. I can visualize him smiling. He continues, "Just keep an eye on my little headache for me."
"I will," I promise him.
"Thanks. Have a wonderful week," he says before hanging up.
As soon as the call ends, I let out a sigh and rub my eyelids.
Whatever these feelings are, they need to leave as soon as possible.
I can't make things complicated.
She may have calmed down by now, and I'm the only one making a big fuss about a meaningless kiss.