Love Redux: Fated to the Handsome Doctor

Lara slept like a baby in Andre’s embrace. The mix of anger, disappointment, and sadness merged into one, causing her body to weaken. She had no more strength.

“Eum…” Lara even mumbled in her sleep. Sometimes, cold sweats accompanied by screams that startled Andre.

The man slept on the sofa, not far from Lara’s bed. Andre really wanted to accompany Lara to sleep, but… he didn’t want to be seen as a scumbag who took advantage without his lover’s consent.

“Ndre….” Lara finally called his name.

“I’m here,” Andre replied softly as he rose from his previous position. He rubbed his eyes to adjust, then walked over to Lara’s bed. “What’s wrong, Ra? Do you need something?”

Lara reached for the bedside lamp button and turned it on slowly. She could see Andre’s face more clearly. “No,” she replied with a soft shake of her head. “Sleep on the bed. Your body will hurt otherwise,” she said, patting the empty side of the bed next to her.

Andre smiled. His white teeth, accompanied by his charming dimples, soon adorned his face. Lara approached and hugged Andre. “Sorry,” she whispered softly, burying her head in her lover’s chest.

Andre just gently stroked Lara’s head and whispered words of comfort. “It’s okay. I won’t leave, even if you strangle me or slash my arm, Ra. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I’ll always be with you.”

Lara looked up, gazing into Andre’s captivating brown eyes. No. It wasn’t the beauty of Andre’s face or the depth of his gaze that Lara aimed for, but the reflection of his love and affection that made Lara feel at peace. “Thank you.”

“No need.” Andre tightened the hug and patted Lara’s back gently. Lara knew she had gone too far. Her scratches were still visible. Lara felt guilty. “Your wounds?”

“Ah, usual wounds for a guy, Ra!” Andre chuckled and didn’t mind. “I’m a skilled doctor, fortunately. Otherwise… I might get an infection,” he added, embracing Lara again and resting his head on his lover’s forehead.

“Sleep here.”

“Are you sure?” Andre teased Lara. Suddenly, the woman’s face blushed.

“Yes.”

“If things happen as desired, what then?”

“What!” Lara lightly elbowed Andre’s ribs.

Andre gently tousled Lara’s hair and pinched her cheek fondly. “Relax, I can control myself. As long as nothing disturbs that tranquility.”

“Enough, just sleep, okay!”

“Okay, okay.”

The light was turned off. Lara slept with her back against Andre. She pulled the blanket high, covering her entire body perfectly. Before drifting off, Lara made sure there was a bolster as a bed divider.

“Good night, Ndre.”

Actually, it wasn’t Andre who felt that this position was dangerous. It was Lara who thought so.

Lara was curious why Andre didn’t respond to the farewell before sleep. “Ndre?” Lara called again without looking back. Andre’s voice still hadn’t been heard. But a moment later, Andre answered in a deep and… sexy voice.

“Good night, Honey.”

“Shit….”

***

The sunlight began to peek through the window curtains. The chirping of birds made a little commotion that soon woke Lara from her subconscious state. She smiled as she saw Andre sleeping soundly, almost without moving from his original position.

“Must be really tired, huh?” Lara muttered without wanting to wake Andre up. The face she knew so well was now asleep like an angel. Lara never knew how Andre worked hard to protect her.

“What are you hiding, Ndre?” Although Andre never told her, Lara knew that Andre was hiding something. Her memories turned to childhood, when Lara was bullied by her classmates.

Andre came home battered, but only admitted to having a usual fight. Lara heard arguments at Andre’s house. Andre’s mother blamed her youngest son and labeled him a troublemaker.

A few days later, Lara found out that Andre had challenged Lara’s bully to a duel. The result? Andre was beaten up, Lara’s bully was even worse… much worse, even. Whatever made a big guy like the bully enjoy bothering Lara, Andre couldn’t accept it.

But Lara never knew. Andre always protected her silently.

“What are you up to this time?” Lara caressed Andre’s still sleeping face. She spoke to herself and didn’t demand an answer. Lara would know at the very end. For Andre, all the responsibility and effects of his actions didn’t have to burden Lara.

That’s how Andre expressed his love and affection, not only to Lara, but to his family and friends as well.

“You…” Lara smiled again. Andre’s nature reminded her of the superheroes she saw on TV. They sacrificed their lives for the safety of the citizens, but no one ever knew them.

“I just hope you won’t sacrifice your life, Ndre. I will never forgive that.”

***

“Ma’am! Mr. Seno’s trial has begun!”

Briptu Ani called Lara that morning. Lara had just intended to wake Andre up after breakfast. It seemed that the man had already woken up first.

“Morning,” Andre greeted with his bright smile.

“Morning. Just a moment, I’ll talk to Briptu Ani.”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“Oh, okay.” Andre gave a thumbs up. He then went to the bathroom to freshen up, while Lara continued her phone call.

“When?”

“Today. I’ll update you on the progress, okay?” Briptu Ani offered because she didn’t want Lara to be there. Her recovery process was not yet optimal. Psychologists and doctors responsible for Lara also suggested this.

“What if I attend?”

“You can’t, Ma’am. Dr. Ricky still hasn’t given permission.”

“Alright. I trust that justice will be served.”

“You should prepare in case you’re called as a witness. For now, just rest, Ma’am.”

“Okay. Thank you for the information, Briptu Ani.”

“You’re welcome. Hopefully everything goes smoothly.”

Lara finally ended the call. She prepared breakfast at the dining table and called Andre to come. However, it seemed that Andre was still in the bathroom.

“I’ve prepared coffee and fried rice, Ndre. Hurry up and take a shower,” Lara shouted so Andre could hear her, even though he was in the shower. Soft splashing could be heard from behind the bathroom door. Lara immediately knew that Andre was showering.

“Yes. Okay!” Andre replied while still washing his body from the stickiness of soap and shampoo that enveloped him.

Lara smiled. She rearranged the table so that this morning’s meal could be enjoyed perfectly. For the first time, Lara felt happy to be useful. Previously, when with Seno, all kitchen and house chores were entrusted to the maid.

“Mmm… smells good,” Lara sniffed the wafting coffee steam in front of her. Her mood changed to cheerful, just because of the caffeine aroma that was so appetizing.

“Why did I only realize that eating together is so enjoyable?” she murmured as she sat down, waiting for Andre to come.

When still with Seno, let alone happy, the opportunity to eat together was never felt by Lara. Seno was too busy. They rarely even met. What romantic relationship was formed from a married couple who had been married for almost 2 years was unknown. Everything was so bland and didn’t foster love.

“Wow, it smells delicious,” Andre just came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around part of his body.

“N-Ndre. Put on your clothes first,” Lara said shyly, turning her face away. Andre laughed teasingly.

“Don’t you want to see my six-pack abs, Ra?”

“St-stop!”