THE BLOOD TEST

I stand frozen, unsure of how to respond, Dr. Volkov takes a step back that devilish smile still on his smile. “I … I uhm, this is probably a bad time I can come back later” I stutter.

"Don't be shy, Alivia," he says, his voice low and seductive.” Its’s just a little skin” he winks his hand brushing against my arm. his touch sends a shiver down my spine.

I can feel my cheeks turning bright red as I try to avoid looking at him. "I just didn't want to interrupt anything," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dr. Volkov chuckles, his deep voice filling the room. "Don't worry, Alivia. I'm done" He walks over to his bed and grabs his white shirt before putting it on " Are you ready for the blood test?"

I nod, relieved that the awkward moment is over. "Yes, I'm ready," I say, holding out my arm for him to take the blood sample.
Dr Volkov chuckles and I look at him confused " Don't you want to sit first?" he says gesturing to a chair near his desk.

I glance over at the chair and nod, feeling a little embarrassed that I had forgotten to sit down. "Oh, right. Sorry, I'm just a little nervous," I say, making my way over to the chair.

As I sit down, I feel Dr. Volkov's hand gently resting on my arm, his touch sending another wave of shivers down my spine. I can't help but glance up at him, catching his intense gaze. His eyes seem to be staring into my soul, making me feel exposed and vulnerable. "Don't be nervous, Alivia," he says, his voice soft and reassuring. "I'll take good care of you."

I nod, unable to tear my gaze away from him. His presence is overpowering, and I feel myself getting lost in the moment. As he prepares the needle, I can feel my heart racing in my chest, my body responding to the intense chemistry between us, “So, Alivia, tell me, have you always been so shy around handsome doctors?" he asks with a playful smirk.

I roll my eyes and give him a coy smile. "Oh, I'm not shy. I'm just waiting for the right doctor to sweep me off my feet," I tease, hoping to match his playful banter.

Dr. Volkov lets out a chuckle and turns to face me, his piercing gaze locked onto mine. "Well, lucky for you, Alivia, I'm the only doctor you need," he replies, a hint of seduction in his voice.

I raise an eyebrow, amused by his confidence. "Is that so? You must have quite the ego, Dr. Volkov," I say with a smirk.

Dr. Volkov shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I prefer to think of it as self-assured," he replies, his lips curling into a playful grin.

I can't help but laugh at his response, feeling a sudden ease in the tension between us. As he finishes preparing the equipment, I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the needle.

his hand brushes against mine as he takes my arm. I try to focus on something else. "So, Dr. Volkov, what made you become a doctor?" I ask, trying to distract myself.

He pauses for a moment, his eyes locking onto mine. "I guess you could say it runs in my family," he says, a hint of sadness in his voice. "My father is a doctor, and he always told me that there's no greater feeling than helping someone in need."

I can't help but feel a newfound respect for him. Despite his teasing and flirtatious nature, there's something deeper and more meaningful behind his actions.

I nod, feeling a sense of respect and admiration for him. "That's really admirable. I'm sure you make a lot of people's lives better," I say, trying to be supportive.
Dr. Volkov smiles warmly at me. "I hope so. It's why I do what I do," he replies “Here all done”.

My eyebrows crease together, and I look down at my arm, Dr. Volkov gently pressing it to stop the bleeding “What? when… when did you poke me? I didn’t feel a thing”.

Dr. Volkov chuckles. "I have a light hand, Alivia. You're a brave one, though. Not everyone can handle a needle like that," he says, admiringly. "You didn't even flinch."

I let out a small laugh, feeling a wave of relief. "I guess I have a high pain tolerance," I say, smiling at him.

Dr. Volkov leans back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. "That's not the only thing you have, Alivia. You're a strong and brave woman, and I can tell you have a lot of potential," he says, his voice low and smooth.

I feel heat spreading across my face unsure of how to respond. Part of me is flattered, while another part is wary of his sudden compliments. "Uh, thank you," I say, trying to sound appreciative.

Dr. Volkov stands up from his chair, his eyes still locked onto mine. "You're welcome, Alivia. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my workshop and study your blood samples. I’ll let you know what I find," he says, before walking towards the door.

I watch him go, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions. What was he trying to say with his compliments? Was he just being friendly, or was there something more behind his words?

I make my way towards the garden to check on Mia, but I can't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that's been plaguing me since Dr. Volkov's compliments. Was he trying to get close to me? Was he interested in me? Or was it all just my imagination running wild? I know I should focus on the task at hand and make sure Mia is okay, but my mind keeps wandering back to the doctor. I can't afford to get distracted like this, especially with so much at stake. But the more I try to push the thoughts away, the stronger they seem to become. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, and force my attention back to the present moment.

I stroll towards the garden, the warmth of the sun on my skin and the sweet fragrance of flowers in the air fills me with a sense of calm.

The gentle rustling of the leaves and the soothing sound of birds chirping made me feel at ease. That was until I hear a commotion coming from behind me. I spun around just in time to see Jess sprinting towards me, her voice ringing out with excitement, "Alivia! Alivia!"

But before I could even react, two council guards swoop in and tackle her to the ground, bringing her excitement to an abrupt halt.