CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

The next morning.
Mabel woke up early in the morning to prep herself to go to the hospital. She took her time and prepared herself mentally and physically.
She didn't want to lose her voice and embarrass herself again. She almost couldn't sleep last night because she was thinking about her encounter with the doctor.
She wore one of her most prettiest and expensive dress. She dolled her face up with makeup. A little too heavy but not enough to make her look like a clown.
She was sure that she was going to get the doctor's attention today. After all, no man can resist falling for her charms.
She bought some food from a restaurant and packaged it in such a way that it would look like it was prepared from home.
She wanted this man for herself. She wasn't sure what exactly her feelings were, but she was sure that when she gets a taste of him she would eventually get bored.
She arrived at the hospital a little too early.
Linda led her to a different office from the one she was taken to the previous day. Mabel noticed a Golden tag on the door with ' Doctor Stone ' engraved on it.
He must be a very important doctor, she thought. Before Linda could knock on the door Mabel barged in.
Josiah was about to scold the mannerless scoundrel but closed his mouth once he saw who it was.
"I didn't expect you to come so early in the morning" Josiah gave her a warm smile.
"You may go Linda" he dismissed her.
"Well I'm here now" Mabel said excitedly.
"Ah, I see your vocal cords are working perfectly fine now"
Mabel looked down in embarrassment.
" I didn't get to introduce myself properly t...the last time we met. I'm Mabel" she moved her hand forward for Josiah to kiss. which he didn't and Mabel withdrew her hand akwardely.
" I'm Josiah, but you can call me Jose" He said.
" Jose" Mabel tested the sound of his name in her mouth.
" Here, take this" Josiah gave her something that looked an ointment.
" What is this?" Mabel asked him.
" It's a special cream, for your injury. Just apply that often and it won't leave a scar"
" Oh"
" Anything else?" Josiah asked noticing the hint of dissatisfaction in her face.
" Aren't you going to check on the injury?"
" There is no need to do that"
" What if the wound has reopened?"
" It's a small cut, not a deep wound"
Josiah didn't pay any mind to her and started working on his computer.
"I cooked breakfast, would you like to eat some?"
" I'm not hungry, you may leave"
Mabel frowned.
Why is he suddenly playing hard to get? he was the one who was flirting with me in the first place. Why would he offer to treat me for free if he wasn't interested? All these thoughts occupied Mabel's head.
An idea suddenly popped up in her head.
"Ow"
"What's wrong?"
"I suddenly just got a bad headache" Mabel said as if she were really in pain.
Josiah stood up from his chair and went over to Mabel's side. He touched her forehead just to make sure she wasn't having a fever.
Mabel loved the feeling of his hand against her skin. She continued with her pretense.
" Ouch, it hurts so bad" she wasn't an actor for nothing.
" No fever, have you had any infections before now?" Josiah asked.
" What?" Mabel couldn't believe her ears. How could he even ask her that?
"Perhaps maybe an ear or a throat infection?"
"No"
"Are you pregnant?"
"N...no, I guess I'm just a little tired that's all. Just let me stay here a bit, until I feel better"
"I can let you do that, but it would be best if you go for a check-up. I would do it my self but that's not my job"
"Please"
"Ok, but it's at your own risk"
Josiah left her and went back to his computer to continue working.
"Why don't you tell me about yourself" Mabel tried to start a conversation with him.
"I'm a surgeon" that was all he said.
"Tell me more"
"I want to be alone" Mabel kept quiet after that. She decided to lay low and just observe him.
Who knew how many hours Mabel spent in his office, doing nothing but gawking at him. Even Josiah himself had forgotten about her presence.
He was stunned to see her still seated in the same position since he stopped noticing her hours ago. It was almost noon.
"You are still here?" She just nodded.
"Well I can't help you anymore from this point on, I have a very important surgery in thirty minutes and I won't be back any time soon"
"I will wait here"
"Please leave"
"What?"
"The door, use it"
" How can you do this to me, I spent my time here trying to accompany you and now you want to kick me out just like that" Mabel said with annoyance evident in her voice.
" I told you to leave earlier, it was your choice to stay here"
" Well at least accept the food, I spent a lot of effort in preparing it. You can't be so heartless and let it go to waste"
Josiah stared at her for a while.
" Leave it there"
Mabel smiled. So he was interested in her after all.
" I promise you that you will enjoy the food, it's really delicious"
" Miss..."
" Mabel"
"See you another time"
" Of course" She said.
Mabel gathered her things and left.
On her way out she saw a familiar figure approaching her. The one person who would never even spare her a second glance.
It was Jack's father. She bowed her head and greeted him. He took a simple glance at her and walked past her as if he didn't know who she was.
"Cocky old bastard" she cursed him under her breath.
If she had the power to end someone's life, he would be the first.
She wondered what he could be doing at this hospital. He didn't look sick or injured. She just assumed that he came to see a client.
Her thoughts drifted back to her prince charming.
Josiah smiled at Mr. Griffon.
"Hello father"