Chapter 336 Are You Nervous?
"Ulysses, What's wrong?" Jennifer asked, trying to keep it chill. She was clearly putting on her professional game face, but you could see the tiredness and sadness creeping in.
James just stared at her, hesitation choking his words.
Jennifer waited a bit, but James stayed silent. She looked up, gave him a small smile, and said, "Ulysses, no need to be shy. I'm a doc. Spill if something's up. I won't laugh, promise."
Hearing her words and seeing that warm smile, James's eyes got all misty. He tried to keep it together, at least to keep his breathing steady, but it was tough. In that quiet room, Jennifer could totally sense his emotional storm.
Lucky for him, they were in the clinic, and she was in full Dr. Johnson mode. Anywhere else, Jennifer would've been super suspicious!
"Ulysses, you good? If talking's too hard, just write it down." Jennifer was patient as ever, pushing a pen and paper his way.
James closed his eyes, then opened them. Under the table, he pinched himself hard to calm down.
Finally, he got a grip on his emotions enough to talk normally. But he couldn't use his real voice..
With some efforts, James managed to change his voice. By focusing his energy on his vocal cords, he could make his voice all raspy and hoarse.
"Dr. Johnson, I've been having trouble sleeping. Keep having these dreams with the same scene and the same person," James croaked.
He watched Jennifer closely, relieved she didn't recognize him as James. But there was this weird disappointment he didn't want to admit.
Jennifer smiled and said, "Can you take off your mask and sunglasses so I can see your face?" James shook his head, "Not convenient."
Jennifer was a bit thrown off and found it kinda weird, but she didn't think too much of it. She's seen all kinds of patients in her years of practice.
"Can I do a further check-up? Need to get a clear picture of your condition."
James hesitated, then offered his right hand. He knew it was risky; his fast heartbeat might give him away. But he couldn't help it.
The voice in his head was so loud, his emotions were running the show.
Jennifer stayed calm, still not recognizing James. She didn't touch his skin directly but pressed her fingers lightly on his hand through a thin glove.
Seeing James's surprise, Jennifer smiled, "Ulysses, don't get the wrong idea. I'm not scared of catching anything from you. It's just my husband gets jealous easily. He doesn't like me touching other men."
As she said this, a flicker of sadness crossed her eyes. It was so quick that if James hadn't been staring, he would've missed it.
Hearing Jennifer's sadness, James felt his hands shaking like crazy.
Jennifer noticed and said, "Ulysses, your heart's pounding. You super nervous or what?"
James chuckled bitterly inside.
"Yeah, I get nervous pretty easily," James admitted.
"Don't sweat it. Your insomnia's no biggie. I'll whip up some meds for you. Should help after a few days," Jennifer said with a tired smile. Even with makeup, her dark circles were showing, and her face looked way thinner.
She let go of James's hand and started writng for his meds.
James couldn't help but blurt out, "Dr. Johnson, you look exhausted. Is your husband treating you okay?"
Jennifer's hands shook, making a long line on the prescription paper.
She quickly rewrote it. "He's really good to me. Best person in the world. Here's your prescription. You can get the meds at the Hall of Benevolent Medicine or any other pharmacy," Jennifer said.
She ripped the prescription and handed it to James, signaling he could leave.
But James didn't budge. He was getting more and more worried about her.
'Edwin was right. Jennifer looks like a strong puff of wind could knock her over. Her mental state is a mess!' James thought.
He couldn't just walk away. "Dr. Johnson, you gotta take care of yourself, too!"
"Thanks for your concern," Jennifer nodded politely and called for the next patient.
But James still didn't leave. "Dr. Johnson, you're running on fumes. If you don't rest and let go of the past, you're gonna burn out."
Jennifer frowned, clearly annoyed. She tapped the table and said patiently, "Ulysses, go get your meds. Other patients are waiting."
A woman was already standing next to him, looking annoyed.
James looked at Jennifer's tired face. She was clearly exhausted but trying to keep it together. His heart ached, and he almost begged, "Dr. Johnson, there's nothing you can't get over. You need to let go. That person has been gone for so long. If he hasn't come back, he might never. If he left you, he wasn't a good man. You don't need to hold on."
Jennifer suddenly slammed her hand on the table, glaring at James with red eyes. "Shut up! How dare you talk about him! Who says he won't come back? He will! No one knows him better than I do. He will come back! And he's a good man, the best, way better than you! Now get out!"
She was so agitated, her breathing became rapid, her chest heaving.
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