I wasn't expecting to make the story a little longer, but I think it needs a few chapters for some content—just not to make it too fast-paced.
Why? You'll find out after reading this chapter. Enjoy~

CHAPTER 3

Haila's Café

Year 4, Summer

"I would like the usual, please," Doctor Trent told the café manager, Haila.

"Certainly, Doc. We'll bring it to your table."

"Thank you." The young doctor took a place close to the door.

It was almost the end of Summer, and Trent would be home again in Mineral Town. Recently, he extended his medical services to this small group of islands because they didn't have a resident physician around. During his stay, he admired the health habits of the people. Also, he had only tended to typical fatigue and heat strokes. He told Taro in advance that he would visit regularly on Summer, or when somebody will be pregnant—to which the old and wise village head agreed.

Besides, he has a clinic to return to. And Elli, now that they got married last Spring.

Visiting the café reminded him of his wife and the town he slowly loved. The ambience is cozy, the service is excellent, and the food is delicious. After his rounds, he usually retreated here, or in Mushroom Island to research on mushrooms.

Ting. The bell chimed as the door opened. Trent looked up and saw a young woman with long brown hair fixed on a red bandanna and sapphire-blue eyes entered the café.

It's her again, he thought. Wasn't her name—?

"Chelsea," Haila called. "Here for your usual lunch?"

"Yep, please." She grinned as she approached the counter. "Just charge Mark the payment when he drops by. He promised."

Haila laughed. "I'm not sure if you're that harsh, or that young rancher's that generous."

"Both." This brought another round of laughter from the café manager as she gave the woman with the bandanna a lunchbox. "Thanks, Haila."

Ever since he first saw her at Mushroom Island, Trent had had the unshakeable feeling she looked familiar. However, her name was alien to him, and there was no sign of recognition on her face when he introduced himself.

People told him that she was a traveller who arrived last year and worked for Mark, a rancher, for a living. Seasons after she entered their lives, the missing islands reappeared one by one—which brought mystery as to what is really her purpose of staying in the islands. But that didn't satiate his curiosity enough.

"Chelsea."

He found himself calling to her. Somehow, before he would leave the islands, he should find out.

She turned curiously. "Yes, Doc?"

"I've seen you work so hard on the ranch." Trent gestured to the seat across him. "Why don't you sit here and spare time for a chat? It's best to rest once in a while." When she hesitated, he smiled. "You can eat lunch here, too."

"OK, Doc." She sat down.

"So, Chelsea, how are you feeling?"

Chelsea fanned herself. "Summer's on me for days."

"Well, you have to increase your water intake, or you'll get dehydrated. You and Mark always work under the sun, so you should tell him, too." She nodded. "What time do you two usually start on the field?"

"We usually start at six. We share work, so we tend to finish before nine."

Trent nodded. "Good." Haila then brought in his order, which was Hot Milk.

As she unwrapped the lunchbox, she asked, "Doc, it's hot outside, but what's with the milk?"

He smiled as he sipped it. "It relaxes me. And my wife prepares this on clinic hours back at home."

"You're married, Doc?" He proudly showed his wedding ring as an answer.

Chelsea's sapphire-blue eyes sparkled. "Wow. It must be so cool, Doc, to have someone taking care of you for life." She then smiled sadly. "I wonder if my brother got married, too."

Something clicked inside Trent's head when she mentioned it. "You have a brother?"

She nodded, then hesitated for a moment before talking. "We've been separated for five years now. He started travelling back then, but he didn't come back. I think he didn't even know that our house was burned down—" Tears now formed into her eyes. "—and I wasn't there to save Mom."

"Were you mad?"

"I was, at that time. But it was long ago, and I learned to forgive him and myself. It was an accident, and accidents happen."

"Do you know where he is now?" She shook her head.

The idea that clicked a while ago now tickled his head, letting a face flash in his memory. And that's where it hit him.

The same brown hair, the same way their eyes express sadness...he did see them thoroughly before. He saw those characteristics on his own clinic back home. He saw them on one Winter day he tended to a young man who fainted due to hypothermia.

"Is this why you are here?"

She nodded. "I've been travelling, too, because I have no home to return to now, and he's the only one I have left. But I made it here, and I think—" she gave a hint of a smile at this—"I've learned to settle in." She suddenly glanced questioningly at Trent. "Odd how I was able to tell this to you, Doc. Only Mark knew. I guess you seem trustworthy."

"Thank you. You don't have to worry; this conversation is confidential unless it would help us in locating your brother. Although—I have to ask you one more question."

Trent had to ask.

"Could you tell me his name?"

"It's Cli—"

"Chelsea." A young woman garbed in a red cheongsam and tied long black hair burst at the doorstep. "The gems are enchanting at the volcano this afternoon. I would interest myself in seeing them. Will you accompany me?"

Chelsea gaped at the newly-arrived woman in disbelief. "But it's too hot there, Lily! Can't we go sometime at night?"

Lily, the woman in the cheongsam, smirked. "Oh, but I cannot do such. One certain individual will be livid at me for letting you out by late hours."

Chelsea went red. "Tell that individual I'm not a kid anymore to have curfews." She then frowned. "And you're ruining my lunch."

To that, Lily giggled. "My ancestors taught me that blessings are best shared with company. You cannot refuse."

Chelsea glanced at Trent apologetically. "It's OK," the young doctor gave his word. "Thank you for taking time with me. You will see him, I'm sure of it."

"Thanks, too, Doc." She stood up, packed her lunch and left with Lily, who was now chatting about rubies.

Trent stared at his half-empty mug, pondering on their conversation. A few minutes later, he took his pen and a clean piece of prescription paper and started to write:

"Cliff, I think you should meet somebody I met on the islands…"

Waaaaaaaah, a shift in development! So much for not being fast-paced.

And personally, I kinda like the way I presented Doc Trent here—maybe due to my encounters with real-to-life doctors in the hospital. I do hope I didn't get too OOC.

Next chapter comes soon!