20
'I'm yours now.'
This sentence seemed to echo in her mind constantly. Even though she claimed to feel indifferent, Dr. Premsinee often wore a smile on her face.
So, this is what it feels like to have someone belong to you, she thought
Dr. Premsinee placed the simple breakfast she'd prepared on the table: pancakes drizzled with honey, freshly squeezed orange juice, and plain milk, ready to be enjoyed according to one's preference.
She hadn't made it for anyone else; it was just that she'd prepared too much pancake batter and squeezed too many oranges. So, there was enough breakfast for two.
"P' Prem..."
"Hmm?"
"I have a terrible headache. It feels like it's going to explode,"
Naphak said, her face scrunched up in discomfort as she plopped down on a chair in the kitchen. She'd initially planned to hug the doctor, who was wearing a cute apron she rarely wore.
"Is it really bad?"
"Yes, it is. I have work from 4 PM until almost 1 AM today."
"Finish your breakfast and take some headache medicine right away."
"Did you wake up early to make this yourself, Prem?" Despite her headache, Naphak couldn't help but smile at the sight of the breakfast the beautiful doctor had made. It was simple yet beautifully presented, with the dishes and utensils neatly arranged.
"Yes."
"Then I'll eat now."
"Wait, did you brush your teeth?"
"I forgot. I woke up and came straight to you."
"Go brush your teeth first."
"Okay, clean freak."
Dr. Premsinee shook her head as the complaining woman hurried to the bathroom. She wasn't overly obsessed with cleanliness; she just wanted Naphak to feel fresh upon waking up. Nowadays, it was common for women to wake up and not brush their teeth or wash their face before leaving the bedroom.
The breakfast table was silent, but it was filled with the mutual understanding of two people who knew how happy they were. Both had smiles on their faces, and the actress even moved to sit next to the doctor, who gave her a stern look. But that didn't stop Naphak from complaining about how mean the doctor was.
"Finish your breakfast and take your medicine."
"Can you give me an injection instead, Prem?"
"Hmm?"
"I hate swallowing pills. It feels like I'm going to die," Naphak said, her face showing genuine distress at the thought of swallowing the pill in the beautiful doctor's hand.
"You have to take it, even if you don't like it. Haven't you heard the saying..."
"A bitter pill to swallow. I've heard it since I was a kid, P' Prem. My mom said it so often that I remember it by heart."
"Then you know. Swallowing a pill isn't that hard."
Dr. Premsinee gave the actress a sweet smile, but she still looked troubled. It seemed she really didn't like taking pills, as she refused to take the medicine from the doctor's hand.
"It's not hard, but it's bitter. It feels like I'm going to die every time."
"Then try it. The doctor needs to know if you'll die from taking medicine." It felt like she was coaxing a child to take bitter medicine. And this "child" was a grown woman, not a little kid.
"Doctor, it's bitter."
"Bitter or not, you have to take it." Was she really playing the role of a doctor with a patient now? And the beautiful patient was giving her pleading eyes.
"Can you crush the pill and dissolve it in water for me, Prem?"
"Like a child."
"I really can't swallow pills. But if you feed me like in the movies, maybe I'll take it."
"Hmm?"
"The hero feeds the heroine with his mouth. It won't be bitter because your mouth is sweet, Prem."
"Seems like your headache is gone since you can joke around."
"I'm just kidding. Please crush the pill for me, Prem."
The beautiful doctor didn't respond to the actress's plea but walked to the kitchen counter to crush the pill and dissolve it in water so the reluctant patient could swallow it.
Dr. Premsinee watched the actress swallow the crushed pill with a mix of amusement and sympathy. The actress made a face as if she were being forced to eat something she hated. In reality, crushed pills mixed with water were often more bitter than whole pills.
"Bitter, isn't it?"
"It feels like I'm going to die."
"Pills make you feel like dying. Potion makes you feel like dying. So, you just don't want to take medicine."
"I don't like taking medicine. But if you feed me, maybe I'll take it."
Talking was one thing, but the actress wrapped her arms around the doctor from behind and planted a big kiss on her cheeks.
"Shove the pill in your mouth and wash it down with water."
"That's mean. I'll die for sure."
"Maybe it's better if you die."
"If I die, you'll cry and miss me, P' Prem. You'll think about our time in bed... Ouch, that pinch hurts!"
"Serves you right!"
Dr. Premsinee's face turned red as she walked away to the bedroom, leaving Naphak chuckling softly. She'd managed to make the doctor blush this morning.
She wished every morning could be this happy: waking up together, having breakfast together, teasing each other before going to work, and then coming back to sleep in each other's arms.
She was happy now without needing a reason.
In the future, she hoped to be happy without anything coming between them.
The film set was busy trying to finish shooting ahead of schedule, and there were no problems so far. The only issue was the villainess of the story, who wore a blank expression as she arrived on set. A crew member ran up to report that her former manager was waiting to see her. She thought her friend would understand after being out of touch for nearly two weeks, but it seemed Nam didn't understand that she was no longer her manager.
The smile of the woman she once secretly liked, which she used to find cute, no longer had the same effect. She didn't smile back or walk toward her, letting the woman, who was about two months pregnant, come to her instead.
"Pat..."
"What is it, Nam?" Even though they were no longer manager and client, this woman was still her friend, and she wished her well.
"Where have you been, Naphak? I couldn't reach you. You haven't been back to your condo."
"I've been busy filming."
"You're avoiding me. Why aren't you the same with me anymore?" The former manager's face, once adorable, now showed displeasure.
"Nam, you have a family. You should be with your family."
"We used to be together all the time."
"Back then, I didn't know you were like this. Now I do." The actress's calm gaze conveyed to her former manager that things had changed.
"Pat!"
"Let's stop talking about the past. You know it's not the same."
The actress tried to speak calmly to her former crush, but it seemed futile. The former manager knew how comfortable life was with Naphak by her side. The thought of losing her never crossed her mind, even though she loved the man she planned to marry.
"I don't understand. I only know that you have to be the same to me."
"Nam..."
"What did I do wrong for you to treat me like this?"
"You didn't do anything wrong, but things aren't the same now." It seemed she was at fault for opening her eyes and seeing things clearly, realizing who truly cared for her and who pretended to while plotting against her behind her back.
"If I didn't do anything wrong, then be the same Naphak who always indulged me. Now I feel like I have no one."
Tears began to flow from the former manager's eyes, making Naphak turn away. But she couldn't help but hug her, offering comfort to the woman she once secretly loved. They were still friends, after all.
"What happened this time?" She was tired of her friend's drama but still cared for her, wanting her to be happy with her choices.
"You disappeared, and Wat wants to go back to that doctor. They're going to get married. What should I do? I'm so tired. I have no one."
"Why is he marrying again?"
"I don't know. They love each other so much. Wat is just waiting for the DNA test results..."
"There's no way the doctor would go back to marry him." Naphak immediately released her from the hug, feeling hurt by the news.
"They love each other. They can forgive each other. Wat even said that the doctor's family accepts his past. I don't want to keep the baby. Even if I do, Wat won't love me."
Naphak didn't care about her former manager's sobs. She was more concerned about the man going back to marry Dr. Premsinee. It was impossible. The doctor was always in her sight, except when she was working.
"There's no way the doctor would go back to marry him."
"They love each other. What do you know?"
"I know because I..."
"Why? Why did you speak as if you knew that doctor well?" It wasn't just a question; the former personal manager stared at the beautiful actress's face suspiciously. How could she not know that for Naphak to speak like that, she must know the woman who took Wat away from her.
But the question was, when did Naphak get to know Dr. Premsinee?
"It's nothing, Nam. Just go back. I have to prepare for the scene now."
"Pat..."
"I told you to go back, so go back."
"Can I still be your personal manager?"
"Not anymore. Right now, I don't want a personal manager... Sorry."
The actress walked away, but the former personal manager's face was filled with rage, almost wanting to scream. She felt like she had no one left. Nothing was going as she'd planned. The man didn't even mention marrying her, and the child in her womb didn't make him do what she wanted at all.
Was she wrong to let herself get pregnant to hold a man like him into marrying her?
And now, the woman who used to give her everything was slowly drifting away. This made her even more determined to do whatever it took to get what she desired, as the fire of jealousy burned intensely in her heart.
Dr. Premsinee, who had just come down from rounding on her patients, paused slightly when she saw a man she recognized well sitting in the cardiology department. Soon, a nurse whispered to her that this man had come for a heart check-up and had specifically requested her.
"Doctor, will you take this patient?"
"It's okay. If I refuse, it might tarnish the hospital's reputation."
"Yes, Doctor."
"But I'll see him last."
"Understood."
Before entering the examination room, Dr. Premsinee glanced at the man who was already looking at her. He smiled at her, but she didn't return the smile, only maintaining a neutral expression. She used to think he had a gentle smile, but now she saw it as utterly insincere.
The patient examinations continued, with Dr. Premsinee paying no mind to the former lover waiting outside for a chance to talk to her. He wasn't important enough for her to remember, so she worked without any distractions or worries about when he might come in.
But the man waiting to see Dr. Premsinee grew increasingly frustrated as his name wasn't called. He walked over to ask the nurse, but the answer he received made him return to his seat. All of Dr. Premsinee's patients had appointments, but he knew the woman he wanted as the mother of his child had instructed the nurse to tell him that.
He knew well that a private hospital would never let a patient wait this long. They probably thought he'd give up and leave. But today, he was determined to see Dr. Premsinee to clear things up and rekindle their love, as his family wished.
Patience would get him what he wanted, even if it took a while.
And it seemed his patience would pay off when the nurse told him to go into Dr. Premsinee's examination room. It looked like his former fiancée had intentionally made him wait until all the other patients were gone, and it was almost closing time. Perhaps this was his chance to talk to the woman he wanted as the mother of his future children.
The calm gaze of the woman in the white gown coat made him suppress his urge to touch her as there were two nurses in the room with them.
"What brings you in, Mr. Thawat?"
"Prem..."
"Mr. Thawat, please describe your symptoms."
"I want to talk to you alone." Dr. Premsinee nodded to signal the nurses that it was okay. She could talk to this man without worry as they were in a hospital, not a secluded place.
"What do you want to say?"
"Prem, I..."
The confidence Thawat once had seemed to wane as he spoke to the woman he wanted as his lawful wife.
"I don't think we're that close."
"Prem..."
"Today, you're here as a patient, and we're not close. Call me Doctor."
Dr. Premsinee's even tone seemed to irritate the man in front of her, as he'd never seen his former fiancée so cold.
"I know you're still mad at me, but I want you to give me a chance to explain."
"I understand."
"I'm glad you're giving me a chance."
"I mean, you don't need to explain. I understand."
"Prem... I..."
From feeling hopeful, Thawat's face turned puzzled by his former fiancée's words. She seemed to understand, but her demeanor didn't match someone trying to reconcile.
"Go take care of your child and wife. There's nothing between us anymore."
"Prem..."
"I hope you understand this, just as I understand you." Dr. Premsinee looked at the increasingly incensed face of the man in front of her with a neutral expression. She might've once seen him as a suitable partner, but now he was just an irresponsible man trying to reconcile with her while having a child with another woman.
"I made a mistake. I love you, Prem. Please, give me a chance..."
"People who love each other don't betray each other. What you did was cheat on your lover. Can that still be called love?"
Dr. Premsinee's words conveyed all her feelings to the man in front of her. The man she once thought could be a good breadwinner was nothing like she imagined. His eyes began to show anger when things didn't go his way.
"Do you think I'd take a woman who easily gives herself to others as my wife?"
"That's your business. But to me, you're just a man I used to know."
"Prem!" His voice rose in fury at her last sentence. Was he just a man she used to know? He'd cherished her all along, but she treated him as if he had no value. Many men made mistakes, but he hadn't realized that a fun-loving woman would let herself get pregnant to trap him.
Knock! Knock! Knock! The sound of the door opening interrupted him. The man who was about to approach Dr. Premsinee stopped when he saw who entered. It was none other than the heir to the private hospital.
"Excuse me, Doctor Premsinee's shift is over." Dr. Fahlada smiled at her friend but maintained a neutral expression toward the man in the room. She opened the door wider, revealing two security guards waiting for her orders.
It mightn't look good, but protecting her friend was worth it.
"I don't understand what you're saying, Prem, but I'll do everything to marry you!"
The man, who was once her fiancé, left the office. Dr. Premsinee nodded to let her friend know she was okay. Now, only she and her friend remained in the room, as the security guards had likely escorted the man to his car as per Dr. Fahlada's orders.
"Wat won't give up easily, Prem."
"Let him be. He can go insane on his own. Even if he talks to my parents, it won't matter."
"Have you talked to your parents?"
"Yes, they understand."
"That's good. It'd be a mess if they wanted you to marry him."
Dr. Fahlada began to smile along with her friend, relieved by what she'd said. They knew well that every parent wanted their child to marry someone suitable. A handsome businessman with everything might make many parents overlook past mistakes.
Dr. Premsinee's parents were known for their strictness, but they feared that if they found out their daughter had a one-night stand and her body had changed, they wouldn't be able to accept it. Her parents always talked about propriety, which was one reason Dr. Premsinee didn't seek love much.
If the person wasn't suitable or good enough to use the word "us"...