Twenty-One
It's far from my firsttime to come to Stanhope, but I think this is the first time ever that my stomach isn't curdling in fear as I cross its doors, and of course I havehimto thank for this.
One of the receptionists behind the concierge desk greets me with a smile as I come up. "Hi. What can I do for you?"
I give the name of Io's old doctor, and the other woman nods right away.
"What's your sister's name?"
"Iolanthe Raptis."
She types my sister's name on the computer. "Oh, lucky her. And you. She'll now be under Dr. Adam Al-Masri." She opens a drawer and pulls out a business card. "Here you go. His clinic details, schedule, and contact information - everything's there."
"Thank you so much." I glance down at the card she's handed me as I turn away. AdamAl-Masri?I know Al-Masri is a really, really common family name in Huzna, but could Io's new doctor be related to Madeleine's fiancé?
Hm.
A sheikh who also happens to be a doctor?
Now, wouldn't that be yummy?
Not yummy of course asmydoctor, andoh my God, did I really just call Dr. Somebody as mine right now?
Who knew I could be this possessive when in love?
The thought makes me want to cringe and smile giddily at the same time, and I'm still trying to make sense of my feelings by the time I finally reach Dr. Adam Al-Masri's clinic.
I knock on the door before letting myself in. "Um, hi?"
The girl behind the desk glances up, and I'm startled to find that she's only a couple of years older. "Hi there."
I tell her the same thing I've told the receptionist at the lobby, and the older girl looks at me apologetically. "I'm so sorry, but Dr. Al-Masri is on vacation."
"Oh."
"But if you leave me your contact information, I'll let him know about your visit, and maybe we can schedule another appointment once he's back?"
"Um, sure."
It takes only a couple of minutes to give her my contact details, and I take my phone out as soon as I leave Dr. Al-Masri's clinic.
Please, please, please let there be a new message from him.
But when I switch my phone on, my SFI inbox is still empty, and my shoulders slump.
Oh well.
I obviously can't be mad about this, but I do miss him so, and—-
Ouch.
I think I must've walked straight into a wall, but when I glance up, the first thing I see is a pair of familiar green eyes.
"D-Doctor Somebody?"