Chapter 14-The price for knowing him (2)

Chapter 14: 14-The price for knowing him (2)

Aymara wasn’t finished, the measurements were only the beginning of her plans for the day.

She went directly to Nathaniel’s doctor. Paid for the rest of his day to run through a thorough consultantation on Nathaniel’s sickness.

The consultation took nearly half the morning. She asked questions and noted down every answer she received.

"What exactly is wrong with him?"

"Mr. Stormbourne suffers from a severe case of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, also known as..."

"The silver king syndrome," Aymara cut in. She knew that part, she’d been with him since childhood. She asked only to confirm it was still the same condition he was battling.

"Yes, that’s right."

"Doctor, how advanced is his condition?"

The doctor didn’t need to read through the patient file to answer. "It’s manageable but still serious," he let out. "His lungs gradually become scarred and less efficient at exchanging oxygen. With treatment and medication, it’s manageable but he’s still a high risk patient."

Those words twisted inside Aymara. She could mentally feel the pain the doctor described inside her. She squeezed the pain in her hand and held her composure.

"What medication does he need? And how often should he take them?"

The doctor was surprised at how detailed she was going in the consultantion. It felt almost as though she wanted to steal his job and be the one to care for Nathaniel.

Still, he smiled and answered her. "At current he takes pulmarest 200mg, once a day in the morning. Which helps reduce inflammation in the lungs and helps him breathe more comfortably. But it must be taken after a meal and before eight in the morning."

Aymara noted that down without missing a single word. She’ll need it for the mornings in the fortress.

"Another medicine he takes is the Fibrolex, also once a day at midday," he moved to the next medicine. "This one slows the progression of the lungs scarring. He can’t miss it even for a day."

"I understand," she noted that information down, too.

"The last medicine he takes is the Immunava. Unlike the others, it’s administered twice a day, in the morning and at night," the doctor paused to let her finish writing. "The Immunava helps to regulate his overactive immune system and makes him less vulnerable to inflammatory flare-ups."

Aymara kept a serious expression on her face. But writing those medicines down and the work they do inside Nathaniel was like thorns pricking at her heart.

Nathaniel’s pain felt like her own in a way. She sighed, releasing the pressed air in her lungs.

’Maybe the system can help me cure him in the future,’ she crossed her fingers and hoped.

"Additionally, Mr. Stormbourne uses the Aerovex inhaler three times a day. It’s a long-acting bronchodilator that keeps his airways open and helps with breathing."

For hours, Aymara made all the inquiries she needed to. She didn’t ran out of patience to the long explanations and the doctor, since he was paid, was more than happy to cooperate and give her all the information she needed.

Which medicines could interact badly? What foods were beneficial for him and what he should avoid?

How much rest did he need and the kind of exercise was safe? What environmental conditions were best for him?

Did cold weather aggravate his symptoms and what of excessive heat? What signs should she look for when his condition worsens?

The doctor eventually looked at her curiously. Not even relatives of patients go deep into details in the way she did.

"You’re very thorough," he pointed out.

Aymara smiled. She needed to be, how else was she going to take care of him without doctors in the future?

"I’m just concerned about him," she said.

The doctor nodded. "That’s a good thing. It’ll help improve his mood to know that somebody cares for him."

"Someone does care about him," she clarified. "I do care and I will always care moving forward. He won’t ever lack care as long as I am here."

The doctor paused at her seriousness. He had only said it casually and she gave such a strong reaction.

"That’s good," he smiled awkwardly.

Aymara looked up from her notebook and met his gaze. Her eyes were cold and sharp, like a sharpened blade that held no mercy for it’s enemies.

"It’s good... because all my care and attention are all for him. They won’t be divided or shared with anyone else, only him!" Aymara declared.

She pictured Dylan in her head and all she could think about was the many ways she’ll make him pay for the debt he owed.

"Alright, alright."

The doctor trembled but still held himself together and went through Nathaniel’s medical records carefully and Aymara listened to every word. She memorized everything before leaving.

After exiting the doctor’s office, she opened the system and created a new interface appeared.

[Personal Care Database.]

Aymara entered every piece of information there. From Nathaniel’s medication schedule, dietary restrictions, allergies, preferred temperature, rest requirements and emergency procedures.

Then she created reminders for medication, meals, hydration, and rest. Every detail was arranged neatly and efficiently.

Aymara looked at the list and smiled with satisfaction. Now, she could take care of Nathaniel without ever needing to invite a third party onboard her fortress.

Strangers couldn’t he trusted in the end times, even those who’ve trained to save lives like doctors.

"There. One less thing off the list," she smiled. "Now I won’t forget anything when it comes to your health, Nate."

DING!

Aymara froze in place. The system had reacted but she hadn’t done anything all morning.

She frowned, worried that her lack of hoarding supplies that day would decrease the achievements she already received.

The system appeared. Aymara looked at the blue screen, hoping she doesn’t get demerits for slacking off on stocking up to learn more about Nathaniel.

[Congratulations, Host.]

[Hidden Mission Completed.]

[Mission: Show Care and Attention to Your Beloved.]

[Completion Requirements: Understand the beloved’s needs. Record their medical requirements. Prepare for their comfort and survival.]

Aymara’s eyes widened. "Beloved?"

The fact that Nathaniel was a hidden mission in her cheat system blew her mind. She hadn’t expected that her care towards him would count for rewards.

She stared at the screen. The system had never called Nathaniel that before, infact, it never reacted the other time she had come to see him.

Then another message appeared.

[Secret Reward Unlocked.]

[Cruise Ship Upgrade Initiated.]

Aymara’s mouth fell open. She looked around her to see if there were secret systems laughing somewhere. That reward felt like a joke the system was playing on her.

Because why would she get rewarded for caring for Nathaniel? Was it karmic?

The ship status flashed on the blue screen.

[Current Ship Level: 3.]

Aymara covered her mouth. Seeing was indeed believing. Witnessing the ship upgrade filled her with immense joy that she laughed.

"Ahahaha!"

The doctor walked out and looked at her strangely. Aymara immediately stopped laughing and cleared her throat.

"Sorry."

The doctor continued staring at her strangely. "Are you sure you are alright, Miss Ellington?"

Aymara smiled politely. "I just remembered something funny, doctor. And I am alright, thank you for asking."

The doctor returned to his notes and walked away. Aymara lowered her head and tried not to laugh again.

She had upgraded the ship twice in two days and apparently, taking care of Nathaniel counted as survival preparation.

Excellent! She was liking the system more and more.