The Royal Contract

"I am an only child as far as I know." That was not a lie. Jacky was only omitting some of the details. "But I consider Dani as my sister and Andy as my brother, although we are not blood-related." Besides, she did not plan to lie to him. If he asked for more information, she would gladly tell him.

She would also like to test her theory a bit further. But she had no idea how she should play it. Well, it was the first time that she was trying to be hard to get.

Suddenly, a beeping sound interrupted their conversation. He knew right away that it was his, but still, both of them look at their phones to be sure.

Jacky's screen remained off while his phone indicated a message. He checked it out, knowing already what the message would be. As predicted, it was an urgent message from the hospital. One of the duty interns was asking him to come in for an emergency.

"I'm sorry, Jacky. But I have to go to the hospital and check on a patient." He was so looking forward to getting more time with her. But when duty called, he had no option but to comply. It was part of his obligation to the hospital and his oath as a doctor.

"I understand, Sebastian. As you said earlier, it is both passion and devotion. I can only admire people like you." She did understand, but it did not mean that she was not disappointed. 

She believed that the night started so perfectly, and it could have ended up great. Not that she was entertaining the thought of her ending up in his bed. There were other ways of ending this night, but not like this when it was cut short.

"Honestly, if I have any other choice, I would rather stay here with you. I never have this amazing date in a long time, actually ever." Sebastian pointed out as he also felt the disappointment of leaving her so soon.

"That's ok. I can grab a cab." She held out her hand on his hand and patted it on top of the table. She wanted to reassure him that she was ok with it. But she was hoping to convey that she would like him to ask her out again.

"No, I don't want you to take a cab." He could sense that she was also frustrated from the expression on her face. He wanted to drive her home, but that was not an option at the moment.

Then, a thought came to his mind. "What if you came with me to the hospital?" His mind chastised him for such a stupid idea. But he already said it.

"What will I do there?" She asked, confused with his suggestion.

"We can continue our coffee in the cafeteria later after I see the patient. It would only probably take me at most fifteen to thirty minutes to check the case." He explained, asking for the check although they had barely finished their meal.

It was a lame offer, but it was the best he could come up with on short notice. He was counting on this dinner to impress Jacky, but it turned into a slight disaster.

"Are you sure that I won't be a bother? I don't want to be a burden if you need to work." She said, contemplating his offer.

She had no exact idea of how doctors worked inside the hospital. Well, she had not managed to work for one. But she had seen several tv shows that depicted a life of a doctor.

Based on them, it could be challenging, especially in their time for their personal life. The way their job demanded professionalism and devotion was much brutal than the workaholics she had worked for, just like Dani. 

"I don't mind if you are there. I just don't want the night to end just yet." He told her honestly. It was still too early, and they had barely talked much. "That is if you are willing to wait at the lounge for me as I attended to the patient." That was the only downside of it.

She furrowed her brow as she thought about if it was a good idea to wait for him. Then, she suddenly remembered that she did not want to go home early, not wanting to disrupt Dani's plans.

Although Dani did not tell her to stay out of the apartment, she was doing it anyway. It was a rare occasion that her friend acted like this, and she liked it. For the first time, Dani was taking matters into her own hands.

"Ok. I'm willing to wait for you at the lounge of the hospital in one condition." Jacky rubbed her chin as if she was pondering on her request.

"Ok. What is it?" Sebastian asked with squinting eyes as he waited for her demand.

He helped her out of the chair as soon as he had settled the bill. He guided her out of the restaurant and down the parking where he had parked his car.

"I want dessert together with that coffee." She stated, settling on the passenger seat and buckling the seatbelt.

She could not keep the smile from showing on her face. She did not mind waiting at the hospital since she planned to find somewhere to pass her time until she was sure that Dani accomplished her plans.

He just gave her a better alternative than her initial plan to go to a bar if this date did not work out at all. At least she did not need to go home tipsy or drunk, and worse, drinking alone.

"Deal," Sebastian answered as soon as he positioned himself on the driver's side. "I'll even throw in some chocolates while you wait." He bribed her, getting a bag at the back seat of his car.

He started the car and backed out of the parking lot. He knew he had to hurry because he just received another message. That meant it was urgent.

"Oh! How come you have this lying back there?" She questioned when he handed her one bag of chocolate snacks.

"It was a gift from a patient who loves sweets." That was his only explanation as they drove on a silent night.

She opened the sealed and started eating a piece. She decided to unwrap another one and offered it to the man sitting beside her. "Want one?"

"Sure." He answered, curious at what she had in mind. He was about to extend his hand that was resting on the wheel when he stopped.

"Open your mouth." She instructed, and when he slightly turned to her with a slightly opened mouth, she popped the sweet inside.

"Thanks," Sebastian said between chewing and swallowing. He was not expecting that. But found it so intimate as if they were already close. He continued to drive, with them eating the chocolate.

The hospital was just a few blocks from their current location, so it would not take long to get there. As head of the residents, he always made it a point not to go out far from the hospital. 

So, when situations like this happened, he was readily available to report in time. It was still a long way for his career before it became better, but he felt it was worth all the sacrifice.