Trapped with a Doctor

Baron didn't continue speaking. He found it all so baffling that his mother didn't react the way he'd thought. He thought she'd be annoyed, but lo and behold, she stood motionless, unfazed, almost even serene, one could say.

He would be sailing a yacht surrounded by bubbling effigies of the most beautiful women across the pacific, partying with his friends, if his mom didn't call him home.

Go now! The thought enticed him so much he leapt off the sofa immediately and left the Gu family home.

Teresa pulled on Arvin's sleeve and said to him, "Arvin, to please your grandmother, you have to mention something about your relationship with Nita. Okay? It will make her so happy, you know."

Arvin replied by way of a faint, insincere glance. "Oh mom, don't you worry your pretty little head!"

"Fine, " said Teresa, breathing a sigh of relief. Finally! she thought. She was so delighted that Arvin had finally come around to the right side of thinking, had surrendered his facetious attempts to persuade them that he was above Nita.

But in the end, Arvin added, "I will...will not mention it!"

What! No! Teresa was speechless! She had been duped!

On the other side of the house, when only grandmother and grandson were left present in the room, Lily was browsing over the various herbs that were growing loftily from the balcony. All of the herbs were well-preserved, glossy, and must've been regularly exposed to the sun.

Lily smiled in approbation. She had an inkling that their growth was Arvin's doing.

"Arvin, " she inquired languidly while examining the herbs. "Will there be some sort of celebration at the hospital recently?" None of the herbs were out of check so she decided to have a chat with Arvin.

Arvin leaned against the balcony door and noticed his grandmother, nose busy in the thyme. He suspected what was on her mind and answered evasively. "Hum..."

"I didn't ask you in the car just now, but please tell me what happened between you and Nita." It had made the news in Green Cold Country that Arvin, director general of the hospital, had been living with fellow colleague Nita.

But Lily knew better than to believe the news.

Arvin stood stiffly, awkwardly, against the glass door. He shifted from foot to foot, reluctant to bring up the whole history of it again. So he changed the subject, "Grandma, I'm sorry, but is there anything else you wish to ask me?"

Lily turned round to look at Arvin. "Arvin, how do you expect me to help you if you act so taciturn? There's nothing I can do if you don't tell me anything about your life."

Arvin replied to her, "It's all right, grandma. I don't need anyone's help, and I've never asked for it. I can do everything myself because I'm not a leech. Okay?" He had asked his people to re-investigate and restore surveillance in the neighborhood that night.

Lily sighed, "What a job your mother did raising you! One more person to help you, won't that be better?"

The cryptic nature of what she said beggared little investigation, but how could Arvin not understand? He understood more than anyone, in fact. Under Lily's scrutinizing glare and pressure, he tried to remain aloof and casual by saying, "I drank the wrong kind of beverage, and put her to bed."

When Arvin made no attempt to elucidate, she asked doubtfully,

"Yeah, that's all."

"What did you drink?"

"Wine."

you saying someone put something

Arvin was silent.

you sure it happened? This means someone's out to get you! There's a target on your

sort

horror...Are you saying that Nita did

did not nod in acquiescence, nor shake his head in

Lily further. "What

the Research and

know

good to keep

him. "Good. That's good of you, Arvin, not letting it slip. It's good, too, that Angela doesn't know anything about

He resolutely

you still want to be with Angela?" Lily

on who he loved and who he hated! And he extended this to all his decision-making too. What he liked he kept close,

hesitated and asked Lily, "Grandma, are you getting any ideas I should

life, and I can use it to solve some problems." Nita was a proud girl, always had been.

Rosa. Lily believed

plus an astronomically large knowledge of geography. His mind was so impossibly vast that it boggled those around him.

you've been getting at. Let's just get through these next two days first,

so busy lately that he couldn't even rest for a few hours a day without having to talk about his decisions

spare time off, he wanted to

the party celebrating his promotion to

next to the stage. However, she was with the Research and Development Department, somewhere that no one would notice.

the gap between herself and Arvin for the

him and all his great achievements.

she lost sight of Arvin suddenly.

light for the audience. Anyone who wanted to go to the bathroom felt it necessary to

down next to Angela, and she did