Chapter 30 - The Clown (1/2)
”Dr. Song, I think you have a call…” informed Dr. Rio when she saw the light on Yera's mobile phone blink several times. Yera just came back to the surgical department room from basement six.
”The clown is calling you. Poor guy… Did he look like a clown that you saved his number as one?” Dr. Rio asked.
Yera smiled and said, ”Yeah, you can say that.”
Then she suddenly wondered how Xander would react if he found out that she saved him as 'The Clown' on her mobile phone. She deliberately did that, not only because of his jovial personality but also because she needed an ambiguous alias for him so others would not be suspicious whenever he called. With Xander's character, Yera was sure there would not be a day went by without him calling her.
She excused herself to call Xander back.
”Yes? I have missed a call from you,” said Yera.
”Oh yeah… I just wanted to tell you to eat well. Besides, I'm missing your cold voice… Wondering when you will finally answer my call sweetly... I also want to remind you not to drink at all later, lest you want to kill everyone in your team with your cuteness, my darling…” Xander said before he quickly ended the call.
Yera's jaw dropped, totally flabbergasted. 'What the hell is wrong with him? Is he trying to kill me with those pickup lines?! Is this his way of bullying me!?” Yera complained to her phone as her face reddened from embarrassment.
She believed what Xander was doing to her could be classified as bullying instead of mere teasing… It caused her heart to beat so irregularly, that if this continued, she was afraid she would get a heart attack!
When Yera went back to the room, Dr. Rio donned a long face. She found out Xander would be joining the dinner party when she couldn't because she was on-call that night. ”Let's swap duty!” She tried to convince one of the doctors who only answered her with a big 'NO.'
”What about you? You can take a leave anytime you want this year. I'll cover for you,” Dr. Rio asked a male doctor. She knew it would be pointless to ask any female doctors because they would never give up the rare opportunity to dine together with the charming Dr. CEO.
”Call! Make it two years! Dr. Gong and everyone, you all witnessed this! Shaira, take note of this!” Dr. Kim instructed their medical secretary with a wide grin on his face.
”Noted, Doc!” said Shaira.
Among all the female doctors, Dr. Rio was the most vocal about her admiration for Dr. CEO. So, imagine her pitiful look when she begged every male doctor to swap shifts just so she could join the welcoming party for Dr. Deyna Song.
Dr. Gong gave Yera an apologetic look, which Yera answered with an assuring smile, indicating that there was no problem at all.
As soon as their work was done, everyone headed to a Korean BBQ restaurant near the hospital, where Dr. Gong had already reserved a private room that was spacious enough to fit everyone in his team.
The room was comfortable, and there was a karaoke inside. Yera greeted everyone who arrived earlier. This was the first time she would experience something like this, mingling with her fellow colleagues. She had never done this when she was still managing Life Hospitals Group.
As soon as the waitresses served the variety of fresh and well-marinated meat for them to grill, Dr. Ye remarked cheerfully, ”Wow, it's been a long time since we all gathered like this! Thanks, Dr. Song, for joining our team!” Yera responded with a slight nod.
Xander entered the room, and everyone stood up to greet him. Dr. Rio had freed a spot next to her for Xander to sit on, but to her dismay, Dr. Gong gave up his seat that was beside Yera and offered it to Xander as he moved to sit in the vacant seat that she had prepared for Xander.
Dr. Ye could not help but laugh at Dr. Rio's crumpled face when she realized she could not sit next to her idol.
The dinner went well. But it turned awkward when Dr. Ye made a lettuce meat wrap and offered it to Yera. ”Try this… You'll like it…”
Xander's eyes blazed with discontent as he glared at Dr. Ye.
Yera gave Dr. Ye a half-smile and rejected his offer. ”No, thanks… I prefer to do it myself.”
”No, really, try it, just this once,” insisted Dr. Ye.