PALPATE MY HEART: Dr. Wicked is My Wife - Chapter 43

An hour after the meeting started, Luo Jingyi shoved her annoyance down her throat and ordered Ji Min. “Contact Skyline Construction.”

It was her first choice anyway but the Board was reluctant to put their bets on this new construction firm to build NLHC’s third hospital in the capital. Third, which they built, not acquired. So she was anticipating this venture. Moments earlier,  Ji Min informed her that the construction firm they had chosen backed out.

Ji Min, who was sitting across the table, heard a crackle in her voice closing to anger, so she assented without much complaint and motioned her assistant to note it down. Ji Min was left wondering if it was because of the construction firm refusing them or it was the fact that she couldn’t give her a straight answer about the trouble with the hospital two days ago—that was making her boss mad.

“I want it up and running next year. So—” Luo Jingyi glanced down at her phone that vibrated against the mahogany desk. It was a message from Yun Jinghan. Ignoring it, she faced the people across the table.

“Prioritize on that. As for this hospital’s second wing, complete the necessary paperwork and send it to the headquarters.”

Another buzz made her pause. Scrolling over the message, it was the same message. He was inviting her for dinner.  She fired a reply.

LJY: No. I’m busy.

YUN JINGHAN: Eat on time then.

Reading his next message, a sigh escaped her lips. For no reason, she calmed down.

Luo Jingyi was about to put down the device when it chimed again. This time, it was a call from her father’s secretary. Scowling, she turned it off. Lifting up the pen, she scribbled words on her planner.

When she returned her attention to the other people in the room, she caught Ji Min’s quizzical gaze on her. She frowned. “What”

“You are wearing a ring.” Ji Min gushed unable to sustain her curiosity. She couldn’t believe when she saw it seconds earlier.

Ignoring her attempt to fish information, Luo Jingyi turned to her assistant. “Miss Song, revise the contract and email it to me before the day ends.”

After getting a nod from her assistant, Luo Jingyi closed her planner and threw it inside her bag, ending the meeting. Then she recalled Dr. Liang’s request.

“Dr. Liang wants to move to a smaller apartment.” She pushed her chair back and stood.

“I’ll see to it.” Ji Min rose from the chair and walked closer to her, wanting to pry further.  But she was stopped on her tracks when Luo Jingyi stared at her.  She understood it fairly well. It meant no asking of personal questions.

Ji Min held her hands up in surrender. She’d rather keep her job.

“I’m going.” Luo Jingyi waved a hand. Ji Min watched her leave before turning to the other people in her office.

Luo Jingyi exited Ji Min’s office. Giving her watch furtive glance, she decided to head home first since she had ample time to shower and change before heading to the address Xu Wei sent her.

Outside, the orange and red hues were visible in the sky. As she made her way to her car, she looked over her shoulders because she sensed someone was following her. Halfway to the car park, she spun on her heel but found no one suspicious. A few nurses reporting in for night duty gave her polite greetings which she returned with a nod.

Shrugging that weird sense off her head, she walked to her car, slid inside and drove off.

…..

Luo Jingyi recalled that she clearly told Xu Wei that she wanted to keep the party simple. But apparently, they didn’t have a similar definition of the word.  Xu Wei booked the whole restaurant at Luo Jingyi’s expense. Aside from her usual OR team and ER nurses who were free tonight, Xu Wei invited those staff at the hospital who Luo Jingyi never worked or even had a conversation with. She didn’t even know their names. They were practically strangers to her albeit working in the same hospital. Nonetheless, she was courteous to them.

After the feast, Xu Wei suggested going to a newly opened nightclub.  Luo Jingyi went along to everyone’s surprise.

As she listened to the anaesthesiologist whisper the name of the latest drug that won’t leave a trace on the blood test, Luo Jingyi paid attention to her surroundings.  The place was crowded. People behind her screamed at each other’s ears to be heard as loud music boomed from the speakers on the four corners.

Unlike when they were at the restaurant, there were no awkward moments now because the people who tagged along were the ones she had worked closely with for the last 3 years.

The tech nurse who was as quiet as a mouse had set her glasses on the table, loosen her hair and had disappeared to the swarm of sweaty bodies on the dance floor, pulling the other nurses with her.

On the other hand, the bubbly anaesthesiologist continued the discussion about illegal drugs with another nurse.  They murmured in low voices, not wanting other people to hear what they were talking about. Luo Jingyi learned a bit of lip reading so she understood what their topic was.

Shortly after Xu Wei left,  she returned, balancing two glasses held high to avoid spilling its contents.

“Try this.” Xu Wei handed one that had green liquid in it.

Luo Jingyi hesitated but Xu Wei forcibly deposited it on her hand.

“What’s this? ”

“A new drink my friend over there,” she pointed to the bartender, “made. She recommended it.”

Putting it closer to her nose, she sniffed what’s in it.

“Why are you hesitating? I tried it and really tasted good.” Xu Wei’s yell sounded like a whisper because of the noise around them.

“I can’t drink. I have to drive you home if you get drunk.”

Xu Wei pulled a face and settled herself next to her. “That’s a lame excuse, you know. C’mon, try it.”

With Xu Wei’s nudging, she took a sip before consuming it all.  A sweet and fruity drink cooled her throat all the way down.

“It’s good, right?”

Luo Jingyi agreed with a nod.  It was very refreshing.

“I’m going to get some more.” Xu Wei jumped off the sofa and hurtled away to the direction of the bar that stretched from one wall of the club.

Feeling relaxed,  Luo Jingyi watched Xu Wei talking to the bartender. At the same moment, a reflection thrown by the mirrored wall behind the bar made her focus her gaze there.

There was a long-haired woman nursing her drink as she tossed glances here and there. This was the fourth time she’d seen her.  Luo Jingyi recalled seeing her for the first time. That was when she was at the shopping center two weeks ago. The woman got her attention because she was talking loudly on the phone, making everyone around them notice. The second was when she stopped for a refill at a gas station last week and the third time was three days ago, outside the hospital.

Once or twice could be a coincidence. But four times, what were the odds?

Coming up with an idea,  Luo Jingyi got up and weaved through the room cautiously,  avoiding contact as much as she could.

The corner of her eye caught the woman’s movement.  She asked the bartender and the man pointed his finger to the side.  She nodded repeatedly before she emptied her seat and minced through the crowd to the direction of where Luo Jingyi went to.

Pretending to be drunk,  Luo Jingyi wobbled through the corridor leading to the bathroom as dim lightings greeted her.

Pushing the door of the last stall, she got in and left it ajar, hiding behind it.

Soon after, the woman at the counter followed inside the bathroom. She checked each door and peeped under for signs that it’s occupied. When the woman forced a finger on the last door and inched her head in,  Luo Jingyi pulled the hand and elbowed her to the chrome wall.

“Who are you?”