BAB 7

HAPPY READING

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Rubi wanted to bang her head against the wall for leaving her phone on the table. She couldn't believe she had forgotten it was there. She chose to remain silent, watching Dario who was still observing her. She hurriedly put her phone back into her bag. She knew that Dario was waiting for her response. In a matter of minutes, Dario had learned about her past just from her phone's wallpaper.

"Your daughter is beautiful, she looks just like you," Dario said.

"I don't want to discuss it. Forget it. I'm sorry for talking so much with you," Rubi sighed, wanting to avoid Dario as much as possible. She got up from the sofa, but Dario blocked her path.

"You've already shared with me, Rubi."

"I'm sorry, I don't usually talk about my personal life with someone I've just met. I need to go to the back; there's a sick staff member I need to check on."

"I'll walk you there."

"No need."

"You might get lost again like earlier."

"I can ask another staff member, Dar."

"I'll still accompany you."

"You're really pushy."

"I've always been."

"So selfish."

"You're right. I'm selfish."

Rubi walked away from the sofa, and Dario followed her closely. Her heart was racing, and she took a deep breath, hoping she wouldn't be influenced by this man. They remained silent throughout the journey from the corridor to the staff member's room, lost in their own thoughts.

Dario accompanied Rubi while she examined the sick staff member. Rubi gave her a fever-reducing medicine, and if the fever didn't subside in a few days, she would need to do a blood test. Rubi explained that a fever was often the result of the body's immune response to infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. She appeared very friendly and responsible towards all the staff and took her job seriously.

After the examination, Dario and Rubi decided to leave the room since the staff member needed rest. Dario glanced at Rubi, who was walking beside him. They headed towards the corridor.

"You come here every day, right?" Dario asked.

Rubi nodded. "Yes, I come here every day, from Monday to Friday. I'm off on Saturdays and Sundays. My main task is taking care of Mr. Peter, along with another nurse. But I'm on standby on-call if there's an emergency involving Mr. Peter or anyone else."

"How do you think my father is doing?" Dario asked.

Rubi sighed. "Your father has coronary heart disease. There's a blockage in the arteries caused by plaque buildup. To prevent a heart attack, it's essential to maintain a healthy diet, rest, exercise because prevention is better than cure," Rubi explained.

"Do you know? Heart disease is a degenerative illness. You can only slow down its progression, but it can't be cured. It can be managed with medications like beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers. If there are arrhythmias, they might need to be treated as well."

Dario nodded as he listened to Rubi's explanation about his father's health condition. He appeared to be genuinely concerned about his father's well-being. "Amiodarone is used for arrhythmia management. Heart surgeons would have a better understanding. I only have a basic knowledge," Rubi explained.

"If it's heart and organ diseases, they usually can't be cured completely, except if scientists succeed in cloning new organs." "Well, as we know, heart disease is a chronic condition, often with comorbidities, but it can still be prevented, at the very least maintained." "I hope you do your best for my father." "Myself and the rest of the medical team will do our best for Mr. Peter."

Rubi took a deep breath, and before she knew it, they were back in the room. She noticed the room was quiet, with only her and Dario present.

"Aren't you working?" Rubi asked, observing Dario.

"I was at the office this morning. However, my father called, asking me to come before lunch just to introduce you to me. Whether I liked it or not, I had to come."

"So your work was postponed?" Rubi inquired.

Dario chuckled, "Just a little."

"Are you going back to the office after this?"

"No, it's already 3 PM. I'll go to the office tomorrow. My secretary rescheduled this meeting for Friday."

"I'm here. Just to get acquainted with you, Rubi."

Rubi laughed, "I feel important, being introduced exclusively by your dad."

Dario joined in the laughter, "Well, you are important, considering your job is to take care of my father."

"Am I going to be like your dad's watchdog?" Rubi teased.

Dario watched Rubi, smiling, "I trust you. You're a good doctor."

"I know, it's our job, Dar," Rubi chuckled again.

Secretly, Dario observed Rubi's laughter; it was so sweet, and her white teeth were prominently displayed. He wanted to spend more time with her.

"If I were your boyfriend, I'd be proud to have a doctor like you."

"Oh really? How proud?" Rubi asked.

"Having a doctor girlfriend is something to be proud of, in my opinion. Unfortunately, you're not my girlfriend."

Rubi laughed again, "You seem like a playboy."

"Where's the playboy?"

"Your words make it seem like you're trying to charm me, like a playboy," Rubi giggled.

Dario and Rubi locked eyes for a moment, then fell silent together. With boldness, Dario gently held Rubi's chin and directed her beautiful face toward him, looking into her clear and focused eyes.

"I'll be honest with you, Rubi. Sometimes, I feel like I'm suffering from something called pathological flirting. Because there are times when I'm not even aware that my behavior, choice of words, and even my scent make people think that I'm flirting. Sometimes, I have a feeling that my instincts are telling me that I could make this woman like me, and I have to step away," Dario explained.

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