THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 262: I Know Him Beyond The Walls Of This Hospital
’No wonder she always had such an unapproachable aura around her, making me feel as if I couldn’t reach her no matter how I tried.’
’She had been way superior and beyond my reach long before now. Not only was she my friend’s wife but she was also my idol.’
’But come to think of it, I’m a bit better off compared to Shawn who spent years trying to get Dr Janice’s attention and consent to treat his grandmother without knowing that Dr Janice was actually his own wife.’
He remembered how she made Shawn feel so helpless that even his money became useless as she ignored all his mails and pleas.
The mere thought that Kathleen deliberately concealed this fact from even Shawn, eased his sour mood inexplicably and he did not know when he followed the lady down the corridor.
As he walked together down the corridor with the lady, Steffan became more energetic and engaged her in a polite conversation.
Their interaction slowly evolved from an awkward start to a more amiable exchange.
"Which ward did you say you were going to again?" Steffan asked when they got to the inpatient wards.
"It’s.. em...it’s not really a ward from what my friend told me earlier." Lauren stammered.
Steffan’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
When Lauren saw that there was no way to make the man believe she wasn’t able to access her friend earlier, she took out her phone.
"Let me try her number again if it will connect this time around."
"Ok, go ahead," Steffan said, suspecting nothing.
He somehow found it interesting talking to the woman earlier and no longer considered her a nuisance.
At least speaking with her had made him see another angle in the whole situation. Not only that, but she was able to successfully distract his mind from Shawn and Kathleen, although momentarily.
"Hey babe, I’m in the hospital," Steffan heard her say.
"Ok, the emergency ward right? I’ll be waiting," she said then ended the call.
Turning to Steffan whose face was no longer as engaging as before, she said.
"Well, my friend’s husband is in the emergency ward. And she wants to send someone to bring me."
"The emergency ward?"
"Yeah," Lauren answered innocently as she returned her phone to her bag and gave Steffan a smile.
Steffan on the other hand didn’t see the need to return her smile, rather, a frown was etched on his handsome face.
’The only patient in the emergency ward was Shawn. Does it mean this lady is here because of Kathleen?’
’Why am I always entangled with them even when it looks as if I’m about to have a breather from the pains they’ve brought me?’
’I guess I have to get used to it. Moreover I’ll be resuming work by next week and there is no way I won’t bump into them as long as they remain in this hospital.’
"Is anything the matter?" Lauren asked, a puzzled frown forming on her face.
"No, nothing," denied Steffan. "Since your friend is coming for you, I have to be on my way."
"Alright. Thanks doctor for your help so far," Lauren said politely, masking her desire to still keep him around.
"Don’t mention. It’s the least I could do to compensate for flaring up earlier," Steffan said and turned to leave.
"Hold on Doctor," Lauren suddenly called out, causing Steffan to stop in his tract but he didn’t turn around.
"If you don’t mind, can I...can I get your name."
"I don’t think that is necessary," Steffan said and left without any further ado.
If he had turned around, he would have seen the deep sense of loss that was in Lauren’s eyes; however, someone else saw it and took note of it.
"Eh-hem..."
Lauren was forced to withdraw her gaze when she heard someone clearing his throat beside her. Embarrassment washed over her when she saw who it was.
"Miss Holmes, I was sent to get you. Please come with me," Johnson said.
"Thank you Mr Johnson," she said a bit more loudly as she tried to shake off her embarrassment.
He knew Kathleen had sent him. She had come to know him as Shawn’s assistant from the day she signed the contract with Hudson corporations to be in charge of brewing their coffee.
"He is a fine young doctor, I must say," Johnson went out of his way to start a conversation that he normally wouldn’t veer into.
"Yeah," Lauren replied nonchalantly as she followed him to meet Kathleen.
’Is this what it means to see a woman pretend?’ If Johnson had not seen her lingering and forlorn look as Dr Steffan walked away, he would have thought she wasn’t interested in him.
Whether she owns up or not, I think I have to do something for the sake of my boss.
"Dr Steffan is one of the best doctors we have here and of a good reputation."
’Steffan,’ Lauren repeated in her mind. So that was his name. It seems it wasn’t that hard to get to know his identity afterall. However, she couldn’t help but wonder why Johnson was making an effort to tell her all these.
From what she knows about him, he hardly has time for idle talks with others on the norms, much less in their current environment. I’m sure it was because he caught me just now. Was it that obvious?
Well since he is so magnanimous about it, who am I to say no to such kindness. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"It seems you are well acquainted with him, Mr Johnson," Lauren said.
"Yes, Ms Holmes," Johnson admitted. "Let’s say, I know him beyond the walls of this hospital," he added meaningfully.
Lauren’s interest was piqued but before she could probe further, they had arrived at their destination.
"We have to wait for the Boss’s wife to come out."
"The Boss’s wife?" Lauren was taken aback by the direct address.
’Have they developed so fast already behind my back?’
