Eternally Yours

Ren pushed open the living room door, the image of his phone’s message still burning in his mind. He was met with an unexpected sight – Hana, nestled on the plush armchair, fast asleep. She looked so fragile, her head and ankle elevated and tilted at an awkward angle, her brow furrowed in unconscious discomfort.

He approached her cautiously, his movements silent as he crouched before the chair. The overhead light cast a soft glow on her face, highlighting the exhaustion etched on her features. Her arms were exposed to the cool air of the apartment. Without a second thought, he reached out and gently draped his jacket over her.

As he adjusted it, a sigh escaped his lips, a mixture of frustration and something else he couldn’t quite define.

“I shouldn’t have dragged you into this,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Yet, here she was, caught in the crossfire.

The guilt of having exposed Hana to his dysfunctional family was a heavy weight on his chest. He hadn’t meant to involve her, to make her a pawn in the never-ending game with his mother.

Suddenly, Hana’s head dipped forward, threatening to fall. Instinctively, Ren shot out a hand, catching her head mere inches from the armrest. A startled gasp escaped his lips, followed by a chuckle that surprised even him.

“You are truly something, Hana Shizumi,” he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement and a growing sense of wonder.

How could someone, anyone, sleep so soundly after such a stressful event? The shy nurse who had captivated him at the hospital was proving to be even more intriguing.

Whether he liked it or not, Ren had to admit, the shy and ever-professional Nurse Shizumi was starting to hold a strange significance in his life.

***************

Hana jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest. The unfamiliar white ceiling loomed above her, a stark contrast to the comforting familiarity of her bedroom. The absence of her usual alarm clock only heightened her disorientation. Work, she was late. Nurse Crystal was going to chew her out.

A wave of panic washed over her as she scrambled to sit up, her mind racing to piece together the previous night's events. Where was her phone? She could picture the endless number of calls and texts from Mira.

As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, a sharp jolt of pain shot through her ankle, reminding her of the previous night’s mishap. Ignoring the discomfort, she stood up, her balance wavering slightly. She needed to get home.

The sight that greeted her was unexpected as she limped towards the living room.

Ren stood at the stove, his tall frame filling the kitchen space. The casual way he moved, the ease with which he flipped with a spatula, could be compared to how his hands moved when they held a scapule.

The sight of him in this domestic setting was a stark contrast to the composed, almost aloof doctor she was used to seeing.

As she limped towards the living room, the sound of sizzling bacon and the clinking of utensils reached her ears. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, his expression shifting from surprise to concern in an instant.

Ren watched as Hana scrambled to collect her belongings, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her flustered state.

“Morning,” he greeted her, his voice softer than usual. He quickly turned off the stove, his movements smooth and efficient.

Hana froze, her hand hovering over the strap of her purse. A wave of embarrassment washed over her, the realization of her intrusion hitting her like a cold shower.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she scrambled to stand up straighter. Her attempt at dignity was thwarted by a sharp pang of pain shooting through her ankle, causing her to wince and grab the edge of the armchair for support.

“Dr. Jenkins, I’m so sorry for intruding and falling asleep like this,” she mumbled, her voice barely audible, as she bowed. “I should leave now. I just wanted to grab my purse.”

She reached for her purse, her movements jerky and awkward.

Ren watched her struggle with a mixture of amusement and concern. He could see the conflict in her eyes, the desire to leave battling with a sense of vulnerability that made her hesitate.

But before she could take a step, Ren’s voice stopped her. “Shizumi,” he began, his voice firm but gentle, “you’ll make it worse if you try to leave now”

Hana hesitated, her mind racing. She couldn’t stay here, not after imposing on him like this. Hana hesitated, her gaze flickering between Ren and the front door.

As he spoke, she couldn’t help but notice the lines of exhaustion etched on his face. It was clear that the events of the previous night had taken their toll on him as well. She must have made it worse by sleeping in his bed. The blanket on the sofa is evidence that he spent the night there.

“I made breakfast,” he said, gesturing towards the counter. “Eggs, toast, and coffee.”

Hana’s eyes widened in surprise, her mouth opening to protest. But before she could utter a word, her stomach rumbled loudly, cutting off her objection. A wave of embarrassment washed over her as she clamped her hand over her mouth, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of crimson.

She was starving, and the prospect of a cooked meal was undeniably appealing.

Ren couldn’t suppress a chuckle. “I think your body has other plans,” he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Give me a few minutes, breakfast is almost ready.”

As she watched Ren move around the kitchen, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing between them.

Hana opened her purse and pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over Mira’s contact information. The string of messages from her friend was filled with exaggerated concern and playful teasing.

“Where are you? Are you coming home? I guess you aren’t coming home. You should thank me for convincing you to call off work.”

The last message, a playful jab at her for skipping out on her shift, made her chuckle. But the following text, “Use protection,” sent a blush creeping up her cheeks.

The sound of cutlery clinking against a plate startled her, and her phone almost slipped from her grasp.

A blush crept up Hana’s cheeks as she quickly tucked her phone away, not wanting Ren to see the suggestive message. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of embarrassment and a strange sense of anticipation.

Ren was seated in front of her, a plate laden with breakfast in front of the both of them. “How’s the ankle?” he asked, his voice gentle.

She had to focus on the present moment, not the embarrassing content of her friend’s text messages.

Hana nodded, her mouth feeling dry. “A bit sore, but manageable,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper. She took a sip of orange juice, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat.

“I know it’s not much,” Ren said apologetically, “but I didn’t have much time to prepare.”

As she took a bite of the toast, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth and comfort. Being in Ren’s apartment, sharing a simple meal with him, felt strangely familiar as if they had known each other for years.

Ren watched her as she ate, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He had always been good at medicine, but cooking for someone else, caring for them in this way, was a new experience. And for some reason, doing it for Hana felt right.

“It’s really good,” she managed to say, her voice a bit breathless. “Thank you.”

Ren smiled, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He’d always enjoyed cooking, despite the little time he had to do it and to hear his efforts appreciated was a small but welcome victory.

“I don’t cook much anymore, because of work,” he explained, “but I can manage a simple breakfast.”

There was a comfortable silence between them, broken only by the soft clinking of cutlery.

As they finished their breakfast, Hana met Ren’s gaze, a silent question lingering in her eyes. A sense of gratitude and something akin to vulnerability washed over her. She reached out to clear the dishes, but Ren was quicker, his long arms reaching across the table to claim the task.

“Let me handle this,” he said, his voice gentle. “You should rest that ankle.”

Hana hesitated, a silent argument playing out in her head. But the warmth in his eyes and the unspoken understanding between them made her relent. She nodded, a grateful smile curving her lips.

“Thank you,” she said again, her voice sincere. “For everything.”

Ren nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Anytime,” he replied, his voice filled with a warmth that surprised even him.

As she stood up to leave, a pang of reluctance hit her.

“I should probably get going,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. Ren nodded, following her as she moved towards the door.

Ren stood up as well, his tall frame towering over her.

Hana’s eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t have to walk me to the door,” she protested, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her.

“I’m not,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “I’m driving you to the hospital to get your ankle checked.”

“But…”

Ren shook his head. “I insist,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Consider it repayment for dragging you into my family drama.”

Hana couldn’t help but smile. “Okay,” she said, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and reluctance.

The morning sun streamed through the apartment’s main doors as they stepped out into the cool morning air. Hana took a deep breath, the fresh air clearing her head. She glanced at Ren, on one hand, he was supporting her weight, and on the other were her purse and shoes.

As he drove, Ren noticed Hana’s discomfort. The elegant dress, while beautiful, was being constantly pulled down by the female. He pulled over at a nearby store, his mind already made up.

“I think you need something a little more comfortable,” he said, his voice firm but gentle.

Hana protested, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I can’t let you do that,” she said, her voice barely audible.

Ren shook his head, his expression determined. “No arguments,” he said, his voice final.

He helped her out of the car and into the store, his hand gently guiding her to a seat before he browsed through the racks.

“Wait here,” he said, his voice firm. He disappeared into the store, leaving Hana standing on the sidewalk, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirling in her mind.

A few minutes later, Ren emerged from the aisle, carrying a simple, yet stylish dress in his hands. “Try this,” he said, his voice filled with an unexpected confidence.

Hana’s eyes widened in surprise. “I can’t let you buy me clothes,” she protested.

Ren just smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Consider it a thank you for putting up with me and my crazy family,” he replied. At this point, he was starting to use the incident as an excuse to do things for her.

As he paid for the dress, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He was taking care of her, protecting her, and in a way, he was starting to enjoy it.

As they continued to the hospital, a sense of unease settled over Hana. The events of the day before had been a whirlwind, and she was still trying to process it all. Ren’s kindness, his unexpected concern, had left her feeling a strange mix of gratitude and confusion.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she owed him something, a way to repay his generosity. But what could she possibly do for a man who had everything?

As they drove, Hana’s mind raced, trying to come up with a solution. Perhaps she could bake him a cake, or maybe offer to help him with something at the hospital. The possibilities were endless, but none of them felt quite right. She pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over Mira’s contact, before deciding otherwise.

She glanced over at Ren, who was focused on the road. The man she had known as the stern, composed Dr. Jenkins was slowly revealing a different side of himself, a side that was both vulnerable and surprisingly gentle.

*********

Hana’s name echoed through the waiting room, breaking the hushed silence. Her heart pounded in her chest as Ren gently helped her to her feet.

As they stood, the two nurses manning the reception desk exchanged surprised glances. Their hushed whispers carried across the room, a stark contrast to the usual sterile quiet of the clinic. Her carefully constructed plan to remain invisible was crumbling before her very eyes.

The walk to the doctor’s office felt like an eternity, every step a challenge for her injured ankle.

As they approached the examination room, her eyes met Ren’s, a silent communication passing between them. He gave her a reassuring smile, a silent promise of support. Gathering her courage, she stepped into the room, the door closing behind them.

The doctor, a middle-aged man with kind eyes, greeted her with a warm smile. “Miss Shizumi, right?” he asked, his voice gentle.

Hana nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes, doctor.”

The doctor examined her ankle, his hands gentle and reassuring. After a few moments, he looked up, his expression serious. “Well, it’s definitely a sprain,” he said, his voice filled with sympathy. He turned the monitor showing the X-ray towards them. “No dislocation, thankfully.”

Relief washed over Hana. She had been dreading the worst-case scenario.

“I’ll prescribe some pain medication and an ankle brace,” the doctor continued. “And it’s important to keep it elevated and iced as much as possible.”

As the doctor explained the treatment plan, Hana couldn’t help but notice the amused look on the doctor’s face. She glanced at Ren, who was standing by the side, and caught him exchanging a knowing smile with the doctor.

“And one more thing,” the doctor said, his voice serious. “You’ll need to avoid putting any weight on it for the next few days. You might need someone to help you with daily activities.”

Hana’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t help but feel like a burden, relying on someone else for such basic tasks. But as she glanced at Ren, she saw a different kind of look in his eyes.

“Don’t worry,” he said, stepping forward. “I’ll take care of her.”

The doctor nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “I knew I could count on you, Dr. Jenkins,” he said, his voice filled with admiration.

Hana felt a surge of gratitude but worry lingered behind. She had already relied on him enough for one day.

As they were about to leave, the doctor turned to Ren. “You wrapped it quite well,” he commented, a hint of approval in his voice. “As expected from our very own Chief of ER”

As they walked out of the clinic, Hana couldn’t shake the feeling of being under a microscope. Every passerby seemed to be staring at them, their whispers carried by the wind like a haunting melody. She ducked her head, trying to blend into the background, but it was a futile effort.

Ren, sensing her discomfort, offered her his arm. “Let’s get you home,” he said, his voice firm and reassuring.

************

Ren slid the key into the lock, the familiar weight of it offering a brief moment of solace. As he stepped into the elevator, his phone buzzed to life, the insistent vibration jarring him from his thoughts.

He answered the call, bracing himself for whatever chaos awaited him on the other end. Rowan’s voice boomed through the receiver, his exaggerated tone cutting through the quiet confines of the elevator.

“Jenkins! What am I hearing about you and Shy Shizumi? The girls at Ortho told me all the details. Holding hands and hugs in the hospital? Dr. Ren Jenkins, have some respect for the purity of the hospital!”

Ren winced, the sudden onslaught of information momentarily disorienting him. He pulled the phone away from his ear, the volume at its highest setting.

“Rowan, keep it down,” he hissed, the elevator doors sliding open.

“I won’t even ask how you know people in Ortho,” he muttered, his voice barely audible over Rowan’s incessant chatter. “We weren’t doing anything. She was injured…”

Rowan continued, undeterred. “Injured? Ren! You are wild! When Jiro told me she stayed the night at your place, I didn’t believe it. I told him that Renny boy is too innocent for that.”

Ren’s irritation grew. “Renny what? Wait..how does Jiro even know about this?”

“That’s not important,” Rowan dismissed, his voice dripping with amusement. “Our innocent Ren has grown up. I hope you didn’t scar the poor girl.”

Ren couldn’t suppress a groan. “For the love of god, Rowan, she sprained her ankle at the party.”

“Oh,” Rowan replied, the teasing tone disappearing from his voice. “Well, take care of her, Ren. And don’t do anything stupid.”

With that, the line went dead.

“And for the love of God, stop calling me Renny.”

Ren sighed, his mind exhausted. He couldn’t believe the news had spread in such a false manner so quickly. And the thought of Hana’s reputation being tarnished by gossip made him angry. He needed to be more careful.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Ren alone in the quiet apartment. A strange emptiness settled over him as he watched the empty room. He missed her presence already.