Page 24 of My Heart's Doctor
“What? I can’t believe I fell asleep. It’s just that I had a long workday today and…”
“Thank you for what you’ve done for my daughter,” I said, interrupting her because it wasn’t necessary for her to give me so many explanations, and I wanted to make that clear.
“You don’t need to thank me. Aurora is an incredible child and has earned my affection. I must go,” she insisted, and shelooked so concerned that this time I didn’t prevent her from getting up.
I watched her lean over Aurora and give her a kiss on the forehead, and again, my heart skipped a beat and a strange emotion invaded my entire body, making me shudder. This woman was truly special with my daughter because it was obvious that her affection was genuine; there was nothing artificial in her attitude. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“Devon, it’s very late. Stay, please,” I asked, and I was aware that I had addressed her informally, but I did it because I wanted to feel closer to her, I wanted her to feel comfortable in my presence.
“No way, I’m leaving now. I’m used to leaving the clinic at this hour. You have no idea what my schedules are like,” she said, and began walking away from the bedroom.
Imagining her alone at night made my heart clench. She should be cared for, protected. How could it be that no one worried about her safety? That bothered me.
“You shouldn’t be out alone at this hour, I’ll drive you,” I stated with certainty, not intending to let her go alone at that time of night.
“Mr. Cavaller, I came in my car, but thank you.”
“I’ll accompany you anyway,” I insisted, trying to make it clear that it was an order and nothing would change my mind.
“It’s not necessary for you to accompany me. I already told you I’m used to driving at this hour. Nevertheless, I appreciate the offer,” she said, and picked up her purse.
Without thinking, I took her by the arm again to stop her from walking away.
“I won’t let you go alone. Either you get in my car or I get in yours, and that’s final,” I stated firmly, looking at her seriously, because even though I was behaving like a madman, I felt an extreme need to protect her that even I didn’t understand.
Devon glared at me and pulled her arm from my grip.
“It’s likely that you’re used to giving orders and having them followed without discussion, but I don’t have to do that. I appreciate your offer, but it’s not necessary. I know how to take care of myself,” she stated dryly.
And that was very true. I wasn’t used to having my orders questioned, the only one who did was Aurora and for obvious reasons. I was beginning to realize that she might be an angel, but it was clear that on many occasions the devil took possession of her, and when that happened, I was always in front of her. Strange, isn’t it?
“Doesn’t anyone take care of you?” I asked, to calm her down and, while I was at it, to inquire about her life.
“What?” she said, looking at me as if I had grown two heads.
“Who takes care of you? I suppose there must be some…”
“Do you think at my age I need someone to take care of me? I know how to take care of myself, Mr. Cavaller,” she assured me, very seriously, and turned to open the door.
She headed toward the car I had seen parked and got in quickly. I was tempted to go over there and sit in the passenger seat, but I preferred not to push her patience. But, since I always got my way, I went to my car and prepared to follow her. At least I would be at ease knowing she had arrived safely. I noticed that she was looking at me seriously through her rearview mirror, and I decided to annoy her a bit more. The truth is, I was having more fun than I had in a long time. I flashed my lights at her andput my hand out to signal the exit path. On the way to her house, I tried to stay behind her at all times, but this girl was quite reckless in her driving because she was going at considerable speed. Why was she going so fast? Was she doing it to get away from me, or did she always drive like this? When we stopped at a traffic light, I lowered the window and told her:
“Why are you so reckless? You drive too fast, slow down because it’s dangerous!”
She looked at me with a furrowed brow but didn’t say anything. The next thing I saw was her car speeding away as soon as the light changed.
“Reckless!” I exclaimed, and started my car to try to catch up with her.
When she arrived at her building, she stopped to open the automatic gate and didn’t look at me once. It was obvious that she was well aware I was parking at the entrance of her building, but she didn’t even acknowledge me.
“Dr. Dulcet, why are you so prickly with me?” I said aloud with a smile on my lips. This little game with her was entertaining me greatly.
With each passing minute, I felt more tempted to go after her and appease this monumental desire she awakened in me, but I knew I had to try to control it. I honked my horn and drove away, but I couldn’t wipe the smile from my lips.
The next day I was invited to a gala dinner organized byEnfoque Corp.,but I had asked my secretary to let them know I wouldn’t be able to attend because I was supposed to be in NewYork at that time. At these business dinners, there was always an opportunity to make some productive business deals, so I asked my secretary to contact them again, but this time to confirm my attendance.
I spent that day with my daughter. I woke her up with lots of affection, and after having breakfast together, we went out for a walk. The day was fun. We had lunch out, went to the beach, and had fun building sandcastles. Seeing Aurora so happy and having seen her the night before so close to Devon made me reconsider many things. If my daughter was seeking attention and connection with someone else, it was because I was failing. I had to do something to try to spend more time at home with Aurora.
After a beautiful day and having left Aurora sleeping, I got ready to attend the dinner. The event didn’t particularly entice me—I normally didn’t enjoy them, but I did use them for business and, on some occasions, to get the phone number of some female guest who would leave me her card forbusinesspurposes, which I didn’t pass up.
