ELARA
After everyone left, I stayed with my uncle. He was still awake, so we talked for a little while. Eventually, he said he wanted to sleep. It was already around 10 p.m. I turned off the lights and waited for him to fall asleep. But somewhere along the way, I fell asleep too.
I woke up when my necklace turned warm. The moment I opened my eyes, Dr. T was stepping inside the room.
"I came to see if your uncle is asleep," he said.
"Yeah, he is," I replied, standing up.
"Are you hungry?" he asked.
"I am. You?" I asked back.
"Same."
Without saying much more, we started walking. We didn't even need to discuss where we were going. We both knew. The werewolf's restaurant.
We didn't talk much on the way. When we arrived, we sat down. The werewolf owner brought us water and asked what we wanted.
"I'll have Kung Pao Chicken,", I said.
"Same", Dr T replied.
"You're choosing the same dishes as me," I said.
"You have good taste," he answered, his eyes drifting to the hickey on my neck.
I instinctively tried to cover it with my hair. I glanced back at him, but his eyes remained unsoftened. It clearly bothered him.
"That looks terrible on you," he said calmly, taking a sip of water.
"What looks terrible?" I asked, slightly taken aback.
"The hickey."
"It really bothers you," I said.
"What if it does?" he asked.
"You know, you could answer with 'yes' or 'no'?" It would be easier."
"Would it?" he replied.
God. He is impossible sometimes.
"He sleeps in your room?" he asked shamelessly.
"Who? My boyfriend?"
"Yes."
"What if he does?" I shot back.
If he won't give me direct answers, why should I?
He smirked slightly, glancing down for half a second before looking back at me.
"Why do you hate him?" I asked.
"I don't remember saying I hate him," he replied.
The food arrived, but we kept talking.
"The way you look at him, the way you question me — it says you don't like him."
"He is not for you," he said.
"Really? And how would you know that?"
"You're happy with him?" he asked.
"Yeah…" I answered.
"Are you sure?"
The word 'yes' stuck in my throat. I hated how easily he made me question my relationship. Instead of answering, I started eating. He didn't push further, but I caught the faint smirk at the corner of his mouth.
Bastard.
After we finished, I paid this time. We went outside and took our time walking back.
"Such nice weather," I said.
"It's a nice feeling, walking around town at night," he replied.
"One of these days, I'll visit Hong Kong properly," I said.
"You haven't?" he asked.
"I didn't have time."
After a few minutes of silence, he suddenly took my hand. "Let's go."
"Where?" I asked.
I didn't resist. I just followed.
"Let's take a walk."
"Now?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes."
"But we have to go back. I need to stay with my uncle. And what about your break?"
"Your uncle is asleep. And I still have time."
"But isn't town far from the hospital?"
"Thirty minutes."
It wasn't far. But going now felt crazy.
When we arrived, the streets were alive. Closed museums, dim restaurants, soft lights. We ended up in a small park. It was beautiful. People were walking their dogs. Some were jogging. Couples strolled quietly.
"There are many people," I said.
"Some only have time at night," he replied.
I slowly realised he was still holding my hand.
My necklace was warm. But I didn't feel sick. In fact… I felt grounded. Take your hand away. I was telling myself. But I didn't. And he didn't let go either. Some spirits were looking at us — smiling.
What the hell?
Then I noticed two vampires nearby whispering. My hearing caught their words.
"Finally they're together," the black-haired one said.
"It was about time," the blond replied.
"Do you think it's her?"
"It must be. Otherwise, why would he hold her hand?"
I looked straight at them and asked mentally, Her who?
Their eyes widened instantly. They turned away. So they can hear me.
Every time I mentally told someone to stop, they obeyed. Why? I'm not special.
"If you want, I can show you around properly one day," Dr. T said.
"You? Giving me a tour?" I asked.
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing. It's just—"
"The boyfriend again?" he interrupted, annoyed.
"What if it is?"
"Ignore him," he said, stopping in front of me.
"Ignore him? How?"
"It's easy."
"Have you ever been in a relationship?" I asked.
"No. I'm waiting for my special one."
"No? How come?"
"I won't love any other human. Only my other half. My soulmate. The one meant for me."
He looked straight into my eyes. I was speechless. That was… romantic.
We stood there, staring at each other, forgetting everything around us. Then my phone rang.
William.
"Don't answer," Dr. T said.
I froze.
"What?"
"Don't answer."
He stepped closer and gently pushed my phone down.
"But—"
"Focus on me."
And I obeyed. Not because he ordered me to. But because I hesitated. What is wrong with me? I put the phone away. We walked back in silence, still holding hands.
In front of my uncle's room, we stopped.
"I'll go in now," I said.
"Okay."
But he still didn't let go.
I turned to open the door. Instead of releasing me, he followed me inside.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"You didn't let go of my hand."
"You didn't let go," I said.
He looked at our hands, then slowly released me. Without another word, he left.
Inside, my uncle was still asleep.
I went to the window and checked my phone. Two missed calls. Several messages.
William: Are you sleeping, baby?
William: I miss you.
William: I can't sleep. Call me back.
I called him.
"Are you sleeping?" I asked.
"No. I was waiting for your call."
"You should sleep."
"What were you doing?"
I hesitated. "I… I didn't hear the phone ringing while I was coming back.
Liar. I heard Dr T's voice in my head.
I looked around the room.
Did I just hear him mentally?
"Where did you go?" William asked.
"To eat."
"With Dr. T?"
"Do you really have to ask about him every time?"
"I'm just curious."
"I'll try to sleep. We'll talk in the morning."
"Love you."
"Me too."
I hung up.
Lord… I feel like I'm two-timing.
The next morning, I woke before my uncle. I washed up quickly. When I returned, he was waking up.
"Morning", I said.
"Morning."
"How did you sleep?"
"Pretty good. And you?"
"Same."
After breakfast, my parents, auntie, and William arrived. William greeted me with a kiss.
My necklace warmed. Dr. T entered shortly after. He gave my uncle his medication.
"How did you sleep?" Dr. T asked.
"I slept well without sleeping pills," my uncle said.
"You did?" my auntie asked.
"Yes. He slept deeply," I added.
"Thank you for staying," my auntie said. "Take a break tonight. Spend time with your boyfriend."
"Don't neglect him," my uncle added.
"But—"
"Brilliant. Let's go explore," William interrupted.
I looked at Dr T.
Don't go with him. His voice echoed in my head again.
What do you mean? I asked back mentally.
"Be careful not to get lost," my mom said.
"If you're worried, I can show them around," Dr. T offered.
Are you serious?
"I think we've got it," William replied.
"I insist," Dr T said.
"I can give you my number," he added to me.
"We're fine," William cut in.
"That's actually a good idea," my mom said.
"In case of emergency," Dr T added.
I took out my phone and let him type his number. I called him so he'd have mine too.
"Baby", William muttered.
Dr T also gave his number to my auntie and mom.
"We're leaving," William said.
As we walked out, my necklace turned cold.
"Why did you give him your number?" William asked.
"It's good to have a local contact," I replied.
Even I didn't believe it. Why did I give him my number? The hospital would call my auntie if anything happened. We have GPS.
Why am I trying to justify this?