At the Sports Complex grounds, Diane ran her last lap. It"s been a while the last time she jogged early in the morning. After that blissful kiss with John, she had a good sleep for the first time after her father died. For the past four years, she had to exhaust herself by writing or exercising for her to sleep at night. Thanks to John, the painful past that was taxing her had been poured openly.With John, she found new hope, a new start to trust a man who would love her, and hopefully, be with her for the rest of her life.
On the way home, she received a call from John. An hour and a half later, Diane accompanied Daisy to the hospital for her check-up. Lydia tagged along.
As she walked into his office, John oddly behaved like he was the caring son-in-law. He led Daisy to a soft couch, talked and asked her like a son listening to his mother"s idle talks. His topics were light and funny but his hand moved gracefully checking her breathing, eyes, and the rest. This was the first Diane observed him closely. And she was impressed. She heartily believed his patients like him.
After all the buoyant chat and check up, John recommended an executive medical a.s.sessment. In other words, Daisy had to stay in the hospital for a day or two.
Daisy agreed and she was admitted that day without further delay.
As Daisy settled in her room, Diane received a call from John and his voice was urgent and serious enough to make Diane ran from the second floor down to his clinic. Unknowingly, as she stepped in, John locked the door in a haste and kissed her.
After minutes of kissing, she looked up to him, puzzled. "Anything wrong?"
"Nothing, I just want to kiss you." He smiled coyly.
Diane squinted her eyes and gave him a piercing look. "Is kissing the only reason you called?"
He laughed after hearing her accusative statement. "Actually, no." He led her to the sofa and both of them sat. "I have a gift for you." His hand took a velvet box from his side pocket.
Diane"s heart raced and her eyes dazzled as she stared at the box, excited to know what"s inside. "Maybe, a ring? So fast."
He opened the box and a pair of plain thick hoop earrings appeared. Her excitement dropped ten degrees lower but immediately displayed a smile on her face but John already saw her initial reaction.
John laughed again, he was not offended. "You don"t like it?"
She pouted and propped her chin on her folded hand. "It"s not that I"m choosy or I don"t like it. I really can"t wear those earrings. I"m allergic to any metal touching my ears."
"No worries. This is made of t.i.tanium, the strongest form of metal but very light and anti-allergenic, as expensive or maybe more than gold but in the naked eye, people will regard it as simple metal. So, you"ll be safe from attracting robbers."
"Really? Then I should not wear it. The experts might recognize it."
"Listen first. There"s more to this." He held the earrings and showed her a black jewel protruding. "Touch this and you can talk to me anywhere."
Her jewel-like eyes became round as her earrings, her excitement came back. "What? Anywhere? As in, anytime, anywhere? No need to dial anything?" Then as if seized by an afterthought, her countenance glowed more in exhilaration, "is this something like James Bond 007 gadgets?"
He guffawed with the comparison and made her embarra.s.sed. Her sulky expression rebuked John. "Sorry, kind of, and even better. As long as the satellite can detect it."
"Wow, amazing, But why are you giving me this?"
"To keep you connected to me wherever you go and I can find you easily when needed."
She became skeptical. "So you can spy my every move?"
"I trust you, but I know I couldn"t stop you if you go snooping again." Then he lovingly touched her cheek. "I just want to protect you. Honestly, I don"t know what to do if anything happens to you."
Warmth welled up in her chest. She leaned on his shoulder. "Thank you. I"m happy," she said tenderly. Afterward, she attached the earrings to her ears. "Where did you get this?"
"I"ll tell you later but, for now, remember, don"t take them off wherever you go and whatever you do."
She nodded while her fingers played with the earrings. "By the way, in what way can we talk with this?"
"Wait." He plugged an earphone to his ear. "Go outside."
Diane stood outside his door and lightly tap the jewel. "Hi, doc."
A clear baritone voice replied from the earrings. "h.e.l.lo, my sweet."
The pet name tickled her ears. She giggled.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing. How to lessen the volume? People might hear your voice."
"Just click the black jewel twice and you"ll see."
Diane did. "Speak," she said and she heard John replied in hushed tones saying sweet nothings but still audible. She chuckled and leaned on the wall.
She walked further to test its effectiveness. But, all of a sudden, she saw Mr. Gallante came out from the hospital administrator"s office, carrying a bulky peach-colored bag.
Adrenaline rushed to her head. This was her chance. So, she followed Gallante.