At the MUH eatery, Regina and Dr. Strafford sat opposite each other enjoying their meal.
"I watched a heart surgery video" Regina said. "If I get to see a cardiothoracic surgery in real life about five times, I think I'll be able to do it."
Dr. Strafford smiled. "It's easier said than done. Brain and heart surgeries are the most complicated. That's why I chose to be an emergency doctor."
"Which one is more delicate, brain or heart?" Regina asked.
"Dr. Coles, can we forget about our jobs for a moment and talk about us?" Dr. Strafford said.
"What do you mean, us?" Regina asked.
"Since the moment I saw you, I haven't been able to get you off my mind. I want to be in a relationship with you. I want us to be a couple" Dr. Strafford said.
"Dr. Strafford.." Regina began.
"Just call me Hansel. And I'll call you Regina when we're off duty like this" he interrupted.
"Alright, Hansel. I appreciate you a lot, especially all the times we've helped each other with work. But I'm not ready to be in a relationship right now. I want to focus on my residency, become certified and recognized. Then I'll have time for relationship" Regina said.
"You're almost there, Regina. And being with someone won't stop you from achieving your goals. You're smart and intelligent. I won't distract you or ask for anything that would make you uncomfortable" Dr. Strafford said.
"Hansel, please let's not talk about relationships now. Let's just be friends, okay? Please respect that" Regina said.
"Okay, friends it is" Dr. Strafford said, and they both smiled.
On the way to the Powers Mansion, Cynthia was sitting beside Ryan in the back of his sleek black Mercedes Benz. Kelvin was in the front passenger seat and Drake was driving. Ryan noticed Cynthia was avoiding eye contact.
"Are you okay? You've been acting strange and quiet" Ryan asked.
"It's nothing, I just… I'm having a little cramp" Cynthia said. Ryan glanced at her and noticed something on her neck.
"What happened to your neck?" he asked.
"My neck?" Cynthia echoed, confused. She quickly grabbed a mirror from her bag and checked. Shit… that's from Jeffrey, she thought.
"It must be a skincare reaction. One of the products I used probably expired" she said.
"I'll buy you a new one or send you the money" Ryan said.
"Thanks. And I got the money you sent last night when I stopped by the bank" Cynthia said.
"Well, now that you're my girlfriend, you'll be receiving monthly allowances. If you ever need more, just ask" Ryan said.
"One million dollars a month? That's more than enough" Cynthia said.
Soon, the Mercedes Benz drove into the Powers Mansion. Ryan and Cynthia got out and walked inside. One maid took Cynthia's bag while another went upstairs to call Mrs. Powers. Ryan and Cynthia sat together in the living room until Mrs. Powers came down.
"Cynthia, my dear" Mrs. Powers greeted warmly.
"Mrs. Powers!" Cynthia smiled and stood up to hug her.
"Hi, Mum" Ryan greeted from his seat.
"I've missed you so much. I'm glad to see you here again" Mrs. Powers said, pulling Cynthia to sit beside her.
"Is Dad home?" Ryan asked.
"No, I thought you went to see him" she said.
"I did. But he said he would be coming home soon because of the announcement I want to make" Ryan said.
"I'll let him know when he's back. He might have gone somewhere else" Mrs. Powers said.
"He has an assistant, yet he still works like crazy" Ryan said.
"You know your father, he's a workaholic" Mrs. Powers said. "Now, what's this announcement?"
"Mum, Cynthia and I are dating now, and I want to marry her" Ryan said.
Cynthia looked surprised, just like Mrs. Powers.
"That's wonderful news! I'm happy for you, Cynthia" Mrs. Powers said, holding her hand. She looked at the ring. "Oh wow, he already proposed?"
"Yes, Mrs. Powers" Cynthia said, smiling.
"When did that happen? You should have made it public" Mrs. Powers said.
"I like my privacy when it comes to things that are most important to me" Ryan said.
"Well, that's your choice. But I'm calling Mrs. Macaulay my friend. Your engagement will happen in a month, your wedding in the month after and it'll be big and unforgettable" Mrs. Powers said.
"Whatever you want, Mum" Ryan said.
"In fact, let me call her now. I'll be right back" Mrs. Powers said, getting up and heading upstairs to her room.
Ryan and Cynthia were now alone.
"Come here" Ryan said, patting his lap.
Cynthia stood and sat on his lap.
"I want you to move back to your apartment until we get married" Ryan said.
"But why?" Cynthia asked.
"We need to abstain from sex for now" Ryan said.
He was only saying that because he had just received fertility boosters from Dr. Daniel and didn't want Cynthia to find them in the house. He wasn't good at hiding things. Dr. Daniel had told him to use the medication for a month and then come back for a semen test.
"But we already had sex the day you returned. It's not like we're new to this" Cynthia said.
"I want to tell you the truth, but…" Ryan sighed. "Would you still love me at my worst?"
"I'll never leave you, Ryan. I love you. Is something wrong?" she asked.
"The day I visited the hospital, my friend told me something. I have…" Ryan began, but his phone rang.
He answered it quickly. "What is it, Philip?" Ryan asked, listening closely. His face grew serious as he stood, still holding Cynthia in his arms.
"I'm on my way now" he said and ended the call.
"What's wrong?" Cynthia asked.
"Stay here with my mum. I have an emergency" Ryan said, then hurried out.
Mrs. Powers came back downstairs with her tablet, she had been video calling Cynthia's mother, Mrs. Macaulay.
"Where's Ryan? Your mum wants to see him" Mrs. Powers asked.
"He just left. He said it was an emergency" Cynthia said.
"Cynthia, sweetheart!" Mrs. Macaulay's voice came through the video call.
"Mum, I'm getting married to Ryan" Cynthia said as she sat beside Mrs. Powers and smiled at the screen.