Chapter 3 I Care Nata
That was an abrupt question.
Natalie's mind went blank for a moment. She lowered her eyes to avoid his eyes, looking like a student who was being scolded.
"I studied… in Athana before," she replied softly and apologetically while feeling in awe for him all along.
Luke looked at her for a few seconds, then casually said, "Oh".
The girl's eyes and temperament felt familiar to him. He felt that if he said anything more, she would be scared to tears.
So, he didn't ask further.
Besides, it was too long ago. No one could remember that incident.
"Your wound..." Natalie suspected that she had pressed on his wound just now. She hugged the blue clipboard and wanted to carefully ask him whether he wanted her to check his wound.
"It's fine." He lowered his voice and narrowed his eyes.
"... Okay." Natalie nodded and sneakily breathed a sigh of relief, as if she was forgiven.
"Later I'll ask the nurse to bring over a protective gear for you," she spoke softly. She then lowered her head and flipped a page to read the report from the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. She looked at Mark. "Mr. Bennington also has a minor lung injury. Please keep him away from alcohol and tobacco. You should also pay special attention to his diet, which should consist primarily of fruits, vegetables, and high-protein foods. You may ask for the details any time in the patients' Instagram group, which you may request to join at the nurse station."
Mark was confused, but responded immediately when he heard her.
He scratched his head. He couldn't understand why Luke had such a good temper suddenly. Mark once thought that he may die here today.. 
Natalie was about to leave after completing the ward round, but Mark stopped her. With a big smile, he took the fruit plate on the coffee table which he prepared for her earlier. He wanted her to stay a little longer.  
She glanced at the fruit plate. It was full of cut mangoes. 
Natalie politely declined it. 
But Mark insisted, as polite as pie. 
"I'm allergic to mangoes so I can't eat them. Thanks anyway." Natalie gave him a compelling reason to stop his insistence. Moreover, she didn't want to be scolded by Joyce for eating on work time. 
When Natalie left, there were only two people left in the ward. 
"Luke, I'll join the Instagram group now and order food for you later." Mark clearly realized that he touched Luke without Luke's permission. So, he treated Luke nicely like a bootlicker. 
Luke wanted to ignore Mark initially, but his phone on the bedside drawer that had been quiet for a few minutes began vibrating again. 
"Come back." He was impatient. 
Mark quickly returned to where he was. 
"Reject the call." Luke closed his eyes and frowned heavily. 
Mark picked up Luke's phone without hesitation. Just as he was about to tap the red button, his fingers froze. He stared at the incoming call screen and hesitated for quite a while. "It's... Noah." 
With a heavier voice, Luke repeated coldly, "Reject it."
Mark did as he was told. 
Soon, the phone in Mark's pocket rang. He took it out and looked at it, then said hesitantly, "Luke, he is calling me instead." 
Luke opened his eyes and snatched the phone. "Hey." 
The caller was quite familiar with his voice, and confidently called him by his name with a matured voice, "Luke." 
"Noah." Luke replied indifferently. 
"Why didn't you answer your phone?" The man asked calmly, even though he knew how Luke would answer. 
Luke didn't have the slightest intention of being courteous to him, and acted like a jerk by saying, "Too lazy." 
The caller wasn't mad at all. "How are you?" 
Luke hummed and chuckled before he drawled, "I'm so close to death. What a shame." 
The man didn't respond to Luke's words, but chuckled intriguingly. 
"Don't work too hard on the acquisition of the hospital. You should take good care of yourself. Alcomara isn't as safe as Athana, so you should remember to…" the caller intentionally paused for two seconds, and said slowly deliberately, "mind your own business." 
Luke's face darkened gradually. 
He understood something. He licked the corner of his mouth, sneered with a hoarse voice, and slowly removed the phone from his ear. 
A dark shadow flashed across Mark's eyes, and suddenly there was a loud bang. He watched his phone being smashed into the wall, and the phone casing was split in half when it hit the ground.
"..." 
"Luke." 
Mark's eyes widened. His facial expression changed from shock to panic. Then, he looked saddened, as if he was going to cry. "... My phone." 
He could only mutter softly because he dared not cry out. 
It was unexpected, but understandable. Luke failed at being calm just now. Under such circumstances, he was extremely dangerous. Anything approached him would perish. 
However, it was better for him to release anger than to bottle it up. The phone just had to be sacrificed gloriously. 
"I'll use your phone for the time being, okay?" Mark asked quietly and carefully, as he was afraid of disturbing Luke's sleep. 
Seeing that Luke didn't scold him, he put Luke's phone into his pocket. He tiptoed and left the ward quietly. 
After joining the Instagram group at the nurse station, Mark went straight out of the inpatient building. 
While he was heading toward the parking lot, he was looking at the group chat named "Alcomara No.2 Hospital, Inpatient Communication Group No.3 (469)". 
Luke: You joined the group via QR code 
"Oh my god!" Mark shook his head and sighed. 
Luke was so forthright. 
A group announcement popped up on the chat screen.
"This group offers follow-up care. Our doctors on duty can answer your questions online 24 hours a day. If there are no special circumstances, please do not send follow requests to our medical staff!" 
Mark casually scanned the group members' names in the first row. He found Natalie's name immediately as if it attracted his eyes like a magnet. 
He spaced out for a moment, then his eyes lit up suddenly. 
He tapped on her profile. 
Nickname: Nata
Group Nickname: Nataalie Moore - Resident Doctor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery 
Her profile picture was an image of a snow-white kitten. The kitten's round face faced up and its sapphire-blue eyes looked at him innocently. 
Cute!, it was as cute as Dr. Moore! 
Mark's heart was racing. He couldn't help but smile. He was on cloud nine. 
He recalled what was in the group announcement. He looked up at the sky and pondered for two seconds, then quickly copied Natalie's Instagram account name. He left the group chat sneakily and sent a follow request to her. 
After doing all these, he suddenly realized that something was wrong. 
He was using Luke's phone. 
-
Natalie was busy working all morning. After having lunch with her colleague in the cafeteria, she went straight back to the office for a break. 
As soon as she sat down, she received a call from Forrest.
The office was empty and Natalie was alone. She was too tired to leave the office, so she stayed there and answered the call. 
"Nata, what time do you get off work?" Forrest was concise. 
Natalie was stumped. 
After a moment of silence, she said in her usual tone, "I have to be on duty in the emergency department tonight. I told you earlier." 
"Could you ask Mr. Scott for a leave? I'm taking you to a dinner party tonight," Forrest didn't sound like he was negotiating with her, but rather bestowing an honor on her.  
A dinner party again. 
Natalie really didn't want to go. 
"But the emergency department will be short-staffed. They can't manage without me. I can't go with you tonight." Her voice was gentle while sounding helpless. 
In that kind of dinner party, everyone had their own agenda. Forrest wouldn't have time for her. Besides, everyone there was from wealthy families. They joked and laughed as much as they wanted when they were drunk. They talked recklessly and made ridiculous dirty jokes from time to time. They enjoyed it and never got sick of it. 
Last night, Natalie felt uncomfortable hearing their jokes. 
The ladies who accompanied them were all sexy and charming, and had fun laughing with them. 
In contrast, she was too well-behaved. 
Among the ladies with perfumed dresses and gorgeous hair in the luxurious dinner party, she was really out of place. 
Natalie, like any other girl in love, wished to spend more time with her boyfriend, but she didn't want to look pathetic. When Madam Hart suggested that they should get engaged, she agreed. That meant she was ready to take this relationship seriously.
But not in that kind of party. 
Forrest didn't force her, but said, "Nata, you can totally quit your job." 
Natalie was a little confused. "Why?" 
"I have more than enough to support you financially. Hospital work is very taxing for you. Other than that, how much can you save from your salary? I can get you any job you want. You should free up more time to accompany me." 
It was obvious. 
To accompany him was to attend dinner parties with him. 
Obviously, Forrest showed a lack of understanding and respect for her profession. However, he said that with a gentle and soothing smile. Natalie couldn't get mad at all. 
However, she felt as if her heart was suddenly crushed by a large boulder that she found it hard to breathe. 
After pondering for a while, Natalie chuckled and quipped, "I have spent so many years on education. Wouldn't it be a waste?" 
"You graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Why would it be a waste?" 
"I studied medicine. If I didn't become a doctor and only bragged about it, why wouldn't it be a waste?" She thought. 
Natalie thought, but didn't say it out. Forrest took it as natural. She wondered if she might be too sensitive. 
But Natalie had a very strong conviction since she was young. 
No matter how modern or famous one was, if he fell from grace, he would end up shattered, just like a piece of transparent glass. Girls were not excluded. Who could they expect to support their lives without complaining?
Neither one's family nor one's spouse was as dependable as self-reliance. 
That was what her late mother's life experiences taught her. 
Natalie didn't want to ruin her life. So, she would not quit her job. 
Her decision had nothing to do with how deep their relationship was. 
Natalie pursed her lips. "No. I think, I have to have my own career." 
She rarely talked back to Forrest, but she was very firm. Forrest of course wasn't in a good mood since he couldn't persuade her. 
He responded with a sniff of dissatisfaction. He was probably busy dealing with millions of business contracts, so he didn't have time to waste his breath on her. 
"As you wish," Forrest said tepidly. 
Did she make him angry? Natalie stopped speaking for a few seconds. 
Forrest probably realized that his tone was a little harsh just now. He then said gently, "Alright, no rush. Please think it over again. Let's have lunch together tomorrow at noon. Be a good girl." 
After a moment of silence, Natalie responded softly to the latter half of what he said. 
Forrest's attitude made Natalie feel deeply isolated and powerless. After ending the call, she sat quietly for five minutes, but she still couldn't overcome the depression which was caused by her boyfriend's inability to understand her. 
She took a deep breath and opened the chat window with Mia. 
Natalie: surprise_slap.jpg
Mia replied immediately: Whaaaa? 
Natalie pondered over what she should text for a long time: When you weren't feeling well, would your ex ask whether you felt better first? 
Mia: No 
Natalie: If you disagreed with each other, would he try to understand you? 
Mia: No 
Natalie had no relationship experience at all. She was a little shocked: So this is normal??? 
Mia: Of course not 
Mia: It's normal for a jerk 
Mia: That's why he became my ex! 
Natalie: ... 
Forrest didn't ask about her condition just now, and disagreed with her values. 
Natalie gave up pondering over their relationship: Perhaps I... really need a relationship counsellor's guidance 
Mia replied with a "Hearty Laugh" GIF. 
Mia became excited suddenly: Just you wait, Nata. I'll ask that guy to send you a follow request. You'll look cheap if you take the initiative!! 
Natalie: ... Wait, I haven't decided yet
Mia: You can only meet the right person after saying goodbye to the wrong one 
Mia: I'm saying this while touching your heart. I've always thought Forrest doesn't deserve my goddess! He's too macho. He's controlling you, right? 
Natalie instinctively ignored the latter part of Mia's text, "Where are you touching? [pinch_cheek.jpg] " 
Mia: dirty_smile.jpg 
Mia: You are an extremely charming woman! Countless boys were chasing you in high school! But in your heart, there was! Only! Forrest! Hart! Do you know how many boys' hearts you have broken?! 
Natalie: …… 
Natalie: I'm not that charming [smile.jpg] 
Mia: gently_waking_baby.jpg 
One minute later. 
Mia: I texted that guy. He's travelling in Westwood now, so there's a time zone difference. He may be slow to reply, so you just wait and it'll be okay. 
Actually, Natalie was just joking, but when she thought it over again, it was good for her to learn from a relationship counsellor. 
Mia: Nata, I have a hunch that your real Apollo is on his way to you!! 
Her next topic followed immediately: Have you met Luke Bennington? 
As soon as she saw his name, his cold but handsome face came into Natalie's mind. Her heart skipped a beat. Her first feeling was gratitude, to have escaped a disaster.
His aura was too strong. Before him, she was like a small, weak and pathetic herbivorous rabbit that was scared of death facing the carnivorous king of the jungle. 
Natalie texted solemnly: I have 
Mia:Is the rumor true? 
Natalie told Mia honestly: The descriptions of his looks and body figure are true 
The word 'true' alone made Mia burst with excitement. She screamed a few lines of "Ahhhh!!!" before texting: Visit him and report your findings again! 
Mia couldn't calm down: The legendary boss is real!!! In your next visit please secretly take a picture of him and let me set it as my home screen! Please don't make me kneel down and beg you!! 
Natalie: Do you want to see me lying on a sickbed? 
Mia: I will take care of you! I promise! 
Natalie: ... 
Natalie felt drowsy. After texting Mia, she took out a reclining chair and got ready for a nap. Before she switched off her phone, she noticed the small red dot on the Instagram notification icon. She didn't know when it appeared.
There was a new follow request. 
The sender searched her Instagram account name. 
The nickname was "Luke". 
The profile picture was an image of a grown shepherd dog, sitting majestically in front of a shooting target. It wore military protective equipment, looking very handsome.
He was the counsellor who was traveling? That was pretty quick. 
Natalie didn't think much about it and accepted his follow request. 
But then she took a nap first to regain her energy for her afternoon shift. She didn't start a conversation with him right away. 
After waking up, Natalie was busy working all the time. Before conducting ward rounds in the afternoon, she saw young nurses chatting with each other as she passed by a nurse station. 
Natalie overheard that Luke's concierge doctor had arrived. 
That person shouldn't need her anymore. Just to be safe, Natalie went to Joyce and asked her, "Ms. Locke, do I still need to conduct a ward round in No.901?" 
Joyce was sitting in front of a computer and clicking the mouse non-stop. She said in her usual arrogant tone without even looking at Natalie, "If you want to be scolded, just go. Am I stopping you?" 
"..." 
Why are you so cocky? 
Is it so difficult to speak like a normal person? 
Will you even appear in Google search results? 
I'm totally speechless. 
Once Natalie finished venting her anger silently, she kept a harmonious smile on her face. "Okay." 
-
When she finished her overnight shift in the emergency room, it was dawn of the next day already. 
Throughout the night, Natalie didn't have time to rest at all. After the shift, she went straight back to the inpatient department to conduct ward rounds. She was busy until noon. 
When Natalie got home, she couldn't even be bothered to have lunch. She dragged herself to take a shower. After that, she fell into her bed and fell asleep. 
When she woke up, night fell again. 
Natalie was too tired to cook, so she ordered food delivery. While she was waiting for her food, she sat cross-legged on the sofa in the living room and began to sort the clothes piled on the sofa. 
Natalie moved into this property a week ago. She didn't have time to put things in order yet, so it was still messy. 
When Natalie was in college, she stayed at Forrest's home. After graduation, Natalie rented a property near the hospital. 
Even though Madam Hart tried to dissuade Natalie many times, she insisted on moving out. 
As part of her long-term plan, this year, Natalie bought this complete and exquisitely decorated property, which consisted of two bedrooms and a living room. She used the card her late mother left for her. 
The balance on that card wasn't low. 
When Natalie was sorting the clothes, she found an old blazer among the pile of clothes. 
It was the blue and white school uniform of Athana Cody School. 
She paused, recalling the distant memories again. 
Life was too long to remember each and every face. She was very young at that time, so those memories were blurry now. 
But the feelings toward a particular person at a particular momentaged like fine wine.
Natalie could always recall the orange street lights that night, the wind in Flower Street that felt like fate coursing through the gaps... 
And she could recall the wounded, bad-tempered teenager who crouched down outside the quadrangle courtyard, holding a cigarette with his mouth. 
He was like an extremely charming villain in anime, handsome and wild. 
She got the impression that villains liked to act like a jerk to conceal the dark side of their stories. God knew if he was the same. 
She was so young at that time, but she could remember the loneliness in his eyes. 
Sometimes, Natalie asked herself, was she bewitched? 
Just like one could never forget the first person who gave them water in a desert, one would always remember the turning point in a dire situation. Since then, she saw him in every person she met.
Natalie thought of Forrest. As she did so, she couldn't help but feel depressed. 
Natalie exhaled a light breath and stopped ruminating. 
Coincidentally, she thought of the counsellor, whom she rudely ignored the whole day. So, she quickly took out her phone and took the initiative to say hello to him. 
After sending the text, Natalie stared without blinking at the nickname "Luke", which was at the top of the chat window. She felt that something was wrong. 
Her nickname was "Nata", which was a shorter version of "Natalie".. It looked normal by itself. There was nothing special about it. 
But once it was placed next to "Luke". 
It... just... felt weird.
Natalie pondered. While there was still no response in the chat window, she introduced herself, in order to subtly explain the coincidence of their nicknames, "By the way, my name is Natalie Moore." 
At the same time, the notification bell rang. 
Luke, "?" 
Natalie was stunned. She didn't understand what that meant. 
She thought he, being a counsellor who liked travelling, was probably a cheerful young man who was passionate about life. But his response "?" clearly gave off an arrogant vibe. 
She felt that it would be difficult to get along with him. 
Natalie frowned. She couldn't think of an appropriate way to communicate with him. 
Then, she noticed something suddenly. 
"Luke" posted some terrible pictures on his account.. 
The new nickname was "Baby Eater". 
"..." 
How demonic! It was impossible for Natalie not to feel targeted. 
So scary. 
He must be a sicko. 
There was no way she could continue chatting with him. Natalie bit her lower lip and started to regret accepting his follow request.
If she pretended nothing had happened, it still wouldn't be too late… right?  
Natalie was indecisive. After careful consideration, she tapped his profile picture. 
She gritted her teeth and deleted him. 
And deleted him. 
She removed this nasty guy from her followers list.