The Best Friend's Contract novel Chapter 91

Kenna

''Good afternoon, Dr. Anne. You're glowing today,'' One of the nurses say as she smiles at me, making my cheeks heat up at her compliment before smiling back at her; stopping near the counter to write down my latest reports as I gaze up at the television, seeing a robbery happened at the national bank which causes me to frown.

''What is wrong with the world?'' I mutter under my breath.

''Everything is wrong. It's such a shame to live in a world like this where humans are the main cause of destruction,'' Penelope, one of the nurses here replies, her eyes wandering up to the television again before sighing. ''How are you, Dr. Anne?'' She asks.

''Good. What about you, Penelope?'' I respond, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear before dropping the pen with the reports; shoving both of my hands into my coat's pockets.

''Restless night with Johnny,'' She chuckles.

Johnny, her two-year-old son has been her main source of happiness after her husband passed away due to cancer. Apparently, she and Johnny always seem happy together to an extent that it makes me want to have that kind of life where I'd look at my son's face and just be content.

Just as I'm about to respond, she continues. ''Babies, toddlers, kids . . . they just suck the energy out of you. So, believe me, appreciate your current situation while you can because once you start popping one out . . . boy, don't let me get started.'' She adds and we both continue to laugh, my head shaking as I agree to her statement.

''I'll keep that in mind,'' I wave at her before walking down the hallway, heading straight towards Albert's room.

My eyes widen as soon as I see an unknown young man with dark brown hair stands near Albert's bed, smiling as they talk about something but as soon as I step inside, they both turn to look at me. The unfamiliar man appears to look quite familiar if I keep on looking at Albert and back at him for a few times which makes me wonder, who is he?

The man takes one hand out from his slacks' pocket before giving me a handshake, in which I accept. ''Brayden Adams,'' He introduces himself, making me furrow at his last name.

''You're—''

He cuts me off, ''Albert Adam's son.''

I remain speechless as I stand in the middle of the room before clearing my throat, ''How rude of me. I'm Kenna Ashton, your father's neurologist. It's just that I've never seen you before but Albert has mentioned you a few times,'' I reply with a small smile plastered on my face.

Albert's son, Brayden, nods his head with his lips slowly curving up into a smile. ''Can we talk outside, Dr. Anne?'' He glances down at my tag before gesturing for both of us to step out of his father's room.

My eyes wander to Albert who keeps on staring at his late wife's scarf as I follow Brayden out. As soon as we're standing in the hallway, he starts to let out a deep breath. ''I'm sure he has told you about my sudden disappearance and I don't blame him, as his doctor, you should know everything that is going on with his life but I had my reasons. It took me years and a lot of regrets but I'm here and I want to be there for him,'' He speaks.

''I understand, Mr. Adams but—''

''Brayden's fine,'' He cuts me off.

I blink a few times, ''Right, Brayden . . . I understand but your disappearance did affect him in ways I can't possibly put into words. He was devastated especially about his late wife, your mother but now that you're back in his life, I'm actually more than glad.'' I reply.

He breathes out and I take my moment to eye the man in front of me, seeing him standing quite tall in his suit and tie, leaving me to believe that he's probably a lawyer or something much more . . . formal with his hair neatly combed to the back but with a few strands out. It doesn't take me long to realise just how much he looks like Albert when he was young and believe me, he stands with a seven.

''I want to be there for him. To make sure that he's happy because that's what he needs,'' He continues to speak, ''Look . . . I'm not the perfect son, I may have lost track of time and I may have forgotten about my responsibility but I want to fix that starting now,'' He adds.

''What are you saying?'' I ask, raising an eyebrow.

''I want him to be discharged with only monthly check-ups. I think he has been at the hospital long enough,'' He replies.

I nod my head, ''There's definitely nothing wrong with that. I'll handle the papers. Give me an hour or two, tops?'' I ask him, wanting to receive other confirmations from the other two doctors that have been attending him for the past years, wanting to make sure that Albert does not have any chronic diseases that would cause any malfunctions or disruptions in his daily life as soon as he is discharged.

''Thank you, Dr. Anne.'' He smiles.