92 Doesn't add up

*clink clank

The ringing of the doorway chimes woke Mia from her stupor. The man who opened the door greeted her with a warm smile. He was dressed in a simple polo shirt, slacks and his white doctor's coat.

"Is something the matter? Why are you here so early?" Doctor Canes asked while peeking through the half-opened door.

"Yeah, I guess I am too early," Mia said while scratching her cheek feeling embarrassed.

"Come in. Let's have some coffee before we start the day." Doctor Canes said while beckoning Mia to come inside.

Mia followed behind the doctor. Once they were inside, she noticed a black duffle bag on the side of the counter table.

The doctor came out from the back holding two hot mugs of coffee when he saw Mia staring at the duffle bag at the side. "Oh, I forgot to put it inside." The doctor said. He laid the coffee on the table before carrying the duffle bag inside his office.

Mia curiously looked at the doctor's action before taking one of the mugs from the table and sipping on the hot coffee.

The doctor stepped out from his office and took the other mug of coffee. Mia stopped looking at the doctor and tried minding her own business by focusing on the coffee mug.

*clink*

Mia's first reaction was to follow where the sound came from. It was then she saw the doctor put down his coffee.

"I guess you saw." The doctor then said.

"Saw what? The man? The bag?" Mia's mind was working really fast. She was trying to cope up with the question while trying to figure out what the real question was. She could not help but frown as her brow squiggled like a worm while she was thinking.

Doctor Canes was able to see the changes on Mia's face as he continued. "You don't have to worry about it."

"Worry about what? Doctor, why are you speaking in puzzles? Please speak in clear sentences because I can't keep up with what you are saying." Mia wanted to say but decided to keep it all inside. She did not want to look stupid in front of the doctor if she asked what's on her mind.

The doctor nodded as he thought Mia started to understand his words as she changed her expression into a much better one. Although it looked like she had some questions, it seems she was hesitant to ask.

Mia would have blurted out in surprise if she found out that the doctor had got her figured out.

"I know you must have heard about the recent news spreading in our community. There is an interested party who is willing to buy the land near this vicinity. Unfortunately, their plan was based on this land area which we are residing in. Well, that was the man was trying to explain." Doctor Canes explained.

Mia gave to nods as a sign that she understood.

The doctor continued and said, "According to some sources. A national highway will be built near us which prompted rich individuals to eye the lands in our community. This was it will be a good opportunity for them to buy the lands cheaper while the folks out here have not realized the real reason."

"Once the national highway is built, our place will be more accessible to travelers. It's easy to see that in the future, this area might become commercialized due to the large traffic of people going in and out. At first, these investors thought that the people around here would willingly sell their lots with the amount of money they offer. However, they did not realize how sentimental the folks around here are. No matter how much sugar-coated words they use, most of these old folks are not willing to sell."

Mia looked at the doctor because of one word he used. She looked at the doctor and asked, "Most are not willing to sell?"

"That's right. However, there will still be some people who will be tempted to sell. But just like the old folks in this town. I do not want to sell this property which led to the man leaving in frustration."

"I see. That's why the man stormed out of the store in anger. It was because he was unable to persuade the doctor." Mia thought to herself.

"But doctor, how come a lot of the stores are closed if most are not willing to sell?" Mia asked feeling something did not add up.

Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa