26 ALLEN

"Good morning, Dr. Rivera."

"Good morning, Nurse Ignacio."

Ceres smiled faintly at her colleagues and Eli just nodded his head. They were walking side by side with Eli holding the bag containing their food for lunch. Even though it was his plan to pretend being Belle's boyfriend, he was still feeling awkward with the way people look at them.

"Belle isn't considered a nurse for now. She will be working under me as of the moment so I could help her jog her memories. I hope you'll take care of her as well."

"No worries, doc. We will surely help your girlfriend."

"Right."

Belle pulled Ceres back so that she could deny their assumptions but Eli pulled her close and held her hand, stopping whatever it was that she wanted to say. She was stood wide-eyed beside him.

"Belle will be grateful for your help. By the way, she has forgotten most of the people here so, I would appreciate it if you could introduce yourselves again to her."

One after another, the other nurses started introducing themselves to her and when the other doctors came, they also gave their name and their department. Of course, Belle didn't need to memorize their names - she knew them very well.

Not far from where they chat, Ceres felt the murderous gaze directed at her. However, when she told Belle to look around, she didn't find anyone looking at them.

(It was probably your imagination) Belle told Ceres while keeping a faint smile on her face.

[I could never be wrong. I have survived because of my instinct and it never failed me.]

(We're in a hospital. Who would want to kill you here?)

[Correction. Not me, but you. No one knows me here. You probably offended someone by staying close to the doctor.]

(Excuse me?! It was you who decided to stick to him.)

[You did not refuse either.]

Internally, Belle and Ceres were arguing again. Not a day would pass without them fighting in her subconsciousness.

"Belle, let's go. I'll show you the ropes for your new work." Eli held her hand and walked to the elevator. As soon as they got inside, he let go of her and bowed his head. "Sorry for holding your hand without asking your permission. I didn't mean to. I just thought our act would be more natural with us holding hands."

"Don't worry, doc. It wasn't really an issue." Belle answered. She felt guilty seeing him like this and instead of scolding him, she decided to brush away this matter. "By the way, did auntie say anything about Neon?"

Eli finally lifted his head and looked at her with sheepish smile. "Mom likes your brother so much. Ah! Right! She sent me a picture last night but it was already late and I forgot to show you. I'll send them to you once we get inside my office."

The elevator stopped on the fourth floor and the two of them stepped out. Eli was already holding his phone and started scrolling the chat he had with his mother.

"You can check the photos out," he said and handed the phone directly to her. "I'll just open the door. Your brother seems at ease with my mom."

Belle didn't shy away this time. She really wanted to see how her brother was doing in somebody else's home after what he experience with her godmother.

The photos that Eli received from his mother were all about Neon. She brought him to Ocean World where he was able to see a lot of marine animals. He had pictures with a manta ray, a shark, an octopus and many other animals with the thick transparent glass separating him from them. Jojie also took a video of Neon exclaiming happily while watching the dolphin show. Belle could see that her brother was genuinely happy with the woman. There was also a video of him talking to another child through a video call.

[It must be Eli's nephew.] Ceres commented when she caught a glimpse of the other child. [I think Neon will become friends with him. I hope they'd meet each other soon.]

(I realize I lack in so many ways with my brother. Ceres, am I a bad sister for not knowing anything? No matter how I try to erase the image of my brother's back, it haunts me at night.)

[You are not a bad sister. You did your best to raise him. It wasn't your fault that other people took advantage of your kindness.]

(Why must it be him? Neon is a child. He never causes problem. He always cares for others. Why must he suffer.)

Not realizing it, Belle was already crying while watching the photos and videos of her brother. When Eli turned around, he was shock to find her silently weeping.

"I...uh..." he looked around and couldn't find the tissue box when he needed it the most. It wasn't his habit to bring handkerchief either. "Here."

Belle raised her head and looked at him. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and chuckled at his gesture. "I appreciate the thought but you don't have to hand me your lab coat."

Eli scratched his head while walking to her. "I couldn't find the tissue. Anyway, I have a lot of those. You can just use one of them."

She didn't know what to say at all. He looked so serious while telling her to wipe her snots and tears with his coat.

Since he couldn't find a tissue and she didn't have one either, she reluctantly accepted the coat and wiped her face with it. "I'll wash this later." She mumbled and folded the ones with her mucus. "I'm so thankful for your mom."

"Nah! You don't know this but mom really likes kids. Since Andrei is far from her, she must have decided to spend her time with Neon instead."

"Honestly, I was afraid that something bad would happen again. I hope you won't take it against me. I always fear that the same tragedy would befall my brother."

"I understand your concern so, don't be bothered with me. Anyway, I can assure you that my mother would never do something that could hurt your brother."

"I - "

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Belle looked back and saw another doctor standing there and his face brightened when their eyes met. Without letting her say anything, he gave her a bear hug and started rambling.

"Belle! I am so happy you are back! You don't know how scared I was when I heard you went missing! I wanted to fly back from my seminar but the director threatened to fire me. I returned here as soon as I finished my work. You scare the hell out of me."

[Who's this? Your lover?]

(No. He's someone I would consider my close friend.)

[Hmmm.]

"Sorry for worrying you, Allen."

"You remember him?!" Eli exclaimed in question when he heard her call some other guy's name. She didn't even remember him!