Chapter 36 YOU'RE MY TARGET NOW
Chapter 36 YOU'RE MY TARGET NOW
“If you want to know…” Xavier started.
He leaned forward, looking serious as he looked at the amber liquid in his glass before looking back at Craig.
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
“I have a friend whose mother is really sick. Now she needs an emergency surgery but every single Doctor who has seen the woman says there’s no cure. They keep on saying the same thing as the case is a terminal case.”
Craig looked at him with narrowed eyes as his Doctor instinct kicked in.
“Oh, I see… and this is why you're trying so hard to find a cure.”
“Yes,” Xavier nodded. “I’m using the lab to test ideas on cell regeneration. I think that with the right approach we can fix the damage. I don’t believe in saying no. I only believe in undiscovered solutions and that is why I’m here. Not for the title or the money but for the chance to save people. I can’t just let her die. I need to at least try.”
Craig looked impressed as he leaned back in his seat, folding his arms across his chest.
“You know I have to hand it to you Alex, you have heart. Most people would be looking for the bigger award or more money but here you are trying to do good. Anyway if that’s the case it’s not a problem. This hospital is built for those kinds of radical ideas and I’m down with that.”
“So does this mean that I can keep working on my project?” Xavier asked as Craig smiled.
"Actually it’s more than that. I’m going to give you a little idea that I’m not supposed to give, but I’ll just bring it out anyway. How about you bring her here? If she’s as sick as you say she should be in our care."
Craig genuinely appeared to be caring about the patient Xavier spoke about.
"You will continue to do your research under my supervision. Of course I will give you the space you need. However if you are actually able to cure something that everyone thinks is impossible that would be amazing for this hospital. It will make us famous and for you… well… you will be on top of the world. You’d be known as the best doctor in the entire world. You will have your name put on that cure. That is something better than money."
"Thank you so much Dr. Craig. That means a lot to me," Xavier said with a wave of relief washing over him as Craig laughed.
“Don’t thank me yet. You still have a lot of work to do. Besides, you haven’t signed the contract for working with us yet. My assistant will send over the contract today, sign it and when you do, you will be a full-time doctor with your own research budget and full freedom. Welcome to the team… for real this time.”
Xavier stood up and shook Craig‘s hands.
“Thank you so much Sir. I won’t let this hospital down.”
They then walked out of the office together.
Xavier felt like a weight had been lifted off him the moment they stepped into the hallway.
Nathaniel came to them with a grin on his face.
“There is the man of the hour. I heard the board actually looked scared for a minute. Let’s go have drinks to celebrate.”
Xavier chuckled. “I think I’ve had enough drinks for today.”
He gave Craig a nod as the man walked away to talk to another senior doctor.
“So I’m starving and I wanted to tell you that there’s this new joint that opened up the other day. We need to go over there and celebrate.”
Xavier shook his head.
“There’s always some new joint with you. You want to go over there and impress that girl again. Just tell the truth and stop going through corners.”
Nathaniel shrugged his shoulders casually, “I kind of am into her.”
They laughed and turned around to see Blaine standing there with his eyes focused on Xavier.
“I’d like to have a word with you,” Blaine said as Xavier narrowed his eyes at the man.
“Go find someone else to bother,” Nathaniel snapped, but Blaine ignored him.
“I was not talking to you Nathaniel. I was aiming for Xavier.”
“What do you want?” Xavier asked. “I thought your father already said everything that needed to be said. I thought I’m supposed to keep my distance from you, which I’ve been doing perfectly.”
Blaine stepped close to Xavier until he was just inches away from Xavier.
“My father is a man who plays by the rules. I do not. I know there is something about you and I do not know how you did what you did in that room but I’m going to find out.”
“It’s just a board exam. People pass it all the time. Why make it look like what I did is magic?”
“I’m going to make sure I watch every move you make, every patient you touch, every vial you open. I will be there. You think you're a hero because you got a license. You are my target now.”
Xavier did not flinch. He stared right into Blaine‘s eyes as he folded his arms across his chest.
“Is that a threat?”
Blaine smiled. “It is a promise. Either way I want to talk to you so follow me before you sign a contract and sign off your life.”
Nathaniel looked between them as he stepped up beside Xavier.
“Alexander will not be going anywhere with you. After threatening him you think you can just ask him to follow you and he would?”
“I don’t think I want to have any discussion with you. Whatever needs to be said, can be done here.”
Blaine didn’t expect this from Xavier as he sighed.
“I heard you’re doing research on something.”
This had Xavier narrowing his eyes.
“What about it?”
“I found something that you might be curious to know,” Nathaniel said, stepping forward, “and that thing is something I can’t stay here.”
Xavier could feel the familiar hum inside his head grow louder.
\[WARNING: INFORMATION LEAK DETECTED\]
\[THREAT PROBABILITY INCREASING\]
\[SUBJECT: BLAINE THORNE\]
\[RECOMMENDATION: DO NOT FOLLOW TARGET ALONE\]
Xavier narrowed his eyes at Blaine.
This was a trap, but he was also curious to see what Blaine thought he knew.
He then turned to Nathaniel.
“Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll meet you at the restaurant in a bit. Let me see what he wants.”
“Alex... you don’t have to…”
“It’s fine. I’ll be there soon.”
Nathaniel sighed and walked away as Xavier turned to a smiling Blaine.
“Lead the way,” he said.
“Of course,” Blaine threw back before walking to his wing.