Chapter 76
Selene’s POV
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snap, crossing my arms as I glare at him. “Seriously, Raymond, how many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want to see you anywhere near my hospital. Did you really think that ridiculous disguise was going to fool me?”
Without waiting for an answer, I yank the cap off his head and pull the scarf away from his face.
Raymond grins, unfazed, and slides the glasses off his nose. “Hey, Selene, fancy seeing you here!” he says with that smug smile I hate. “I’m not trying to sneak into the hospital, I swear. I just sprained my ankle, and I’m here to…you know…get an X-ray to see how bad it is.”
“Spare me the crap, Raymond,” I bite back, narrowing my eyes. “Tell me the real reason you’re here. What does Maximus want this time?”
I glance down at his supposed injury, my scowl deepening. His ankle doesn’t look swollen or even remotely sore. Then I look back up, locking eyes with him. “And don’t give me that ‘sprained ankle’ nonsense. If it were real, it’d be swollen, and you wouldn’t be standing so comfortably, putting all your weight on it. So, I’ll ask you again—why are you really here? And this time, Raymond, don’t lie to me. I’m not in the mood.” My voice sharpens as I give him a pointed look, daring him to test me.
Raymond takes a cautious step back as I approach him, his eyes darting nervously around the hospital.
I narrow my gaze, confusion creeping in. “What the hell are you looking for?”
He hesitates before rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay,” he sighs, lifting his hands in mock surrender, “I’m going to be completely honest with you, but... I don’t think you’re going to like what I’m about to say.”
I frown. “I’ve never liked anything you said, Raymond..”
“This is different, I swear. It’s not about Maximus.”
“If it’s not about him.. then??”
My brows knit together as I wait for him yo spit whatever crap he’s about to say out.
“I’m here to see your best friend,” he finally admits, watching my reaction carefully.
I’m taken aback. Avery??
When he sees I don’t immediately explode, he presses on. “If you just give me a chance, I can prove I’m good for her. We could sit down, have a cup of coffee, and settle whatever it is that’s making you so angry with me. You can tell me what your issue is, and I’ll listen.”
He reaches for my hand, but I take a step back immediately. I shoot a hard glare at him, daring him to try again.
His hand falls to his side, and his shoulders slump like a defeated puppy. I roll my eyes. I won’t be unmoved by the pathetic act.
That shy, almost innocent demeanor once fooled me into thinking he was a good person, but I know better now.
“Really?” I suddenly burst into a laugh, the sound sharp and bitter. “Of all the women in this city, it had to be my best friend? And what makes you think Avery would even look at you that way? Stop dreaming, Raymond.”
I lean in and flick his forehead. Hard. I watch as he immediately groans and rubs the spot, though that irritating smile never leaves his face. His presence alone is enough to grate on my nerves.
Before I can say anything else, I jolt as a hand snakes around my waist, pulling me close. Instinctively, I relax when the familiar scent of Avery fills the air.
Raymond’s face lights up the moment he sees her, his grin stretching so wide it’s almost ridiculous. “Hi, Avery,” he says, his voice dripping with forced charm. “We were just talking about the last time we saw each other.”
He flashes his teeth in a smile so exaggerated it looks painful, but that doesn’t stop him. “I know we didn’t exactly part on the best terms, but I was hoping you’d say yes to that date I’ve been asking you for. Ever since I met you, I haven’t stopped thinking about you, Avery.”
His words drip with desperation, and it takes every ounce of restraint I have not to roll my eyes right out of my head.
I try to pry Avery’s hands off my waist, but she only tightens her grip, her sharp glare fixed on Raymond. He doesn’t even flinch under the intensity of her gaze. He just stands there as if nothing could shake him.
“I don’t care if you disguised yourself as a snowman just to see me,” Avery says, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. But in an instant, her tone hardens, cold and final. “I’ve told you already..I don’t want to see you here. I don’t feel anything for you, so stop wasting my time and yours. I’m not going on a date with you. I don’t like you, Raymond, and I don’t think I ever could. So just drop it.”
I almost feel bad for Raymond, though he’s earned every bit of the frost she’s throwing his way. But the way he stares at her, like she’s the only person in the room, I know he’s not playing games. He’s serious about her. He really likes her.
Still, it’s hard to imagine Avery with anyone. She’s never talked about dating, never once mentioned a relationship. She’s always the one encouraging me to find love, but when I bring it up for her? She shuts it down, her expression twisting as if the very idea disgusts her.
Avery’s my best friend, but there are pieces of her life I don’t understand. Her family, for one. I know her father’s a renowned surgeon, but beyond that, she’s always kept quiet. Raymond might be annoying, but deep down, I can’t shake the feeling he’d be a good match for her—if she ever gave him a chance. Not that she’s going to make it easy for him.
The air between them feels heavy, and I can’t shake the awkwardness settling in. This feels like a private moment. I shouldn’t be part of it. Standing here any longer would genuinely only make it worse. Plus, I still have patients waiting for me.
“Okay okay.. Avery, I’ve got to go.” I gently remove Avery’s hands from my waist. She gives me a look, her eyes questioning, but I ignore it.
“Selene..you can’t leave me alone here..” she finally says. “Where are you going to?”
“I still have some pending works to attend to. Trust me, it’s super important.”
With one last glance at Raymond’s downcast face, I turn and leave, leaving the two of them to figure it out.