Chapter 35 CHECKUP
\[BLACKTHORN AUTOMOBILE, LUNCH TIME\]
Ixora dried her hands with the hand towel. She wanted to leave the restroom when she caught a reflection of herself in the mirror.
She has been cursing Drexton since he stole her first kiss, like it meant absolutely nothing. He had no right to do that to her? His dominant behavior shouldn't be used on her. Like, how dare he?
She exhaled. There is a high chance he might finally let her be. Hasn't he succeeded in ruining her life? He destroyed her friendship with Hazel and made her a complete liar, even to Blake.
That outhouse was the last time she'd meet up with him, and if he ever tries any shit with her again, she wouldn't hesitate to put him in his place. Even if it means crossing her boundaries.
As for Drexton, it is just like he has disappeared after the night. He didn't come to the office today, which was so unlike him, and he wasn't even on a business trip.
If only the police had believed her when she told them the truth, then she wouldn't be in this situation. This wasn't the type of life she wanted or had hoped for.
She rubbed her forearm before leaving the bathroom, only to meet a bouquet above somebody's face.
"Surprise," the person said, and took off the flower from his face.
Her eyes lit with joy, shock and surprise.
"James," she called. "What are you doing here?" she asked almost in a whisper, as if somebody could hear them.
"Is that a way of saying no to my gift? Not fair," he replied, feigning a sad expression.
She collected the bouquet.
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"It's your lunch break, right? And I'm free. I came so we could have lunch together," he said with his usual smile.
"You know you aren't supposed to be here. What if my boss sees you?"
"I made my findings before coming here. I know he didn't come to the office."
"But, I have to get back to work."
"Come on, thirty minutes of your time is not too much. Unless you don't see me as your friend."
Ixora smiled. "You know that's not true," she looked at the wall clock. "Thirty minutes, nothing more," she said, more like an order.
"Your wish is my command, my lady," he bowed like a prince, causing Ixora to laugh.
"Ladies first," he gestured the way for her.
"Not the gentle man style," Ixora laughed as she headed out while James followed her.
\[B&R ELITE HOSPITAL, JOANNA 'S OFFICE\]
The office was decorated in white. Large for an office. Everything was sparkling clean. Joanna was sitting down, her coat hanging on the back of the chair.
She was checking her laptop, going through patients' records. The door opened, and Drexton walked in.
She raised her head and blinked. At first, shocked, trying to make sure she was seeing Drexton.
The shocked expression was still on her face until Drexton got to the chair and sat down.
"Drexton," she called unbelievably.
Drexton stared at her with the usual cold face without replying.
She let out a short laugh. It was Drexton, but what was he doing here? And that too during work hours.
Drexton was so stubborn, he never visited the hospital. The last time he came here was the day she told him about his condition, and he refused to hear the solution.
He doesn't come for a checkup. It's as if he loved his condition since he doesn't come for checkups. But today, Drexton came to her office. Though she was yet to know why, she was already feeling so very happy.
She closed her laptop, giving her whole attention to him.
"Do you want anything? I'm still surprised to see you," Joanna smiled.
"I want to get a checkup," Drexton said.
Her smile slowly faded, her lips as it got replaced with a shocked expression.
Drexton was asking for a checkup, something she had been trying to do but failed.
The smile found its way back to her lips.
"I'm guessing you felt something," she said.
Drexton nodded.
She wasn't lying. Yesterday at the outhouse, when Ixora jumped on his body, he felt it. Her skin, he felt it. Her skin against his. It was so soft, warm and very tender. It was barely a minute, but he was sure he felt it. When he asked her to get down, and she refused, that allowed him to kiss her.
He wanted to know if he had gotten his senses back, but it remained the usual numbness. So he left.
But he couldn't get the fact that he felt her skin. The warmth and everything, even if it was for a fleeting moment. He didn't go to the office today because of it. He tried solving the puzzles behind it. Even his smartness couldn't figure out this one, and he knew visiting Joanna was the only solution.
Not that he wanted to get his senses back, but he had to know how it was possible.
Joanna tilted her head with a small smile on her lips.
"So, tell me what situation made you feel it?" She asked, getting her tablet.
Drexton told her about the wolf and the part where she jumped on his body. He excluded the kissing part since it wasn't relevant.
"Let me get this straight, you wanted to scare the poor girl, and you ended up getting some sensory response in return?" Joanna joked, still smiling.
She saw the neutral expression on his face, cleared her throat and became serious.
"Why don't we try this? Try rubbing your palm on your face," she said.
Drexton did exactly as told.
"Did you feel anything?"
"No."
She rubbed her palm on his face, repeating the same question.
He responded with a no.
"Just as I thought," she said. "What you felt could be a case of transient sensory return. Sometimes, after prolonged hypoesthesia, patients feel something for a moment even if their nerves aren't fully healed. It's not always predictable."
"In other words..."
She smiled. "It is a good sign. It means your system isn't completely shut down. The nerves might be trying to reconnect, or the brain could be interpreting dormant signals. In other words, it is a hopeful situation for you." The smile on her face was wide.
She was glad that his nerves were showing signs of returning, and it was all thanks to Ixora. Maybe he'd stop treating the girl like she did something to him.
"This is good news, Drexton. And it was all thanks to Ixora. She might be the key to getting back your senses. Stop trying to destroy her; rather, get close to her," she said in that usual soft and pleading tone.
Drexton's eyes had already turned dark before she even completed her sentences. But Joanna, as always, will never give up on trying to rid him of the hatred he has for Ixora.
"Stop hating her. Being blinded by revenge is not always good. It can ruin so many things, and you will never know the value of her until you lose her. She is not like her mother, she..."
Drexton stood, making her mouth go shut.
"I have gotten what I wanted. Have a nice day, Joanna," he said in that final tone.
He turned and walked out of the office.
A tear slipped out of Joanna's eyes as she stared at his retreating figure.
"How do I make you understand? Not valuing what you have comes with great consequences," she muttered, wiping the tear.
She stood and picked up her bag.
"I have to go and see Ixora," she said, leaving her office.
At least he didn't restrict her from doing it.