"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love"
-Ephesians 4:2

"Kilode bayii?" What is the matter? Chief Davies has started again with his drama. Kilo tun se Baba yen? What is wrong with that old man now? If this call isn't about business, then I don't want to hear it, and for your information it's Dr. Davies."

Okay "Pardon me sir." I was struggling to control my urge to laugh at his frustration with his annoying dad and ridiculous preoccupation with his title.

"Do you know how busy I am? I am running multimillion dollar ICT and fintech companies!"

So what? You are not the first or last. "Pardon me sir, I have an appointment. If you need further information, kindly come to the hospital. Thank you and have a nice day."

I ended the call and huffed. What an arrogant nuisance! It was very important for medical staff to not allow people with such an attitude to discourage them from getting in touch with a patient's next of kin if it was necessary.

Some people would be so grateful for getting prompt information about their loved ones, others wouldn't. No matter what, my parents brought me up with the principle, do your best and leave the rest.

He wasn't the first person to react that way so I shrugged it off and continued attending to other patients. It was a busy day but everything was under control.

Dr Emeka Ejiofor, a senior medical officer, popped in at around one o'clock in the afternoon. "Dr. Oyelowo, how is everything? Have you had any serious or A & E cases today?"

"No sir, all has been well so far. There was a patient rushed in with a gastrointestinal issue, but he's responding to treatment. Thanks for checking."

He nodded and smiled. Dr. Ejiofor gave me some words of advice, and we exchanged a few brief pleasantries. We went for lunch shortly afterwards at the hospital cafeteria.

We sat in a comfortable silence as we ate rice and beef stew. I was really lucky to have a senior colleague who had my back. He was a unique looking man, he appeared to have albino genes but he did not possess the dominant albino genes. He was an average height man with blonde hair and freckled skin.

He seemed like a really nice person and considering that he was hardworking, well organized and brilliant, he would probably be a great medical director someday.

I noticed that he looked at me with warmth in his eyes, but he said nothing and neither did I.
Halfway through our meal, I got a call from the reception and a few seconds afterwards, Dr. Ejiofor got a call for an emergency C-section operation.

We rushed our fruit juice and hurried back to our respective duty posts, walking side by side into the ground floor/ reception area. Dr Ejiofor and I parted ways as he went to the maternity ward and I was stopped on the way to my office.

A tall, handsome man with a slim but muscular build, checked his gold wristwatch and walked towards me. He was in a navy suit and sky blue, corporate shirt that fit him and his golden complexion perfectly. He walked with confidence, or arrogance? and mentally I put two and two together.

This is probably Demola 'Doctor' Davies. I thought, resisting the urge to bite my lip.

He was absolutely gorgeous. I allowed myself to have a brief moment to appreciate how strikingly good looking he was. After the quick admiration, I kept a straight face.

"Good afternoon, how may I help you sir?"

Mr Ighodaro called out to me at that moment. "Dr Oyelowo, that is Dr. Demola Davies. I called you because he wanted to see you."

I pretended to take a few seconds to remember him. He raised an unimpressed eyebrow and clenched his jaw slightly. He quite obviously was not pleased with my apparent nonchalant attitude.

Feigning a look of realisation, I tapped my chin. "Oh!? Yes! I'm happy you were able to make it. Come to my office."

He walked ahead of me and entered my office. How rude!

After we both had our seats, he maintained eye contact and studied me. I raised an eyebrow and smiled gently.

"How are you today, Dr. Davies?"

"Fine."

"Have you gone to see your father?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any enquiries or complaints?"

"No."

"In the absence of any other developments, daddy will be discharged by tomorrow morning. We would just like to observe him overnight because of his age and slight dehydration."

"OK."

What is wrong with this man!? Did he request to see me for two letter word play? Is this a flipping nursery school!? I thought.

I stood up calmly. "Thank you for coming Dr. Demola Davies. Have a nice day."

Demola also stood up. He fixed his light brown gaze on me and leaned over my table, placing his hands firmly on the surface. "I am not done here."

I remained standing while I observed him with my dark brown eyes. He couldn't intimidate me anywhere. Especially not in my office!

I replied curtly. "OK."

"I was extremely busy when you called me earlier. In fact, I had just arrived in Lagos from Abuja and had just ended a virtual presentation to some multinational investors."

I suppressed a smile. He was too proud to come out plainly and apologize for his attitude when I called him. "OK."

"Will you be on duty when my father is discharged tomorrow?"

"No."

"Your pharmacy has all the medication he will need after he's discharged in stock, right?"

"Yes."

He chuckled. "Dr Damilola Amarachi Oyelowo!"

"Sir?"

A knock on the door interrupted my one word responses to Demola. It turned out to be Nurse Adeyemi who informed me that my attention was needed in the children's ward.

Demola shook my hand and I noticed that he held it for a little longer than necessary. His hand was gentle but strong. He looked at me slowly, from head to toe.

"I'll be on my way now. How may I keep in touch?"

Nice try Demola. You're smart but I am too.

I handed him the hospital brochure. "Kindly contact the hospital via any of the phone numbers listed on the cover."

His eyebrows shot up for a brief moment. He appeared to be shocked, but only for a second. Demola probably wasn't used to not getting his way, no questions asked, especially with women. He smiled as he walked out before turning back to say, "See you later Amara."

My eyebrows rose slightly when he called me 'Amara'. I could've sworn that his voice sounded deeper. Only my mum and best friend, Susan, called me that.

I smiled in response. Speechless. For the first time in a long time.

****

Before the end of my shift, Dr Kareem Ajanaku arrived. He went through my official report and we had a brief chat about the day as I handed over. I was beyond relieved to be done for the day and couldn't wait to go home and curl up on my bed.

Say what you want to say. Partying is overrated. There's nothing like staying at home resting in bed with a book or watching movies.

I packed my phone and charger into my bag and was about to lock my office and leave when I suddenly realised that my 'small' phone was missing. I was using an Android phone as my 'main' phone, but I kept a cheaper, old model 'small' phone too, for backup. It wouldn't be difficult to replace but I had some vital personal information on it as well.

After checking my table, drawer, hanger and even my hand basin. I decided to call my number. Hopefully whoever found it would answer. It rang several times before someone finally answered my call.

"Hello, Good evening. I am the owner of the phone you are holding. I will pay for your transport fare if you could return it to Valley View Hospital, Ikeja," I said.

"Have dinner with me." The smooth, baritone voice replied.

What!? Is this man insane? Who has dinner with strangers? He could be an abductor or murderer!

"Sorry, I can't do that," I replied. "Please let us meet at a public place."

"Amara, you will do what I ask you to."

Then it clicked.

"Demola!?"

He chuckled. "Yes, honey."

I fumed. "How on Earth did you get my phone!?"

He chuckled again. "Honey, I wouldn't have nightmares about 'getting' this kind of phone, I use an iPhone. I saw it in the pocket of my blazer when I got to my office."

Darn that coat hanger in my office! I must have put the phone in the wrong pocket!

"You know what, keep it till you come to the hospital to take Daddy home."

This time he laughed out loud. "I must see you tonight."

I huffed. "I don't know where you are and I am just closing after a long day!"

He cockily ignored the second half of my statement. "Now you are talking honey. I am at the Flamingo House, Moon Crescent."

The Flamingo House? A posh hotel/restaurant with a black bow tie and dinner gown dress code?

"Don't be rid- I can't drive that far!"

"Relax. I'll send my personal assistant."

"I don't have a dinner gown or accessories to go with it!"

"Honey, I've got it covered. I have arranged the perfect gown and accessories for your tall, dark and curvy body."

I swooned for a moment before I came to my senses. I had run out of excuses. I could have called the police, but that would yield no results for me if I lodged a complaint against a billionaire. He must have sensed my reluctance as I remained silent. Being the ruthless CEO that he was, he gave me the final blow.

"Now is your chance to spend the evening with a handsome, billionaire CEO. I've seen your preferences in your reading app."

I cringed and almost died of embarrassment.

His voice deepened even further. It was the cool, calm voice of dominance. He knew my silence at that point indicated there would be no further negotiations. "The driver is on his way, honey."