"Welcome to the generation in which individuals have learned to find happiness through the use of technology. As a result, we are constructing a brand-new universe in order to give you the opportunity to live an alternate version of your life. We are pleased to present to you, Last Byte!"
After his last patient for the day departed, Dr. Fenix turned off the television and reclined on the swivel chair. He was looking at a flat screen TV placed in the waiting area of his clinic. The doctor slowly stretched his legs after he felt his legs starting to feel crumpling.
While he was listening to the patient's thoughts, during which she expressed her anguish over the fact that she could not afford the prescription given and treatment advised by the doctor, he gently stroked the side of his forehead. Even to the point of crying in front of his face, she acted as if she was pleading with her request for a free treatment for dialysis.
To put it another way, it is self-evident that he is incapable of carrying out that action. Because of the number of years he has devoted to attaining a prestigious job position and excellent profession, he cannot let people use his services for free.
He just shook his head at the thought. He sighed and yawned before uttering, "Huh..." While he was crossing one leg over the other, he gazed up at the ceiling and made a conscious effort to keep the tears from falling out of his eyes.
Dr. Fenix rose to his feet and began rearranging the items on his table. Suddenly, a lady abruptly materialized from the clinic's entrance just as he was ready to leave. The doctor gasped. That person didn't even knock on the door before entering.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but the clinic is closed," Fenix informed but when he saw who this woman was, he immediately frowned. "What are you doing here?" Fenix questioned as his brow furrowed in perplexity and his shoulders sagged in exasperation. Because of his packed schedule, he couldn't even take a break for an hour. That's why he really wanted to go home at this time.
The woman Elle Robces, who worked as a bar dancer and prostitute, approached him further closely while raising one of her eyebrows. Her eyes met his with disbelief as she glanced at him. "What? Isn't my check-up scheduled for today? I couldn't believe you forgot, Doctor Fenix," Elle stated incredulously.
The doctor just shook his head after he remembered about Elle's appointment. He looked at the clock over the door and then sat down again.
The doctor can clearly hear the sound of her heels colliding with the floor's fiction. He waited for the woman to sit down before he began to speak. "Can't you really find a more sensible job?" he asked. He looked at the earrings and expensive bags and clothes the woman was wearing.
Elle looked at him half-eyed. One of her eyebrows rose as if she was questioning their friendship. "You've asked me that a million times," she replied; letting out a deep sigh. He took a deep breath before continuing. "If I can find another job that can give me what I have now, I think you would not have a patient like me," she said flatly.
Dr. Fenix shook his head and looked at him as if he didn't know if it was a joke or something mixed with truth. It is somehow an insult on his part.
"You were my classmate in Beau Monde University before. You were one of the intelligent and top performing students in school. What happened to you?" The doctor couldn't stop asking about Elle's life. Until now, Dr. Fenix still can't believe seeing Elle as a prostitute. This is very far from her dream job when they were in college.
It didn't take long and Elle finally finished her appointment. Because the physician is concerned that patients may suddenly visit his clinic at this hour just like Elle did, he immediately left and drove to his house inside an exclusive subdivision.
While on the way, he didn't realize that he was speeding up in the car. He also cannot hear the cars beeping at his sides because of the loud sound of his car's mini TV, a news feature featuring the latest popular MOBA game, Last Byte, and the investors who are making this game a priority. Following this, there is also a headline about poor people who do not have to pay for hospitalization, medicine, and burial of their loved ones.
Then for countless times, Dr. Fenix felt a mixture of emotions arising from his senses. He suddenly felt guilty and angry with himself as if he didn't understand what he was feeling.
He felt his tears beginning to form at the bottom of his eyes again. Then, he heaved a long, deep, and heavy sigh. Because of this, he was suddenly distracted as if his vision was going dark. He shook his head countless times, but he was still not himself, not until he saw a figure of a woman crossing across the street.
He quickly clutched on the front brakes before he ran over the woman. Because of this, his head hit the steering wheel. "Shit!" he cursed. He took a deep breath before looking down the road. He blinked his eyes multiple times and seemed out of his mind to get out of the car to check on the woman's condition.
"Miss, are you alright?"
Dr. Fenix extended his hand and patted the lady on the shoulder. When the lady slowly turned her head to look at him, he saw that she was holding a sleeping baby in her arms. He can tell where the bruises are on her body and where the dirt is on her face. As the physician observed the lady, his brow furrowed in wonder, and he became more fixated on what was possibly happening. The woman's face was also frightened and unsettled while looking at him, who was shaking a little.
Before the doctor could ask about what happened to the woman, a traffic enforcer immediately approached him to charge him. The doctor immediately stood up straight and tried to stop himself from getting annoyed as he slowly faced the officer.
"May I take a look at your license, sir?" he asked.
The doctor did anything and faced the charges. After he paid all the expenses he had to pay for the woman and his violation of the traffic law and speed limit of the area, he immediately approached the woman and apologized.
"I am sorry for what happened. Just let me know if you need anything more."
After hearing the words of the doctor, the woman quickly looked down in pain. She sneezed and pulled her baby closer to her. She looked at her injuries that were wrapped with treatments. Then, she nodded.
"T-Thank you…." Then, the woman immediately left as if she was running from a ghost or a criminal.
Well, quite the contrary…
The doctor approached the officials' table to sign a paper of agreement. He first looked at the woman's name under her signature before he signed the paper with his printed name on it too.
Dayen Aquila. He also found out that she is a single mother. But the question is, why does she have bruises on different parts of her body? He knew that his injuries were not the result of his negligence, but he also wanted to help the woman so he did not bother to treat her bruises.
Hey, a lot of things happened today. I can't believe it!
The sound of the advertisement from the office television echoed all around his eardrums. As usual, it is about Last Byte. The word Last Byte will be spoken in every corner of the country. In fact, it is popular in the eyes of the public, especially among young people.
Dr. Fenix came home with a lousy back. When he suddenly noticed an envelope attached to his mailbox, his spirit suddenly rose up. His eyes widened in confusion as he slowly removed the envelope from it. As soon as he unlocked the door and sat on his cold sofa, he quickly unfolded the letter inside.
To: Doctor Fenix Ensiger
Ensiger Professional Clinic Centers & Hospitals
No. 0116, Magnifica Subdivision, Jackilyn Street,
Barangay Miban, Haven City
From: 0906-121-3016
He tilted his head as soon as he read the number. "Who would send a letter but it only has his number on it?" he asked in disbelief. It is also surprising because the sender knows his name and address where he lives.
As he unfolded the letter and started reading it, his face stilled. His eyes widened and his mouth slightly dropped open.
Dear Dr. Fenix Ensiger,
It's likely that you're curious about who I am and how I came to know your home address. But there's no need to get all up over it. Relax! I have heard the news about the enormous number of individuals who are seeking medical assistance, and I am mindful that this causes you a great deal of stress given that you are the director of all of the doctors in our nation after all. To help you find a solution to such a dilemma, I have a highly appealing offer for you. However, I need you to collaborate with me. Thus, we need to have a face-to-face conversation about it.
Give me a call if you're interested.
Best regards,
0906-121-3016
LAST BYTE TECHNOLOGY INC.
The doctor slowly lay down on his sofa while still looking at the letter. His hand seemed to be shaking. He can also feel the hair of his skin standing up for no reason as if he is afraid for an unexpected reason. It felt as if there were two versions of him whispering at his side, telling him to call the number or throw the letter away. But, all he knew, what he is reading right now sounds like a queerly sublime opportunity.