Itachi is a total gentleman in such occasions. He pulled the chair for me and even served the dishes for me. Gosh I love this side of Itachi so much.
"Do you like the food?" Itachi said as he passed me some tissues.
"It tastes better now that i'm eating with you." The most genuine smile appears on my face.
"Eat up." Itachi's eyes soften and the corners of his lips curl slightly.
After we were done eating I excused myself and went to the washroom. When i came back I was busy taking out cash from my wallet to pay the bills.
"Let's go." Itachi said as he stood up.
"Let me pay the bill first."I said.
"I paid for it already."
"Huh? Really?" I looked at him in a confusing way. "Did you rob a bank?"
"No I just worked as a part time barista in a cafe." He explained. "I didn't have anything to do so I decided to take part time jobs from now on." He added.
Watching him adjust in a non shinobi world was oddly satisfying. Knowing that his job isn't a threat to him was enough for me to feel at ease. But did Itachi feel the same? Was he okay with not being a shinobi and live an ordinary life? I was brought back to reality as Itachi interrupted my train of thoughts.
"Do you have to work night shift today?" He inquired.
"Probably." I sighed. "The chief won't cut me some slack." I added.
"Don't overwork yourself. Take a break every now and then." His eyes never leaving mine.
I nod and smile at him. He drops me off at the hospital entrance and heads back to home.
Soon after I receive a call from Rubie. She informed me that her mother has agreed to book an appointment with Itachi. My day finally comes to an end with such an amazing news. I was truly delighted as days like this are a rare case for me.
I return home late at night and find Itachi waiting for me at the dining table.
"I'm home." I said as i took off my shoes.
"You're late than usual."
"Well..I would have come earlier but Rubie invited me over drinks and I couldn't say no.." I suddenly lost my balance but managed to grab the shoe shelf that prevented me from hitting my head on the floor.
"Are you drunk?" Itachi takes steps towards me.
"I barely touched alcohol." I giggle and turn away from his gaze.
Itachi grabs my wrist,turning my face back to him. No matter how hard I try I can't escape those raven orbs.
I want to keep looking at them forever without even blinking once.
"Why consume alcohol when you have a low liquor tolerance?" He sighed.
My hands find their way to his hair locks, gently ruffling his hair.
"I'm really happy today. That's why i wanted to celebrate my happiness." I chuckled.
Being drunk really did give me the courage to get my hands on this man.
"What made you so happy?" He asked,remaining still as i continued stroking his hairs.
"Rubie's mom agreed to run a diagnosis on you. I already booked an appointment with her." I said.
"You're happy just because of that?"He finally grabbed my hand, removing it from his hairs.
I nodded in response.
"Now we can get you treated. And you will be able to leave a healthy life." I naively smiled at him.
Itachi stared deep into my eyes for a moment not saying a word. It didn't seem like a look of admiration.Instead it seemed like a look of hesitation. Soon after he left my wrist and stepped back.
"You should go to bed now.Good night." His warm voice turned into a stern tone real quick.
He left me there with mixed signals. First he shows his concern for me and then gets cold all of a sudden. I will probably not remember anything when I wake up. Being drunk completely wipes out my memory. But I won't say it's a bad thing since i mostly forget the embarrassing moments.
"My head hurts." I groaned as i opened my eyes.
"You are awake." Itachi mumbled as he entered my room with a cup of coffee.
"Why my head hurts so bad" I grip my own hair. "I wonder if I hurt my head. Jeez why can't i recall anything?" I whined.
"Drink this and come to the kitchen." He handed me the coffee mug. "Have some hangover soup. It will make you feel better." He said as he left my room.
I reach for the coffee that Itachi made for me. It tastes far better than any coffee i've ever had. I take a few sips and then drag myself to the washroom to freshen up. After that I get to the kitchen and sit on the bar stool.
"Here's your hangover soup." He places a bowl on the round table.
"Thank you." I gently smile and bow a little,showing signs of gratefulness.
What could be the best sight while eating? Itachi in an apron flawlessly cooking delicious meals, randomly stroking back the hair strands that comes in his way? Definitely yes. I couldn't possibly ask for a more pleasant view.
"Itachi"
"What?"
"Wear that black shirt today." I demanded.
"Whose funeral are we attending?"
"I booked an appointment with Rubie's mom. We gotta hurry up, she's a busy woman." I replied.
"Do you really have to do that?" I could sense the hesitation in his tone.
"Of course we need to get you treated." I said. "I went through so much troubles to find a doctor for you. There's no way i'm backing off now." I spat.
"You're really adamant." He whispered.
"Get ready. We will be leaving shortly." I said getting up from the stool.
We left for Mrs.Remi's(Rubie's mom)clinic soon after this. It wasn't really far so it took about 20 minutes to get there.Rubie was waiting outside for us since she wanted to tag along.
"Greetings ma'am." Both I and Itachi bow a little.
"Greetings." She also bowed as a response.
"Mom this is my friend and her boyfriend that i told you about earlier." Rubie speaks as she introduced us to her mother.
"I know." Mrs.Remi replied. "So who's the patient?" She asked.
"It's him." I replied on behalf of Itachi.
"Young man,you come with me." She said as she moves to another room.
I try to go after Itachi but Mrs.Remi stopped me in the middle.
"No one except the patient."
"You stay here." Itachi said as he follows the doctor.
As I waiting for them,Rubie receives a call and rushes to the hospital.After a while they both come back. Mrs.Remi had some reports in her hands.Which made me worry a little.
"He's suffering from MPA." She stated.
"Just as I suspected." I think to myself.
"Is it serious doctor?" I asked out of concern.
"Fortunately it still can be controlled with proper medication." She assured me. "But I'll suggest you to visit a hospital for regular checkups."
"Unfortunately we can't do that. He's an unregistered patient." The disappointment was clearly visible in my voice.
"May I ask you to be his physician?" I knew that she would refuse.But I had to try atleast once.
"I can't take the risk of treating an unregistered patient. I hope as a future doctor you're aware of what i'm saying Miss Naomi." She said as she returns back to her desk.
"But.." I was about to say something when Itachi interrupts me.
"She's right Naomi." "We should leave now."He said reaching out for my hand, ready to drag me out from there.
"If you don't get him treated any sooner it can be deadly for him." Mrs.Remi leans to the desk, checking some documents.
"Itachi can you please wait for me outside." I said as i freed myself from his grip.
"Naomi.." His voice deeper than ever. "You've done enough for me." He added.
"You heard me right? Please wait outside." I plead.
A big sigh escapes from his lips as he heads out.
"Mrs.Remi..I'm aware of the risks but as a doctor saving the patient's life is our first priority. Isn't it?"
"Seeing how you can't get him treated in a hospital even though he has a serious disease, you must have had your reasons Miss Naomi."
"Even if I wanted to help him it wouldn't be legal. And as a responsible citizen i can't do anything that would go against the system." Her answers did tick me off but she was being rational.
"I will take the responsibility." I swear i must be out of my mind.
"I'm positive that there wouldn't be any problem in the future but even if something does happen I will take full responsibility for that." I couldn't think of any other way to persuade her in that very moment.
"Miss Naomi I'd request to think more rationally. Your medical career just started. You wouldn't want to be involved in malpractice scandals. It can ruin you."
Yes I was fully aware of that but what else am I supposed to do? If I can't save someone who's important to me there's no point of me being a doctor. I know the odds of malpractice scandals.I know that it would be impossible for me to build up a medical career if I were to be exposed. But i'm willing to take the risk. If his life could be saved by sacrificing my career i would do this without any hesitation.
My words did persuade Mrs.Remi in being Itachi's physician. I signed up a contact with her which states that all the responsibilities will be taken by me.
I bid her goodbye and leave from there.
"What took you so long?" Itachi asked in a worried tone.
"She agreed to be your physician." I smiled at him.
"She didn't seem like someone who would change their mind this easily." "You didn't offer anything stupid to her. Did you?" His eyes staring deep into mine,eager for a reply.
"I'm hungry let's grab a bite." I walk away,trying to avoid both his gaze and question.
~To be continued~