Chapter 11

Maria was shocked to see Connor standing in her doorway wearing a casual blue polo shirt, brown cargo pants, and loafers with a bouquet on his hand. His attire was far different from his usual formal suit that shouts decency and breeding in every angle. For a moment, Maria didn’t know what to do or say to him. She just stood there, looking at him as if he came from another planet.

“`Surprise to see me?” Connor asked with a chuckle. “Can I come in?”

Maria nodded and moved out of his way. “Sara doesn’t have a schedule today.”

“I know, I’m her doctor,” Connor said and offered her again the flowers. “Can you take this now?”

Maria remained still. She didn’t touch the bouquet, just stared at it. “What is that for?”

Connor smiled again. Maria wondered if he never gets tired of smiling. She hasn’t seen him frown or even pissed off. “Take this as my peace offering for upsetting you yesterday. I apologized.”

“Oh, it’s fine for her,” Wendy butt in and took the flowers from him. “I’ll take care of this,” she said and went to their room.

Maria wanted to call her, but she already disappeared behind the door. She sighed and turned to Connor again. “Have a seat, Doc—”

“Please, call me Connor—”

“I can’t. Sara would ask questions why I am not calling you ‘Doc’,” she countered.

“Then call me Connor if Sara is not around, just like now,” he insisted. “She’s still in school?”

Maria nodded. “We’ll pick her up in an hour,” she said, intentionally imposing that he’s wrong timing. “What do you want? Coffee or—”

“I’m fine, Maria,” he said and sat on their sofa. “I arrived on time. I wanted to come with you when you pick up Sara at school.”

Maria knotted her forehead. “What? I-I mean, why?”

“I need to see her environment at school. Her classmates, teachers, everything,” Connor answered. “We have to monitor everything that surrounds Sara. So, we know what aspect needs attention.”

Maria didn’t answer. She knew what aspect needs attention and solution, but she can’t face it now. She has to get enough money first before she quit his nighttime job. And that will be on Saturday night.

Wendy went out of their room with a base in her hand, where she put all the roses. She placed it beside their 32-inch smart TV. “These are beautiful, Doc. Why did you choose white roses? Why not read roses?”

“Wendy, you don’t have to ask, and don’t place it beside the TV, Sara will have a hard time watching her favorite cartoons,” Maria said. “Put it on the table.”

Wendy glared at her. “It’s perfect here,” she complained but transferred the vase over their dinner table. “So why white roses, Doc?”

Connor smiled at Wendy before shifting his gaze at her. “Because white roses symbolize purity and peace,” he said, holding her stare. “And, that is what I want Maria to feel when I gave it to her. My intentions for her are pure and real.”

Maria looked away from him. She cleared her throat to release the tension that formed between them. “I think you need coffee,” she said and stood up, but Connor was fast to catch her arm.

Wendy gasped. “Should I leave the room for a moment?”

“No—”

“Yes, please, Wendy?” Connor said and gave Wendy a curt nod.

Maria watched her friend in disbelief when she went to the door and walked out. “Dr. Connor, what do you want?”

“You, Maria. I want you,” he said and stepped closer to her. “But, you’re shunning me away. I’ve been Sara’s cardiologist since she was just three and monitored her heart from time to time since then. I’m with you and your daughter for three years, Maria. Still, you have that invisible wall between us, blocking me from getting near you.”

Maria doesn’t know what to say. She didn’t expect it from Connor. He’s kind to them, handsome and gentlemanly. But, she just couldn’t take advantage of him. She’ll never do that to the person that did nothing but help them.

“Maria… I will help you and Sara. Just give me a chance, please…” Connor took a step closer to her until they were inches away from each other. He reached to touch her face, caressed her cheeks down her neck. “Let me change the life that you’re in, Maria…”

Connor looked in her eyes intently. His eyes were a shade of black in this distance. Maria closed her eyes when his hand ran down her shoulder. He lowered his head and met her lips.

It was a soft feathery kiss, a kind of kiss that Maria didn’t know existed. She remained her eyes closed as Connor’s palm pressed on her back. The warmth of his hand felt divine in Maria’s tainted skin. It felt new for her, for a woman like her used to hands ripping her clothes off from her body, hitting and slapping her in any way that they want. She’s used to treatments that degrade her body, her identity, and her soul.

Maria’s tears fell on her cheeks, and she couldn’t hide it anymore. Her chest hurt so much that she wonders if her lungs could still function well despite the pain that she felt. All the burdens that she’s carrying from the day her mother decided to sell her to men that she didn’t know until now that her only daughter has heart disease are too much for her to handle. And, she didn’t know if she could still take it.

Connor released her lips and gazed down at her face. “Let me erase those hearFredhes, Maria. I promise I will never hurt you—”

She shook her head. “You don’t deserve me, Dr. Connor. You don’t deserve a woman like me—”

“But, I deserve to be Sara’s father,” Connor countered. “Who do you want to stand as his father? A random man you met outside? You knew me for three years, Maria. Isn’t it enough for me to earn your trust?”

“Dr. Connor, you don’t understand,” she said and stepped away from him, but Connor pulled her back.

“Tell me so that I could understand,” he insisted. “Tell me all the things that are preventing you from giving me a chance. Tell me all the factors that cause your reluctance to me. Tell me everything, Maria.”

She looked at him. How could she say no to someone like him, who did nothing but care for her and her child? Should she risk now? Should she gamble again for love? Her chest tightened. But am I ready for the consequences? Maria thought while staring at his eyes.

“Dr. Connor,” she held his hand. “Before you say that you’re sincere with your feelings, you have to know something about me.”

Connor squeezed her hand. “I’m ready to listen, Maria.”

Maria heaved a sigh. “Dr. Connor… I’m—”

The door burst open, and a thin woman barged into their room. She stopped when she saw them in the middle of a conversation, and her well-defined brows raised when her eyes focused on Connor.

“Oh, what’s up, Maria? Even at home, you’re still working, eh?” Demi asked and sauntered towards her and Connor.

***