Knowing that Matthew got this, Anna didn’t ask too many business-related questions.
***
A week later, as Christmas was around the corner, the hospital where Anna worked was busier than usual. While most of her colleagues had already got off work, Anna was still in the office on a video call with Patrick.
Patrick said, “I’ve already dispatched the first batch of medication. So far, there have been no widespread adverse reactions. Yet, some people have reported mild vertigo and vomiting.”
“How are these patients?” Anna asked.
“They’re all elderly.”
“Reduce the dosage when you give them the second batch of medication.”
“Okay. How much should I cut?”
“Approximately 30%.”
“No problem,” Patrick scribbled in his notebook. “By the way, I heard from Dr. Moore that the American medical team is coming in a couple of days. When it comes to treatment plans, who should we listen to?”
“Really?” Anna frowned, realizing she had a problem. After thinking for a while, she answered, “Don’t worry, Dr. Moore will figure it out. Just focus on the drug trials, and don’t tell anyone about this. If the American medical team arrives, you should stop the medication.”
Shaking his head, Patrick asked, “Really? But you said they should take this medicine for at least three courses. Otherwise, our previous efforts would have been in vain.”
“Safety first.”
Just as Anna was about to say something else, the screen turned blank. “Patrick?” Anna asked, frowning. She looked down to see if there was an issue with her computer network, but their video call then was being cut off.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. “Who is it?” Anna asked, raising her head.
“It’s me. Mom asked me to bring you something to eat,” he said as he pushed open the door and handed Anna a lunchbox.
“Are you sure Mom asked you to bring this? Or did you use it as an excuse to bring me meal?” Anna asked, turning off her computer.
“If you don’t believe me, just give her a call and ask her about it,” Wayne said as he placed the lunchbox on the table.
Anna was speechless because she knew Jennie would say that she had asked Wayne to do it. Everyone in the family knew she didn’t want Wayne to bring her meals. As a result, they all pitched in to help him cover the fact.
Having put the lunchbox on the table, Anna asked, “What is this? It smells fantastic. Oh! It’s my favorite lasagna!”
“You should take a break,” Wayne said as he sat beside her.
Anna quickly opened the lunch box and took a bite of food. She asked as she ate, “Are you waiting for me? Sorry, dear. I’m working the night shift tonight.”
“Can’t I just stay with you for a little while?” Wayne asked, his brow furrowed.
Looking at his puppy eyes, Anna couldn’t stop herself from laughing. She said, “No one will kick you out! You can stay here as long as you want. I’m just telling you that I work night shifts and you do not have to wait for me.”
“I have nothing planned, anyways, so I’ll just sit here and wait for you. By the way, I heard about the project your hospital established. Are you going to Fleosil?” Wayne asked. At the time, he was reading a medical journal on Anna’s desk.
Anna froze for a moment, looking surprised at Wayne, who continued to flip through the magazine, his face calm and relaxed. He didn’t seem to think it was a big deal and continued the topic, “I believe it is meaningful for you to participate in the project because you can contribute to world peace. I’m sure you’ve always wanted to do it.”
“Do you really want me to go there?”
Hearing Anna’s question, Wayne raised his head and said calmly, “Actually, I don’t want you to be in danger. However, no one has the right to stop you from doing anything you want. And I’m more than willing to help you realize your dream.”
Deeply moved, Anna asked with her eyes reddened, “When did you find out about this?”
“A long time ago. I read the news that many people there were getting infected there every day. The second medical team had just left, right? And your intern went there, too.”
“And you still remember him?” Anna asked, smiling.
Wayne raised his chin and said, “I won’t forget about him! I would have talked you into signing up sooner if he hadn’t been going this time. I did it on purpose.”
“And for what?”
“I wanted to separate you two.”
“Are you jealous? He’s only a child to me! “
“But he is a man to me.”
“Okay, I’m not going to argue with you about this,” Anna said as she set her spoon down and leaned back in her chair. “Have you considered it? Do you really want me to go volunteering?”
Wayne shook his head and shrugged slightly. In fact, he had made that decision when they were at Jasper’s wedding. He postponed it until now because he needed to prepare for something else.
Both happy and touched, Anna hugged Wayne tightly and told him, “Thank you for your help and support, honey. I love you!”
Patting her back, Wayne asked, “When is the third medical team leaving?”
“At the end of this month, just before Christmas. They really need more doctors there.”
“Do you mean you won’t be able to spend Christmas with us?”
At the thought of that, Anna felt even sadder. “Why don’t I hold off a little longer? I can go there later.”
Wayne shook his head and smiled, saying, “It’s fine, honey. Just go ahead. You’re going to leave sooner or later. If you arrive there earlier, you can save more lives. You’ll be able to return sooner as well. Anna, you’re my superhero.”
Anna wanted to cry when she heard Wayne say those heartfelt words. She pressed her face against Wayne’s shoulder and hugged him more tightly. While the two were hugging each other, they didn’t say anything, but they could tell what the other was thinking tacitly.
A month later, Anna and the hospital’s third medical team left Birmingham. Wayne brought a large group of people to the airport to say goodbye to Anna. And Peace cried the entire time when hugging Anna.
“Don’t cry. I’ll be fine,” Anna said, blushing. She kept winking at Karl, telling him to take Peace away.
Then Karl put his hand on Peace’s shoulder and said, “Honey, come on. There are a lot of people here. The kids are staring at us.”
“Anna, don’t worry. Karl and I will help you take care of the children and your husband after you’re gone,” Peace cried as she said.
“Thank you, Peace. Relax. I’ll be alright,” Anna said.
Peace took Anna’s hand and said, “Remember to call me when you arrive.”
“Sorry. The signal is poor there, so maybe I can’t call you,” Anna replied in a soft voice.
“Anna will be boarding soon. Wayne also needs to speak to her, honey,” Karl said as he used a tissue to wipe Peace’s tears.
“Do you want to say something?” Peace asked, glaring at Wayne.
Wayne said, shaking his head, “Nothing. I had already said what I wanted to say to her before we left.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.