Examined by Dr. Owen

Earlier...

Ailine stood in front of Dr. Owen’s office door, adjusting her mask and sunglasses with the precision seorang artis yang sudah terbiasa menyamarkan diri. Even though her condition was much better now, the instinct to hide in public would never completely fade. Emma followed behind her, arms full with a folder of medical documents and an overpacked work schedule.

“Are you sure you want to go in alone?” Emma whispered.

“Hm.” Ailine kept her voice steady. “It’s just a quick check-up. Besides, should Dr. Owen really wait another day just to confirm his most troublesome patient is still alive?”

Emma scoffed. “What a terrible excuse. Your face is literally screaming: ‘I’m dying to see Dr. Owen.’”

Ailine widened her eyes—half annoyed, half embarrassed. “I just… well… I want him to take responsibility until the end. He was the one who treated me first. So he should be the one who makes sure I’m fully healed.”

“You’ve used that excuse seven times in two days,” Emma muttered, massaging her temple.

Ailine flapped her hand to cool her face, suddenly nervous. “Stop talking. Wait here! I’m going in!”

“Yeah, yeah…” Emma rolled her eyes. “If you two end up together later, I’m asking for a raise.”

“H-Huh?!”

Emma held back a laugh just as Ailine hurriedly knocked on the door—anything to distract her from her own panic.

---

Inside Dr. Owen’s Room

Owen stood behind his desk, clean white coat perfectly in place, his usual cold professionalism wrapped tightly around him. But a faint crease formed between his brows when he noticed Ailine already seated, looking far too comfortable for someone who showed up ahead of schedule.

A brief silence hung between them—heavy enough that Owen decided to cut it before it turned strange.

“Your appointment is supposed to be tomorrow,” he said flatly. “Why come today?”

That tone would normally intimidate patients.

But Ailine wasn’t an ordinary patient.

Calmly, she removed her mask, revealing the signature sweet smile that once won a silly online poll as “The Sweetest Smile in Country Z.”

“Well, of course because I couldn’t wait to be examined by Dr. Owen,” she teased lightly.

Owen’s stare sharpened instantly.

Ailine panicked and raised her hands. “I’m kidding! Why so serious? I have work tomorrow. A perfume photoshoot. So it’s better to do the check-up today.”

Owen eyed her suspiciously. “You know moving your appointment up messes with the clinic’s schedule.”

“I know…” Ailine lowered her head sweetly. “But not as bad as you messing up my life back then, right?”

The line hit him square in the chest.

Owen fell silent—not out of anger, but because he genuinely didn’t know how to react.

Messing up her life?

A painful past both of them had tried to bury—yet she mentioned it with a smile?

Was she being sarcastic?

Trying to cope?

Or just horribly nervous?

Ailine regretted it a little. She’d planned to be careful today—not bring up wounds that still throbbed for both of them.

“Ahem…” Ailine cleared her throat. “Can we… start the check-up?”

“…Yes.”

---

Owen gestured toward the examination bed. Ailine obeyed quietly.

His movements were gentle—precise—every bit the skilled surgeon.

But that was exactly what made Ailine’s heart thump uneasily. Ever since that night, anything involving Owen sent her nerves spiraling.

Owen lifted his stethoscope. “Relax.”

“I am relaxed,” she snapped.

“You’re too tense.”

“Because it’s cold. Your room is always freezing.”

“This is the standard medical room temperature.”

“Standard for you, not me! Do you want your patients to freeze to death?”

Owen paused, staring at her a few seconds longer than necessary. Eventually, he grabbed the AC remote and turned the temperature up.

Ailine hid a smile.

Still caring, after all.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yes. Thank you.”

He resumed the exam, and with the temperature warmer, Ailine did ease up.

“Any other symptoms?” Owen asked.

“Just slight dizziness when I’m too tired. The rest is fine.”

“Good.” He jotted down notes. “I’ll report your results to Dr. Lisa. She’s your primary doctor.”

“Of course.”

“Your follow-up check-up tomorrow is still with her.”

“Definitely.” Ailine smiled softly. “I adore her. She’s my favorite doctor. I’ll always see her first before coming to you.”

Owen scoffed. “I’m not your afterthought following your ‘favorite doctor.’”

“Oh? Are you jealous?”

“Ailine.”

“Okay, okay. I’m joking.”

Owen exhaled long, clearly exhausted by her antics.

When the examination was complete, they sat facing each other again.

“No heavy work tomorrow. Finish all your medication. If anything happens, call me or Dr. Lisa.”

Ailine raised a brow. “Is this… your way of showing concern?”

“I’m speaking as your doctor, Miss Su.”

“Tch. You were getting warm just a second ago. Now you’re back to ice.”

“I’m serious. You still have a tumor in your intestine. Please take your health seriously.”

Ailine stared at him. There was sincerity in his tone—real, unfiltered concern.

“If I work tomorrow and suddenly faint,” she said softly, “will you take responsibility?”

“If you faint because you’re stubborn, no.”

“You’re so mean. Aren’t you a doct—”

“You’re the one who’s impossible.”

“But you’ll come, right? If I need help?”

Silence.

Then—

“…That’s different.”

“So you won’t?” She lowered her gaze, disappointment flickering across her face.

Owen watched her closely. He knew that look.

“What is it you’re hoping from me?” he asked, voice gentler.

Ailine lifted her eyes slowly. “Come if I call. As my doctor… or as Owen Young, who once knew me.”

His gaze deepened. Something in him shifted—quiet but unmistakable.

“…Fine,” he said at last. “I’ll come.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes.”

Ailine immediately held out her phone. “Give me your number!”

“…For what?”

“What do you mean ‘for what’? You said you’d come if something happened. How am I supposed to call you if I don’t even have your number?”

“You’re planning to faint on purpose, aren’t you?”

“YES—wait—no! That’s not—!”

Owen nearly exploded. “Ailine! Don’t joke about your health!”

“Oh my God, calm down! I’m serious this time. It’s just for emergencies.”

Eventually, Owen surrendered. He typed his number into her phone. Ailine immediately called it, making his phone ring.

She smiled triumphantly.

“You’re suspicious,” Owen muttered.

“Think whatever you want.”

Another long sigh left him—she had caused at least three since entering the room.

Then Ailine spoke quietly. “Owen. I know you’re not comfortable around me. We ended… terribly. But I don’t think God would bring us together again without a reason. I’m trying… really hard. I hope you are too.”

He stared at her—long, deep, conflicted.

But before he could answer—

Knock knock.

The door opened slightly. Emma peeked in.

“Miss Ailine, we have to go to the agency now.”

“Ah—right.” Ailine stood.

Before leaving, she turned back.

“Owen… thank you for examining me today. You could’ve just sent me to Dr. Lisa.”

Owen didn’t respond.

“At least… thank you for not avoiding me.”

For a split second, his eyes softened.

“Go. Before your exhaustion becomes contagious.”

Ailine smiled—gentle, warm—and for the first time in a long while, her chest felt lighter.

As if a burden she carried for years… finally loosened, even if just a little.