Chapter 10 Let’s Go Together

• She wanted to ask Jasper why he was at the hospital, but she managed to swallow her words before they left her mouth. Jasper did mention that he didn't want the public to know they had a relationship together.
• Seeing his calm facade, she, too, pretended to not recognize him as she went around him to enter the operating room.
• After changing into surgical scrubs and disinfecting her hands, she stepped in front of the operating table and threw a glance at Arthur, who had already started with the operation. She had already expected the new surgeon to be him after coming across Jasper earlier, which was why she wasn't at all surprised to see Arthur here. Arthur and Jasper did go way back after all.
• Arthur had even given classes when Talia was still a university student. He was a well-known and respected senior in the medical industry. It certainly was a blessing for someone like him to perform his miracles at the hospital she was working at.
• Not only that, Arthur was the only person who knew about her relationship with Jasper.
• He didn't say a word to her throughout the surgery, but as soon as the procedure was complete, he energetically went to greet her. "I haven't seen you in so long! How are things between you and Jasper?"
• Talia was caught off guard by the unexpected question. Instead of wanting to know about how she was, Arthur was asking about her relationship with Jasper. The simple question somewhat felt more prying than it sounded. "Umm…" she squeezed out when she found her tongue. "We are doing pretty well."
• Arthur started to stretch out his arms that were stiff from maintaining the same position during the surgery, and with a smile, he asked, "I'm going to have a meal with Jasper later. Wanna come along?"
• "No," she answered without a moment's hesitation. "I have something to do. You both go ahead without me."
• Although dejected, she knew better than to agree to it. It was more possible for the sun to rise from the west than for Jasper to agree to have a meal with her. How could Arthur, despite being Jasper's close friend for so many years, not know that things hadn't been smooth between Jasper and her?
• Arthur took no notice of her odd reaction and continued saying, "These 3 years have been tough on Jasper. Not only did his father suddenly pass away, but he also couldn't even come back because of the opening of the branch office." He then added with a silly grin on his face, "I wouldn't feel good about leaving you alone at home, too, if I was him."
• Talia only quietly stared at the man through partially squinted eyes. She couldn't help but think that the only good things about him were his looks and his proficiency in medicine as it appeared that he didn't have much going on in his head.
• How was it possible for Arthur to not know how much Jasper would love to rip her apart with his bare hands if he could? Perhaps, he did know but had misinterpreted their relationship on his own.
• Jasper suddenly appeared and made his way toward them as they talked, and while still chortling, Arthur suggested, "Let's go eat together."
• Seeing Jasper approaching, Talia started to walk away when she was stopped by Arthur. "Why are you running away?" he teased. "Scared he'll eat you up?"
• The headache from listening to this oblivious man talk could have cracked her head open, if not for what came out of Jasper's mouth next.
• "Let's eat together," he calmly said, stunning her in the process.
• This was the first time in years that Jasper had given permission for them to dine together in public.
• She glanced over, only to see an unreadable expression on his face. She wouldn’t have known why he did that, but she could assume that he was trying to not embarrass both Arthur and her.
• They soon arrived at a family-owned restaurant after a short drive. Talia naturally took a seat beside Arthur as she didn’t want to cause any discomfort for Jasper.
• One thing she had learned after all those years of being together was to read Jasper’s mood. She would always unconsciously peek at him to gauge his emotions. And as usual, her eyes shifted toward him, only to find a cold look on his face.
• The gears in her head started to turn as she wondered, Why is he all grumpy again? Did I do something wrong?
• Arthur, the ever-clueless man, failed to notice the drop in temperature around him. He then started a conversation with Jasper again. “Have you solved the problem you had at hand? I just don’t understand why you would bring Mandy to Healthbridge Hospital—"