When A Ghoul Falls In Love

“Why did I blabber like a fool?” Eli lets out a heavy sigh. “Why did I say that I would eat her? I am such an idiot. She must be scared of me.”

She doesn’t find him attractive.

He glances at his reflection of the black glass wall. His skin is paler than average humans. He didn’t have the time to shave. Should he get an artificial tan or tattoos? She didn’t say him what kind of men she likes.

They say that the first impression is the last impression.

Eli grabs messy dark hair. He should have acted like a gentleman. Women like gentlemen, right?

He has no idea. He presses his face on the glass. It’s over. She doesn’t like him. Not a tiny bit.

“Doctor Sanguine?” The nurse has been awkwardly calling his name for a while. She has never seen him acting like this. He seems like he’s frustrated about something. Did he have a fight with his girlfriend? “Your patient just left.”

He straightens his back and looks at her with wide eyes. “What?”

“She’s signing the AMA at the reception.”

***

“Do you think that she’s his girlfriend?”

“Would he act like that for a stranger? He cancelled all of his appointments for her surgery. He looked like he was going to kill someone. He even paid her bills.”

“True, but she is not even pretty.”

“I don’t know how she seduced Dr Sanguine.” The first nurse flares her nostril. “The difference between them is too big.”

“She must have threatened him.” Her colleague pauses for a moment. “I am sure that she must have emotionally blackmailed him to be with her by making fake suicide attempts. Doctor Sanguine is so kind. He’s an angel Why wouldn’t he look at me?”

Their voice is neither low nor high. They want me to hear it. I slam the AMA on the counter. “I am done. Can I leave now?”

“Are you sure, Miss Solomon?” The nurse clearly wants me to go, but she asks me with fake concern in her voice, “It’s best for you if you spend a few days in the hospital. We can arrange an appointment with the therapist.”

“No, thanks.” I have to go to the bank first. I don’t know how much I have in there. Even if I have to sell my house, I will pay back Eli Sanguine. Then, I am leaving this city.

A pair of arms wrap around me, pulling me in an embrace. My back hits his hard chest. I blink several times. I hear a few gasps. The nurses are watching us with scornful expressions.

“Are you crazy?” I ask the man, keeping my voice low.

He lets out a low laugh. I inhale sharply when I feel his hot breath tickling my ear. “I am crazy for you.”

“Doctor Sanguine, can you stop this?” I look up at him. “I am not interested in you. I will pay the money that you spent on me. I must go somewhere now. Let me go before I sue you for s.e.x.u.a.l harassment.”

“I don’t want money.” Suddenly, he lifts me in his arms. “Pay me back with your body.”

What the f.u.c.k! I knew it. This man is a loony bin.

“Let me down right now.” I slap his chest. I hiss pain. Damn! I shouldn’t have used my left hand. Is his chest made of bricks?

He settles me down in a wheelchair. He bends down on his knees in front of me. He holds my wrist as if he’s touching something that can be broken with a little pressure. I don’t know whether it’s my imagination or not. His eyes are gleaming right now. I already see things that are not real. I don’t find it strange.

Eli looks at me calmly. “Nell, it seems that you don’t want to use your left hand again.”

“It’s none of your business.” I take back my hand. “Though I didn’t ask you to save my life, you interfered in my plans like a moron. But I don’t like taking advantage of people. I will pay back the money you spent on me.”

“I told you that you can pay me back with your body.” His voice is loud this time. The people are watching us. Does this doctor not care about his reputation? Why is he talking like 16th-century’s perverted lord? “All you have to do is lend me your body until your body gets well. I am a doctor. You can trust me. By the time I am done, your wrist will be good as new.”

My mind turns blank. That’s what he means. He smiles at me slyly. This guy I fist my hands. The pain keeps me grounded. I am not a stupid woman who would fall for a guy’s smile. All I want is to die. I want to leave this world. I lean closer to him and tell him in a low voice, “You asked me what type of men I like?”

“Are you going to tell me now?” The enthusiasm in his voice is clear. Does he really like me? What do we like about people whom we don’t know well? Is it the smile or the way they walk? Is it their physical beauty that fades with time or the sound of their voice that palpitates the heart? Is it the warmth of the embrace or the intimate promises?

It can all turn into a lie in a second. “Doctor Sanguine, I like women.”