the doctor will see you now…part one//patrick sumner x f!secretary
set after the events of the north water. Dr. Sumner has moved on and settled into a new residency far away from the trauma of his past life.
Author’s note: I had a bad irl experience with a Patrick so forgive me if the reader doesn’t use his first name very much.
Eden was hired as one of Dr. Sumner’s secretaries several months ago. She was number three to be hired for the office since Dr. started his new practice, but with demands piling up, a fourth was now needed.
Besides Eden, there was Gladys, a sweet, bubbly woman in her fifties and Lottie, who was around Eden’s age and also bubbly, but only with her fellow employees. The patients, she was not as friendly with. But the three of them got along well, and Eden felt she had a genuine work family whom actually made her look forward to coming into work each day.
Gladys tasked herself with training the new hired girl, Eloise, who seemed quiet and nervous for her first day. Eden only hoped she could keep up.
“Mornin’ ladies.” boomed the familiar male voice.
“Good morning, Dr. Sumner.” both Gladys and Lottie nearly sang in unison.
The handsome surgeon of reddish brown hair, scruffy beard, and nicely fitted white shirt and back tie stood at the front desk, “Ay, this must be our new hire.” He held out his hand across the counter to Eloise, who shyly took his hand.
“Yes sir, this is Eloise.” Gladys announced, putting her hands on the younger lady’s shoulders, as if presenting her.
He gave her a nod, then looked to Eloise, “Dr. Sumner, I’m pleased to meet ya. Welcome aboard.” He took a few steps forward, shrugging off his tan trench coat in the process, “Should be a good day, ladies.” He looked right at Eden, “Eden, send in my first patient in about ten minutes.”
With that, the doctor disappeared into his examination room, and she knew what was coming.
“Doctor Sumner.” Gladys said, “He’s wonderful. Very smart, and the most talented surgeon. He saves lives everyday as if it’s no big deal. He’s so humble. You’ll come to love him as much as we do.”
You two are in love with him. Eden thought as she jotted down some notes from the patients file.
“Though none of have a chance because he likes Eden.” teased Lottie, who genuinely had a crush on the doctor, but wouldn’t dare act on it, just in case her friend ever wanted to.
Gladys adored the young doctor, and she’d even mentioned to him that she had three eligible daughters. He politely declined, entertaining her with phrases like he “didn’t have time to date.”
“It’s true. Sumner likes Eden, it’s written all over his face when he’s around her.” Gladys remarked. If she couldn’t marry one of her daughters to Dr. Sumner, then she was more than happy to encourage the union of him and Eden, she had come to think of her and Lottie both as her bonus children.
“It is not.” Eden grumbled in protest.
“Oh please, he asks you to send in the first patient every day.” quipped Lottie.
“Not every day.”
“Only every single day for the last three months.” Gladys giggled.
“It’s true,” Lottie said to Eloise, “he trusts her with everything else too.”
Eden sighed, “Could you two stop with the gossip for five minutes and actually get to work?”
“Oh, fine.” Gladys sat down next to Eloise, “She’s right, we’ve got lots to do.”
……….
Eden knew more than anyone that it was not true. He did not like her in that way. Dr. Sumner only thought of her as a dependable and efficient employee, which was why he would give her more tasks than the others. He knew she would get things right, the first time.
But it was nothing more than that. It was not as if he gazed at her lovingly with a twinkle in his eye. It was work, and nothing else.
Later on in the day, Eden was sorting through the office mail when she came across an envelope from the university. They had wanted Dr. Sumner to teach a week long course on specific surgery method. The letter inside only wanted to finalize plans for class times, his syllabus, and his lodgings for the week he would be out of town.
Eden knew everything about this man’s day. How many patients he had, when his surgeries were and how long, his lunch breaks, his rare smoke breaks, everything. So, she knew when he would be available to receive this new letter.
Eden knocked on his office door.
“Come in.” Dr. Sumner chirped. He was almost always in a pleasant mood. No matter how strenuous or stressful the days could become, he was always level-headed and didn’t show many signs of weariness.
“Hey Doctor, the university just wants to confirm your hotel and class times for your trip.” she handed the letter over to him.
“Ah, yes.” he took the piece of paper, “I wanted to talk to you about that actually.” He skimmed over the contents of the letter quickly.
“Me?” she questioned. What could he mean?
“Yes. I’d like for you to accompany me on this week long venture, if you’re up for it.” he said, confidently.
Eden’s heart started to pound in her chest. “Really? For what purpose, sir?”
“To act as my assistant, of sorts. Make sure everything is in order, same as you do around here. I’m willing to increase your pay after the week is over.”
“Oh.”
“Do you think you can take time away? Your family could make do without you for a few days?”
“Um,” a pay increase? Absolutely. “yes. It should be fine.”
“Wonderful.” Dr. Sumner tapped the edge of the paper on his desk. He smiled at her, “Go on and send in the next patient. I’m ready.”
“Of course, Doctor.” Eden nodded before leaving the small room, feeling like the walls of it might consume her.
“Mr. Sullivan, the doctor will see you know.” she announced, and the older gentleman rose from his seat. As she led him down the hall, she found it harder and harder to breathe, like the air grew hotter the closer in proximity she got to Dr. Sumner.
“Right this way.” she held her hand out toward the open door of the exam room, giving her signature work smile to Mr. Sullivan. She caught the blue gaze of Sumner as she closed the door.
1.14.26
A/N: let me know what you think of the new story and the shorter chapter!(:
@gatoenlaciudad