"Why is Dustin calling me at this hour?

" I wondered as Ernest added,

"He texted you, too.

", I was momentarily stunned, and Ernest handed me the phone., I was still weak and exhausted. Ernest looked at me.

"If you don't feel like answering, don't.

", As I hesitated whether to call back, the phone automatically disconnected., I took the phone and checked the unread messages from this morning., Felicia, can we meet up?, Felicia, I'm unsure if I should tell you something., Felicia, please reply when you see this., There were more from the afternoon., Felicia, I'm waiting for your reply., Felicia, are you too busy?, While reading those messages, I could sense Dustin's anxiousness. He had been waiting for my response. He mentioned there was something he was unsure about telling me. Over the years, Dustin had always been like a big brother to me, shielding me from worries whenever possible. What could be troubling him?, After a few seconds of hesitation, I dialed his number., Dustin picked up quickly.

"Felicia, where are you?

",

"Dustin, what's wrong?

" I asked straight away., Dustin was silent. As I was about to press further, he asked,

"Are you okay?

", He could hear the weakness in my voice, but I was more anxious to know what he wanted to talk about.

"Dustin, I'm fine. What did you want to talk about?

"

"Can we meet up now?

" Dustin asked., I was stuck in a hospital bed, definitely not the best time for a meetup., I was about to suggest talking over the phone when the door to my room opened., Fanny came in, fussing,

"Calling the moment you're awake. Got that much business to attend to, huh? Don't care about your health?

", I covered the phone, not wanting Dustin to overhear, but he already had, urgently asking,

"You're sick? In the hospital?

", I couldn't lie to him, admitting,

"Just a bit dizzy. It's nothing serious.

", Dustin fell silent. As I was about to ask what he wanted, he said,

"You should rest.

", After the call ended, I put away the phone. Fanny had begun to check on me.,

"Dr. Willis, you're in obstetrics, right?

" I joked.,

"Quiet,

" Fanny scolded., I did as she asked, and after a bit, she tucked her stethoscope away.

"Heartbeat and rate are normal. You're going to be fine.

", With that, she gave me a stern look.

"Just because I'm an obstetrician doesn't mean I can't handle your little issues.

", Calling them

"little issues

" was her way of reassuring me not to worry. That was Fanny, careless on the outside but meticulous on the inside.,

"Are you on shift today?

" I linked my pinky with hers.,

"Not anymore. I'll be off after checking on you,

" Fanny's words made me smile., I joked,

"And I thought you'd stay and keep me company!

", Fanny pouted towards Ernest, who wasn't far.

"You need me to?

", I felt I needed Fanny more than Ernest then. Maybe because my bond with Ernest wasn't there yet, or perhaps I didn't want him to see me in such a mess., I nodded, and Fanny glared at me. She was silently scolding me. If I didn't let Ernest look after me, he might overthink it.,

"I'll grab some food. You girls chat,

" Tactfully finding an excuse, Ernest left the room., As soon as the door closed, Fanny poked my forehead.

"I swear, you can be such a pain.

", I laughed.

"I'm sick, and you're still scolding me. Anyway, what did I do to deserve 'such a pain'?

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