The next morning, Elford washed and dressed up in a black suit. He walked out of his room and a maid lead him to Loraine's room. As they walked, Elford looked around at the halls which were decorated with antique paintings. So, Ember still had that love for art. When they reached Loraine's room, he found Loraine sitting at the piano and Maple sat beside him. Loraine got up as he looked at Elford.

"Good morning, Elford" Loraine greeted him and he greeted back with a smile. He sat on a chair that had been put up for him. Elford had a strong scent of cologne. A scent that would get to your head.

"How have you been?" He asked as he crossed his legs.
"I have been well," Loraine replied.
"You're so nice to Loraine and a complete asshole to me?" Maple spoke up.
"I treat people how they should be treated,"
"You should fuck yourself,"
"I don't have a twin,"

"Have you met the director of the hospital yet?" Loraine interrupted Maple because that small talk was irrelevant at the moment.
"I've informed the hospital I'll be working with them for three months. I'll go back to America by March-end, after performing Ember's surgury,"

"You'll be working with Indians? Didn't you say you hate them?" Maple asked.
"Yeah, but I can't possibly hate someone in their own country. I hate them while I'm in America and I love them when I'm in India," Elford said.
"Three months will do. How much will be your payment?" Loraine asked.

"You'll pay or your father?"
"Does that matter?"

"Not really. I just need my money. I charge on per hour basis, 3 months means about 121 days, which means 2904 hours. I charge $2000 for an hour session, meaning that'll add a total to $520,000 for three months. Plus the hospital bills, medicines and equipment, that'll all add up to $956,433,"

"I will pay. You just start the procedure, don't delay it any further,"
"I hope so. Cause you see, charity ain't my cup of a tea," Elford got up, "I'll leave for now. I'll start going to the hospital once I get half of my payment," Elford left the room and Loraine looked at the piano.

"Loraine, how on Earth are you ever gonna get all that money?" Maple asked.
"I'll have to bring father into it,"
"Should I talk to him?"
"No, I'll do it,"

Loraine walked towards his father's room and knocked on the door. He entered the room. Harnston was sitting on a chair with a pair of glasses and looking into his files as his pet, a black cat slept on his lap.

"Father,"
"Is that you, Loraine?" He removed his glasses and kept his file aside. He could tell which triplet it was just by listening to their voice.
"Yes father," Loraine walked towards him and stood right behind him "Elford is here,"
"I see. You've disappointed me too,"

"I didn't want to do that. But, I don't want to lose Ember,"
"If Elford could save him, I would have contacted him before you," Harnston got up and the cat jumped down from his lap. He looked down at Loraine, "You should do as I say, Loraine. You are my nice son,"

"I am also a nice brother,"
Harnston closed his eyes, "Very well," He moved towards the chest of drawers kept beside his bed. He took out a chequebook and signed on a blank cheque.

He gave it to Loraine "I don't want you to complain that you didn't try or you could have saved him. So, I'm giving you no chance of any excuse. Waste as much money as you like,"
"Thank you, father," Loraine took the cheque.

Elford sat in his car and sprayed some sanitiser on his rubber gloves. His scent grew strong again and he held the steering wheel. He decided to stop by at the hospital. He called the hospital's director and informed him of his sudden arrival. When he reached the hospital, he found the hospital's chairman and few doctors were waiting for him.

They all moved towards the car and one of them opened the door. Elford stepped out of the car "Don't touch it," He warned him and put his shades on. The doctors disliked him immediately and he couldn't care less. To him, they were nothing.

The chairman brought his hands forward to shake hands with him but he kept his hands inside his pockets.
"Good afternoon, Mr Elford," The chairman said, all embarrassed.
"Afternoon," He then introduced him to the hospital's best surgeons.

They all greeted him and went to their own duty points while the chairman walked beside Elford.

"We're really lucky to have a world-renowned doctor like you, especially coming to India and work with us, Mr Elford Stranthclyde. It is such an honour for us to have you here. This would surely be such a learning experience for our other doctors," The chairman, Mr Anand, smiled.

"Mr Anand, I'm not here to teach people. There's a life I need to save. But, I'll surely work for other patients too if I'm paid well of course," Elford was straight down to business.

"I really appreciate that,"
"But, I have certain conditions,"
"Do tell me,"

"First, I must have a private cabin of my own in the hospital which should have 24/7 wifi.
Second, there should be air conditioning at every ward which is going be under me. I can't bear the sweat.
Third, I decide who I want as my patient or not.
Fourth, I can leave any patient who I don't find that serious whenever I want.
Fifth, I will be working for five days in one week, nine to six, not any more and certainly not any less.
Sixth, whatever I earn, only thirty per cent of it will be given to the hospital.

Seventh, my bills will be in dollars, and by cheque only.
Eighth, I don't want to see even a speck of dust or dirt anywhere or I'll leave right away. I want a separate lift to use, as I can't bear staying in the same lift with someone else who is breathing the same air as me in it and spreading the germs.
Ninth, my contracted patient is number 0275, all priorities will be given to him above everyone.
Tenth, I won't be teaming up with anyone, in any circumstances. Of course, if you're not okay with these conditions, I'll take my leave,"

"No, of course, we agree. Your secretary told it to us on the phone. We've arranged for everything,"
"You must know that I function on these ten principles. Break any of these and I won't think twice before I leave"
"I understand,"
"Well then, where is patient 0275?" Elford threw chewing gum into his mouth.

"He must be a patient of ward number 27, fifth room-0275"
"Thank you", He left towards the lift while looking into his phone and chewing the gum. He reached the 27th ward and entered the 5th room. Ember sat on the bed and beside him sat Rhea, Loraine and Maple. Ember looked at him and stopped smiling.

"Hello Ember" Elford looked at him.
"Hello, Elford. You dyed your hair black?" Ember asked.
"Yeah, I was sick of being a part of blonde jokes"
"Oh," Ember laughed, "So, where are you at nowadays?"
"I need to present a paper in Manchester this March"

"That's great, you're researching something again?"
"Yes, lucky for you, it's all about intestines,"
"Who is he?" Rhea asked Ember.
"He's our family doctor," Ember replied.
"He is the only one who can treat Ember. He has watched him since he was a child. His mother operated on Ember when he was a few days old" Loraine told her.

"Ember, let me examine you," Elford ignored them as he wore the pair of white gloves he had just sterilised a while back. He dipped them into some water from the sink and walked towards Ember. Ember raised his shirt. Elford pressed his stomach and looked at it carefully. Everyone looked at them, quietly. Elford seemed focused "What did the doctors say?"

"That my," Ember hesitated as he looked at Rhea, "My bowels aren't functional anymore so they'll have to remove them," Ember said. Rhea looked at Ember with surprise.

'Why didn't you tell me?'

"Absurd," Elford said.
"What happened, Elford?" Loraine asked.
"You have a completely functional small intestine, why are they removing it?" It was like he dropped a bomb.
"How can you say that just by touching his abdomen?" Rhea asked.
"You only see how much you know" He looked at her.

"Then, what is it?" Loraine asked.
"Perforated blood vessels of the large intestine. I'll run few tests just in case," Elford removed his gloves and washed his hads. Rhea looked at Ember.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine now since Elford is here,"
" can't take this anymore. Ember, why are you are hiding things from me? That only means that you don't trust me,"
"No, Rhea, I trust you,"
"You're lying. You always lie!" She ran out of the room. Loraine looked at her as she left,

"This is such a headache,"

-To be continued

Elford Stranthclyde
Can't I Touch Your Heart?