RN Hospital
Ceremony hall.
Alex was standing amidst the crowd. His cold eyes searching for someone…
"Ahem."
Someone cleared his throat nearby. Alexander lifted his gaze and met Adrian's.
"Are you searching for someone?" Adrian asked, amusement curling at the corner of his lips.
"Huh? N..no, I'm not," Alexander replied a little too quickly, feeling the heat rise to his face. "I... I was looking for you."
Adrian arched a brow, skeptically. "Really? But you just said you weren't searching."
Alexander groaned, scratching his well - trimmed stubble. "Ugh. Can you stop this?"
Adrian chuckled and lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Yeah, yeah. Come on then, what's up? Why were you looking for me?"
Alexander hesitated, then leaned in slightly. "I need your help."
That earned him a surprised look. "Woah," Adrian drawled, feigning shock. "The great General Gonzales needs help? From me?" He pointed at himself dramatically, then leaned closer, whispering low enough for only Alexander to hear. "The mafia head?"
A playful smirk tugged at his lips, clearly just to provoke him.
Alexander clenched his jaw, irritation flashing across his face. "Shut your trap, Rian. I'm
serious."
"Okay, okay, cool, man," Adrian said quickly, patting his shoulder before the General's temper could flare. "Tell me, how may I help you?"
Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair before speaking.
"I need a group of the best doctors from RN Hospital at our military camp. A full medical
checkup is scheduled. I want the best from every department. Every means every: surgeons, orthopedists, everyone."
He avoided Adrian's eyes as he spoke.
Adrian tilted his head, a brow rising skeptically. "Why all of a sudden? Something going on?"
Alexander finally met his gaze. "No, nothing like you fear. Just a routine medical checkup. You know how it is, soldiers need to be healthy." He shrugged casually.
Adrian let out a soft chuckle, half-convinced. "Yeah. They need to be healthy... so they can pull me down easily, huh? And you want me….me to make sure the best doctors are there to check on them?"
Alexander rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, sottocapo. No one's interfering in your business, unless it's against humanity. And you know that well. Now, can you arrange it or not?"
A faint smile curved Adrian's lips. He, the mafia head of Country N, had never once gone against humanity. Ruthless? Yes. Merciless? Often. But never unjust. No innocent life was ever taken by his hands. If anything, he had quietly saved more than the world would ever know. Atleast now. There was a time when he is called 'The Butcher'. He earned the title after the incident happened 11 years ago, an 18 year old boy killed hundreds on a single night.
About Alex, he might be a soldier sworn to the nation, but he had his own sense of justice; wild, unrestrained, and defiant. If an order from above ever reeked of corruption, he wouldn't hesitate to disobey. He was like a mad bull - untamed and unstoppable. Not even his superiors could chain him. Never dare try.
Adrian leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, eyes glinting with that familiar mischief. "Fine, General. You'll have your doctors. I'll send the best from RN Hospital to your camp within two days."
Alexander's shoulders relaxed a little. "Good. I owe you one."
"Oh, don't mention it," Adrian said smoothly, already typing something on his phone. "Let's see… cardiology, neurology, orthopedics… and, hmm, why not throw in a few gynecologists and pediatricians too? Just in case your soldiers suddenly starts having… unexpected needs."
Alexander snapped his head up, disbelief flashing across his face. "You're kidding."
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Adrian replied with a mock-serious expression, but the corner of his mouth betrayed a smirk.
"Rian," Alexander warned, his tone half a growl.
Adrian chuckled and waved him off. "Relax, General. It's just a standard checkup, right? No harm in being thorough."
Alexander exhaled heavily, muttering under his breath, "You're insufferable."
"I get that a lot," Adrian said, looking almost pleased with himself.
Little did either of them know that among the names he'd just forwarded to his secretary was Dr. Zaria, the one woman destined to twist both their worlds in ways they couldn't imagine.