Kage's Revenge: Not All Are Forgiven

9: Friends and Application

    "I will check that later" Kage said to himself. He was referring to a new notification.

    His attention was fixed on his computer, Checking his email and sorting things. Being a manager wasn't so bad after all. He owns the hospital, but getting a normal treatment was something he enjoyed.

    Almost a week had passed since Kage started at Bridge Hospital, and for the first time in a while, he felt the profound satisfaction that only saving lives could bring. There was something about saving people, the look on their face, the pure gratitude, It was a potent reminder of why he'd chosen this path – the chance to make a difference, despite his personal past struggles.

    The act continued. He knew he no longer needed the wheelchair. He sat in his wheelchair connected to his table in his office, reviewing a patient's chart, something seemed off. 

       The treatment should have been effective. 

     His attention moved to the open door. A strained smile flashed across his face as he saw his assistant, Nurse Benjamin. His gaze where sharp, more like his bright blue eyes holding something back as he quietly entered. 

     "Patient Gia's file?" He asked as he pointed at the table "Then you should see this and the rest of the lab results, Doctor." he said, holding up the latest lab results.

      Intrigued, Kage followed Benjamin to the lab. The numbers were alarming. Their patient, Gia, had traces of a dangerous drug cocktail in her system, severely stressing her heart, she must have consumed last night. The girl had lied about ceasing her drug use months ago. But why would she do that ?

   A closer examination of the EKG revealed a subtle but significant arrhythmia; a condition that, untreated, could easily lead to cardiac arrest.

    Benjamin shook his head. "Some patients just don't understand the risks."

    Kage's gaze softened. "She's only sixteen. We need to contact her parents immediately. With the right medical intervention and therapy, she has a good chance of recovery." He paused, a grim thought crossing his mind.  

     "Her drug use is bad but If she hadn't been using, this minor arrhythmia would likely have gone unnoticed, and it could have progressed to a fatal condition." He felt a surge of understanding, tempered with professional resolve.

     How ironic. Drug use end most people's life but in Gia's case, it would likely save her life. 

    As Kage wheeled out of the lab back to his office, a quiet thought persisted – maybe it was time to end the wheelchair charade. Clara was far away, he was certain she must be busy dealing with her life then look for him.

   Thinking of the devil, a small scoff escaped his throat as he saw her. Their gaze met, it was obvious she saw him but she kept walking directly towards him , nearly collided with him.

Kage saw it, her small smirk as she homed her gaze on her phone. 

She pretend to barely registered his presence at first, eyes glued to her phone but she couldn't hitlde that devious smile. When she finally looked up and saw him, she laughed. 

     "My goodness! Almost knocked you down, little man! Didn't expect to see you here." Clara chuckled .

    Kage just glanced at her before attempting to move. He knew she should have something better to do because he does. He has barely moved few feet when he heard her voice, mildly irritating.

      "Kage, for real I didnt except to see you here. Like..." she walked close to him, still maintaining a fairly good distance "Why'd you leave? Does it have something to do with your fancy legs or me?" She rolled her eyes, gloating.

   It was obvious she wanted some attention. Kage could end all this immediately. The fact she obviously think she drove him away made him laugh laughed. 

   Clara's gaze narrowed as she walked dangerously close to him. She wasn't expecting his nonchalantly expression, she wanted him defeated and she was ready to do anything including 'accidentally' pushing him.

     Sensing it, Benjamin, waiting nearby, exchanged glances with them. "Everything alright, Doc?" He walked closer.

   Kage waved him off. "I'll catch up with you later, Nurse Benjamin."

    Benjamin hesitated. His fierce gaze on Clara then back to Kage before he nodded and left.

   Clara smirked, leaning closer. "You got someone to protect you too? You won't be here much longer, 'Doctor Handicap'," she whispered, then strode away, her heels clicking sharply.

Kage watched her go, a flicker of irritation at her words, but he let it pass. He rolled towards Gia's room. Her life matters. 

"Gia, is it?" he said gently, his eyes scanning her file. "I don't just read charts – I talk to people. Lying to your doctor only makes things worse."

Gia's lips quivered, shamelessly she avoided his gaze as he looked at her. Tears welled in her eyes when she finally looked at him "I know you will find out. It was a mistake. I was going to stop... I wanted to be a ... I wanted to... ." She broke down.

Kage nodded encouragingly. "And what do you want to do after high school?" He asked , almost void of any emotions.

"I don't know," she whispered.

 Kage stared at her in silence. She seemed genuine. She seemed like she would stop but before anything, he would wait for her parents.

His phone buzzed – a message. Someone was waiting in his office.

"You think about what you want, Gia. Really think. Your parents have been informed. We'll get you the help you need." With a reassuring smile, Kage left and headed to his office.

As Kage reached his office, he was disappointed. As much as he could torelate her before, he doesn't want to deal with her charades here again. Clara was seated there, arms crossed, eyes sharp as ever.

"What are you doing here?" Clara spat, her tone incredulous.

 Kage ignored her as he navigated to his table. Balancing his wheelchair, he stared blankly into Clara's eyes.

      "You are in my office." Kage replied calmly

    Clara's face twisted in disbelief as she stood up. "You're lying."

"I'm a general surgeon, Doctor Reeds," he said evenly, "Unlike you, I am not a liar. So, what do you want?"

Silence.

Clara knew she would talk eventually but she was speechless. Her gaze roam round his office, maybe it was all a prank .

In the silence, Kage glanced at a message on his computer – her application to become a partner and attending physician at Bridge with her picture attached to it. 

 "You want to partner with me?" Kage exclaimed in disbelief.

She sat back. Her left heel rhythmically tapping the floor. She needed this gig and she knew it but partnering with Kage? Not in her right mind.

  "I would never do anything with you. Besides a friend told me about the opening," Clara said defensively. "What are you even doing here?" She frowned.

 Kage chuckled. A small smirk as he relaxed in his chair "Are you genuinely that dense, or just playing a part?"

Tears laced with rage glistened in her eyes. "You can't be the manager here. It's impossible."

"Why not?" Kage intoned, leaning closer. "Is a general surgeon unqualified to manage?"

Clara's expression hardened. She knew he wouldn't help her. "So this means you will definitely sabotage me. You want to ruin my hard work?!" She yelled.

     Her face turned red. Emotions bubbling. She refused to let Kage see her cry. As far as she was concerned, she was more than qualified for the position.

      "How much will you ruin my life , Kage?" She muttered.

     Flatly, Kage scroll through her application. 

   "Doc Reeds to apply as a partner and attending physician you don't have to send your ..." He pointed at the computer.

    His words failed and he nearly laughed. He knew she was bad at working but making research and applying shouldn't be hard for a learned individual like her.

    "You should prepare your CV and cover letter, you don't even have a reference, and I don't....." 

      "Screw you, Kage" Clara interrupted as she stood up.

   Kage sighed.

 "I was about to say, I don't know what you were expecting to send me an email today and come today. With your picture? Where you expecting someone else?" He asked.

      Clara smiled. The rage and hate were obvious but she had something in mind.

"Don't feel too special for this little position you have here. I know people..." 

     "Like your friend?" Kage interrupted nonchalantly with a sheepish smile.

      Embarrassed and disgusted, she moved closer "I got you fired once, I will do it again. This time, you won't have a career to run to you worthless piece of shit" she whispered.

    Kage just shrugged. The sheepish smile still didn't leave his face still she stormed off and slammed the door on her way out.

     Was she expecting someone else?

 Does she really have no idea of how to send an application?

He knew he would get her report soon, this time, he would be prepared.