Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 35876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Your patient will arrive at 6:00 PM.
The appointment will be automatically cancelled if your patient is unable to check in using our app by 6:15 PM.
Eleven
My insides start to churn the moment my cab drops me off at one of Miami's high-rise towers, and I realize that I'm just minutes away from actually seeing Dr. Somebody in person.
On one hand, the thought has me so anxious, that I'm once again distracted from having any headaches, hypertensive episodes, or breakdowns.
And obviously, that's a good thing.
But on the other hand—-
Meeting him also means I might end up surrendering my virginity to a stranger, and I'm still silently fretting over this even as I provide my name to the concierge.
The guy behind the desk only nods, and I suppose that means he has no idea what I'm here for.
Or at least I hope that's the case.
I could still be wrong for all I know, and the concierge just happens to be really good at pretending he has no clue I'm here as someone who "signed up" to have her sexual fantasy come true.
The elevator shoots up all the way to the 60th floor, and I tell myself it could've been a lot worse. If SFI had arranged for us to meet at 69/F, that would've totally made me feel like a whore, and I think I would really have ended up selling my kidney if so.
My knees start to shake as the elevator doors finally slide open, and I have to force myself to get moving.
Am I really doing this?
Am I?
Am I?
The room number I was provided turned out to be a corner suite, and I use the QR code in SFI's app to unlock its door.
Thank you for arriving on time, Temptation.
Please look for the changing room and click Next.
Inside the room is your typical high-end clinic. Marble-top reception counter, cozy seating area, and a magazine rack with the latest issues of Vogue, Time, and National Geographic. Opposite those is a pair of doors: the left one is labeled Changing Room while the right door leads to the Consultation Room.
It's like being asked to pick between a rock and a hard place, and I have to forcefully remind myself that this is nothing to worry about.
These might be red flags for someone like real-life Leah, but since I'm sweet, innocent Temptation who also happens to be dumber than dumb—-
I'm finally getting cured, yay!
The silliness of it makes me groan, but what matters is that it effectively gets my ass moving, and I'm finally able to click Next now that I'm in the changing room.
Please change into the hospital wear provided.
You may leave all of your valuables in your locker.
The combination lock is pre-programmed to match your verification code.
Please choose from the selection of surgical masks provided.
You are required to keep your mask on at all times.
The clinic has been reserved for your appointment for 24 hours.
Please click Finish upon completion of your appointment.
I have the urge to laugh and cry at the same time, but I'm hyperventilating in the next second, and I find myself speed-dialing Andie's number.
I can't do this.
Andie answers my call after the third ring, and she isn't even done saying 'hello' when the whole story comes tumbling out.
"Oh, Lei."
The other girl sounds as distressed as I am by the time I'm done, and this makes me feel even shittier...until I hear her next words.
"I wish you had told me all about this before. 93% of our encounters have already been completed, and they were all a success."
Relief pours into me, but wait—-did she say 'ninety-freaking-three percent?
"If anything, having one unsuccessful encounter like yours can only make things look more legit. Not that we've cheated or anything, which we haven't," Andie takes care to stress. "But it's understandable that some people would be more leery if our success rate is 100%, so if you really want to back out, just say the word..."
My head is spinning.
I didn't expect it to be this easy to back out, and I should be happy about it.
So why aren't I?
Andie clears her throat. "But on the other hand..."
Phew.
There's the counterargument I need to hear.
"Is it possible you're suddenly having cold feet because of this seriously huge sister complex you have?"
Huh?
What does Io have to do with this?
"You've looked up to Io your entire life," Andie points out, "and all of a sudden this older perfect sister you idolized completely lost her head over Nik...and had her heart so ruthlessly broken after it. Is it possible you're subconsciously worried that you'll end up doing the same? That if someone as perfect as your sister can get her heart broken, then what chances do you have of avoiding it yourself?"
My lips part, but no words come out.
I wish I can say Andie's got it all wrong, but there's this part of me that feels like she's hit the nail on the head. Am I suddenly freaking out because I've realized far too late that Dr. Somebody can be my kryptonite, the way Nik once was for my sister?