by Ava May
“I see that you have a little candidiasis going on here,” the doctor said and Kylie nodded.
“Is that what that is?” she asked as she raised her head to look at the doctor and suddenly everything made sense. She had thought that he sounded a little different but she had pushed the thought at the back of her mind.
“So it wasn’t just nerves,” she thought as she looked at a younger, hotter doctor who was most definitely not her Doctor Simms.
“Oh my God… who the hell are you,” she suddenly said when she finally managed to find her voice. “What the hell do you think you are doing?” she asked as she pulled the drape down to cover up her still exposed privates.
“My job,” the doctor said and she heard it again. His voice was smooth and sultry—young even. Plus his eyes, there was just something about them. It was not that she had ever looked into Doctor Sean Simms’ eyes before, it was just that she could feel something different about this particular doctor. For starters, he had piercing blue green eyes and she was sure she would have noticed them before.
“What do you mean, your job?” she asked still panicking. “Where is Doctor Simms?” she was now looking around.
The man pulled his mask down and smiled.
“He is right here,” he said and she shook her head.
“But you are…” her voice trailed off as a flood of words came to mind.
Young.
Hot.
Perfect.
“Where is Doctor Sean Simms?” she asked again making sure that she stressed the name for him to understand how serious she was.
“Actually, you are looking at him,” he said and she raised an eyebrow over the other.
“Huh?”
“I am Sean Simms, the second.” He took a long deep breath. “A lot of people call me Junior but I would rather just go by the name Sean.”
Kylie frowned and shook her head in confusion.
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“To make a long story short, I took over my father’s practice,” he said.
“Oh my God,” she said in a low voice as she felt her cheeks flushing a bright crimson. “This is the worst day of my life.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I need to go. Right now.”
“That’s fine but I hate to break it to you but you still have a speculum inside you,” he said and she rolled her eyes.
“Can’t I just pull it out myself?”
Sean smiled and shrugged.
“You could but it would be so much safer to let me do it,” he said. “You might end up pinching the skin on your…” she put her hand up and closed her eyes at the thought of what he was going to say.
“Yeah, yeah. I got it,” she said as she lay back down.
“Listen, Kylie…can I call you that?” he asked and she nodded. “I have been a doctor for eight years now. I know what I am doing.”
Kylie nodded.
“Just relax and this will be over before you know it,” he said and she closed her eyes again. She held on to the edges of the exam table and without even realizing it she was humming. What she didn’t see was that Sean was smiling to himself as he pulled out the speculum.
“There. All done,” he said as he rolled his chair away from the exam table. He took off his gloves as she covered up once more.
“By the way, the irritation is just candidiasis. I’ll give you a cream and a few days’ dose for that.”
She looked at him and shrugged, her heart still beating and her cheeks still flushed. There was no telling just how embarrassed she felt at that moment. And to make everything worse, she was frozen. She couldn’t talk or even move which made her look like an even bigger idiot than she felt.
*****
Kylie had never had so many murderous thoughts about her sisters but on this particular day, that was all she was thinking of doing even though it was the Moran weekly family dinner night, well, their version of family dinner. When the sisters moved to California for college, their parents had insisted on a weekly video call as they had dinner just to make sure that they didn’t lose the essence of family. And so far, it had been working great.
“How did you guys forget to tell me that the old Dr. Simms retired?” she asked, looking up from the lettuce she was chopping.
“Wait, you didn’t know?” her elder sister Kenzie asked. Kylie rolled her eyes and looked at her.
“How was I supposed to know?” she asked.
“But your last check-up was right about the time when he retired,” her other sister Kristie said.
“Which she would know if she kept the appointment,” Kenzie pointed out and Kristie gave Kylie a disappointed look.
“Why would you skip an appointment?”
“Because I hate it when some guy just tells me to spread my legs to have a look at my privates for no good reason,” Kylie said rinsing a few tomatoes. “It’s just weird.”
“Well, for starters, it is not for no good reason,” Kenzie said as she took a dishcloth from the counter. “And secondly,” she used the dishcloth to hit Kylie with it making her yell out in pain.
“What the hell was that for?” she asked and Kenzie shrugged.
“For skipping your appointment. That’s why,” she said.
“Yeah, I have half a mind to come over there and beat you with this damn stick myself,” Kristie said as she stirred the sauce in front of her. “And I would do it too if I wasn’t sure that I would ruin this beautiful sauce right here.”
“Well, eventually I went and everything is fine,” Kylie said as she sliced the tomato. “Except for some infection he called candid.”
Candidiasis,” Kenzie corrected her.
“Same difference,” Kylie said rolling her eyes. “Would you pass me the dressing?”
“Wait,” Kristie said as she put on her oven mittens. “Is that why you made the appointment? Because you got a…condition?”
Kylie looked at her and nodded.
“I was scared. I thought I got something from Frankie.”
“Wait, you and Frankie?” Kenzie asked.
“You guys are back together?” this was Kristie’s turn.
“No, it was a one-time thing. Just a…” Kylie shook her head and sighed. “It was a one-time thing,” she said again. “A big mistake.”
Her sisters looked at her and then at each other.
“As the medic in the room, I have to say that candidiasis is just a fancy name for a yeast infection. All those processed meats and sugar you usually eat finally caught up with you,” Kenzie said.
“Hate to say we told you so but hey, this is me and everyone knows I love adding insult to injury, so I’ll say it,” Kristie said as she put the freshly baked meatballs on the counter. “We fucking told you so.”
Kylie rolled her eyes again.
“I really don’t need to hear that right now. All I want to know is why I got these weird pills. The pills even came with a long plastic thing…I don’t get it.” She poured some salad dressing and tossed the salad. “Am I supposed to push it down my throat or something? Does it taste that bad?”
Kenzie looked at Kristie and smiled.
“Didn’t you get the application instructions from the pharmacy?” she asked.
“No I didn’t hang around…everything was just too embarrassing…I couldn’t hang around,” Kylie said.
“You poor little innocent being,” Kristie said.
“What? What are you guys not telling me?” Kylie asked and her sisters grinned even wider.
“Sweetie, those pills go up your… you know,” Kenzie said, winking at Kylie.
“Up my what?” Kylie just wasn’t understanding what was happening and she hated to think that what she was thinking was actually what her sister was talking about. “Wait, you don’t mean…” she shifted her gaze from Kenzie to Kristie and then back to Kenzie. “Up my…cunt?” she asked and Kenzie nodded.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Kylie said shaking her head and Kenzie nodded.
> “The doctor checked out your vag, so it only makes sense that you put the pills up there,” Kristie said.
“And they are not pills. They are called pessaries.” Kenzie pointed out.
“So…but how…” Kylie was still trying to get the right words but nothing was coming to mind.
“Relax. It’s a piece of cake,” Kristie said. “Five minutes to go time,” she announced and Kylie carried the salad to the dining table as her sisters carried in the sauce and meatballs. “Somebody grab the pasta.”
“I got it,” Kylie said as Kenzie sat down setting up Skype.
“Push it down the throat,” Kristie said under her breath before she laughed out loud and Kenzie did the same.
“You know, sometimes it is just hard to believe that you are actually not a virgin,” Kristie said.
“Just shut up,” Kylie said as she sat down.
Chapter 2
It was on a Thursday morning and Kylie had just walked into her office. As soon as she sat down she heard the email alert tone from her phone and she sighed.
“I literally just got here,” she thought. “The universe can be really cruel.”
She reached for her phone from her purse and looked at it. She had expected to see a work related email but it was far from it.
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
Hi, Kylie. This is Dr. Simms. I just wanted to know if you filled that prescription I gave you.
She frowned and drummed her fingers on her desk. How weird was it that her doctor took it upon himself to follow up on her? Her other doctor Simms didn’t do that, ever. Heck, none of her other doctors ever did that. Not her GP, not her dentist and definitely not her eye doctor. She took a long minute before she finally came around to replying.
TO: Sean Simms
FROM: Kylie Moran
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
I don’t know if any of your other patients have ever pointed this out to you but…is this standard procedure for you? Following up on your patients via email?
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
Actually, yes it is. I found it was important after taking over my father’s practice. Patients needed to know that they are in capable hands and what better way to do that than to keep in touch? Now I answered your question. Time for you to answer mine.
Kylie could actually picture him typing those exact words. His blue green eyes would most probably have the slightest glimmer and a few strands of his dark brown hair might have even fallen out of place a little and he might have raked his fingers through to smooth his thick mane back in place. She knew what he had in mind but for some reason, she wanted to string this along. It was fun at the very least.
TO: Sean Simms
FROM: Kylie Moran
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
What question?
She was smiling as she sent the email. She leaned back in her chair as she waited for the reply.
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
The prescription, Kylie. Did you fill it?
She felt herself blush when she read his latest message. She could remember the discomfort she’d had a few days ago plus the fact that he had actually seen the ‘damage’.
TO: Sean Simms
FROM: Kylie Moran
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
As a matter of fact I did. Thank you.
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
Good girl. So, now that I know everything is fine on your end, maybe this would be a perfect opportunity for me to ask if we can have coffee one of these days. Maybe even lunch?
Kylie must have read that last email all of ten times before she sighed loudly. She leaned back in her chair and shook her head in confusion. It was not that she did not want to join him for coffee or lunch or whatever…it was the simple fact that he was Kylie Moran and he was Sean Simms, a doctor. And not only that. A good-looking doctor with everything going for him. Why the hell would she ever want anything to do with someone like her? It was not like she had much to offer anyway.
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
So, what do you say? I’m twiddling my thumbs in anticipation here…
She exhaled loudly just as she heard a knock on the door that made her look up to see her boss, Carl Stonebridge leaning against the doorframe.
“You look like you just saw a ghost,” he said and she forced out a smile.
“I might as well have,” she thought.
“I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all,” she said.
“Busy morning?” he asked and she shrugged.
“You could say that,” she said nodding.
“So you already heard?” he asked and she shrugged.
“Heard what?” she asked and Carl walked in.
“We are officially handling Mila Villefort’s campaign,” he started as he handed her his tablet.
“Wait. The designer?” she asked almost too excitedly and Carl nodded.
“We are talking advertising, branding…basically everything to create an international buzz before she launches her new line in four months.”
“Four…four months?” she asked shaking her head. “But that’s barely enough time to go through all fifty states.”
“I know. But she doesn’t care, you know celebrities. She has offered the company a generous bonus to make the project happen plus fifty grand to the project manager.” He looked at Kylie. “And as the head public relations officer of this company that would be you.”
“Fifty thousand dollars?” Kylie echoed in a soft voice.
“Fifty thousand dollars,” Carl said again. “That’s a good chunk of change.”
“It really, really is,” she said in a dreamy voice.
“So, are you going to take it? Or what is going to happen?” he asked and she shook her head. “Because the Christmas bonus checks are hugely dependent on your answer. But no pressure.”
“Seriously? That’s your idea of no pressure?” Kylie asked and he shrugged.
“I like to think of that as incentive,” Carl said matter-of-factly. “You know me and big unnecessary words.”
“Yeah I do,” she said as she exhaled loudly. “So in other words I have exactly three months to figure out a campaign in the Americas, Europe and Africa? Is that right?”
“Technically four months but yeah, that’s the gist of it,” Carl said nodding.
“The one month is not a factor. Everything will be moving too fast by that time for me to notice anything,” she said. “This is going to be really hard you know. I mean, Fashion Week is just around the corner and…” her voice trailed off and she smiled. “Fashion Week is just around the corner..: she said again.
“I don’t get it.,” Carl said looking confused.
“Fashion Week as the name suggest is the height of all things fashion and the New York and Milan Fashion Week are scheduled to happen in a couple of months. The right buzz can guarantee Mila launches her new Villefort line then. It will be bigger than Kanye’s weird homeless look line.”
“House of Villefort,” Carl said and Kylie raised an eyebrow over the other.
“What?” she asked and he shrugged.
“That’s the name of her label. House of Villefort,” he explained and she nodded. He looked at her and shrugged. “I’ll leave you alone to work your Fashion Month magic,” he said as he stood up.
“Fashion Week,” she corrected him and he smiled.
“See why I thought you were the perfect person for this job?” he said as he walked out.
A smile played on Kylie’s lips as she looked at her screen again. There was a new email from Sean.
TO: Kylie Moran
&n
bsp; FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
Just so you know, I don’t give up easily. I’m still waiting unless of course you want me to show up at your office.
TO: Sean Simms
FROM: Kylie Moran
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
And how would you know where I work?
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
I got this little thing called Google. Heard of it? All I had to do was input your name and I found out that you are the head of public relations at Focus Entertainment. And to think I never really pegged you as an entertainment person.
Kylie stifled a laugh. She took a long deep breath and sighed. Maybe all this was a sign. Maybe she had been holding back a little too much. Maybe this was what she needed to get herself back out there. She was smiling as she began typing.
TO: Sean Simms
FROM: Kylie Moran
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
Fine, I’ll have coffee with you if you promise to stop stalking me.
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
No way, you kept me waiting too long. Now I demand dinner.
Kylie laughed and shook her head. It was clear that her new doctor was not someone who gave up easily.
TO: Sean Simms
FROM: Kylie Moran
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
Demand?
She waited a few minutes before another email popped up.
TO: Kylie Moran
FROM: Sean Simms
RE: FILLED YOUR PRESCRITION YET?
Yes, demand. I am a man who usually gets what he wants once he sets his mind on it and I have my mind set on you. So, dinner?
She drummed her fingers on her desk again and took a long deep breath.