Chapter 13

Elias Matthews had always been a man of action. When something caught his attention, he made a plan, executed it, and ensured it succeeded. Yet, when it came to Arjun Patel, he found himself in uncharted territory. Elias’s typical strategies of command and control felt useless against the soft-spoken, kind-hearted nurse who seemed oblivious to the growing tension between them.

And so, Elias resorted to subtle tactics. He began appearing in places he usually wouldn’t—popping into the ER for routine check-ins that conveniently coincided with Arjun’s shifts, lingering longer than necessary during family dinners where Arjun was present, and finding excuses to involve Arjun in discussions about Grace’s health, even when Sophia could have easily handled them.

Arjun, for his part, noticed Elias’s increased presence but couldn’t quite understand why. Every time their paths crossed, his heart raced—a reaction that confused and frustrated him. He had never felt this way about anyone before, least of all someone as commanding and, frankly, intimidating as Elias Matthews.

One afternoon, as Arjun prepared for his weekly visit to the Matthews estate, he found himself replaying the hug Elias had given him during his breakdown in the office. It wasn’t just the act itself but the tenderness behind it that lingered in his mind. Elias had been a fortress of strength, yet in that moment, he’d offered Arjun a glimpse of vulnerability.

“Why am I even thinking about this?” Arjun muttered to himself as he packed his medical bag.

Rei Nakamura, who had become one of Arjun’s closest friends, noticed his distracted state. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Rei asked, plopping down beside Arjun with his usual golden-retriever-like energy.

“Nothing,” Arjun said too quickly, his ears turning red.

Rei raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on his lips. “Nothing doesn’t make you blush. Spill.”

Arjun hesitated, then sighed. “It’s... complicated.”

Rei’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Complicated feelings for a certain someone?”

“Rei!” Arjun hissed, looking around to make sure no one else could hear.

Rei laughed, nudging Arjun with his elbow. “Relax. Your secret’s safe with me. But just so you know, if you ever need advice on love, I’m your guy.”

Arjun couldn’t help but smile at Rei’s enthusiasm. “You? Giving love advice?”

“Hey, I’m an expert!” Rei declared, puffing out his chest. “In fact, I’ve been making great progress with Dr. Carter.”

Arjun raised an eyebrow. “You mean Adam?”

“Yes, Adam,” Rei said dreamily, clasping his hands together. “Did I tell you he actually smiled at me yesterday? I swear, it was like the sun broke through the clouds.”

Arjun laughed. “I’m pretty sure Adam smiles at everyone.”

“Not like this,” Rei insisted. “It was special. I just know it.”

Rei’s relentless pursuit of Adam had become a source of entertainment for the entire ER staff. Despite Adam’s reserved demeanor, Rei was determined to win him over, showing up with coffee, leaving small notes of encouragement, and even sneaking flowers into Adam’s office.

Adam, for his part, handled Rei’s gestures with a mix of bemusement and exasperation. Though he never outright discouraged Rei, he also maintained a professional distance, which only seemed to fuel Rei’s determination.

One evening, after a particularly grueling shift, Rei found Adam sitting alone in the breakroom. Seizing the opportunity, Rei placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.

“For you, Dr. Carter,” Rei said, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

Adam looked up, his expression unreadable. “Thank you, Rei.”

Rei sat down across from him, his usual energy replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. “I know I can be... a bit much sometimes. But I really admire you, and I just want you to know that.”

Adam studied him for a long moment before nodding. “I appreciate that. But you don’t need to try so hard.”

Rei’s heart soared. It wasn’t a declaration of love, but it was something.

Back at the Matthews estate, Elias was struggling with his own emotions. Watching Arjun interact with his family—especially Lucas—had become both a source of joy and irritation. Lucas, being the same age as Arjun, had formed a fast friendship with him, often teasing Arjun about everything from his clumsiness to his nonexistent love life.

“You know,” Lucas said one evening, “I could introduce you to some girls. You’re a catch, Arjun.”

Arjun laughed nervously, waving him off. “I think I’m good, thanks.”

Lucas smirked. “Suit yourself. But if you change your mind, let me know. My friend Emma is single, and I think you’d hit it off.”

Elias, who had been listening from the other side of the room, felt a surge of annoyance. “Don’t you have anything better to do than play matchmaker, Lucas?” he snapped.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “What’s your problem? I’m just trying to help.”

Elias’s glare was enough to silence him, but Arjun couldn’t help but feel flustered by the exchange. Was Elias... jealous?

As the weeks went on, Elias’s tactics became more deliberate. He began finding reasons to pull Arjun aside for one-on-one conversations, asking for his opinion on matters he clearly didn’t need help with, and even joining family dinners more frequently than usual.

Arjun, meanwhile, found himself growing more and more drawn to Elias, despite his confusion. He started noticing the little things—how Elias’s voice softened when he spoke to him, the way his gaze lingered just a moment too long, and the subtle protectiveness in his actions.

One evening, as they sat in the Matthews living room, Elias caught Arjun’s eye and held it. The room seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them. Arjun’s heart raced, his breath hitching.

Elias leaned forward slightly, his voice low. “You’re doing a great job with my mother. She’s very fond of you.”

“Thank you,” Arjun said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Elias’s gaze softened, and for a moment, it felt like he might say something more. But before he could, Lucas burst into the room, breaking the spell.

“Arjun, you’ve got to try this new game I got,” Lucas said, dragging him away.

Elias watched them go, his jaw tightening. The more he tried to get closer to Arjun, the more he realized just how much he wanted him. And for a man who had always prided himself on control, that realization was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Arjun, meanwhile, found himself lying awake that night, his thoughts consumed by Elias. He still couldn’t make sense of his feelings, but one thing was clear: Elias Matthews was becoming an inescapable part of his world.

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