Sickness and Dog Food!

Deciding to retreat in order to advance, Celeste softened her demeanor and gazed at Richard with her best puppy dog eyes.

"Babe…I- being in a hospital makes me sick. It's that kind of reaction. I'm willing to go through a full checkup to get a clean bill of health but, I really can't stay here. Can we leave? Please?"

When Richard saw the fragile but determined expression on Celeste's face, his heart wavered. He was only insisting on having her stay hospitalized since she was unwell, but it seemed to be having an adverse effect.

"Fine, but we'll discuss this later." Richard unwillingly caved into her demands.

"Really? Yay!" Celeste cheered before jumping into his arms and hugging him deeply.

Seeing the lovey-dovey happy couple shoving dog food down his throat, the doctor felt the last bit of his sanity snap.

"You!" he pointed at Richard, "Why are you calling me over if the patient is fine? If she doesn't want to be here let her go! Do you think this is a bed and breakfast? Huh? There are people dying and I'm a busy man!"

"And you!" he pushed up his glasses and pointed at Celeste, "If you don't want to be here then get out! You're a legal adult, who is stopping you! Go and eat some food you malnourished idiot and get some rest. You look like somebody ran you over and beat you with a baseball bat!"

"Uhm, I wanted to leave but your Commander told me he was considered god here. Does that mean you'll let me go?" Celeste hesitantly asked the man. When the doctor heard her words, he seemed to become even angrier, and his blond ponytail started swinging vigorously.

"If there's a god in this hospital, it's fucking me! Both of you should stop wasting my time and get the hell out of my hospital!" the man raged.

"Dr. Kail, I completely understand. You don't want to be sent to the Middle East; you want to be sent into the depths of Russia. Excellent, I'm glad to see you take initiative soldier. You'll be on a flight straight to Siberia first thing tomorrow." Richard calmly interrupted.

Celeste thought that she could change face quickly, but the 180 made by the doctor made her want to study under him and get tips. He expression changed quickly from irritation to an expression of sucking up and his whole demeanor became gentle. Celeste swore she could see a field of flowers behind him.

"My dearest commander, this humble doctor NO- this humble medical servant apologizes to you for raising my voice. Please find it in your deep and wider heart to forgive me-"

"You have five minutes to finish the checkout process." Richard interrupted.

"Right away Commander. Young lady, I will bring your paperwork and some ointment for your bruises. It's specially made by me, and I guarantee that in two days, no in 32 hours they will be completely healed."

Before Celeste could say anything, the doctor dashed out of the room. Celeste could only stare blankly at the empty doorway before turning to Richard.

"That's Dr. Kail Stewart. Head of medicine for this hospital." Richard answered her unasked question.

"He seems…. free-spirited?" she wanted to say crazy but tried to word it politely.

"When did you start being polite? Just say he's nut head." Richard snorted, "You seem to be doing better all of a sudden."

Before Celeste could say anything, Richard just shook his head. "I'll send my adjutant in with a change of clothes. When you're done, then we can leave."

"Where are we going?"

"Out of here. I thought you wanted to leave?" Richard asked as if it was obvious.

"Babe! You're the best!" Celeste cheered.

Celeste sat on the bed swinging her feet as she waited for the change of clothes to be brought to her.

Knock knock.

"Excuse me, I'm coming in with a change of clothes." A voice sounded.

In walked in adjutant Mary Adler holding a bag of clothes and some boots.

She threw the bag at Valentina and glared at her in silence.

"We meet again Adjutant. Why are you so angry?"

"You keep bringing down the prestige of the Commander. Not only did you make the commander take you to the military hospital, you dared to make him carry you in his arms! Disgraceful! You need to stay away from our Commander."

Seeing that she was really upset, Celeste almost felt bad. Almost. No matter how she looked at the complaints, she wasn't at fault for the decisions made by Richard.

Instead, she asked waved the bag around and asked, "Are these your clothes?"

"Yes, as I am the only one around closest to your size. Be thankful."

"Oh. Thank you." Celeste deadpanned before heading to the door. Ignoring Mary Adler, she poked her head out of the hospital room.

Spotting Richard talking to the doctor, she called out, "Babe, give me your coat please."

Richard turned and looked at the girl. Seeing the mischievous expression on her face and his expressionless adjutant following her out, he knew she was making trouble for the woman again.

"Didn't she bring you clothes?"

"I don't want to wear another woman's clothes." Celeste sulked.

Sighing he took off his coat and gave it to her.

"And your belt."

Richard silently took it off and handed it to her.

"And the shirt." She gave him a cheeky grin.

"Celeste," Richard warned.

"Okay okay, I'll be back." She replied while laughing.

In less than five minutes Celeste came out fully dressed. Somehow she had turned his jacket into a dress held together by a belt and was wearing black boots. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail with just her bangs framing her face.

"Tada! Babe, you like?" Celeste twirled around to give him a 360 view of the outfit.

Richard gave her a once over before turning his gaze away, "Let's go."

"Okie dokie."

Celeste followed Richard in a blur as she was led out of the hospital and into a vehicle. She ended up in the back seat sitting next to Richard while adjutant Mary Adler drove the car.

Once they drove away from the hospital, Celeste could feel her body relax completely. She took a deep breath and stretched out comfortable in her seat as she thought.

"Richard."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for getting me out of there. I really appreciate it." Celeste looked at him seriously.

"We're contract partners. It's what I should do." Was his simple reply.

"I've been the only one benefitting so far. Once my face heals, let's go on an actual date. I recall I'm supposed to be catching the attention of a certain young lady and make my debut as your girlfriend."

"What are your plans on for the weekend?" he suddenly asked.

"Uh I plan on going to the office but after that I'm free. How come?"

"There's a banquet being held by the Girardi's. You're my plus one."

"Okay. Please send me information about the invitation so I can dress appropriately. I promise I will do a good job of suppressing her."

"Good."

The two sat in silence for a while until Celeste noticed that they weren't headed in the direction of the Valentine mansion.

"Babe where are we going?"

"My place."

"Oh. How come?" Celeste asked curiously.

"You want to go to back there while I still have your brother in custody?" Richard looked at her as if she was stupid.

"Oh. Makes sense. So, it's just me and you in your house?"

"Yes"

"Is my chastity in danger? I mean I know we're in a contract relationship, but I never planned on giving it up. You can't do anything weird to me okay?" Celeste asked while hugging herself and leaning away from him.

Richard could feel the vein in his forehead start throbbing from his anger and he wanted to knock her on her head.

Sure enough. He couldn't take her seriously.