Dr. Valentino

Dear reader, I find it necessary, not mandatory, but of great reason that you pay very close attention to every word penned, while I tell you the story of how I fell for him, and how it all went downhill, thereon.

For you see, it all began that summer night...

~~~

"Spread your legs wide"

I froze at the break of those words, eyes gaping at the fellow propped before me.

Not even being spared a moment to recall the events of the past hour, and here I found myself trying to accommodate the presence of this figure.

I gaped at that profile away.

Those green, hawk-like eyes still remained as intense as they had been the minute I was rushed into the E.R.

And however bewildered I appeared to be, Doctor Valentino seemed a huge contrast to my own being.

He bore such flat demeanor that had me wondering how a person could be this comported after witnessing a girl bleed to her death right before him, and another now brought in for him to tend to.

His eyes remained paused on my figure, those plump lips opening up and closing while he muttered whatever words to me, which at this point were indecipherable to my ears, for you see, the minute Doctor Valentino had been assigned to me, I had taken my focus off my current pain, onto admiring the Mister before me.

Doctor Valentino was a man in his early thirties, the only figure in City Hall hospital whose name was always on the lips of all.

Rumored to have been sent here all the way from Italy all for work and research, it didn't take long for the ladies of the land of the free to come pining over the Mister.

Perhaps, it could be just how efficient he was at his job, but between you and I, I believed it was of the fact that the ladies couldn't get their eyes off him.

Loose Lorettes! The lot of them!

There was this gossip flying around town that women ended up in City Hall, just so they could have a moment around the Gentleman.

I wasn't one to believe such squabbles.

Bullshit! I used to deem it, not until an hour ago, I found myself in an accident, which ended up bringing me before this gorgeous figure of a Sir.

He bore such mystifying gaze which would have one wanting to uncover more, and darn it!, how that voice of his sent tingles to the skin of my ears.

I couldn't tell if my body turning numb was of the injection administered to me, or of the fact that this fellow now had himself a feet away from my perplexed form.

Who didn't know of Dr. Valentino?- the Gentleman who had been employed at City Hall nine months ago, the one who since his arrival in this town, had saved over a hundred lives, the same one who people wondered why he chose to remain single despite how smashing, collected and good-mannered the young man was.

It was the same Dr. Valentino who received love notes from girls bypassing the hospital. And it was that very same man I was now laid before.

"Ma'am, please spread your legs wide" That mellow tone of a voice brushed past my earlobes once again.

If you listened closely, you could catch the accent which came laced with his words, one which was dangerously scintillating, and managing to pry my eyes open this time, I was met with the watchful green gaze of the Man.

Figure positioned in between my legs, which I now had spread apart, I struggled not to shudder at the situation.

I still could feel the blood trickling down there, and I could tell you I was only a minute from passing out, but for some reason, the presence of this not-so-much-a-stranger seemed to have me wide awake.

Believe me, it was only a medical examination, some physical test the hospital had deemed necessary in order to clarify what exactly was wrong, but I tell you, naughty, misjudging, deluded ol' me chose to construct ideas of the scene.

I watched him.

He watched me.

I averted my gaze, whereas, he remained in that position, plainly staring at me.

"Is all well, Miss Sanders?"

I cleared my throat at the mutter of his words, managing to peer into that unfaltering scrutiny he bore.

"May I request for a female doctor?"

Perhaps my words were just enough to slap the shock to his core, for in a second, that calm profile now shifted to chaotic.

His gaze remained strained on me, accessing my form, and with a weak sigh, I watched him take the stethoscope off his ears, placing his attention solely on me.

"What's the name again?" He enquired.

"Olivia" I dropped.

"Olivia" He pronounced, giving a nod.

He cleared his throat, pulling himself even closer to me, like our proximity was just not enough to have all of me compressed.

"However discomforting you might find this, I'm afraid I'm the only doctor available now to tend to this emergency" He let out, gaze pensive on me.

"It's not regular I get assigned to female patients, especially in cases like... He cleared his throat, having a glance at the pool of blood formed by my legs...like this" He spoke.

"But I assure you, I'll do my best to have you comfortable"

And believe me, just those words were enough to leave me churned.

"Now please Miss Sanders, may I request your permission to go on?"

Those keen eyes of his examined my faltering ones.

It could be just how pensive the gaze he bore was, perhaps it was how soothing his voice got, but at his last utterance, I gave a nod, laying my head back while Dr. Valentino assumed his position.

In that minute, I felt a rush of emotions-Confused, battered, apprehensive, wrecked.

And with mind having a battle of its own, I just couldn't part with the events that landed me in the E.R.

Even now, I still could see those images flashing in my head, and what was most wrecking were the tears which threatened to claim me at every growing second.

Well, that was until I felt something prick at my heart, and a pinch on the skin of my vulva

And that was when I found myself frozen.

~~~

"You took a real hit down here, Miss Sanders"

Those words were very much audible for my ears, but you see, I was lost on whatever this strange sensation which spawned out of nowhere was made up of.

I could feel a finger trail up my thighs, wiping off the blood stain on my legs, and at each passing minute, one was sure to hear a gasp emitted from me.

I bit on my lower lip hard, grabbing a hold of the hospital robe I had been thrown in, and with the shadow of his touches teasing me down there, I was threatened to fall deep into such longing.

His hands were now examining my vulva, the sound of the rubber gloves he had on, giving a soft slop while he roamed his hands on my vestibule.

Lord!

His fingers did a walk over my mons pubis, pausing on my clitoral hood, and finally coming to settle on my clitoris, he gave a little dab on my legs.

"We might have to shave you"

There came his voice, and if I was earlier embarrassed by having a male doctor stretch and check out all which encompassed my 'lady', then just that utterance of his was enough to top my shame.

Who would blame me?

I didn't mark a reminder on my calendar telling me of an appointment with some striking doctor who would end up having my vulva spread before him.

Who really would blame a lady who hadn't known what pleasure felt like in months, who thought it wise to leave her lady part unkempt all because someone found her unappealing?

Who would blame me?

Now I believe those words of Loren when she says, you can tell a woman's pleasure-life merely by the state of her Vagina.

"Would you be kind to tell me how it happened?" The voice of Dr. Valentino jolted me back to reverie, while he reached for his scissors, ready to trim.

I hesitated.

Of course I was one to turn numb, for how comforting could it be bearing your story to some stranger of how your life seemed to be in shambles, and how you were at the center of pain.

Who would care to spare a listening ear?

I wouldn't, to be frank.

And as if reading my thoughts, I heard the voice of Doctor Valentino follow. "You can go on Miss Sanders" He dropped. "Conversing with my patients helps keep them at ease" He was sure to add, but I doubted all of that. For I knew just a word in, and I would only have myself embarrassed.

"We had an argument..." I began.

Lips pursed, I dreaded recalling the events. Every part of me sought to let it go, but for some reason, I settled on going on.

"He ordered me into the car and began driving off... We were only a few kilometers down the road, when he began speaking of how he had gotten tired, and how I seemed to be the problem of our relationship"

"What made him term you the problem of the relationship?"

I paused, jolting at the touch of Dr. Valentino's fingers. He was now wiping my vulva with cotton balls, his left hand resting on my crotch.

And at every of his touch, I was sure to lose my composure.

"He said I was getting lame at satisfying him"

I noticed Doctor Valentino pause, the silence in the room all too palpable.

"He said our sex life needed an appeal...needed resurrection. He said he couldn't carry on like that, as he sought satisfaction as a man"

"We both had payed a visit to some counselor a week prior, and even after those sessions, he claimed I just wasn't a fit for him..."

"I confronted him about the late night calls, the hotels he snuck to, and he only defended himself saying it was right he went in search of call-girls to play my role"

"It led into an argument in the car, and he said he wanted out, unknown to me, he was taking me back to my home to part for good"

"Upon knowledge of it, I pled with him, and that was what led to the wrestle which had me ending up here"

Silence.

A hundred warring thoughts ran in my head.

What would some stranger think of a lady whose boyfriend had left her all because she was a dud in the bedroom, and couldn't keep her man together?

Of all, I wondered whatever went on in Dr. Valentino's head at the moment.

"Miss Sanders..." He began.

"You should know the car tumbled five times"

Of course, I know that.

The story went up on the news, how a couple involved in a fatal car crash managed to escape with their lives.

And I don't know whatever play the universe had, but I ended up with only an injury between my legs, few inches from my lady.

"Where's Gary?" I forced myself to speak.

"Your boyfriend is on the other wing, Miss Sanders. You need not worry"

"Ex" I corrected immediately, managing to summon his gaze on me.

He gave a nod, returning back to tending to my vulva.

"Gary Turner is in coma" He announced, and upon those words, I went numb.

Such guilt which ate at me came prevailing, clutching at every part of my chest. Perhaps it was because I blamed myself for the crash-I blamed myself for what happened.

I hadn't been a companion. I had lagged just as he said, and I ended up being a pain to him.

Yet, amidst all, I couldn't tell whatever it was, but there came such feeling of elation which rushed through me that left me churned.

I just put my ex in coma, and I felt gleeful.

Olivia Sanders, what has begotten you?

I was jolted back to composure by the break of Dr. Valentino's words, and with that gaze of his affixed in mine, I deciphered his utterance.

"Do forgive me if this in anyway seems intruding, but when was the last time you both had sex"

Who was this person?

Of course it was intruding.

I don't believe speaking with your patients about their sex life was a given in the Doctor's rule book, so tell me yet again who this man was to enquire when I had rubbed skins with my partner.

He looked at me, catching onto my hesitation.

"I mean no harm, Miss Sanders"

"And why would you care?" I cut him abruptly.

And that was when he paused, letting out a sigh.

"You see, most times, people tend to be so quick to lay blames on the lady for not meeting up to the quota when speaking of pleasure, but you see the man in turn, has an equal part to play in making the companionship pleasurable"

I stared at that figure before me.

Dammit how one could be every bit majestic!

This mister was some eye-caller. That clean shave on him, those plump lips, it all seemed too perfect.

So perfect a being like this should be kept out of existence.

His gaze remained asserted on me, hands working down there, threatening to have me enfold.

He had a scruff of mustache which appeared like they had just been trimmed, and with his eyes skimming here to there, I wondered whatever tingles I would feel this time if that gaze managed to meet mine.

My eyes found rest on the blood-soaked towels lain on the bed, and upon sight of those, I fell back, shutting my eyes tight.

"And what would you know about pleasure, Dr. Valentino?"

My utterance was rather enough to earn his attention, for in a second he paused in his actions, green gaze meeting my dull brown ones.

"Believe me, Miss Sanders...I know more than enough"

Perhaps it was the hit of the pain, but I swear I saw his gaze turn soft in mine, and in a moment, he returned to business.

"When was the last time you had sex, Miss Sanders?"

"A year ago"

I think my revelation might have been so perplexing for him, for his hands took a stop, having a rest on my legs.

"You guys grew apart?"

I gave a nod at his question, struggling to keep my eyes shut.

"Now may I ask you when the last time you felt any bit of pleasure was?"

"A year and several months"

"And how long have you both dated?"

"Four years"

Silence.

"So the glee only lasted for two years, and was all scruffy from there? What happened Miss Sanders?" Dr. Valentino enquired.

"I don't know" I dropped. "I just stopped feeling elated as I used to feel whenever Gary came next to me in bed"

"And why do you deem that?"

"He never pleased me?"

"And did you please him?"

"I tried my best"

Dr. Valentino stopped with his interrogations, returning to tend to me.

"I think you might have sustained an internal injury, Miss Sanders" I heard his voice.

"What?"

"It's alright" He spoke. "It's only an inch deep in your vulva"

"Now I need you to lay back, while I try to work on it"

My lips pried open to speak, but were forced shut the moment I felt a finger slip into my urethra.

A sharp gasp left my lips, body rigid in shock as my vulva now went enclosing his finger inside of me.

"You're injured in there, Miss Sanders"

That mellow voice of his, dammit!

"Do permit me to go on" He let out.

The silence prevailed for a long minute. My figure lain back on this hospital bed, and his form propped in between my legs, fingers getting to know my 'lady'.

I gave a nod, pausing my lips, and while the finger of Dr. Valentino gave a stretch to my urethral passage, that budding sensation returned to my chest.

"You took quite a hit here..."

He pushed even deeper, dabbing the walls of my vulva.

That rousing feel, that growing tinge, the calm of his voice.

My head now fallen back, lips pursed tight, eyes rolled in, as the fingers of Dr. Valentino, found comfort inside of me.

"We might have to place you under extensive care..."

There he went again, but this time another finger slid in, and upon its entry, both fingers struggled to fit inside of me.

The thrust of his fingers, his hands caressing my thighs, believe me I struggled to suppress that moan which laid at the bed of my tongue.

I was only a minute away from letting it all out, and I knew not how to carry on.

And that was when I lost it all.

My figure juddered at his touch, body arched, and the next thing I felt was a heavy load being released from me.

It was such sensation I prayed to last for all eternity. It was such sensation that had me gasping for breaths.

And only when I heard that calm voice filling the room, was i jolted to the situation amiss.

"Oh..."

I pried my eyes open at the break of his voice, only to find my squirt sploshed all over his scrubs.

I found two nurses walking into the room, interrupting the tensity which had found its way into this space, and come the next minute, I was already being conveyed into an outlying room.

For just as they termed it, I was being placed under extensive care.

They rolled me out of the room in a stretcher, but right before I went past that door, I couldn't help but summon that green gaze my way, and upon contact, I swallowed hard.

Olivia Sanders, some wreck you are.

Spluttering your juices in the face of some stranger wasn't one thing every girl thought to encounter even once in her measly life, all because she had her legs spread wide before some fellow, lacked the caution to keep herself together after having gone years without having the feel of whatever summed up pleasure, and mostly the magic of hands the Mister bore.

Dammit, Olivia!. Perhaps, the accident should have claimed you.

I was led down the hall, taken out of the E.R, and just as the nurses mentioned, Dr. Valentino had requested that some lady nurses attended to me.

I didn't want to think about whatever the reason was, I only laid back in that bed, wondering why the day didn't seem to fancy me so much while the lot of these nurses began tending to me.

We were only half an hour in, when a shriek had me jolting up the bed, gaze coming to behold the figure which had now sauntered into the room.

Loren Shipman.

Her eyes held onto every sadness I never had found in my friend before, and with her steps cautious, she examined my figure while I remained laid back on this end.

"Liv" She gasped. And at once, I found her hurrying to me, arms stretched out.

She had taken my frail form in her hold, the sound of her cries soft in my ears, while I juddered in her embrace.

"Oh, Liv" She sighed, pulling back to take in my state.

"When they called, I was with Philip..." She poured. "it was some wreck of a news, I didn't know where to turn"

"You're here now, Loren... that's all that matters" I uttered, stroking her face, but that wasn't enough in stopping those tears which came running down her cheeks.

"I'm fine, Loren"

"No you're not" She snapped immediately, reaching to examine my body.

"You just got into an accident with that good for nothing sucker, and heaven knows what would have happened if the situation was any worse than this" She called in a rush, voice wavering.

"I warned you about him, Liv. I warned you!"

I only gave a nod at those words, having to watch my friend vent. I just had gotten accustomed to that tone of hers, and being in such situation only now warranted it be used on me.

"All he wants is to leave you broken. He's never cared for you, Olivia. Never"

"That God-forsaken swine wants nothing more than to end you. Lord!"

I stared at Loren, wondering wherever such spite spawned from cause I remember vividly that day we stumbled upon Gary at the airport, and all she said was "He's the one for you"

"I've always despised the fellow!"

Alright, Loren.

She kept silent after a few minutes, taking my hands in hers while the tears clouded her gaze.

"I don't know what I would have done if anything ill had befallen you" Her voice croaked, those mascara smeared lashes of hers, batting recurring-ly.

Despite her state, I couldn't help but notice how smashing Loren looked.

Just like every other day I came across my friend, she appeared like she had just come out of some event.

That blonde hair of hers looked freshly curled, bold red lips, so plump, thanks to whatever beauty secret she was now following on the internet, and not to forget that tanned skin of hers she never went a week without tending to.

Even I, still questioned myself how I ended up becoming friends with a girl like Loren Shipman.

"I'm just glad you're okay, Liv" She uttered, pulling me once more into her embrace. "Now, when do you get to leave this place?" I noticed her face scrunch while she eyed the room.

"We need to get you some care that would bring the life back to you"

"You know, Madame Jean's spa just opened, and they're having a sale...

"God, Loren!" I called at once, staring at the girl before me. "I almost died out there!" I stated, like she hadn't just received a call about the misfortune an hour ago.

"Yeah, but you didn't die!" I was sure to hear the words of Loren follow.

~~~

Loren presented the cup of coffee into my arms, and with hands reaching for a pillow to help secure my body with, she shifted into her motherly character.

Speaking of mothers, why was I yet to have mother barging in here, creating some ruction in these halls?

"How's mother?" I enquired.

Loren took a pause staring into my eyes, and as if reading my mind, she began;

"You don't want me to tell her do you?"

I gave a nod, sighing.

"She mustn't catch word of this" I dropped.

"She needs to know, Liv"

"No, she doesn't" I dropped at once.

"Imagine what it would do to her and father...it would break them"

"Is that the reason, or is it you being scared to admit that she was in fact right about just how much of a ponce your boyfriend is"

"Ex" I corrected for the umpteenth time now. "And he's in a coma, Loren. Show some respect"

"The balls of you, Liv" I watched the eyes of my friend grow in size, gaze stern.

"The balls of you having to defend that prat who has done nothing but leave you battered.

Maybe, she was right.

A prick, he was. And I believe it was high time, I let go of all I shared with Gary.

"Olivia Sanders, 26 years of age, 5'6, 133 lbs..."

The lady's eyes did a one-over of me, hoping I grasped each word that left her lips.

I managed to strain a smile, urging her to go on, and at each growing second, she would pat her platinum blonde hair, tilting her head to the left, then scribble something onto the paper in her hands.

Loren was already growing impatient standing beside me, wanting so bad to make her exit from the hospital grounds. According to her, I had a home filled with people awaiting my arrival.

I had no idea whatever Loren had set up, but I prayed for my sanity it wasn't one which would have me even battered than I already was.

"How long would it take to have her checked out?" Loren was sure to voice her impatience, soon earning her a 'look' from the lady serving at the front desk, who was clearly pissed at the smashing lady who had walked in here, commanding the attention of everyone, merely by her presence.

Only a girl like Loren could do that.

"You'd be returning every Thursdays during the week for a complete checkup, to know how far you're going with the treatment..." The woman paused, flipping onto another page, and skimming the writings, she managed to bring her gaze on me.

"You'll most certainly be attended to by the Doctor, Miss Sanders..." She flashed a grin.

"So you need not worry, you'll be fine in no time"

I was barely concerned with however long it would take me recovering, what really was on my mind, was the name I found scribbled stop that file.

"Doctor Valentino" I read the name yet again, placed in the tab of my assigned Doctor, and that was when I found myself scooting closer to Nurse Roseling.

Perhaps the lady had taken notice of the look of apprehension held in my gaze, for in a second, I watched her brows pull into a furrow.

I paused, wondering what to do of such focus which had now been placed solely on me.

On one side, Loren stood, watching as I was at war with the words held on my lips, and on the other end, Nurse Roseling stayed, keeping a keen eye on me.

"Ma'am.." I began.

"Can I request a change of Doctor?"

I watched the lady's face scrunch at once, a frown now taking her face.

"And why might that be?" She questioned.

I hesitated, having a glance at Loren.

"I think it be best" I uttered.

"Dr. Valentino is known to be one of the best here, I believe it would be just perfect having him tend to you, Miss Sanders" Nurse Roseling who I was pretty sure was already worked up at this point uttered firmly, daring me to go against her yet again.

But as I will go on saying, it was no mistake Loren had been sent to me, for in every situation I knew not how to handle, she was certain to step up.

"Excuse you..." She jumped in at once.

"If your patient requests a change of Doctor, then you should see to that at once" She spoke.

"And perhaps you lot should check yourselves as to why your patients are requesting for transfers, rather than choosing to exchange words with them...We'll be here, Thursday. Good day!"

And that was how my friend had grabbed me by the hands, dragging me out of the halls, while those intrusive gazes were sure to linger on our departing figures.

~~~

An acrid smell hit my nose.

The sound of murmurs already reaching my ears as I found my way into the house.

Everything still remained the way I left it that night-The 'Jane Austen' novel laid on the coffee table, my favorite mug positioned next to it, and if one looked closely, you would find bread crumbs littered all around the rug.

The entire area was all too familiar.

Of course, I had grown just too comfortable here. For the past two years, I made this place home, and now, here I was, wondering if I would ever see these walls again.

Upon entry, I froze at the sight before me. If I wasn't mistaken, then I must say it was the entire neighborhood crammed up in the modest Californian apartment I shared with Gary.

Some of those faces I recognized, the rest, people whom I never had come across.

One thing they all shared in common, was such look of empathy held in their gazes.

Their eyes beckoned onto me, urging me to come forward, and with the silence soon hitting as I brought myself properly into the living room, Loren had stepped forward beside me, taking my hands in hers.

"Olivia!"

My eyes found rest on the figure walking towards me.

Greta Patterson.

Those beady eyes of hers still remained gleaming as every other time you would find the lady, and with her grey hair completely disheveled compared to the last time I found her in front of her apartment, I was only left beholding her different state.

Something about her didn't settle right with me.

Perhaps, it were the bruises on her neck, or the heavy cake of makeup she had plastered onto her face, either way, the lady a couple feet away, made a huge difference to the one I had come to know over the past years.

She had come forward already, at once grabbing me into her arms.

"God!" She sighed. "We feared something might have happened to you"

"When the news reached us, all we thought of was coming over to pay a visit, but the hospital wasn't so kind in receiving a number of people filing into their building all to see one of their patients"

"Oh, it's fine, Greta" I assured, pushing a smile up my lips.

"We're glad you're back home" She dropped.

I was just about opening my lips to speak, when a voice blurting from beside me had at once shut my words back into my mouth.

"Home?!" That voice interposed. "I don't think a place which has fed you with nothing but pain should be referred to as such" Loren declared.

"If you must know" She now had her arms folded across her chest, gaze stern on the number of people before us. "Olivia is here to pack her things... I think it's fair she part with such distress"

"What?!"

This time it was Peter who was first to say something.

He had now come over to me, gaze shifting from my profile onto the galled face belonging to Loren.

"Why?" Enquired Peter, eyes accessing mine.

"Because some Ponce wouldn't-Loren began, but I was just in time to interject, before she went spewing all the itch with remained compressed in her chest, waiting for the right moment to be let out.

"It's fine, Loren" I uttered.

I examined the lot of those faces, watching as every one had their focus solely on me, and soon advancing closer to where they stood, I began;

"I need a change of environment"

They exchanged glances, the look of confusion all too familiar on their profiles.

"It's dire I leave" I dropped.

"In as much as all you've given me has been nothing short of kindness and care, I have to go"

I saw those tears which were now clouding the eyes of Greta, and with her figure already approaching mine, she pulled me into her embrace.

"Oh, Liv" She poured in a breath.

"We're sorry for paying a blind eye to all that had been going on" She let out. "We should have done something" I heard her voice.

Of course. But you see, who concerned their self with others when you're in a neighborhood like this filled with people who wouldn't even spare a listen to the rings of their doorbell.

People who would pack up the letters in their mailbox, squeeze them up, and toss them right into the trash.

Certainly, no one could spare a minute care.

And I had grown up realize that overtime.

"Not at all, Greta" I interjected. "It was my business and mine alone... It's only fair I bear the pain myself"

Greta's hold on me tightened, her hands stroking me lightly. "We'll miss you, Liv...I tell you, we will"

I gave the lady a weak smile, caressing her face. And soon pulling away from her, I turned around to examine the rest of those faces.

Those figures still remained accessing me, watching as Loren helped me up the stairs, leading me to pack my things.

I had a glance back at those faces. Some of them gazed at me like they had just received word that I was dying, believe me, the air of melancholy wasn't far from here.

An hectic one, it had been. It was time to roll up everything I had shared with Cole.

It was time to leave.

I fear I might have been battered enough, and it was only right to part. My only regret was the friends I had made along the way, who I wouldn't be seeing in a long time.

There would be no more pies from Joy McConaughey while she brought them to my doorstep, or Ol' Tim coming over to ask that I had drinks with him.

It was some farewell, one which was only to break me.