Page 9 of A Chance at Happiness
“Really?” Alina raised her eyebrows. She never would have pictured Dereck as a creative. “Used to, as in you don’t anymore. Why did you stop?”
“I didn’t have much time for that in med school and I had stopped without even realizing it.” He sighed. “My life is so busy now. There is no way I can start back.”
“Well, if you tell yourself that you don’t have time, you will never make time,” Alina said matter-of-factly.
“You do have a point,” Dereck said.
“Of course, I do,” Alina proclaimed before leaning in to say. “I am very insightful.” Her tone was light as if she was talking to an actual friend.
“Your parents must be proud.” Dereck’s words were sarcastic, but they pulled Alina into a dark mood.
She held onto her glass and swirled the drink inside. “No, actually they’re not. My family thinks I am just the artist version of a porn director.”
“Ouch,” Dereck said, and he eyed her before gurgling down his entire drink. “I know how you feel.”
“Do you really,” Alina blurted out. “You’re a freaking doctor. You save lives for a living. Your parents must kiss the ground you walk on. I know mine certainly would.”
Dereck chuckled. “You’d think that, right?” Then he made a signal for the bartender to bring the next drink. “But no.” Dereck sighed. “My parents wanted me to take over the family business. When I told them I was going to medical school, they went as far as to write a retraction letter to the university. I went through hell resolving that situation.”
“Wow,” Alina jerked back her head. “That is way beyond intrusive.”
The bartender dropped Dereck’s second round of drink on the table and he took it immediately. “Even now they constantly ask me if I’m ready to take over from my sister.”
“You have a sister?” Alina opened her eyes. “I have two.” Then she put on her lips. “The youngest, however, can do no wrong whereas Casey and I can do no right.”
Dereck raised his glass. “Here’s to escaping our annoying, unreasonable, and intrusive parents.”
Alina quickly scurried to click glasses. “I will drink to that.”
At that time, Dereck’s phone began to ring. He quickly pulled it out of his pocket and look at the name before answering. “Hey. Where are you, man?”
Alina turned away from Dereck, as a privacy gesture, but she heard every word.
“What do you mean, you’re not coming? I’m already here.” Dereck was almost shouting into the phone. “I’ve been here a while now.”
There was silence as Lee explained himself to his upset friend.
“You should have called then.” Dereck released a breath. “You know how busy I am.”
Alina called the bartender and ordered another drink.
“No, I’m not alone,” Dereck says. “I’m with Alina.”
Alina was stunned at the mention of her name but remained silent.
“Yes, that one,” Dereck said as he turned to hold Alina’s eyes. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. She’s retracted her claws.” Then he smiled. “In fact, she’s a very entertaining companion.”
Dereck said goodbye to Lee and redirected his attention to Alina. “So, I guess it’s just the two of us.”
“So, I’m an entertaining company, huh?” Alina smiled at him.
“Very,” Dereck said. “In fact, I’m willing to admit that my original impression of you might be slightly wrong.”
Alina chuckled and took a sip of her drink, unconsciously licking her lips afterward. “Well, I’m willing to admit that I was slightly…” She put the tip of her thumb and index finger together to represent the size, a very minute amount. “… wrong about you too.”
Dereck and Alina continued to converse over a drink for about two more hours before Dereck had to leave. At which point, Alina was as giggly as a flirtatious schoolgirl. They shared a taxi so Dereck could ensure Alina reached home safely.
“Would you want to do this again some time?” Dereck asked as he escorted Alina to her door.
