Claire and Meiko chatted as they ate.
Claire checked Meiko's vitals and adjusted her daily supplements.
"Did you have ice cream before your cycle?"
Claire knew exactly what the issue was just by observing her.
Meiko felt like a deer caught in the headlights. "I only had one ice cream cone."
She had grabbed it with Sloane earlier.
"Your body is still in the recovery phase, and you're on a strict regimen of alternative medicine. You really need to stay away from cold desserts," Claire advised.
"Even your water should be warm, or just stick to hot tea."
"I know, I'll definitely stick to my diet from now on," Meiko said, her face full of regret.
She knew her own body well enough. It had taken so much effort to recover this much, and she didn't want to ruin her progress.
"I'll give you another targeted therapy session later. You can just come back for a follow-up after the holidays."
Honestly, as far as Claire was concerned, Meiko's physical condition was already stable enough.
"Are you staying in Cabinda for the holidays?" Meiko hesitated at the mention of waiting until after the break.
Her mentor still hadn't found a doctor. They couldn't even get a meeting with the specialist Sloane had recommended, so she had no choice but to keep begging Claire.
Her mentor was pressing her, but convincing Claire to travel overseas seemed nearly impossible.
Yet, her mentor couldn't easily travel to Solenia either. Meiko was torn.
"No, I'm heading back to my hometown," Claire shook her head. She finished her seafood risotto and moved on to the fruit salad.
She seemed completely focused on her food, but she was paying close attention to the other girl.
Noticing Meiko's subconscious frown at the mention of her hometown, Claire easily guessed the reason.
Meiko had repeatedly urged her to go to Sundara to treat her mentor. Why couldn't she just bring her mentor to Solenia instead?
"You're going back? When will you be back in Cabinda?"
"Where is your hometown, anyway?"
The moment the questions left her mouth, Meiko realized she was being too intrusive. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by that."
"It's just that your medical skills are
so incredible I get sick over the holidays, was hoping I could
still
come to you for a consultation."
Claire gave her a faint, knowing smile. "There's no need to jinx yourself like that."
"We have a
the holition here a
shouldn't
might just come true .net>
things like that out loud o
Claire was only teasing her.
But Meiko took it completely seriously. "What should I do then?"
"Just knock on wood."
At Claire's instruction, Meiko actually reached out and tapped the wooden table.
"My hometown is Apex. But I'll
probably be spending the holidays in
243
the countryside so won't have time to take on any patients."
.net>
"If you have any issues during the break, you can always go to the hospital."
It was a polite but firm rejection.
Still, Meiko wanted to convince her to fly to Sundara.
"Are you really not going to consider coming to Sundara?"
"We will cover absolutely all of your travel expenses."
"Not just expenses—we'll pay triple your usual consultation fee. Please, can you just do us this favor?"
Claire still refused. No matter how enticing the offers were, she remained entirely unmoved.
"If your mentor absolutely insists on alternative medicine, they can come to Solenia."
"But I can't guarantee a hundred percent success rate for their condition, either." "You don't need to put all your hopes on me."
Claire was essentially shutting down the idea of treating her mentor altogether.
Meiko let out a heavy sigh. "My mentor just doesn't want to step foot in this heartbreaking place again."
"Never mind. I'll try talking to him again."
"If he is willing to come to Solenia, could we come find you in Apex?"
Meiko continued to negotiate, seemingly taking a step back.