The General Who Hates Me Chapter 267 - Now Or Never

"Oh, please…" John complained when Mara hid behind his back. She was so afraid of the doctors and nurses, and every time they would try to come near her,  she would always rush to John's side.

He turned around to face Mara and talked to her while gesturing, "They are nice people. They will help you by checking your body condition."

He ended up scratching his head helplessly because he did not know how to explain the situation to the indigenous woman adequately.

The team of doctors at the Yang hospital had already explained that there was a risk of exposure because Mara might not have the same immune system with the people from the modern world. So she needed to be isolated and be tested more thoroughly. 

Because the hospital was a place with a lot of viruses and diseases, the doctors had also advised that she stayed at a different location, which was surrounded by nature, while she received proper vaccinations and medications to boost her immune system.

John did not really know what to do. Field Marshal Chan had instructed him to stay with the woman whom Madam Keira had brought along. The woman had fairer skin than most tribespeople that he had seen on television. If one saw the woman now, who was all dressed up in regular hospital clothes, one would not have thought she was a member of an indigenous tribe. But the way she acted was precisely like someone who had been totally uncontacted by modern civilization.

She was bare naked when he first saw her, which had astounded him a great deal. It was his first time to see a woman naked in front of him. Well, of course, he had seen some on movies, but that could not be counted.

John held her in his embrace to let the team of doctors inject anesthetic in her, so they could examine her properly. She seemed to trust him a lot and would allow the doctors to approach her as long as John held her. She had fallen asleep immediately. John sighed as he left the room so the doctors could do their job.

He saw May in the hallway. He presumed she must be visiting Keira. May saw him too and greeted him, "Hey, you're here. Are you busy? Join me for lunch and coffee while I wait for Keira to be transferred to her room. I'm starving…"

"General Lim is already inside…" John murmured. The last time he saw May was when she brought food to Riley and Cobra. He was about to confess his feelings to her, but was not able to, because May was in a hurry to go home and had refused his offer to bring her home.

"Yeah, I know, but the room is already full with the big family. It can be overwhelming for him, so I'll just go inside a bit later after I recharge myself," May replied and immediately pulled John by his arm toward the cafe inside the hospital. 

May ordered a roast beef sandwich, and so did John. As usual, he would steal glances at May as she ate her lunch heartily. She was really a foodie, and he enjoyed watching May down her food as always.

Jim would often tease him about him liking a gourmand like May. His answer was simple. Because May was not the prim and proper type. She had never cared about etiquette, nor had she bothered about always behaving correctly. She didn't mind people calling her a glutton. She was so carefree. And that was what attracted him to her.

"Stop looking at me, John, and eat your food. By the way, the last time we met, you said you have something important to tell me? What is it? Tell me now because I will be super busy later and won't have time to talk to you," May said nonchalantly.

John drew out a long breath and cleared his throat. Maybe it was time that he got brave and told May how he felt about her. As the saying goes, it was now or never, so he confidently declared, "I like you."

"Huh?" May looked at him blankly as if his words had not dawned on her.

John met her stare as he repeated, "May, I like you. I mean, I've always liked you from the start. And I would like to ask you to be my girlfriend, but I know it's too soon. I will properly court you and.."

"Stop right there!" May burst out in shock. Her face paled as she murmured, "Oh crap, John… I'm honestly really flattered. I mean, for someone like you to like me. Gosh… I'm really shocked, but let me make things clear as early as now."

John held his breath as May stared at him. He felt his perspiration forming all over his body. 'Why do I sense something bad will happen?' John thought, nervously. He suddenly regretted his directness. 

She had a conflicted look all over her face as she continued, "Sorry, John, but I don't see you like that. I mean, I like you, but only as friends. Not romantically. Definitely not… I'm sorry, John, as I said, I'm flattered, you're hot, handsome and rich… Honestly, I don't even know why you stay as Keira's bodyguard when your family is clearly well off, and you have, you know… Your family owns the security agency where you work…"

John flinched as he defended, "I'm enjoying it. Besides, it's also because I want to be near you…"

"Oh crap," May gasped, as she suddenly felt bad for rejecting John straightforwardly. But she did not want to give him false hope. She really did not see John as more than a friend.

"Oh God, John… I'm really sorry, but we are really not meant to be. Trust me. I'm sure you will find a better woman than me… It's just that .." May explained as she ran out of words to comfort John, who looked so down at that moment.

"It's okay, May… I understand. Some things are not meant to be… Can I just excuse myself now? I need to go back soon because Field Marshal Chan had asked me to take care of someone while Madam Keira is still unconscious." John said, forcing a smile so May would not feel burdened.

John felt like his heart was torn into pieces as he stood up and walked away from May. He went back to Mara's ward, where she was still unconscious. A doctor was still inside, and after completing his examination, he bid farewell to John, telling him they would be back in around an hour for the test results.

As soon as the doctor left, John sat down in a chair by the bed, laid down his head on the bed, and cried...

Chapter end