Chapter 172 - When you fall in love, you will understand

Sunday evening, JoAnna picked up Sarah and Aiden at the airport and dropped them off at Sophia's apartment. On the way there they stopped to make an extra copy of the key, so that Sarah has her own spare key.

"Big sis said you can pick any bedroom except master.", JoAnna informed them as soon as they entered apartment.

"Don't worry. We will use one guest bedroom.", Sarah acknowledged.

They did a walkthrough of the apartment to make sure everything looks OK, since no one was there for a while. Maids were still coming once every two weeks, so the apartment was spotless.

Aiden noticed that JoAnna is not her usual chirpy self and decided to give some privacy to sisters to talk. "We should get some groceries, there is no food here. I will go and get some… I saw a store just around the corner.", Aiden left before Sarah had a chance to join him or to suggest that they order food.

"Is all well with two of you?", JoAnna asked.

"Yes, very well." Sarah also noticed that JoAnna does not look her usual happy self. "How are you?"

JoAnna sighed. "It's a long story…"

"I have time." Sarah sat on a chair and gestured to JoAnna to sit.

JoAnna told Sarah how Dr Light arranged a dinner for two of them on Valentines and made a move on her.

Sarah listened without interrupting her.

"...all seemed fine when I came to work on Tuesday. Actually, I got a feeling that he is avoiding me, since besides regular staff meetings I didn't see him at all... not until Friday. He called me to his office and informed me that Dr. Wolf will not need me to assist him during his upcoming surgery. I clearly remember that Dr. Light said that it was agreed upon, so I asked him what happened. In his words: 'Sometimes people change their mind. Maybe he got offended somehow and decided not to do favors for you anymore.' That answer is very confusing and does not make sense. How can I offend Dr Wolf when I didn't contact him at all? And what favors? The only conclusion I have is that was a message for me from Dr Light himself. Message is that I offended him, and he will not do favors for me anymore." JoAnna sighed. "One more thing happened just after that. Next month there is a Franciscan Medical Center wide conference, all branches and partner organizations will attend. Organizers sent an email listing speakers and there they listed John as a host. I've got information previously that I was slated for that spot... It's not much, but it's still something that gives visibility within the FMC. I can't help but wonder if Dr. Light had something with this..."

"I'm so sorry to hear this. You always spoke highly about him. I can't imagine how you feel now.", Sarah knows that JoAnna must be disappointed.

JoAnna sighed few times. "Yeah... not good. But I will be fine, unless he starts removing my regular privileges. I spoke with mom just after Valentines, her opinion is that he will sulk for some time and then cool off his head. I hope that this is sulking, and that it will end soon."

"If you need any help, just let me know. OK?", Sarah reached out and held JoAnna's hand.

"Thank you", JoAnna was grateful to Sarah. JoAnna's gaze fell on Sarah's hands, and she noticed the ring. "What is that?"

"This? Aiden gave me a promise ring in Greece." Sarah had a goofy smile on her face while looking at the ring.

"Oh?", JoAnna was surprised.

Sarah nodded lightly. "He committed himself to cherish me until his soul exists, under the sunset from Temple of Poseidon."

JoAnna's mouth was open for few seconds before she spoke. "He is quite a romantic."

"Yeah..." Sarah absentmindedly responded.

"I don't know about him… but I didn't know that you are romantic."

Sarah looked at JoAnna. "You know, I never cared about this mushy romance stuff before. But with him... Even if he only holds my hand below the table so that no one can see, I feel like I'm melting from happiness overload."

JoAnna patted Sarah's head, like she is a little child. "I'm happy for you. Just don't forget to think about what you are doing, keep some reasoning for emergencies." JoAnna warned Sarah not to lose herself.

"Anna, there is no such thing..." Sarah shook her head. "No matter what plans I make, no matter what defenses I set up... one look at him, and it all crumbles."

"That sounds... dangerous.", JoAnna mumbled.

"I know..." Sarah admitted. "I was never this vulnerable. And I was never this strong. As long as I'm with him, I feel that anything is possible."

"You should not rely on a man for happiness."

"You don't understand, Anna... I don't have a choice. He is my happiness. He is the center of my galaxy. I'm not able to stay away from him." Sarah looked at JoAnna. "When you fall in love, you will understand."

JoAnna does not understand how come rational girl like Sarah can become like this. It's not logical. What if he decides to leave her? Hurt her? What will she do? Sarah is still young. Is she ready to commit to one man to such a degree? JoAnna was ready to give to Sarah some dose of reality, when she heard the front door.

At that time, Aiden entered apartment. JoAnna looked at him with a gaze that scrutinized him.

Aiden froze and looked at her back innocently. "Did I do something?" He obviously didn't know what happened. He left them to talk. Did they talk badly of him? Why would they talk badly of him? Did he do something?

JoAnna laughed seeing him like that. "It seems that you are awesome."

He looked at Sarah and perked up. "Yes, I am.", then he walked off proudly to the kitchen.

JoAnna turned to Sarah with a disbelief. How can he be so cocky?

Sarah giggled. "Well... he is… awesome…"