My Love Journey's
After Publicity

It's been a few days since I last saw Paul. He was busy with his training schedule while I was busy with all the activities in the hospital. We still tell each other.

Video press conferences conducted by his manager to announce about our relationship made headlines in almost all news, print and broadcast media. Paul also frequently answered brief questions asked by reporters after they had finished their training sessions.

"Your love, Bianka, is really pretty, Paul." a video shows Paul walking out of a restaurant to his car with some of his friends.

He raised his face as soon as he heard what a journalist had said to him. One small and faintly discernible smile appeared at the corner of his lips, ignoring the glare of the camera lights and some other comments aimed at him.

"Indeed, but we're just dating" she replied, focusing on the man who asked her. His sturdy figure even looks much more seductive there.

The video was cut off as one of his bodyguards stood beside him and embraced his shoulder while whispering something in his ear, which no one else could hear. Then a couple of men and two women got into a mini van.

I had watched the video over and over again in my kitchen when Paul said the news was viral. It took some time to realize the impact of the video on our relationship. And that means no more personal space for Paul and me in public. But there is one other thing that I must admit at this time, that I have recognized my own feelings. I want to be with Paul and I'm not going to fight that feeling anymore.

***

"How's Travis reacting?" Stacey asked from across me, raising both eyebrows.

We decided to go to a small cafe around the hospital during the afternoon break, joining Camille and Elise who had already been there.

Camille clucking. "That's not important! Bianka lover Pauk Klug, that's more important" she said in an exaggerated enthusiastic voice as she grabbed and squeezed both my hands.

I smiled faintly in response to his words. "I'm not her boyfriend, Cam." Camille doesn't know anything about my relationship with Paul, but Stacey does. "Travis, uhm." I sighed, shaking my head a few times. Although Travis wasn't the doctor in charge of watching me and we rarely met, I still realized that he was keeping his distance from me.

We had lunch together a few days ago, but he never texted me, didn't wait for me to come home and take me out for drinks, or do something that shows he's interested in me like he did before. I see, Travis may be hurt, but there's nothing I can do about it. We were just friends and I had no responsibility to make her feel better.

"He's taking me to lunch on Sunday, I hope we can improve our relationship. At least we can be friends like before." I muttered to my friends. "He helped me enough with the tough days in the hospital, so I didn't want him to stay away from me."

"I'd rather Travis, he's very kind and not too much drama" said Elise, a faint smile visible on her lips. "It doesn't mean Paul's not cool, it's just that he's a Leo." He began inserting his flagship zodiac divination. "Once upon a time Leo will forever be Leo" he murmured. Camille and Stacey nodded in agreement.

I grinned. "He's the best Leo I've ever met."

"You should take him to lunch with us, Aaron will..." Camille suggested, but her speech was cut off as Stacey snorted.

"You're back with Aaron?" his gaze was fixed on the happy Camille.

"Aaron a Scorpio, Stacey. What else can you expect?" elise snored at them both.

We chatted for some time until Stacey and I had to go back to the hospital. I joined Dr. Grey to check on some patients. I am thankful that we are not too busy today.

"You've shown me a consistently good job, Bianka." Dr. Grey started as soon as we got out of one of the patient care rooms. "I rarely do this, but I think you can go home now. You deserve it."

One sincere smile on his lips made me dance in my mind. Dr. Grey is very professional and decisive, getting this opportunity is an incredible achievement for an apprentice nurse like me. The jackpot!

"Thank you, Doc." I returned her smile, but before I could say anything more, she had already stepped in with another nurse who needed her help.

I walked with an intern and chatted with him before going into the dressing room to change my uniform.

I was walking towards the exit when I heard someone call me. "Hi, are you Bianka?"

I stopped and turned around and found a little blonde, about ten years old, pushing her own wheelchair over to me.

"Hey," I smiled at him. "Yes, I'm Bianka. How do you know my name?" my reply.

"I'm a big fan of your lover," he murmured to me, his bright green eyes glittering with delight. "I want to be a footballer like Paul Klug when I grow up."

"Aw, that's so cool," I crouched down in front of him to equalize our position. "What's your name, boy?"

"I'm Daniel. Do you know, I also play ball and I'm really good." He grinned happily, revealing a slight gap between his two front teeth.

"Well, nice to meet you, Daniel. By the way, what keeps you stuck in this wheelchair?" I asked her, glancing and smiling at Stacey who was walking hastily while winking as she passed us.

"I had an accident. There was a stupid doctor who said I wouldn't be able to play ball anymore" He giggled sadly at himself, and my smile evaporated. "I'm definitely cured and back playing ball."

"Oh, sure, boy. You can do it." I tried to smile to strengthen her, not knowing what else to say.

"I have to go now, Miss. My mother wouldn't let me go too far" she said later, her eyes still shining brightly.

"Alright, I hope you'll get well soon, boy."

Her smile grew wider, indicating that my words meant a lot to her. "Send my regards to Paul and tell him I'm a big fan."

"Definitely, Honey. Better get back to your mom now before she worries about you." I stood up and ruffled her hair, and she laughed.

"Bye, bye!" He waved his hand, then started pushing his wheelchair. I was still standing there, looking at her until she disappeared behind the door of one of the treatment rooms.

As soon as I got out of the hospital building, I called Paul.

"Hey, love." her hoarse voice instantly made me feel warm.

"Hi" I opened the car door and stepped inside. "I was thinking do you want to do something tonight? I'm home from work."

"Are you free now?" he asked then, his tone clearly sounding as he was thinking of something.

"Give me an hour. I need to take a shower and change clothes." I said, activated the loudspeaker and put my seatbelt on the passenger seat.

"Okay, Alfred's gonna pick you up. I want you to come watch us practice" he said.

I cringe. "Did I not hear wrong? You know, knowing that the ball is round is already a miracle for me." I said with a chuckle. I am blind to sports, especially football.

Paul laughed at the end of the phone. "Come, sweetheart. Valerie and a few other girls will also be there. We can do whatever you want after that, like watch or have dinner. How's it?" said suggest.

I let out a heavy sigh, lowering my gaze to my lap. "You know we can't show up in public."

"Why? Don't you want people to see you with me? After all, they all knew we were dating."

I took another breath. "I just want to spend time with you without fearing someone will take our photo and pass it on."

"Are you trying to tempt me to sleep in your house again, Bianka?" the snoring was flirtatious, and I laughed.

"What's? Of course not!" I grinned, ground and leaned my head back. "Alright, I'll watch you kick a ball, but we'll go to my house after that. Okay?"

"The perfect plan, Bianka. You know where it's gonna end, right?" I could hear his excited tone.

"Oh, yeah, I know."