Taming The Tiger Man - Genma Series #1

“Have you lost your mind?! What if she doesn't regain consciousness?!" Someone's shout startled Angelina. She woke up with her heart pounding and quickly sat up.

"See? She's fine." The voice of the Fortuner driver came from nearby. However, the woman's tone lacked panic and almost sounded bored.

"White” was the first word that sprang to Angelina's mind. She blinked a few times, confirming that her vision was fine. She discovered herself in a white room with the scent of disinfectant in the air.

"Doctor Angelina? Are you okay?" The soft voice of a man brought Angelina's attention to the fact that she wasn't alone. She shifted her gaze and spotted a purple-haired woman sitting on a nearby swivel chair.

The Makeup Lizard, as Angelina had nicknamed her, was tapping on a laptop. Next to her stood a thin, pale man in his forties, wearing glasses and a white lab coat.

"Doctor Angelina? Can you hear me?" The man repeated his question when Angelina didn't respond immediately.

“Who are you?” asked Angelina, studying the man's anxious expression. Is he a doctor? "Am I in a hospital?"

The man chuckled softly and gave Angelina a reassuring smile. "Yes, you're right. Doctor Fonda said you fainted in the parking lot. Some hospital staff happened to be passing by and helped Doctor Fonda bring you here."

"Fainted?”

Pain throbbed in the left side of Angelina's head. She winced as she touched it.

"Ah! Don't touch! There's a bump. You hit your head on something hard when you fell," the man explained as he approached her.

As Angelina tried to remember, her brow furrowed. She had lost consciousness after inhaling a sweet scent.…

"Doctor Angelina?" The man crouched facing her, shining a small flashlight into her left eye.

"I-I'm fine." Angelina looked away, feeling the coldness of the flashlight on her skin.

The man seemed relieved as he stepped back, putting the flashlight into his coat pocket. He smiled at her. “I apologize for the commotion earlier. I'm Doctor Reiner, the Director of Genma Hospital."

"Genma Hospital?" Angelina repeated, her confusion apparent on her face as she tried to process the unfamiliar surroundings.

She noticed a large black glass tube at the center of the circular room, surrounded by research equipment and machines.

She was seated on a bed near a table with food.

Hunger pangs rumbled in Angelina's stomach, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry, I haven't had lunch yet."

Doctor Reiner chuckled, seemingly understanding. The Makeup Lizard grumbled as she continued typing on her laptop.

"No worries. I ordered something for you. Your blood pressure was pretty low, which might have caused you to faint."

Angelina hesitated, unsure about accepting the stranger's kindness. However, her stomach betrayed her by growling loudly.

"Thank you.” Angelina unwrapped the paper containing a hamburger, fries, and a drink.

She quickly dug into her meal, sipping the cold lemon tea with satisfaction.

Doctor Reiner pulled a swivel chair and sat facing her. He waited for her to finish eating before starting a conversation while she enjoyed her meal.

"Doctor Fonda mentioned that she hit your car."

Angelina paused mid-bite, memories of the recent events flooding back. "Doctor Fonda... She sprayed something on my face..."

“It was just perfume," Fonda replied sourly. "No offense, but you have quite an odor."

Angelina felt a jolt of surprise. Do I smell bad?

Angelina was about to defend herself, but Doctor Reiner raised his hand to prevent an argument.

“Doctor Angelina, please forgive Doctor Fonda's bluntness. That's just how she is. Doctor Fonda, an apology would be in order."

Fonda snorted dismissively, ignoring Doctor Reiner's request. She didn’t even acknowledge Angelina.

Feeling irritated, Angelina's grip on her paper cup tightened. She scowled and spoke with a sharp edge. "I'd like to discuss compensation."

"Absolutely." Doctor Reiner chuckled. “We've arranged for your car to go to a repair shop."

Angelina's eyes widened in surprise. "Without my permission—"

"My apologies, Doctor Angelina," Doctor Reiner interjected. "I mean no disrespect, but it's for your benefit."

"Sure, but—"

"I've discussed it with Doctor Fonda. In addition to fixing your car, we'd be pleased to offer you cash compensation for the inconvenience you've faced."

Angelina found herself repeatedly interrupted, making it hard to express herself. It seemed both of them were adept at interrupting others.

“It might not be much, but consider it an apology from us." Doctor Reiner retrieved a long piece of paper from his lab coat and handed it to Angelina. He adjusted his glasses and added, "Think of it as a welcome gift from Genma Hospital."

Angelina's brow furrowed as she examined the paper. Her eyes widened at the sight of a one followed by seven zeroes.

"What's this?" Angelina looked at the blue paper, clearly from a well-known Indonesian bank, with the word "cash" printed at the center. Her confusion was evident.

"That's a check!" Fonda's sudden exclamation made Reiner cough. Fonda swiveled in her chair to give Angelina an exasperated look.

However, Fonda's frustrated expression didn't help Angelina's understanding. Instead, she asked with genuine curiosity, "What's it for?"

"Consider it a token of friendship from Genma Hospital."

Turning to Doctor Reiner, who was suppressing laughter, Angelina raised an eyebrow. The man winked at her before continuing, "And... a little incentive for you to consider joining us."