Chapter 9: The Strange Ramon

Words : 1750 Updated : Sep 24th, 2025

Ramon waved it off with a smile. "You don't have to be so formal." Everyone present had witnessed his skill. No one was happier than Alberto. The illness that could've killed him any day was gone. Harley quickly fetched a pen and paper and handed them to Ramon. Ramon took them, stepped over to a stone table, and wrote out a prescription. Then he returned to Harley. "Get this prescription filled. Take it for two weeks. That'll make sure the recovery sticks." "Thank you." Harley accepted the prescription. Her fingers brushed his by accident. She snatched her hand back and pretended nothing had happened. "Young man, you're a miracle worker. How much do I owe you? I can transfer it to you right away," Margaret asked, giving Ramon a warm look. Ramon had cured her husband's illness. She looked at Ramon, and she found him likable. He was young and already this skilled. That was rare. "No need. I work for Ms. Ashby. Helping your husband is just part of my job," Ramon said, gently refusing. He might be poor, but he hadn't sunk to selling his medical skills to get by. He was a bona fide cultivator, a man with his own pride. If he cared about money, he had plenty of ways to make more money than he could spend. In the cultivation world, people spent a lot of money. Yet in the modern world, money alone couldn't buy the right resources. Harley shot Ramon a surprised look. He worked as a security guard at her company, which meant he was probably short on cash, and yet he refused a treatment fee. She couldn't quite figure him out. He'd done the same that morning, saving someone on the sidewalk and walking away without asking for anything. Pure kindness, with no strings attached. For that alone, Harley saw him in a new light. "Just take it, name a price," Harley said, testing him. "Ms. Ashby, I really don't want it. I have my principles." Ramon shook his head firmly. If it hadn't been for Eugene speaking for him the other day, he wouldn't even have taken Louis's fifty-dollar fee. Harley understood then. Ramon had never intended to accept the money. It wasn't about being polite. He wouldn't take it, but she wouldn't pretend the matter hadn't happened. She'd make it up to him in his salary. "You're a miracle worker. Business is business," Margaret said. "You may be Harley's employee, but you cured Alberto. You should take the fee." "Grandma, I'll see to it later," Harley murmured, tugging her sleeve. Ramon had stated his stance. She would respect his principles. "Then stay and eat before you go," Margaret offered. "No need, Grandma. We're heading out." Harley shot Ramon a look and headed out first. Ramon fell in behind her. "This kid," Margaret muttered as she watched them go. Once they were in the car, Harley couldn't hold back. "With skills like yours, why take a security job at my company?" "I don't want to make money off medicine," Ramon said. "I didn't know what else to do yet, so I took a security job for the time being." The answer left Harley speechless. He clearly had a gift most doctors could only dream of, and he chose to work as a security guard for the experience. She didn't doubt him at all. Ramon had refused to take a cent twice. "What a strange man," Harley muttered, then she started the engine and headed for the company. Ramon sat in the back with his eyes closed, resting. He acted as if he hadn't heard Harley at all. Seeing that he ignored her, Harley peeked at him in the rearview mirror. He was resting, eyes shut. She ground her teeth, parted her lips, and let slip two soft, whispered curses. "Look at me, playing chauffeur." They drove in silence. In the underground garage, Harley parked the car, got out, and strode off. Her heels echoed on the concrete. "Ms. Ashby, the car is not locked," Ramon called after her as he stepped out. "Don't worry about it," Harley said without turning, heading for the elevator. Ramon had no idea what to make of her. What was her problem? He didn't take the elevator. He walked straight out of the garage entrance. He needed to get back to the security booth. There was about an hour left until the end of his shift. Harley waited a long while and never saw Ramon catch up. Carefully making her way in her sky-high stilettos, she went to the entrance and peered out. There was no sign of him. "I'll fire you tomorrow," she muttered, then took the elevator to the eighth floor. When Ramon reached the security booth, Drew was inside bragging. "Ramon, you're back. Come sit." Drew sprang up the moment he saw Ramon and gave up his seat. "Captain, you don't have to," Ramon said, glancing at him. "Please, I insist," Drew replied, grinning from ear to ear. After some nudging, Ramon took the seat. "Ramon, from now on we're buddies," Drew said, thumping his chest. "If you need help, say the word." As a security captain, Drew could read a room. He had never seen a guard, two days on the job, go out with Harley. He assumed Ramon was related to Harley. "Thanks, Captain," Ramon said with a nod. They chatted for a bit, and then Drew went off to other tasks. Back upstairs, Harley returned to her office and called in Joanne. "Ms. Ashby," Joanne greeted. "Reassign Ramon Baxter," Harley instructed. "To what post?" Joanne asked. She was taken aback. Ramon had been here only two days. Harley had gone out with him, and now, back in the office, she wanted him reassigned. Joanne decided she would be courteous to Ramon. He might be a big shot going incognito to experience everyday life. "Assign him to me," Harley said lightly. "I'll be going on a business trip to Heavenscrown in a few days. Let him come with me." With Ramon's medical skills, bringing him along would be beneficial. "Yes, Ms. Ashby," Joanne said with a nod. "That's all. You can go," Harley said, waving her out. When Joanne left, Harley propped her chin on one hand and thought about Ramon. The more he acted like this, the more curious she got. He had exquisite medical skills, yet he preferred to be a security guard. "If that's what he likes, all the more reason I won't let him do it."

Chapter 9: The Strange Ramon

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