Ice and Fire: The Dragon's Doctor

Chapter 1

"Salchow!" The cheer echoed in the arena while their hands clapped along the beat of the music. At the center of the arena was a large skating rink where a man dance elegantly with incredible charm. Whenever the man moved, the ice skates gliding on ice created grinding sound. The man jumped high and rotated thrice in the air. When he landed, he glided on ice before ending his performance.

Esther Phillips clapped her hands, amazed. Jean Peters, a famous figure skater was living the dream she wanted.

"He's so talented, isn't he?" Biancè smiled with hopeful eyes. "How I wish I'll have a chance to have his autograph."

Esther shrugged her shoulders. "You better find ways to meet him if you want to do that."

Sitting on the arena's chair, Esther looked at Jean leaving the skating rink. The man looked up and their eyes accidentally met. Jean smiled at Esther while the woman widened her eyes. Jean left the ice rink and more skaters performed before the ice show ended. Esther was confused, did Jean really smile at her? Perhaps, did Jean know her?

She was a famous figure skater after all. But it was two years ago. She believed that the ice skating world had forgotten her already.

"Esther!" Biancè exclaimed after she glanced at her phone. "Shit! We only have an hour before our flight! We gotta hurry! Your father will be mad once he finds out we went here in New York to spend our day off."

"What?" Esther creased her forehead before taking her phone from her trousers pocket. She gasped after seeing that it was already 9:47 in the evening. Their flight to Los Angeles was at 11:10 PM. They needed to hurry.

Before Esther could even speak, her phone rang. Her father was calling. As she stared at the screen, her heart thumped in fear. Taking a deep breath, she answered the call. Her father was a doctor, and they weren't in good terms since the day she admitted she didn't want to become a doctor like her family. Now that she was a doctor, her father and she were still not on good terms. Would there be a chance that she and her father would be closed again the way they used to be when she was a kid?

Of course, if only Esther would bring her pride down. Although, she accepted the fate she didn't want, she would never give her heart to her family who pressured her to become what they wanted.

"Where are you? Your mother visited your unit, but you weren't there. Are you perhaps attending the ice show? Are you in New York?"

Esther tightened her grip on the phone for her hand began to shake. She feared her father more than anyone. She felt more terror than when she injured her ankle on her skating practice.

"L-Let me stay here for a while. My friend will ask for an autograph." Esther glanced at Biancè with an apologetic look. Apparently, Esther wanted to meet Jean Peters, too. He was her idol. Also, she wanted to know if Jean knew her. She wanted to ask if she had marked the history with her skating performance in a year.

Yes, only a year her dream came true. Although, it was only for a short time, it was memorable that until now she was wishing she could step on the ice again.

Esther knew what her father would answer. Nevertheless, she felt   disappointed when he disagreed.

"You should come here before the sun rise, Esther. If no, I'll cut your salary for becoming irresponsible!" The call ended without Esther having a chance to speak for herself. Her lips lowered, looking at the screen where the call history was registered.

"Fuck!" Esther kicked the stone before her. However, her kick was strong that the stone threw in the air and toward Jean Peters who exited the arena. The stone hit his head despite the fact that Jean was surrounded by bodyguards. Esther gasped and covered her mouth. The cameras pointing at Jean averted to her. Jean's fans glared at Esther as the woman turned pale. Biancè, with her mouth agape, held Esther's hand. Although, it seemed funny, Esther's doctor's license was at risk. She didn't study medicine for ten years just to lose everything in a way like this.

Jean Peters turned his head to Esther. His eyes filled with surprise after he saw her. Instead of getting mad, he smiled. However, Esther panicked and grabbed Biancè, pulling her away. They ran away from the arena's entrance, stopping a cab. Before Esther rode the car, she stared at flabbergasted Jean.

"Esther!" he called, running toward them. Esther closed the car door, telling the driver to start the car. Jean heaved a deep breath, watching the cab drive away. His bodyguards followed him.

"Let's head to the airport. It seems my idol do not like me." He stared at his hands. "Was my performance isn't good enough? Maybe that's the reason why she didn't like me that she even threw me stone."

Luckily, Jean's head didn't bleed. He was wishing he would meet her again. Before he retired, he wanted to meet her as a figure skater.

Before riding his van, Jean glanced at his wristwatch. His face dimmed when he realized the time.

The reason why he would retire would happen again...

          ESTHER and Biancè missed the flight. Due to heavy traffic, they arrived at the airport 30 past eleven. It seemed her life could get even worse. First, her father caught her not following his orders. Second, she accidentally hit Jean with a stone.

And now this, they had to book another flight.

"I hate this life!" Esther stomped her feet, massaging her forehead. She winced in frustration, glancing at Biancè talking with someone through her phone. Esther was living using her own money as a doctor. She couldn't afford to have deduction on her salary.

"I'll book another flight." Biancè sighed in dismay. "The next flight will be at 4 AM."

"4 AM?" Esther exclaimed. New York was three hours behind L.A. If that was the case, she would return to New York past six in the morning.

Esther and Biancè sighed in unison. They would be back at work without having to rest.

Esther was a doctor for two years now. She stopped studying for a year to pursue her figure skating career. It turned out her father let her have a taste of life. Now, she was facing hell each day. However, she loved saving lives, but there was something she wanted.

Esther and Sage sat on the row of metal chairs. The cold air from air conditioning was hitting through ther skin. Esther shivered in cold, lowering her head as she sighed warm breaths.

Closing her eyes, Esther heard muffled screams. A warm cloth placed on her shoulders made her eyes open. A pair of white rubber shoes met her eyes. She slowly looked up, meeting Jean Peters, smiling widely.

"We meet again," he stated. "Can I talk to you? Esther Phillips, you are my idol. I've been wanting to see you, but looking for you was quite hard. Thank you for attending the ice show."

What?

Did she hear it right?

Biancè nudged Esther using her elbow, giggling. Esther had her lips open. She glanced at the press approaching them. Her attention went to gulping Jean Peters offering his hand.

"I don't have enough time. Esther, please, talk to me."

First of all, what the hell was happening? Twelve midnight was coming yet life had more to offer to Esther. Why everything seemed twisted tonight?

Jean swallowed once again. Noticing Esther didn't like the media putting cameras at them, he extended his hand more.

"Esther." Jean looked straight into her eyes. "You're the reason why I'm still skating until now, so please, take my hand."

Goodness! Was she dreaming? How come that the famous Jean Peters idolizing her?

Apparently, Jean was so determined that without hearing Esther's reply, he took her hand. The next thing they knew, they were running away from the cameras.

"Goodluck, Esther! Give me his autograph, okay?" Biancè shouted, laughing. "I'm only one call away!"

Esther realized what was happening. Turning her head to Jean, she gasped. Was this called rainbow after the rain?

For freaking sake! Jean Peters was holding her hand. What was more, he was looking for her!

They stopped running after crossing a pedestrian. They hid in the alleway, near a convenience store. The buzzes of vehicles somehow covered their awkwardness.

Jean let go of Esther's hand.

"I am retiring."