Catherine's POV,
"Director?" I slowly peeked at the door. When I opened it, I saw my father, silly, playing his set of customized office golf.
"Darling, come on in," he said, giving his golf club to his assistant. He ordered his assistant to get him coffee and tea for me. "How are the patients from the erosion? Some of our people were there. I feel bad for their family," He said, holding his heart, looking all sympathetic.
"Worst than expected."
Father sighed. "Tragic. Truly tragic. But you did your best, darling. You always do." He smiled faintly, then grabbed his cup of coffee like he was some big shot in a drama show.
Something about him felt off. His tone. His words. Too polished. Too careful.
Something feels wrong. By just observing, he can't keep his body calm. It felt like he wanted to tell me something.
"I heard one of the survivors was quite… special."
My heart skipped. "Special?"
His lips curved. "Rumors travel fast. A certain patient who seems to have caught your attention?"
I froze. "She's just a patient."
"Really?" His brow arched. "Because my assistant swore she saw you coming out of her room looking… flushed."
Flushed? My blood boiled. "What the hell, Dad? I was not—"
He chuckled, sipping his coffee. "Relax, I'm not accusing you. I'm merely observing."
Of course. He loved this. Watching me squirm.
"Focus on your golf, Dad," I muttered, standing up. "And stay out of my patients."
He stood up, hit another ball. Perfect shot. Straight into the hole. "As you wish. But remember, Catherine…" He looked up, eyes sharp. "Fate has a funny way of mixing business and personal matters."
My stomach tightened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He waved me off, already lining up his next shot. "You'll see."
I walked out of his office, shutting the door a little harder than I meant to.
"Fate has a funny way…" His words echoed in my head.
I hated it when he talked like that. Like he already knew something I didn't. Like he was pulling strings I couldn't see.
Back at the nurses' station, Alorra caught me zoning out."What's with the face?" she asked, raising a brow.
"Nothing."
She smirked. "If you say nothing one more time, I'll slap you."
I glared at her, but she only leaned closer. "Is this about your mysterious patient? The one with the stupid grin?"
"I said it's nothing."
She laughed. "Uh-huh. Sure, doc."
I ignored her and grabbed another chart, pretending to be busy. But no matter how hard I tried, my father's voice wouldn't leave me.
Fate has a funny way.
=
The man across from me was polite. Smart. Talked a little too much about his projects, but I smiled and nodded like a good daughter. My mind was miles away.
I took a sip of wine, already thinking of excuses to leave early.
"Doc?"
I froze.
No. God, no.
I slowly turned my head.
There she was.
Elai Jonah Andres. Hair down. Smiling like trouble in human form.
"You've got to be kidding me," I whispered. How can fate be so rude to me?
She looks like she's in a meeting; her companions are just right across our table. Hundreds of restaurants, and this woman just got the luck to be in the same restaurant as me.
"Small world, huh?" she said, walking straight to our table.
My date— well, the man my dad set me up with looked confused. "You… know her?"
Before I could answer, Elai leaned forward on the table, eyes glinting. "Know me? Oh, she knows me very well."
I nearly choked on my wine. "Elai—"
She tilted her head, pretending to think. "Or should I call you Doctor Catherine? Or… something else?"
My date's eyes widened. "Something else?"
I slammed my hand on the table. "Shut. Up."
Elai only grinned wider. "Relax, doc. I was just passing by. Don't mind me." She winked, then leaned closer, whispering in my ear—soft, dangerous.
"You look beautiful tonight. Too bad it's wasted on him."
My chest tightened. My face burned. She straightened, gave me one last smile, and walked away like she hadn't just set my whole night on fire.
My date cleared his throat awkwardly. "So… you and her…?"
I downed my wine in one gulp. "Check, please."
The man was kind enough to drop me off at the hospital. I don't have plans going home with a bothered mind.
I couldn't stop thinking.
"Doc? You're back?" He looked at his wrist watch. "It's almost midnight."
"Couldn't sleep," I said, looking at Elai's chart. Suddenly, a glimpse of her smile appeared again. I haven't seen her after she got discharged. When I saw her earlier, I had this weird feeling, not annoyed. Not angry, it was soft, it was contentment.
The nurse smiled, "Did you and that engineer get into a fight? You look all bothered."
My brows arched. "Engineer?"
"You know, the engineer you took care of. The one who was in the erosion weeks ago-"
"W-wait." I cut him off. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, before she got discharged. She might have started a rumor you've got this big crush on her-"
"WHAT?" What the fuck, Elai? "When? How? Why would she say that!" I almost screamed.
"She said you were hitting her up after her surgery. Giving her flowers, checking her up hourly"
"That is not fucking true. I'm gonna kill her. Make sure that the rumor dies!" I said, making the nurse burst into laughter.
I glared. "Go check your rounds."
When the door shut, I leaned back in my chair. My chest felt heavy. My pulse is too fast.
Bothered. Confused. Angry.
And underneath all that… something I refused to name.
I didn't sleep.
I stayed in my office all night. Papers in front of me. Coffee cups are piling up. Nothing is sinking in.
Her voice kept replaying in my head.You look beautiful tonight. Too bad it's wasted on him.
Damn it.
Morning came. Alorra barged in."Cath—holy shit, you look dead."
"Good morning to you, too."
"You didn't go home?"
"I was working."
She eyed the untouched charts. "Working? Or thinking about her?"
I froze.
Alorra smirked. "So she really was there."
I clenched my jaw. "Don't start."
"Face it. You're whipped."
I slammed my pen down. "She's a patient."
Alorra laughed. "Keep telling yourself that."
I wanted to yell, but instead I leaned back, pressing my hands over my face.
"What do I do, Ara?" There's something weird going on with me. I know something's up. I just don't want it. I don't want to admit something I hate.
"Why don't you go see her? Try to go on a date with her. Stop stopping yourself from something that affects you very well. It'll just bother you every time."
=
I was doing rounds, still running on caffeine and zero hours of sleep. My head was pounding, but I forced myself to focus. Patients first. Always.
"Doctor?" one of the nurses whispered, rushing to my side. "There's a… situation in the lobby."
My brows furrowed. "What kind of situation?"
Before she could answer, I heard it.
"Doc Cath!"
I froze.
No. No way.
I turned and there she was.
Elai Jonah Andres. In black slacks and a white polo shirt, tucked in, walking into the hospital like she owned the place. Sunglasses on, smile wide, waving at me like we were old friends.
Every head in the lobby turned.
I wanted to slap my forehead, "What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed the second she reached me.
She pulled her sunglasses down, smirking. "What? No welcome back party? I thought you'd miss me."
"Miss you? You were discharged. You're not supposed to be here."
"Relax." She leaned closer, whispering. "I just wanted to see my favorite doctor."
My chest tightened. Damn it.
"Elai—" I glared. "This is a hospital, not your playground."
She gasped dramatically. "So cold. After everything we've been through together?"
The nurses behind me were trying not to laugh.
"Elai, I swear—"
She cut me off, grinning. "If you keep scolding me like this, people are going to think we're married."
I almost choked. "We are NOT—"
Too late. A patient passing by smiled and said, "Cute couple."
Elai winked at me. "Hear that, doc? It's fate."
"What do you want?" I hissed, sounding all annoyed.
"A date, just one date. If it doesn't work, then you'll never see me again. Ever," Her last words stung like a bee.
I didn't know what to feel. Something in her words made my heart hurt for a moment.
"Tonight. 8 pm. Pick me up. If you're late for even a minute, I will ditch you and you'll never get the chance to even come near me."
A smirk flashed on her face.
"Wear your best dress," She winked at me before leaving me all dumbfounded.
To Be Continued...