ã€ŠEternally Yoursã€‹


 1. New Day

    "Happy Birthday to you, Hana"

    Echoes through the corridor of a subconscious, weaving a cacophony of laughter, children running and candle-lit cake.

    A blur of colors¡ªa little girl in a powder blue dress, her hair ribbon fluttering as she dashed with unrestrained glee. The abruptness of a single collision: the child and an unknown man, a figure obscured by the haze of memory. What followed after-

    Chaos

    Dream fragments swirled- a little girl sobbing alone, violins screeching anguish. No matter how desperately Hana stretched to pull that small hand back from the abyss, it was fruitless.

    ¡°Hana! Hana, where are you?¡± The voice, distant and desperate, sliced across the festivities.

    The scene shifted.

    A vision of the same child now curled into herself, hunched in a corner where the walls met at harsh angles, her small frame trembling, eyes wide with terror.

    A single tear escaped from beneath her closed eyelids, tracing a warm path down her cheek as she jolted awake.

    Eyelids fluttered open with heart hammering, cheek damp from tears she hastily wiped. The nightmare ringing in her head.

    She sighed aloud, ¡°...it¡¯s been too long...¡±

    Squinting at the red digits of her alarm clock, Hana groaned. No point dwelling on thoughts of the past when the first day of the rest of her life now demanded focus - and anxiety.

    As if perfectly timed, Hana¡¯s phone lit up with Mira¡¯s personalized ringtone of Shadow by Seventeen blasting a reminder no one could sleep through.

    Hana managed a faint smile tapping her cell screen to life, silencing just before Mingyu¡¯s verse.

    ¡°Rise and shine, sleepyhead!¡± Mira¡¯s voice crackled through the phone line; each syllable bundled in optimism.

    ¡°First-day nerves? You¡¯re going to be amazing, Hana. Just remember to breathe,¡± Mira encouraged, without waiting for a response.

    Hana¡¯s fingers fumbled with the phone; her movements filled with nervousness. Twirling the pendant of her necklace, ¡°Thanks, Mira. I¡ªI just had that dream again.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, shake it off, babe. Those old memories can¡¯t touch you¡ªnot today.¡± Mira¡¯s voice was a vibrant contrast to the lingering shadows of Hana¡¯s nightmare. ¡°You¡¯re about to start healing people, Hana. Real-life magic. Hold on to that.¡±

    ¡°Okay, yeah. You¡¯re right,¡± Hana murmured, the familiar weight of worry settling between her brows. She glanced at the silver necklace charm resting against her collarbone.

    ¡°Of course. I''m always right,¡± Mira quipped, her laugh a melodic chime that seemed to dance around Hana¡¯s room.

    ¡°Thank you, Mira. Seriously, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without you.¡±

    Today was her first shift as a newly graduated nurse beginning clinical rotations, and she was grateful for Mira''s support

    In signature dramatic style, Mira had risen to the occasion of cheering her on before dawn, no doubt after pulling another late night finalizing new artists¡¯ case profiles.

    Now only if she had just a sliver of that enthusiasm, Hana thought as she fumbled to make eggs without dropping shells.

    ¡°Easy¡ªyou¡¯d conquer the world in slightly less fabulous shoes,¡± Mira teased, her confidence unwavering. ¡°On the topic of shoes, I left you a little surprise on your side of the shoe shelf¡±

    Setting the stove on low heat, Hana briskly makes her way to their shared shoe closet. A brand new pair of white crocs lay perfectly inside its box.

    ¡°Mira...¡°, Her hands traced the border of the box, her phone supported by her shoulders to her ear.

    ¡°Hana my dear, Good shoes take you to good places,¡± Mira declared. ¡°Now go make us all proud.¡±

    ¡°Alright, here goes nothing.¡± Hana¡¯s voice was barely more than a whisper, her resolve fragile as she ended the call and prepared to face the day.

    <hr>

    Hana¡¯s focus narrowed on the dummy, her hands mimicking the precise motions of inserting a catheter. Her slender fingers, normally so steady, betrayed her as they trembled slightly. It was a simple procedure¡ªinserting a catheter¡ªbut under the weight of her expectations, the task turned into an impossible task.

    ¡°Easy,¡± she whispered to herself, trying to steady her hands. ¡°You¡¯ve done this a hundred times in class.¡±

    But the classroom had never felt this real, this urgent. She glanced around at the other nurses, each absorbed in their tasks and conversations.

    Suddenly, the intercom crackled to life, jolting Hana from her concentration.

    ¡°Trauma to Bay 4! Trauma to Bay 4!¡±

    The announcement echoed through the room, sending a jolt of adrenaline through her system.

    Her heart hammered against her ribs, momentarily causing her to fumble with the catheter. A clatter echoed as she dropped it onto the tray with a bit too much force, drawing a few curious glances from her fellow interns.

    She mumbled out a quick but quiet apology as she got herself together from the shock.

    ¡°Did you hear about ER¡¯s Head Nurse?¡± a hushed whisper floated through the room. The voice belonged to a young female intern, his eyes wide with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

    ¡°Dragon Heart. Sorry, Draginheart,¡± another intern corrected with a suppressed giggle. ¡°They say she¡¯s tough as nails.¡±

    Hana¡¯s stomach clenched as she overheard the conversation. Maybe sticking to the sidelines, remaining unseen until the end of her internship, wasn¡¯t such a bad idea after all.

    The silence was shattered by the sudden burst of a door opening. A petite figure, her demeanor radiating an aura of steely resolve, strode into the room. Her fierce gaze scanned the interns, her hands tucked firmly into the pockets of her scrubs.

    Heads swivelled as everyone¡¯s attention snapped towards the newcomer. The interns scrambled to their feet, a flurry of movement as they offered their greetings.

    The woman did a quick headcount, her sharp eyes missing nothing. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a scalpel.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Nurse Crystal, a name that seemed at odds with her imposing presence, stood before the assembled interns. Her voice, though stern, lacked the theatrical flair of ¡°Dragonheart.¡±

    ¡°Your first rotation,¡± she announced, her words clipped and clear, ¡°will be in the ER department. It¡¯s a fast-paced environment, so you need to be sharp and quick on your feet. Under no circumstances do you take any action without my permission. Remember, this isn¡¯t some simulation. These are real people, real emergencies, and every minute counts. Your actions could mean the difference between life and death.¡±

    The air crackled with nervous energy as Nurse Crystal¡¯s stern words echoed through the room. A heavy silence followed, thick with the unspoken weight of responsibility.

    Finally, Nurse Crystal cleared her throat. ¡°Any questions?¡± she inquired, her gaze sweeping over the faces before her.

    Receiving no response, she delivered her final command in a voice that brooked no argument. ¡°Let¡¯s begin our rounds.¡±

    The interns stirred, a collective sigh escaping their lips. As the group began to shuffle towards the door, Hana lingered behind, diligently cleaning up the supplies on her assigned table.

    The clatter of metal against plastic caught Nurse Crystal¡¯s attention. She turned, her gaze sharp as a scalpel, and fixated on the lone figure still in the room.

    ¡°You, at the end of the room,¡± Nurse Crystal called out, her voice ringing with authority.

    Hana froze, a spotlight suddenly cast upon her. The other interns, sensing the impending interrogation, moved out of the way, creating a path for Nurse Crystal¡¯s approach.

    As the formidable head nurse drew closer, Hana felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and met Nurse Crystal¡¯s gaze head-on.

    ¡°Name,¡± Nurse Crystal demanded, her voice a low rumble.

    Hana¡¯s throat constricted. Fumbling slightly, she managed to stammer out, ¡°Sh-Shizumi.¡±

    Her voice, barely a whisper, hung in the tense silence of the room. Nurse Crystal¡¯s unreadable expression gave no hint of what was to come next.

    She could sense the sympathetic glances cast her way, but she kept her gaze fixed on the floor, willing herself to become part of the shadow.

    ¡°Let¡¯s begin our rounds,¡± Crystal¡¯s clear, authoritative voice cut through the nervous murmurings of the recruits.

    ¡°Keep up, Shizumi,¡± Crystal said sternly, her eyes faced forward.

    Hana trailed behind the group, trying to remember all the procedures and protocols she had crammed into her mind over the past months.

    Suddenly, Nurse Crystal stopped at a bedside. An elderly man lay beneath a thin white sheet, his labored breaths rasping through the oxygen mask strapped to his face. His wrinkled brow and pale skin spoke of a life well-lived and nearing its end.

    ¡°This is Mr. Thompson,¡± Nurse Crystal announced, her voice carrying a touch of professional empathy. ¡°He has been admitted due to long term pneumonia. His vitals are unstable, and we¡¯re running tests to confirm the diagnosis.¡±

    A collective intake of breath rippled through the group of interns. Pneumonia, a seemingly simple word, held a terrifying weight in this context.

    Then, Nurse Crystal¡¯s gaze landed squarely on Hana. ¡°Shizumi,¡± she said, her voice sharp, ¡°take Mr. Thompson¡¯s blood pressure.¡±

    Hana¡¯s heart lurched. The unexpected callout sent a jolt through her already taut nerves. Taking blood pressure was a basic nursing skill, one she had practiced countless times in training. But here, in the ER, with the weight of Nurse Crystal¡¯s gaze and a potentially critical patient, the simple task suddenly felt monumental.

    Her cheeks flushed with a mix of nervousness and a strange sense of determination. This was it, her first real chance to prove herself. Swallowing hard, Hana forced a smile at Mr. Thompson, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke. ¡°Hello, Mr. Thompson. My name is Hana. I¡¯m a student nurse, and I¡¯m going to take your blood pressure, if that¡¯s alright.¡±

    Just then, the man¡¯s hand reached out, brushing Hana¡¯s arm. His touch was like an electric shock, triggering a cascade of visions that weren¡¯t her own¡ªa birthday party, a little girl, a mother¡¯s scream. Panic seized Hana, suffocating her as the room spun. The man began to hyperventilate, his distress mirroring her internal turmoil.

    ¡°Out of the way!¡± someone shouted, pushing Hana aside as more experienced hands swooped in to assist the struggling patient.

    She stumbled back, pressing herself against the cool wall, trying to regain her composure as the medical personnel worked to stabilize the man. Her heart hammered against her ribs, clear in her ears.

    In her mind, the echo of her friend¡¯s encouraging words clashed with the stark reality she faced. ¡°Breathe, Hana. Breathe¡±

    ¡°Real-life magic,¡± she thought bitterly, her wide amber-brown eyes reflecting a tumult of emotions. ¡°If only I could believe that now.¡±

    ¡°Miss Shizumi,¡± Nurse Crystal¡¯s voice snapped, dragging Hana from her momentary refuge against the sterile hospital wall. She turned to face the head nurse, her delicate frame tensing as she took in the rigid posture and the icy blue gaze that never seemed to waver.

    ¡°Y-Yes, Nurse Crystal?¡± Hana stammered, picking on the skin on her fingertips, an anxious habit that surfaced whenever she faced confrontation.

    ¡°Your performance today was unacceptable,¡± Crystal said, her words clipped, each one landing with the precision of a scalpel¡¯s cut. ¡°This is a hospital, not a playground for indecision or faint-hearted whimsy. If you cannot come to the aid of someone in need, then perhaps you should reconsider your position here.¡±

    Hana¡¯s honeyed tea eyes shimmered with unshed tears, reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights above. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I¡ªI just...¡± Her throat tightened, choking off her words as she struggled to articulate the chaos that had gripped her mind at that moment.

    ¡°Excuses won¡¯t save lives,¡± Crystal interrupted, her tone softening only marginally. ¡°You need to decide if you¡¯re cut out for this. We can¡¯t have nurses freezing up when it matters most.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Hana murmured, her apology barely audible, as she fought the urge to let her emotions spill over.

    From the side-lines, a tall doctor, clad in blue scrubs with a white coat on top, observed the exchange. His keen eyes, hidden behind clear glasses, now scrutinized the scene with concern as he stood beside the nurse¡¯s station, absentmindedly holding a patient¡¯s chart.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins!¡± a voice called out urgently, snapping him from his thoughts. ¡°We need you in OR, stat!¡±

    ¡°Right there!¡± the doctor responded, sparing one last glance at Hana before sprinting toward the operating room.

    Hana maintained her gaze on the floor, heads bowed downwards in remorse. She shivered as the air around her felt suddenly colder, the whispers of the other nurse clear in her ears.

    ¡°Get yourself together, Miss Shizumi,¡± Crystal said, her voice receding as she walked away. ¡°I¡¯ll be watching.¡±

    With that, Hana was left alone in the bustling corridor, surrounded by the beep of monitors and the distant murmur of medical staff.

    Trembling, Hana slipped into the small storage closet, the scent of antiseptic and linen barely registering as she fumbled for her phone. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, a dull symphony to her disquiet. Her heart pounded in her ears, muting the chaos of the hospital beyond the thin door.

    ¡°Hello?¡± Mira¡¯s voice crackled through the speaker, vibrant even through the digital distortion.

    Hana¡¯s voice broke as she spoke, ¡°Mira... I-I don¡¯t think I can do this. The visions... they flooded my head... I couldn¡¯t breathe. Maybe they were right, maybe I¡¯m not cut out for¡ª¡±

    ¡°Stop,¡± Mira interjected firmly, her tone softened with empathy. ¡°You¡¯ve come too far to let one rough day shatter you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m serious, Mira. It was awful,¡± Hana whispered, the silver charm necklace quivering against her collarbone as she fought back sobs. ¡°I froze, and Nurse Crystal practically told me to quit.¡±

    ¡°Listen to me, Hana,¡± Mira said, the jingle of her bangles audible as she must have been gesturing with her hands, a habit when she grew passionate. ¡°You have the gentlest hands, the kindest heart. You¡¯re made for this, more than anyone I know.¡±

    ¡°But what if I¡¯m not strong enough?¡± Hana¡¯s fingers twisted at the ends of her sleek hair, seeking solace in the familiar action.

    ¡°Strength isn¡¯t about not having moments of panic or doubt,¡± Mira¡¯s voice rose like a melody of conviction. ¡°It¡¯s about pushing through them. Remember why you started¡ªremember that little girl who just wanted to heal others?¡±

    Hana closed her eyes, letting Mira¡¯s words wash over her like a balm. She envisioned herself, not as the woman cornered by fear and expectation, but as the healer she yearned to become.

    ¡°Every hero has their trials, Hana,¡± Mira continued. ¡°This is yours. So, what are you going to do? Are you going to let what people say decide your fate, or are you going to show them¡ªand yourself¡ªjust how remarkable you truly are?¡±

    The silence that followed was thick with the decision. Hana took a deep breath, her wide-set amber-brown eyes glistening with determination rather than tears.

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she conceded, her voice steadier now. ¡°I can¡¯t give up. Not now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Mira exclaimed; pride evident in her tone. ¡°Now, go back out there. Learn everything you can from the dragon lady. And next time? You¡¯ll be ready.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Mira. I needed that,¡± Hana said, a small smile curving her lips.

    ¡°Anytime. Now go save some lives, Nurse Shizumi,¡± Mira teased lightly, the sound of her laughter offering a final note of encouragement before they ended the call.

    With a renewed sense of purpose, Hana emerged from the closet, she had sacrificed too much to back down now.

    Please Like and Comment...

    ................................................................

    Hey guys,

    I got inspired to write something more adult-like and I am very sceptical about it.

    Please leave comments on your thoughts and views. I would love to read all your comments.

    Stay healthy and hydrated.

    Bye...

 At long last

    Hana¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as she peeled off the last of the rubber gloves, their wet powdery scent lingering in the air.

    She let out a long, weary sigh, watching the sun dip below the horizon through the hospital¡¯s sliding glass doors.

    ¡°Good job today, Hana,¡± she whispered to herself.

    As Hana shuffled towards the exit, the weight of fatigue seemed to drag at her heels. Her shoulder bag bounced against her hip with each step, its contents evidence to the day¡¯s trials: medical manuals dog-eared with colored papers sticking out of the side, a water bottle half-filled, and the comforting bulk of her lunchbox, now empty.

    She was just steps away from the cool evening air when her phone buzzed in the pocket of her scrubs.

    ¡°Guess who?¡± came the vibrant chirp from the other end.

    ¡°Hey, Mira,¡± Hana replied, her tone warm.

    ¡°You better not be heading straight home,¡± Mira¡¯s voice burst through the line, vibrant and irrepressible as ever.

    ¡°Mira, I¡¯m¡ª¡± Hana began.

    ¡°No ¡®buts¡¯, Miss First-Day-Survivor! We¡¯re going to celebrate. Your favorite ramen awaits!¡±

    Hana could practically see Mira¡¯s grin. Despite the day¡¯s toll, the corners of Hana¡¯s lips twitched upwards.

    ¡°Are you sure? I mean, I am pretty exhausted,¡± Hana protested.

    ¡°Exactly! All the more reason to refuel with some good food and company. C¡¯mon, Hana, don¡¯t make me drag you there,¡± Mira cajoled, and Hana could imagine the playful wag of her finger, bangles chiming along her wrist.

    A reluctant smile tugged at Hana¡¯s lips, ¡°Alright, alright. You win,¡± she conceded, the corners of her eyes crinkling. ¡°But let¡¯s make it quick, okay?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit! I just have to recheck these artworks in the inventory. So, I''ll see you in... ten?¡±

    ¡°See you in ten,¡± Hana confirmed. She ended the call and stepped outside, where the evening greeted her with a gentle breeze.

    Steam billowed around them as they settled into the narrow wooden booth, their knees nearly touching in the cozy confines of the ramen shop. Honeyed tea eyes observed the bustling environment, her fingers nervously twirling the sleek ends of her dark hair.

    Mira¡¯s laughter cut through the noise, as she gestured animatedly across the table.

    ¡°Okay, spill it,¡± Mira demanded, her voice as vibrant as her curly hair, which tonight shimmered with hues of azure blue. ¡°How was day one on the battlefield of bandages and bedpans? ¡°.

    Hana exhaled slowly, the weight of her silver necklace charm feeling heavier than usual against her chest. ¡°It was... overwhelming,¡± she admitted. ¡°But I made it through without too much trouble.¡±

    Mira leaned forward, her gold hoops catching the light, a symphony of bangles chiming with her movement. ¡°I knew you¡¯d crush it!¡± she said, her enthusiasm bordering on fervor. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be the best nurse they¡¯ve ever seen!¡±

    The compliment, swirled in Hana¡¯s mind, stirring memories.

    She was five again, lost in a memory sharp as the fluorescent lights above her hospital bed. The sterile smell of antiseptics mingled with the soft whimpers that echoed down the corridors. Hana, trapped in the past, felt the ghostly sensation of rubber gloves ¡ª similar to those she wore today ¡ª as they tried to soothe her quaking form. But every touch was an invasion, every question a demand she couldn¡¯t fulfil.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The walls had been a stark white, too bright against the tiny figure curled up on the bed. She had been so small then, her olive skin pallid under the fluorescent lights, her curls limp and lifeless. The room was silent except for the occasional beep of the heart monitor and the hushed footsteps of nurses outside the door.

    The younger girl had drawn into herself, mute and terrified, flinching from any offered touch. Questions about her ordeal hung heavy in the air, unanswered. Her parents, fraught with worry, had been helpless in their attempts to reach her. And the police could do little but wait for the child to find her voice again.

    ¡°Where were you taken, Hana? Can you tell us what happened?¡± The inquiries were relentless, yet she said nothing. Her parents¡¯ faces swam into view. They reached for her, but their hands only grasped at the empty air as she recoiled, her scream a silent siren midst the sterile white of the hospital walls.

    The sun poured its morning warmth through the slits of the hospital blinds, casting stripes of light and shadow across the room where five-year-old Hana sat curled up on her bed. Her small frame was lost in the folds of the starched sheets, eyes wide and wary, watching the flurry of nurses with silent intensity.

    ¡°Hi! What¡¯s your name?¡± a voice piped up, suddenly filling the stillness around Hana¡¯s bed.

    Startled, Hana looked up to see a girl standing at the foot of her bed. The newcomer seemed to radiate energy, despite the tube that looped around her ears and under her nose. Her smile was infectious, even as Hana¡¯s heart hammered in her chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m Mira!¡± the girl announced, undeterred by Hana¡¯s silence. She perched herself on the edge of the adjacent bed, swinging her legs with a rhythmic beat that echoed faintly against the linoleum floor.

    Hana eyed her warily, retreating further into the safety of her blankets. Mira, however, seemed oblivious to the invisible walls Hana had erected. She chattered away about the spaceship designs on her pajamas, the nurses who made funny faces, and the Jell-O that jiggled like dancing blobs. It was a nonsensical stream, yet it flowed over the room¡¯s sterility, softening the sharp edges of Hana¡¯s fear.

    ¡°Did you see the therapy dogs? They¡¯re so fluffy! I bet they don¡¯t know any tricks, though. Do you like dogs?¡± Mira asked, tilting her head curiously.

    Hana, whose voice had been trapped behind the fortress of her trauma, found herself listening¡ªreally listening. Mira spoke of ordinary things, simple joys that felt like echoes from a life Hana could barely remember.

    ¡°Mom says I¡¯ll get better soon. I just gotta be brave, like a superhero! Are you a superhero too?¡± Mira continued, her words punctuated by an enthusiastic nod.

    As days turned into weeks, the constant hum of Mira¡¯s presence wove itself into the fabric of Hana¡¯s recovery. The girl¡¯s relentless optimism acted as a balm, soothing the raw edges of her memories. And when the day came for Hana to leave the hospital, she realized that Mira¡¯s voice had become an anchor, grounding her to a world she¡¯d thought she¡¯d lost.

    ¡°Promise you¡¯ll call me, okay?¡± Mira had said, her hand waving frantically as Hana was wheeled out of the pediatric ward.

    Hana had nodded, clutching the piece of paper with Mira¡¯s scrawled phone number like a lifeline. As the hospital doors closed behind her, she knew that Mira¡¯s friendship was the unexpected gift that had emerged from the darkness.

    ¡°Hey! Earth to Hana!¡± Mira¡¯s voice pierced through the mist of Hana¡¯s reverie. She waved a hand adorned with jingling bangles in front of Hana¡¯s face.

    ¡°Sorry, what?¡± Hana blinked.

    ¡°Our ramen¡¯s here!¡± Mira announced triumphantly, pointing at the steaming bowls with chopsticks poised for the first bite. ¡°You zoned out there for a sec. What were you thinking about?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Hana lied smoothly, twirling a sleek strand of hair around her finger¡ªa nervous habit she couldn¡¯t quite shake. ¡°Just... it has been a long day.¡±

    ¡°Come on, you can tell me.¡± Mira¡¯s expression softened, concern shimmering in her eyes as she leaned forward.

    Hana offered a small smile, one that didn¡¯t quite reach her amber eyes. She shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s not important. Just old memories.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Mira shrugged, but her piercing gaze held Hana¡¯s for a moment longer. With an impish grin, she finally turned her attention to the meal. ¡°Let¡¯s dig in then! This is your celebration, after all.¡±

    The clink of utensils and the soft slurping of noodles filled the air, a soothing soundtrack to the evening.

    Hana abruptly confessed. ¡°It¡¯s just... talking about today made me remember when we first met.¡±

    Mira reached across the table, her hand stopping midway, respecting the space between them. ¡°That was a lifetime ago, wasn¡¯t it?¡± she murmured.

    Hana nodded, her fingertips tracing the rim of her bowl.

    ¡°You¡¯ve come so far since then¡±, Mira continued.

    ¡°Thanks to you,¡± Hana said with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes, remembering the relentless patience of the slightly older girl who had sat by her side, day after day, without ever forcing a word.

    ¡°Thanks to us,¡± Mira corrected gently. Their connection, forged in the silence of that hospital room, was unspoken but deeply felt

    The waiter arrived with another round of steaming dishes, breaking the spell of the past. Mira¡¯s face lit up again, and the moment of reflection dissipated as quickly as it had arrived. They returned to their meal, the flavors rich and comforting, and to their conversation, filled with plans and dreams.

 Just briefly gone

    With her hair neatly framing her face, she walked behind Nurse Crystal, whose confident strides and no-nonsense demeanor set the pace.

    They passed by two other nurses, exchanging fleeting smiles and nods of acknowledgment ¡ª one, a tall woman with an affable grin, was known for her quick wit in stressful situations ¡®Julie¡¯; the other, a red-haired nurse, her badge reading ¡®Clara,¡¯ had a reputation for being exceptionally thorough.

    ¡°Mrs. Adler in room 204 is your responsibility today,¡± Crystal informed Hana, her voice cutting clearly above the distant beeps and murmurs.

    ¡°Yes Nurse Crystal,¡± Hana replied softly, twirling a strand of her dark hair, a nervous habit that betrayed her uncertainty.

    They entered Mrs. Adler¡¯s room, a woman draped in sleek business attire, her phone pressed firmly to her ear. She barely glanced up as they approached, her voice sharp like the snap of crisp paper. ¡°I don¡¯t care about the Henderson account; I want those figures on my desk yesterday!¡±

    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Adler,¡± Hana greeted, though her voice seemed to evaporate against the woman¡¯s cold exterior. ¡°I¡¯m here to take your vitals.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy?¡± Mrs. Adler snapped, finally locking eyes with Hana. Her gaze was piercing, her annoyance palpable.

    ¡°Apologies, ma¡¯am. It will only take a moment,¡± Hana replied, reaching for the blood pressure cuff with hands that subtly trembled.

    ¡°Typical,¡± Mrs. Adler huffed, ending her call with an irritated jab at her phone. ¡°You¡¯d think they¡¯d train you to respect a patient¡¯s time.¡±

    Hana felt her heartbeat quicken, but she focused on the task, rolling up the sleeve of Mrs. Adler¡¯s gown. The cuff inflated, the rhythmic pulsing a stark contrast to the silence that now filled the room. Mrs. Adler¡¯s glare seemed to weigh on her, making every second stretch longer.

    ¡°Seems like you¡¯re new at this,¡± Mrs. Adler said disdainfully as Hana recorded the numbers. ¡°Your hands are shaking. How can anyone trust you to do anything right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Adler, I am so¡ª¡± Hana started, but the woman interrupted her with a scoff.

    ¡°Ha! Show some confidence, girl. You¡¯re in healthcare; act like it matters to you.¡±

    Hana¡¯s cheeks warmed, a flush of embarrassment creeping over her delicate features. She silently prayed for the strength not to let the harsh words chip away at her resolve. Taking a deep breath, she moved to check Mrs. Adler¡¯s temperature, the beep of the thermometer a small victory amidst the criticism.

    ¡°Thank you for your patience, Mrs. Adler,¡± Hana managed to say, her tone steady even as her insides churned. ¡°We¡¯ll take good care of you.¡±

    As she stepped out of the room, she heaved a sigh of relief. Her silver necklace charm caught the light, a glimmer of solace, and she adjusted the heirloom watch on her wrist ¡ª a silent reminder that, with each tick, she grew more into the nurse she was meant to be.

    The shrill ring of the call bell pierced through the controlled chaos of the hospital ward, immediately drawing Hana¡¯s attention. Mrs. Adler¡¯s previously composed features were now twisted in pain, her hand clutching at her abdomen as she doubled over in her seat.

    ¡°Please¡ªhelp me,¡± Mrs. Adler gasped out, her voice a strangled whisper.

    Hana didn¡¯t hesitate. Her training kicked in, and she rushed to Mrs. Adler¡¯s side, pressing the emergency response button before calling out, ¡°I need assistance here!¡±

    Two nurses, their faces etched with concern, hastened over. The taller of the two, with hair pulled back in a practical bun, swiftly assessed the situation. ¡°Let¡¯s get her into a ward, now.¡±

    Together, they supported Mrs. Adler, guiding her onto a gurney with gentle efficiency. Each movement was measured, and their combined experience within the sterile, sage-green walls of the hospital was evident in every step.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins, we need you!¡± one nurse called out as they wheeled Mrs. Adler down the hallway, her moans of agony echoing off the antiseptic tiles.

    Ren appeared like a specter from around the corner, his presence commanding yet exuding a calm that seemed to settle over the ward. He stepped up to the gurney, his hands moving expertly over Mrs Adler¡¯s abdomen, palpating with a mix of urgency and care.

    ¡°Start an IV,¡± he directed, his eyes briefly meeting Hana¡¯s before returning to his patient.

    Hana nodded, her fingers trembling as she tore open the IV kit. She could feel his gaze on her, and it took all her willpower not to look up as she concentrated on the vein under Mrs Adler¡¯s skin. The catheter slid in, and Hana secured it with a strip of medical tape, only then allowing herself to exhale.

    ¡°That should kick in,¡± Ren murmured, his approval fleeting but impactful. As Mrs. Adler¡¯s breaths evened out with the pain medication coursing through her system, Ren turned to the other nurses. ¡°Can we get her records?¡±

    ¡°Right away,¡± the bun-haired nurse replied, disappearing momentarily before returning with a folder thick with medical history.

    During the brief lull, Ren¡¯s gaze settled on Hana once more. Their eyes locked, something unspoken passing between them. It was a connection that seemed to transcend the flurry of the emergency, a recognition that felt both new and ancient.

    ¡°Your hands,¡± Ren commented, an edge of curiosity in his voice as he gestured toward the rubber gloves still snug against Hana¡¯s slender fingers.

    Hana¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she quickly tucked her hands behind her back, breaking eye contact. ¡°Just following protocol,¡± she said, voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Ren replied, a ghost of a smile touching his lips as if he understood the nerves that hid beneath her professional demeanor.

    As Mrs. Adler stabilized, Ren flipped through the records, his brow furrowing as he absorbed the information. Hana watched him, her heart thudding in her chest, the undeniable draw she felt to him equally thrilling and terrifying.

    At that moment, amidst the beeping monitors and the sterile scent of disinfectant, a silent understanding settled between Ren and Hana. They were there to heal, to ease the suffering of those like Mrs. Adler, and perhaps, in doing so, find healing themselves.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get an ultrasound to check her abdominal cavity,¡± Dr. Ren said decisively, his gaze flickering from the patient to Hana.

    ¡°Right away, Doctor.¡± Hana¡¯s voice was steady despite the undercurrent of nervousness as she turned on her heel and slipped out of the room.

    Accompanied by Nurse Julia, whose curly hair and no-nonsense demeanor were a familiar comfort in the chaos of the ward, they weaved through the corridors. The wheels of the ultrasound machine hummed against the polished linoleum, punctuated by the distant beeps and soft murmur of hushed conversations seeping out from behind closed doors.

    ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve got your hands full with Mrs. Adler,¡± Julia remarked, eyeing Hana¡¯s still-gloved hands.

    Hana only nodded, focusing on the task at hand. They returned to the room, where the sterile blue curtains swayed gently from the draft of the air conditioning. The two nurses set up the ultrasound equipment near the bed, the gel and probe ready for Dr. Ren¡¯s inspection.

    ¡°Set,¡± Ren acknowledged their efforts with a nod, turning his attention back to Mrs Adler, who lay with a sheen of sweat on her brow, her previous ire subdued by pain.

    ¡°Mrs. Adler, we need to take a look inside, okay?¡± Ren¡¯s voice was gentle, but firm. Hana watched him apply the cold gel to the patient¡¯s abdomen, her own hands now free from the rubber gloves, fidgeting with the hem of her scrubs.

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    The room filled with the sound of the machine coming to life, and the soft squelching noise as Ren moved the probe across the taut skin. Hana held her breath; something about this case felt pivotal.

    ¡°There,¡± Dr. Ren murmured, his eyes narrowing at the screen. ¡°Do you see that, Nurse Shizumi?¡±

    She stepped closer, her amber eyes scanning the greyscale image for the anomaly he indicated¡ªa shadow that shouldn¡¯t be there. A mass in the Fallopian tube.

    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Hana asked, her voice barely a whisper.

    Ren nodded solemnly, then turned to the patient with a measured calmness that belied the gravity of the situation. ¡°Mrs. Adler, we¡¯ve found something on the ultrasound that we need to discuss.¡±

    The patient¡¯s face, already pale, seemed to lose the last vestiges of color. The tension in the air was palpable, the weight of the moment stretching thin the fabric of routine that usually shrouded the hospital wards.

    ¡°Tell me,¡± Mrs. Adler said, her voice cracking.

    The sterile scent of antiseptics mingled with the undercurrent of tension as Ren¡¯s hand paused on the ultrasound machine. Mrs. Adler¡¯s eyes, wide and fearful, flicked from the screen to Hana, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat might resemble hope.

    ¡°Mrs. Adler,¡± Ren began, his voice gentle but firm, ¡°the mass we¡¯ve discovered here is consistent with an ectopic pregnancy.¡±

    A sharp intake of breath cut through the room as Mrs. Adler clutched at her hospital gown, her knuckles whitening. ¡°Pregnant?¡± she echoed, disbelief etching her features into a mask of confusion. ¡°But... but I¡¯ve been trying for years.¡±

    Hana¡¯s heart clenched at the mixture of elation and despair that crossed the woman¡¯s face. Years of yearning crystallized in a single moment, only to be shattered by cruel fate.

    ¡°An ectopic pregnancy means the embryo has implanted outside the uterus,¡± Ren explained, his gaze never leaving Mrs. Adler¡¯s. ¡°In your case, it¡¯s in the Fallopian tube.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you save it?¡± The pleading note in Mrs. Adler¡¯s voice wrenched Hana¡¯s insides, a silent symphony of shared pain.

    Ren¡¯s shoulders sagged ever so slightly, a testament to the burden he bore¡ªthe harbinger of unwelcome truths. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s not viable,¡± he said softly. ¡°The pregnancy can¡¯t proceed safely.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about your options,¡± Ren said, casting a glance toward Hana, their shared empathy enveloping the room like a warm blanket amidst the cold reality of medicine.

    The door swung open, drawing all eyes to the figure of Mr. Adler as he strode in, his expression wracked with concern. His eyes darted from his wife¡¯s tear-streaked face to the solemn figures of Ren and Hana.

    ¡°Is everything alright? What¡¯s happened?¡± His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed the fear of a man who felt his world tipping precariously.

    ¡°Marcus,¡± Mrs. Adler breathed out, her voice trembling like a reed in the wind. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant.¡±

    His face lit up for a heartbeat, a sunrise of joy that darkened quickly as he noticed the somber atmosphere. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, isn¡¯t it?¡± There was a desperate edge to his question, a plea for someone to affirm the happiness he so clearly wanted to grasp.

    ¡°Mr. Adler,¡± Ren interjected, stepping forward. ¡°Your wife needs surgery. An ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening if not addressed promptly.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll have her transferred to OB/GYN¡±

    The word ¡®surgery¡¯ hung between them like a specter, cold and unwavering.

    ¡°Life-threatening?¡± Mr. Adler repeated, his hopeful visage crumbling. He moved to his wife¡¯s side, enveloping her hand in both of his. She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with sorrow and love.

    ¡°Can¡¯t carry to term,¡± Mrs. Adler whispered, her voice barely audible over the beeps and hums of the hospital ward around them. ¡°It¡¯s in my tube, Marcus. Our baby...we can¡¯t...¡±

    ¡°Shh,¡± he soothed, pressing a kiss to her forehead, his tears unbidden. ¡°We¡¯re together in this. That¡¯s what matters.¡±

    Hana discreetly stepped back, giving the couple a semblance of privacy in the crowded hospital room. She watched as Ren documented the findings in Mrs. Adler¡¯s medical record, his handwriting steady despite the emotional undertow. Her hands, though still gloved, remained at her sides¡ªno longer twisting or fidgeting but held with a newfound resolve.

    As the machines beeped their indifferent rhythms, Hana realized that within these walls, life and loss danced a delicate pas de deux, and healing often began with the hardest revelations.

    Hana moved with quiet efficiency through the ward, her presence a whisper against the cacophony of monitors and hushed conversations. She approached Mrs. Adler¡¯s bed, where the sunlight now streamed in through the windows, she¡¯d opened moments before. The fresh air mingled with the sterile tang of antiseptic, a subtle reminder of the world outside these healing confines.

    ¡°Time for another check,¡± Hana announced softly, her fingers deft as they assessed the pulse at Mrs. Adler¡¯s wrist. The woman¡¯s eyes, red-rimmed and weary, followed Hana¡¯s movements without protest.

    The sterile scent of antiseptic hung in the air as Hana busied herself with the final checks on Mrs. Adler¡¯s vitals. The room, bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun streaming through the open window, felt less like a confinement and more like a sanctuary at that moment. Mrs. Adler, her face etched with lines of both pain and contemplation, shifted beneath the crisp hospital sheets

    ¡°Are you doing this out of pity?¡± Mrs. Adler¡¯s voice cracked, lined with the fatigue of confrontation she was no longer wielding.

    Hana met her gaze steadily, noting the tension knitted between the patient¡¯s brows. ¡°I¡¯m here to care for you, Mrs. Adler,¡± she said, her tone gentle but firm. ¡°It¡¯s not about pity. It¡¯s about helping those in need, regardless of anything else.¡±

    ¡°Even after I was so unpleasant?¡± A flicker of regret passed over Mrs. Adler¡¯s face, the harsh lines of pain softening.

    ¡°Especially then,¡± Hana replied, her hands steady as she adjusted the IV line. ¡°Sometimes, we¡¯re tested, not to show our weaknesses, but to discover our strengths.¡± Her amber eyes held a deep, unwavering commitment that seemed to reach beyond the walls of the hospital room.

    Mrs. Adler lay back against the pillows, considering this young nurse who radiated calm amidst the storm of her fears. Hana¡¯s simple silver necklace caught the light, a beacon of her steadfastness. Outside, the world continued its pace, unaware of the life-altering decisions unfolding within the hospital¡¯s embrace.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Mrs. Adler murmured, her resistance ebbing away like the tide going out, leaving behind the raw reality of her situation.

    ¡°Rest now,¡± Hana encouraged, offering a smile tinged with empathy. ¡°You¡¯re in good hands.¡±

    As she stepped away from the bedside, Hana carried with her the weight of Mrs. Adler¡¯s gratitude, and within her heart, the unspoken understanding that every act of kindness was a stitch in the fabric of healing.

    ¡°Listen,¡± Mrs. Adler¡¯s voice cracked slightly, betraying a vulnerability she seldom allowed others to witness. ¡°About earlier... I¡¯m sorry. I can be a bull in a china shop when I¡¯m scared.¡±

    Hana paused, her hands momentarily stilling from their task. She met Mrs. Adler¡¯s gaze, seeing the woman¡ªthe person¡ªbehind the brusque exterior. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Hana responded with a grace that seemed to fill the space between them. ¡°We¡¯re all human. We react in different ways to stress.¡±

    Mrs. Adler¡¯s eyes sought understanding, and Hana offered it freely. ¡°What matters now is focusing on what¡¯s best for you.¡± She straightened, the faint crinkles near her honey-tea eyes deepening as she spoke with quiet conviction. ¡°Your life is precious, more than anything else. There will be other chances, other possibilities for a baby, but your husband... he can¡¯t replace you.¡±

    ¡°Even with the odds stacked against this pregnancy?¡± Mrs. Adler¡¯s words trembled, hope warring with realism.

    ¡°Especially then,¡± Hana said, her slender fingers gently smoothing the blanket over Mrs. Adler¡¯s form. ¡°This baby, because of where it¡¯s grown, won¡¯t likely survive to term. And carrying on could mean risking your ability to have children in the future¡ªor even your health.¡±

    From behind the door, an inquisitive doctor listened, his attention captured by the nurse¡¯s genuine concern and clear explanation. He noted the careful way she avoided any clinical coldness, instead infusing her words with warmth and compassion. For the first time, he heard the nurse form a sentence that consisted of more than three words.

    ¡°Thank you, Nurse Shizumi,¡± Mrs. Adler whispered, her work-hardened hands clutching the bed sheets. ¡°You¡¯ve given me a lot to think about.¡±

    ¡°Take all the time you need,¡± Hana reassured, her necklace glinting softly. ¡°I¡¯ll be here if you have any questions or need to talk.¡±

    With those parting words, Hana stepped back, allowing Mrs. Adler some space to absorb the gravity of her situation.

    As she moved towards the door, she didn¡¯t notice the tall figure of Dr. Jenkins discreetly stepping away, a half-smile playing on his lips; he had seen many nurses, but Hana¡¯s sincerity touched something in him. There was just something familiar about her. Without interrupting, he turned and walked down the corridor, his mind already weaving thoughts of the nurse¡¯s gentle strength into his reflections on the day.

    The sterile scent of antiseptics mingled with the muffled beeps of hospital monitors as Hana escorted Mrs. Adler¡¯s gurney through the quiet corridors toward the OB/GYN ward. The wheels hummed a steady rhythm against the polished floor, a counterpoint to the fluttering in Hana¡¯s chest. She glanced at Mrs. Adler, the woman¡¯s face drawn, eyes reflecting the fluorescent lights above like troubled pools.

    ¡°Will it hurt?¡± Mrs. Adler¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, yet it cut through the hush around them.

    ¡°This hospital has one of the best,¡± Hana reassured her, her hands steady on the gurney despite the tremor she felt within. ¡°They¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re comfortable.¡±

    ¡°Comfortable,¡± Mrs. Adler echoed, her gaze flickering with the ghost of irony. ¡°That¡¯s not something I¡¯m used to chasing.¡±

    Hana paused beside the door marked with the bold letters ¡®OB/GYN - Operating Rooms¡¯. A nurse, the fabric of her scrubs rustling softly, joined them, her badge reading ¡®Mira¡¯. Mira¡¯s bright eyes met Hana¡¯s, offering silent support.

    Hana felt Mrs. Adler¡¯s tension, the air charged with the unspoken gravity of the procedure ahead.

    ¡°Will I...¡± Mrs. Adler started, her lips trembling. ¡°Will I still be able to...¡±

    ¡°Try again?¡± Hana finished for her, understanding the question that lingered. ¡°Yes. After recovery, there¡¯s every chance. You can discuss this with your specialist, but many women go on to have healthy pregnancies.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Nurse Shizumi,¡± Mrs. Adler¡¯s voice cracked, a single tear escaping down her cheek.

    ¡°Call me Hana,¡± she replied, brushing away the tear with a thumb covered by her glove. ¡°They¡¯re almost ready for you.¡±

    ¡°Good luck, Mrs. Adler,¡± Hana whispered, even as the doors to the operating room swung shut, obscuring the scene from view. She removed her gloves slowly, feeling the weight of the moment settle upon her.

 Oh My Sammy

    The automatic doors to the emergency room slid open with a whoosh, admitting a frail elderly man guided in by a paramedic. He leaned heavily on a stretcher, gray hair disheveled, eyes darting around uncertainly.

    ¡°John Doe, seems to be in his late 70s, was found wandering and unresponsive near the park,¡± the paramedic rattled off. ¡°Possible dementia, maybe stroke too.¡±

    Dr. Jenkins looked up from reviewing a chart at the nurse¡¯s station. His gaze softened behind his rimless glasses. ¡°Let¡¯s get him settled in bay 2,¡± he directed. Carefully, they helped the man onto the exam bed.

    ¡°Sir, I¡¯m Dr. Jenkins,¡± Ren introduced himself gently, his pen light quickly accessing the man''s pupils. ¡°Can you tell me your name?¡± The man stared at him blankly. Ren nodded at Hana who stood nearby. ¡°Can you help me get his vitals?¡±

    Hana moved quietly to assist, with efficient motions she took the man¡¯s blood pressure, pulse, and other readings, documenting each dutifully. Her touch was feather-light as if sensing his fragility.

    Ren inspected the man further, no facial drooping to indicate a stroke. He held the man¡¯s hands, noting a faint tremor. Testing reflexes elicited no response.

    ¡°Possible catatonia,¡± Ren murmured. When he peeled back an eyelid, the man flinched slightly but otherwise remained unresponsive, adrift in a haze they could not penetrate.

    Hana hovered nearby, observing the perplexing case. Her hands, though fully gloved, twisted the hem of her scrubs in unconscious worry.

    ¡°Poor thing,¡± Julia remarked softly, joining them. Her curly hair bounced gently as she checked the monitors. ¡°No ID, no family here. We¡¯ll have to fingerprint and photograph to try contacting next of kin.¡± Hana¡¯s heart constricted at the thought of him utterly alone.

    The man¡¯s eyes flew open, suddenly lucid. He stared at Hana with recognition. ¡°Sammy!¡± he croaked. ¡°Where is...my Sammy...¡± His voice dissolved into racking coughs.

    In the blur of medical personnel swarming around the gurney, the patient¡¯s hand darts out, grasping Hana¡¯s wrist. A jolt passes between them and suddenly she¡¯s awash in visions - a woman on a swing in a sunlit yard, the harsh squeal of tires, labored breathing through an oxygen mask, the smile of the same lady in a white dress. Hana gasps, the memories slamming into her with force.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi, step back!¡± Dr. Jenkins orders, misreading her distress. Hana swayed, the images flooding her mind too rapidly to grasp.

    The connection was broken suddenly by other nurses. The visions faded but left a shadow¡ªthe lonely specter of love and loss. Sammy must be the woman from the glimpse she¡¯d seen. His daughter or wife perhaps.

    Hana pales. What have I done? She backs away slowly, feeling the air in her lungs shorten with each breath. She couldn¡¯t have a panic attack in the middle of an emergency. Dr. Jenkins glances at her quizzically before returning his focus to his patient. The danger seems to have passed, but Hana¡¯s heart hammers against her ribs.

    Green eyes flash with irritation beneath her riotous halo of copper curls. ¡°You help by following protocol, not panicking at every slight tension,¡± Crystal continues sharply.

    ¡°I am sorry,¡± Hana whispers, blinking back tears. Her slender fingers worry over the charm on her necklace compulsively. She cannot meet Crystal¡¯s stern gaze.

    As the most senior nurse, she runs a tight ship. Hana shrinks under her glare. ¡°No more sideshows. Understand?¡±

    Hana nods mutely, cheeks flaming. She just wants to disappear, to rewind time and stop herself from unleashing the visions. But the man¡¯s whispered plea echoes in her mind - ¡°Where is my Sammy?¡±

    Crystal announced to the staff at the nurse¡¯s station, ¡°Your task right now is to begin the search for Sammy and notify the man¡¯s relatives.¡±

    ¡°Check with local hospices and police stations too,¡± Nurse Crystal adds, thinking of the person called Sammy who filled the man¡¯s last lucid memory.

    Hiding in the storage room, Hana shrinks back into the corner, trembling. Since childhood, the mysterious visions brought by touch have terrified her.

    ¡°Why me...¡± she hisses to herself under her breath, picking at her nail bed.

    Hana stays frozen in place, lambasted nerves and racing heart at war with her longing to help solve the mystery of their John Doe. She wonders if she might find the courage to offer the name ¡°Sammy¡± and risk revealing more about her inexplicable abilities.

    But the memory of Crystal¡¯s harsh reprimand keeps her silent, hands clenching and unclenching anxiously beneath the sting of antiseptic that scrubs all traces of individuality from the room.

    The shrill beep of a monitor pierces the focused chaos of the emergency room. Hana rushes towards the commotion, gloved hands at the ready. The elderly man lies on the gurney, face contorted in agony, one hand pressed desperately against his chest.

    ¡°Cardiac arrest!¡± Dr. Jenkins calls out. His hands move swiftly, administering CPR with expert compression. Hana assists, attaching electrode pads for the defibrillator. Her mind races through protocol even as her body carries out each motion on autopilot.

    Chaos erupts as monitors blare alerts. The elderly man convulses violently on the bed, his body wracked by seizure. The team swoops in, Julia barking orders while Dr. Jenkins administers emergency medication.

    In the fray, the man¡¯s flailing hand catches Hana¡¯s cheek, nails raking a startling line of red. She hardly notices, focused on keeping his airway stable until the thrashing ceases. As suddenly as it started, the seizure stopped, leaving the patient unconscious and stabilizing.

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    Across the room, Dr. Jenkins finishes evaluating the now sleeping man, his salt and pepper hair mussed from repeatedly running his hands through it. His tall frame straightens as he scans the test results, brows furrowing behind silver wire-rim glasses. Hana watches him surreptitiously, simultaneously in awe of his composure and terrified he¡¯ll discover her reckless intervention.

    Hana steps back, chest heaving. Julia glances over, concerned cracking her professional armor. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    Hana nods shakily. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she murmurs, still unaware of the graze on her skin.

    ¡°CT and MRI show a clot in his left frontal lobe,¡± Dr Jenkins tells Julia gravely. ¡°It appears to be causing the seizures and confusion.¡±

    Crystal¡¯s face sharpens in concern. ¡°So, he¡¯ll need surgery then. Any ID on him yet?¡± The nurses shake their heads in reply.

    ¡°Without medical history or a healthcare proxy, our hands are tied. Let¡¯s keep making calls. Someone has to be looking for him.¡±

    Crystal nods curtly at the ladies and moves off to confer with Dr. Jenkins, her white sneakers squeaking on the polished floor.

    Hana listens silently from across the room where she re-ties her hair and takes deep breaths to regain her frayed composure before rejoining them. Her palm rests instinctively on her necklace charm, drawing comfort from its familiar shape.

    Dr Jenkins excuses himself, having ordered tests to determine the cause. Just as he is about to leave, his gaze lingers on Hana¡¯s face, causing self-conscious warmth to flood her cheeks.

    ¡°Your face... you are bleeding,¡± he informs Hana. ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± he says, reaching toward Hana¡¯s cheek. She recoils instinctively, fresh panic surging like electricity through her nerves. "It''s fine"

    Dr Jenkins pauses, reading the anxiety in her wide eyes. ¡°It should be cleaned regardless,¡± he advises in a gentle tone. Carefully he reaches into the cabinet and hands her an antiseptic wipe and bandage.

    Hana accepts them awkwardly, mumbling gratitude as humiliation burns through her. She quickly excuses herself to tend to the slender scratch, willing herself to disappear.

    On her way to the resting room, she berates herself for reacting so poorly to Dr Jenkins¡¯ attempt to examine her injury. But the memory of those visions threatens to resurface, and she pushes it down, frustrated by her lack of control.

    Hana tries to disinfect the affected area, wincing slightly at the sting. In the harsh lighting of the break room, she examines the slender scratch left by the elderly patient¡¯s flailing nails.

    Dr. Jenkins approaches quietly, his gaze lingering on her injury. ¡°May I?¡± he asks, gesturing toward the scratch. His sudden appearance takes her by surprise for a second.

    Reluctantly, Hana allows him to examine it, peering intently into her eyes for any sign of concussion. Despite his gloved hands, his touch was gentle but clinical in its detachment.

    ¡°Just superficial,¡± he murmurs. ¡°But keep it clean.¡± Hana nods wordlessly, looking away from the intensity of his focus on her.

    His gaze radiated gentle concern. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Hana whispered, willing it to be true. Her trembling hands clutched her silver necklace like a talisman.

    The atmosphere got awkward as the silence thickened the tension between them. Jenkins wondered why he felt drawn to her, why he felt the need to protect her. Hana wondered why he was here, why he was nice to her.

    Breaking the tension, ¡°The test results indicate a blood clot in his frontal lobe,¡± Dr. Jenkins continues gravely. ¡°It¡¯s the likely cause of the seizures and confusion.¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes widen in concern. ¡°That will require immediate surgery then,¡± she replies loudly before apologizing promptly for her outburst.

    ¡°Yes, but we¡¯ve hit a wall with identity and contacts,¡± the doctor confirms. ¡°We managed to stabilize him for now, but he needs us to access his medical history.¡± He stops himself from running a hand through his salt and pepper hair, frustration playing at the corners of his mouth. He couldn¡¯t break his composure in front of a junior.

    ¡°Any family would also need to give consent before we can operate,¡± Hana adds quietly. She thinks again of the fleeting vision -- the smiling girl called Sammy frolicking under a bright sun.

    Ren regards Hana thoughtfully, sensing there is more she¡¯d like to say but hesitates.

    Hana wraps her arms around herself, feeling Dr. Jenkins¡¯ pensive gaze. She had sensed context around the vision of the girl Sammy, a deeply rooted love despite the fractured recollection.

    Perhaps there is another way, she considers. The local hospital networks share records--a name she gleaned could be searched there for matching medical history. It is likely prohibited, but she wants so badly to help connect this man to those who love him. She resolves to discreetly ask her friend, an admin in their medical records department, to aid the search. First, though, she must gather more clues, no matter the risk.

    *************************

    Just before rounds, Hana rapped lightly on the door of Dr. Jenkins¡¯ office before slipping inside. The room was empty, offering her a rare moment of privacy. She crossed to his desk and carefully set down the steaming cup of coffee.

    As she turned to leave, something caught her eye - a framed photo on the cluttered desk. Hana¡¯s gaze lingered on the image of a younger, smiling Dr. Jenkins alongside a pretty woman and another man, all three in crisp white lab coats and scrubs. The woman¡¯s arm was looped casually around Ren¡¯s shoulders.

    Hana felt her cheeks grow warm and she quickly averted her eyes. It wasn¡¯t her place to pry, especially into the personal life of an esteemed doctor like Jenkins. Shaking her head firmly, she hurried out of the office.

    Sometime later, the door opened again as Dr. Ren Jenkins entered, his tall frame slumping slightly with exhaustion. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he listened to the voice on the other end of his phone call.

    ¡°Yes, yes I¡¯ll do my best to be there for dinner,¡± he said in a softer tone than one might expect from his brusque public demeanor. ¡°But you know these emergency cases can be unpredictable...¡±

    His words trailed off as he noticed the almost warm cup of coffee on his desk. Ren felt the corner of his mouth twitch upward as he read the simple message scrawled on the cup: ¡°Thank you for the bandage¡±

    For a fleeting moment, the image of Nurse Shizumi¡¯s shy smile flickered through his mind. But he immediately dismissed it with a curt shake of his head. She was just one of the junior nurses. Not someone he should be...

    Ren cut off that dangerous train of thought. Clearing his throat gruffly, he refocused on the phone call as he settled in behind his desk.

    ¡°Look, I need to go. We¡¯ll discuss dinner plans later...¡±

    The sharp scent of antiseptic hung in the air as Hana slipped into the nurse¡¯s station, seeking a brief respite from the controlled chaos of the emergency ward. Her heart still pounded, echoing the unrelenting beeps of monitors outside. Clicking on the patient¡¯s details, she focused on steadying her breathing, willing away the panic rising within.

    A soft thud interrupted her racing thoughts. She looked up to Dr. Jenkins¡¯ kind, chestnut-eyed gaze, setting down a patient¡¯s file, peering down at her from his tall frame.

    ¡°Well, I just got word they tracked down contact info for our John Doe,¡± Ren continued. Even though Ren was speaking to the staff at the post, she felt the word being directed to herself for some unspeakable reason. ¡°His name is Robert Lowe.¡±

    ¡°His wife reported him missing yesterday. Her name is Samantha Lowe. Probably the ¡®Sammy¡¯ our patient mentioned. The name struck a chord, so it seems promising¡± Ren said. ¡°Good work guys¡±

    With an encouraging smile, he exited. Hana let out a sigh of relief. Her plan worked well. She made a mental note to thank Mira with an expensive dinner.

    Alone again amidst the scent of antiseptics, Hana breathed deeply. Her gift... She still did not understand it fully herself, but today it illuminated a path towards answers for someone lost in the dark. Someone who needed her.

    Squaring her slender shoulders, Hana returned to the bustling emergency ward, the beeping monitors and ringing phones strangely reassuring now. She had a job to do still.

 Just One touch

    The early morning light filtered into the room, glinting off the framed photos on her desk---keepsakes of life halted at age five when she was kidnapped and held captive for three days.

    Hana descended the grand staircase where her parents sat finishing breakfast in the sunroom, her father Kaito buried behind a newspaper, her mother Midori critiquing the housekeeper. Hana takes a steadying breath.

    ¡°Mother, Father...I wanted to discuss... about... college,¡± she begins tentatively.

    Kaito replied behind his newspaper with a monotonous tone. ¡°Of course. Should we start touring universities soon?¡±

    Hana shakes her head, slender fingers worrying the charm necklace ever-present around her neck, seeking courage. ¡°I applied for nursing school.¡±

    Midori nearly upends her teacup. ¡°Absolutely not!¡± she interjects, azure silk robe billowing as she stands abruptly. She begins pacing, the clicking of her heels punctuating her words.

    ¡°Applying to nursing school without a single word to me? Shizumi Hana, do you have any idea how this throws our plans into disarray?¡±

    Hana¡¯s hands fisted at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. ¡°Plans? Those are your plans, Mother. Not mine.¡±

    ¡°Your plans?¡± Midori scoffed. ¡°After all that your father and I have sacrificed for you! Since when do you have your own plans? London School of Economics, that¡¯s what¡¯s on the table. A prestigious education, a network of influential contacts¡­ what more could you possibly want?¡±

    ¡°A life I choose!¡± Hana shot back, her voice raw with emotion. ¡°One where I¡¯m not just a pawn in your game!¡±

    A flicker of something akin to pain crossed Midori¡¯s face, a fleeting glimpse beneath the carefully constructed mask. But it was quickly replaced by a renewed wave of anger.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare blame me for your¡­ your misplaced ambitions,¡± Midori spat, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°That influence¡­ that Mira¡­ she¡¯s filled your head with foolish dreams.¡±

    Hana bristled. ¡°This has nothing to do with Mira! This is about me, about doing something I actually care about for once!¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t have you around such chaos, such nonsense!¡± Midori continues, blonde hair impeccable despite her agitation. ¡°You will train in your father¡¯s company instead. It¡¯s what I want you to do.¡±

    Hana steels herself, meeting her mother¡¯s flashing hazel eyes unflinchingly. ¡°My mind is set, Mother. This is my path.¡± Hana¡¯s hands tremble, but her voice remains steady. ¡°Nursing is my passion. I want to help people.¡±

    Midori scoffs, fear morphing into frustration. ¡°Don¡¯t be naive, Hana. It¡¯s an admirable sentiment, but the world will chew you up.¡±

    The words sting. Hana blinks back tears, fighting the familiar anxiety creeping through her chest. ¡°Have a little faith in me, Mother. I¡¯m not as fragile as you think.¡±

    ¡°Shizumi Hana, Listen to me!¡± Midori¡¯s imperious facade finally cracks. She turns away, shoulders trembling. ¡°You have no idea...¡±

    Just then, Midori reached out, a hesitant hand trembling towards Hana. Hope flickered in Hana¡¯s chest, a fragile flame yearning for warmth. But before their skin could touch, Midori¡¯s hand halted mid-air. The fear in her mother¡¯s eyes, raw and naked, shattered Hana¡¯s heart.

    ¡°Mom?" Hana¡¯s voice was softer now, tinged with concern.

    Midori remained turned away, her gaze pressed against the window.

    Hana backs away in shock, the wall hugging her from behind. ¡°I don¡¯t even know if you love me anymore, you don¡¯t even care about what I want. But it¡¯s time for me to live on my terms.¡±

    ¡°Go to your room, Hana. We will not speak of this anymore,¡± she whispers harshly.

    She flees up the stairs as tears threaten to spill over, hyperventilating. Each breath feels like glass dragged over sandpaper. She muffles frantic sobs into her pillow, clinging to the one thing that grounds her - the watch her father gifted at graduation. She focuses on its rhythmic ticking, anchoring to this moment until the panic attack subsides.

    By the time her breathing regulates, her resolve has only hardened. Looking over to her bedroom dresser, she opens the last drawer and gives the bottle of pills one last look before shutting it. She wipes her eyes, holding close the image of helping others like herself. It is time to let go.

    Kaito rests a hand on Midori¡¯s arm, ever the peacemaker. ¡°Darling, calm down. She is just a child...¡±

    But Midori turns on him. ¡°This is nonsense! Have you forgotten what happened to our girl?¡± Her voice catches. ¡°I won¡¯t lose her again!¡±

    At nightfall, she headed downstairs without another word, heart leaden but resolute, in her hands, a few belongings. This image of her mother, enraged and terrified, is not the final memory she wants. But she knows now that setting herself free means letting go.

    ************************************************

    Hana gratefully sinks into the desk chair at the nurses¡¯ station, rubbing her neck from lack of sleep. Her nights have been filled with studying on cases while her days have been preoccupied by endless shifts. She wasn¡¯t even sure how many all-nighters she had pulled. Five? Seven?

    Julia brings over a steaming cup of chamomile tea, its floral fragrance soothing at the start of the evening shift.

    ¡°So far so qu-¡± Julia remarks, picking up a chart while flipping through... The other nurses shudder dramatically. ¡°Shhh!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t jinx it!¡± hisses Clara, nearly sloshing her coffee as she waves her hands frantically, her fiery hair escaping its ponytail. She glances around warily as if expecting chaos to erupt just from voicing the possibility.

    ¡°Don¡¯t even say it!¡± Audra pleads, glancing anxiously up from checking her phone.

    Julia looks affronted, pausing mid-sentence with her mouth still open. The other nurses freeze, staring wide-eyed like she might set off an explosion by finishing her thought.

    ¡°Oh for heaven¡¯s sake,¡± Julia huffs, snapping the chart closed. ¡°You all are far too superstitious.¡± But she notices Hana surreptitiously crossing her slender fingers under the high countertop and hides a smile.

    From one of the rooms drifts the hearty laughter of Dr. Rowan examining a patient. Hana allows herself a small smile at the comforting sound. At least someone remains unaffected by superstition and tension.

    Dr. Rowan emerges from an exam room, his brown hair endearingly mussed. He joins them at the curved station, accepting the cup of strong coffee Clara offers with exaggerated wariness.

    ¡°Well, well...if it isn¡¯t my favorite lovely ladies!¡± Rowan winked broadly at them. The nurses immediately snapped to attention as Dr. Rowan strode towards them, his beaming smile a stark contrast to his rumpled scrubs. The ER attending had a larger-than-life presence that always put Hana a little on edge.

    ¡°Dare I ask what has everyone so tense this morning?¡± he inquires, one eyebrow raised in amusement.

    ¡°They¡¯ve gotten it into their heads I¡¯m going to jinx things by mentioning...¡± Julia lowers her voice to a theatrical whisper ¡°...the *q* word.¡±

    Rowan chuckles, the rich sound seeming to break the spell. ¡°I assure you many more patients are needing our help out there. But fret not, we¡¯ll handle whatever comes our way.¡±

    His calm confidence proved infectious. The nurses relax, laughing softly at their skittishness. Hana marvels at how he exudes steadiness and humor even on the brink of chaos. She wishes she could emulate that unflappable aura.

    No sooner has the thought formed than the loudest new nurse intern, Julie, makes a flippant gesture. ¡°Whatever, it¡¯s totally quiet in here!¡±

    The staff collectively tenses. But seconds continue to tick by without incident. Slowly the group relaxes, rolling their eyes at their ridiculousness.

    The incessant clamor of the emergency line shattered the momentary lull that had settled over the County Hospital ER. Audra, normally a picture of composure, paled as the ringing drilled into the quietude. Her hand, trembling slightly, reached for the receiver with the hesitation of one knowing the weight of the news it might carry. ¡°H-hello, County Hospital ER,¡± she stuttered, her voice betraying the sudden spike in her heartbeat.

    A tense silence enveloped the room, every ear straining to catch snippets of the unfolding calamity through Audra¡¯s end of the conversation. Her eyes widened, reflecting the gravity of the dispatcher¡¯s words, and the room seemed to contract around her.

    ¡°Yes, yes, we¡¯ll prepare for incoming!¡± she affirmed with a nod that none but the voice on the other line could see. The phone clicked back onto its cradle with an urgency that resonated through the stillness.

    Wide-eyed, Audra turned to face her colleagues, the blood drained from her face as if she had witnessed the horror they were about to confront. ¡°There¡¯s been an accident¡ªa bus crash. Multiple critical injuries on the way.¡±

    The ER explodes into action, Julia coordinating preparations, Clara wheeling out crash carts, and other nurses calling for backup.

    Within moments the ambulance bay doors crash open to deliver the first victims. Hana switches into crisis mode, letting her training guide her reactions.

    As if on cue, the ambulance bay doors burst open with a metallic clang, disrupting the brief lull. Gurneys streaked across the threshold, each carrying a precious cargo of human life hanging precariously between moments. Hana¡¯s instincts kicked in, her training taking hold as she pivoted towards the first stretcher.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡± the medics barked, the urgency in their voices a stark contrast to the practiced calm etched onto Hana¡¯s face.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s move!¡± The command barely needed to be spoken; it was already in motion, each member of the staff propelled by their resolve and training.

    ¡°Respirators and IVs, stat!¡± another nurse shouted, weaving through the maze of gurneys and medical equipment.

    ¡°Page Dr. Jenkins, tell him it¡¯s a Code D!¡± The mention of Ren conjured an image of his larger-than-life presence.

    The ER team didn¡¯t have the luxury of time to dwell on fear or anxiety.

    ¡°Hana, let¡¯s do our best, as always,¡± Hana whispered under her breath, a silent word of assurance to herself and whoever was listening. She adjusted the cuffs of her scrubs, her hands momentarily still before the storm.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a multiple-vehicle collision, head-on impact!¡± one paramedic shouts gruffly over the cacophony. ¡°Multiple casualties, some trapped!¡±

    A young man is wheeled in, face ashen, breaths shallow. His left femur juts out underneath the blanket at a sickening angle as Hana rushes IV supplies over.

    In the next gurney, a woman keens, cradling the unconscious form of a young boy. ¡°?Ay¨²dame, por favor! ?Mi ni?o, mi ni?o!¡± She rocks back and forth, catatonic with shock, his small chest unmoving.

    Nurses tear into action, efficient despite the bedlam. Julia takes charge, her curls whipping around her face as she triages. ¡°Clara, get a line in that head trauma and prep him for CT! Audra, start prepping the OR for potential surgery!¡±

    Heart pounding, Hana steels herself into nurse mode. She whips open the intubation kit with trembling hands, only the steady presence of Dr. Jenkins beside her keeping her grounded.

    ¡°Breathe, Shizumi,¡± he murmurs calmly, already ventilating the lifeless child. ¡°We¡¯ve got this.¡±

    From the corner of her eye, she sees a body bag being zipped up. The driver, she realizes somberly, did not survive the impact. Death found him in mere seconds while others clung to threads raveled by catastrophe.

    ¡°We got a code blue, patient non-responsive!¡± shouts a paramedic, a man she recognizes from previous calls. ¡°Pupils dilated and unresponsive, shallow breathing, pulse thready,¡± the paramedic rattled off.

    Hana¡¯s adrenaline spikes as she and the other nurses follow them inside, her feet automatically matching their pace. She helps to slide the patient onto the table, quickly scanning the information the paramedics relay.

    The victim is a young man, his clothes and face covered in dirt. There is an ugly laceration on his forehead, his hair is matted with blood. Hana swallows the urge to gasp when she sees his eyes, rolled back and lifeless.

    ¡°Weak, thready pulse and he¡¯s not breathing,¡± calls out the senior paramedic.

    She moved alongside them, her hands reaching out to steady IV bags, her gaze locking onto the monitors as they beeped frantically.

    ¡°Pressure¡¯s dropping here!¡± shouted a medic as he wheeled his patient past. Hana glanced at the blood pressure reading, her brow furrowing with concern as she noted the numbers plummeting. She didn¡¯t need to say a word; her eyes communicated the gravity of the situation to the team.

    Dr. Jenkins strides into the room, his expression grim as he assesses the situation. ¡°Let¡¯s get an intubation tube.¡±

    Hana attaches the leads for the monitor. Her heart plummets at the flatline, the harsh tone piercing the air.

    Clara is instantly beside her, the two women working smoothly as they intubate the patient. Ren takes over compressions, counting out loud to the rapid beat of the machine. Hana¡¯s heart races alongside the steady beat, willing the patient to restart.

    She moves automatically, working to save the life now slipping away. The rest of the world falls away as they fight to resuscitate, calling out the seconds as they shock the heart, the monitor¡¯s incessant beeping drowning out the sounds of the chaos outside.

    ¡°Still no pulse,¡± Hana reports, her fingers already flying over the defibrillator, prepping it for shock.

    All it took was a graze of the man¡¯s skin on hers. Somewhere in the distance, she could hear the beep of the heart monitor and the whoosh of the ventilator. The sounds faded, and in their place, a strange vision began to form.

    A winding country road at night. An old pickup truck careened out of control, headlights fading as it plunged into a ravine. The sharp crack of breaking glass and metal, a sickening thud.

    Her eyes flew open to see the heart monitor flatline. ¡°Clear!¡± They all step back and the patient¡¯s body arches off the table. Hana¡¯s hands grip the paddles tighter as she waits for the reading.

    ¡°Again, 300.¡± Another jolt. Still nothing. ¡°Let¡¯s increase it to 350.¡±

    Another jolt, this time with an agonized grunt as the man¡¯s body convulses. The young man is barely breathing on his own, the ventilator forcing his lungs to rise and fall. Dr Jenkins shakes his head and pulls off his gloves.

    The flatline continues.

    Hana¡¯s mouth goes dry as her brain struggles to comprehend the impossibility of the situation.

    ¡°Time of death 9:18 am,¡± he calls out.

    A brief silence fell in reverence for the recently deceased. This was the reality of the ER¡ªthe unrelenting pace, the weight of responsibility heavy on her slender shoulders.

    The ER stretched endlessly around her, a sea of suffering and shattered lives.

    A pregnant lady, in her mid-20s groaning in pain, holding onto her arm protectively was rushed in on a stretcher. ¡°Help! The baby...¡± she gasps between pained groans.

    Hana wants to run to her, but the man remains in her peripheral vision. ¡°My baby! Save my baby!¡± she cried out, the tears pouring out of her eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay ma¡¯am, we¡¯ll take care of you. How far along are you?¡± Hana asked while assisting Dr. Ren in the assessment of her condition.

    ¡°18 weeks, I¡¯m 18 weeks. I have an appointment next week, is my baby okay?¡± the lady whimpered.

    ¡°Try to remain calm, you¡¯re going to be alright,¡± Ren¡¯s voice was a low rumble as he and Hana hurried to her side. But even the head surgeon¡¯s typical cold bedside manner softened at the sight of her obvious distress.

    That¡¯s when Dr. Lia arrived, her long strides quickly eating up the distance across the pit. The maternal OB/GYN didn¡¯t even break stride as her hand found Ren¡¯s shoulder in a practiced, familiar gesture.

    As Lia sprang into action with quiet confidence and efficiency, Hana couldn¡¯t help but watch her with a swirling mixture of admiration and another unsettled feeling.

    The way Lia and Ren worked in such a synchronized partnership...it was clear theirs was a bond fortified by years of shared experience. Faced with the unruffled professionals they were, Hana felt like an insignificant outsider.

    She was just a junior nurse, what could she possibly offer compared to the brilliant, put-together Dr. Lia? The older woman seemed to be a living refutation of everything Hana was - unflappable, polished, and... unavoidably beautiful.

    Hana tried to push those unbidden insecurities aside as she stepped up to assist however she could. But try as she might, she couldn¡¯t quite shake the feeling of being a perpetual outside looking in...

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, we are doing everything we can to ensure your baby is okay. We just need to make sure you are well too, and we can do that together. Alright?¡± Dr. Ren tried to assure her, but he was met with a teary glare.

    ¡°What if you can¡¯t save him? What if something goes wrong?¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, let¡¯s try not to worry about the what-ifs and focus on the things we can do right now. Right?¡± Lia smiled at her reassuringly.

    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s do that. I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m just so scared.¡±

    Hana hung back, trying her best to focus on being professionally useful rather than getting distracted by her churning inner thoughts. She watched in admiration as Dr. Lia took control of the situation with her usual unflappable calm.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name, dear?¡± Lia asked in a soothing yet authoritative tone as she began her examination of the injured pregnant woman.

    ¡°S-Sarah,¡± the woman managed to gasp out between pained sobs.

    ¡°Okay Sarah, I need you to try and breathe deeply for me,¡± Lia instructed as she gently probed Sarah¡¯s swollen abdomen. ¡°Can you tell me if you¡¯re having any contractions or unusual cramping?¡±

    Sarah shook her head frantically. ¡°No, i-it¡¯s not that. It¡¯s my arm...¡± She moved to gesture but stopped herself with a wince.

    Lia¡¯s eyes instantly narrowed at the aborted motion. ¡°Let me take a look.¡±

    With a feather-light touch, the doctor examined Sarah¡¯s shoulder and upper arm, her fingers deftly seeking out any deformities or irregularities. After a few probing movements, Sarah couldn¡¯t stifle a yelp of pain.

    ¡°I think you may have a dislocation here,¡± Lia murmured, more to herself than the patient. She locked eyes with one of the nearby nurses. ¡°Get me the ultrasound for the baby and...Ren, the arm injury¡±

    As the nurse hurried away, Lia turned her full attention back to Sarah. She smoothed the sweaty bangs off the woman¡¯s forehead with comforting strokes.

    ¡°Deep breaths, you¡¯re going to be just fine. We¡¯re going to get you and your little one through this.¡±

    Hana watched in admiration and no small amount of envy as Lia got to work prepping the ultrasound with practiced efficiency. The doctor¡¯s endless stream of reassuring commentary seemed to instantly soothe Sarah¡¯s panic.

    ¡°Sarah, could we perhaps see your arm?¡± Ren asked, gesturing to her arm that she was keeping pressed to her stomach.

    ¡°Oh yes, it¡¯s just a scratch.¡± She lied

    Hana could see the bone protruding from her skin and the blood soaking her shirt. The lady was in shock and didn¡¯t know the extent of her injury.

    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll do a few x-rays and an ultrasound to check up on your baby, is that alright with you?¡± Lia suggested.

    ¡°Yes, of course. My husband is probably on his way, can you tell him I¡¯m here? His name is David. Please find him.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry ma¡¯am, I¡¯m sure he is on his way. ¡± Lia assured.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you¡¯ve suffered a trauma, we will need you to take some pain medication,¡± Ren informed her gently.

    ¡°Please, no, my baby,¡± she insisted.

    ¡°What if you were given a mild sedative instead, something to calm you so you don¡¯t stress yourself and the baby?¡± Dr. Ren interjected, noticing how anxious Sarah was getting.

    ¡°Alright, just please take care of my baby,¡± she whispered.

    ¡°Jenkins, I¡¯ll take it from here. You¡¯re needed elsewhere,¡± she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

    Ren gave her the briefest of nods, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. He squeezed the pregnant woman¡¯s hand once more before turning to assist another incoming trauma case.

    As the next wave of injuries arrived, Hana felt the pull of her duty stronger than ever. Each broken body was a call to arms, each gasp for breath a silent plea for her expertise. And amidst this turmoil, she remained steadfast, her delicate features set in an expression of fierce determination, the silver necklace charm resting against her chest a glint of steadiness in the eye of the storm.

    ¡°Vitals on this one!¡± a medic called out, directing Hana¡¯s attention to a new patient. She leaned over, quickly assessing the readings, her mind racing to piece together the puzzle of injuries before her. It was as if she could see through the chaos, her visions clear, guiding her actions with an almost supernatural precision.

    The paramedic¡¯s shout cut through the chaos like a knife. ¡°We got a code blue, patient non-responsive!¡±

    Ren was at his side in an instant, scanning the unmoving form as the gurney rushed through the doors.

    Hana helped slide the patient onto an empty bed, as Nurse Clara was shouting orders to her team as she worked. ¡°O2 mask, get me an IV line, monitor his vitals.¡± Her mind raced ahead, piecing together a diagnosis from the symptoms. The puzzle was coming together, each new clue guiding her actions.

    ¡°BP dropping, heart rate erratic,¡± a nurse called out. Dr. Ren leaned over the patient, palpating the man¡¯s abdomen as he searched for a response.

    A wince. There. Internal trauma.

    ¡°Get me an ultrasound machine. STAT,¡± he said, directed at anyone. Hana quickly set up the machine as they all looked up at the screen, rallying them to the cause. ¡°Blood¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s internal bleeding,¡± Crystal said, meeting Dr. Jenkins¡¯ gaze with quiet confidence. ¡°We need to go to surgery, now, or we¡¯ll lose him.¡±

    The doctor stared at her, confusion flickering in his eyes. But he had learned to trust Hana¡¯s instincts. With a sharp nod, he made his decision.

    ¡°Take him to OR 3, we¡¯re going in immediately.¡± He turned on his heel, already barking orders to prepare for emergency surgery. ¡°Shizumi, Clara, scrub in¡±

    ¡°Yes sir¡±, they both chorused.

    Hana scrubbed in alongside Dr. Jenkins, her mind eerily calm and focused. In the operating room, there was no room for doubt or second-guessing. Only swift, decisive action.

    As soon as the first incision was made, a rush of blood and fluids spilled out onto the table. Just as she had seen, Dr. Jenkins¡¯ eyes widened at the sight, but his hands remained steady.

    ¡°Clamps,¡± Ren said. ¡°He¡¯s bleeding internally from trauma to the spleen and intestines.¡±

    The doctor¡¯s brow furrowed in concentration as he explored the cavity. After a moment, he nodded. ¡°Severe lacerations, we need to resection and repair immediately.¡±

    They handed him instruments almost before he could ask for them, the two working in seamless tandem. After hours of painstaking work, they finally closed the last incision. Dr. Jenkins let out a sigh, peeling off his gloves and mask.

    Hana sagged against the wall outside the operating room, adrenaline fading into bone-deep exhaustion. Her vision had cleared, but the memory of that ravaged abdomen stayed with her, stark and vivid.

    The hospital corridor fell into a hushed stillness as the chaos of the day gradually ebbed away.

    Turning a corner, Hana stumbled upon a heart-wrenching sight¡ªDr. Jenkins, his shoulders sagging under the weight of sorrow, broke the devastating news to the family of the man who had passed away earlier that day. The anguished cries of the widow pierced the air, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the pain of loss.

    Unable to bear the weight of her grief and the raw anguish of others, Hana retreated behind a nearby wall, her breath coming in shallow gasps as tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

    Then it hit her. She witnessed a death. Her first patient death.

    She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, stifling the sobs that threatened to escape, her heart heavy with sorrow for the family she had witnessed torn apart by tragedy.

    Hana wandered, her footsteps echoing against the sterile walls as she sought solace from the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume her.

    The paper-plastered walls of the on-call room greeted her, as she stumbled into the room, the heavy door swinging shut behind her with a soft click. Alone in the dimly lit space, barely remembering to turn on the light before collapsing onto the narrow bed.

    Her body shook with silent sobs as the events of the day crashed over her like a tidal wave. In a fit of anger, she trashed the gloves that were her shield from the outside world.

    All she could see was his blood. The flatline rang clear in her head. His last memories, a vision hidden in her head

    Unbeknownst to Hana, Ren saw her as she exited the corner. But he stood just outside the break room door, his heart aching with empathy as he listened to her quiet despair. He knew all too well the toll that the harsh realities of their profession could exact, the weight of each loss etched into his soul like a scar that never healed.

    Hana witnessed her first death today and he knew that she needed time to take it all in.

    As Hana emerged from the break room, her tear-stained cheeks glistening in the dim light, she collided with Ren, their bodies meeting in an unexpected embrace. For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as they clung to each other, their shared pain bridging the divide between them.

    Hana stood, frozen in Ren¡¯s embrace, her eyes wide with surprise and her mind reeling from the sudden collision of emotions.

    And in that moment, as their skin touched, she felt a strange sense of clarity wash over her¡ªa brief respite from the visions that had haunted her since childhood.

    As her body trembled with the aftershocks of their unexpected encounter, a small, involuntary hiccup escaped her lips, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped them.

    Her head is so clouded by the feeling of touch that she doesn¡¯t realize that her memory is clear.

    No... visions.

 The Three Musketeers

    For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Hana remained locked in Ren¡¯s arms, her senses overwhelmed by the warmth of his touch and the comforting strength of his presence. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions that swirled around her, there was a strange clarity.

    But as the seconds ticked by and the spell was broken, Hana¡¯s senses gradually returned to her, and she became very aware of the reality of their situation. So aware that warning bells were going off in her head. She was in her superior''s arms.

    With a shaky breath, she pulled away from Ren¡¯s embrace, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to find the words to express the jumble of emotions that churned within her.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins, I...I¡¯m sorry,¡± she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

    Ren held Hana at arm¡¯s length, his brow furrowed as he studied her flushed face. For a few beats, he said nothing, seemingly processing her stuttered apology.

    Hana felt the blood drain from her face as her gaze followed Ren¡¯s down to her bare hand still resting on his forearm from when he had steadied her. In her flustered state, she had been completely exposed.

    She quickly snatched her hand back as if burned, fumbling in the pocket of her scrubs with shaking fingers. Finally grasping a spare latex glove, Hana hurriedly tugged it over her hand, her cheeks flushing crimson.

    There was an acute pause where Ren¡¯s penetrating stare seemed to bore into her, his sharp eyes missing nothing. Hana felt laid bare, her carefully guarded secret about to be uncovered.

    ¡°I...I¡¯m sorry, I...¡± She stammered, unable to meet his probing gaze as she twisted the glove anxiously.

    Ren¡¯s expression remained inscrutable, giving no hint as to his thoughts on her strange behavior. The silence stretched out between them.

    ¡°Sorry?¡± he finally said, his deep voice a low rumble. ¡°You have nothing to apologize for, Nurse Shizumi.¡±

    Hana managed a jerky bob of her head, her shoulders still tensed awaiting further scrutiny over her odd glove ritual.

    Ren¡¯s jaw clenched as he wrestled with the aftershock of the intensely personal glimpses he thought he¡¯d experienced. He was a man of science and facts - not someone who entertained fanciful notions.

    ¡°You¡¯re tired from the long shift,¡± he stated firmly as if convincing himself as much as Hana. ¡°Perhaps you should take a moment to rest in the lounge before returning to your rounds.¡±

    His steely eyes finally met Hana¡¯s again, daring her to contradict his logical assessment of the situation. The sudden awkward tension hung thickly in the air between them.

    Hana exhaled a shaky breath she didn¡¯t realize she¡¯d been holding. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the fabric of her gloves as a flood of relief washed over her. With an inaudible goodbye, Hana whisked herself away from the strange man.

    Ren watched stoically as Hana scurried away, her shoulders hunched. He resisted the urge to call out after her retreating form.

    Instead, he clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes slightly as he replayed the strange interaction in his mind. When she had stumbled into his arms, her bare hands had grazed his skin sending an inexplicable jolt through him. Unbidden flashes of...something...had flooded his consciousness.

    But that was preposterous.

    Ren shook his head sharply. Nonsense. He was projecting, nothing more.

    And yet, a small part of him couldn¡¯t help but feel a flicker of disappointment at her brusque retreat. His icy gaze followed her retreating form until she disappeared around the corner.

    ¡°Everything alright over here?¡±

    Ren¡¯s head whipped around at the familiar voice. Dr. Rowan strolled up, his perpetual grin intact though his eyes held a hint of concern.

    ¡°Shizumi seemed a bit...rattled,¡± Rowan observed lightly. ¡°And you? Rough patient case?¡±

    ¡°Nothing I couldn¡¯t handle,¡± Ren said curtly, tactfully avoiding the details of his strange encounter with the nurse.

    Rowan held up his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Hey, no need to get defensive, Mister Freeze. I¡¯m just making sure my two favorite people aren¡¯t at each other¡¯s throats.¡±

    Ren¡¯s jaw ticked slightly at the nickname they both knew he despised. Rowan always did have a particular talent for getting under his skin.

    ¡°Shizumi is...¡± Ren paused, considering his words carefully. ¡°An enigma. Her disposition can be challenging to read at times.¡±

    One dark brow arched upward on Rowan¡¯s annoyingly smug face. ¡°Is that the high-brow doctor''s way of saying the poor girl is a bit of a weirdo?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that,¡± Ren countered a bit too quickly. He could feel his professional mask slipping slightly.

    ¡°Relax, bro,¡± Rowan laughed, slapping him companionably on the shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m just givin¡¯ you shit, as usual. Shizumi seems like a perfectly nice kid to me. Just...you know...awkward. Socially calibrated differently than the rest of us mere mortals.¡±

    Ren allowed himself a fractional eye roll at his friend¡¯s poor attempt at an empathetic observation. He should have known better than to reveal even a hint of his muddled thoughts regarding Hana.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to psychoanalyze my staff¡¯s eccentricities,¡± he said flatly, deftly changing the subject. ¡°Unless you¡¯ve called me out for an actual professional consultation to which I am unfortunately not trained to do?¡±

    Rowan¡¯s grin widened a touch as he recognized Ren¡¯s blatant deflection for what it was - a reminder to mind his own business. The man was prickly as a cactus when it came to keeping his emotional walls up.

    ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Rowan said easily. ¡°Morgue just brought up a couple of bodies from that pile-up on the interstate. Want to take a look before we call the families?¡±

    Ren¡¯s shoulders relaxed a fraction as he allowed himself to slip back into his well-practiced role of clinical detachment once more.

    ¡°Lead the way,¡± Ren said crisply, falling into step beside Rowan without a second glance in the direction Hana had gone.

    As they made their way down the stark corridor, Rowan shot Ren a sidelong glance. ¡°You know, for someone so wildly attractive, you sure do have a knack for making the pretty ladies want to run for the hills.¡±

    Ren didn¡¯t even dignify that with a response beyond a legendary withering stare.

    Undeterred, Rowan plowed ahead. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, a little charm can go a long way. You catch more flies with honey than...you know...¡±

    He trailed off with a suggestive waggle of his eyebrows. When Ren remained stoically unmoved, Rowan sighed loudly.

    ¡°Alright, alright, my legendary wit is wasted on you today, Dr. Iceberg.¡± He held up his hands in mock surrender. ¡°I just think it might do you some good to let people see there¡¯s a slightly less prickly side underneath all those emotional layers you¡¯ve got battened down.¡±

    This time it was Ren¡¯s turn to shoot his friend a look - one that quite clearly said he was dangerously close to overstepping his bounds. Rowan had always delighted a bit too much in trying to get a rise out of him.

    ¡°My ¡®side¡¯, as you put it, is completely professional,¡± Ren said evenly, his voice holding a subtle warning note ¡°I don¡¯t mix my personal affairs with hospital business. You¡¯d do well to remember that.¡±

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m just watching out for you, bro,¡± Rowan said mildly, though his mischievous grin took on a slightly more serious tilt. ¡°We both know you¡¯ve been a little...preoccupied lately. With a certain someone, perhaps?¡±

    The other doctor didn¡¯t have a chance to react before Rowan raised his hands defensively once more.

    ¡°But hey, what do I know? I¡¯m just the comic relief sidekick around here, right?¡± He shot Ren an exaggerated wink, clearly trying to defuse the tension that had crept in.

    Ren held Rowan¡¯s gaze for a beat longer, his jaw ticking almost imperceptibly. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and continued towards the morgue - his slate swept clean of any lingering personal contemplations.

    Rowan shook his head slowly, his grin fading just a touch as he hurried to catch up with his friend¡¯s singleminded strides. ¡°Whatever you say, Ice Man. Whatever you say...¡±

    <hr>

    Doomsday was finally behind them, and they were enjoying their first day of peace since it. The emergency room had finally reached a lull after the earlier rush of traumas. It was nearing the lunch hour, and the staff was regrouping after the adrenaline-fueled chaos.

    Ren was hunched over the nurses¡¯ station, meticulously updating patient charts and reviewing discharge orders with his usual intense focus. His brow was furrowed in concentration until a familiar voice broke through.

    ¡°There¡¯s my favorite workaholic!¡± Rowan sauntered up, shooting Ren a lopsided grin. ¡°Tell me you¡¯re planning on joining us for lunch this time?¡±

    Ren let out a slow breath through his nose but didn¡¯t look up from his paperwork. ¡°You know how I feel about disrupting my workflow.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know - meals just get in the way of your crazy surgeon schedule,¡± Rowan said with an exaggerated roll of his eyes. ¡°But Lia¡¯s actually coming down from OB to grace us with her presence. Wouldn¡¯t kill you to be a little social for once, Ice Prince.¡±

    That finally drew the slightest of smirks from Ren as his gaze flickered up briefly. ¡°I should have known you two would gang up on me.¡±

    ¡°You love it and you know it,¡± Rowan shot back easily. ¡°Now get that cute doctor butt of yours to the lounge before I have to drag you there myself.¡±

    As if on cue, Lia appeared beside them, somehow managing to look perfectly composed despite it being antenatal day at the OB/GYN. ¡°Am I interrupting some sort of testosterone-fueled male bonding moment?¡± she asked wryly.

    ¡°You¡¯re just in time!¡± Rowan exclaimed, slinging an arm casually around each of their shoulders. ¡°I was just convincing Dr. Grumpypants here to actually take his legally mandated lunch for once.¡±

    Lia arched a single, perfect eyebrow at Ren over Rowan¡¯s head, but her eyes danced with unmistakable affection. ¡°Well, if it¡¯s mandated...¡±

    Watching the trio from nearby, the team of nurses couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to their easy, effortless rapport - their hushed conversation a steady stream of admiring sighs and girlish commentary.

    ¡°They¡¯re like newborn baby ducklings waddling after each other,¡± Julie mock-whispered with a dreamy smile. ¡°Just too adorable.¡±

    Clara made a noise of grudging agreement, though she tried to mask it with an eye roll. ¡°I can¡¯t decide which one of those terrible threesomes I find more obnoxious...or attractive.¡±

    That earned her a sharp elbow in the ribs from Julie, which only made the other nurses stifle their laughter behind their hands.

    Even the ever-professional Nurse Crystal¡¯s stern veneer cracked the slightest bit as she watched Lia playfully rapping the back of her hand against Ren¡¯s arm.

    ¡°They may be a holy terror most days, but you have to admit...¡± Crystal said, a hint of wistfulness tingeing her voice. ¡°When they¡¯re in sync like that, it¡¯s tough not to be a little awestruck.¡±

    A fresh chorus of giggles and nods rippled through the nurses at Crystal¡¯s words. Their gossip wasn¡¯t malicious by any means - just the natural gravitational pull of admiring a well-oiled machine comprised of three utterly magnetic personalities.

    Hana stayed silent amongst the chatter, feeling her cheeks warm slightly as her gaze followed the trio retreating down the hallway. She couldn¡¯t help but notice how Ren seemed to ease ever-so-slightly in the presence of his two closest confidants.

    There was a practiced intimacy there that somehow made him seem almost...approachable. At ease, even. It was such a rare glimpse at the softer side she never knew lingered beneath all his forbidding layers.

    Shaking her head minutely, Hana tried to turn back to her tasks, trying not to dwell too deeply on her unusually wistful reaction. She was projecting again - reading too much into professional friendships she didn¡¯t fully understand.

    Hana¡¯s fingers twisted in the fabric of her gloves as she watched, unable to deny the small lick of yearning that bloomed within her. To be a part of that sort of rarefied inner circle...it was seductive in its way.

    If only she could take her advice and be satisfied admiring from a distance rather than longing for what seemed so persistently out of reach...

    If only she could be so confident, so self-assured in her abilities and place. If only fear didn¡¯t constantly nip at her heels, holding her back from being unable to connect.

    Little did she know, a pair of piercing eyes had tracked her wistful glances from across the room...

    A sense of quiet anticipation filled the room as Hana tried to focus on updating her patient charts, but her mind kept wandering back to the effortless camaraderie she¡¯d witnessed between Ren, Lia, and Rowan just a short while ago. An odd, unsettled feeling gnawed at her - though whether it was longing, envy, or something else entirely, she couldn¡¯t quite say.

    She picked up a tray, her hands unintentionally mirroring Lia¡¯s dexterous movements from earlier.

    ¡°Would you mind tagging along tonight?¡± Julie¡¯s sudden inquiry broke Hana¡¯s reverie.

    Caught by surprise, Hana nicked her finger on the sharp edge of a medical tray. Her quiet gasp didn¡¯t get past Crystal¡¯s vigilant ears.

    ¡°Are you okay, Hana?¡± Julie asked, concern washing over her usually cheerful face.

    Hana just nodded at Julie¡¯s question, gingerly shaking off the discomfort, taking off the bloody glove and quickly slipping a band-aid around the tiny cut.

    ¡°Oh, come on now,¡± Clara sighed dismissively from behind an armload of paperwork. ¡°We¡¯ve all had a scratch here or there; it¡¯s not as if we work in a toy factory.¡±

    Crystal didn¡¯t comment but shot a disapproving look at Clara who just sarcastically raised her eyebrows in return.

    Unbeknownst to Hana, Ren had paused mid-step to glance back at her ¡ª taking in both her discomfort and resilience under his gaze before turning away with an unreadable expression.

    Clara said archly, her eyes dancing with mirth. ¡°Getting lost fantasizing about a certain delectable trio of doctors again, were we?¡±

    ¡°Clara!¡± Julie made a show of swatting her friend¡¯s arm, though the impish delight on her face undermined the rebuke. ¡°You can¡¯t just say things like that.¡±

    Hana felt warmth bloom across her cheeks as she shook her head rapidly. ¡°N-No, of course not! I was just...working.¡±

    Clara made an exaggerated noise of disbelief. ¡°Mmhmm, suuure. A little harmless eye-candy ogling never hurt anyone, you know.¡±

    The cheerful nurse was now peering at her with an impish grin.

    ¡°What?¡± Hana mumbled, caught off guard.

    ¡°After work, we¡¯re hanging out at Gracie¡¯s,¡± Julie explained, a twinkle in her eyes. ¡°You should come.¡±

    ¡°You simply must come out with us tonight!¡± she squealed, giving Hana¡¯s arm an insistent tug. ¡°A few drinks, some deliciously awful bar food, maybe a little people-watching...¡±

    Panic fluttered in Hana¡¯s chest at both the abrupt contact and the invite. Going out like that was so far outside her shy, solitary comfort zone. The thought of crowds, pulsing music, alcohol... It made her want to politely extract herself and flee in the opposite direction as fast as propriety would allow.

    Hana hesitated, releasing herself from Julie¡¯s grasp. She had never been to any public gathering without Mira by her side.

    But then Julie turned her big, pleading doe-eyes on Hana, and all the flimsy excuses shriveled up on her tongue. With a resigned slump of her shoulders, Hana managed a reluctant nod.

    Julie squealed again, clearly missing - or perhaps willfully ignoring - Hana¡¯s apprehension as she launched into an enthusiastic rundown of their evening¡¯s planned itinerary. As the bubbly nurse¡¯s words washed over her, Hana couldn¡¯t ignore the knot of trepidation tightening in her belly.

    ¡°Hana,¡± Clara interjected tartly from across the room, ¡°Quit mooning over there and help me with these.¡±

    Caught off guard once more, Hana hurriedly abandoned her tray and rushed over to assist Clara ¨C fumbling slightly under the scrutiny of those unidentified eyes tracking every move from afar¡­

    Crystal watched them interact dismissively for a moment before turning back to her paperwork with barely concealed amusement.

    And yet, amidst all these, Hana found herself gazing after the retreating figure of Ren again. His beeper went off and he was already down the hallway tending to a patient ¨C confident, dedicated, never missing a beat. The soft smile Lia gave him as they temporarily parted ways echoed through her - warmth and trust.

    Slowly turning back to assisting Clara in silence, her heart thudded a consistent rhythm against her ribcage - half nervousness at Julie¡¯s invitation and half anticipation at whatever unpredictability this night might bring.

    Venturing out among crowds, noise, and... people¡¯s thoughts and emotions laid bare through inebriation... This was so far beyond her normal, carefully constructed routine. Her throat tightened at the thought.

    She needed to call Mira.

    *******************************

    Jolted awake with a harsh gasp, his heart pounding in his ears. Though his eyes were open, his surroundings remained hazy - just vague shapes and shadows in the pre-dawn dimness of his bedroom.

    He blinked rapidly, trying to get his bearings, but the lingering vestiges of the dream still clung to his consciousness like a heavy fog. Flashes of imagery flickered through his mind¡¯s eye.

    A sun-dappled veranda...the soaring turrets of an ancient castle...and a solitary figure, long hair spilling over delicate shoulders as she sat facing away from him. Her face remained stubbornly obscured no matter how hard he tried to see.

    He could still feel the phantom ache in his chest from the dream - a desperate longing to reach out, to turn her around and finally put a name to this mysterious woman. But in the dream, he just couldn¡¯t move.

    The frustration and the heartache of being so tantalizingly close yet ceaselessly separated had been overwhelming. It made his gut clench with phantom anguish even now, jolted back to waking reality.

    Dragging a shaky hand down his face, he tried to calm his ragged breaths. Sweat prickled along his hairline and neck in cold beads as the last few clinging threads of the dream slipped irretrievably through his mental grasp.

    All that remained was a hollow ache behind his breastbone - achingly familiar yet utterly inexplicable. It was a soul-deep yearning he couldn¡¯t quite place, like an echo of some precious memory that remained permanently fragmented and just out of reach.

 Drunken Tales

    The door to Gracie¡¯s swung open, and Hana hesitantly stepped inside. A dimly lit, smoke-hazed dive bar that seemed trapped in another era. Well-worn oak paneling covered the walls, complemented by a battered hardwood floor with a few boards that creaked underfoot. The air was thick with the mingled aromas of stale beer, fried food, and an ever-lingering hint of harsh cleaning products.

    Her wandering eyes immediately landed on the group of nurses and doctors gathered around the corner tables. Hana felt her stomach twist into a nervous knot, but the bright smile and enthusiastic wave from Nurse Julie across the room put her somewhat at ease.

    ¡°Hana! Over here!¡± Julie called out cheerfully.

    Taking a steadying breath, Hana wove through the crowded bar, mumbling apologies any time she accidentally bumped someone with her bag. The dim lighting, smoky air, and boisterous chatter made her feel even more out of place.

    As she reached the high-top tables, she was relieved to see warm, familiar faces like the nurturing Nurse. Tee and the ever-friendly Dr. Rowan. But her breath caught in her throat when her eyes met the intense gaze of Nurse Clara.

    ¡°There you are, Shizumi,¡± Nurse Crystal said in a tone more biting than welcoming. ¡°Fashionably late as always, I see.¡±

    Before Hana could stammer out a reply, Nurse Tee pulled out the remaining chair with a good-natured grin. ¡°Ignore her, we¡¯re just glad you made it.¡±

    Gracie, the bar¡¯s maternal owner, was already making her way over with a fresh round of drinks. Though surrounded by her colleagues, Hana couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she stuck out like a wallflower at a party.

    ¡°We were starting to think you got lost again,¡± Dr. Rowan joked with a wink.

    Just as Hana was about to respond to Rowan¡¯s playful jab, the door swung open again. Dr. Lia entered, closely followed by a hesitant-looking Dr. Ren Jenkins.

    ¡°Well, well, look who decided to grace us lowly nurses with their presence,¡± Nurse Crystal snarked, though there was a hint of affection beneath her gruff exterior.

    Lia scanned the group, raising an eyebrow at Rowan. ¡°You sly dog, how did you manage to weasel your way into this nurses¡¯ night out?¡±

    Rowan flashed his signature bright grin. ¡°What can I say? You ladies just can¡¯t get enough of me.¡±

    As the two doctors grabbed the remaining empty chairs, Hana couldn¡¯t help but sneak a glance at Dr. Ren. Their eyes met briefly, and she quickly averted her gaze, feeling her cheeks flush slightly. She could have sworn she detected a softening in his typically cold demeanor when their eyes locked.

    For his part, Ren felt an unexpected fluttering in his chest when he noticed Hana. He firmly pushed it down, reminding himself he was here for Rowan and Lia, not a semi-casual gathering of nurses. Still, he found himself pulling out the chair next to Hana¡¯s without really thinking about it.

    ¡°You know, I¡¯m actually quite curious how you managed to wrangle an invite, Rowan,¡± Lia said, sipping her wine. ¡°This was supposed to be a nurses-only event.¡±

    Ren leveled Rowan with a pointed stare, though there was a subtle glint of amusement in his eyes. ¡°So, you just conveniently failed to mention this was a nurses¡¯ night when you said we were meeting up for drinks?¡±

    A sheepish grin spread across Rowan¡¯s face as he slid a bottle of beer toward his friend. He knew he was caught red-handed but also that Ren¡¯s stern exterior hid an understated sense of humor. ¡°What can I say? Forgiveness, not permission, and all that.¡±

    Ren let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he accepted the peace-offering beer. Despite his reputation as the cold, all-business ER chief, he appreciated moments like these with Rowan and Lia that allowed him to let his guard down slightly.

    Sensing the undercurrent of tension, Nurse Julie decided a subject change was in order. Putting on her biggest, brightest smile, she piped up with forced cheerfulness. ¡°Okay, enough with the banter, you guys! We¡¯re all here now, so we might as well make the most of it.¡± She gave an exaggerated shimmy in her seat, clearly trying too hard to inject some life into the gathering.

    A wave of embarrassment washed over Hana watching Julie¡¯s antics. Despite being around familiar faces, these kinds of social situations always made her anxious. Still, she managed a polite smile, silently wishing she could shrink into the background.

    Clara eyed Julie warily. ¡°What did you have in mind? Nothing too wild, I hope.¡± Her tone made it clear she already dreaded the answer.

    The mischievous glint in Julie¡¯s eye should have been warning enough. ¡°Oh, just a simple classic to break the ice...¡± Without hesitation, she snatched up an empty beer bottle and held it aloft. ¡°Spin the bottle, anyone?¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes went wide as saucers, her cheeks flushing crimson. She quickly took a large gulp of her drink, as if the alcohol could somehow insulate her from the crazy suggestion.

    Audra, the perpetually innocent one, let out a high-pitched giggle of disbelief. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Nurse Julie. Isn¡¯t that a little...juvenile?¡±

    Julie responded with an exaggerated pout. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be such a fuddy-duddy!¡± She playfully swatted Audra¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯ll be fun, I promise!¡±

    The table went silent for a beat as everyone processed Julie¡¯s bold suggestion. A few sets of eyes glanced awkwardly around, silently weighing whether to indulge the bubbly nurse or shut her down.

    Ever the voice of reason, Dr. Lia cleared her throat. ¡°Julie, I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s entirely appropriate with colleagues present...¡± Her maternal tone made it clear she was leaning towards rejecting the juvenile game.

    But before anyone could second her objection, Rowan let out a raucous laugh and began energetically clearing space on the table. ¡°Oh, lighten up, Lia! We¡¯re all friends here, nothing wrong with a little silly fun.¡± He rubbed his hands together and looked around with a mischievous grin. ¡°Who wants to go first?¡±

    Hana felt her heart start to race at the prospect. As much as she wanted to sink into the floor and disappear, she couldn¡¯t deny the small flutter of excitement she felt. She snuck a furtive glance at Dr. Ren, wondering how he¡¯d respond.

    For his part, Ren rolled his eyes at Rowan¡¯s antics but made no move to protest. A tiny smirk played at the corner of his mouth, betraying his amusement at seeing his normally unflappable colleague get flustered.

    ¡°Julie, start first, since you suggested it, right?¡± he said at last, sliding the empty beer bottle towards the center of the table with a casual shrug. ¡°We¡¯re long overdue to blow off some steam anyway.¡±

    His assenting words seemed to settle the matter. With a defeated sigh, Lia waved her hand permissively as Julie let out an excited squeal. Suddenly all pretenses were dropped as the group leaned forward, the tension crackling with nervous energy and anticipation.

    ¡°Okay, no balking once that bottle stops spinning!¡± Julie warned with a devilish grin. She licked her lips and gave the bottle an authoritative spin to get the game started.

    The bottle went whirring around and around on the table, a childish energy filling the air. Julie bit her lip in concentration, silently willing it to land on someone entertaining.

    Finally, it started to wobble and lose momentum before clattering to a stop squarely pointing at the wide-eyed Audra. The poor nurse looked like a deer caught in headlights.

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Ooh, this should be fun!¡± Julie rubbed her hands together eagerly. ¡°Okay Audra, you¡¯re up first. Is there...anyone you¡¯ve had your eye on around the hospital lately?¡± She raised her eyebrows suggestively.

    Audra¡¯s cheeks immediately flushed scarlet. She laughed nervously, fiddling with the condensation on her glass. ¡°Oh gosh, umm...I don¡¯t know if I should say...¡±

    The reluctance only seemed to spur Julie on. ¡°Oh, come now, don¡¯t be shy! We¡¯re all friends here.¡± She gestured around the table emphatically. ¡°The rules are rules - either spill the juicy details or take a penalty drink!¡±

    From the corner, Gracie materialized with a bottle of soju and a spare pint glass, setting it down in front of Audra. ¡°One truth serum, coming right up!¡±

    Hana watched the spectacle with rapt fascination, both dreading and eagerly awaiting Audra¡¯s response. She could practically feel the poor girl¡¯s embarrassment radiating outward.

    Audra faltered under the sudden spotlight, her gaze flickering briefly towards Dr. Ren before dropping down to study the tabletop intently. ¡°Well...I mean, there¡¯s this one portable X-ray tech who¡¯s kinda cute...¡± she mumbled almost inaudibly.

    An excited murmur went around the table as Julie clapped her hands delightedly. ¡°Oooh, do tell! Details, darling, details!¡±

    Flustered, Audra seemed to teeter on the verge of clamming up entirely. Her hand inched unconsciously towards the soju bottle as if considering simply taking the penalty drink to avoid further prying.

    The raucous laughter and joking banter swirled around Hana, but she only half-registered it. The alcohol had unlocked a warm, floaty sensation that made her feel delightfully untethered from her usual anxieties. She closed her eyes, letting the familiar dive bar ambiance just wash over her.

    Suddenly, the noise level spiked as excited exclamations and hoots pulled Hana¡¯s mind back into focus. Her eyes blinked open to find the empty beer bottle pointing squarely at her. The realization landed like a lead weight in her stomach, the pleasant buzz instantly sharpening into prickly queasiness.

    ¡°Well, well, looks like it¡¯s Nurse Shizumi¡¯s turn in the hot seat,¡± came the unmistakably crisp voice of Nurse Clara.

    Hana felt her throat constrict as she made eye contact with the other woman. Clara¡¯s expression was iced with her trademark look of faint disdain and scrutiny that never failed to make Hana feel incredibly small.

    From the moment she started working at the hospital, Hana could sense the intense perfectionist in Clara looked at her as a timid underachiever - a frustrating burden to be tolerated. The fact that their personalities were like oil and water only amplified the tension between them.

    As Clara¡¯s piercing eyes bore into her, Hana felt her defenses rising like a weight on her chest. She knew whatever question was coming, it would be laced with that subtle undercurrent of judgment that seemed to constantly flow from the other nurse.

    A hush fell over the group as all eyes turned to Hana expectantly. She swallowed hard, trying to subtly wipe her clammy palms on her scrubs as her mind raced. What kind of humiliating or awkward question did Clara have in store for her? The anticipation made her want to run from the bar.

    Clara¡¯s ruby-painted lips curled into the semblance of a smile, though her eyes remained flat and appraising. ¡°Okay, Nurse Shizumi...let¡¯s see...¡±

    Hana¡¯s lungs strained against the pause as she braced herself.

    The seemingly innocuous question hit Hana like a freight train, the words reverberating through her mind. ¡°It¡¯s an admirable sentiment but what made you believe you could be a good nurse?¡±

    Clara¡¯s tone was light, almost nonchalant, but the undercurrent of judgment was unmistakable. To the others, it may have sounded like an honest, probing inquiry. But for Hana, those words dredged up a whirlpool of repressed memories and self-doubt.

    She was instantly transported back to that searing final argument with her mother before leaving home.

    The disdainful curl of her lips as she sneered, ¡°You think you have what it takes? It''s an admirable sentiment but don¡¯t be delusional, Hana.¡± The biting dismissal of her life¡¯s ambition with such callous ease.

    Hana¡¯s throat constricted as the weight of that exchange threatened to drown her anew. She could taste the sting of humiliation and hurt as freshly as if it were happening all over again. Her cheeks flushed, mouth working soundlessly as she desperately tried to summon a response - any response - to Clara¡¯s arid challenge.

    But all eyes were now boringly judging her silent stiffness. The pressure built in her chest, ratcheting up her pulse until she could practically hear the blood pounding in her ears. Tears stung the corners of her eyes as the familiar tendrils of a panic attack began constricting her lungs.

    With a strangled murmur of ¡°Excuse me,¡± she burst up from her chair, nearly upending it in her haste. She didn¡¯t dare make eye contact with anyone as she barreled through the crowd, desperate to escape the suddenly suffocating confines of the bar.

    ¡°H-Hana! Where ya goin¡¯?¡± Julie hiccuped, pushing herself up from the table with some effort. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes glazed over from one too many drinks.

    The other nurses and doctors turned toward the commotion Julie was creating. Ren furrowed his brow with concern, watching it all from the bar afar.

    ¡°Jules, leave her be,¡± Tee said in a low tone, trying to grab Julie¡¯s arm to stop her from stumbling after Hana. But she had already pushed past him clumsily.

    ¡°Hanaaaaa!¡± Julie sang out again, weaving her way toward the exit. ¡°Don¡¯t go, the fun¡¯s just...just gettin¡¯ started!¡± Hana didn¡¯t even turn around at the calls.

    An uncomfortable silence hung in the air, only broken when Lia cleared her throat softly. ¡°Maybe the drinking was a bit much for poor Hana tonight,¡± she said, shooting Clara a meaningful look.

    Clara simply shrugged indifferently and took a sip of her drink, unperturbed by the sudden tension. The other nurses exchanged glances, silently wondering if they should go check on their friend or give her some space.

    The cool night air hit her like a shockwave as she burst through the exit, but it did little to calm the spiraling panic gripping her chest. Gasping desperately, Hana finally crumpled to the filthy pavement in the alley, bracing her hands against the ground as she fought for control.

    Her body heaved with ragged sobs, panic, and alcohol intermingling into a vicious cyclone of emotion. Distantly, she registered the sounds of raucous chatter still spilling out from the bar¡¯s open door - a stark contrast to her anguished isolation just feet away.

    A heavy silence blanketed the group after Hana¡¯s abrupt exit. Ren¡¯s jaw clenched as he watched Julie carelessly call after her, too inebriated to read the situation. When Julie turned back with that oblivious look, he couldn¡¯t stop himself from shaking his head in dismay.

    His eyes were drawn to Hana¡¯s abandoned purse hanging off the edge of her chair. Without a second thought, Ren rose from his seat and started making his way over to it. As he reached across the table, his gaze happened to meet with Clara¡¯s. She flashed him what she probably thought was a coy, flirtatious smile. But Ren¡¯s expression remained unreadable as he straightened back up, Hana¡¯s bag in hand.

    ¡°Ren? You off already too?¡± Lia called out, ever the mother hen.

    He paused briefly, letting his eyes roam over the group before responding in an even tone. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m calling it a night.¡±

    With a curt nod, he turned and started heading for the exit. But as he pushed through the door, his steps slowed at the faint sound of muffled whimpering coming from the alley. Ren felt his chest tighten as he followed the sound around the corner.

    There Hana, crumpled against the grimy exterior wall. Her shoulders shook with stifled sobs as she gasped for air in wracking spasms. She could feel the contents of her stomach threaten to come back out. The sight of her in such a fragile, vulnerable state instinctively triggered his protective instincts.

    Without a word, Ren shrugged off his suit jacket and gently draped it around Hana¡¯s shuddering frame. ¡°You¡¯ll catch a cold,¡± he said gruffly, trying to temper the unexpected swell of tenderness. ¡°We already don¡¯t have enough hands at the ER.¡±

    Hana looked up at him with glassy, bloodshot eyes, taken aback by his sudden appearance, ¡°I¡¯m s-sorry, I...I just...¡± She broke off, needing to gasp a shuddering breath.

    But Ren simply held up a hand to stop her apology. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he stated firmly, extending his other hand to pull her up from the ground. His voice softened ever so slightly. ¡°You¡¯ve got nothing to be sorry for.¡±

    Hana stared at Ren¡¯s outstretched hand as if it were a foreign object. Her brow furrowed in confusion, and she glanced down at her trembling gloved hands, then back up at the jacket now draped over her shoulders. When her eyes finally met his again, something seemed to shatter behind them.

    ¡°I...I can¡¯t...I¡¯m not fit¡­,¡± she choked out between ragged sobs that wracked her small frame anew. Fat tears spilled down her blotchy cheeks as she shook her head adamantly. ¡°Mira...I have to...to save Mira!¡±

    Ren¡¯s stoic expression faltered as Hana abruptly broke down into another fit of hysterics. He was at a complete loss for what sparked this tempest of emotions from the normally reserved nurse. His hand remained extended, hanging there awkwardly between them.

    ¡°Hana...¡± he began, trying to keep his voice measured and soothing. ¡°Just take a breath. What are you talking about?¡±

    But she seemed unable or unwilling to heed his words. ¡°I can¡¯t...I can¡¯t quit! If I¡¯m not a nurse, how will I...¡± She trailed off into unintelligible murmurs punctuated by heaving gasps for air.

    Ren felt increasingly out of his depth. He had hoped a few gruff words would be enough to ground Hana, but she appeared to be spiraling deeper into some sort of delirious state. Awkwardly, he crouched down in front of her, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°Hana, listen to me,¡± he tried again more intently. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re going on about, just focus on calming down right now, okay?¡±

    When she continued rambling and crying, Ren couldn¡¯t stifle the slightly bemused chuckle that escaped his lips. Despite the uncomfortable situation, he found her frantic babbling...oddly endearing somehow. Cute

    ¡°You¡¯re starting to worry me with all these hysterics,¡± he said, the faintest hint of gentle teasing entering his tone in hopes of snapping her out of it.

    ¡°What am I going to do with you, Shizumi?¡±

 Memories of Gracies

    The next morning, Hana¡¯s eyelids fluttered open to find grayish light filtering through her bedroom curtains. An instant throbbing in her skull made her squeeze them shut again with a groan. It felt like a jackhammer was going to town inside her poor head.

    She rolled onto her back, trying to blink past the harsh pounding behind her eyes. That¡¯s when she noticed the glass of water and pills sitting on her nightstand. Hana frowned, her muddled mind struggling to remember putting those there.

    Groggily, she reached for the aspirin and water. As she drained the glass, her phone buzzed with a new text notification. Squinting, Hana swiped it open to reveal a message from Mira:

    ¡°Someone had a crazy night. Thank God your knight-in-shining-armor brought you back in one piece. Don¡¯t think you¡¯ve escaped telling me about last night¡¯s shenanigans!¡±

    Hana furrowed her brow in confusion, trying to decipher her best friend¡¯s cryptic message. Crazy night? Knight in shining armor? Her mind was completely blank.

    With a frustrated huff, she dropped her phone back on the nightstand and made to push herself upright. That¡¯s when an unfamiliar weight on her shoulders made her pause.

    Looking down, Hana¡¯s eyes went wide at the long, black coat now draped over her. She ran her fingers over the soft material, a frown pinching her features. This wasn¡¯t hers - where had it come from?

    Panic started bubbling up as flashes of the night before flickered through her mind¡¯s eye. Dim bar...spinning bottle...someone saying something...uncontrollable sobbing... But the details were so fractured, she couldn¡¯t piece it all together coherently.

    Hana swung her legs over the side of the bed, cradling her aching head in her hands as she fought to concentrate. How did she get home last night? And whose coat was this?

    The only thing she knew for certain was that she desperately needed to get to the bottom of whatever had transpired. Clearly, Mira was waiting for an explanation, which meant Hana didn¡¯t have a choice - she had to try and retrace her scrambled memories from the night before.

    No matter how foggy or hazy they might be.

    <hr>

    The scalding water pounded against Ren¡¯s back as he stood motionless under the shower spray. His hands were braced against the tiled wall, eyes screwed shut as he fought to steady his ragged breathing.

    It was the dream again - that same haunting, visceral vision that always left him shaken to his core upon waking. Though the actual imagery continued to elude him, the overwhelming sense of loss and heartache lingered like a thick fog clouding his mind.

    Clenching his jaw, Ren twisted the temperature dial until the water ran ice cold. The shock of it caused him to gasp, but it helped further banish the clinging tendrils of the mysterious dream. As the numbness set in, his thrashing pulse finally began to even out.

    When he finally emerged from the shower stall, teeth chattering, Ren quickly toweled himself dry and stepped into his bedroom. His brow furrowed at the sight of his clothes from the previous night crumpled in the hamper.

    The deep green sweater and dark chinos instantly triggered a rush of fragmented memories from Gracie¡¯s bar. Hana¡¯s panicked sobs in the alleyway...draping his coat over her shuddering frame...half-carrying her to his car when she couldn¡¯t stop trembling...

    Ren paused, the damp towel hanging from his hand as he replayed those final hazy moments. He had intended to simply give the distraught nurse a ride home and make sure she was safe. But something indefinable had compelled him to go a step further.

    Steeling himself, Ren had maneuvered an utterly unresponsive Hana up to her apartment door, using the spare key she kept in her purse to let them inside. He had guided - practically hauled - her slender, unresisting form to her bedroom where he carefully laid her down. Thankfully, her roommate had called and given him directions.

    Only once she was tucked into bed, still wearing his jacket that dwarfed her tiny frame, did Ren finally allow himself to relax minutely. He had lingered a moment, silently studying Hana¡¯s tear-stained features. An unruly lock of chestnut hair had fallen across her brow, and his fingers had twitched with the faintest urge to brush it aside.

    But he had quashed that bizarre impulse immediately, turning on his heel to let himself out of her apartment. As he had pulled the door shut behind him, Ren distinctly remembered feeling...unsettled somehow. Shaking his head, he tried to dislodge the phantom ache that seemed to constrict his chest whenever he thought about Hana¡¯s prone form.

    ¡°Get a grip,¡± he muttered aloud, tossing the towel into the hamper as well. Ren ran his hands through his damp hair, pressing his palms against his temples. His arms for a moment, tingled as they remembered her weight in them.

    He had done the decent thing, that was all. Ensured his junior colleague made it home safely after having one too many drinks. There was no reason for the nauseating knot of...confusion? Concern? That seemed to coil inside him whenever Hana was involved.

    Ren made a sound of disgust at himself as he yanked open his dresser drawer to find fresh clothes. He was in dangerous territory allowing himself to dwell on such distracting notions.

    Hana Shizumi was a strange one, yes - a shy, withdrawn woman who somehow became a force of havoc in his otherwise disciplined life. But that was all there was to it. Right? Exactly. She was a co-worker under his supervision, nothing more.

    At least, that¡¯s what Ren continued trying to convince himself of as he went about getting ready to head to work that day. He couldn¡¯t afford to think too deeply about the peculiar pull he felt toward the newest nurse.

    Ren¡¯s phone started ringing just as he was finishing up getting dressed. One look at the caller ID and he couldn¡¯t stop the weary sigh that escaped his lips.

    Just great...

    ¡°Jiro,¡± he answered gruffly, already knowing exactly why his cousin was calling.

    ¡°Renny, my dearest baby cousin!¡± The boisterous voice on the other end made Ren hold the phone slightly away from his ear. ¡°How¡¯s my favorite doctor doing on this fine morning?¡±

    Ren rolled his eyes at the sickly-sweet tone. ¡°Cut the crap, Jiro. What do you want?¡±

    A dramatic, wounded gasp came through the speaker. ¡°Why must you wound me with such accusations? Can¡¯t a guy just check in on his beloved family?¡±

    ¡°We both know that¡¯s not how this works,¡± Ren deadpanned, slipping on his shoes. ¡°What is it this time?¡±

    There was a brief pause before Jiro seemed to drop the act with a small chuckle. ¡°Alright, alright, you got me. I¡¯m just calling to make sure you haven¡¯t conveniently ¡®forgotten¡¯ about the family dinner this weekend.¡±

    Ren felt his jaw ticking with annoyance. Of course - the quarterly extended family obligation he always tried to wriggle out of. ¡°Look, I¡¯ve got a lot on my plate at the hospital right now...¡±

    ¡°Ah ah ah!¡± Jiro swiftly cut him off. ¡°No excuses, Mr. Hotshot ER Chief. You know Auntie will have an aneurysm if her favorite nephew doesn¡¯t grace us with his presence.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m her only nephew,¡± Ren muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could already feel the oncoming headache.

    ¡°Exactly! Which is why your absence is not an option this time.¡± Jiro¡¯s tone took on a rare edge of seriousness. ¡°This one¡¯s important, Ren. We...we need to discuss some family matters.¡±

    An uneasy silence stretched between them at his cousin¡¯s ominous words. Finally, Ren sighed heavily. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll be there.¡±

    ¡°Excellent! That¡¯s what I wanted to hear,¡± Jiro replied, the jovial lilt returning to his voice. ¡°Oh, and one more thing before I go - your mother is still crying that you ¡®lost the love of your life¡¯ after Lia.¡±

    Ren grimaced at the unnecessary reminder of his mother¡¯s dramatics. ¡°Don¡¯t start-¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d better find yourself a nice girlfriend soon before the family officially starts presuming, you¡¯re playing for the other team if you know what I mean,¡± Jiro finished with an audible wink.

    ¡°Thanks for the reminder to never breed,¡± Ren growled, though his lips twitched with faint amusement despite himself.

    His cousin¡¯s raucous laughter filled the line. ¡°That¡¯s my Ren! Always so charming. See you this weekend, cuz!¡±

    The dial tone followed soon after, leaving Ren staring at his phone and shaking his head. He could only begin to imagine what fresh insufferable melodrama awaited him at the upcoming family dinner.

    Maybe whatever Ren was being summoned to deal with this time wouldn¡¯t be catastrophic, hopefully. At least for the span of a few fleeting breaths, Ren felt a lightness he hadn¡¯t experienced in longer than he could remember.

    The hospital corridors bustled with the usual organized chaos as Hana made her rounds, distributing meds and supplies to the various patient rooms. Normally she found a calm, therapeutic routine in the motions. But today, her mind remained frustratingly scattered no matter how hard she tried to focus on her tasks.

    Fragmented flashes from the previous night at Gracie¡¯s kept surfacing in her thoughts, only to slip away before she could piece the full narrative together. She could still hear Clara¡¯s cutting words like shards of glass, followed by her uncontrolled sobbing. But everything after that moment was shrouded in hazy obscurity.

    Hana¡¯s fingers twisted anxiously in the fabric of the dark coat she wore overtop her scrubs - the mysterious coat she had awoken in this morning with no recollection of its origin. She felt ridiculous wearing it around the hospital, but she couldn¡¯t bear to be parted from it for some inexplicable reason.

    As she emerged from a patient¡¯s room, Hana nearly jumped out of her skin to find Audra hovering nearby, a look of concern etched across her soft features.

    ¡°Oh! Audra, you startled me...¡± Hana murmured, clutching her med tray tightly.

    The older nurse tilted her head slightly, studying Hana with those perpetually worried eyes. ¡°Are you alright, Hana? You seem...distracted.¡±

    Conflicting waves of relief and apprehension washed over the younger woman. Perhaps Audra held the answers she so desperately sought. But she also feared what revealing her lapse of memory might say about her.

    Audra must have sensed her internal struggle. ¡°Did...something happen last night after you left?¡± she prompted gently.

    With a resigned sigh, Hana figured she might as well rip off the bandaid. ¡°I was hoping you could tell me. I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t remember much after...¡± She trailed off with uncertainty.

    Understanding dawned on Audra¡¯s face as the pieces clicked into place. ¡°Oh, Hana...I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t realize you had gotten that inebriated. The truth is none of us are quite sure what happened after you took off so abruptly.¡±

    Hana¡¯s shoulders slumped with disappointment, but she tried not to let it show. She should have expected as much. ¡°I see. Thank you for being honest, Audra.¡±

    As the older nurse gave her arm a consoling pat and started to move on, a familiar figure striding down the hallway caught Hana¡¯s eye. Dr. Ren Jenkins, his brow furrowed intently as he listened to the overhead page summoning him elsewhere.

    It was like a shockwave ripped through Hana¡¯s psyche, shattering her already disjointed memories in a whirlwind. Disorienting flashes exploded in her mind¡¯s eye - tears streaming down her face...strong arms wrapped around her...the smoky-sweet scent of an expensive cologne...

    Hana gasped audibly, nearly upending her tray from the force of the memories blindsiding her. Distantly, she heard Audra calling her name in alarm. But all she could focus on was the rapidly retreating figure of the imposing ER Chief.

    It had been Dr. Jenkins - he was the one who had found her in such a compromised state and, inexplicably, ensured she made it home safely. Which meant...

    Hana¡¯s fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the coat enveloping her petite frame. Of course, that¡¯s who it was.

    The pounding of her pulse echoed in Hana¡¯s ears, drowning out all the other commotion around them as her vision started tunneling inward. How in heaven¡¯s name was she going to approach him about returning the coat after this, let alone look him in the eye?

    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Hana, are you okay?¡±

    Audra¡¯s concerned voice barely registered through Hana¡¯s spiraling panic. With tremendous effort, she pulled her focus back to the patient sitting before her, startled by the disruption.

    ¡°I...y-yes, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Hana managed to stammer out, hands trembling visibly.

    It had been Dr. Jenkins who found her in such a compromised state the previous night. He had been the one to ensure she made it home safely, his coat now enveloping her like a second skin. The shame and mortification came crashing back in waves.

    As soon as her duties were complete, Hana found herself practically fleeing to the sanctity of the supply closet.

    Without another word, she turned on shaky legs and fled down the hallway as quickly as propriety would allow. She needed to get out of that stifling space immediately before the full weight of her utter mortification came crashing down.

    Disappearing into the safety of a supply closet, Hana drew a series of shuddering breaths to stave off her impending panic attack.

    She was well and truly in over her head now. How was she ever going to be able to face her mentor again after such a disastrous, messy night laid bare the full scope of her crippling inadequacies?

    Sinking to the floor, Hana buried her burning face in her hands as the first tears started trickling down her cheeks. It was bad enough her humiliation had been broadcast to all her colleagues.

    Hana drew a shuddery breath, doing her best to compose herself after the wave of panic and tears subsided. With trembling fingers, she pulled up Mira¡¯s contact and hit the call button.

    ¡°Hey there drama queen, I was wondering when you¡¯d fi-¡±

    ¡°Mira...¡± Hana¡¯s voice came out in a hoarse croak, cutting off her best friend¡¯s teasing greeting. ¡°I...I really messed up.¡±

    There was a pregnant pause on the line before Mira responded, her tone shifting to one of gentle concern. ¡°Oh honey, what happened? Talk to me.¡±

    And so Hana did. She unloaded every disjointed, humiliating memory she could muster from the previous night¡¯s disaster - the drinking, the games that went too far, her total meltdown in front of everyone. How she had utterly shamed herself in the worst way possible in front of Dr. Jenkins of all people.

    By the time she finished nearly hyperventilating through the tangled recollections, fresh tears were streaming down Hana¡¯s cheeks anew. She pressed her back against the closet door, squeezing her eyes shut as she awaited Mira¡¯s undoubtedly worried reaction.

    What she didn¡¯t expect was the sudden peal of laughter on the other end of the line.

    ¡°Mira!¡± Hana admonished, feeling a fresh wave of embarrassment and hurt wash over her. ¡°It¡¯s not funny! I completely disgraced myself in front of my boss and...¡±

    ¡°Sweetie, breathe!¡± Mira managed to say once her giggles subsided. ¡°I¡¯m not laughing at your pain, I promise. It¡¯s just...from what little you¡¯ve said, I honestly don¡¯t think this hot doctor boyfriend of yours was as horrified as you seem to think!¡±

    Hana sputtered incoherently at that, her cheeks blazing all over again. ¡°B-Boyfriend?? Mira, you don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°When I spoke to him last night to make sure he got your stubborn behind home safe, he didn¡¯t sound the least bit put off,¡± Mira bulldozed on with a dismissive sniff. ¡°Just...concerned for your wellbeing, really. Like a total sweetheart.¡±

    The line went silent again as Hana processed her friend¡¯s words, dumbfounded. Mira had spoken to Dr. Jenkins. And he didn¡¯t seem upset or judgmental in the slightest? She opened and closed her mouth, utterly at a loss.

    Mira, however, simply chuckled again at Hana¡¯s stunned silence. ¡°See? I told you you were overreacting. Your sexy doctor prince seems to care for you just fine, despite your drunken hysterics.¡±

    A tiny giggle finally escaped Hana at that, the first hint of mirth piercing through her thick panic. The glimmer of amusement spread, until soon she was dissolving into helpless laughter at the sheer ridiculousness of Mira¡¯s nicknames for poor Dr. Jenkins.

    ¡°Oh my god, I can¡¯t...¡± she wheezed, wiping at the happy tears now trickling down her face. ¡°He¡¯s going to have me committed if he ever hears you call him those things!¡±

    ¡°More¡¯s the pity then,¡± Mira sighed dramatically. ¡°He¡¯d be one lucky psych patient, that¡¯s for sure. But I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve got to run - snobby riches to cater to and all. You just take a few calming breaths and quit stressing so hard, Nightingale. I¡¯m sure your prince will still want to marry you when all is said and done.¡±

    Hana laughed again, feeling lighter than she had in days. ¡°You¡¯re impossible, you know that?¡±

    ¡°And you adore me for it,¡± her best friend sing-songed. ¡°Chin up, babe! Everything will be just fine.¡±

    With that, Mira¡¯s trademark air kisses echoed over the line before the call disconnected. Hana clutched her phone to her chest, allowing the remnants of her giggles to slowly taper off into peaceful silence.

    She took a cleansing breath, letting the lingering vestiges of panic and dread finally drift away on the exhale. Maybe, just maybe, Mira was right - perhaps she truly had been overreacting to the whole mortifying situation. A tiny kernel of hope began blossoming in her chest.

    If the kind, caring man she knew Dr. Jenkins to be hadn¡¯t seemed bothered, then surely she could face him again soon with her dignity intact. It didn¡¯t excuse her behavior, but it did fill her with a newfound resolve to carry on as normal.

    With a steadying nod at her reflection on her phone screen, Hana reached for the closet door handle to rejoin the hectic world of the hospital floors. Only to come face-to-face with the startled form of none other than Dr. Rowan himself.

    ¡°Well hello there, Nightingale!¡± the jovial doctor grinned widely at the deer-in-headlights look on Hana¡¯s face. ¡°Fancy meeting you here!¡±

    Hana could only blink owlishly at the cheerful doctor, her cheeks immediately flushing. ¡°D-Dr. Rowan! I was just...umm, looking for something.¡±

    ¡°In the supply closet?¡± One of Rowan¡¯s bushy eyebrows arched upwards in playful skepticism. ¡°Don¡¯t they usually keep those items on the floor carts?¡±

    She opened and closed her mouth, grasping for a reasonable excuse. But that sunshine-bright grin of his seemed to disarm her skill for prevarication. Instead, Hana simply offered a meek shrug.

    Rowan, however, didn¡¯t push the subject. His expression sobered somewhat as he gave her a more appraising look. ¡°Seems like you¡¯ve been having yourself a bit of a tough go lately, Nightingale. You doing okay after your... night out with the crew?¡±

    Hana felt her blush deepen at his oblique reference to her meltdown. Still, she managed a small nod. ¡°Y-Yes, thank you. I¡¯m alright.¡±

    Though his typical sunny demeanor didn¡¯t waver, something softer flashed across Rowan¡¯s features then. ¡°Well, you know where to find me if you ever need to talk things through, yeah? I¡¯m the self-appointed therapist of ER¡­ maybe the entire hospital.¡±

    The kind offer simultaneously filled her with warmth and slight discomfort. Hana still struggled to get used to Rowan¡¯s overly friendly, boisterous personality at times. But she appreciated the sentiment all the same.

    ¡°Thank you, really,¡± she murmured, unable to meet his gaze fully. With an awkward bob of her head, Hana quickly excused herself and brushed past him to rejoin the hustle of the main corridors.

    No sooner had she emerged, however, than a small gaggle of eager-eyed nurses swarmed around her like a cloud of hummingbirds. Clara, Julie, and Audra all quickly converged, interrogating her with looks ranging from innocent curiosity to outright smirking knowingness.

    ¡°What was that about, Shizumi?¡± Clara asked in a tone that could cut glass.

    Hana opened and closed her mouth once more, panic rising swiftly in her chest. She wasn¡¯t at all prepared to be put on the spot like this, especially about the already humiliating events surrounding her night with Rowan and the other docs. Mercifully, the man himself cut in before she could stammer out a reply.

    ¡°Nothing to see here, ladies!¡± Rowan announced jovially as he stepped up beside Hana. ¡°Just getting a quick consult from Nurse Shizumi about a patient¡¯s chart is all. You know how us doctors are - we need all hands-on deck sometimes!¡±

    A chorus of disappointed pouts and grumbles met his words as the nurses realized there was no salacious gossip to be gleaned from this particular encounter. Wearing matched looks of disappointment, they finally dispersed in a flurry of whispers and sidelong glances.

    For her part, Hana could only stare at Rowan with an odd mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. She hadn¡¯t expected him to outright deflect for her, especially not about something so innocuous. Opening her mouth, she fumbled for what to say in response to his unwarranted shielding of her.

    But Rowan simply gave her one last wink and buoyant grin before clapping her lightly on the shoulder. ¡°Duty calls, Nightingale! Maybe next time, eh?¡±

    With that parting quip, he strode off down the hall without a backward glance, leaving Hana to shyly tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. Well...that had certainly been an unexpectedly eventful trip to the supply closet.

    Perhaps she could take it as a sign that her worry over last night¡¯s disaster was truly overblown, at least among her male colleagues. A tiny, hopeful smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she too turned to head back to her tasks for the day.

    But first things first, she needed to return Dr. Jenkin¡¯s coat to him.

    ********************************************

    Hana¡¯s heart thundered in her ears as she paced back and forth outside Dr. Jenkins¡¯ office door. The paper bag containing his coat crumpled between her tightly clenched fists with every pivot of her steps.

    ¡°Go in, drop it on his table, and leave¡±

    This was it - the moment she had been agonizing over and psyching herself up forever since that fateful night at Gracie¡¯s came flooding back to her memory. She had to return his coat and face him like a professional after her embarrassing breakdown in front of him.

    Drawing a fortifying breath, Hana planted her feet and straightened her spine. No more delaying the inevitable. She could do this. Squaring her shoulders, she turned and strode purposefully through the office door before she could second-guess herself.

    The room was dim, only the lamp on his desk providing a soft halo of light. Hana moved forward on instinct, carefully depositing the bag containing his coat on the edge of the desk. Yes, just leave it there and make a hasty retreat. That was the plan.

    She was about to spin neatly on her heel, already working up the nerve to simply bolt from the room. Only to feel the breath catch in her throat as a pointed cough broke the tense silence from somewhere behind her.

    ¡°You know, it¡¯s generally considered rude to enter someone¡¯s private office without their permission.¡±

    Hana froze at the deep, velvety baritone that could belong to none other than Dr. Ren Jenkins himself. Slowly, she turned to find him rising from one of the chairs in the corner, an unreadable look etched across his chiseled features.

    Their eyes locked and all rational thought fled from her mind in a dizzying swirl. He was here...she was alone with him...he had seen her enter unannounced! Panic set in swiftly, leaving Hana rooted in place and gaping soundlessly like a fish out of water.

    ¡°I...I...um...¡±

    The words simply would not come, even as Ren began descending on her with that intense, surgical precision in his stride. His midnight eyes behind transparent lenses remained locked on her, briefly flickering down to the bag on his desk before snapping back to her pale, frozen face.

    Transfixed, Hana could do nothing but shrink back instinctively with every purposeful step he took until the solid edge of his desk cut into her lower back. She was utterly trapped between the immovable object of the furniture and his overwhelming presence bearing down on her from across its surface.

    He didn¡¯t stop advancing until mere inches were separating their bodies, his free hand planted firmly on the desk to either side of her trembling frame. Hana¡¯s breath caught sharply in her throat at his proximity, her doe eyes squeezing shut tightly in a desperate bid to block out the dizzying reality of the situation.

    Only the unmistakable rustle of him retrieving the bag made her realize she still needed to breathe. Hana¡¯s lids snapped open, blinking up at him owlishly as he held the package from her loosely in one hand. The barest hint of a smirk played across his lips when their gazes reconnected.

    ¡°I believe this...is mine.¡±

    His low, rumbling murmur seemed to vibrate through her core, sending a frisson of an indecipherable emotion shuddering down her spine. All Hana could do was nod numbly, utterly disarmed by his nearness and still grappling with her panic.

    At that moment, she was utterly powerless and at his mercy. All either of them could do was hold the suspended breath between parted lips and wait for the other to finally shatter the spell hanging in the air.

    ¡°Y-yes...¡± Hana¡¯s strained whisper was barely audible, even in the suffocating silence enveloping them.

    But then the dam suddenly burst, his nearness seeming to unlock a torrent of words she had been desperate to unleash.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about that night, Dr. Jenkins. And thank you...thank you for making sure I got home safe. I¡¯m mortified that you had to see me in such a state...and I just feel awful about how Mira had to get involved that night, she can be a lot sometimes. I wonder how I have managed to be friends with her for so long. Sorry, I''m rambling¡±

    Hana continued, wringing her hands anxiously. ¡°Please, just excuse me, I should go...¡±

    The moment the name ¡°Mira¡± tumbled from Hana¡¯s lips; Ren felt an involuntary sense of relief wash over him. Of course - Mira was her roommate, her friend who had been attempting to track Hana down after her emotional unraveling that night.

    He mentally shook his head at himself for the brief twinge of...disappointment? Uncertainty? That had flickered through his mind when he first overheard Hana frantically rambling about this mysterious ¡°Mira¡± person during her drunken meltdown.

    She made a hasty move to sidestep around the desk, to put much-needed space between their charged proximity. But Hana gasped sharply when Ren¡¯s hand instinctively shot out, his fingertips grazing her forearm in a gentle vice meant to halt her escape.

    An instantaneous tremor rocketed through her at the simple point of contact between their skin. Hana¡¯s eyes blew wide, every nerve suddenly alight and hyper-aware in anticipation of...something. Memories of her affliction, faces, and flashes of vivid scenes usually accompany any sort of physical touch.

    But in that endless, suspended moment, there was nothing but eerie silence echoing through her mind.

    Why? Why can¡¯t I see anything?

    The anomaly was so rattling, so contrary to how her abilities had manifested her entire life, that Hana didn¡¯t immediately register Ren withdrawing his hand. Blinking hard, she finally refocused on his stoic features, his expression now guarded once more.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize,¡± he stated in that low, grounding timbre. ¡°I simply did what any decent person would do in that situation.¡±

    Hana blinked again, finally untethered from the strange vacuum that had momentarily consumed her consciousness. ¡°Still, I...I¡¯d like to repay you somehow, for your kindness and discretion.¡± She swallowed hard, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear anxiously. ¡°Please, it¡¯s the least I can do after such an incident.¡±

    Her wide, expressive eyes snapped up to meet his again, reminding Ren of how disarmingly youthful and vulnerable she could appear when she was not safely ducking away from human sight. It plucked an unfamiliar chord deep within his chest.

    ¡°That¡¯s unnecessary,¡± Ren demurred with a shake of his head. He took a measured step back to put a more professional distance between them once more. ¡°I assure you, there is no need for that.¡±

    But Hana remained insistent, unable to simply let his graciousness slide without any attempt at reciprocation. ¡°Please, I must insist. If there¡¯s any way I can make it up to you, any favors you need...¡± She trailed off, silently pleading with her eyes.

    For a long pause, Ren simply stared at her intently, as if weighing the sincerity of her entreaty. Then, finally, he inclined his chin in a curt nod. ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll...keep that in mind.¡±

    The words were clipped, noncommittal, giving no hint of whether he truly intended to take her up on the offer or if it was simply easier to acquiesce and move on. Hana could only nod in turn, a strange sense of defeat washing over her despite having seemingly gotten her way.

    An awkward beat passed between them before Ren cleared his throat, effectively severing the tension. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else...?¡± He arched an inquisitive eyebrow in a clear dismissal.

    ¡°No, I...thank you again, Dr. Jenkins.¡± Hana forced the softest of smiles, willing her cheeks not to burn too brightly. ¡°I¡¯ll let you get back to your work now.¡±

    With that, she quickly saw herself out of his office, exhaling harshly once the door was closed behind her. Hana leaned back against the wall, fingers unconsciously tracing over the point on her arm where Ren¡¯s hand had been only moments before. She replayed the entire encounter in her mind, utterly baffled by the bizarre cosmic silence that had blanketed her mind upon their touch.

    What did it mean? What was so different about Dr. Ren Jenkins that her abilities simply...refused to engage?

    Ren watched her go, letting the silence linger until she had disappeared around the corner before allowing himself to exhale heavily.

    Running a frustrated hand through his hair, Ren turned and walked back toward his office, mentally attempting to unravel the tangled knot of...whatever it was that seemed to coil inside his chest whenever he interacted with Nurse Shizumi these days. Too dangerous.

    For now, he would chalk it up to misplaced concern for her wellbeing in light of such an incident between a mentor and his admittedly solemn subordinate. Nothing more, nothing less.

    At least, that¡¯s what Ren continued trying to convince himself of as he settled back into his office and the comfortable routines of his day.

 Two Sides

    Hana came out from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her damp hair. She found Mira lounging on her bed, tablet in hand and blue-light glasses perched on her nose.

    The moment Mira spotted Hana, the tablet clattered to the mattress, forgotten. Her eyes lit up with unbridled excitement. ¡°Well? Spill it, girl!¡±

    Hana sighed, knowing there was no escaping Mira¡¯s nosiness once she got like this. ¡°Spill what? It¡¯s been a long shift.¡±

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t play coy with me!¡± Mira wagged a finger. ¡°You can¡¯t leave me hanging after that whole coat incident with Dr. Dreamy!¡±

    Furrowing her brow, Hana sat on the edge of the bed. ¡°How did you even know about that? And how did he get our address?¡±

    Mira let out a dramatic gasp. ¡°That¡¯s what you want to know? Not the juicy details?¡± When Hana leveled her with an expectant look, she relented. ¡°Okay, okay. I called your phone earlier, I wanted to know if you needed a ride after your party. But some deep, sexy voice answered instead of you.¡±

    She fanned herself comedically. ¡°You could have warned me your phone was stolen by a hot guy! I''m sure his face is just as sexy as his voice.¡±

    Hana rolled her eyes but couldn¡¯t fight the small smile tugging at her lips. ¡°That was Dr. Jenkins, dummy. He must have picked up my phone by mistake.¡±

    Understanding dawned on Mira¡¯s face. ¡°Oooh, I get it now. So, I told him about the key code for our place, huh?¡± She cringed playfully. ¡°Yikes, my bad. Though he did leave his coat out for you... Now, I really want to see him.¡±

    Hana sighed, plopping down on the bed beside Mira. ¡°It wasn¡¯t like that at all. Dr. Jenkins is - completely professional.¡±

    Mira rolled her eyes dramatically. ¡°Oh puh-lease, that man could recite a medical dictionary and still make it sound sultry.¡± She nudged Hana¡¯s arm playfully. ¡°So, spill! What happened when you gave dreamy Dr. Ren his coat back?¡±

    Hana felt her cheeks growing warm again just thinking about it. ¡°I went to return it after my shift ended...¡±

    She remembered catching just a faint whiff of his subtle, woodsy scent mixed with antiseptic. Pull it together, Hana, she chided herself. That is your boss!

    Mira was watching her friend closely. ¡°Earth to Hana! You¡¯ve got that dreamy far-off look again. Did something else happen that you¡¯re not telling me?¡±

    Hana blinked, shaking her head. ¡°No, no that was basically it. He thanked me and I left.¡± Though she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there had been...a fleeting moment of connection. Don¡¯t be ridiculous, she mentally scolded herself.

    ¡°Uh huh, suuure,¡± Mira said skeptically. ¡°For someone with a ¡®glimpse¡¯ into people¡¯s memories, you are extremely oblivious, my friend!¡±

    ¡°Actually, there¡¯s something else...¡± Hana¡¯s voice took on a pensive tone as she scooted closer to Mira on the bed. ¡°When Dr. Ren took his coat from me, our hands brushed and...¡±

    Mira gasped dramatically. ¡°No way! You had a charged moment?! Did sparks fly? A lingering look into each other¡¯s dreamy eyes?¡±

    Hana rolled her eyes at her friend¡¯s antics. ¡°Not exactly. It¡¯s just...I didn¡¯t get a vision. At all.¡±

    An odd look crossed Mira¡¯s face as she processed this revelation. Hana had to strain to recall a time when simply touching someone didn¡¯t trigger an onslaught of fragmented future glimpses. Her abilities were usually indiscriminate that way.

    ¡°Wait...¡± Mira¡¯s eyes widened with realization. ¡°The only person you¡¯ve ever touched without seeing visions...was Dr. Ren?¡±

    Hana nodded slowly. The weight of that strange occurrence still felt heavy on her mind.

    Mira threw her arms around Hana excitedly. ¡°Oh my god! Do you know what this means?¡± She pulled back, grabbing Hana¡¯s shoulders and staring at her intently. ¡°You two must be soulmates!¡±

    ¡°Soulmates?¡± Hana sputtered out a laugh at the ridiculousness. ¡°Mira, come on. We barely know each other outside the hospital.¡±

    But try as she might to brush it off, Mira¡¯s words took root in the back of Hana¡¯s mind. She readied herself for bed but couldn¡¯t chase away the image of Dr. Ren¡¯s penetrating gaze and the remainder of his gentle touch.

    As she drifted to sleep, her final thoughts were of the mysterious man who seemed to defy her precognitive abilities.

    <hr>

    The hospital halls were dimly lit in the late-night hours as Ren emerged from one of the patient wards, chart in hand. He stifled a yawn - these overnight shifts always wore him down, but he took pride in giving his full attention to each case.

    ¡°Long night, Ren?¡±

    He turned at the warm, familiar voice to see Dr. Lia approach with a sympathetic smile.

    ¡°You know how it goes,¡± he replied with a weary shrug. Despite his exhaustion, he felt himself instinctively straighten up in her maternal presence.

    Lia gave his shoulder a playful nudge. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got a lonely cup of coffee waiting in my office with your name on it, if you¡¯re done making rounds?¡±

    A chuckle escaped Ren¡¯s lips. He should have known Lia would have his back, as always. With a nod of acceptance, he fell into step beside her.

    As they wove through the dimly lit corridors, they passed a cluster of giggling nurses huddled at the station. Ren didn¡¯t miss the way their eyes followed him and Lia - likely imagining something illicit between the two close friends. He shook his head at their persistent rumors.

    Lia seemed utterly unbothered, throwing a wink toward the nurses that set off another wave of hushed laughter. She looped her arm through Ren¡¯s as they continued, leaning in to murmur, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, dear, you¡¯ll always be my favorite work husband.¡±

    Despite himself, Ren felt the corners of his mouth twitch upwards at her teasing.

    As Lia looped her arm through Ren¡¯s in that familiar, playful way, he couldn¡¯t help but inwardly grimace.

    ¡°Now the nurses will never believe that we¡¯re just friends,¡± he thought wryly to himself.

    He could already picture the rumors that would inevitably make the rounds after this casual display of affection.

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    Ren rolled his eyes internally. He had learned long ago to mostly ignore the whispers about his closeness with the warm, maternal Lia. Still, sometimes it grated on him how people looked for scandal in even the most innocent bonds.

    As they approached her office, Ren side-eyed his friend with mock exasperation. ¡°You know, one of these days you¡¯ll put those gossips into early graves with surprises like that.¡±

    Lia threw her head back with a rich laugh, giving his arm a squeeze. ¡°Oh, let them talk, my icy friend. We both know the truth behind this partnership.¡± Her eyes danced with mirth. ¡°Besides, think of the entertainment value in keeping them guessing!¡±

    Ren couldn¡¯t argue with that logic. Shaking his head fondly, he allowed himself to be ushered into her office, the familiar banter already reviving his energy for the remainder of the night shift.

    Ren sank gratefully into the plush chair in Lia¡¯s office, letting out a long exhale as she busied herself with the coffee maker. His mind was uncharacteristically preoccupied tonight.

    ¡°Your mother called me lately,¡± Lia¡¯s voice broke through his daze. She shot him a pointed look over her shoulder. ¡°Someone¡¯s been avoiding her calls again.¡±

    He felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment that his mother had roped Lia into her shenanigans. ¡°Just ignore her, Lia. You know how she gets.¡±

    But his friend just laughed, turning to face him with two steaming mugs in hand. ¡°I know, I know. Your mom can be...a lot.¡± She set a mug down in front of him. ¡°But that can¡¯t be what¡¯s got you so distracted tonight. What¡¯s going on in that head of yours?¡±

    Ren said nothing, avoiding her probing gaze as his eyes involuntarily drifted to the coffee. A fleeting image of Hana flickered through his mind - the interesting nurse and the thank-you coffee on his table

    ¡°Ah...¡± Lia¡¯s bemused voice snapped his attention back. She was studying him with raised brows. ¡°You seem awfully happy just staring at that coffee.¡±

    Heat crept up the back of Ren¡¯s neck. He cleared his throat gruffly, struggling to reassert his trademark impassive demeanor. But Lia¡¯s expression told him she had already put the pieces together.

    As her mouth opened - likely to tease him mercilessly - Ren raised a hand to stop her. ¡°Don¡¯t...¡± He all but growled the word.

    Lia¡¯s lips curved into an impish grin. Rather than push it, she simply lifted her mug in a mock toast before taking an exaggerated sip, eyes dancing with mischief over the rim.

    Ren shook his head but couldn¡¯t deny the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Lia always could read him like a book. He snuck a sidelong glance at his friend as he took his first bracing swallow of coffee.

    Maybe it was time he finally admitted what - or who - had been occupying his thoughts lately.

    The comfortable silence stretched between Ren and Lia until he suddenly blurted out, ¡°The dreams have started again.¡±

    Lia¡¯s perfectly groomed eyebrows shot up. ¡°I thought those had stopped for a while?¡± She kept her tone casual, not wanting to put him on the defensive.

    Ren gave a curt nod, refusing to meet her inquisitive gaze. ¡°They did. But now they¡¯re back...and clearer than before.¡± He let out a mirthless chuckle. ¡°Not that I can ever recall them clearly when I wake up.¡±

    ¡°Have you considered seeing a psychologist¨C ?¡± Lia suggested gently, genuine concern in her tone.

    Ren waved a dismissive hand, his body language closing off. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Lia. It¡¯s not a big deal.¡± The clipped tone made it clear he wanted to drop the subject.

    Mercifully, the weighted tension was broken by the office door flinging open. Rowan blustered in without so much as a knock, taking in his two closest friends with a comically affronted look.

    ¡°Seriously? Having a bestie time without me?¡± He went for levity, but couldn¡¯t quite mask the hint of genuine hurt in his warm brown eyes.

    Lia just shook her head in exasperation, lips quirked upwards. ¡°You know you¡¯re always welcome, you giant child.¡± She rose to her feet. ¡°Coffee?¡±

    ¡°Please, Mother!¡± Rowan plopped himself down on the couch beside Ren, who instinctively leaned away from the human tornado of energy. Rowan pouted at him. ¡°What¡¯s got your scrubs in a twist, Ice Prince?¡±

    Before Ren could deflect, Lia chimed in nonchalantly from the kitchenette. ¡°His mother wants him home for that big family gathering coming up.¡±

    A look of understanding crossed Rowan¡¯s face at the reminder of the dreaded ¡°special occasion.¡± He shot Ren a sympathetic wince before sinking back into the cushions with an overly loud slurp of his fresh coffee.

    Ren remained stoically silent, taking a long draw from his mug. The dreams and his mother¡¯s demands were the last things he wanted to dwell on right now.

    ¡°Wait, wait...family gathering?¡± Rowan perked up, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. ¡°Are we invited to this shindig?¡±

    Lia rolled her eyes fondly as she rejoined them, settling back into her armchair. ¡°Rowan...it¡¯s a family gathering. I¡¯m pretty sure your last name isn¡¯t Jenkins.¡± She took a pointed sip of her coffee.

    ¡°Could have fooled me with how much time I spend putting up with this one,¡± Rowan shot back with a wink at Ren, jabbing a thumb in his direction.

    Ren merely grunted in response, refusing to get dragged into their typical back-and-forth needling. His mind had gotten stuck on something Lia said earlier.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this family thing also your parents¡¯ 30th wedding anniversary?¡± Lia mused aloud, catching Ren¡¯s pensive expression.

    A crease formed between Ren¡¯s brows as he processed her words. Of course - how could he have forgotten such a significant milestone for his parents? His friends didn¡¯t miss a beat.

    ¡°You mean to tell me the esteemed Dr. Jenkins forgot his own parents¡¯ anniversary?¡± Rowan¡¯s eyes danced with amusement at having caught Ren in a rare lapse.

    Ren shifted in his seat, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically sheepish under their scrutinizing gazes. He reflexively straightened his posture. ¡°I¡¯ve just had...other matters occupying my mind lately.¡±

    The curt response didn¡¯t deter Rowan¡¯s self-satisfied grin one bit. Lia, however, watched Ren with a distinctly more contemplative look - one that made him feel like she could see straight through his thinly veiled excuse.

    Clearing his throat, Ren took another long draught of coffee, allowing the rich taste to ground him.

    A heavy silence fell over the trio as Ren¡¯s shoulders tensed, his knuckles tightening around the warm ceramic mug. Rowan and Lia exchanged a glance, recognizing the telltale signs of their friend retreating inward.

    Ren stared unseeingly into the depths of his coffee; jaw clenched. He could already envision the stifling atmosphere that would no doubt consume his family home for this ¡°gathering.¡± Thinly veiled passive aggression, volleys of backhanded comments between his family members, nothing ever changed¡­ nothing.

    Ren checked his wristwatch and sighed. ¡°I should get back to my rounds.¡±

    He drained the last of his coffee and rose fluidly to his feet. Lia and Rowan exchanged a knowing look as their friend made his excuses to leave. They could read between the lines - Ren was shutting down, reverting to his tried-and-true emotional evasion tactics.

    Without another word, Ren turned on his heel and strode toward the door. The two friends remained silent, recognizing that pushing him now would only lead to him retreating further behind his icy veneer.

    As soon as Ren emerged into the corridor, he pulled his phone from the pocket of his white coat. His thumb hovered over the contact information for his cousin Jiro before finally pressing the call button.

    It rang twice before Jiro¡¯s surprised voice came through the speaker. ¡°Ren? This is unexpected...¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me my parents¡¯ anniversary was coming up?¡± Ren didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries, his words clipped.

    There was a muffled noise in the background like Jiro was covering the mouthpiece as he spoke to someone else about postponing something. ¡°But they¡¯re not my parents,¡± he finally replied, sounding distinctly distracted.

    Ren exhaled a harsh breath through his nostrils. Of course, his cousin wouldn¡¯t be oblivious to such family matters. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he decided to make this quick.

    ¡°Never mind. I won¡¯t be attending, so you can report back to my mother.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Ren, I really think you should -¡± But he didn¡¯t let Jiro finish. With a forceful jab of his thumb, Ren ended the call.

    Shoving his phone back into his pocket, Ren ran his fingers roughly through his dark locks. He could feel the start of a dull pounding at his temples - the harbinger of another stress migraine. Wonderful.

    Drawing in a steadying breath, Ren smoothed his hands over the front of his coat and squared his shoulders. He had patients to see, and people¡¯s lives to prioritize over his familial hangnail.

    With his trademark unflappable mask firmly in place once more, Ren turned and strode with purpose toward the controlled chaos of the Emergency Room.

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    ****************************

 Mother Dearest

    The early morning hours were always the most serene at the hospital. Hana relished these peaceful moments before the daily rush, using the quiet to get herself centered before her shift truly began.

    She made her rounds, checking vitals and ensuring her patients were resting comfortably after being handed off by the night nurse. With a hot cup of herbal tea in hand, Hana settled at the nurses¡¯ station to input her findings into the computer.

    The familiar clickety-clack of computer keys and the low murmur of hushed voices created a soothing white noise. Hana felt her shoulders instinctively unlatch some of their tension as she sipped her tea. Moments like these were all too rare. Waking up early for morning shifts was still hard to get used to.

    A sudden burst of movement in her peripheral vision shattered the peaceful atmosphere. Hana¡¯s head swiveled just in time to see Dr. Ren burst through the doors of the ER like a man possessed.

    His razor-sharp jaw was set in a hard line, eyes blazing with an emotion she couldn¡¯t quite place. Urgency and agitation seemed to roll off him in waves as he walked forward with decisive strides.

    The few nurses lounging about the station froze, exchanging shocked looks. In all the time Hana had known the perpetually composed Dr. Ren, she couldn¡¯t recall ever seeing him in such an unsettled state.

    He rushed past without sparing them so much as a glance, his broad shoulders tense and posture radiating a nearly palpable intensity. Hana¡¯s breath hitched in her throat as he reached the automatic doors and smacked them impatiently, waiting just long enough for them to slide open before disappearing outside.

    A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the ambient noises of floors being waxed and the distant ringing of phones. Hana slowly turned back to her abandoned terminal, fingers frozen over the keys as her mind whirred.

    Her gaze flickered to the ER doors through which he¡¯d stormed out.

    *********************

    The phone call hit Ren hard, like a punch to the gut. He came barreling out of the hospital doors, his usual cool and calm gone. His white doctor¡¯s coat flapped behind him as he rushed across the parking lot, constantly running his hands through his messy hair out of pure frustration.

    Not up to 5 minutes ago, he had let out a deep, weary sigh as he sank onto the worn couch in his office, finally able to grab a moment to himself after a grueling overnight shift. He fished his phone out from the pocket of his wrinkled white coat, squinting against the harsh glare of the screen as it lit up.

    5 missed calls from his mother.

    He rolled his eyes reflexively, not even needing to check the call log to know exactly who had been blowing up his phone. Just as he moved to silence the ringer, the device began vibrating in his palm with another incoming call from her. Without a second thought, he declined it and dropped the phone face-down beside him, desperate to cling to these fleeting moments of peace.

    Ren took a deep, steadying breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, unconsciously attempting to physically push away the growing tension headache. He knew ignoring his mother¡¯s incessant calls was only delaying the inevitable eruption, but he allowed himself to indulge in the brief respite.

    The shrill beep of an incoming text message pinged through the blessed silence, shattering Ren¡¯s hard-won tranquility like a pebble through glass. He scooped up the phone, fully expecting another terse demand from his relentless mother.

    Instead, the message on the bright screen was as icy as it was curt: ¡°I am in front of the hospital. Meet me at L¡¯Heritiere or else.¡±

    Ren felt his jaw tighten unwittingly. Of course, his mother would stoop to such underhanded ultimatums to ensure his compliance. Raking a hand roughly through his tousled hair, he fought the urge to hurl the phone across the room in a momentary lapse of self-control.

    Without a minute to waste, Ren surged to his feet and snatched his coat from where it lay crumpled. He bolted out of the door, hands quickly working to shrug on his coat as he moved with purposeful strides. His phone remained clutched in his other hand, calls and texts now being fired off to his mother in rapid succession.

    He got into his car and zoomed out of the parking lot. Ren didn¡¯t slow until he reached the discreet side entrance of an upscale restaurant nearby.

    Ren was burning up inside, but you¡¯d never know it just by looking at his face. He managed to keep himself together, at least on the outside, as he shoved his way into the fancy restaurant nearby. A few staff members gave him weird looks with how worked up he seemed, but Ren paid them no mind. He knew exactly where he was heading.

    As soon as he stepped into the private dining room, it was like entering a different world - quiet, classy, and dripping with money. Everything from the heavy curtains to the antique decorations on the walls screamed ¡°old money elegance.¡± Ren¡¯s agitated state seemed completely out of place here.

    ¡°Ah, there you are, Ren.¡± The crisp, refined voice cut through the silence like a knife.

    Sitting at the head of the long dining table, back perfectly straight, was an impeccably dressed woman in her mid-fifties. Her graying chestnut hair and regal features were eerily similar to Ren¡¯s, but she gave off this undeniable upper-class vibe that felt the opposite of how disheveled her son looked right now.

    Her judging eyes slowly looked Ren up and down before landing on the intimidating female attendant hovering at her side. ¡°That will be all for now, Greta. Give us the room, please.¡±

    The attendant nodded stiffly before leaving without a word. Only once the door clicked shut did Ren¡¯s mother¡¯s prim and proper mask slip ever so slightly, her expression morphing into one of cold disappointment.

    ¡°Ren. This over-dramatic entrance is unbecoming, even for you...¡± Her tone carried a lifetime of bottled-up critiques.

    Ren held his tongue, refusing to get roped into another useless argument. Ren¡¯s jaw clenched tightly as he stared his mother down. He hated how she always pulled these power moves - using threats and mind games to summon him whenever she wanted. Disrupting his workplace like this was a new low, even for her. It risked exposing too much of his private life to his colleagues.

    The tense silence stretched between them until a waiter mercifully interrupted by setting down a fresh cup of tea across from Ren¡¯s mother. She seized the moment to level a pointed look at her son.

    ¡°I thought maybe you could use some proper tea instead of whatever cheap, bitter crap you¡¯ve no doubt been drinking,¡± she said, perfectly arched brow raised.

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    Ren opened his mouth, ready to shut down another snippy commentary about his habits. But his mother charged ahead before he could get a word in.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t look so put out, dear. You know I only want what¡¯s best.¡± Her tone held a mix of exasperation and watered-down concern, like critiquing his life was just tough love.

    With an exaggerated sigh, Ren yanked out the chair and heavily dropped into it. His mother¡¯s sharp eyes did a once-over of his rumpled blue scrubs, mouth twisting in distaste before she took a pointed sip of her tea.

    ¡°Ren, surely you could have left the...grunt work to your inferiors,¡± she finally said, disdain dripping from her words. ¡°You were meant for loftier roles than dashing about in those...well, I¡¯m sure they¡¯re quite comfortable.¡±

    ¡°Enough games, Mother,¡± Ren ground out, cutting off her assessment of his career before it gathered steam. ¡°Why did you insist on seeing me like this?¡±

    She leveled him a sardonic look over her china cup¡¯s rim. ¡°Must a mother have a reason to see her only son?¡±

    Ren¡¯s flat stare said it all - he could see through such transparent ploys from a mile away.

    Rolling her eyes ever so slightly, his mother set her tea down with a clink and folded her hands atop the lace-trimmed tablecloth. ¡°Oh, very well. Let¡¯s drop the pretenses...¡±

    She fixed him with an inscrutable look. ¡°You must attend the family gathering this weekend. It¡¯s non-negotiable.¡±

    ¡°Why exactly do I have to attend?¡± Ren couldn¡¯t keep the edgy impatience from his voice. ¡°It¡¯s just your wedding anniversary, is it not?¡±

    His mother¡¯s perfectly sculpted features twitched ever so slightly, a brief lapse in her usual airtight poise. But she swiftly recovered, bringing a delicately embroidered handkerchief to her lips as if to smooth away any cracks in her facade.

    ¡°Your attendance is of great importance, Ren,¡± she replied, dismissive tone making it clear the matter wasn¡¯t up for debate. ¡°It¡¯s a family gathering, which by definition means all family members will be present.¡±

    The ominous emphasis on those last words wasn¡¯t lost on Ren. Of course the dreaded event would devolve into a cesspool of obligations and underhanded agendas - it was precisely why he¡¯d been avoiding these ¡°gatherings¡± like the plague in recent years.

    His stony silence seemed to be all the acceptance his mother required. With a self-satisfied sniff, she smoothed her hands over the finely-tailored fabric of her skirt suit and rose gracefully from her chair.

    But just before sweeping toward the door, she couldn¡¯t resist one final parting remark laced with transparent cunning.

    ¡°Oh, and Ren?¡± She glanced over her shoulder, lips curved in the barest hint of a Mona Lisa smile. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for you to bring a...lady friend to the event. Don¡¯t come unaccompanied.¡±

    The unmistakable implication hung blazingly in the air even after she excused herself from the private dining room. Ren was left sitting amid the opulent surroundings, a hollow sense of dread expanding in his chest.

    His mother¡¯s words - it was the oldest trick in her arsenal. Trying to reassert control over his life by meddling and making ridiculous demands.

    Ren felt the telltale buzz of his phone against his thigh and instinctively reached for it, tension coiling in his gut. Sure enough, an email from his mother was already waiting - attached was a formal-looking event invitation, a PDF file and...

    He felt his jaw tick as the attachment photo loaded. It was a headshot of an attractive young woman, all sleek blonde hair and a camera-ready smile. Of course, his mother wouldn¡¯t have settled for anything less than putting him on display with arm candy she deemed appropriately polished.

    With a disgusted snort, Ren tossed his phone onto the table, the muted clatter satisfying on some primal level. He raked a hand through his already disheveled hair, suddenly feeling an overwhelming need to be anywhere other than this suffocating den of oppressive wealth and his family¡¯s toxic expectations.

    After a minute of thought, Ren reached over to pick up his phone and tapped on a seldom-contact, jabbing the call button with more force than necessary. It rang only once before a familiar voice answered.

    ¡°Where are you?¡± Ren didn¡¯t bother with too much talk. Whatever the reply was must have satisfied him, because he ended the call and got up from his seat.

    He started heading for the door as he rapidly fired off a text message to someone else. Before exiting the room, his gaze drifted briefly over to the chair where his mother had been seat, a cold mask firmly in place as always. His fist clenched against the knob of the door and strode out.

    By the time he reached his car in the parking lot, a familiar flow of adrenaline had taken over him. He peeled out of the parking lot and greeted the road with speed until he reached his destination: JK Luxe.

    He didn¡¯t even pause at the front entrance, taking his car around the back to the underground reserved lot accessible only to special guest. Killing the engine, Ren exited and moved towards the backdoor.

    Ren moved with powerful strides down the dimly lit hallways with a thumping bass-line echoing through the club¡¯s wall. His didn¡¯t break stride until he reached a door leading into a private lounge.

    ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Dr. McSteamy himself! Thank you for finally gracing us with your presence¡± The familiar jovial voice caused Ren¡¯s eye to twitch ever-so-lightly.

    Rowan lounged on one of the plush couches to face him fully, whiskey glass in hand and his trademark grin plastered across his face. His eyes roamed over Ren in one slow, assessing sweep.

    ¡°Though I gotta say, Dr. Jenkins, scrubs are a¡­bold fashion choice for a place like this,¡± Rowan commented with and exaggerated wiggle of his brows.

    A snort of laughter sounded from the other side of the room. ¡°Only Ren would be interesting enough to show up here dressed like that.¡±

    Jiro emerged from the door, eternally styled in designer casual outfit befitting the wealthy playboy persona he¡¯d embraced. He threw an arm around his cousin¡¯s shoulder, either oblivious to or deliberately ignoring the dangerous energy practically vibrating off Ren.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, cuz? Mother dearest riled you up again?¡±

    At the mention of his mother, Ren shrugged Jiro¡¯s arm off him with a cutting glare, promise of violence hanging in the air.

    Jiro¡¯s hand flew up in surrender, lips twitching in amusement even as he backed off a step. ¡°Okay, okay, touchy subject, got it.¡± He jerked his chin towards the hallway on the far side of the lounge. ¡°Why don¡¯t you get changed in my office, hm?¡±

    Ren stared at his cousin for a stretched beat, the muscle in his jaw ticked. Giving a tense nod, he turned on his heel and stalked off towards the hallway without a word.

    Ren emerged a short while later, having changed int a sleek black dress shirt and dark pants. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, still damp from the quick shower that he¡¯d taken to rinse off the day¡¯s stress.

    His gaze landed on the crystal decanter sitting on the sideboard, amber liquid sloshing invitingly. It had been far too long since he last indulged in that particular habit.

    Pushing abruptly away from the table, Ren crossed the room in a few long strides and poured himself a generous amount of the top-shelf scotch. He spare a minute to chance and, just threw back a healthy swig directly from the bottle.

    ¡°Figure you could use this, buddy,¡± Jiro said lightly, though his eyes danced with curiosity.

    The fiery liquid blazed a path down his throat, briefly overwhelming his senses with its smoky burn. Ren welcomed the distraction from the pit of dread rapidly festering in his gut over having to face his toxic family once again. Dread...and a nagging sense that their nonsense would soon entangle some unsuspecting woman, all for the sake of appearances.

    Jiro, never one to exercise tact, jumped right to interrogating Ren. ¡°Alright, out with it then. What fresh hell did Mother Dearest unleash on you this time?¡±

    Ren didn¡¯t bother looking at his cousin, just dug his phone out and tossed it at Jiro, who snatched it from the air with poise.

    Rowan leaned over a s Jiro thumbed through to the phone and message, letting out a low whistle. ¡°Well, shit, no wonder you¡¯re wound tighter than--¡±

    ¡°A set-up, pure and simple. She even got you a wife,¡± Jiro interjected with a bark of laughter, tossing the phone back. It landed squarely in Ren¡¯s lap. ¡°A perfect wife. Lucky you, coz. I don¡¯t wish to be you.¡±

    Ren¡¯s hands clenched around his glass, his memories trail back to the photo of the plastic, over-groomed socialite his mother had clearly handpicked as arm candy. The though of being paraded around with such a woman made his skin crawl.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s your plan now?¡± Rowan asked, more soberly this time. ¡°You have no choice but to go now¡±

    Jiro scoffed at that. ¡°Please, like the great Dr. Jenkins would willingly show up to that circus gathering with this¡­barbie doll on his arm.¡± He eyed Ren cautiously. ¡°Right, Ren?¡±

    When Ren merely took another brooding pull from his scotch, Jiro¡¯s smile dimmed momentarily. ¡°¡­You¡¯re not actually considering it, are you?¡±

    The heavy silence that met his question was tense. Ren¡¯s jaw worked wordlessly as he spun the glass around, eyes glossy and unfocused.

    Truth was, he had no idea what he planned to do - outside of drinking himself into oblivion for the night to avoid it altogether. But Ren was determined - he wouldn¡¯t be a willing victim to their manipulations any longer.

 Alcohols Result

    The cab ride had been a blur of city lights streaking past the window and road noise blending with the low thrum of whatever song played on the radio. Ren blinked slowly, feeling unmoored from reality in a way only excessive alcohol could induce.

    When the cab rolled to a stop, he handed the driver some rumpled bills without really registering the address or even checking if it was enough to cover the fare. Ren simply stepped out onto the sidewalk, the door thumping shut behind him as the vehicle quickly merged back into the flow of late night traffic.

    He stood there motionless for a long moment, the sounds of the city fading into an indistinct white noise. Ren¡¯s unfocused gaze drifted upwards until it landed on a particular window a few floors up, a dim glow of light emanating from behind the curtains.

    He wasn¡¯t sure what compelled his leaden feet to carry him toward the apartment building¡¯s entrance. Just knew there was something...a presence he was being inexplicably drawn toward, like a moth to a flame on a primal, instinctual level.

    So deep was Ren¡¯s alcohol-soaked trance that he didn¡¯t immediately register the figure emerging from the lobby until she moved into his peripheral vision. Slowly, incredulously, his gaze tracked over to find...her.

    Hana paused in the act of hauling a trash bag toward the dumpster, her lithe form haloed in the sickly yellow glow of the outdoor lighting. Ren could only stare with a blank, glazed expression, momentarily struck incoherently.

    Perhaps sensing his presence, Hana turned, her dark eyes widening almost comically as they landed on the decidedly out-of-place figure before her. Ren watched her mouth work wordlessly before she seemed to find her voice.

    ¡°...D-Dr. Jenkins?¡± The words left her lips in a hushed utterance of disbelief.

    Ren¡¯s only response was to sway slightly on his feet, jaw slightly unhinged and eyes drowsily blinking at her as if struggling to comprehend her existence before him on a primal level.

    In his drunken, fuzzy state of mind, Hana¡¯s voice sent a shockwave of recognition ricocheting through his psyche. Like a temporary bolt of clarity piercing through the hazy veil, whispering that he knew this woman...knew her in a bone-deep way that logic couldn¡¯t begin to comprehend.

    Hana inched closer with cautious, hesitant steps. The distinct scent of alcohol wafted off Dr. Jenkins in waves, but there was something else too...an aura of profound unmooring.

    ¡°Shizumi...¡± he rumbled, tongue thick around the syllables of her name. ¡°Hana...¡±

    She stilled at the sound, hardly daring to breathe. ¡°Y-yes, Dr. Jenkins? It¡¯s me.¡±

    His brow furrowed deeply, struggling against the hazy fog of inebriation as if trying to hold onto that single lucid thread. When his eyes finally refocused on her face, its vulnerability shining there sent a shockwave through Hana¡¯s core.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do,¡± Ren said, voice cracking. He looked oddly small in that moment, any trace of his usual towering poise and control shattered into pieces around his feet.

    Hana¡¯s breath hitched at the man before her now ¡ª disheveled and swaying slightly on his feet with glassy eyes brimming with naked desperation ¡ª was the complete opposite of the unshakable, icy doctor she knew.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins...¡± she began again, words stalling in her throat as a thousand questions whirred through her mind.

    Before she could voice any of them, his head dropped onto her shoulder with a heavy thud. Hana froze, almost expecting a vision to crash over her, but...nothing. Just the clammy feeling of his sweat-drenched forehead seeping through the thin cotton of her loose, off-shoulder top.

    ¡°I hate how she controls my life...¡± Ren mumbled, his words slightly slurred. ¡°But it¡¯s my fault they got hurt.¡± The cold dampness on her shoulder suddenly turned warm. Tears? From Dr. Jenkins? Hana¡¯s mind could hardly process it as the broken man before her began to quietly sob against her skin.

    Hana¡¯s heart pounded in her ears as Ren¡¯s full weight gradually sagged against her. With each passing second, she felt herself being pulled deeper into the surreal situation of having this normally unflappable man come utterly undone before her eyes.

    A light breeze tousled his dark hair, carrying the faint scent of expensive cologne now intermingled with stale whiskey. Hana shivered, though she couldn¡¯t tell if it was from the chill night air or the overwhelming proximity to her commanding senior in such a helplessly vulnerable state.

    Where am I supposed to take you? The question burned in her mind as Ren continued mumbling incoherently in response to her queries about his address. Unbidden, images of trying to subtly smuggle him into her apartment flashed through her mind, only to be immediately banished by the vision of Mira¡¯s inevitable smug looks and relentless teasing.

    Left with no other options, Hana looped one of Ren¡¯s arms around her shoulders and half-carried, half-dragged him toward the main road to hail a cab. She couldn¡¯t resist glancing around furtively, praying none of their colleagues would happen to witness this impossibly undignified scene.

    Finally, they tumbled into the backseat, Ren slumping bonelessly against the far window. Hana sucked in a deep breath, sneaking sidelong looks at his ashen face between directing the driver toward the one place she could think to take him - the hospital itself.

    Hana¡¯s gaze lingered on Ren¡¯s crumpled form, feeling utterly adrift in the wake of his shattering breakdown.

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    Hana let out a long sigh of relief once she managed to half-carry, half-drag Ren into his private office without anyone seeing them. Dropping him onto the small lounge chair, she stepped back, chest heaving a little.

    ¡°Geez, you¡¯re heavier than you look, Dr. Jenkins,¡± she muttered under her breath, running a hand through her disheveled hair.

    Ren was completely out cold now, mouth slightly agape as his head lolled to the side. Hana found herself staring at his tousled dark locks falling messily across his forehead. Her fingers twitched with the urge to gently brush the strands away from his face.

    Whoa, get it together. She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head firmly. ¡°Don¡¯t even go there, Hana. You can¡¯t catch feelings for your boss, especially not him.¡±

    Despite her internal scolding, she couldn¡¯t quite tear her gaze away from his unexpectedly peaceful expression. Ren always seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Seeing him so unguarded and vulnerable now stirred up complicated emotions she didn¡¯t want to examine too closely.

    Forcing herself to look away, Hana began to straighten up from her squat beside the chair. But then she froze as Ren¡¯s hand suddenly shot out, his slender fingers clamping around her wrist with surprising strength for his drunken state.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins?¡± she whispered, heart jumping into her throat.

    His eyes remained stubbornly closed, but his lips twitched almost imperceptibly. ¡°The favor...¡± he slurred, voice thick and raspy. ¡°Still...valid?¡±

    Hana¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Favor? What favor are you...¡± But he didn¡¯t seem to hear her quiet query.

    ¡°Yes?¡± she finally answered hesitantly after his only response was steady breathing.

    Seeming to accept that, Ren¡¯s grip went slack once more as he drifted fully back under. Hana slowly extracted her wrist from his limp hand, feeling even more unsettled and lost than before.

    **********************************

    The loud creaking of the door abruptly jolted Ren from his uneasy slumber. He winced, shielding his eyes against the harsh fluorescent lights as a boisterous voice boomed into the room.

    ¡°Well, well! If it isn¡¯t Dr. Ren ¡®I like getting wasted on a work-day¡¯ Jenkins!¡± Dr. Rowan announced with a dramatic flourish.

    Ren groaned, one hand shielding his eyes from the harsh light as he began to stir. ¡°Keep it down, would you?¡± His usually silken voice was rough with fatigue and a no doubt pounding headache.

    Squinting against the throbbing in his skull, Ren made out the stocky, grinning figure of his friend and colleague. ¡°Must you be so loud this early, Rowan?¡± he grumbled, slowly levering himself upright.

    Rowan chuckled heartily. ¡°Early? It¡¯s nearly noon, my friend. Though I can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised to find the esteemed chief of the ER passed out in his office after a night of heavy drinking.¡±

    Ren scowled, rubbing his pounding temples. Only he would be so dedicated to crash right at the hospital in case of alcohol poisoning.

    ¡°Here, this ought to help with that epic hangover.¡± Rowan tossed a bottle of pain pills which Ren caught deftly despite his foggy state.

    As he dry-swallowed a couple capsules, Rowan quirked an inquisitive brow. ¡°So who was the lovely lady you were so desperate to rendez-vous with last night? Must have been some secret romance to make you ditch work in such a hurry.¡±

    Ren¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. Romance? He couldn¡¯t recall anything about a woman or leaving somewhere urgently. In fact, his memory after the fifth or sixth glass of scotch was pretty much blank.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± he scoffed, deflecting Rowan¡¯s nosy queries.

    ¡°I thought for sure you were headed to meet up with some secret woman last night,¡± Rowan went on slyly. ¡°The way you were adamant about leaving, mumbling about having to go see ¡®them¡¯...¡®Them¡¯ was just the damn hospital, as always.¡±

    Ren shot him a withering glare, deftly avoiding the implications about secret trysts.

    Rowan chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°At least if you drank yourself into oblivion, we would have treated you for alcohol poisoning on the spot!¡±

    Rowan plopped down on the vacant chair across from Ren, a concerned look replacing his usual jovial expression. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan now?¡±

    Ren pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly not eager to delve into the subject. ¡°I¡¯ll figure something out. For now, I just need to...¡± His voice trailed off vaguely.

    Rowan held up his hands in surrender. ¡°Say no more, say no more. I can take a hint when it¡¯s being heavily thrown in my general direction.¡± He rose with a slight grimace. ¡°You should head home since you¡¯re actually off the clock today, but you know where to find me if you need an ear.¡±

    Ren managed a tight nod of acknowledgment as Rowan showed himself out. Alone once more, he smoothed his hands over his rumpled shirt and slacks, attempting to regain some sense of professional composure. After taking a while to himself, he stepped out into the sterile hospital corridor.

    That¡¯s when he spotted Nurse Shizumi approaching from the opposite direction. As soon as her wide eyes landed on him, her cheeks flushed bright pink and she immediately averted her gaze. She hunched her shoulders inward as if trying to make herself smaller, to avoid having to walk too close by him.

    Ren furrowed his brow,confused by her overt discomfort at merely being in his presence. His mind raced for any recollection of what he could have committed to cause such an alarming reaction from her.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi,¡± he called out, his voice softer than usual, betraying a hint of genuine concern.

    Hana froze in her tracks, her gloved hands clutching the stack of patient files to her chest. She swallowed hard, her gaze darting nervously around the corridor before finally settling on Ren.

    Ren watched in surprise as Nurse Shizumi, or rather Hana, hastily excused herself at the sound of Nurse Audra¡¯s voice. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach as he witnessed her abrupt departure. Something wasn¡¯t right, and he was determined to uncover the truth.

    As Hana disappeared down the corridor, Ren resisted the urge to call out after her. He knew that pushing her further in her current state would only cause more harm than good.

    *********************************

    Ren¡¯s studio apartment greeted him with a sense of familiarity as he stepped through the door, his exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders.

    With a heavy sigh, he finally allowed himself to check his phone, greeted by a flurry of messages from his cousin Jiro. He made a mental note to call him later, his mind already preoccupied with other matters.

    But it was the last message from his mother that caused Ren¡¯s jaw to tense with frustration. He tossed his phone onto his bed with a grunt of irritation, the weight of his mother¡¯s expectations lingering like a shadow over his thoughts.

    Determined to wash away the remnants of the night¡¯s shenanigans, Ren made his way to the shower, the stench of alcohol and sweat clinging to him like a second skin. As the warm water flowed over him, he closed his eyes, trying to collect his scattered thoughts from the night before.

    Images flickered in his mind¡ªa blur of drinks with the guys, the disorienting sway of the cab ride home. But then, there was something else¡ªa moment of vulnerability he couldn¡¯t quite grasp. Standing alone in front of a building, his head on someone¡¯s shoulder, tears streaming down his face. And then... Nurse Shizumi¡¯s face flashed before him, her expression a mix of concern and confusion.

    Ren¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he abruptly shut off the shower, the memory of Nurse Shizumi¡¯s unexpected presence sending a shiver down his spine. Shutting his eyes, he cursed himself for allowing her to see him in such a vulnerable state, his cheeks burning with embarrassment at the thought.

    ¡°What have I done?¡± He voiced his thoughts out loud.

 Miras Push

    ¡°Hanaaaa, wake up!¡±

    Hana groaned as Mira¡¯s singsong voice pierced the peaceful cocoon of sleep she had finally managed to settle into. She tried burying her face deeper into the pillow, savoring these rare hours to sleep in after working continuous overnight shifts.

    The mattress shifted as Mira plopped down beside her. ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t, missy! You¡¯re not spending your whole day off lounging like a sloth.¡±

    Before Hana could protest, Mira grabbed the edge of the comforter and whipped it off with one fluid yank. She yelped at the rush of cold air assaulting her bare legs through her sleep shorts.

    ¡°Miraaaa, come on!¡± she whined, reflexively curling up into a ball to conserve warmth. ¡°I¡¯m exhausted. Can¡¯t I just rest for once?¡±

    ¡°Nope, not a chance!¡± Mira was attempting to pull the sheets from under her. ¡°I got us reservations for that super fancy JK place uptown. You¡¯re getting dolled up whether you like it or not, missy.¡±

    Hana pried one bleary eye open to shoot her best friend a withering glare. ¡°What fancy place?¡±

    Mira waved her hand airly. ¡°One of my clients owed me a pretty hefty favor. So I cashed it in for a little glamorous girls¡¯ day out!¡±

    Resigning herself to Mira¡¯s relentless campaign, Hana finally allowed herself to be dragged up into a sitting position, sheets pooling around her waist.

    ¡°Okay, okay, you win,¡± she surrendered. ¡°Please, can I just dress comfortably?¡±

    Mira rolled her eyes indulgently, already launching into energetic musings about hairstyles and jewelry as she bustled around gathering cosmetics and clothes from Hana¡¯s closet...

    Soon enough, they were exiting their apartment building and hailing a cab, Hana tugging self-consciously at the emerald green blouse Mira had insisted looked ¡°effortlessly chic¡± tucked into her trusty black jeans. Before she knew it, they were sweeping through the polished glass doors of the biggest restaurant Hana had ever seen, the gleaming JK logo shining down on them in elegant gold lettering.

    Hana followed closely behind Mira as the immaculately dressed butler led them through the opulent restaurant interior. She was trying not to gape too openly at the lavish surroundings. Enormous crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, bathing the plush carpet and pristine white tablecloths in a warm glow. Priceless artworks adorned the walls between grandiose columns.

    Mira, on the other hand, seemed to glide through it all with practiced nonchalance. ¡°Can you believe this place, Hana?¡± she murmured under her breath. ¡°I swear, that Charleston painting alone is probably worth more than both our salaries combined.¡±

    Hana managed a tight smile, giving a meek shrug. High society grandeur like this made her feel painfully out of place. She instinctively shrank closer to Mira¡¯s side, the long skirt of her simple sundress suddenly seeming hopelessly underdressed.

    Before Hana could respond, the butler gestured towards an alcove tucked against the wall. ¡°Right this way, Miss Aki. Your table awaits.¡±

    The butler finally stopped before a slightly secluded table in an alcove, pulling out the chairs for them with a flourish. ¡°Right this way, Miss Aki and guest. Your server will be with you shortly.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, thank you!¡± Mira chirped, sliding into the plush seat with excited elegance.

    Hana settled across from her, back rigid against the ornate chair. She twisted a napkin fretfully in her lap, suddenly regretting allowing Mira to talk her into leaving the safety of her pajamas.

    Mira must have caught her uneasiness. ¡°Oh, relax, Hana! We deserve to treat ourselves in style once in a while. You work too hard as it is.¡±

    ¡°I know, it¡¯s just...¡± Hana glanced around again, feeling scrutinized by their Uppercrust surroundings. ¡°Maybe this was a mistake. We kind of stick out, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Mira waved a perfectly manicured hand in dismissal. ¡°So what? Let them stare. You¡¯re easily the most beautiful woman in this whole place, inside and out.¡±

    Hana felt her cheeks warm at the sincere compliment, some of the knots in her stomach loosening...

    She stared down at the leather-bound menu, her eyes nearly bugging out of her head at the exorbitant prices listed. Even the modest side salads were the cost of her entire weekly grocery budget.

    ¡°Mira, this is...kind of insane,¡± she hissed under her breath, flipping another page to find entrees climbing well into the triple digits. ¡°How can people actually afford to eat here regularly?¡±

    Mira had already waved over the snobbish-looking waiter and was sipping delicately at her glass of crisp white wine. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the cost, sweetie. This is on my client¡¯s dime, remember?¡± She flashed a conspiratorial wink. ¡°I¡¯m putting that favor to very good use.¡±

    ¡°What kind of favor did you do to score this?¡± Hana couldn¡¯t help wondering aloud, still gawking at the eye-watering numbers beside each artfully named dish.

    Mira shrugged slyly. ¡°Oh, you know...just some smart investments, a little financial advice here and there. Nothing too scandalous, I promise.¡± She gestured for Hana to start perusing the menu again. ¡°Go ahead, order absolutely anything you want! We¡¯re living it up today.¡±

    Chewing her lip anxiously, Hana nervously ran her fingers along the smooth velvet of her gloves and scanned the listings once more before her practical side won out. ¡°Um, okay...I¡¯ll just have the Caesar salad then, please.¡± She pointed to the most affordable item she could find.

    The waiter¡¯s brow arched ever so slightly in judgment before clearing his throat. ¡°Very good. And for you, miss?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll start with the chilled lobster bisque, then the lamb chops with macadamia cream and a side of roasted asparagus, please!¡± Mira didn¡¯t even blink at totaling up the costs in her head before handing both menus back with a dazzling smile. ¡°And keep the wine flowing, won¡¯t you, doll?¡±

    Hana shook her head in disbelief as the server whisked away with their orders. Of course, leave it to Mira to go all-out in the name of seizing the moment.

    Discretely signaling for just a water refill, she settled in to spectate her best friend¡¯s lavish indulgence.

    Hana stifled a laugh behind her water glass as Mira audibly lamented, ¡°Damn, I should¡¯ve ordered that cr¨¨me Brul¨¦ too. That photo looks divine. I¡¯ll ask for it when the waiter comes back around.¡±

    Catching Hana¡¯s amused look, Mira furrowed her perfectly arched brows. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±

    Hana shook her head, still grinning. They fell into a comfortable lull as their plates arrived, Mira eagerly digging into her bisque while Hana picked at her modest salad. True to form, Mira regaled her with the latest gossip between bites, hardly coming up for air.

    Then, abruptly, Mira¡¯s animated chatter ceased. Hana glanced up in surprise at the uncharacteristic silence, her friend¡¯s expression now distant and pensive.

    ¡°Mira? You, okay?¡±

    ¡°Shh!¡± Mira hissed, holding up a manicured hand. Her eyes narrowed as she cocked her head slightly. ¡°Listen...¡±

    Hana froze, straining her ears. Following Mira¡¯s gaze, Hana saw nothing out of the ordinary ¨C a group of businessmen laughing at a table a few feet away. But then, a voice cut through the chatter, a voice that sent a jolt through Hana as well, carrying from a neighboring table.

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    ¡°...Let¡¯s not waste each other¡¯s time.¡±

    The crisp, no-nonsense tone immediately triggered a jolt of recognition in Hana. Mira¡¯s eyes met hers, sparkling with mischief and delight. ¡°Well, well...I¡¯d know that gorgeous voice anywhere. What an unexpected run-in this will be!¡±

    Hana¡¯s heart lurched. Mira hadn¡¯t seen the owner of the voice before, but she could never forget the voice that had brought Hana back to their apartment after one of her precognitive episodes.

    Hana prayed in her heart that they were mistaken, but once she turned to the direction of the voice, her prayers were voided. Sitting not too far from them was Dr. Jenkins in all his glory. Opposite him was a gorgeously dressed woman, her perfectly styled hair and manicured nails a stark contrast to Hana¡¯s own simple attire and gloved hands.

    For a moment, Hana almost compared herself to the woman, a familiar pang of self-doubt threatening to consume her. Mira¡¯s voice broke her concentration, ¡°I knew that his voice was equally as handsome as his face. Hana, let¡¯s go say hi.¡±

    Hana whipped her head back to Mira in shock, shaking her head vigorously in refusal. There was no way she was going to face Dr. Jenkins, not after avoiding him in the hospital all week long. The thought of his cool gaze dissecting her, his perfect composure a stark contrast to her own churning emotions, filled her with dread. Never, she would rather evaporate into thin air than endure that kind of scrutiny.

    She pleaded with Mira with her eyes, silently begging her to understand, to just eat their food quietly and forget about this unexpected encounter.

    Mira¡¯s mischievous grin widened. ¡°Come on, Hana,¡± she coaxed, drawing out the syllables. ¡°We¡¯ll just say hello, that¡¯s all.¡± Before Hana could muster a single word of protest, Mira grabbed her hand, the force of her bubbly personality pulling Hana like a hapless kite in a strong wind.

    As they approached the table, Hana felt like a deer caught in headlights. Dr. Jenkins, looking as impeccably dressed as ever, sat across from a woman who seemed to have stepped out of a fashion magazine. Just as the woman leaned in to speak to Ren, Mira cut in, her voice brimming with sugary enthusiasm.

    ¡°Oh, excuse me for interrupting!¡± Mira chirped, her smile radiating sunshine even though Hana could feel the storm brewing behind her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m Mira, Hana¡¯s roommate.¡±

    Ren¡¯s gaze flickered towards Mira, a flicker of confusion clouding his usually stoic expression. The name ¡°Mira¡± seemed to hang in the air for a moment before recognition dawned. ¡°Mira?¡± he echoed, his voice low and guarded.

    Mira, oblivious to the tension she was creating, pulled a reluctant Hana forward. ¡°This is Hana,¡± she declared brightly. ¡°You spoke to me on the phone that night, remember?¡±

    Ren¡¯s eyes widened a fraction, a flicker of something crossing his features that Hana couldn¡¯t decipher. ¡°Shizumi...¡± he murmured, the word barely a whisper, yet it echoed in the crowded restaurant like a thunderclap.

    Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Mira continued, oblivious to the landmine she was treading. ¡°You know, Mira from that time you were with Hana at the apartment...¡± Her voice trailed off as she directed a pointedly fake smile at the woman across from Ren. ¡°That night.¡±

    Hana squeezed her eyes shut, frustration warring with a sense of impending doom. Mira, for all her good intentions, had just managed to dump them headfirst into a vat of social awkwardness. ¡°Mira, what are you doing?¡± Hana hissed under her breath. ¡°We just came to say hi!¡±

    As if finally remembering Ren¡¯s guest, Mira whipped her head towards the woman, her smile now plastered with an exaggerated enthusiasm., ¡°Oh, where are my manners? I wouldn¡¯t want to intrude on a client meeting! Mira told me you¡¯re an ER surgeon, Dr. Jenkins. Do you handle plastic surgery as well?¡±

    The question hung in the air, heavy with veiled sarcasm. The air crackled with unspoken tension, and Hana could only pray that the earth would swallow her whole. This unexpected encounter had just taken a turn for the worse.

    The smile on the lady¡¯s face, as perfectly sculpted as her cheekbones, faltered for a split second before shattering completely. A bitter edge laced her voice. ¡°Well, this certainly isn¡¯t the clientele I expected,¡± she remarked, her eyes flicking between Mira and Hana with disdain. ¡°Seems standards have slipped if they let just anyone wander in.¡±

    Mira, usually a fount of bubbly retorts, bristled. Her hand twitched towards her purse, where Hana knew a well-honed arsenal of witty one-liners resided. But before Mira could unleash, Hana squeezed her hand, a silent plea for them to retreat. Causing a scene, especially in front of Dr. Jenkins, was the last thing Hana needed.

    Instead, Hana offered a tight smile, attempting to diffuse the tension. ¡°So sorry for the interruption,¡± she said, her voice barely a whisper.

    Undeterred, the woman dabbed her crimson lips with a monogrammed handkerchief, regaining a semblance of composure. ¡°I suppose I should overlook this¡­intrusion,¡± she continued, her tone condescending, ¡°considering your mother saw fit to choose me as your partner.¡± Her gaze shifted towards Ren, a flicker of something like possessiveness in her eyes. ¡°Well, Mr. Jenkins, I must be going now. My schedule is quite demanding, you understand. Regarding our¡­arrangement, my secretary will be in touch to finalize the details.¡±

    Ren, however, remained unfazed by her veiled threats. His voice was as cool as the expensive-looking watch that adorned his wrist. ¡°There won¡¯t be a need for that,¡± he interjected, his gaze fixed on the woman. ¡°As I said before,¡± he continued, a hint of steel entering his voice, ¡°let¡¯s not waste each other¡¯s time.¡±

    The woman¡¯s perfectly arched eyebrows shot up in surprise. ¡°But your mother¡­¡± she began, her voice trailing off.

    ¡°That is all I have to say,¡± he interjected, his voice leaving no room for argument. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me...¡±

    The woman, her face contorted in fury, practically threw her napkin on the table before stalking off in a flurry of expensive fabric. Not missing a beat, Mira shot a smug look in her direction, earning a withering glare in return.

    ¡°You could have let me rip out the fake dentures from her mouth,¡± Mira muttered, her voice barely a whisper but her eyes sparkling with defiance.

    Hana clamped a hand over Mira¡¯s mouth before she could escalate the situation further. They were still in the public eye, after all, and Dr. Jenkins was right beside them. Mortified, Hana bowed her head in apology. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Dr. Jenkins,¡± she stammered, her cheeks burning. ¡°My friend, she can be a bit...¡±

    Ren¡¯s expression remained unreadable, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. ¡°Mira,¡± he said, his voice calm and collected. ¡°Can I talk to Nurse Shizumi for a moment?¡±

    Mira¡¯s eyes widened, then a mischievous grin spread across her face. ¡°Oh, absolutely!¡± she chirped, practically shoving Hana towards Ren. ¡°She¡¯s all yours, Dr. Jenkins. You don¡¯t even need to return her.¡±

    With a wink at Hana, Mira sashayed back to their table, calling out to the waiter, ¡°Actually, just pack up all our food to go. Apparently, some people can¡¯t handle a little social justice.¡±

    Leaning towards Hana conspiratorially, she whispered, ¡°That wench has definitely ruined my appetite.¡±

    As an afterthought, she added, raising her voice slightly, ¡°Dr. Jenkins, bring my girl home safely!¡± before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Hana speechless.

    Hana opened her mouth to sputter a frantic, ¡°He just said a moment,¡± but Mira was already out of earshot, leaving Hana alone with Dr. Jenkins, the air thick with unspoken words and a newfound sense of trepidation.

    Hana¡¯s eyes darted to the floor briefly, the movement a nervous flutter of her eyelids Ren couldn¡¯t help but notice. Her gloved hands twisted and turned in her lap, betraying the anxiety swirling beneath the surface. A surprising warmth bloomed in his chest at her apprehension. He hadn¡¯t had the chance to apologize for his behavior the last time they were together, the night of her premonition and his less-than-stellar state.

    ¡°I believe I owe you an apology for last time,¡± he blurted out, the words tumbling over each other in his haste. ¡°I don¡¯t know what came over me.¡±

    Hana¡¯s head snapped up, surprise flashing across her face before morphing into a flustered apology. ¡°No, no, Dr. Jenkins,¡± she stammered, her voice tripping over itself. ¡°I¡¯m the one who should be sorry for interrupting... your date.¡±

    The word ¡°date¡± hung in the air, leaving a bitter taste in Ren¡¯s mouth. He quickly clarified, his voice a touch louder than intended, ¡°It certainly wasn¡¯t a date.¡±

    Hana blinked, a single word escaping her lips. ¡°Oh?¡±

    Ren fumbled for the right words, feeling uncharacteristically flustered. ¡°She¡¯s just someone...¡± he began, then trailed off, searching for the right words. Finally, he blurted, ¡°Actually, she¡¯s nobody important¡±, his palms growing slick with unexpected sweat.

    The woman across from him, with her designer facade and entitled air, had suddenly become a nobody. It was a feeling he hadn¡¯t anticipated, the mere mention of Hana causing such a shift within him.

    Clearing his throat, he took a calming sip of his wine. He had a favor to ask, but the wisdom of it gnawed at him. He¡¯d spent the entire night wrestling with the decision, tossing and turning in bed. The only person he could picture by his side, the only one he trusted with this tangled mess, was Hana. He didn¡¯t want to involve her in his family drama, it was a risk he wasn¡¯t sure he had the right to take.

    Across from him, Hana watched him, her brow furrowed in concern. She could practically see the gears turning in his head, the indecision etched on his face. Finally, she spoke, her voice breaking through his internal debate.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins...¡± The gentle sound of her voice snapped him back to reality. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry for zoning out on you,¡± he mumbled, sheepishly.

    Hana¡¯s lips curved into a small, understanding smile. ¡°Whatever favor you have,¡± she offered, her voice soft yet firm, ¡°I¡¯ll try my best to do it.¡±

    Ren could see the faint tremor in her gloved hands. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to focus. There was a reason he¡¯d sought her out, a reason that had gnawed at him ever since the now-blurred memory of that night at her apartment. It had something to do with the way she looked at him, a flicker of recognition in her eyes that sent shivers down his spine. But more than that, there was a strange sense of trust, a feeling he couldn¡¯t quite explain.

    ¡°The truth is,¡± he began, his voice low, ¡°there¡¯s an event coming up soon. A family gathering, and...¡± He hesitated, the weight of his unspoken request heavy on his tongue.

    Hana leaned forward slightly; her brow furrowed in concern. Ren took a fortifying breath.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t normally ask this of a colleague, but...¡± He locked eyes with her, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°Would you consider being my plus one?¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes widened further, her gloved hands clenching in her lap. This was entirely unexpected. She¡¯d been braced for a request related to the hospital, not... this.

    What exactly was Dr. Jenkins asking her?

    And why her?

    **************************

 What to do

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi!¡±

    The sharp bark of Nurse Crystral¡¯s voice made Hana jump. She whipped around to see the stern head nurse glaring at her disapprovingly from the nurses¡¯ station.

    The steady beeping cut through the air. With a jolt, Hana realized she¡¯d been lost in a daydream, the nurse¡¯s cart before her half-filled, her gloved fingers hovering over a stray bandage.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you hear that alarm? What are you doing just standing there daydreaming?¡± Crystal jabbed an accusatory finger at the monitoring screen, where a patient¡¯s room number flashed in urgent crimson.

    ¡°I...I¡¯m so sorry!¡± Hana stammered, cheeks flushing hot with embarrassment. She hastily abandoned the cart and its clatter of scattered supplies.

    Mortification flooded her cheeks as she scrambled for the nearest monitor. A quick glance confirmed it was Room 402, a post-surgical patient needing immediate attention.

    ¡°Took you long enough,¡± the Head Nurse muttered, her voice laced with disappointment.

    As she hurried toward the code room, she couldn¡¯t help but notice Dr. Ren and Dr. Rowan witnessed the scolding scene from down the hallway corridor. She met his eyes for a fleeting moment before dropping her gaze. Hana, suddenly self-conscious under their scrutiny, ducked her head and hurried past, a mumbled ¡°Excuse me¡± barely audible.

    Rowan leaned over to murmur in Ren¡¯s ear as Nurse Shizumi rushed by with flushed cheeks.

    ¡°Ooh, did you see that brief eye contact just now? Our little Nurse Shizumi must be feeling extra embarrassed that we witnessed her getting chewed out like that.¡± He elbowed Ren conspiratorially. ¡°Especially in front of you, Mr. Hotshot Chief.¡±

    Ren remained silent. This wasn¡¯t unusual for him, but Rowan couldn¡¯t help but sense something different in his gaze as it followed Hana¡¯s retreating figure. He arched an eyebrow at his old friend.

    He studied Ren¡¯s face, searching for any telltale sign. ¡°You know,¡± Rowan continued, his voice laced with a teasing lilt, ¡°it wouldn¡¯t be the weirdest thing in the world. Maybe Shizumi¡¯s got you smitten.¡±

    Ren didn¡¯t reply, his jaw clenching slightly. This was Rowan¡¯s usual tactic, prodding and poking until a reaction was elicited. But this time, the playful banter felt strangely unwelcome.

    ¡°Come on, Ren,¡± Rowan persisted, his voice dropping a notch lower. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t noticed her. Pretty eyes, kind smile... She seems like your type.¡±

    A flicker of something crossed Ren¡¯s features, a fleeting emotion Rowan couldn¡¯t quite decipher. Before Rowan could press further, however, Ren spoke, his voice clipped and curt.

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to notice,¡± he said, already turning away.

    ¡°Wait a minute...is there something more going on there that I should know about?¡±

    Ren¡¯s jaw clenched slightly, and a flicker of irritation crossed his features. ¡°Nothing,¡± he said curtly, the word leaving no room for argument.

    Rowan¡¯s grin widened wickedly. ¡°Or is our esteemed Dr. Jenkins actually harboring a secret crush on--¡±

    Whatever teasing remark he was about to make was abruptly cut off as Ren¡¯s hand clamped firmly over Rowan¡¯s mouth, as a cluster of giggling nurses passed by.

    Rowan, muffled but not defeated, struggled against Ren¡¯s grip. A muffled, ¡°Come on, man! You can¡¯t tell me...¡± escaped his lips before Ren finally released him.

    Ren swiftly dropped his hand once they had cleared the hallway, shooting a withering look at Rowan, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Not a word, Rowan.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± he said crisply, somehow managing to smoothly realign the disheveled lapels of his pristine lab coat.

    ¡°Mmhmm, if you insist,¡± Rowan replied lightly, making a show of zipping his lips shut but still grinning like a kid who¡¯d caught his parents keeping secrets. As Ren turned on his heel to stride away, Rowan fell into step alongside him, humming a jaunty tune off-key.

    Reaching the nurses¡¯ station, they both dropped their patients¡¯ charts into their designated slots. Nurse Dragenheart, ever the picture of efficiency, glanced up at them.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins,¡± she began, her gaze flickering to the computer screen. ¡°Your seven o¡¯clock surgery is all set. Consent forms secured from both the patient and family member.¡±

    Ren grunted in acknowledgement, his gaze already scanning the next patient file. Rowan, however, couldn¡¯t resist one last dig.

    ¡°Sounds like a busy night, Mr. Love Doctor,¡± he teased, leaning against the counter.

    Ren shot him a withering look that would have curdled milk. ¡°Focus, Rowan,¡± he muttered, his voice clipped.

    Just then, both their phones chimed in unison. Ren and Rowan exchanged a knowing look.

    ¡°Another emergency?¡± Rowan asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Most likely,¡± Ren replied, pulling out his phone. He scrolled through the message, his face betraying no emotion. ¡°Forward any non-critical cases to Dr. Lia¡¯s office,¡± he instructed Nurse Dragenheart, his voice businesslike.

    ¡°On it, Dr. Jenkins,¡± she replied, already dialing Dr. Lia¡¯s extension.

    The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee hit them as they entered Dr. Lia¡¯s office, a stark contrast to the sterile air of the rest of the hospital. But the welcoming aroma did little to ease Rowan¡¯s growing tension. He pushed open the door further, his eyes immediately falling on Dr. Lia.

    She sat at her desk, an uncharacteristically empty expression on her face. Gone was her usual warm smile, replaced by a steely glint in her eyes as she sipped from a steaming mug. The silence in the room was thick, broken only by the faint clinking of the teaspoon against the ceramic cup.

    Rowan¡¯s face drained of color.The SOS message flickered at the back of Rowan¡¯s mind. He could smell trouble brewing, a storm brewing in Dr. Lia¡¯s usually calm demeanor. But unlike Ren, who seemed unfazed, Rowan couldn¡¯t quite tell who was in the eye of the hurricane.

    Without a word, Rowan dropped to his knees, his theatrics reaching new heights. ¡°Forgive me, Dr. Lia!¡± he exclaimed, his voice laced with mock despair. ¡°We, your humble colleagues, have sinned greatly! If there¡¯s any punishment to be doled out, please, let it be swift and merciless! Whatever mischief Dr. Jenkins has gotten himself into this time, I assure you, I had no part!¡±

    Ren, ever the picture of composure, rolled his eyes so hard they threatened to disappear into his skull. He started to lower himself into a chair, only to be met with a withering glare from Dr. Lia that sent him springing back to his feet.

    The silence stretched on, thick and suffocating. Dr. Lia continued to sip her coffee, her gaze unwavering as it alternated between the two men.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    Finally, with a deliberate clink, she set her cup down on the desk. The sound echoed in the tense silence.

    ¡°Gentlemen,¡± she began, her voice low and dangerous. ¡°I have a simple question. Are you hiding anything from me?¡±

    A bewildered exchange of glances passed between Ren and Rowan. Lia¡¯s words, however, cut through the fog.

    ¡°That involves,¡± she began, enunciating each word carefully, ¡°a certain blind date.¡±

    The gears in Ren¡¯s mind began to turn. A slow realization dawned on him, followed by a flicker of annoyance. Of course, it wouldn¡¯t take Lia long to find out. It wasn¡¯t exactly a secret he¡¯d actively tried to keep.

    Rowan, ever the opportunist, seized the moment. With a theatrical sigh, he lumbered towards Lia¡¯s desk, a hand dramatically placed on his chest.

    He sidled closer to Dr. Lia, a conspiratorial glint in his eyes. ¡°Is that it?¡± he whispered, feigning outrage. ¡°Ren, what is the meaning of this? A blind date? And you didn¡¯t even tell your best friend?¡±

    Lia shot him a withering glare, her lips pursed in a thin line. ¡°Don¡¯t try to weasel your way out of this one, Rowan,¡± she said, her voice laced with a dangerous calmness. ¡°I know you were in on it too.¡±

    ¡°Jiro, you sly dog.¡± Rowan, caught red-handed, mumbled under his breath barely audible. He threw his hands up in mock surrender, a sheepish grin spreading across his face, ¡°Guilty as charged.¡±

    Rowan, sensing a shift in the atmosphere, cautiously lowered himself into a chair. Dr. Lia, her gaze still pinned on Rowan, sighed. ¡°Talk,¡± she commanded, her voice softer now, but no less firm.

    Rowan, ever the opportunist, wasted no time. ¡°It all started with Ren¡¯s dear old mom,¡± he explained, milking the dramatic tension. ¡°Apparently, she decided her son needed a little...companionship at this upcoming family gathering. So, she took it upon herself to arrange a little blind date for him.¡±

    Lia¡¯s eyes flickered towards Ren, a hint of softness replacing their earlier chill. ¡°And? How¡¯d it go?¡± she inquired, her tone gentler.

    He let out a long, weary sigh, the sound echoing in the tense silence of the office.

    ¡°That bad, huh?¡± Lia asked, a touch of concern creeping into her voice.

    Rowan, never one to shy away from a quip, chimed in, ¡°Not really surprising. The lady reeked of...perfection,¡± he quickly corrected himself under Lia¡¯s withering glare. ¡°I mean, robotic perfection¡±

    Turning back to Ren, she inquired, ¡°So what did you say to her?¡±

    Ren ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that spoke volumes of his frustration. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t waste each other¡¯s time.¡±

    Lia¡¯s lips pursed thoughtfully. ¡°That might be a problem,¡± she said, her voice laced with concern. ¡°You know your mother. If you show up alone at that gathering, she¡¯ll have a field day.¡±

    Ren¡¯s jaw clenched slightly, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. ¡°Maybe not alone,¡± he muttered, the words barely audible.

    Both Rowan and Lia froze, their eyes widening in surprise. Rowan¡¯s jaw nearly dropped, while Lia¡¯s gaze darted between Ren and the door as if expecting someone to burst in.

    ¡°Maybe not alone?¡± Rowan echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. ¡°Do tell, Ren. Who is this mystery companion?¡±

    A curse almost escaped his lips. How could he have blurted that out?

    The air crackled with anticipation, Rowan and Lia¡¯s eyes burning into him, their initial amusement replaced by a shared curiosity.

    ¡°It¡¯s not... sure yet,¡± he mumbled, the truth hanging awkwardly in the air.

    Rowan¡¯s eyes gleamed with mischief. ¡°Not sure? Come on, Jenkins, don¡¯t be coy! Who is it? A secret admirer? A long-lost love interest?¡±

    Lia, ever the pragmatist, cut through Rowan¡¯s teasing. ¡°Do we know them?¡± she inquired, her tone serious.

    Ren hesitated, his jaw clenched tight. The truth was, he wasn¡¯t entirely sure himself.

    The thought of Hana walking through the doors of his family mansion, facing his eccentric relatives and the scrutiny of his mother, sent a shiver down his spine.

    ¡°Someone,¡± he finally muttered, the word a noncommittal placeholder.

    Rowan threw his hands up in mock exasperation. ¡°Oh come on, Jenkins! We¡¯re going to find out sooner rather than later anyway.¡±

    Lia¡¯s gaze narrowed. ¡°Do they work at the hospital?¡± she asked, her voice laced with a hint of suspicion.

    Rowan snorted. ¡°Of course, they would. Ren doesn¡¯t know anyone else outside the four walls of this hospital. He barely has a social life aside from us.¡±

    Lia seemed to consider this for a moment, then nodded in agreement. ¡°That makes sense.¡±

    Ren opened his mouth to protest, then shut it again. Rowan wasn¡¯t entirely wrong.

    A collective gasp escaped Rowan¡¯s lips, shattering the tense silence. ¡°Wait a minute,¡± he exclaimed, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. ¡°It couldn¡¯t be...¡±

    He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. ¡°Shizumi?¡±

    The single name shattered the mask Ren had been wearing. A flicker of surprise, tinged with a touch of panic, crossed his features before he slammed it back into place. But it was too late.

    Lia, however, remained blissfully unaware. ¡°Shizumi?¡± she echoed, a furrow appearing in her brow. ¡°Who¡¯s Shizumi?¡±

    Rowan, ever the showman, launched into an elaborate explanation. ¡°Ah, dear Lia,¡± he began, gesturing with his hand, ¡°Shizumi is the epitome of shyness. Always flustered, easily embarrassed, and about as outgoing as a hermit crab. Remember the nurse who practically ran out of the room during the last nurses¡¯ party?¡±

    Lia¡¯s memory flickered, finally placing the name with a face. ¡°Oh, right. The new nurse, right?¡± she said, finally placing Hana.

    Confusion deepened on her face. ¡°But what on earth could possibly connect her to Ren?¡±

    Rowan, a mischievous glint in his eyes, relished the opportunity to tease his best friend.

    ¡°Oh, the connections are endless, Lia,¡± he said, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. ¡°You should see the way Shizumi steals glances at Ren whenever she thinks he¡¯s not looking? Or how she can barely meet his gaze but somehow manages to catch his eye every single time?¡±

    He leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°And don¡¯t even get me started on how awkward Ren gets whenever the conversation takes a turn towards her.¡± He wagged a finger playfully at Ren.

    Ren, his face burning with a mixture of frustration and a strange sense of belated realization, cleared his throat with a forced cough.

    ¡°Rowan, enough!¡± he growled.

    The truth was, most of what Rowan described was entirely new to Ren.

    ¡°Lord knows what you said to the poor girl,¡± Rowan quipped, unable to resist another jab.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything,¡± Ren countered, his voice tight. ¡°She hasn¡¯t even given me an answer yet.¡± He turned to Lia, the weight of the situation settling on him. ¡°It was just a favor I asked. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll say no anyway.¡±

    Lia, however, didn¡¯t seem so convinced. ¡°Ren, you know this is a big deal,¡± she said, her voice serious. ¡°If she accepts, she¡¯ll be meeting your family. That¡¯s a whole different level of... exposure.¡±

    Ren ran a hand through his hair in frustration. ¡°I know,¡± he muttered. ¡°It just came out in the heat of the moment. I didn¡¯t know what else to do.¡±

    Rowan, never one to miss an opportunity for amusement, chimed in with mock sympathy.

    ¡°Ren, Ren, Ren,¡± he drawled. ¡°You must really hate Shizumi. Throwing her to the wolves like that. Or maybe you secretly enjoy the idea of watching your family tear into her?¡±

    Ren glared at Rowan, his jaw clenched. ¡°That¡¯s not it at all. I had no other choice, okay?¡± He turned back to Lia, ¡°I had no other choice, okay? I could have asked you¡ª¡±

    Before Ren could finish his sentence, Rowan dramatically threw his arm around Lia¡¯s shoulders, pulling her close in a mock protective stance. ¡°No no, Jenkins,¡± he declared in a theatrical voice. ¡°Eyes off her. This beautiful woman is taken!¡±

    Lia burst out laughing, swatting Rowan¡¯s arm playfully. ¡°Get your slimy hands off me, Romeo,¡± she teased. Turning back to Ren, she said, ¡°I understand, Ren. But we can¡¯t have a worse rumor circulating, can we?¡±

    Rowan smirked, relishing the juicy gossip. ¡°Oh, I can practically hear it now,¡± he announced, his voice taking on a dramatic tone. ¡°¡®Heir steals best friend¡¯s wife!¡¯¡±

    Lia cut him off with a sharp glare. ¡°Rowan!¡±

    Rowan, sensing the shift in mood, zipped his mouth shut with a theatrical flourish. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± he mumbled, pretending to seal his lips with an imaginary zipper.

    Lia took charge, her voice firm but laced with a hint of concern. ¡°Alright, on a more serious note, let¡¯s say this Shizumi agrees to your, uh, ¡®request¡¯. What kind of story are you going to tell your family? Who is she going to be?¡±

    These were the questions that truly sent a jolt through Ren. Who, exactly, would Hana be to him in the eyes of his family? A junior colleague? A friend? The word ¡°girlfriend¡± wouldn¡¯t even dare to cross his lips, not in this context.

    Ren¡¯s mind raced.

    He looked at Lia, a silent plea in his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted, his voice a low rumble. ¡°I haven¡¯t thought that far ahead.¡±

    Lia¡¯s voice cut through his jumbled thoughts. ¡°Well, Ren,¡± she said, a hint of amusement in her voice, ¡°you better start thinking.¡±

    With a glance at her watch, she rose briskly. ¡°That¡¯s enough chit-chat for now. I¡¯ve got a surgery prepped and waiting. Now, shoo! Both of you!¡±

    Rowan, ever the opportunist, tapped Ren¡¯s shoulder with a mischievous grin. ¡°Later, Dr. Jenkins. And hey, try not to scare the poor girl away with your stoic charm.¡± With a wink, he sauntered off down the hallway.

    Alone in the hallway, the weight of the situation pressed down on Ren. His fingers instinctively reached for his phone, hovering over Hana¡¯s contact. The urge to call her, to explain the ridiculous situation he¡¯d gotten himself into, was strong.

    But what could he possibly say? ¡°Hey, remember that favor I asked? Well, it turns out it involves facing down my entire family as my¡­ what exactly?¡± He couldn¡¯t bring himself to utter the word ¡°girlfriend.¡±

    With a frustrated sigh, he shoved his phone back into his pocket. There was no way he was ready to have that conversation just yet. There was no point in calling now.

    With a heavy heart, Ren turned and headed towards his office, the weight of his impulsive decision hanging heavy in the air.

 Ill do it

    Hana shuffled down the brightly colored hallway of the pediatric ward, a familiar pang tugging at her heartstrings. Everywhere she looked, children with bandaged limbs and flushed cheeks chased each other with infectious laughter, their youthful resilience a stark contrast to their ailments.

    The infectious laughter of children filled the air, a stark contrast to the beeps and whirs of the monitoring equipment lining the walls. Here, injuries were met with teddy bear bandages and scraped knees with superhero-themed stickers.

    A young girl in a pink cast grinned at Hana as she took her temperature, a half-eaten apple clutched in her hand. The air buzzed with the sweet chatter of children excitedly talking about the upcoming story time.

    Suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the cheerful commotion. A choking cough erupted from one corner of the ward, shattering the carefree atmosphere. Hana¡¯s heart lurched. A young boy, no older than five, doubled over on his bed, his face turning a frightening shade of blue. His friends, oblivious to the severity of the situation, giggled, thinking it was just another game.

    ¡°Come on, Ethan! You¡¯re not fooling anyone!¡± one boy chortled, reaching for a stray grape on his tray.

    ¡°Ethan, are you okay?¡± another called out, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

    But Ethan¡¯s only response was a strangled groan, a desperate sound that sent chills down Hana¡¯s spine. Panic clawed at her throat, a sickening echo of her own past mistakes.

    Hana¡¯s mind raced.

    Her hands, just moments ago steady as she checked temperatures, now trembled violently. She had just removed her gloves from Lily¡¯s bedside. Shame burned in her cheeks as she fumbled for a new pair, her fingers betraying her in this critical moment.

    ¡°He¡¯s not playing anymore, Nurse Hana!¡± one boy cried, tears welling up in his eyes. ¡°Ethan won¡¯t answer us!¡±

    Her first instinct was to retreat, to find someone more experienced to handle the situation. Memories came crashing back in vivid flashes - a scared 5-year-old Mira wheezing for air, lips turning blue as Hana watched helplessly.

    But then, the image of Ethan, his face turning a frightening shade of blue, snapped her out of her paralysis. Not again. She couldn¡¯t just stand by again.

    The emergency button clicked with a sharp finality under her frantic finger. The sterile white of the ceiling blurred at the edges as a wave of nausea threatened to engulf her. Fear was a cold fist clenching her stomach, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop her. Gloves or not, there was no time for hesitation.

    Hana knelt beside the boy, her voice calm despite the tremor running through her. ¡°Hey, Ethan, can you hear me?¡± she asked, her voice shaky. The boy¡¯s eyes, wide with terror, flickered towards her.

    Squeezing her eyes shut, Hana willed back the onslaught of fragmented visions exploding behind her lids.

    Taking a deep breath, Hana pushed past her fear. Her mind, a whirlwind of instructions, focused on the rhythm, the count.

    One, two, three ¨C a sharp thrust into his abdomen.

    Repeat.

    The seconds stretched into agonizing eternity. Doubt, visions and fear, flashed before her eyes. Her knees hurt against the hard, cold tile but she kept pushing.

    Again his future flickered through her mind¡¯s eye, this time intersecting with agonizing memories of Mira¡¯s rasping struggles all those years ago. The little girl who had been her entire world, battling for each aching breath.

    ¡°Not this time...you¡¯re not leaving me, Mira!¡± The words burst unconsciously from Hana¡¯s lips as she bear-hugged the choking child, compressing his diaphragm over and over.

    But then, a miracle. With a choked gasp and a heave, the piece of fruit dislodged itself from Ethan¡¯s throat, along with the content of his lunch, landing with a wet plop on the bright tiles. A wave of relief washed over Hana, so intense it almost knocked the wind out of her. Ethan coughed, tears streaming down his face, but he was breathing again.

    The door to the room burst open, other nurses rushing in, alerted by the emergency call. Hana, still kneeling beside the boy, found herself enveloped in a wave of sound ¨C the relieved sobs of the children, the concerned questions of the nurses.

    Hana sagged in relief, not even registering the arrival of the code team until gentle hands were pulling her away. She knelt there in a daze, sweat-dampened hair hanging in her flushed face, the child¡¯s tears and sick staining her pale blue scrubs. He clung to her, his small body trembling with a mixture of fear and relief.

    ¡°He¡¯s going to be alright,¡± one of the nurses assured her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

    But Hana could barely hear her. An unfamiliar warmth bloomed in her chest, a sense of accomplishment that had eluded her for so long.

    She had saved a life.

    All by herself.

    For the first time, she wasn¡¯t the nervous newcomer, the one who made mistakes and fumbled procedures.

    The other nurses, their expressions a mix of surprise and relief, took over, reassuring the frightened children and congratulating Hana on her quick thinking. Instead, a quiet apology for the mess escaped her lips, and she mumbled an excuse before rushing towards the staff bathroom.

    Hana, a triumphant grin plastered on her face, stripped off her vomit-stained scrubs and pulled on a clean set. The memory of the Heimlich maneuver replayed in her mind, fueling a surge of newfound confidence.

    In the reflection of the mirror, Hana saw a sight that surprised even her. Her face, flushed from the exertion and the adrenaline rush, was no longer masked by her usual self-consciousness.

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    A genuine smile.

    One that reached her eyes and crinkled the corners, still lingered on her lips.

    Lost in the afterglow of her success, she hummed a tune under her breath, completely oblivious to the soft rap on the door. It wasn¡¯t until a shadow fell across the mirror that she finally registered the sound.

    A startled yelp escaped her lips as she whirled around, her heart leaping into her throat. There, in the doorway, stood Dr. Jenkins, his expression a mixture of surprise and¡­ something else she couldn¡¯t quite decipher.

    His unexpected presence rooted her to the spot. Her cheeks, already flushed from the exertion, burned even hotter. For a moment, they stood locked in a silent tableau, the only sound the quiet whirring of the fluorescent lights.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins,¡± she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

    A small smile tugged at the corner of Ren¡¯s lips. ¡°Good work today,¡± he offered, his voice softer than usual.

    The news had spread quickly, it seemed. Hana, still buzzing with the afterglow of her success, managed a small, ¡°Thank you,¡± her voice barely above a whisper.

    For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them, a stark contrast to their usual awkward encounters. Then, Ren¡¯s gaze flickered down to her hands, bare and exposed, a stark reminder of the chaotic scene he had witnessed upon entering the staff room.

    Hana, catching the shift in his focus, self-consciously tried to hide her hands behind her back, the blush creeping back up her neck.

    Ren, sensing her discomfort, felt his own composure faltering. He cleared his throat awkwardly, a telltale sign of his uncharacteristic nervousness. He opened his mouth to speak, then shut it again, his hand instinctively reaching up to scratch the back of his ear.

    ¡°I¡­¡± he began, his voice low.

    At the exact same moment, Hana blurted out, ¡°I...¡±

    Then, a burst of nervous laughter erupted from them, the sudden release of tension shattering the awkwardness.

    ¡°You go first, Dr. Jenkins,¡± she said, a playful smile gracing her lips as she gestured towards him with her hands.

    He cleared his throat, feeling a renewed wave of awkwardness. ¡°Well,¡± he began, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I wanted to apologize for coming on a little strong the other day. About the¡­ gathering...¡± he trailed off, searching for the right words.

    Hana¡¯s smile faltered, a blush creeping up her cheeks as the memory of Ren¡¯s unusual request came flooding back.

    She¡¯d mumbled a hesitant ¡°I need to think about it¡± and promptly avoided any further conversation on the topic, including the source of her anxieties - Ren himself.

    Mira, her ever-optimistic roommate, had been ecstatic upon hearing the news. ¡°A family gathering? This is huge, Hana! You¡¯ll finally meet his parents!¡± she¡¯d gushed, completely oblivious to Hana¡¯s internal turmoil. Dating a doctor, especially Dr. Jenkins was a prospect Mira deemed incredibly ¡°proper.¡±

    Mira had squealed, her eyes wide with excitement. ¡°That¡¯s practically a first date, Hana! You have to meet his parents! Imagine all the stories you can tell me!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a date, Mira,¡± Hana had helplessly protested, but her words were lost in a whirlwind of wedding venue suggestions.

    Noticing his own words tumbling over each other, Ren took a deep breath. ¡°Actually,¡± he started again, this time slower and more collected, ¡°there¡¯s something I wanted to explain about that¡­ favor I asked the other day.¡±

    Hana, still a touch flustered by the memory, nodded hesitantly.

    ¡°You see, the lady you saw me with at the restaurant, well, that was a blind date set up by my mother.¡± He let out a small, frustrated sigh. ¡°I didn¡¯t want it, of course. It¡¯s getting ridiculous how much control she tries to exert over my life.¡±

    A flicker of surprise crossed Hana¡¯s face, a stark contrast to the shy, flustered demeanor he was used to. This was new.

    Taking a step closer, Ren continued, his voice low and earnest. ¡°The thing is, this family gathering is practically mandatory. And frankly, I¡¯d rather avoid the inevitable lecture and matchmaking attempts if I can.¡± He paused, searching for the right words. ¡°They expect me to bring a guest, so...¡±

    He hesitated, his cheeks flushing slightly. ¡°Look, I understand if it¡¯s too much to ask. You barely know me, and a formal family gathering might be¡­ well. I completely understand if you reject¡ª¡±

    Hana¡¯s brain felt overloaded, struggling to keep pace with Ren¡¯s rapid explanation. Blind date? Mandatory gathering? Each word piled on top of the last, creating a confusing jumble in her mind. Just as she felt hopelessly lost, Ren¡¯s voice, softer now, cut through the fog.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi,¡± he said gently, his voice laced with a hint of concern.

    His use of her full name snapped Hana out of her internal whirlwind. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but...¡± she stammered, her cheeks burning. ¡°What exactly would I do there?¡±

    Ren sighed, a hint of exasperation tinging his voice. ¡°Honestly? Just stay by my side,¡± he said with a slight shrug. He paused, watching as a blush crept up Hana¡¯s neck, painting her cheeks a delicate pink.

    The simple statement sent a jolt through Hana. ¡°Stay by your side?¡± she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. A blush, deeper this time, bloomed on her cheeks. Was he¡­?

    Ren, sensing her sudden fluster, almost refrained from clarifying. There was a certain amusement in watching her flustered reaction. But the awkward silence was starting to stretch,¡°Physically, I mean,¡± he added quickly, perhaps a little too quickly. The blush deepened, and he couldn¡¯t help but chuckle under his breath. ¡°Just to¡­ deflect some unwanted attention, you know?¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± she mumbled, the flush slowly receding. ¡°Right, unwanted attention.¡± She cleared her throat, attempting to regain her composure. ¡°Well, I¡­¡±

    Hana mentally slapped herself. ¡°Right, by your side,¡± she repeated, forcing a neutral tone. ¡°Physically.¡± Disappointment gnawed at her, but a small part of her found Ren¡¯s honesty refreshing.

    Hana wrestled with the implications of his request. Still, a tiny spark of excitement flickered within her. ¡°As long as I stay close to Dr. Ren,¡± she reasoned with herself, ¡°everything will be fine... right?¡±

    With a deep breath, throwing caution to the wind, she met his gaze and offered a small, hesitant nod.

    For a moment, he forgot his practiced composure, almost reaching out to touch her, the pure joy of her acceptance washing over him. But he quickly schooled his features back into a neutral expression, offering her a hesitant, ¡°Thank you, Nurse Shizumi.¡±

    There it was again, that flicker of something in his eyes, something deeper than gratitude. But before she could decipher it, Ren retreated a step, the professional distance back in place.

    ¡°Well,¡± he said, a touch of formality creeping back into his voice. ¡°I should let you get back to work¡±

    The dismissal, as polite as it was, stung slightly. But Hana quickly pushed the feeling aside. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile.

    *****************************

    The chandelier¡¯s twinkling crystals cast a soft glow over the opulent living room buzzed with the controlled chaos of pre-party preparations. Crystal clinked against bone china as maids scurried about, arranging extravagant floral displays and plumping silk cushions.

    An immaculately dressed Eleanor Jenkins, her silver hair styled in a classic chignon, sat on a plush velvet armchair, a delicate china cup beside a bouquet of pre-cut white lilies. Despite the warmth of the fireplace crackling in the corner, a glacial glint emanated from her piercing blue eyes as she delicately trimmed the stems, humming to herself.

    A woman clad in a sharp black suit, her expression unreadable behind mirrored sunglasses, entered the room with the silent efficiency of a well-oiled machine. She leaned down and whispered something into the older woman¡¯s ear, her voice a low murmur.

    The woman in the armchair listened impassively, her perfect posture betraying no emotion. With a flick of her wrist, she dismissed the bodyguard.

    Left alone, the woman in the armchair carefully opened the envelope the bodyguard had delivered. Photographs, crisp and white, lay inside. She scanned it quickly, her lips pursed in a thin line.

    A deep breath escaped her lips, and then, with a flick of a switch, the carefully constructed facade faltered. A torrent of emotions, a mix of surprise, frustration, and perhaps a hint of¡­ fear?¨C before vanishing altogether, leaving behind a mask of cool indifference.

    She tossed the paper onto the table with a dismissive gesture, its contents hidden from view. Reaching for her phone, she dialed a single number, her finger hovering over the dial button for a moment as if contemplating. Finally, she pressed it, the room remained silent except for the steady crackle of the fireplace as the woman waited for her call to be answered.

 Unexpected expected news

    CAFETERIA

    Elise POV

    ¡°Attention! This announcement is for all Year 5 students. Please report to the dome now. Thank you.¡± The intercom¡¯s voice echoed through the cafeteria, catching everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°And that is our cue to go now,¡± Sophie stated, her voice emphasizing the urgency. She turned on her heel, ready to leave, her clipboard clutched tightly to her chest.

    ¡°And no, I don¡¯t know why. Let¡¯s just go and find out¡± she sighed, her hands gesturing in resignation as she quickened her pace. Apprehension radiated from the hushed conversations at both tables.

    She sighed, her hands holding the clipboard to her chest as she took a quick step away. I could feel the apprehension radiate from both tables. Even the other years were conversing among themselves about the reason behind the announcement made.

    Quickly, we cleared our trays and followed Sophie out of the hall, heading straight for the dome. I had only been to the dome once since waking up from my coma and being summoned there didn¡¯t seem like a regular occurrence, judging by the tense expressions on everyone¡¯s faces. Even Bri, who was usually talkative, had grown unusually quiet since we left the cafeteria.

    *****************************

    THE DOME

    Sophie waited at the entrance of the building, her posture tense as she counted the students to ensure we were all present. A fleeting frown crossed her face as she silently tallied the numbers.

    Sanya and Tome approached together, moving briskly from the direction of the dorms. All eyes turned toward them, and Sophie exhaled a sigh of relief. With everyone accounted for, we were now ready to proceed.

    I shot a quick wave to Tome, who responded with a shy but warm smile.

    ¡°Okay?¡±

    I mouthed, making an ¡®okay¡¯ sign with my fingers. He replied with a thumbs-up, and I felt relieved. At least, they were okay. That was one less thing to worry about.

    Sophie placed her hand on the scanner at the entrance. ¡°Welcome, Sophie Briggs,¡± the door announced before opening.

    We walked in, making our way down a long hallway until we reached the central room of the dome.

    Sensei stood in the corner of the room, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out of the glass-like walls. The older man exuded an air of dignity and authority. He turned toward us, dressed in his customary white kimono.

    ¡°Take a seat.¡±

    We shuffled toward the chairs that materialized from the floor and focused our attention on Sensei. He approached a tablet on a glass table next to the holographic board in front of us. We were seated in a semi-circle according to our classes: Class A on the left, Class C in the middle, and Class B on the right.

    ¡°It appears we are not missing anyone.¡±

    Sensei noted, giving Sophie an approving nod. Her face lit up at the recognition. Bri, seated next to her, nudged Sophie¡¯s side playfully, raising her eyebrows. Sophie rolled her eyes in response.

    ¡°Without further ado, let¡¯s get down to the business of today, shall we?¡±

    Sensei started, tapping on the tablet. The board projected a slide with a love theme, ¡°Valentine¡¯s Agenda¡± written on it. We exchanged confused looks, all wondering why such an important meeting was called to discuss Valentine¡¯s Day.

    Was this a super important meeting about Valentine¡¯s Day?

    For evident reasons, Hannah looked more eager than baffled. Her slim hands clasped under her chin, mouth agape in excitement, eyes fixated on the screen as ideas ran through her head.

    ¡°Valentine¡¯s Day is in a week and this year, we will be holding a ball. Midterms just ended and I think you all deserve a little fun.¡±

    Sensei announced with amusement in his voice. I forced a smile, tucking my hair behind my ears as I leaned back in my seat. Excitement was evident in our eyes. A ball? Like something out of a fairy tale?

    ¡°A committee will be created to oversee the execution of this event. I need someone to be in charge of this project.¡± Sensei continued, his gaze sweeping over the seated students, stopping briefly on a particular individual.

    Hannah¡¯s hand shot up enthusiastically. ¡°I volunteer!¡± she exclaimed.

    Sensei smiled, his deep eyes narrowing as he chuckled softly.

    ¡°Ever the energetic one. I was already planning on letting you handle it in the first place. However...¡± he turned to Fancy. ¡°Could you please be of assistance to Hannah? Thank you,¡± he added, and Fancy accepted the task with a bow.

    The screen on the holographic board changed to a slide titled ¡°End of Term Examinations.¡± The room grew more serious as we read what was displayed.

    ¡°As you can recall, the mid-term tests were group-based research, completely theoretical. However, this term¡¯s examination will be in two forms. The first is a written test on all of your general classes. The second, though, will be a practical exercise. This will be an individual exercise to evaluate how well your abilities have advanced.¡± Sensei explained. He noted the worried looks on our faces when he mentioned the practical exercise and quickly reassured us.

    ¡°I understand that every one of you has different skills and you all won¡¯t progress at the same speed. Therefore, the practical exercise will only be to assess your ability¡¯s progress. It will not count towards your grades.¡±

    His words brought a collective sigh of relief from the students.

    The screen now displayed ¡°Year 4,¡± which caught our attention. Our class didn¡¯t usually interact much with other years, as we were preoccupied with classes and honing our abilities. The sudden mention of Year 4 left us intrigued. Between classes and levelling our abilities, we barely have time for sleep.

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    ¡°Finally, most of you here woke up with your unlocked abilities.¡± Sensei continued. ¡°I am not sure if you have noticed but all the years below you don¡¯t display abilities.¡±

    This revelation left many of us in awe. How had we not noticed such a crucial detail? Sophie¡¯s face, in particular, bore an unamused look.

    ¡°Well, it seems like most of you didn¡¯t know. Nevertheless, their abilities are still locked because they are not stable enough to control them. Presently. they have talents that stand out. These talents will be what will manifest as abilities. They are aware that they have abilities but can¡¯t tap into them yet. That is where you all come in.¡±

    He takes short strides away from the tablet and stands in front of the board.

    He explained that their abilities would be unlocked during their final exam of the term. Each of us would serve as a mentor to junior students with similar abilities as ours.

    Sensai held our gaze, his brow raising in question. ¡°I want to trust that you all can handle this little task.¡±

    I internally scoffed at the words he used to undermine the situation. Little. Building the foundation of these kids¡¯ abilities is going to be anything but little.

    Sensei held our gaze, his raised eyebrow prompting a chorus of reassurances from us. ¡°Yes Sensai¡±

    Looking around at the students nearby, I noticed the reactions. Bri wore a rare serious expression, and Hannah remained her usual cheerful self, seemingly unaffected by the pressure. As I looked around, I couldn¡¯t help but observe the affectionate interactions between some of the students. It was heartwarming to see.

    Looking around at the students nearby, I noticed the reactions. Bri wore a rare serious expression, and Hannah remained her usual cheerful self, seemingly unaffected by the pressure. Or so I thought. I almost didn¡¯t catch it, hidden away by the side of her chair, her hand reached out behind to clutch tightly to Senza¡¯s index finger. I didn¡¯t want to overthink it but, I could feel anxiety wash through me.

    Sensei clasped his hands in front of him as he concluded, ¡°That will be all for now. Hannah, Fancy, I expect a proposal for all the ball¡¯s activities by Thursday. You have four days to brainstorm, which should be ample time.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± they replied in unison.

    ¡°Good. Don¡¯t forget everything we¡¯ve discussed today. Any additional information will be conveyed through Sophie. Have a good day, and you are dismissed.¡±

    With that, Sensei walked away from us through an automated door to our left. We heaved sighs of relief at his departure. He had a way of keeping us on edge, with his powerful presence and commanding demeanor.

    ¡°I know you all are edgy because of the whole year 4 situation. I don¡¯t even need my ability to know that¡±, Sophie remarked, shaking her head.

    ¡°However, let¡¯s not think too deeply about it yet. I mean it, it isn¡¯t till the end of the semester. So, let¡¯s focus on more pressing matters now. Hannah?¡±

    Her words rang true. We could worry about Year 4 and their unlocked abilities when the time came.

    Times like these reminded me of why Sophie had been chosen as class president. She may seem aloof and overly inquisitive, but she got things done and had a way with words. It must be from all the peeking around in our thoughts.

    ¡°Yes! Aye aye, Madam President!¡± Hannah playfully responded with a salute, shooting out of her seat. Sophie scoffed, rolling her eyes as she facepalmed, and Bri seemed to be thoroughly amused.

    ¡°Stop this nonsense, both of you,¡± Sophie scolded playfully. ¡°For the love of God, Bridget, it¡¯s your fault. Hannah, don¡¯t listen to Bri.¡±

    Excusing myself from the impending squabble, I rushed to Tome¡¯s side. A thumbs-up wasn¡¯t enough to convey the importance of his well-being. He stood in front of Sanya, his back to me, engaged in hushed whispers with her. I observed their interaction, watching closely as the copper-haired boy said something that earned a blush and a playful arm punch from Tome.

    I felt a swell of pride as I witnessed their close connection. Sanya¡¯s eyes met mine, and Tome noticed him looking in my direction. Turning toward me, he wore a gentle smile that lit up his eyes. Turning towards me, my eyes almost missed the light bruise hidden behind his collar.

    A sly grin graced my lips as I kept staring at his almost exposed neck. A string of coughs broke my concentration.

    ¡°I can see you two have been busy. Talking and other extracurricular activities, right Tome?¡±

    My eyes constricted in suspicion. Tome opened and shut his mouth as no sounds came out to stand up for himself. I was definitely having fun teasing him.

    ¡°Elise, stop picking on my boyfriend.¡±

    My lips parted in surprise. Sanya pulled the smaller boy into his arms, who responded with a shy smack, trying to pry himself out of Sanya¡¯s arms.

    ¡°Stop, people are looking.¡±

    He continues his mission of escape, looking around for anyone staring at them. But Sanya just pulled him in tighter.

    ¡°You both are disgustingly cute. If you would excuse me, I¡¯m going to throw up now.¡±

    I held my hair back and fake puked, laughing at their interaction. Max appears beside me, her book tucked away under her arm.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy for both of you. Elise, stop bullying them.¡±

    ¡°Max, I think the cancer of loneliness is taking me away. Catch me, as I perish in my singularity.

    Dramatically, I collapse into Max¡¯s arms, my palm resting on my forehead.

    ¡°Woe is me.¡±

    I cry out earning laughter from the three. The sound of their chuckle caught the attention of others.

    ¡°You are even more theatrical than Bri and that¡¯s saying a lot.¡±

    Max says, shoving me out of her arms, and putting herself in order. Maybe I should stop reading the historical books in Max¡¯s library.

    ¡°Why am I hearing my name in this conversation? I didn¡¯t do anything, I promise.¡±

    Bri looked around in puzzlement, hands up in innocence.

    ¡°Can I have everyone¡¯s attention?¡°, Fancy¡¯s mellow voice called out.

    ¡°Hannah, Sophie and I have been discussing and we would love you all to help in this project assigned to us. The first step is...¡±

    She stopped, motioning for Hannah to continue.

    ¡°Everyone needs a date for the ball. There is no specification for gender pairing. Isn¡¯t that grand?¡±

    She chirped merrily, looking at us for a reaction.

    ¡°That being said, we will put together everything needed for the ball. If you have any ideas, see either of us. Also, we might need your abilities during planning.¡±

    A date? Max! That¡¯s my best option. I looked around to check on Max, expecting to see her by my side. I was so sure she was right beside me, where did she vanish to? However, I was met with an unexpected scene: An evil grin on Bri¡¯s face as she locked arms with Max, who had been my target. My mouth fell agape at the betrayal, as she stuck her tongue out at me, still holding on to the emotionless Max. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of hurt. It seemed I was now without a date for the ball.

    I grumbled, dipping into the nearest chair in defeat, away from the crowd. The thought of being alone at the event left a feeling of emptiness in my heart. I found a secluded seat and looked around as people chitchatted and paired themselves up.

    ¡°Brooding alone, I see?¡± a familiar voice chimed in.

    I groaned, rubbing my temples with my thumb and forefinger. I wasn¡¯t in the mood for Trent and his often hostile energy. Conflicted between the butterflies his presence brought and my annoyance at his words, I attempted to shoo him away.

    ¡°I would rather be alone. Can you not make me feel worse?¡± I responded, hoping he¡¯d get the hint.

    Instead, he leaned against the wall next to me. The abstract black ink on his lightly tanned arms peeked out from his rolled-up sleeves, revealing a myriad of tattoos. I raised an eyebrow at him, aware that my intense gaze was likely making him uncomfortable.

    After a few moments, Trent pushed off the wall and turned to face me. He leaned against it again, and a hint of mischief danced in his eyes as he locked onto mine. Placing his palm on the wall, he glanced down to meet my crystal blue eyes.

    ¡°Trent, we are in public.¡±

    I whispered in panic. Our proximity could be easily misinterpreted if someone saw us. Our closeness threw my thoughts into a frenzy.

    However, he didn¡¯t move away. His gaze remained locked with mine, his expression pensive. He tilted his head slightly to the side and pursed his lips. Letting out a sigh, he leaned away and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

    ¡°The Ball... come with me,¡± he said, his words coming as a shock. My eyes widened in surprise.

    Trent, the boy who usually couldn¡¯t stand me, had just asked me to be his date for the ball.

    No way!

    ******************************

 In My Space

    Whispers and curious glances followed Hana and Ren as they exited the main hall. Hana, despite her heart thundering in her chest, focused solely on the increasing pressure of Ren¡¯s grip on her hand. The long hallway stretched before them, finally ending in a set of imposing double doors.

    The doors swung open with a soft creak, revealing a room bathed in a soft glow. Elegant floral arrangements adorned the corners, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise sterile space. Hana¡¯s eyes immediately flickered to the flower displays.

    Then, she saw her. All the fake smiles and poses were gone.

    Mrs. Jenkins, sat beside a glass table, a half-empty champagne flute clutched in her hand. Her gaze swept over Hana, a flicker of icy indifference crossing her face before settling on Ren. For a fleeting moment, something unreadable flickered in her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

    Before any words could be exchanged, Mrs. Jenkins set down her glass with a click that echoed. Her lips curved into a tight smile, a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes.

    ¡°Excuse us,¡± she said to Hana, her voice dripping with forced politeness. ¡°I would like to speak with my son¡­ privately.¡±

    The dismissal was clear, a subtle jab disguised as a courtesy. Instinctively, she reached out to pull her hand free, only to find Ren¡¯s grip tighten around hers.

    ¡°Whatever you want to say, say it,¡± Ren challenged, his voice low.

    Mrs. Jenkins scoffed a sharp, humorless sound. ¡°Very well then.¡± With a theatrical sigh, she settled back in her chair, her perfectly manicured nails tapping a sharp rhythm on the glass table.

    Ignoring Hana completely, ¡°I spoke with Audrey,¡± she began, ¡°and I¡¯ve arranged a second meeting for the two of you.¡±

    Ren cut her off, his jaw clenched tight. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±

    Hana could feel the anger radiating from him, a stark contrast to the composed facade he usually maintained.

    She understood now. This wasn¡¯t just about social obligations; it was about control. Something she was very well familiar with.

    His mother, however, remained unfazed. ¡°The Holding family has been a close supporter of our business ventures for years, Ren. I simply ensured a continuation of that relationship.¡±

    She glanced at Hana with disdain, a silent reminder of her perceived insignificance.

    Ren had reached his breaking point.

    ¡°Stop,¡± Ren growled, his voice thick with frustration. ¡°Does my opinion even matter in this?¡±

    Mrs. Jenkins¡¯ lips curled into a humorless smile. ¡°This is what¡¯s best for the family, Ren. Don¡¯t be dramatic.¡± She asserted, her voice leaving no room for argument.

    ¡°I knew I shouldn¡¯t have come,¡± he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. Something flickered in his eyes as he glanced at Hana, a silent apology for dragging her into this mess.

    ¡°There you go again, turning this into a big argument over nothing,¡± Mrs. Jenkins scoffed, completely dismissing his feelings.

    ¡°Nothing?¡± Ren repeated, incredulous. ¡°Mother, you call this nothing!¡± He looked at her, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt.

    He looked around the room, his gaze finally settling on Hana. Seeing the silent plea in her eyes, the fear mirrored in her face, seemed to solidify his resolve.

    ¡°I can¡¯t do this anymore,¡± he finally declared, his voice hoarse with frustration. ¡°Hana let¡¯s go. Before I say something, I¡¯ll regret later.¡±

    Ren grasped Hana¡¯s hand tightly, his fingers digging into her palm, and stormed out of the room.

    Ren¡¯s pace was relentless, his jaw clenched tight. He ignored Jiro¡¯s boisterous calls, his laser-sharp focus on getting away from the suffocating mansion and his overbearing mother. Hana, her heels clicking an increasingly uneven rhythm on the polished floor, struggled to keep up.

    He just needed to get out, away from the gilded cage and the suffocating expectations.

    The elegant stilettos that had felt glamorous earlier became cruel instruments, digging into her unaccustomed heels and threatening to twist her ankles.

    Just as she envisioned a less-than-graceful exit, a jolt of pain ripped through her knee. Her cry of surprise pierced the air, and Ren, as if jolted awake, finally stopped.

    He whirled around, his anger momentarily eclipsed by concern as Hana stumbled. In a flash, he was at her side, catching her before she could hit the ground. Their eyes met, his stormy with repressed fury, hers wide with pain and a touch of fear.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

    At that moment, Hana saw beyond the elegant facade she had been presented with. Her eyes trail down to the hands that had caught her.

    Shame washed over Ren in a tidal wave. He had been so lost in his frustration that he hadn¡¯t even noticed the woman by his side, the woman he¡¯d dragged into this familial warzone.

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    He glanced down at his hands, still clenched and trembling.

    ¡°Shizumi, are you okay?¡± he asked, his voice gruff with unspoken apologies.

    Hana winced, her face pale. ¡°I think I twisted my ankle,¡± she managed, her voice a mere thread.

    Hana, her face contorted in a grimace, could only manage a shaky nod. As she attempted to put weight on it, a fresh wave of pain sent a hiss escaping her lips. He understood. Ren, wasting no time, gently removed his blazer and draped it around her shoulders.

    ¡°Let me help,¡± he said softly.

    Hana, confused and a little overwhelmed, wasn¡¯t sure what help entailed until she felt him scoop her up into his arms. A gasp escaped her lips, and she instinctively tightened her grip around his clothing.

    A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he reassured her, his voice close to her ear. ¡°I won¡¯t let you fall.¡±

    Her initial panic morphed into a reluctant trust as she secured her arms around his neck.

    With surprising ease, he carried her through the sprawling garden paths, the gravel crunching softly beneath their feet. The initial burst of anger had dissipated, replaced by a quiet determination and a growing concern for the woman he had unwittingly dragged into his family drama.

    The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Ren broke it, his voice laced with regret. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± he said. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have brought you here.¡±

    He sighed deeply, a sound that spoke volumes of past battles and present exhaustion. ¡°The last time I was here¡­ I said I wouldn¡¯t come back. But here I am.¡±

    His words struck a chord deep within Hana. They mirrored her unspoken thoughts, her escape from a stifling past, and the ever-present fear of being dragged back. They echoed her unspoken vow, the one she made the night she fled her suffocating situation.

    Finally, the hum of a car engine replaced the quiet, comforting sound that signaled escape. Ren¡¯s phone buzzed persistently throughout half the car ride, a constant reminder of the world they¡¯d left behind. He ignored it resolutely.

    Hana, despite the throbbing pain in her ankle, remained quiet, her gaze fixed out the window. She didn¡¯t pry about the unanswered calls, sensing Ren¡¯s need for silence.

    The car slowed, pulling into a parking lot unfamiliar to Hana. She glanced at him, a question in her eyes. She watched with a confused frown as he emerged from the vehicle and hurried towards her side.

    ¡°My place,¡± he said simply. ¡°To take care of your ankle.¡±

    Hana offered a silent nod, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. He exited the car first, then carefully scooped her into his arms again. They navigated the elevator, the soft hum its only sound, and walked down a hallway lined with closed doors. Finally, Ren stopped in front of one, his key unlocking it with a soft click.

    The apartment that greeted them was a stark contrast to the opulent mansion they¡¯d left behind. It was comfortable, furnished with a mix of modern and traditional pieces that spoke of practicality and lived-in comfort. Ren gently settled her onto a plush armchair, his movements surprisingly gentle for a man who moments ago had been a storm of anger.

    He disappeared into the kitchen, reappearing a moment later with a bag of ice and a first-aid kit.

    ¡°Once I take care of this,¡± he said, his voice gruff but not unkind, ¡°I¡¯ll take you home. But you need to get it checked out at the hospital tomorrow.¡±

    As he elevated her knee, she couldn¡¯t help but notice the tension lingering in his shoulders and the stiffness in his movements.

    Gathering her courage, she blurted out softly, ¡°Are you okay?"

    She almost slapped herself for asking such a stupid question. Of course, he was not okay, not after the night they had.

    Ren paused, his hands still on her ankle. His eyes met hers, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before it was replaced by a guarded expression. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it again, his jaw tightening. Was it pity? Concern? Or something more?

    ¡°I¡¯m fine," he finally said, his voice gruff. But Hana could see the lie etched in his eyes.

    Lost in the quiet rhythm of his movements, a memory flickered at the edges of her mind. A memory of a voice, a voice calling her name in anger, a voice that sent shivers down her spine¡­ but a voice that inexplicably sent a warmth blooming in her chest.

    The voice, rough with emotion, had spoken her name: ¡°Hana.¡±

    The sound of it, even laced with anger, sent a blush creeping up her cheeks. A shy smile tugged at her lips as she replayed the word in her head. ¡®Hana¡¯.

    He¡¯d called her Hana then, not ¡°Nurse Shizumi.¡±

    Just then, Ren¡¯s voice broke the trance. ¡°Nurse Shizumi?¡± he said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

    A blush burned across Hana¡¯s cheeks. Busted. ¡°Yes, Dr. Jenkins,¡± she stammered, flustered.

    ¡°I need to take this call,¡± he continued. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±

    Ren picked up the phone, a resigned sigh escaping his lips as he headed towards an adjacent room, the click of the closing door.

    Hana was left alone, the silence of the apartment settling around her. She glanced down at her ankle, the throbbing pain a dull ache now thanks to the ice.

    ******************************

    Ren winced as he pressed the phone between his ear and shoulder, his movements stiff as he loosened his tie and unbuttoned his cuffs. ¡°From the way you stormed out with poor Hana,¡± Jiro¡¯s voice crackled through the receiver, laced with amusement, ¡°I can tell that the talk was a disaster?¡±

    ¡°Jiro,¡± Ren growled, his voice strained, ¡°Nothing will ever make me step foot in that place ever again.¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Jiro chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll stop trying to lighten the mood. But Ren, you know you can¡¯t run from this forever.¡±

    ¡°I can damn well try,¡± Ren muttered, his voice laced with defiance.

    ¡°Rowan called me earlier,¡± Jiro continued, ¡°said he couldn¡¯t reach you and I told him you¡¯d already left. So, he and Lia decided to skip out on the party altogether. But are you okay, cuz? I could come over and we could¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t come,¡± Ren interjected abruptly, his voice sharp with a sudden urgency.

    Jiro¡¯s playful tone vanished, replaced by suspicion. ¡°Okay, whoa. What are you hiding?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Ren lied unconvincingly, his heart pounding against his ribs.

    Silence stretched between them for a tense moment before realization dawned on Jiro. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me,¡± he said, his voice rising in surprise, ¡°she¡¯s at your place, isn¡¯t she?¡±

    Ren didn¡¯t answer, and the silence was a deafening confirmation. He wasn¡¯t in the mood to explain or justify his actions, not even Jiro. ¡°Bye, Jiro,¡± he muttered, his finger hovering over the red button.

    ¡°Ren, wait!¡± Jiro protested, but the line went dead before he could finish his sentence.

    Ren sighed, the weight of the evening pressing down on him. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration twisting his features. A notification buzzed on his phone, a text message blinking on the screen. He glanced down, his eyes widening at the message.

    ¡°I know you are a doctor but forget about the protection and give my aunt a stroke by giving her a grandchild.¡±

    Disgust and anger bubbled within him. He tossed the phone onto the bed, the absurdity of the message fueling his already frayed nerves. The last thing he needed right now was a mental picture of himself and Hana¡­ like that.

    He wasn¡¯t sure what the future held, but one thing was clear ¨C his carefully constructed life had taken a sharp turn, and Hana was right in the middle. He wasn''t sure if he was pleased with that.

    He pushed his feet to the door, needing to clear his head and check on his unexpected guest.

 What Happens Next

    Ren pushed open the living room door, the image of his phone¡¯s message still burning in his mind. He was met with an unexpected sight ¨C Hana, nestled on the plush armchair, fast asleep. She looked so fragile, her head and ankle elevated and tilted at an awkward angle, her brow furrowed in unconscious discomfort.

    He approached her cautiously, his movements silent as he crouched before the chair. The overhead light cast a soft glow on her face, highlighting the exhaustion etched on her features. Her arms were exposed to the cool air of the apartment. Without a second thought, he reached out and gently draped his jacket over her.

    As he adjusted it, a sigh escaped his lips, a mixture of frustration and something else he couldn¡¯t quite define.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have dragged you into this,¡± he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

    Yet, here she was, caught in the crossfire.

    The guilt of having exposed Hana to his dysfunctional family was a heavy weight on his chest. He hadn¡¯t meant to involve her, to make her a pawn in the never-ending game with his mother.

    Suddenly, Hana¡¯s head dipped forward, threatening to fall. Instinctively, Ren shot out a hand, catching her head mere inches from the armrest. A startled gasp escaped his lips, followed by a chuckle that surprised even him.

    ¡°You are truly something, Hana Shizumi,¡± he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement and a growing sense of wonder.

    How could someone, anyone, sleep so soundly after such a stressful event? The shy nurse who had captivated him at the hospital was proving to be even more intriguing.

    Whether he liked it or not, Ren had to admit, the shy and ever-professional Nurse Shizumi was starting to hold a strange significance in his life.

    ***************

    Hana jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest. The unfamiliar white ceiling loomed above her, a stark contrast to the comforting familiarity of her bedroom. The absence of her usual alarm clock only heightened her disorientation. Work, she was late. Nurse Crystal was going to chew her out.

    A wave of panic washed over her as she scrambled to sit up, her mind racing to piece together the previous night''s events. Where was her phone? She could picture the endless number of calls and texts from Mira.

    As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, a sharp jolt of pain shot through her ankle, reminding her of the previous night¡¯s mishap. Ignoring the discomfort, she stood up, her balance wavering slightly. She needed to get home.

    The sight that greeted her was unexpected as she limped towards the living room.

    Ren stood at the stove, his tall frame filling the kitchen space. The casual way he moved, the ease with which he flipped with a spatula, could be compared to how his hands moved when they held a scapule.

    The sight of him in this domestic setting was a stark contrast to the composed, almost aloof doctor she was used to seeing.

    As she limped towards the living room, the sound of sizzling bacon and the clinking of utensils reached her ears. He turned at the sound of her footsteps, his expression shifting from surprise to concern in an instant.

    Ren watched as Hana scrambled to collect her belongings, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of pink. He couldn¡¯t help but smile at the sight of her flustered state.

    ¡°Morning,¡± he greeted her, his voice softer than usual. He quickly turned off the stove, his movements smooth and efficient.

    Hana froze, her hand hovering over the strap of her purse. A wave of embarrassment washed over her, the realization of her intrusion hitting her like a cold shower.

    Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she scrambled to stand up straighter. Her attempt at dignity was thwarted by a sharp pang of pain shooting through her ankle, causing her to wince and grab the edge of the armchair for support.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins, I¡¯m so sorry for intruding and falling asleep like this,¡± she mumbled, her voice barely audible, as she bowed. ¡°I should leave now. I just wanted to grab my purse.¡±

    She reached for her purse, her movements jerky and awkward.

    Ren watched her struggle with a mixture of amusement and concern. He could see the conflict in her eyes, the desire to leave battling with a sense of vulnerability that made her hesitate.

    But before she could take a step, Ren¡¯s voice stopped her. ¡°Shizumi,¡± he began, his voice firm but gentle, ¡°you¡¯ll make it worse if you try to leave now¡±

    Hana hesitated, her mind racing. She couldn¡¯t stay here, not after imposing on him like this. Hana hesitated, her gaze flickering between Ren and the front door.

    As he spoke, she couldn¡¯t help but notice the lines of exhaustion etched on his face. It was clear that the events of the previous night had taken their toll on him as well. She must have made it worse by sleeping in his bed. The blanket on the sofa is evidence that he spent the night there.

    ¡°I made breakfast,¡± he said, gesturing towards the counter. ¡°Eggs, toast, and coffee.¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, her mouth opening to protest. But before she could utter a word, her stomach rumbled loudly, cutting off her objection. A wave of embarrassment washed over her as she clamped her hand over her mouth, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of crimson.

    She was starving, and the prospect of a cooked meal was undeniably appealing.

    Ren couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle. ¡°I think your body has other plans,¡± he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. ¡°Give me a few minutes, breakfast is almost ready.¡±

    As she watched Ren move around the kitchen, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was changing between them.

    Hana opened her purse and pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over Mira¡¯s contact information. The string of messages from her friend was filled with exaggerated concern and playful teasing.

    ¡°Where are you? Are you coming home? I guess you aren¡¯t coming home. You should thank me for convincing you to call off work.¡±

    The last message, a playful jab at her for skipping out on her shift, made her chuckle. But the following text, ¡°Use protection,¡± sent a blush creeping up her cheeks.

    The sound of cutlery clinking against a plate startled her, and her phone almost slipped from her grasp.

    A blush crept up Hana¡¯s cheeks as she quickly tucked her phone away, not wanting Ren to see the suggestive message. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of embarrassment and a strange sense of anticipation.

    Ren was seated in front of her, a plate laden with breakfast in front of the both of them. ¡°How¡¯s the ankle?¡± he asked, his voice gentle.

    She had to focus on the present moment, not the embarrassing content of her friend¡¯s text messages.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Hana nodded, her mouth feeling dry. ¡°A bit sore, but manageable,¡± she replied, her voice barely a whisper. She took a sip of orange juice, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat.

    ¡°I know it¡¯s not much,¡± Ren said apologetically, ¡°but I didn¡¯t have much time to prepare.¡±

    As she took a bite of the toast, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of warmth and comfort. Being in Ren¡¯s apartment, sharing a simple meal with him, felt strangely familiar as if they had known each other for years.

    Ren watched her as she ate, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He had always been good at medicine, but cooking for someone else, caring for them in this way, was a new experience. And for some reason, doing it for Hana felt right.

    ¡°It¡¯s really good,¡± she managed to say, her voice a bit breathless. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Ren smiled, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He¡¯d always enjoyed cooking, despite the little time he had to do it and to hear his efforts appreciated was a small but welcome victory.

    ¡°I don¡¯t cook much anymore, because of work,¡± he explained, ¡°but I can manage a simple breakfast.¡±

    There was a comfortable silence between them, broken only by the soft clinking of cutlery.

    As they finished their breakfast, Hana met Ren¡¯s gaze, a silent question lingering in her eyes. A sense of gratitude and something akin to vulnerability washed over her. She reached out to clear the dishes, but Ren was quicker, his long arms reaching across the table to claim the task.

    ¡°Let me handle this,¡± he said, his voice gentle. ¡°You should rest that ankle.¡±

    Hana hesitated, a silent argument playing out in her head. But the warmth in his eyes and the unspoken understanding between them made her relent. She nodded, a grateful smile curving her lips.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said again, her voice sincere. ¡°For everything.¡±

    Ren nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. ¡°Anytime,¡± he replied, his voice filled with a warmth that surprised even him.

    As she stood up to leave, a pang of reluctance hit her.

    ¡°I should probably get going,¡± she said, her voice barely a whisper. Ren nodded, following her as she moved towards the door.

    Ren stood up as well, his tall frame towering over her.

    Hana¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You don¡¯t have to walk me to the door,¡± she protested, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her.

    ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± he said, his voice firm but gentle. ¡°I¡¯m driving you to the hospital to get your ankle checked.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±

    Ren shook his head. ¡°I insist,¡± he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°Consider it repayment for dragging you into my family drama.¡±

    Hana couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Okay,¡± she said, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and reluctance.

    The morning sun streamed through the apartment¡¯s main doors as they stepped out into the cool morning air. Hana took a deep breath, the fresh air clearing her head. She glanced at Ren, on one hand, he was supporting her weight, and on the other were her purse and shoes.

    As he drove, Ren noticed Hana¡¯s discomfort. The elegant dress, while beautiful, was being constantly pulled down by the female. He pulled over at a nearby store, his mind already made up.

    ¡°I think you need something a little more comfortable,¡± he said, his voice firm but gentle.

    Hana protested, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. ¡°I can¡¯t let you do that,¡± she said, her voice barely audible.

    Ren shook his head, his expression determined. ¡°No arguments,¡± he said, his voice final.

    He helped her out of the car and into the store, his hand gently guiding her to a seat before he browsed through the racks.

    ¡°Wait here,¡± he said, his voice firm. He disappeared into the store, leaving Hana standing on the sidewalk, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirling in her mind.

    A few minutes later, Ren emerged from the aisle, carrying a simple, yet stylish dress in his hands. ¡°Try this,¡± he said, his voice filled with an unexpected confidence.

    Hana¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°I can¡¯t let you buy me clothes,¡± she protested.

    Ren just smiled, his eyes twinkling. ¡°Consider it a thank you for putting up with me and my crazy family,¡± he replied. At this point, he was starting to use the incident as an excuse to do things for her.

    As he paid for the dress, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He was taking care of her, protecting her, and in a way, he was starting to enjoy it.

    As they continued to the hospital, a sense of unease settled over Hana. The events of the day before had been a whirlwind, and she was still trying to process it all. Ren¡¯s kindness, his unexpected concern, had left her feeling a strange mix of gratitude and confusion.

    She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she owed him something, a way to repay his generosity. But what could she possibly do for a man who had everything?

    As they drove, Hana¡¯s mind raced, trying to come up with a solution. Perhaps she could bake him a cake, or maybe offer to help him with something at the hospital. The possibilities were endless, but none of them felt quite right. She pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over Mira¡¯s contact, before deciding otherwise.

    She glanced over at Ren, who was focused on the road. The man she had known as the stern, composed Dr. Jenkins was slowly revealing a different side of himself, a side that was both vulnerable and surprisingly gentle.

    *********

    Hana¡¯s name echoed through the waiting room, breaking the hushed silence. Her heart pounded in her chest as Ren gently helped her to her feet.

    As they stood, the two nurses manning the reception desk exchanged surprised glances. Their hushed whispers carried across the room, a stark contrast to the usual sterile quiet of the clinic. Her carefully constructed plan to remain invisible was crumbling before her very eyes.

    The walk to the doctor¡¯s office felt like an eternity, every step a challenge for her injured ankle.

    As they approached the examination room, her eyes met Ren¡¯s, a silent communication passing between them. He gave her a reassuring smile, a silent promise of support. Gathering her courage, she stepped into the room, the door closing behind them.

    The doctor, a middle-aged man with kind eyes, greeted her with a warm smile. ¡°Miss Shizumi, right?¡± he asked, his voice gentle.

    Hana nodded, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Yes, doctor.¡±

    The doctor examined her ankle, his hands gentle and reassuring. After a few moments, he looked up, his expression serious. ¡°Well, it¡¯s definitely a sprain,¡± he said, his voice filled with sympathy. He turned the monitor showing the X-ray towards them. ¡°No dislocation, thankfully.¡±

    Relief washed over Hana. She had been dreading the worst-case scenario.

    ¡°I¡¯ll prescribe some pain medication and an ankle brace,¡± the doctor continued. ¡°And it¡¯s important to keep it elevated and iced as much as possible.¡±

    As the doctor explained the treatment plan, Hana couldn¡¯t help but notice the amused look on the doctor¡¯s face. She glanced at Ren, who was standing by the side, and caught him exchanging a knowing smile with the doctor.

    ¡°And one more thing,¡± the doctor said, his voice serious. ¡°You¡¯ll need to avoid putting any weight on it for the next few days. You might need someone to help you with daily activities.¡±

    Hana¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She couldn¡¯t help but feel like a burden, relying on someone else for such basic tasks. But as she glanced at Ren, she saw a different kind of look in his eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he said, stepping forward. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of her.¡±

    The doctor nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. ¡°I knew I could count on you, Dr. Jenkins,¡± he said, his voice filled with admiration.

    Hana felt a surge of gratitude but worry lingered behind. She had already relied on him enough for one day.

    As they were about to leave, the doctor turned to Ren. ¡°You wrapped it quite well,¡± he commented, a hint of approval in his voice. ¡°As expected from our very own Chief of ER¡±

    As they walked out of the clinic, Hana couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of being under a microscope. Every passerby seemed to be staring at them, their whispers carried by the wind like a haunting melody. She ducked her head, trying to blend into the background, but it was a futile effort.

    Ren, sensing her discomfort, offered her his arm. ¡°Let¡¯s get you home,¡± he said, his voice firm and reassuring.

    ************

    Ren slid the key into the lock, the familiar weight of it offering a brief moment of solace. As he stepped into the elevator, his phone buzzed to life, the insistent vibration jarring him from his thoughts.

    He answered the call, bracing himself for whatever chaos awaited him on the other end. Rowan¡¯s voice boomed through the receiver, his exaggerated tone cutting through the quiet confines of the elevator.

    ¡°Jenkins! What am I hearing about you and Shy Shizumi? The girls at Ortho told me all the details. Holding hands and hugs in the hospital? Dr. Ren Jenkins, have some respect for the purity of the hospital!¡±

    Ren winced, the sudden onslaught of information momentarily disorienting him. He pulled the phone away from his ear, the volume at its highest setting.

    ¡°Rowan, keep it down,¡± he hissed, the elevator doors sliding open.

    ¡°I won¡¯t even ask how you know people in Ortho,¡± he muttered, his voice barely audible over Rowan¡¯s incessant chatter. ¡°We weren¡¯t doing anything. She was injured¡­¡±

    Rowan continued, undeterred. ¡°Injured? Ren! You are wild! When Jiro told me she stayed the night at your place, I didn¡¯t believe it. I told him that Renny boy is too innocent for that.¡±

    Ren¡¯s irritation grew. ¡°Renny what? Wait..how does Jiro even know about this?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not important,¡± Rowan dismissed, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°Our innocent Ren has grown up. I hope you didn¡¯t scar the poor girl.¡±

    Ren couldn¡¯t suppress a groan. ¡°For the love of god, Rowan, she sprained her ankle at the party.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Rowan replied, the teasing tone disappearing from his voice. ¡°Well, take care of her, Ren. And don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±

    With that, the line went dead.

    ¡°And for the love of God, stop calling me Renny.¡±

    Ren sighed, his mind exhausted. He couldn¡¯t believe the news had spread in such a false manner so quickly. And the thought of Hana¡¯s reputation being tarnished by gossip made him angry. He needed to be more careful.

    The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Ren alone in the quiet apartment. A strange emptiness settled over him as he watched the empty room. He missed her presence already.

 No Excuses

    Hana winced as she put weight on her ankle, the lingering ache a constant reminder of the previous night¡¯s mishap. Three days had passed since the eventful evening with Dr. Jenkins.

    As she sat behind the desk, her fingers flying across the keyboard, a part of her was grateful for being relegated to data entry. However, a nagging sense of guilt crept in as she realized; less work for her, and more work for everyone else.

    As she typed, her mind wandered back to that night. The memory of his gentle touch¡­

    ¡°What am I thinking?¡± She caught herself before she could fall deeper into her delusions.

    A sigh escaped her lips as she tried to focus on the task at hand. The computer screen, with its blinking cursor, seemed to mock her with its relentless demand for attention. She needed to concentrate, the follow-up notes weren¡¯t going to write themselves.

    Hana was startled from her thoughts by a small voice.

    ¡°Excuse me, Miss,¡± a little girl said, her eyes wide with curiosity.

    Hana looked around to find the source of the voice and found a small, vibrant girl standing in front of the reception desk.

    ¡°Yes, how can¡­ do you need anything? Are you lost?¡± Hana responded, her voice gentle.

    The girl¡¯s face lit up with a smile. ¡°We¡¯re going to the doctor for Mommy,¡± she announced proudly, pointing towards a woman seated in the waiting area. ¡°Daddy has a new job, so we¡¯re in a new house,¡± she added as if sharing an exciting piece of news.

    Hana followed the girl¡¯s gaze to the woman, whose pale complexion and beads of sweat on her forehead caught her attention. Something about the woman¡¯s appearance seemed off as if she was enduring more than just the usual pre-natal discomfort.

    ¡°I see,¡± Hana replied, her voice gentle. ¡°I¡¯ll show you the way to the doctor¡¯s office.¡±

    As she turned to lead the little girl, the child tugged on the sides of her pants, startling her a bit.

    ¡°Can I tell you a secret?¡± the little girl asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

    Hana nodded, crouching down to the girl¡¯s level. ¡°Of course,¡± she replied, her voice soft.

    The little girl leaned in closer, her voice barely audible. ¡°Mommy¡¯s tummy hurts a lot,¡± she whispered, her eyes filled with concern. ¡°And she¡¯s scared.¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as the child¡¯s words registered, but she immediately masked her look. She nodded, giving the child a reassuring smile. ¡°Let¡¯s take mommy to the doctor,¡± she promised.

    She quickly made her way to the woman, her concern growing. Something wasn¡¯t right.

    Hana knelt in front of the woman, her concern growing with every passing second. ¡°Ma¡¯am, can you tell me what your name is, where you are, and how you¡¯re feeling?¡± Her voice was gentle and reassuring, but her mind was racing, trying to assess the situation.

    The woman nodded slowly, her face pale and drawn. ¡°Tia. I think I¡¯m at the hospital,¡± she replied, her voice weak. ¡°My belly...it hurts. My baby¡±

    As Hana continued to assess the woman¡¯s condition, her eyes fell upon the woman¡¯s dark long dress. There, spreading like a crimson stain, was a growing wet spot.

    She touched it. Her worst fears were confirmed.

    The vivid red color stood out starkly against the white of Hana¡¯s gloves, a stark and chilling contrast.

    Hana¡¯s heart sank.

    She turned to the little girl, who was watching her mother with wide, frightened eyes.

    The little girl looked up at her mother with wide eyes, her lower lip trembling. ¡°Mommy, are you okay?¡± she asked, her voice filled with fear.

    The woman reached out and took her daughter¡¯s hand, her voice soft and comforting. ¡°I¡¯m okay, sweetie. Mummy is just a little tired,¡± she replied, forcing a smile.

    ¡°Sweetie, Mommy is going to be okay,¡± she assured the child, her voice steady. ¡°We¡¯re going to take her to the doctor, and they¡¯ll make her feel better.¡±

    The child nodded, her small hand reaching out to hold her mother¡¯s. Hana knew she needed to act quickly. She rushed back to the nurse¡¯s station, her mind racing. She grabbed a wheelchair and dialed the OB/GYN unit, her fingers trembling slightly.

    ¡°We have a patient here experiencing severe abdominal pain,¡± her voice trembling as she explained to the nurse on the other end of the line. ¡°She¡¯s pregnant, complaint of severe abdominal pain, present with bleeding and we need to get her to the maternity ward immediately.¡±

    The nurse on the other end of the line acknowledged her request and assured her that nurses would meet her halfway immediately. Hana hung up the phone, her heart pounding in her chest.

    Returning to the woman and her daughter, Hana gently helped the woman into the wheelchair.

    ¡°Mommy is going to be okay, sweetie,¡± Hana reassured the child once again, her voice gentle but firm. The little girl nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and trust.

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    She looked down at the woman in the wheelchair, her face pale and drawn. The little girl was crying softly, her small body trembling with fear.

    Hana wheeled the woman towards the exit, her mind racing.

    As they approached the OB unit, a team of nurses emerged to meet them. They took control of the wheelchair from Hana and moved the woman into a unit.

    The little girl, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, clung to Hana¡¯s hand, her eyes wide with fear. Hana knelt, offering a reassuring smile, her gloved hands patting her hair.

    ¡°Mommy is going to be okay, sweetie,¡± she said softly, her voice gentle. ¡°The doctors will take good care of her.¡±

    The child nodded, her grip on Hana¡¯s hand tightening. Hana looked up to find Dr. Lia racing into the room, shutting the door behind her as she gave instructions.

    ¡°Do you want to wait here with me, or would you like to call your daddy?¡± she asked gently.

    The child looked at her with tear-filled eyes. ¡°I want Daddy,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    Hana nodded, understanding. ¡°Okay, sweetie. I¡¯ll stay with you until he gets here,¡± she promised.

    As she sat down in the waiting area, Hana couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of exhaustion. The adrenaline that had been pumping through her veins was beginning to subside. She glanced down at her ankle, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her. But as she looked at the frightened little girl, she pushed the discomfort aside.

    After, leaving the girl with her father, Hana limped back to the ER, her ankle throbbing with every step. The adrenaline that had been fueling her actions had worn off, leaving her feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

    As she approached the nurse¡¯s station, Nurse Crystal was already waiting for her, her expression: annoyance.

    ¡°Where did you run off to?¡± she demanded, her voice sharp. ¡°I¡¯ve been paging and calling you.¡±

    Hana¡¯s heart sank. She had left her phone and pager on the table in her haste. Her mind raced, trying to come up with an explanation. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°I left them on the table. I was just¡­¡±

    Nurse Crystal¡¯s expression was not one to listen to excuses, as her voice remained firm. ¡°You must always have a means of communication with you at all times,¡± she reminded Hana. ¡°This is a hospital, not a playground.¡±

    Hana nodded, her ears flushing with embarrassment.

    Just then, a low, snide comment reached her ears. ¡°She thinks she can do whatever she wants because she has Dr. Jenkins on her side,¡± a nurse muttered under her breath.

    Hana¡¯s heart froze. Gossip about her and Ren had spread through the hospital like wildfire. The whispers and curious glances she had felt earlier now took on a new, more sinister meaning.

    ¡°No wonder she gets to be on desk duty,¡± she heard a nurse whisper, her voice barely audible but clear enough for Hana to catch. ¡°I heard about them from the girls at Ortho,¡± another nurse added, confirming Hana¡¯s worst fears.

    Nurse Crystal, clearly overhearing the comments, turned to them with a stern look. ¡°Is there something you¡¯d like to share with the rest of us?¡± she demanded.

    A hush fell over the room as everyone scrambled to return to their tasks,

    As she sat down at her desk, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of being under a microscope. A wave of annoyance washed over her, tears threatening to spill.

    The whispers and curious glances from her colleagues were starting to get to her. She needed a moment alone, a brief respite from the suffocating atmosphere.

    Hana felt a wave of nausea washing over her. She felt dragged back to her past, the whispers from people about where she was taken to, why she couldn¡¯t speak, or why she always avoided touch. The whispers always followed her.

    With a flimsy excuse forming in her mind, she announced her intention to restock the supply closet. Something about running low on syringes.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± she mumbled to no one in particular, her voice barely audible.

    As she navigated the winding corridors, her mind raced. She couldn¡¯t escape the feeling of being under a microscope, every move scrutinized and analyzed.

    Fate, however, had other plans. As she rounded a corner, she almost collided with the second victim of the gossip.

    Dr Rowan and Dr. Jenkins, were heading towards the ER lobby, a small entourage of nurses trailing behind them. Startled, Hana stumbled backward, her heart pounding in her chest.

    Ren¡¯s eyes met hers, a flicker of concern crossing his face. The hushed whispers that had followed her from the reception area reached her ears once more, and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her.

    Before he could say anything, she turned and fled, her eyes burning with tears.

    The whispers, the curious glances, he¡¯d seen it all before. And he knew, without a doubt, that it wouldn¡¯t be long before the rumors reached her.

    He turned to Rowan, who was still watching the closed door with a mixture of amusement and concern.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± Ren said, his voice low. Rowan nodded, a silent understanding passing between them.

    As Ren walked away, Rowan turned to face the group of nurses who had been whispering about Hana and Ren. His expression was stern, his eyes cold. The playful demeanor he usually wore was replaced by a serious, almost intimidating aura.

    The nurses, caught off guard by his sudden change in demeanor, fell silent. Rowan¡¯s reputation as the charming and easy-going doctor was well-known, but there was a different side to him, a side that few people had seen. This was that side.

    ¡°I suggest you all mind your own business,¡± Rowan said, his voice low but carrying a clear warning. ¡°Any further gossip or rumors will not be tolerated.¡±

    With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the nurses stunned by his outburst.

    *****************************

    Dr. Lia, fresh from surgery in the OB/GYN unit, strode purposefully toward the front desk. Her eyes locked onto Rowan¡¯s hunched form at the front desk, who was engrossed in a patient file.

    With a mischievous grin, tiptoeing behind him, Lia¡¯s fingers darted out, poking Rowan¡¯s sides. He yelped, nearly dropping the patient file he¡¯d been poring over.

    ¡°Got you again!¡± Lia laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement and dimples deepening.

    Rowan¡¯s exasperated sigh couldn¡¯t hide the fondness in his eyes. ¡°One of these days, Lia, I swear...¡±

    ¡°How do you keep falling for this trick?¡±

    Rowan shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Because you keep doing it when I¡¯m unaware.¡±

    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± Lia teased, leaning against the desk. ¡°Where¡¯s your sense of fun?¡±

    Glancing around, she asked, ¡°Speaking of which, where¡¯s our resident Ice Prince? I¡¯m looking for that nurse he mentioned last time. ¡±

    Rowan raised a brow. ¡°Shizumi? What do you want with her?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Do you know where she is?¡±

    A nearby nurse, who had been eavesdropping, chimed in. ¡°Why are you looking for Shizumi, Dr. Lia? Did she mess up something again?¡±

    Confusion flitted across Lia¡¯s face. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®mess up¡¯?¡±

    Audra, another nurse, spoke up hesitantly. ¡°Well, you know... Hana can be a bit... accident-prone.¡±

    ¡°More like a walking disaster,¡± Clara scoffed, rolling her eyes from her perch at the nurses¡¯ station, her words sharp enough to cut. ¡°Don¡¯t get me started with the panic attacks¡±

    ¡°Clara!¡± Audra shot Clara a reproachful look. ¡°That¡¯s a bit harsh, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Lia held up her hands, silencing the chatter. ¡°I wanted to thank her for her quick thinking today.¡±

    A hush fell over the group, followed by a flurry of whispers.

    Rowan leaned forward, his brow furrowed. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Lia¡¯s face softened, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. ¡°This morning, I had an emergency C-section. Shizumi was the one who recognized the urgency, called it in, and personally rushed the patient to the OB. That woman and her baby...¡±

    Lia¡¯s voice caught for a moment, ¡°They might not be here if it weren¡¯t for Shizumi¡¯s quick thinking. The patient¡¯s family wanted me to extend their appreciation to her.¡±

    The group fell silent, exchanging looks of surprise and, in some cases, embarrassment.

 Breathe for me

    Ren followed Hana into the supply closet, the small, sterile room providing a brief respite from the chaotic energy of the hospital. Hana away from the door, her back turned to him, her shoulders slumped.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi,¡± he began softly, his voice carrying through the quiet space. There was a moment of silence before she slowly turned to face him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, his voice sincere. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause you any trouble.¡±

    Hana shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s not you,¡± she managed to say. ¡°It¡¯s just... everything.¡±

    Ren stepped closer, his hand reaching out to touch her shoulder, but he hesitated, unsure of the boundaries between them.

    She finally looked up at him after a long while. Her eyes were red, and there was a vulnerability in her expression that tugged at his heartstrings. He did this to her. It was all his fault from the very beginning.

    All Hana wanted was to live a quiet and invisible life but all that was gone. She was the object of discussion again.

    ¡°The voices...I just want them to stop. Why¡­ won¡¯t they¡­ leave me alone?¡±

    Her hands were devoid of the gloves as she grabbed onto her hair. Pain¡­ anything to ground her to reality as she felt herself float into her subconscious.

    Ren¡¯s heart raced as he watched Hana¡¯s breathing become erratic, her eyes wide with panic.

    ¡°I...can¡¯t... breathe¡±.

    The sterile air of the supply closet suddenly felt thick and oppressive. Suddenly, she crouched to the ground, murmuring inaudibly to herself. He knew he had to act fast.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi¡± His voice called out but she didn¡¯t respond to him.

    ¡°Shizumi¡±

    Her lack of response was scaring him.

    ¡°Hana¡±, he shouted this time much louder. Her eyes, glassy with unshed tears, flickered to his face. Thank Goodness¡­

    ¡°Hana,¡± he said softly, his voice steady despite the worry clawing at his insides. ¡°Look at me. Focus on my voice.¡±

    Ren took a slow, exaggerated breath, encouraging her to follow his lead.

    ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he murmured. ¡°Breathe with me. In... and out.¡±

    Hana struggled to match his rhythm, her chest heaving. Ren cautiously reached out, his hand hovering near her arm, offering support without forcing contact.

    ¡°You¡¯re safe here,¡± he continued, his voice a soothing anchor. ¡°It¡¯s just us. No voices, no judgments. Just breathe.¡±

    Slowly, painfully slowly, Hana¡¯s breathing began to even out. Her fingers trembled as they brushed against Ren¡¯s, seeking comfort. He gently closed his hand around hers, a silent promise of support.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Hana whispered, her voice hoarse.

    A tear slipped down Hana¡¯s cheek, and without thinking, Ren reached up to brush it away. The tender gesture seemed to break something inside her, and suddenly she was crying in earnest, her body shaking with silent sobs.

    Acting on instinct, Ren pulled her into his arms. He half-expected her to push him away, but instead, she clung to him, burying her face in his chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ i¡¯m¡­ sorry¡±

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    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he murmured into her hair, one hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. ¡°I¡¯ve got you. You¡¯re safe. Don¡¯t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for.¡±

    Ren felt a pang of guilt. ¡°I never meant for any of this to happen. The rumors, the attention... I should have been more careful. I should have¡­¡±

    Hana clung tighter to him, the feeling of warmth was new and strange to her. She knew that it wasn¡¯t just Dr. Jenkins. It was... everything. Her past, present, the constant scrutiny. And now, it felt like she was drowning in expectations and whispers.

    He needed to fix this, somehow. But for now, all he wanted to do was hold her.

    ***************

    The whispers had started to quiet down over the past few days. She didn¡¯t know what Dr. Jenkins did or said, honestly she was a bit scared to know but as long as the talks were over, she was ready to put it all behind her and return to a sense of normalcy.

    If we excuse the fact that she has also been seeing less and less of Dr. Jenkins around.

    Hana felt her heart skip a beat as the trio of doctors approached the nurses¡¯ station. Her fingers fumbled with the chart she was holding, suddenly clumsy as she tried to appear busy and nonchalant.

    ¡°Good morning, everyone,¡± Dr. Rowan chirped his usual cheerful self. Dr. Lia offered a polite nod, her eyes sweeping over the station with practiced efficiency.

    And then there was Dr. Jenkins.

    Hana¡¯s gaze was drawn to him like a magnet, her breath catching in her throat. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Hana felt a flicker of... something. Reluctance? But as quickly as it came, it vanished. Dr. Jenkins gave her a curt nod, his face an unreadable mask, before turning away to discuss something with Dr. Rowan.

    The interaction, or lack thereof, sent a pang through Hana¡¯s chest. She busied herself with reorganizing files, trying to ignore the hollow feeling that was spreading inside her.

    ¡®This is what you wanted, isn¡¯t it?¡¯ she chided herself. ¡®No more gossip, no more whispers. Everything back to normal.¡¯

    But as she watched Dr. Jenkins from the corner of her eye, his tall frame moving with easy confidence as he conversed with his colleagues, Hana couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that ¡®normal¡¯ felt surprisingly empty.

    She remembered the warmth of his arms around her in the supply closet, the gentle timbre of his voice as he talked her through her panic attack.

    Hana shook her head, trying to dispel the confusing thoughts. This was ridiculous. Dr. Jenkins was... well, Dr. Jenkins. Brilliant, charismatic, worlds apart from her quiet existence. The idea that he might be avoiding her was absurd. And even if he was, wasn¡¯t that for the best? Hadn¡¯t she wanted to fade back into the background?

    And yet, as the doctors moved away, Hana found herself fighting the urge to call out to him. Instead, she clutched her chart tighter, her knuckles turning white as she watched him disappear down the corridor.

    She had wanted things to go back to normal, but now she was beginning to wonder: what exactly was ¡®normal¡¯ anymore? And why did it leave her feeling so... incomplete?

    *******************

    The trio came to a halt in a quiet corner of the hallway, the tension palpable in the air. Ren¡¯s shoulders were rigid, his jaw clenched as he tried to maintain his composure.

    Dr. Rowan¡¯s curiosity got the better of him. ¡°Can I ask?¡± he began, his voice tentative.

    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Ren cut him off sharply, his jaw tightening.

    Undeterred, Rowan pressed on. ¡°But...¡±

    Ren turned to Lia, exasperation evident in his voice. ¡°Tell your husband to stop being nosy, or else.¡±

    Lia shot Rowan a warning glance over her coffee cup, silently urging him to tread carefully. But Rowan, never one to heed such warnings, blurted out, ¡°I noticed that you have been avoiding Shizumi. There, I said it.¡±

    Lia sipped her coffee, her eyes darting between the two men, silently observing the brewing confrontation.

    Ren¡¯s voice was low, almost a growl. ¡°Mind your business.¡±

    ¡°You are my business,¡± Rowan countered, his tone softening slightly. ¡°I mean, you knew I was going to ask. You weren¡¯t exactly sly about it. It¡¯s quite obvious that you¡¯re avoiding her.¡± Turning to Lia, ¡°Am I right, pumpkin?¡±

    Lia cringed at the nickname but remained silent, her coffee cup a shield between her and the conversation.

    Ren¡¯s shoulders sagged, the fight draining out of him. He almost ran a hand through his hair. ¡°I¡¯m doing what¡¯s best for her,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°The less I interact with her, the better it is for her.¡±

    Rowan¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Well, does she know this?¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to,¡± Ren replied, a hint of bitterness in his voice. ¡°I¡¯ve caused her enough trouble as it is.¡±

    Lia finally broke her silence, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°She looked quite hurt back there.¡±

    For a moment, Ren¡¯s carefully constructed facade cracked. A flicker of pain crossed his face, raw and vulnerable. But as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, replaced by a mask of determination.

    ¡°It¡¯s not my intention,¡± he said, his voice strained. ¡°But this is the only way she won¡¯t be dragged into my crazy world.¡±

    The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Ren¡¯s eyes betrayed the conflict raging within him - the desire to protect Hana warring with the obvious ¡°fe of distancing himself from her.

    Rowan and Lia exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. They could see the toll this decision was taking on their friend, but they also recognized the stubborn set of his jaw. Ren had made up his mind.

 20. No Lies

    Hana walked down the hallway, juggling a basket of supplies as she headed to the wards. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, surprising her. She fumbled to grab it, nearly dropping the basket.

    A weird number flashed on the screen. Hana stared at it, her head leaning with the question to the side. Strange number? Something felt off. After a few seconds, she answered with a shaky, ¡°Hello?¡±

    A voice she didn¡¯t know asked, ¡°Is this Hana Shizumi?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± Hana replied, her voice small and uncertain.

    The stranger said something that made Hana¡¯s blood run cold. Then the line went dead. Hana froze in the middle of the hallway. The basket in her hand shook, the noise clinking audibly. But she didn¡¯t even notice.

    She stood there, phone still pressed to her ear, eyes wide and unfocused. She couldn¡¯t breathe right. The stranger¡¯s words kept playing in her head, over and over.

    As the shock started to wear off, a sick feeling settled in her stomach. Her arm dropped to her side, the phone falling to the floor with a clatter. She gripped the wall, the one thing stopping her from crashing to the floor.

    People bustled around her, some looking at her funny. She stood there, motionless but shaky, as hospital staff bustled around her, some shooting concerned glances her way. But Hana didn¡¯t see them. She was lost in her world, trying to make sense of what just happened.

    What just happened? What should she do? Her thoughts raced, but nothing made sense.

    She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to calm down. Breathe, just breathe, she told herself.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi, are you okay?¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes flew open, her heart leaping into her throat. She found herself staring into Dr. Lia¡¯s concerned face, now at eye level with her own.

    ¡°I... I...¡± Hana stammered, her voice barely a whisper. She realized she must¡¯ve slid down the wall without noticing.

    Dr. Lia¡¯s worried frown deepened. ¡°You¡¯re as white as a sheet. What happened?¡±

    Hana opened her mouth, but no words came out. How could she explain when she barely understood it herself? Her eyes darted around, taking in the basket in her lap, her fallen phone.

    ¡°I... got a call,¡± she managed, her voice shaky. ¡°They said¡­¡±

    Dr. Lia placed a gentle hand on Hana¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Maybe we should get you somewhere quieter?¡± Her eyes noticed the whispering nurses that passed them.

    Hana nodded weakly, grateful for the doctor¡¯s calm presence. As Dr. Lia helped her to her feet, Hana¡¯s mind raced. She should tell Dr. Jenkins about this. But¡­ she has been unable to even catch a glimpse of him these past few days. No. She can¡¯t tell him. She could just ignore the call.

    They reached an empty resting room, and Lia gently guided Hana to sit on the bed. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me what happened, okay?¡± Lia asked, her voice soft and reassuring.

    Hana took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.

    Lia noticed Hana¡¯s distress and reached into her pocket, pulling out the phone. ¡°Just a few scratches but it should work just fine,¡± she said, her voice gentle but firm.

    The device, now scratched and slightly damaged, was a physical reminder of the unsettling event. Hana took the phone, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and relief.

    ¡°Thank you, Dr. Lia¡± For a moment, she saw the strong woman that she could never be.

    ¡°It¡¯s no problem. I¡¯ll leave you to yourself now. It seems you need it.¡± Lia¡¯s face was etched with concern, her eyes filled with understanding.

    Just as Dr. Lia is about to leave, Hana took a deep breath, ¡°Mrs¡­ Jenkins¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Jenkins?¡± Lia repeated, her voice filled with concern. ¡°Do you mean Ren¡¯s mother?¡±

    Hana nodded, her voice barely a whisper. The thought of meeting Ren¡¯s mother, a woman she had only heard about in hushed tones, filled her with a mix of dread and curiosity.

    ¡°She wants to meet me,¡± Hana continued, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Alone.¡±

    Lia¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. The thought of Hana meeting Ren¡¯s mother alone filled her with unease. Mrs. Jenkins was a woman shrouded in mystery, her presence in Ren¡¯s life a subject rarely discussed. She knew only as much as Ren spoke about and it wasn¡¯t good.

    ¡°Hana, why would she want to meet you?¡± Lia asked, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°What did she say?¡±

    Hana shook her head, her expression a mixture of fear and confusion. ¡°She just said she wants to talk to me. Alone.¡±

    Lia¡¯s mind raced. Something was unsettling about this entire situation. She knew Hana was vulnerable, and the thought of her alone with Mrs. Jenkins filled her with dread.

    ¡°Hana,¡± Lia began, her voice filled with concern, ¡°I think we need to involve Ren in this. He knows his mother better than anyone. He can help protect you.¡±

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    ¡°No, please,¡± Hana says a bit louder than expected, as she shakes her head, her eyes wide with fear.

    ¡°Hana. It¡¯s about protecting¨C¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell Dr. Jenkins,¡± Hana whispered, her eyes filled with fear. ¡°Please.¡±

    Lia sighed, understanding the depth of Hana¡¯s fear. She knew she couldn¡¯t force Hana to do anything she didn¡¯t want to. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Hana nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. As Lia turned to leave, she paused and looked back at Hana. ¡°Be careful, Hana,¡± she said softly.

    With that, Lia closed the door, leaving Hana alone with her thoughts.

    ***********************

    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want me going with you?¡± Mira asked, perched on the edge of Hana¡¯s bed, watching the nervous girl wrestle with a particularly stubborn button.

    Hana paused, her fingers hovering over the button. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her face a mask of uncertainty. ¡°I can¡¯t do that, Mira. She wants me, alone.¡± Her voice was barely a whisper, a stark contrast to the usual confident tone.

    Mira sighed, her eyes filled with concern. ¡°You know, you could always cancel.¡± She offered the suggestion half-heartedly, knowing full well that Hana wouldn¡¯t.

    Hana managed a weak smile. She knew she could ignore it, but if they could find her number, Mrs. Jenkins showing up at the hospital was something she didn¡¯t want for herself and for, Dr. Jenkins. She finished buttoning her blouse and turned to face Mira.

    Mira raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, how do you feel out of ten?¡±

    ¡°Nervous: a thousand. Need to run away: multiply nervous times ten.¡± Hana grinned at her exaggeration, but the underlying worry was evident in her eyes.

    A chuckle escaped Mira¡¯s lips, but it sounded hollow in the tense atmosphere. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I dressed you to your slaughter,¡± she murmured, more to herself than to Hana.

    Mira rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, you¡¯re walking into a lion¡¯s den, and you¡¯re unarmed.¡± She paused, then added, ¡°Well, except for your killer outfit. That¡¯s something.¡±

    Hana couldn¡¯t help but laugh, a small sound that quickly faded into a nervous chuckle. ¡°I know, right?¡±

    ¡°Hana, do you really have to do this?¡±

    She adjusted the collar of her blazer, her hands trembling slightly. ¡°You¡¯re the one who told me always to face things head-on.¡±

    Mira¡¯s smile faltered. ¡°Not this kind of thing. These require running away. From what you told me about this lady, she isn¡¯t your typical lovely old lady.¡± She shuddered dramatically for effect.

    Hana rolled her eyes, but a flicker of fear danced in her own eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. ¡°I know, I know. But it has to be done.¡±

    Mira sighed, defeated. ¡°Fine, but promise you¡¯ll call me when you¡¯re out of there. If at any time you need to be out of there, call me.¡±

    Hana nodded solemnly. ¡°I promise.¡±

    ¡°Hana,¡± Mira restated with seriousness, ¡°Call me¡±

    *************************

    Jiro leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the financial report spread out before him. The soft hum of the restaurant provided a muted backdrop to the serious tone of the meeting. He prided himself in being about to run professional restaurants by day and a hot club by night.

    ¡°The stocks from the previous year have had a significant increase,¡± he began, his voice low and measured, ¡°and I might consider buying more for investment...¡±

    Mid-sentence, his phone buzzed, an interruption to the flow of the conversation. He glanced down at the screen, his brow furrowing slightly. A flicker of confusion crossed his face before he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. He turned his phone face down, locking the screen.

    ¡°As I was saying,¡± he continued, his voice steady, ¡°the potential returns...¡±

    Finally, the meeting drew to a close. Handshakes were exchanged, and pleasantries were shared. As Jiro exited the conference room, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a familiar silhouette. A woman, her back turned, was walking towards one of the private dining rooms. Something about her side profile when she turned, and the way she carried herself, sent a jolt of recognition through him.

    He watched as the door closed behind her, his mind questioning. What was she doing here?

    One look at the room number and he pulled out his phone, his thumb hovering over the contact he needed. With a decisive swipe, he initiated the call, his voice urgent as he waited for the other line to pick up.

    ¡°Pick up,¡± he muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on the closed door. The phone rang once, twice, before a familiar voice answered.

    ¡°This better be important. If not, I will be declining this call in 3, 2¨C¡± The voice on the other end sounded exhausted.

    Jiro grinned. ¡°You won¡¯t believe who I just saw, dear cousin.¡±

    Ren sighed in exasperation, already tired of Jiro¡¯s antics. ¡°Jiro¡­¡±

    Jiro ignored the sarcasm. ¡°I saw your shy nurse girlfriend. The one you brought to the party last time.¡±

    The line went silent for a moment, the only sound the soft hum of the restaurant. Jiro could almost visualize the gears turning in Ren¡¯s head.

    ¡°That sure caught your attention, right?¡± Jiro teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

    Ren¡¯s voice was suddenly sharp. ¡°We are just colleagues, Jiro.¡±

    Jiro chuckled. ¡°Yeah, right¡­ colleagues. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell anyone about your secret admirer.¡±

    Jiro continued, ¡°I¡¯m digressing. Anyways, I got a text that someone¡¯s mother was here at my restaurant and you can imagine my surprise when I saw your ¡®colleague¡¯ entering the room that I was told...¡±

    Ren jolted out of his office chair, his face a mask of shock and confusion. ¡°Send me the address right now.¡± He grabbed his keys and discarded his white coat in a flurry of movement.

    Jiro grinned. ¡°When I have done my job as the bearer of this news. I just sent you the address. Good luck, coz, you¡¯ll need it.¡± With that, he ended the call, a mischievous glint in his eye.

    Jiro leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. ¡°Ren, I told you that you couldn¡¯t avoid this. Well, I might as well sit back and watch this drama. Let me call my baby girl first.¡± He picked up the phone, his fingers hovering over another number.

    *********************

    Ren burst out of his office, his mind was racing. Anger, confusion, and worry were evident on his face. He collided with Lia and Rowan, who were just about to enter.

    ¡°Ren, wait! Why the rush, Ren?¡± Rowan asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

    Lia noticed Ren¡¯s disheveled appearance. ¡°Are you okay, Ren?¡± Her voice was laced with concern.

    Ren ignored their questions, his mind racing. ¡°I have to go. She is with Hana.¡± His voice was urgent, his eyes filled with a mix of worry and anger.

    Lia¡¯s grip tightened on Ren¡¯s arm, stopping him in his tracks. ¡°She?¡±

    Ren¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°My mother.¡±

    Lia¡¯s eyes widened in realization. A guilty ¡°oh, that¡± escaped her lips. Her hands slowly slipped from Ren¡¯s arm.

    Ren¡¯s anger flared. ¡°What do you mean by that? You knew? Did my mother put you up to this?¡± His voice was low and dangerous.

    Lia apologized profusely. ¡°No, no. Listen to me. I¡¯m so sorry, Ren. Nurse Shizumi told me not to tell you.¡±

    Ren¡¯s anger and his voice rising in pitch. ¡°You kept this from me, Lia?¡± His eyes were narrowed, his expression fierce.

    Lia¡¯s heart sank. She knew she had made a mistake. ¡°Shizumi told me that she would sort it out herself,¡± she explained, her voice trembling slightly.

    Ren scoffed. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. You don¡¯t know that woman like I do. You don¡¯t know what she is capable of. You should have told me, Lia.¡± He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his usually composed demour shattered.

    ¡°I have to go to her,¡± he declared, his voice final. With that, he turned and sprinted away, leaving Lia with Rowan in the hallway, the weight of her mistake heavy on her shoulders.

 21. Open Secret

    The room¡¯s silence became increasingly suffocating as Hana sat, stunned, Mrs. Jenkins¡¯ words still echoing in her mind. She struggled to make sense of it all when suddenly, a strong hand gripped her wrist, yanking her from her thoughts.

    ¡°Mother...¡± The voice was laced with brewing anger. Low, dangerous, barely containing his fury.

    Mrs. Jenkins calmly lifted her teacup, blowing gently on the steaming liquid. Her composure was a stark contrast to the tension crackling in the air. ¡°I¡¯ve taught you countless times about manners, Ren. Barging in is very rude. Not like you ever listen to me.¡±

    ¡°Cut the bullshit, Mother,¡± Ren snapped.

    ¡°Language!¡± For a split second, Mrs. Jenkins¡¯ polished facade cracked. She quickly regained her poise, turning to Hana with a practiced smile. ¡°Hana and I were just having a pleasant conversation. Isn¡¯t that right, Hana?¡±

    Hana looked from Mrs Jenkins to the man whose grip was getting tighter around her wrist. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to say a word.

    Ren¡¯s voice was tight with barely controlled anger. ¡°I told you not to bring her into this. This has nothing to do with her.¡±

    ¡°Ren, you brought her into this,¡± his mother countered, her smirk deadly. ¡°You should have known how this would turn out.¡±

    Ren know that he instigated it but he never knew it would turn out this way. It was undoubtedly his fault.

    A flicker of guilt crossed Ren¡¯s face, but it was quickly replaced by determination. ¡°Leave Hana out of it. This is the last time I will say this. Leave. Her. Out. Of. This.¡±

    Mrs. Jenkins¡¯ lips curved into a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t make promises.¡±

    The air between them sparked with unspoken threats and long-standing resentments. She wanted to speak, but fear kept her silent.

    Ren¡¯s grip on her wrist loosened slightly as if he¡¯d suddenly remembered she was there. His eyes met hers, filled with a mix of anger, worry, and regret. As her eyes glistened with unshed tears, he felt something break inside him.

    Whatever game the Jenkins family was playing, she was now an unwilling pawn. And judging by the look in Ren¡¯s eyes, things were about to get much, much worse.

    *******************************************

    The city lights blurred past as Ren¡¯s car sped through the night. The drive back to Hana¡¯s apartment was silent, deafening. Hana sat rigid in the passenger seat, sneaking glances at Ren¡¯s tense profile. Ren¡¯s knuckles tightened around the steering wheel, turning white in frustration.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me, Shizumi?¡±

    Ren¡¯s voice was so low and strained that Hana almost couldn¡¯t decipher what he said. Was he talking to her or himself?

    ¡°What if I didn¡¯t find out where you were?¡± he pressed on, his voice rising. ¡°Were you just going to keep it a secret forever?¡±

    He was talking to her. Hana¡¯s stomach churned with guilt. She should say something, and explain herself, but fear kept her silent. What could she possibly say to make this right?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Dr. Jenkins,¡± she finally whispered, her voice small and trembling. She bowed her head, looking down at her shaky gloved hands.

    Ren let out a frustrated growl, running a hand roughly through his hair. Without warning, he yanked the steering wheel, pulling the car over to the side of the road. The sudden stop jolted Hana forward, her heart racing.

    ¡°Hana, for the love of God, don¡¯t try to use an apology to avoid this,¡± Ren snapped, his voice climbing in volume and intensity. He turned to face her, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and something that looked almost like hurt.

    Hana flinched, shrinking into herself. Tears pricked the sides of Hana¡¯s eyes. As much as she wanted to blame him, which she should, she had a part to play in this too. She knew that Dr. Jenkins and his mother weren¡¯t on good terms and she went without telling him, expecting that he wouldn¡¯t find out one way or the other.

    Ren¡¯s eyes softened for a moment before frustration took over again. ¡°Did you really think you could meet her behind my back and I wouldn¡¯t know? This is my mother we¡¯re talking about, Hana. She has eyes and ears everywhere. When I saw how she looked at you, how she treated you, I panicked. I thought if I distanced myself, she¡¯d leave you alone.¡±

    He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more. ¡°I don¡¯t want you getting involved in this. She already wants to control every aspect of my life, and I can¡¯t... I won¡¯t let her make you a target too.¡±

    Hana could hear the pain in his voice, and see the worry etched on his face. It made her feel even worse about her decision.

    ¡°God, I don¡¯t want that,¡± Ren continued, his voice quieter now. ¡°I accept that it¡¯s my fault all this started, but Hana, you shouldn¡¯t have met her. You should not have.¡±

    The last words came out almost like a plea. Hana felt a tear escape, rolling down her cheek.

    Hana¡¯s words tumbled out in a rush, her voice cracking with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she finally let out everything she¡¯d been holding in.

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°I¡¯m... sorry,¡± she choked out. ¡°I know it was stupid. I¡¯m... stupid. I was scared.¡± Her hands trembled in her lap as she continued, ¡°She told me not to tell anyone. I didn¡¯t want to bother you because... and you¡¯ve been avoiding me. I don¡¯t know. I couldn¡¯t get to... you.¡±

    Ren¡¯s expression softened as he watched her break down. The anger in his eyes gave way to concern and guilt. He took a deep breath, clearly trying to calm himself.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she whispered. ¡°I didn¡¯t understand... I still don¡¯t understand what¡¯s really going on.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want her to come to the hospital,¡± Hana went on, her words becoming more frantic. ¡°She said if I didn¡¯t come... I just didn¡¯t know what to do. I didn¡¯t think right. I¡¯m sorry. You were so far away. I¡¯m... sorr¡ª¡±

    In a split second, before Hana could register that her mouth had stopped moving, a pair of arms pulled her into an embrace. She felt herself instinctively freeze, expecting the flood of memories. Instead, the warmth of Dr. Ren Jenkins¡¯ body collided with hers. She was in his arms, literally.

    Slowly, hesitantly, she leaned into the embrace, letting her tears flow freely. Crying into someone¡¯s shoulder was something she had never had the privilege of doing. So, she held onto him and cried while murmuring apologies.

    ¡°No... Hana, I¡¯m sorry. This... all this is my fault.¡± His voice cracked in between words.

    Ren¡¯s fingers continued to stroke her hair, each gentle touch a silent apology.

    Ren knew that he had done so much to hurt her. The days he spent avoiding her hurt her as much as it hurt him. The moments he stole unseen glances at her as she worked in the nurses¡¯ station or when he intentionally walked by her in the hallway without casting a look at her. He thought pushing her away was the only way to get his mother¡¯s eyes from Hana.

    But now, with Hana in his arms, the weight of his actions crashed down on him. Her tears soaked through his scrubs, each sob a reminder of the pain he¡¯d caused.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he repeated, softer this time. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have avoided you. I thought... I thought I was protecting you by staying away. But I just made things worse, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    The rhetorical question lingered in the air without an answer.

    *******************************

    ¡°Miss Aki, your..ehm,¡± there was a disruption in the background of the caller, ¡°..guest is here to see you¡±

    Mira rolled her eyes as she recognized the voice of the ¡®distraction¡¯ in the background. ¡°Put it on speaker phone,¡± she instructed, her tone laced with a mix of annoyance and resignation.

    The sound of the keyboard clicking filled the silence for a moment before Mira started talking. ¡°Kindly tell the ¡®guest¡¯ to get lost because I am not in the mood for his games. Normal people would be busy with their work at a time like this.¡±

    A chuckle sounded from the other end of the line. ¡°Well then, tell your boss that I need to see them to function properly, and now, I will be making my way into their office.¡±

    Mira¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°He mustn¡¯t enter my office.¡±

    ¡°Too late. Toodles, love.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Jen...¡°, the secretary tried stopping the man, ¡°...kins. These two lovebirds. God, I need a raise.¡±

    Mira sighed, her frustration evident. She knew she had no choice but to face the inevitable. She glanced at her desk, her work half-finished. Great. Just great.

    A few knocks and no verbal response to ¡®come in¡¯ later, the male strutted into the office like he owned the place, quite familiar with the layout. He leaned against the wall in silence, staring directly at the lady across from him.

    ¡°Can you please not bother me for one minute?¡± Mira sighed, her voice lowering slightly. Only one person had the guts to walk into her office like they owned the place.

    ¡°But I love bothering you,¡± Jiro replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°It is my sole purpose in life. You are my only reason to live, breathe, and be a nuisance.¡±

    Mira rolled her eyes, her frustration evident. ¡°JJ, I really don¡¯t have time for this today. I have two clients that are trying to withdraw from purchasing high-value artworks and I have been trying to persuade them all day.¡±

    Jiro could clearly see the lines of frustration gathering across her forehead. He pushed off the wall cabinet and took long strides toward her. Getting close to her, he leaned in and pried her glasses off her face.

    Mira¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she instinctively reached for her glasses. But Jiro was quicker, holding them just out of her reach. Seeing that she couldn¡¯t physically fight him on this, she resigned to a grumbling pout.

    ¡°You know my offer still stands,¡± Jiro said, his voice soft and seductive. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry yourself with all these. I can take care of you, princess.¡±

    Mira¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°And I stand by mine,¡± she replied firmly. ¡°Jiro, I will not be a bimbo that relies on you for everything.¡±

    Jiro chuckled. ¡°I know, I know. I know how much you love your job and how hard you fought for this position. And guess what?¡±

    Mira rolled her eyes, hiding her curiosity. ¡°What now?¡±

    He nuzzles an Eskimo kiss on her nose with his. ¡°I love you for that.¡±

    Following each word, he planted a kiss on her lips. ¡°Your resilience, persistence, zeal... and anger issues.¡±

    Mira smacked his chest playfully, her anger melting away. ¡°I hate you. I should punch you for calling me princess.¡±

    Jiro laughed. ¡°I know.¡± He planted another kiss on her head. ¡°But you love it.¡±

    Mira rolled her eyes, but a smile crept onto her face.

    If this lasted longer, she wouldn¡¯t get any work done. Hiding her reluctance, she pushed him away. ¡°I have to work now. You have to leave. I can¡¯t work with you here.¡±

    Jiro sighed, his playful demeanor fading. ¡°Wait, wait...¡±

    ¡°What is it this time, JJ?¡± Mira asked, her patience wearing thin.

    ¡°I¡¯m forgetting something,¡± Jiro replied, his brow furrowed in concentration.

    Mira rolled her eyes. ¡°Your self-control, probably?¡±

    Jiro shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s something important. I¡¯m serious.¡±

    Mira hesitated, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Alright, what is it? Speak fast and leave my office¡±

    ¡°I saw a little somebody today that we both know,¡± Jiro said, a mischievous glint in his eye.

    Mira¡¯s eyebrows raised. ¡°Who? Hana?¡±

    ¡°Ding! Ding! Ding! And we have a winner!¡± Jiro exclaimed, grinning.

    Mira chuckled. ¡°Oh, yeah.¡±

    ¡°Is that all you¡¯re going to say? Oh?¡± Jiro feigned offense, his tone playful. Then it dawned on him why there was a lack of excitement. ¡°You knew already? You knew and didn¡¯t tell me!¡±

    Mira shrugged, her expression nonchalant.

    ¡°Calm down. Yes, I knew and I figured you would too since you told me about the meeting you were going to have at the restaurant. That¡¯s why I even let her go there in the first place. It was crazy that she accepted going to see your aunt alone. I know that one way or another, you would find out that she was there.¡±

    Jiro ran a hand across his hair, tidying it up. ¡°You could have told me. I found out while I was in the middle of a meeting. So, I couldn¡¯t do much. I called Ren to settle it.¡±

    Mira nodded, her expression understanding. ¡°I figured you would. Now, would that be all?¡±

    Jiro hesitated for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Fine, fine. I¡¯m leaving. See you tonight?¡±

    Mira smiled. ¡°If I¡¯m there, you¡¯ll see me.¡±

    Jiro grinned, his mood brightening. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, his hand lingering on her shoulder. ¡°I can¡¯t wait.¡±

    As Jiro turned to leave, Mira called out to him. ¡°Hey, JJ?¡±

    Jiro turned around, a question mark in his eyes.

    ¡°Close the door behind you,¡± Mira said, her voice a playful tease.

    Jiro rolled his eyes but complied. He turned back to the door and closed it with a satisfying click. As he walked away, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. Mira was one of a kind.

 22. Coin Sides

    The ER buzzed with activity as the trauma cases rolled in.

    ¡°Trauma to Bay 5! Assistance needed in Bay 4!¡± The overhead intercom rang out with instructions.

    Dr. Ren Jenkins barked out orders, his quick steps matching his words. ¡°Rowan, I¡¯ll take 5. You take 4.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Jenkins,¡± Dr. Rowan replied, already moving.

    Ren continued delegating, ¡°Clara, Tee, you¡¯re with Rowan.¡±

    The redhead shot out of her seat with a big smile at the sound of her name. ¡°You are with Rowan¡±. Her smile faltered a bit.

    He turned to the others, ¡°Julie, Shizumi, come with me.¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes widened at the sound of her name, but she quickly composed herself and fell in line behind Dr. Jenkins. Rowan, noticing this unexpected pairing, couldn¡¯t help but smirk.

    ¡°Rowan, move it!¡± Ren¡¯s sharp command snapped him back to focus.

    With a quick laugh, he led his team to the trauma station.

    The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity.

    ***********************

    As the surgery concluded successfully, Ren found himself at the scrub sink, mechanically washing his hands long after they were clean. His mind oscillated between the just concluded delicate surgery in comparison to the chaos that was his life.

    Footsteps pulled him out of his thoughts as two nurses dressed in blue scrubs passed behind him, stretching their muscles while having small talks. His eyes lingered on the shorter nurse, gathering the courage to speak to her.

    He was never one to shy away from confrontation but found himself hesitating to talk to her.

    ¡°Good work today,¡± he said, wiping his hands clean of water.

    Audra responded politely, ¡°Thank you, Dr. Jenkins.¡±

    ¡°Shizumi, a moment please.¡±

    The two stopped, sharing a look of shock. Audra gave Hana a gentle smile that showed that she was okay going ahead alone.

    The two of them stood awkwardly in silence. Hana wiped her hand nervously on the sides of her pants, biting on her lips. She was a bundle of nerves in his presence and Ren was finding it hard to hide his hands running through his hair.

    Realizing that where they stood was not the best place for a long conversation, Ren went straight to the point. It was now or never. ¡°When does your shift end?¡±

    Hana was so focused on the silence that she missed the words that came out of his mouth. ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°Your shift, Shizumi. When does it end?¡±

    ¡°Shift¡­ Shift¡­ Hmm¡­¡± She looked up in the air trying to remember. ¡°9 pm?¡±

    ¡°9 pm. Okay. I should be rounding up also around that time. Wait for me in front of my office.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Oh¡­ okay,¡± Hana replied, her voice a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

    As Hana walked away, her mind raced. What could Dr. Jenkins want to discuss? Was it about their earlier moment, or something entirely professional?

    Professional, who was she kidding? Dr. Jenkins wasn¡¯t going to consult with an intern after work hours. Even if it was for consultation, there were more qualified nurses¡­ not a recipe for disaster, like her.

    Ever since that night, she has barely said one word to him outside of work. Would she say she has been avoiding him?

    Not technically, she just tries not to be in his sight of view, if she can help it. The hours until 9 pm suddenly seemed both interminably long and alarmingly short.

    Ren watched her go, a complex mix of emotions playing across his usually stoic face. He had taken the first step, but what would come next?

    He has never been good at talking or making it up to people and one person has him ready to do both. As he turned back to his duties, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of anticipation, tinged with nervousness, about their upcoming meeting.

    ***************************

    Time trickled slower than normal and before long, Hana stood nervously in front of Dr. Jenkins¡¯s door. A glance at her watch showed that a few minutes had just passed 9 pm. Maybe he was running a little late. She was just early; he would be here soon¡­

    Luckily for her, no one was parading the hall of the doctors at that time of the night, given that they were either off-duty or in the wards or surgery. Hana decided that before her legs got tired from standing and failed to support her weight, she could just sit on the ground for a while. Just a while¡­

    As she settled onto the cool floor, her back against the wall next to Dr. Jenkins¡¯s office door, Hana¡¯s mind wandered. The day¡¯s events played on a loop in her head - the unexpected embrace, the quiet moment during surgery, and now this mysterious meeting. What did it all mean?

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    Minutes ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. Hana¡¯s eyelids grew heavy, the fatigue of her shift finally catching up with her. She told herself she¡¯d rest her eyes for just a moment...

    Footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder as they approached. Dr. Ren Jenkins rounded the corner, his pace slowing to a stop as he spotted Hana sitting on the floor, her head tilted to one side in sleep, leaning on his door frame.

    For a moment, he stood there, taking in the sight of the usually guarded nurse looking so vulnerable. He is reminded of the night she fell asleep on his couch. He had always caught her sleeping in the strangest of situations.

    A mix of guilt and something softer washed over him. He¡¯d kept her waiting and after such a long shift, at that.

    He was supposed to be there by 9 pm but an emergency came in at the last minute. One that decided to take more than he expected. The reservation he made was long gone, the plans ruined. What a night¡­

    Quietly, he approached. ¡°Nurse Shizumi,¡± he called softly, not wanting to startle her.

    Hana¡¯s eyes fluttered open, confusion quickly replaced by embarrassment as she realized where she was and who was standing before her. She scrambled to her feet, smoothing down her jean pants.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins, I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡±

    Ren held up a hand, cutting off her apology. ¡°No, I¡¯m the one who should apologize. I kept you waiting.¡±

    An awkward silence fell between them, both acutely aware of the empty hallway and the late hour. Hana noticed that Dr. Jenkins had changed out of his scrubs into his typical semi-formal wear of a button-up shirt tucked into black tailored pants.

    Finally, Ren cleared his throat. ¡°An emergency came up. I apologize for coming late.¡±

    Hana blinked, pushing down her disappointment. A glance at her wristwatch showed that it was a few minutes past midnight. The last train was already gone for the night, she would have to take a taxi back home.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Dr. Jenkins. I¡­ I should go now.¡±

    Grabbing the arm of her bag, Hana bowed goodbye and turned away. Ren quickly reach out to her, stopping her with a grab of his hand,

    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Both eyes drop to the contact of their hands.

    Ren releases it quickly at the realization, ¡°I¡¯ll drop you off¡±

    At Ren¡¯s word, a flashback from the hug they shared the last time Hana was in his car flooded her mind.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins, you don¡¯t need to¨C¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my fault that you had to wait over three hours. Also, there are no buses and trains active at this time. Shizumi, let me take you home. Please¡±

    Hana hesitated. Being in the same space with him made her feel nervous. Despite all that had transpired between them, she found herself drawn to him. But she couldn¡¯t. She didn¡¯t deserve it.

    Ren sighed softly, running a hand through his hair. He was acutely aware of the line he was toeing, and the professional boundaries he was pushing. Yet, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to let her leave alone at this hour.

    ¡°It¡¯s not an imposition,¡± he said, his voice gentler than usual. ¡°It¡¯s the least I can do after keeping you waiting.¡±

    Hana¡¯s fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag. She knew she should refuse, and maintain that professional distance. But the memory of their embrace, the comfort she¡¯d found in his arms, made her hesitate.

    ¡°Alright,¡± she finally conceded, her voice barely above a whisper.

    ***********************************

    The ride to Hana¡¯s place went faster than Ren wanted. Just being in the same space with her brought him comfort. The guilt of disappointing her tonight remained but she said it was fine.

    ¡°Thank you for the ride, Dr. Jenkins. I should go now.¡±

    ¡°Definitely. Have a good night, Hana¡­ I mean Shizumi.¡±

    Hana came out of the car and gave a small smile, bowing to him before he drove off. Suddenly from a distance, Hana could hear her name being shouted at an alarming volume.

    ¡°Hana! Hannaaa!¡±

    Mira ran animatedly to Hana, stopping herself from hugging her and resorting to just grabbing her sleeve.

    ¡°Mira, keep it down!¡±

    ¡°You are late today. I thought your shift ended at 9. Oh! Who was that? Was that¡­ ¡°, Mira gasped. ¡°Dr. Sexy Voice Jenkins?¡±

    ¡°Mira, shush!¡±

    Ren could see from the rear-view mirror, an embarrassed Hana trying to stop a hyper Mira from waving at his car as he drove off.

    A small smile tugged at Ren¡¯s lips as he watched the scene unfold in his mirror. The sight of Hana, usually so reserved, now flustered and animated with her friend, stirred something in him. It was a side of her he rarely saw at the hospital, and he found himself wishing he could see more of it.

    As he drove away, Ren¡¯s mind wandered back to their brief interaction in the car. The way Hana had tensed when he accidentally called her by her first name, the quiet ¡°thank you¡± she¡¯d offered, the small smile she¡¯d given him before leaving - each moment replayed in his mind.

    He knew pushing her away failed but letting her get too close was risky, on the potential complications with his family and their work situation. But in the quiet of his car, with the memory of Hana¡¯s presence still lingering, Ren found it increasingly difficult to deny the growing warmth in his chest.

    Meanwhile, Hana was dealing with an excited Mira, trying to hush her friend¡¯s enthusiastic questioning.

    ¡°Mira, please, it¡¯s not what you think. Dr. Jenkins was just giving me a ride home because I missed the last train.¡±

    ¡°Oh? And why did you miss the last train, Hana?¡± Mira wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

    Hana sighed, her cheeks flushing slightly. ¡°There was an emergency at the hospital. It¡¯s nothing, really.¡±

    But even as she said it, Hana couldn¡¯t help but recall the gentle way Ren had insisted on driving her home, the concern in his voice when he¡¯d found her asleep outside his office. She pushed these thoughts away, reminding herself that she had no right to read too much into his actions. Hana decided to divert the attention from herself,

    ¡°Why are you out here so late too?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ ehm¡­ had an after-work engagement¡±

    Hana knew that hesitation in Mira¡¯s book meant she was hiding something, coupled with the fact that Mira¡¯s hands instantly went to playing with her ear''s lobes.

    ¡°You have your secrets, that¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°Hana, I¡­ I¡¯ll tell you about it but not now, bunny.¡±

    ¡°Mira, it¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll wait.¡±

    As they walked towards their apartment, Mira linked her arm with Hana¡¯s, her voice softening. ¡°You know, it¡¯s okay to let yourself feel something, Hana. You deserve happiness too.¡±

    Hana remained silent, mulling over Mira¡¯s words. She sensed there was more to her friend¡¯s late-night ¡°engagement¡± than Mira was letting on, but she respected her friend¡¯s privacy. After all, Hana had her own complicated feelings she wasn¡¯t ready to share.

    As they entered their apartment, Hana¡¯s mind drifted back to Dr. Jenkins - Ren. Hana felt a small flutter in her chest - a feeling she both welcomed and feared. Was she having special feelings for Dr. Jenkins? She quickly shook these thoughts away, reminding herself of their situation.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower,¡± Hana said softly, needing a moment alone with her thoughts.

    ¡°Okay, bunny. I¡¯ll make us some tea,¡± Mira replied, her tone unusually subdued.

    In the bathroom, Hana leaned against the closed door, closing her eyes. Mira¡¯s words echoed in her mind: ¡°You deserve happiness too.¡± Did she? She had secrets that could ruin her life if they got out. She doesn¡¯t deserve happiness. She was a freak who couldn¡¯t touch a person with her bare hand without almost losing her mind.

    Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Mira busied herself with making tea, her own thoughts in turmoil. She felt guilty for keeping secrets from Hana, but she wasn¡¯t ready to share her developing¡­ developed situation just yet. She hoped that by encouraging Hana to open up, she might find the courage to do the same.

    She loved Jiro and he said he loved her, but for how long¡­ Life has never gone perfectly for her and these days have been too perfect. Her love life, work¡­ health. Just the thought of everything crumbling down weighed on the back of her mind.

    As the kettle whistled, Mira made a silent promise to herself. For now, she would be there for Hana, supporting her friend¡¯s tentative steps towards happiness, while gathering the courage to confront her feelings.

 23. Coffee ID

    The situation of the room was like a tornado had gone through it. Clothes, books, and everything was everywhere as Hana searched frantically.

    ¡°Mira, have you seen my hospital ID?¡± she yelled from a distance, her voice filled with panic.

    Mira peeped through the open door, her eyes widening in awe at the state of the room. ¡°ID? No. Isn¡¯t it always in your bag?¡±

    Hana¡¯s voice was starting to quiver as she held back tears while flipping through her textbooks. ¡°It¡¯s not here, Mira. Please help me search for it.¡±

    ¡°Hana, I¡¯m searching,¡± Mira replied, her voice soothing. ¡°Where was the last place you left it?¡±

    Mira got on her knees and started searching under the bed and bedside table for any sign of the card.

    ¡°It was in my bag last night after I used it to clock out of my shift. I¡¯m sure I put it there,¡± Hana said, her voice filled with confusion.

    Hana dropped her now-empty bag on the bed and held her hair in frustration. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I lost it. That is such a stupid thing. I lost it. Why am I like this? I might never get it back. I don¡¯t even know if they make seconds.¡±

    ¡°Hana! You are panicking,¡± Mira said, her voice firm. ¡°I need you to calm down for me, okay? Can you do that for me?¡±

    Hana nodded her head silently, her breathing slowing.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t intentionally lose it,¡± Mira continued. ¡°It might have dropped somewhere. Someone will find it and bring it to the hospital. And... and if not, you can get a new one. Hana, it¡¯s not your fault, okay?¡±

    Hana nodded again, a small flicker of hope returning to her eyes.

    ¡°Good. Now Hana, not to sound heartless or anything, but you have roughly...¡± Mira quickly checked the clock, ¡°...10 minutes to catch your bus.¡±

    Hana¡¯s head whipped towards the clock, her eyes widening in alarm. She rushed to put her stuff back into her tossed-aside bag, her movements frantic. ¡°I¡¯m late! Mira, I have to go. Have a great day. Bye!¡±

    Mira shook her head at the sudden change of emotions that Hana displayed. She had learned over the years how to divert Hana¡¯s emotions, and she was proud to say that she had been quite successful all the time, most of the time.

    As Hana rushed out the door, Mira couldn¡¯t help but worry. She knew how much Hana valued her job and how losing her ID would affect her. Mira made a mental note to thoroughly search the apartment later, just in case.

    Meanwhile, Hana barely made it to the bus stop, her mind racing with thoughts of her lost ID and the potential consequences. As she settled into her seat, she tried to calm herself, taking deep breaths as Mira had taught her.

    As Hana got to the nurses¡¯ changing room, Audra and Clara were already there, chatting casually.

    ¡°Good morning,¡± they both said in unison.

    ¡°Morning,¡± Hana replied, putting her things together into her locker.

    Audra pointed out, gesturing to Hana¡¯s scrub¡¯s neckline, ¡°Where is your ID?¡±

    Hana paused, her heart sinking. ¡°I... I... misplaced it, last night,¡± she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

    ¡°You have to see HR concerning it. You know to get a new one,¡± Audra suggested genuinely.

    Clara scoffed under her breath. ¡°Not surprised.¡±

    Audra glared at Clara. ¡°Clara!¡±

    Clara ignored her, her gaze fixed on Hana. ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t lying¡±

    Hana stood frozen, Clara¡¯s words stinging more than she cared to admit. She tried to push down the familiar feeling of inadequacy that threatened to overwhelm her.

    Audra approached Hana, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t mind her. These things happen to everyone.

    ¡°I should go get ready for rounds now.¡± She turned and left the changing room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

    Just then, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from an unknown number:

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi, this is Dr. Jenkins. I found your hospital ID in my car this morning. It must have fallen out of your bag last night.¡±

    Hana¡¯s heart skipped a beat, relief washing over her. But as the initial wave of calm subsided, a new anxiety took its place.

    As the overhead announcement went off, Hana¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Relief at finding her ID, nervousness about seeing Dr. Jenkins, and a small, persistent flutter in her chest that she couldn¡¯t quite name.

    She typed out a quick reply: ¡°Thank you, Dr. Jenkins. I appreciate your help.¡±

    Then, almost as an afterthought, she added: ¡°I¡¯m glad it was you who found it.¡±

    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    Her finger hovered over the send button for a moment before she quickly deleted the second message. Too personal, too revealing. She sent only the first line, then closed her phone, keeping it away.

    ************************************

    Dr. Rowan strutted to the nurse¡¯s station with cups of coffee in cardboard cup holders. Following him with their cups were Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Lia.

    ¡°Hello! Hello! My front-line warrior princesses...¡± Nurse Tee appeared from behind the desk, her voice filled with enthusiasm. ¡°...and prince. I come bearing coffee!¡±

    Cheers from the nurses echoed across the ER, each of them taking a cup for themselves.

    ¡°Do I or do I not deserve the Doctor of the Year award?¡± Dr. Rowan stated rather proudly, his chest puffed out.

    Nurse Tee chuckled. ¡°Oh, you do, Dr. Rowan. You do. By bribing.¡±

    ¡°I mean if the bribes are in the form of coffee, I do not mind,¡± Audra said while picking a cup for herself.

    ¡°You see, I told you it would work,¡± Rowan turned to Lia who was busy with her cup of coffee.

    Rowan noticed a lone someone at the supply shelf. ¡°Shizumi, come get a cup of coffee, and hey, vote for me. I¡¯m running for president of the ER department. Jenkins, watch your back.¡±

    Ren rolled his eyes, ignoring Rowan¡¯s playful banter.

    ¡°Just ignore him, Hana. Come get some coffee...¡± Lia scanned the table for a spare cup for Hana and noticed that she and Ren had one cup each left. An idea struck her. ¡°Ren, you have an extra one. Give it to Shizumi.¡±

    Hana hesitated, her gaze meeting Ren¡¯s.

    ¡°But Lia, you still have...¡±

    Lia elbowed him in the side to get him to shut up, giving him eye signals to read the room and understand her plan.

    ¡°Oh yeah, you still have... the cup for me to drink,¡± Dr. Rowan¡¯s words jumbled as he tried to save the conversation.

    He gave her a ¡°nailed it¡± wink. Lia rolled her eyes with a sigh.

    Ren took the cup box and went over to Hana¡¯s side of the room, his free hand stuffed in his pocket.

    ¡°Don¡¯t lose it... again,¡± Ren cleared his throat, sliding the box over to Hana from across the table.

    A mocking laugh covered with a cough could be heard from the section of nurses.

    Hana looked from the cup to Dr. Ren, who was looking away from her. Unseen to others, in one of the empty cup holders was her ID card. Her cheeks went pink, her hands going up to fiddle with her necklace.

    ¡°Jenkins, you should try to be nicer to Shizumi here,¡± Lia said, her voice firm. ¡°I¡¯m not saying you should be like me, I¡¯m too perfect. But you know, be nicer, you have the poor girl embarrassed.¡±

    ¡°What am I missing?¡± Lia questioned inquisitively.

    Julie answered, ¡°Nurse Shizumi misplaced her ID card.¡±

    With a concerned look, Lia asked, ¡°Oh! Hana, have you met HR concerning that?¡±

    Hana was still dazed as she stuttered, ¡°Hm? HR... Oh! It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t need to...¡± she said the last part under her breath. ¡°Anymore.¡± She touched her cheeks with the back of one hand while pulling the cup to herself.

    Ren cleared his throat, ¡°We should start going for our rounds now.¡±

    ¡°But...¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Rowan,¡± Lia pulled Rowan by his elbow, seeing as Ren had already walked ahead.

    As she took a sip of her coffee, she felt a warmth spread through her, a comforting sensation that chased away the lingering chill of the morning.

    The bustling room slowly emptied as the staff dispersed for their rounds, leaving Hana alone with her thoughts and the cup that held more than just coffee. She carefully extracted her ID from the cup holder, her fingers brushing against the smooth plastic. Dr. Jenkins¡¯ gesture, while outwardly brusque, held a gentleness that touched her deeply.

    As she clipped the ID to her scrubs, Hana couldn¡¯t help but replay the scene in her mind. Dr. Jenkins¡¯ averted gaze, his gruff words masking a kind act... It was all so overwhelming.

    She took another sip of coffee, savoring the warmth and the faint hint of vanilla. Was it a coincidence that hers was different from the other? She was sure that everyone else¡¯s own was either black or decaf.

    Suddenly, Julie¡¯s voice broke through her reverie. ¡°Hana? Ward 204 needs their IV changed.¡±

    Hana nodded, quickly gathering her composure. ¡°Right, of course.¡±

    As they walked towards the room, Julie gave Hana a sidelong glance. ¡°You know, for someone who just got told off by Dr. Jenkins, you look awfully... content.¡±

    Hana felt her cheeks warm again. ¡°It¡¯s... it¡¯s just the coffee,¡± she mumbled, avoiding Julie¡¯s gaze.

    Julie raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.

    ***********************************************

    Ren backed into the parking lot of his apartment complex, the familiar surroundings offering a sense of comfort. As he leaned into the back seat to get his bags and coat, he saw a card on the passenger¡¯s seat.

    He picked up the card and turned to see what details were on it. His eyes widened as he saw Hana¡¯s face and name written boldly on the card: ¡°Shizumi Lumi Hana¡±

    Lumi... The name lingered on his lips as he said it over and over. There was a form of familiarity, a spark of recognition that ignited within him. But he shook it out of his head, dismissing it as a fleeting thought.

    He laid the card on his dining table and headed to the shower. The name and face stuck in his head, replaying like a broken record. A smile made its way to his face as his mind went back to catch a glimpse of her carefree self, restraining her hyper-best friend. Only if she could let that guard down with him... but all he got was distance.

    Shutting off the shower and getting into his night clothes, a small towel rested on his damp hair as he fiddled with his phone. His fingers hovered around the number on his screen.

    He felt a bit guilty for taking her number without her permission after the night at Gracie''s, but he didn¡¯t regret it. He didn¡¯t know how she would react if he asked her outrightly, she was far too drunk to even remember her whereabouts that night she cried into his shirt.

    After a long debate with himself, Ren tossed his phone to the side and fell backward into his bed in defeat.

    ¡°I can¡¯t do this tonight,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°I¡¯ll just give it to her tomorrow.¡±

    For some reason, that conclusion made a bit of sense in his head, or not.

    ************************************

    As Ren sat in front of his hospital desk, he found himself back in a familiar position, as he was the previous night. His phone was in his hand, Hana¡¯s contact was on his screen, but this time he had progressed to constructing a somewhat coherent message to send.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi, this is Dr. Jenkins. I found your hospital ID in my car this morning. It must have fallen out of your bag last night.¡±

    However, he debated with himself whether to send it or not. His fingers hovered over the send button, his mind racing with thoughts of how she might react.

    Just then, the door of his office burst open, startling him as he accidentally pressed the send button.

    ¡°Rowan, can¡¯t you come in like a civil human being?¡± Ren snapped, his voice laced with annoyance.

    ¡°Well, too bad,¡± Rowan replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I¡¯m going to get coffee, wanna join?¡±

    ¡°No. Now leave me be,¡± Ren said, his tone firm.

    ¡°That¡¯s a bummer,¡± Rowan said, undeterred. ¡°I wanted to get coffee for the nurses too. Oh well, enjoy your brooding morning.¡±

    Something clicked in Ren¡¯s head. Promptly, he was out of his seat, taking off his coat.

    ¡°Wait, I need a cup too,¡± Ren said, his voice filled with newfound enthusiasm. ¡°I¡¯ll come with you.¡±

    Rowan was confused for a moment but brushed it aside quickly. ¡°Oh... kay. Let¡¯s stop by Lia¡¯s before we head out. I need all the hands I can borrow.¡±

    Ren nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.

 24. Guards Down

    ¡°Thank... you for yesterday, the ID. I¡¯m sorry for the trouble if it caused you any trouble¡±

    A day had gone by and Hana was finally able to give him the appreciation he deserved. Not because of her reservation but she just couldn¡¯t find the right time and/or place.

    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all. Just be more careful where you leave it next time.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Doctor Jenkins.¡± Hana hid something behind her hands, which didn¡¯t go unnoticed by the man before her.

    ¡°What is it that you are trying to hide, Nurse Shizumi?¡± A hint of amusement laced in.

    Hana stuttered. She realized that she had been caught and there was no point in lying. She brought forward the coffee box and stretched it towards him, avoiding his eyes.

    He looked at it for a few seconds in confusion before grabbing the box, his fingers accidentally touched Hana¡¯s gloved hands. He noticed the slight shiver in her hand, her hands quickly backing away.

    ¡°Why are you giving me this?¡± He tried to keep his voice professional.

    ¡°As thank...you¡±

    ¡°For returning your ID? That hardly warrants giving me coffee¡± A hint of a smile threatened to show on his face at her sweetness.

    ¡°I thought it was gone for a moment.¡± She finally looked up at him, meeting his eyes, ¡°Thank you for finding it, Dr. Jenkins¡±. She realized that she had been staring and quickly looked away.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to give me coffee for that, Miss Shizumi.¡± He tries to keep his voice stern but the way she looks at him melts his heart. As she picked at her necklace, he noticed her slender fingers and how they contrast with the rest of her lithe self. He forced himself to look away so as not to stare at her hands.

    He let out a quiet sigh, this was unlike him.

    Ren offered a small smile in her direction after taking a sip, ¡°Not bad, the coffee¡±

    His jaw clenched slightly as he suddenly remembered the canceled dinner. He¡¯d completely forgotten about it until now. ¡°How could I have forgotten?¡± he mutters under his breath.

    ¡°What?¡±

    He shook his head slightly. ¡°Nothing¡±.

    ¡°Actually, I said maybe I wanted you to make it up to me, would you?¡±

    He noticed how her fingers were still at his tone, but she continued to look at him.

    ¡°Yes. I would love to make it up to you.¡±

    Taking a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. ¡°Well, since you insist, there is one thing you can do for me.¡±

    He continued, trying to sound casual, ¡°Since we missed the dinner last time because of my unexpected surgery, I think it would be fair if you made it up by taking me out for dinner tonight.¡±

    He couldn¡¯t help but be a little smug about making her speechless.

    Hana found her brain chugging as she tried to understand. He was the one who cancelled last time but she was the one who was taking him out to dinner. Confused, she blurted out under her breath, ¡°Dinner?¡±

    He chuckled slightly at her reaction, ¡°Yes, dinner.¡± He leaned in slightly, teasing ¡°It¡¯s not that difficult to understand, is it?¡±

    Ren was careful not to touch her physically, but he couldn¡¯t help but want to rile her up.

    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    At that distance, Ren was able to see the light freckles littered across her nose and cheeks that he saw the last time he took her home drunk.

    Hana stuttered, ¡°Not...hing. Okay... dinner. Dinner¡±

    Happy with the reaction, he composed himself. ¡°Excellent. Then it¡¯s a date.¡±

    Ren faked a cough, correcting himself, ¡°I mean it¡¯s today¡¯s date. Today. The dinner.¡± Get a grip on yourself, Ren.

    He struggled to keep his composure, trying to recover from inadvertently calling it a date. Seeing Hana blush, he had to fight the urge not to reach out and caress her rosy cheeks.

    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Damn her and her damn cuteness. Maybe that was what it was, he just found her cute and different. Like seeing a stained epithelial cell under a microscope, pink and interesting. That was it.

    He forced himself to speak, his voice a bit huskier than intended. ¡°Yeah, dinner... tonight.¡±

    When Hana noticed that the number of people walking by started to increase, she took that as her chance to escape. ¡°I should go...now¡± It was definitely a slip of the tongue.

    He gave her a nod. ¡°Yes, you should go.¡±

    He takes a deep breath, surprised at his boldness. Such carelessness was unlike him. He hadn¡¯t planned on asking her out like that, but something about her just drew it out of him.

    As the day progressed, both Ren and Hana found themselves stealing glances at the clock more often than usual. Whether it was on his expensive watch or the hospital¡¯s analog clock, time took its¡­ time.

    By midday, the ER was in full swing with emergency calls going off until it cooled down just before 7:30 pm. Hana, caught in the whirlwind of activity, was forced to put her phone on Do Not Disturb, her thoughts of dinner temporarily pushed aside.

    Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she was greeted with calls and text messages from Mira. Worried, she immediately excused herself to the supply closet to return the calls.

    ¡°Hello¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh Thank finally, you pick up your calls.¡±Mira sighed in relief.

    ¡°Today was a busy. Lots of emergencies. I had to put my phone away,¡± Hana explained, her free hand unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her glove.

    ¡°Oh! I see,¡± Mira whispered, more to herself than to Hana. ¡°She hasn¡¯t met her yet. That¡¯s a relief.¡±

    Hana¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°What¡¯s up? You called a lot.¡±

    The line went silent for what felt like an eternity. Hana¡¯s anxiety building with each passing second. ¡°Mira?¡±

    ¡°I got a call from her.¡± Mira¡¯s voice was heavy with unspoken meaning.

    Hana felt the color drain from her face, her heart beginning to race. ¡°What did she want?¡± she manages to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°Hana, she¡¯s at your hospital.¡±

    Hana¡¯s eyes darted around the small confines of the supply closet as if expecting to see the mysterious ¡°her¡± materialize among the shelves of medical supplies. Her breath came out in short, panicked gasps.

    ¡°Oncology, Hana,¡± Mira continued, her voice gentle but urgent. ¡°She said she has been trying to call you.¡±

    Hana knew that fact, she rejected the call severally. As she grips the phone tighter, her knuckles turning white, she feels¡­ regret.

    ¡°Hana? Hana? Are you still there?¡± Mira¡¯s concerned voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

    ¡°Mira, I... I have to go now.¡± Hana¡¯s voice was shaky, barely holding back a flood of emotions.

    As she ended the call, the weight of the unexpected development settled heavily on her shoulders. So heavy that her legs gave up beneath her, sending her to the floor. Breathe, Hana. Breathe

    **************************************

    Outside the supply closet, the hospital continued its relentless pace, Dr. Jenkins was rushing to his office to retrieve his phone from his table.

    All it took was one ruptured appendix and the concept of time was thrown out of the window. By the time the surgery for an unplanned appendectomy came to an end, it was almost 8 pm.

    He fribbled with his phone in his hands. But would a call be too personal, too intimate? After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he opted for a text instead. It feels safer and more professional. Safe is good.

    He begins typing:

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi,

    I apologize for the late notice. I can¡¯t believe I am disappointing you for the second time. An emergency appendectomy came up unexpectedly. I¡¯m just now free. I understand if you¡¯ve made other plans, but if you¡¯re still available, I¡¯d like to¡±

    Ren paused, his fingers stilling over the keyboard.

    He debated how to finish the message. Wasn¡¯t it sounding too formal? Should he suggest rescheduling? That would mean that he would cancel on her again. Where was his integrity? Or perhaps she was still willing to meet tonight, despite the late hour? He frowned, running his hand through his head.

    As he contemplated his next words, he can¡¯t help but wonder where Hana was now, and what she might be thinking. Instead of assuming, he could just find out if she was still in the hospital, which would decide how his message would go.

    *****************************************

    Ren stood in the hallway and watched her stand in front of the door, not making an effort to enter the room. Her face was turned from him, but he could imagine the look on her face just from her body language. As her hands went towards her face to wipe away what he assumed were tears.

    He could have asked any staff who the patient in the room was but that would be prying. But for such a person to cause such a reaction from Shizumi, they must be someone known, or even close.

    Not long after, she collapsed to her knees, crunching and crying somewhat loudly, but she still didn¡¯t make any move to get any closer to the door. Ren wanted to do something, anything. Her tears made him hurt, irrespective of what was the cause.

    When he found out that Shizumi had run frantically to oncology after receiving a call, his heart dropped, assuming the worst. Before he knew it, he was racing towards the unit until he stumbled upon the sight. At first, he felt some sort of relief, that was until he heard her holding in tears.

    Ren¡¯s heart ached with sympathy. He wanted to comfort her, to take away her pain. But he hesitated, unsure of how she would react.

    He took a step forward, then stopped. He was hesitating between returning to his hiding place and taking a step.

    As he approached, he cleared his throat softly, not wanting to startle her.

    ¡°Nurse Shizumi,¡± he said, his voice gentler than she¡¯d ever heard it before. ¡°Hana... are you alright?¡±

    The use of her first name hung in the air between them. As Hana turned to face him, her tear-stained face a mixture of surprise and something else - relief? Embarrassment?

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins,¡± she whispered, her voice hoarse. She quickly wiped at her cheeks, as if trying to erase the evidence of her breakdown. ¡°I... I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    Ren¡¯s brow furrowed with concern. ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like nothing,¡± he said softly. ¡°Let¡¯s get you off the floor.¡±

    Suddenly, they could hear footsteps making its way from out of the room, Hana¡¯s eyes darted sharply to Ren. Ren could read from her eyes that she didn¡¯t want to be seen. He grabbed her hand and pulled her away with him, avoiding the strange looks from both patient and staff.

    *********************************

 25. Getting Closer

    Perched by her window, knees drawn to her chest, she sat, watching and waiting. The sound of the front door slamming made her jump. Curiosity won over fear as she crept to her bedroom door, barefoot, cracking it open just enough to peer into the hallway.

    Her mother stood in the foyer, cutting an imposing figure in her tailored suit. Even from this distance, Hana can see the mid-length brown-colored hair that she shared with her.

    A maid, hurries toward her mother, wringing her hands nervously. ¡°Ma¡¯am, the young miss¡¯ friend is here to see her.¡±

    Mira¡¯s stories of her school always brought her life, as opposed to her mundane home-schooling life. Her fingers gripped the doorframe tighter as she prepared to step out.

    ¡°Tell her Hana isn¡¯t feeling well.¡± The words are clipped, and precise. ¡°I don¡¯t want that girl in this house. Have I made myself clear?¡±

    The maid¡¯s head bobbed up and down, her voice trembling. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡±

    Her hope withered as quickly as it had come. Hana barged out the doors to confront her mother.

    ¡°Mother, why did you send Mira away? How could you do that?¡± Her voice trembled with a boldness she rarely showed.

    Mrs. Shizumi turned sharply, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Hana Shizumi, do not raise your voice at me! I¨C ¡±

    ¡°You sent Mira away. She is my friend¡±

    ¡°And a distraction,¡± her mother cut in, voice cold as steel. ¡°I have let you play house for way too long.¡±

    Tears pricked at the corners of Hana¡¯s eyes. ¡°She is my friend. My only friend. Why do you keep shutting me away?¡±

    ¡°I am your mother, mind your voice. You will not be seeing her again. You and her are not of the same caliber. I should have separated this ¡®friendship¡¯ long before now. She is starting to rub off on you.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°Exactly what I said.¡± Her mother¡¯s posture remained rigid, unyielding. ¡°You are bound to go separate ways sooner or later. You need to start thinking about the future.¡±

    ¡°Mother, please¡­¡±, Hana reached out instinctively, desperate to bridge the growing chasm between them.

    Mrs. Shizumi jerked away as if burned, her usual composure cracking for just a moment. Hana¡¯s heart plummeted at the harsh reaction, her outstretched hand falling limply to her side. That fear¡­ was a look she would never forget.

    ¡°Mother¡­¡±

    The word came out as barely a whisper.

    Mrs. Shizumi covered her reaction with a cough, folding her arms across her chest like a shield. Her eyes fell to Hana¡¯s bare hands with obvious disapproval.

    ¡°Where are your gloves? Didn¡¯t I tell you to always wear them?¡± She straightened her jacket, retreating behind her wall of propriety. ¡°Hana, I can¡¯t deal with you at the moment. Your tutor should be here soon.¡±

    Through blurring vision, she watched her mother¡¯s heels clicking against the floor - always walking away, always putting distance between them.

    *******************

    She felt herself thrown involuntarily into the memory, all the emotions hitting her at once. She didn¡¯t understand her mother¡¯s actions, but she understood loneliness. It settles around her like a familiar blanket, heavy and suffocating.

    She wondered time and time again why her mother seemed so determined to keep her world as empty as this house.

    She ought to speak softly, maintain proper posture, and be the perfect Shizumi daughter her mother demanded. And she must wear her gloves.

    The habit of wearing gloves had become as natural as breathing. It wasn¡¯t to protect her but others.

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    ¡°Hana...¡±

    The words felt inadequate even as Ren spoke them, but he needed to say something, anything.

    The hospital rooftop was quiet except for the distant hum of the city below and the soft sound of her ragged breathing. He didn¡¯t respond, lost in her thoughts as the wind whipped her hair across her tear-stained face. When Ren reached out to pat her head, the gesture foreign yet somehow natural, she flinched instinctively. But she didn¡¯t pull away.

    ¡°She is sick¡­ Cancer¡± Hana¡¯s voice cracked, the words tumbling out between shaky breaths. ¡°I¡¯m such a mess. I¡¯m such a horrible person, I couldn¡¯t see¡­ her. I didn¡¯t want to¡­ I¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything¡±

    Hana lifted her face towards him, and Ren felt his chest tighten at the sight of fresh tears gathering in her eyes.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins...¡± Her voice was barely a whisper. ¡°Is my mom going to die?¡±

    The question hit Ren like a physical blow. The pieces suddenly clicked into place He was used to delivering difficult news to patients and their families, and had mastered the art of professional detachment. But this was different. This was Hana.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    The words felt heavy on his tongue, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to offer false hope or empty platitudes. Not to her. He didn¡¯t even know the situation in question well enough.

    He stared at her for what felt like a whole minute, then he shifted, his decision made.

    ¡°I need to step away for a moment. I will be right back.¡± His voice carried a note of concern. ¡°Can you promise me not to do anything dangerous?¡±

    Hana barely registered his words, lost in the turbulent sea of her thoughts. Her lack of response worried him, but he had to trust she would be okay for a few minutes.

    Then she was alone. The reality of her situation crashed over her like a wave - her mother, the woman she had successfully avoided for six years, was just floors below her. The confrontation she had pushed to some nebulous future had suddenly become terrifyingly present. She had convinced herself she¡¯d moved past it all, but now she realized she¡¯d only been running, avoiding, hiding. What was she supposed to do now that she couldn¡¯t run anymore?

    The sudden weight of fabric around her shoulders startled her from her thoughts.

    ¡°Dr. Jenkins...¡± she murmured, surprised by his return.

    ¡°It¡¯s a chilly night.¡± His voice was matter-of-fact but held an underlying gentleness. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to risk making you sick.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± The words came out soft, almost lost in the wind.

    She sighed deeply, pulling his jacket closer. The uniquely familiar scent of him wrapped around her like a protective shield.

    ¡°I left home right before college,¡± she began, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. ¡°More like, I ran away.¡±

    Something about his quiet attention gave her the courage to continue.

    ¡°My mother and I were never on the same page about many things.¡± Her voice trembled slightly. ¡°Every time she looked at me, I saw fear in her eyes. I never understood why at first, but now...¡± She stared down at her gloved hands, ¡°...I do.¡±

    ¡°I guess it is time for me to face it. I have avoided her long enough, but probably not tonight... not tonight...¡± Her voice trailed off as another realization hit her. ¡°Tonight! The dinner. Dr. Jenkins, I am so sorry¡±

    Ren watched as guilt and distress crossed her features, adding to the burden she was already carrying. Something in his chest tightened at how quickly she shifted from her pain to concern about disappointing him.

    ¡°Shizumi, it¡¯s okay.¡± He tried to inject a hint of lightness into his voice, hoping to ease her worry. ¡°I would say that makes us even. There will be other times for that.¡±

    ¡°But...¡± she started to protest, her fingers twisting anxiously in the fabric of his jacket.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay Shizumi. It¡¯s not your fault.¡± The dinner seemed trivial now, in light of everything else. He had even forgotten about that. Besides, he had his impromptu surgery to account for.

    In those moments, Ren felt a sense of closeness form between them both.

    Hana revealed a part of herself that even Mira didn¡¯t know to Dr. Jenkins and she felt comfort radiant from him giving her assurance.

    The walls she¡¯d carefully maintained softened under the gentle acceptance in his eyes. Dr. Jenkins wasn¡¯t just her supervisor anymore; he was Ren, someone who saw her struggles and didn¡¯t turn away. Just at that moment with him by her side, she could almost believe everything would be okay.

    **********************************

    ¡°Thank you for taking time out, Dr. Ajavon. I¡¯m also glad that I caught you before you left.¡±

    ¡°You are lucky, I just clocked out for the day,¡± Dr. Ajavon replied with a tired smile.

    ¡°We should get coffee sometime. My treat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that, Rowan.¡±

    ¡°Definitely¡ª¡± Rowan broke off mid-sentence, spotting a familiar figure. ¡°Ren, what are you doing in these parts of the hospital? Shouldn¡¯t you be off duty now?¡±

    Ren stood there, looking somewhat distracted and unusually tense. ¡°I had an impromptu surgery. But, I have to go now.¡± The last thing he needed was Rowan¡¯s curiosity

    A mischievous glint appeared in Rowan¡¯s eyes. ¡°Why the rush? Someone¡¯s waiting for you?¡± He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

    ¡°Rowan now is not the time.¡± Ren¡¯s tone carried a warning edge.

    ¡°Wow, you aren¡¯t denying it. Fine, fine. I won¡¯t hold you from getting to her.¡± Rowan¡¯s grin widened, clearly enjoying the moment.

    Their companion, sensing the shift, gracefully excused himself from the situation. ¡°I think I should leave you two to your discussion.¡±

    ¡°Have a good night¡± ¡°I¡¯ll text you concerning the coffee,¡± both doctors responded.

    Before Rowan could turn his attention back to him, Ren seized the opportunity to escape quickly down the corridor.

    ¡°Ren¡ª¡± Rowan called after him, ¡°And he¡¯s gone.¡±

    A thought suddenly struck him as he watched Ren¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°I just remembered having a patient with the same name as Shizumi. Weird.¡±

    He shrugged, his mind already moving on. ¡°Anyways, I should also prepare for my night shift. Oh! I wonder if my princess is in her office.¡±