In the ambulance van…
"Don't you have any shame?", Max scowled at Liz.
She lifted her eyebrows questionably, indicating that she does not know what he is talking about.
Max narrowed his eyes at her. "You even told them that you are my girlfriend. Just to get a ride? Or you have an ulterior motive?"
Liz flashed a smile. "Did you consider the possibility that I fell in love with your charming personality?"
She rolled her eyes internally and focused on the changing scenery through the window. They will be at the hospital in few minutes, and then she can get away from this unpleasant man.
Max frowned. Is she making fun of him? Or is she really so thick skinned?
Realization hit him: she probably knows who he is! Well, his face is frequently in magazines and social media. They call him a party animal, the rich playboy, the most eligible bachelor in Seattle… And she wants a piece of this hunk (aka Max). Yup, that must be the case. After all, he is the number one lady killer in the city and beyond! No matter how rudely he treats women who come at him, they are coming back for more because spending the night with him is an experience they are unable to forget.
Max checked Liz out. Well, she is not bad looking. Wet, but her figure is nice, well proportioned, her lips are kissable. Definitely kissable.
Liz saw that Max is smiling at her and shivered for a moment. She decided to ignore him. From absolutely rude he switched to… creepy. What exactly is going on in his mind? Few more minutes and she can head for her interview. Ah! She is all wet. And it's all because of him! This will be a bad first impression, but at least she will be on time.
"I'm Max.", his voice startled her.
"Nice to meet you, Max.", Liz mumbled a reflexive pleasantry and kept looking away from him.
Max made few more attempts to talk to Liz, but she didn't tell him her name and skillfully avoided any conversation that required more than 'yes' or 'no'.
He wondered if she is playing hard to get. Some girls do that… but, she is overdoing it.
The ambulance van pulled at the hospital entry.
Liz was happy to see that she has ten minutes to spare. Nothing is faster than an ambulance! She will go to the restroom and use the hand drier to dry her hair and clothes (at least partially).
"Thanks for the ride!", Liz was about to step out when she felt Max holding her hand. She looked at him with her eyes open wide, unable to hide her shock for a second before composing herself.
"I have no one to accompany me.", he showed her his best puppy eyes.
"You will live." Liz pried her hand out of his. She heard that people in Seattle are friendlier than the ones in New York, but touching is too friendly. "Don't misunderstand. I was here just for the ride."
"Yeah, right!", he smirked confidently.
Liz stifled a laugh. "You have a very high opinion of yourself. This was the only way for me not to be late for my job interview." She smiled and winked playfully before dashing out of the van.
Max watched Liz as she entered the hospital and he frowned. Did she just use him? His initial assessment of her was correct: an outrageous woman!
His hair is wet, but he knows that his messy damp hair is increasing his attractiveness level. How is it possible that she ignored his charms? Something must be wrong with her.
…
Later…
Elizabeth walked out of the conference room with an older gentleman by her side. He is the Chairman of the Franciscan Medical Center.
"Miss Williams, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the team."
Liz smiled brightly. "Thank you, chairman Lee. The pleasure is mine."
"I've never heard Dr. Kaviraj praise anyone so much.", Chairman Lee had to share his thoughts.
Liz was happy to hear that. "I had an honor to work with Dr. Kaviraj on several patients. She is an amazing surgeon."
Chairman Lee laughed. "That is what she said about you when she found out that you are today's interviewee."
Liz smiled. She was lucky to have Dr. Kaviraj on the interview panel. Dr. Kaviraj knows about Liz's skills, and she praised her while telling everyone present that not accepting Liz would be a huge mistake. Thanks to Dr. Kaviraj, the interview lasted much less than expected, and it was reduced to revising Liz's education and experience.
Liz is happy that people present at the panel acknowledged her as an individual, without mentioning her father.
Chairman Lee cleared his throat to get her attention. "Not to hide it from you, but recently we lost a senior surgeon and a very capable intern, and we are desperate to fill in those positions. There are many candidates, but not many as promising as you. When can you start?"
"I can start anytime. But we didn't discuss my role. I don't have enough experience to be a senior, but I am not an intern either…"
Chairman Lee smiled. "Don't worry about it. Titles are not important. We will start you as a junior surgeon, but as you show what you can do, changing the title will not be a problem."
Liz thought about it and nodded. "I want it written in my contract that in three months we will revise my title based on my performance."
Chairman Lee agreed. "You can expect to hear back from our HR department by end of the day."
Liz and Chairman Lee parted ways in the main entry hallway of the Franciscan Medical Center.
Liz looked outside through the glass of the double automatic sliding door and sighed. It's still raining. How do people here survive without getting moldy? It seems that the weather changes here are between: light rain and heavy rain. She heard that July and August are dry months, but that is forever away. Ah, if she knew this, she would go to Los Angeles. She prefers sunshine. But she got a job. That improved her mood. As soon as the required paperwork is done, Liz will start working as a surgeon in the Franciscan Medical Center! She can start looking for an apartment and move out of the hotel.
Liz texted her dad that she got the job, and he responded within seconds: "I never had any doubts. Your one year time limit begins today!"
Liz wanted to say that the one year starts on her first day of work, but she decided not to be too picky about few days here or there. What is important is that she shows her skills and gets that invitation to the Symposium of Neurosurgeons which happens in June next year. List of speakers is finalized about two months in advance, so she has until April to make an impact.
Looking at the rain outside, and feeling that she is still not completely dry, Liz remembered Max. She could not help but wonder how he is doing. Is he really by himself with no one to accompany him?
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