"Blasted Ortega!" Sylvia yelled, slamming her palms on the table. Her eyes blazed with frustration. "Thinks he's got the upper hand! Just wait till I find out you're lying."
She heard a knock on her door.
"What?" she hissed, her fury intensifying.
"Doctor, it's me, Becky. I got your coffee," a small voice replied, timid and girlish.
Sylvia released a sigh. "Well, come inside. Scared I'll bite you?" she said, her tone relaxed but tinged with sarcasm.
The girl walked into the clinic, her hands clasped around a plastic cup of steaming coffee.
Becky was a petite young woman with soft brown eyes that peeked from behind her glasses, and her long, chestnut hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail. She silently placed the cup on the table, clasping her slender arms behind her back and waiting.
Sylvia didn't spare her a glance as she picked up the cup and sipped the black liquid.
She grimaced slightly. "What the hell is wrong with these people? They make terrible coffee!"
Displeased, she looked at Becky and continued, "You give me this crap and call it refreshment?" She dropped the cup on her table, her focus returning to her computer screen.
"I had no idea. I'm sorry, I'll dispose of it immediately." Becky's hand reached out to grab the coffee cup.
"What are you doing?" Sylvia narrowed her eyes at her assistant.
"Y-you said you don't like it." Becky appeared confused.
"So? Did I say you should take it away?"
"... No, you didn't," Becky replied, conflicted as to what her boss actually wanted. "Do you—"
"Just leave, I'll manage," Sylvia dismissed, ignoring her assistant once more as she went back to work.
Becky frowned, pondering the cause of her boss's irritation. However, she knew it was best to keep quiet and not ask. She nodded and walked out of the room.
Closing the door behind her, a voice caught her attention.
"Is Sylvia in there?"
Becky sharply turned to the person who spoke. Her gaze landed on the shapely figure of Laura. Laura had a presence that demanded attention, with her wavy blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and emerald green eyes that seemed to pierce right through you.
Becky blushed a bit as she answered, "Yes, Mrs. Laura. She's kind of in a bad mood right now." Her voice subconsciously lowered as she uttered the last sentence.
"Oh, is she?" Laura slurred, her voice having a calming effect on Becky, who found herself relaxed in her presence. Laura was the only one of her many superiors she could really relate to.
"She's definitely upset about something. I don't know what it is, but I bet you'll make her feel better," Becky said as she stepped aside to let Laura pass.
Laura's eyes flashed with amusement as she smiled. "You praise me too much, Becky. How's a lady like me supposed to make a doctor feel better? Should be the other way around, don't you think?"
Becky cracked a small smile. Before she could reply, however, Laura had already opened the door.
"Who the hell is it this time?!" Sylvia's voice boomed. The creaking of the door as Laura pushed it open distracted her, and she hated distractions, especially while she worked.
"Oops, seems doc needs anger management lessons," Laura coolly joked, winking at Becky before closing the door behind her.
"Oh, it's you," Sylvia remarked dully, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
"What? Were you expecting someone?" Laura's tone was teasing as she leaned against the doorframe.
"I expected nobody. Please, I can't talk right now."
"You want me to leave?"
"With all my heart, yes. I know you're only here for gossip."
"Well, you know me then." Laura's mischievous grin widened as she walked over to Sylvia's desk. Thanks to the soundproofed carpet, her steps were virtually silent. She crossed her arms and craned her neck to see what Sylvia was so engrossed in.
"What the heck are you doing? Hacking his personal files?" she asked, eyebrow raised in amusement.
Sylvia jolted and immediately closed her system, turning to face Laura with wide eyes. "How did you—" Her eyes darted between Laura and the entrance, wondering how she had appeared behind her so suddenly.
"It's medical research! And it's none of your business," Sylvia finally managed, standing up abruptly to confront Laura.
"Oh? Then why are you hiding it?" Laura's smirk didn't waver.
"I'm his doctor, and a patient's information must be kept with 100% confidentiality!"
"Patient? For what?"
"I don't divulge my patient's info to third parties." Sylvia lied with a straight face.
Laura sighed dramatically, earning a puzzled look from Sylvia. "Unauthorized infiltration of sensitive information is considered a serious crime, doc. Spill it, tell me what I already know." Her smug expression challenged Sylvia.
"You watch a lot of dumb movies, Laura. What you saw is not what you're making it out to be."
"Then what is it?"
"It's classified."
"Well, explain it to me then."
Sylvia flashed Laura a wicked grin, "I'd rather save myself the energy; you won't get it."
Laura let out an exaggerated gasp, clutching her chest. "Are you trying to insult my intelligence?"
"No, I insulted your intelligence." Sylvia deadpanned, shoving her arms in her labcoat pockets.
"Some doctor you are..."
Sylvia rolled her eyes. "I'll just ask, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the studio, working, taking shoots?"
"Oh that, I'm taking the day off."
Sylvia raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious now. "A day off? What's the occasion?"
Laura shrugged, flipping her hair back casually. "Just needed a break. Thought I'd check on my favorite gossip source. But now, I see my time would have been better spent binge-watching those 'dumb movies' you mentioned."
"Well, now you know. I'm a bit busy saving lives here," Sylvia retorted, trying to hide a smirk.
Laura leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Come on, Sylvia, you can't expect me to believe there's nothing juicy going on. Spill at least a little bit. A hint?"
Sylvia laughed despite herself. "Only you, Laura. Only you would find a way to make medical research sound scandalous."
Laura straightened up, a triumphant glint in her eye. "I'll take that as a compliment. See you later, doc. Don't work too hard." She turned and sauntered towards the door.
Sylvia watched her go, shaking her head with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Laura," she called out, just as the blonde was about to leave.
"Yeah?" Laura turned, a hopeful look on her face.
"Try to stay out of trouble. Just for one day."
"No promises," Laura replied with a wink, and then she was gone, leaving Sylvia to wonder how one person could be so infuriatingly entertaining.