There are moments in life when reality feels like a distant memory, replaced by a surreal sense of calm in the midst of chaos. That's exactly how I felt—adrift in a vast blue sea, peaceful yet inexplicably on edge, as though one small ripple could shatter the serenity. For the first time, it felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. But then, like a jolt, the tranquility started to fade, and reality came rushing back to me. I wasn't on some ethereal sea—I was lying on someone. Not just anyone, but Samson. His strikingly handsome face was mere inches away, and his gaze had me completely spellbound. His arm wrapped protectively around me didn't help my spiraling awareness, nor did the teasing smirk tugging at his lips. A sharp cough broke the spell, yanking me fully into reality. Mortified, I scrambled to get up, but in my typical clumsy fashion, I managed to trip and fall right back onto him. Samson's smirk only deepened, and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.
With Dr. Knight's help, I managed to get up, though my nerves were spiraling out of control. The situation couldn't have been more humiliating—first, I'd fallen on someone superior to me, and second, I couldn't shake the strange feelings stirring inside me. This wasn't like me at all. I had always been the person who kept her head down, letting her work speak for itself, never indulging in anything that could be misconstrued. But now, paranoia crept in—what if he thought I'd done this on purpose to win favor? Worse, what if he reported this to the higher-ups? I couldn't afford to lose this opportunity, not after everything I'd fought to get here. The thought alone brought tears to my eyes, though the embarrassment likely played its part too.
Both Dr. Knight and Dr. Samson seemed to notice my discomfort, their voices cutting through the awkward silence as they asked in unison, "Are you okay?" Relief flooded me—at least they weren't yelling. I managed a small, hesitant nod, though the air between us was undeniably tense. Sensing the awkwardness, Dr. Knight took charge. "Sam, why would you even do that? At least apologize to the lady!" he said, his tone tinged with exasperation. I blinked, completely stunned. Apologize? To me? Confusion must have been written all over my face because Dr. Knight suddenly burst into laughter. "You've totally zoned out, haven't you?" he chuckled. "He's the one who dashed into you, not the other way around." Heat rushed to my cheeks as the realization sank in. Embarrassment swirled with the already overwhelming chaos in my head. If there was an award for the worst day of my life, this one would win, hands down.
As Dr. Knight's laughter subsided, Samson seemed to snap back to reality—or at least that's what I assumed from the shift in his expression. But it didn't stop him from staring at me, a look so intense it left me both shy and utterly mortified. Just as I thought the situation couldn't get any worse, his next words shattered that illusion. "Well, I don't think I hurted the lady. It was her mistake that she was standing there" he said with an air of indifference that made my brow furrow. My urge to glare at him was overwhelming, but I swallowed it down, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing my frustration. Instead, I turned to Dr. Knight, muttered a quick "It's okay," and fled the scene as fast as my dignity would allow. As I rushed away, I caught the tail end of Samson muttering, "Shit. Isn't—" but I didn't stick around to hear the rest. I had no intention of enduring another second of his humiliation.
After storming out of the room, I debated going straight home, but the thought of the empty silence waiting for me felt unappealing as no one will be at home in this time. Instead, I decided to wander around the hospital for a while, maybe grab some lunch, and head home later. The hospital had always felt like a place of purpose—a sanctuary for healing and hope. The idea of tending to those in pain felt almost sacred, a calling I deeply respected. With those thoughts swirling in my mind, I strolled aimlessly, letting the bustling environment soothe my frazzled nerves.
Eventually, I found myself in the dining hall, where the hum of chatter and clinking plates filled the air. Scanning the room, I spotted a quiet corner and made my way over after picking up a sandwich and a chocolate chip shake. Settling into the relative calm, I focused on enjoying my simple meal, hoping to regain some peace.
That was until a shadow fell across the table. Looking up, I saw Dr. Knight standing there with a smiling woman beside him. Startled, I blinked as they asked politely if they could join me. Unsure but unable to refuse, I gave a hesitant nod. They smiled warmly and took their seats, leaving me wondering what had prompted this unexpected company.
Dr. Knight cleared his throat and began, "Hey Angelina, before anything, I wanted to apologize for what happened in the cabin. Please don't mind Samson—he was in a hurry, and he's not usually like that. I hope you don't take it the wrong way." His words caught me off guard, but in a good way. It reassured me that I had been assigned to a mentor who was not only courteous but also humble enough to address misunderstandings and take responsibility on behalf of others. I offered him a small smile and replied, "It's okay, it wasn't really your fault. Let's just leave it behind."
Knight nodded in understanding and then introduced the woman sitting beside him as his girlfriend, Serafina Luisa Monti. She was a gynecologist at the hospital, and her warmth was instantly apparent. Serafina was stunning, kind, and talkative—her energy was infectious. We shared a lighthearted conversation about the hospital, though I tactfully avoided any mention of Samson. Lunch felt unexpectedly pleasant, and by the end, I felt a little lighter. With a quick goodbye, they excused themselves to attend to their patients, leaving me with the faintest sense of belonging in this bustling, unpredictable place.
After the lighthearted conversation, I decided it was time to head home. Stepping out into the hallway, I navigated through the maze-like corridors, trying to find my way to the exit. Just as I thought I was on the right track, a sharp voice pierced the air. A nurse was shouting about an emergency case, her urgency stopping me in my tracks. The words hung heavy in the air, pulling everyone's attention toward the commotion unraveling ahead. My feet hesitated, torn between continuing to the door or following the sense of urgency that suddenly filled the sterile, fluorescent-lit space.
Instinctively, I stopped to see what was happening, and the scene before me made me gasp. A man, drenched in blood, was being rushed into the hospital on a stretcher, the aftermath of what seemed to be a horrific accident. The chaos unfolded quickly, but amid the commotion, I spotted Samson. Without hesitation, he darted toward the nurse, seamlessly taking control of the stretcher and steering it into the emergency hall. His demeanor was striking—not panicked, but calm and laser-focused, moving with a sense of urgency yet control.
I couldn't help but admire his composure. To be a doctor, one needed to remain grounded, to channel emotion into action instead of panic. Watching him, I felt a strange curiosity bubble up inside me. Who was this man who could infuriate me one moment and command my respect the next?