"Jayden?" Shirley's heart raced as she heard his voice. She hoped no one could hear the pounding in her chest—it was deafening.
"I'm glad you recognize my voice," Jayden replied, his presence taking Shirley by surprise. She struggled to maintain her composure.
"What are you doing here?" she managed to ask, her voice strained. "Don't you know you could get caught?"
"I had to take that risk for you. I've been feeling guilty. I'm sorry," Jayden confessed.
Shirley had always imagined slapping him when they next met, but now her heart felt fragile, and she despised herself for it. She wanted him to pay for what he'd done.
"Why did you leave?" she demanded, mustering the last of her authoritative voice.
"I was almost caught. One of the staff knocked," Jayden defended himself.
Shirley suddenly felt foolish. Why hadn't she thought of that? She just stood there, staring deep into his eyes.
"Come," he said, taking her hand and leading her out of the hall.
They settled on a rocking chair outside the hospital, the silence between them heavy with unspoken tension.
"So, are you free tonight?" Jayden finally broke the silence.
Shirley's heart skipped a beat. "Yes," she replied, blushing.
"I want us to go out," Jayden said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Where?" Shirley asked eagerly.
"You'll find out when we get there," Jayden teased.
As they parted ways, Kate, Shirley's friend and colleague, approached.
"Dr. Shirley," Kate exclaimed, "meet Jayden. Jayden, meet Kate."
"Oh my God! You heartbreaker spy!" Kate exclaimed, much to Shirley's chagrin. "You made her cry!"
"Kate!" Shirley interjected, trying to silence her friend's accusations.
"That's terrible," Jayden murmured, looking remorseful.
As they walked back to the hospital, Kate confided in Shirley about her infatuation with a colleague named Joe.
"I knew it!" Shirley exclaimed. "You're crushing on Joe."
"Ever since he got hired, my eyes have been on him," Kate confessed. "He's just too perfect. I bet he's still a virgin."
"Don't jump to conclusions," Shirley cautioned.
"I'm sure of it," Kate insisted. "That's why I installed a CCTV camera in his house."
"Kate!" Shirley scolded. "That's a violation of his privacy."
"I'll get caught when I'm already with him," Kate shrugged nonchalantly.
Later, as Shirley tended to a patient named Ebuka, she received an urgent call over the hospital intercom. Rushing to the scene, she found Ebuka in distress, prompting her to spring into action.
Meanwhile, Amy confronted Jayden about his whereabouts.
"Jayden, where were you?" Amy demanded.
"I went to see someone," Jayden replied cryptically.
"Who?" Amy pressed.
"Shirley," Jayden admitted.
"Who is Shirley?" Amy inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Don't ask. You needed a name, I gave it to you," Jayden retorted.
Amy's mood shifted as she informed Jayden of their imminent departure for China.
"China? Why?" Jayden's expression darkened.
"We're leaving Nigeria early tomorrow," Amy explained.
Jayden's thoughts turned to Shirley, the doctor who had saved him twice.
"I've found another Xue, and I want to be with her here in Nigeria," Jayden revealed.
Amy's jealousy flared as she realized Jayden's feelings for Shirley.
"Jay, you don't even care about my feelings," Amy accused tearfully. "I love you!"
Jayden's response was harsh, causing Amy to break down in tears. As he left, Amy was left wondering what had changed in him to make him react so coldly.