into the car park. I get out, lock the car, and run. I don’t even know where I will come out in the hospital, but I hope it’s close to where I’m going. I push open the heavy door and come out into an area I haven’t seen before. Where the heck am I? I look around in a panic.
I see a janitor. “Excuse me, where… is… cardiology?” I pant. So much for me looking good today. I look like hell on a stick now.
He frowns. “Down the other end of the hospital and up two levels.”
My face falls. “What?” Crap. I start to run and catch an elevator. I pant as I try to fix my hair in the mirror, and just before the doors open I glance down to see a huge ladder in my stockings that runs up the whole length of my leg.
“Ah. Fuck it!” I snap.
The doors open and I scramble out. I need to find a bathroom to take my stockings off. I glance at my watch. 7.10am.
Oh my God. Oh my fucking God!
I’m never late.
I don’t do late.
I finally see a restroom sign and run into the cubicle and rip off my stockings like a crazy person.
This day is starting out really fucking bad. I throw them into the trash and scramble out, finally arriving at the cardiology wing. I open the double doors to see all of the interns standing in a group with Dr. Stanton.
Cool, calm, and on bloody time.
I’m panting, my hair is all over the place, and they all turn to look at me together.
Oh crap.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” I whisper, embarrassed as I slide over to where they are standing.
Dr. Stanton’s dark eyes meet mine. I feel myself wither under his glare.
“Nice of you to finally join us.” He sneers.
My face falls. “I’m sorry, Dr. Stanton. I had a parking incident.”
His angry eyes hold mine. “The reasoning is irrelevant. You’re late.”
My eyes hold his. Oh my God.
The other interns all look away. This is uncomfortable.
“I… I know,” I stammer nervously. “I’m sorry.” I drop my head in shame.
“I don’t tolerate late. You need to pick up your act or you won’t last two minutes around here.” He growls angrily. “I don’t deal with incompetent people.”
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Give your lame excuses to someone else,” he mutters before he turns and walks up the corridor.
The other interns and I all stand still on the spot in shock.
What the actual fuck was that?
He turns. “Are you coming?” he snaps.
The interns all take off after him into a patient’s room, while I drift along at the back, hearing my furious pulse in my ears.
“Ashley, don’t make us wait any longer,” he calls from inside the room.
Dr. Vegas might need a fucking doctor himself soon.
How dare he?
7
Ashley
You know the thing that annoys me about sexual chemistry? It doesn’t turn off when you want it to. Cameron Stanton is openly furious with me, and here I am, following his cranky ass around all day, imagining how he would look naked. I mean, the suit is nice… perfect, in fact. That messy dark hair that looks like he has just been fucked hard is inspiring. The spotless shoes are designer, and the watch probably cost more than my car, but nope… it’s naked that’s working for me. We walk up the corridor as a group following Dr. Stanton on his rounds. This is the worse kind of torture to watch. He is so gentle and caring with his patients that I can feel myself melt more and more as the day goes on. We stop out the front of the room so he can give us our usual briefing, and he opens the client chart.
“This is Gloria Hernandez. Gloria is ninety-two and in need of a triple heart bypass.” He pauses. “Although at her age, she likely wouldn’t survive the surgery, as she isn’t well enough.” His eyes rise to meet ours. “She will be staying on here so that I can keep an eye on her and make sure she is as comfortable as possible. She has no surviving family left.”
The group falls silent. We know that’s code for Gloria is dying… alone.
Dr. Stanton fakes a smile and heads into the room. He smiles broadly as he sees the frail, little old lady in her bed.
“How is my favorite patient today?” He smiles as he picks up her hand affectionately in his.
Gloria is little, old, and frail. Her hair is completely