Chapter 4 4

Chapter 4

Mara's POV

It took me 20 minutes to finish up with the dishes in the kitchen. As soon as I was done, I slipped into my crocs, grabbed my handbag and rushed out of the house without even looking back. Because I know that if i don't do it that way, the mom will try to delay me with other chores.

My heart was beating faster as I ran down the road to board a cab. The clock on my phone glared back at me, a cruel reminder that I was running dangerously late.

When I finally got a taxi after standing on the roadside for what feels like forever, I got a taxi...I still wasn't relieved inside the taxi. I couldn't help but keep on checking the time over and over again.

It felt like the car wasn't even moving at all, I will surely be asked to go home and be disqualified today. My knees trembled restlessly and the traffic on the road was alarming! It seems like it wants to ruin my future at all costs.

"Please," I whispered under my breath, clutching my bag tighter. "Please drive faster...i need to get there urgently." I said to the cab driver...he nodded his head and speed off following another direction.

Soon, we finally got to the hospital's big gates. I nearly jumped out of the car before it could even stop.

My stomach twisted in and even though I felt a bit nausea I still forced my legs to move faster into the elevator. This internship is like a lifeline and I can't afford to lose it.

As I hurried through the glass doors of New Era hospital of texas, i could hear voices coming from the waiting floor which was already indicated that it was the first place we are all supposed to be oriented.

Amidst the voices, I'm sure I heard the voice of my friends and coursemates clearly. I was far away looking into the group of students when I saw a tall man in a crisp white lab coat-guess he's a doctor, and he was with another doctor too.

He was just standing straight behind the entrance...the hallway is so long that even running is useless because it will take up to 3 minutes to get to them.

All I could hear was the doctor's deep and smooth voice as it echoed across the hall. "Is this all of you?" he asked calmly ... .I couldn't see his face because he was facing backwards.

Before anyone else could respond, I heard my friend Lila speak up with her cheerful tone trying to soften the tension.

"No, doctor, we're not complete. One of us is on her way. She called to say she's stuck in traffic, but she'll be here soon." I fastened my pace.

The doctor brought up the list on his hand and then I heard his voice again "This is an internship at one of the largest hospitals in the country," he said firmly.

"New Era hospital is not a place for carelessness. My name is Dr. Alexander and this is my colleague, Dr. Bernard. As for the register, I see one name missing. If she is not here, she will not be listed as an intern. If she's late on the first day, you had better tell her not to bother coming at all."

My breath caught. No, no, no.

I broke into a run across the polished floor, as the sound of my crocs squeaked embarrassingly loud in the vast hall.

"I'm here! I'm here!" I shouted, fumbling for my student ID. My lungs burned from the sprint as I breathed loudly.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," I said, my words tumbling out in a rush. "Traffic was terrible and... there were some personal issues at home."

I bent over slightly trying so hard to catch my breath as I quickly fixed the ID badge to my uniform. My hands were trembling as I clipped it into place perfectly ... .I couldn't even look up as I kept my eyes down focusing on the badge...I was too nervous to even glance at the doctors.

He didn't look up either and his eyes stayed on the file he was holding like he was signing. Slowly, I raised up my head after steadying the badge and froze.

My eyes widened in shock and disbelief as I felt like the world was spinning around me...my heart skipped a beat faster than usual.

Standing right in front of me, in that immaculate white coat, was the man from that night, the stranger I had a one night stand with!

The man who dismissed me immediately and called me a gold digger and paid me off...the father of my child.

My mouth fell open in shock. My eyes widened and at that moment I couldn't even breath or look away from him....he raised his face too and his eyes locked onto mine too. Seems like he recognized me?

Why is he here? My mind raced in a thousand directions. Why is he wearing a doctor's coat? Don't tell me....

"Lila..." I whispered urgently to Lila standing next to me, my voice barely audible. "What is he doing here?"

Lila blinked at me in surprise. "What do you mean by what he's doing here? You don't know him? That's Dr. Alexander." Her eyes sparkled with an irritating admiration as she leaned closer in a way that sounded like she was daydreaming.

"You see, he's the top surgeon in this hospital. Some say he's actually the hidden owner of this entire place, though he keeps it a secret."

"People also say he only performs surgery on presidents and celebrities. Isn't he the hottest man you've ever seen? And guess what-he's going to be our boss. Our supervisor for the internship generally!"

Her words slammed into me like a tidal wave.

Our boss? My heart stumbled. My... one-night stand is my boss?

No. No, this can't be real!

I forced a shaky smile at Lila to mask the awkward situation but deep inside I was spiraling. There is no damn way I can stay in the same hospital with him, with the man who got me pregnant ... .he cannot know about our baby!

Meanwhile, Dr. Alexander finally saw through how surprised I was and broke the ice "You arrived late, Almost one hour late. Who told you that you could keep others waiting, Miss Mara?"

I swallowed hard immediately, just the way he called my name nearly made me stumble...he darted his eyes back to files he was holding nonchalantly, like ... ..he didn't know me at all. I knew...he recognized me.

I could feel the sweat already building up in my palms and forehead, maybe he is trying to disqualify me already.

I knew he hated me from that night and wouldn't want me to work near him but I couldn't afford to lose this internship, especially the fact that this hospital is rich enough to pay interns monthly stipends.

I really need that money for my father's medication especially now that Philip had drained out my savings for a useless phone.

I straightened my shoulders immediately, forcing my voice to stay calm.

"Doctor," I said, my words steady despite the storm inside me, "to be honest, I really need this internship. I promise it won't happen again. I will do anything to keep this internship."

For a long and unbearable moment there was silence as his eyes were still fixed on me. Then he slowly narrowed his eyes as recognition flashed across his face. His jaw tightened. I'm finally going home!

Of course he remembered me now, How could he not?

But instead of the questions or accusations I feared, he only said while still staring at me. "We have zero tolerance for lateness here. If it happens again, you're going home. Understood?"

"Yes, Doctor," I whispered, lowering my eyes quickly. My knees trembled with relief and dread all at once.

Without saying another word, he turned sharply to the other doctor and signaled him to follow him. They walked away together down the hall as their white coats swept behind them.

Immediately they were out of sight, I breathed out in relief letting out the shaky breath I had been holding. But even with that i still have one thought in mind, was he pretending he doesn't remember that night or he actually wanted me here?

Either way, I couldn't risk this job and I will try as much as possible to play it safe, i will only have to stay quiet and keep my distance away from him at all cost.

If I stayed in my lane, I might survive this internship without disaster.

Soon, the others left with one of the senior nurses to be posted in one of the departments and I was left alone with one other senior nurse except Lila.

She walked closer to me and said with shock in her voice. "Oh my goodness," she said under her breath, glancing toward the hallway where Dr. Alexander had disappeared.

"That was close.. you have some luck, Miss Mara. Dr. Alexander despises lateness. You're the only person he's ever let off without punishment. Don't do it again, understand?"

I nodded quickly, swallowing the lump in my throat.

The nurse leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Be careful, He's a brilliant surgeon, but he's ruthless when it comes to rules."

"I... I understand," I said softly. My voice sounded far away, even to me.

Lila drew closer and held my hand tightly, squeezing gently. Her bright eyes tried to chase away my fear. "It's all right," she said with a reassuring smile.

"You'll get used to him. Just don't be late again, okay? I can't afford to lose my best friend."

I forced a smile and nodded quickly. "It's okay lila... I'll be careful."

Saying that is more like a waste of time because deep inside my mind, I have a lot of questions to ask.

How on earth am I going to hide my pregnancy from him?