The high-end restaurant was very popular in North America, only important people and jet-setters could get a reservation at the restaurant. The long line at the entrance did not deter the diners of Golden Bloomingdale's restaurant to eat at the restaurant.
Doctor Philip Brighton received an invitation from his superiors at the hospital where he worked for a meal together at the Golden Bloomingdale Restaurant.
Doctor Justin Baldere took his eldest son, John, to meet the man. "Hello, Philip. How long have you been waiting?" said Justin as he took a seat across from Philip.
"Ohh hello, Justin, John. No, I just got here," Philip replied as he adjusted his drooping glasses.
The restaurant waiter served appetizers to their table. All the appetizer to dessert menus is included in the reservation in advance so they don't have to bother choosing the menu when they come to the restaurant.
"Well, how's Leah? Why isn't she coming to dinner?" asked Doctor Philip pleasantly. He was curious about the purpose of this dinner invitation from him.
While enjoying an appetizer which was a caesar salad, Doctor Justin replied, " Leah is attending a party at the Stuarts. Erm ... Phil, I think since it's getting late, I will state my purpose in inviting you to dinner. I want to set up my son, John with Annastacia, your youngest daughter."
Doctor Justin's words made Doctor Philip flabbergasted. Even though their social strata are fellow doctors, they are somewhat different. The Baldere family is the owner of an international hospital in North America, which is the best in its class. This is great news for the Brighton family.
"What do you think, Phil?" asked Doctor Justin confirming his wish.
Doctor Philip looked at Doctor John then back at Doctor Justin. "Sure ... uhh of course this is something to be proud of, Justin. I never even imagined that I would be with the Baldere family. Did John know Anna personally?" said Doctor Philip probing.
"We are colleagues at the hospital, Uncle Phil. Anna and I often work together on cases because she is a general surgeon while I am a surgeon specializing in oncology. I think Anna's abilities are extraordinary for her age. She is a trusted surgeon at Wyndham Hospital," said John praising Ana in front of her father and future in-laws.
"Look, Phil. John seems to adore your daughter. Hahaha ...," said Doctor Justin, laughing.
Doctor Philip also felt proud of his youngest daughter. The status of the Brighton family would be elevated when Annastacia married and became John's wife. "Then there's nothing more to ask. Maybe the two of them can get engaged first and get to know each other better so their marriage doesn't get awkward. How about it, Justin?" said Doctor Philip.
"Good suggestion, Phil. When can their engagement ceremony be done? I'm going to make a big engagement party for them," Doctor Justin replied with a happy face.
John was happy because the woman he had always admired would soon be his. Being engaged is much better than being without status. It seems like Anna has never had a date this long, the girl is 100% workaholic. It was good that he had no rival for Anna.
Doctor Philip replied, "I'll be in touch with you again, Justin. I need to tell my family so they won't be surprised. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of our children's engagement, it's just that it's so sudden."
"Calm down, Uncle Phil. We'll be patiently waiting to hear from you. We work together anyway, it's easy to see each other. I love the idea of 'Wyndham Hospital's sweetheart' getting married soon. Wow, this must be awesome!" said John excitedly.
Hearing John's words, Doctor Philip was also happy. His daughter was indeed popular at Wyndham Hospital, and so was John because the young man was handsome and became an idol at the hospital.
After dinner was over, they separated and returned to their respective homes. The snow still hadn't let up, the roads were starting to be covered with a thick layer of snow. The drivers do not dare to drive the car too fast because it has the potential to slip the tires and make a dangerous accident.
Within an hour, Doctor Philip had made it to his house in Lucia's area. He couldn't wait to tell his family about his youngest daughter's arranged marriage with John Baldere, the crown prince of the Baldere Group, the owner of the hospital where all his family members work.
"Elaine ... I'm home!" cried Doctor Phillip as he quickly closed the patio door because of the windy snow outside.
Doctor Elaine Brighton rushed to greet her husband from the bedroom to the living room, putting away his coat to send to the dry cleaners as it was wet with snow.
"Elaine, where are Jocelyn and Ezra? I would like to speak to the three of you. There is some good and shocking news for the Brighton family. Call them both, hurry!" said Doctor Philip impatiently.
He sat on the sofa in the living room, which was warm from the fireplace. The weather is really bad today, Doctor Philip hopes Annastacia doesn't go out of her apartment tonight.
His two children and his wife sat in the family room. They wondered what was going on that Doctor Philip had gathered them at this time of night.
"Hey, Kids. Papa's going to give some shocking news. You know John Bardere, don't you?" he asked.
"Of course, I know, Pa. What's wrong with him?" Ezra replied languidly because he didn't expect his father to call him just to talk about John, his underclassman in medicine.
"Dr. Justin and John met Papa at the restaurant to discuss plans for John's engagement with Anna. Isn't that amazing?" said Doctor Philip enthusiastically, laughing happily.
Ezra and Jocelyn looked at each other in disbelief. Their youngest sister had never been in a relationship. Does Anna know about this? they both thought uncertainly.
"Ehmm, Pa ... does Anna know about this matchmaking plan?" Jocelyn asked carefully, afraid to offend her father.
"I don't think Anna knows yet, it's just that John said he wanted to give Anna time to get to know him better. He's a nice young man, Papa said," Doctor Philip answered while massaging the bridge of his nose.
"Honey, I think Anna has the right to know before this engagement is officially terminated. Don't let her enter into a marriage relationship out of necessity," Doctor Elaine suggested while stroking the back of her husband sitting next to her.
Doctor Philip turned to his wife and looked at the beautiful face that was aging with him. That loving smile that never fades made him rethink this matchmaking. His wife and son were right, Annastacia should know clearly about this matchmaking. Don't be a one-sided love from John's side.
After all, matchmaking was a good move to elevate the Brighton family's status among the medical elite in North America.
The party at the Stuarts' residence was still full of excitement until close to midnight. JC couldn't bear to see Anna who seemed to be shivering from the cold because of her revealing dress model. He also made a deal with the girl. "Anna, how about I hug you from behind? I think it will make you warm, you shiver ...," said JC who was standing next to Anna looking at the middle of the room which was crowded with young people who were cool to dance and talk. Annastacia turned to look at JC thoughtfully then she replied "Sure, but I hope you won't mess with me, JC!" "Sure... calm down, Girl!" replied JC lightly. He wrapped his arms around Anna's slender waist and warmed her in his arms. Then, JC rubbed Anna's upper arm with his palm. Anna's skin felt cold to the touch. "Oohh, it feels so comfortable, JC. Thank you," Anna sighed in the man's arms. JC's stout body seemed to envelop her tiny body. The two of them were in that position for quite a while and chatted with each other. Anna
After finishing his performance on stage, JC immediately approached where Annastacia was standing with the man he didn't know. "Hey, Anna. Who is this guy?" asked JC in a cold tone. He doesn't like any other guy getting close to the girl he likes. Annastacia smiled then said cheerfully, "JC introduces this is Doctor John Baldere, my colleague at the hospital, and John, this is Jason Channing or you can call him JC, a pop star who has a lot of fans." Hearing Annastacia's cheerful voice made John lose his reluctance to get to know the man in front of him. He also reached out his hand to JC and mentioned his name 'John'. "So Anna, do you agree to take me home?" repeated John because it was almost midnight even though Rossie Stuart's party was still so lively. "Uhm wait a minute John." Anna then turned to JC while asking, "JC, where are you staying? I think John can take you back to the hotel where you are staying at the same time take me back to the apartment. John doesn't want me to
Before going to bed, JC took the time to order a bouquet of pink roses for Anna tomorrow morning on a delivery app that he found on the internet. The florist turned out to be located on the main road next to the Northern Light Premiere Hotel where he was staying and was open 24 hours. Not long after, JC fell asleep in a dreamland that brought him back to meet Annastacia. In his dream, he was chasing and laughing with Anna in a forest under the warm summer sun. His heart seemed so happy to see Anna's smile that was as bright as the blue sky at noon. Until his sweet dream was cut short by the sound of his cellphone's alarm ringing so loudly. JC groaned in annoyance and sat on the edge of his bed rubbing his eyes which were still heavy from sleepiness. He dragged himself into the bathroom and splashed his body under the cold shower that morning. JC hummed carelessly in his sweet voice, "I want you, Anna ... my beautiful butterfly ... I want to kiss you again and again ... and again."
After a delicious and filling breakfast, Anna said goodbye to JC to go to work. She drove her own maroon Mini Cooper to Wyndham International Hospital. JC let Anna goes into the lobby of the Northern Light Hotel with a wave. Today is the last day of JC's concert tour. He will be performing at a major mall in Grenada, the event is indoor, fortunately. The winter weather this time was so bad, that it snowed all day long. JC is not sure the concert audience will be as large as usual. Meanwhile, Anna drove her car through the snowy roads carefully. Along the way to the hospital, she saw many cranes operating to move the cars that were stuck due to this severe snow. Anna hopes that today's patients will not overflow due to traffic accidents. Finally, she arrived at the basement parking lot of Wyndham International Hospital, where she worked. Anna came down with a flower bouquet JC gave her and carried her navy backpack. She walked to the elevator to go up to the 3rd floor of her practice
The simple engagement ceremony lasted only a short time because the hospital was very busy. John took Anna to his room for a while, he still wanted to talk privately with his fiancee girl. The two of them took the elevator to the 12th floor, the top floor of the large hospital building. "Are you nervous, Anna?" asked John idly. Anna jumped in place for a moment's thought as the two of them fell silent. "Ehh ... oohh ... not nervous, just still feeling confused. Things are going out of my control," she answered honestly. The two of them went into John's spacious office because it was also the CEO's room of Wyndham International Hospital. John picked up a palm-sized box lined with dark blue velvet. He approached Annastacia saying, "Anna, I want to give you this." "What is it, John?" asked Anna curiously, examining the box in John's hand. John opened the box which turned out to contain a pair of gold chain necklaces with heart pendants. Then John's hands deftly opened the heart locke
Wyndham International Hospital cafeteria that afternoon was full of doctors who practice at the hospital. For Anna, who was often late for lunch, and even missed lunch, it was an unusual sight. John invited Anna to sit at one of the empty tables in the corner of the room. The two of them waited for the menu orders to be delivered to their table. "Hey, you guys ... congratulations on your engagement this morning," said Doctor Isaac Beneton, a neurosurgeon at the hospital. Anna and John stood up to accept their colleague's warm handshake and hug. "Thanks, Doc," said Anna. The doctors who were sitting at the table with Doctor Isaac also gave their congratulations to Anna and John. When their lunch menu came, they ended the pleasantries and returned to their seats. "Anna, are you comfortable with this sudden change in status?" asked John as he ate his food. Anna chewed on her beefsteak as she said, "To be honest ... no, I wish we could still work professionally. My job is still the t
Before starting the operation to open the thoracoabdominal cavity, Doctor Annastacia checked the patient's vital condition, an oxygen mask was attached to Ian's nose. After making sure that the general condition of the body is stable enough, she begins the opening of the thoracoabdominal cavity with a neat layer-by-layer incision because later she will sew it up again. The surgical resident who accompanied Anna in the late afternoon was the young doctor Joshua Kremlin, intelligent and agile. He helped Anna secure the layers that were opened by Anna with Allis forceps while continuing to follow every process executed by Doctor Annastacia, his senior. The tear in the diaphragm that separates the chest and abdominal cavities was discovered by Anna. It was about 3 cm in diameter, Anna immediately closed the hole with a neat stitch of micro thread. She checked with the light in her head for any other abnormal openings in the diaphragm. Turns out it wasn't there anymore, so Anna decided t
At 08.00 PM when Anna was about to leave JC's treatment room, the artist's manager, Max Brury came into the room. "Aahh Doctor Annastacia, how is JC's condition?" He greeted as he shook hands with Anna. "Well Jason's been awake for a while, but still can't eat until tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Please don't feed him Mr. Brury. Make sure he doesn't move much or walk around. I hope the wound won't leave a bad mark. Ointment for the suture scars is on the nightstand, they must be applied 3 times a day," answered Anna professionally. "Max, it seems like Anna likes to torture her patients," said JC, chuckling on the bed still on his stomach. "That's my hobby, Jason! It's getting late, Gentlemen. I'm going home now. See you tomorrow!" Anna said with a laugh and then left the JC treatment room. Anna took the elevator to the 3rd floor of her practice and took her bag and personal belongings. She left her room and locked it from the outside. The 3rd-floor corridor was deserted because practice ho