Nightingale

“Good morning, Ma’am,” someone said making her jump in surprise. She looked to her left to see the security guard. He greeted her when he noticed her hesitation to enter inside. She nodded while forcing a smile.

She entered the hospital nervously. She was afraid. She hadn’t been to a place like this before. Her low-heeled shoes clanked against the marble floor. She stood in the middle and turned her head around in all directions to take note of her surroundings.

It was noisy yet classy. She could see people rushing in and out. Nurses holding files while many receptionists answered calls which just didn’t seem to stop.

She walked in hesitantly thinking her decision through. No matter how nervous she might be, she had to do it. After all, it was her career. She chose to save people’s lives.

Inhaling deeply, she walked over to the reception with newfound confidence. She rested her hands on the desk and waited for one of them to end their calls. As soon as one of the ladies hung up on the telephone, she jumped in, “I’m new here. My name is Ayra Nightingale Rivera. I’m here for my internship.” She said all together without a pause.

The lady in front looked at her for a second before nodding. She looked down at the monitor in front of her and moved the mouse, clicking. Ayra tried to peek but could see anything.

“Sure, the second floor near the cardiology department,” she said and Ayra just nodded.

“Walk straight and you’ll find the elevator,” the receptionist assured her with a smile.

Without further ado, Ayra walked ahead and spotted the two steel doors. A few people were already waiting for her and she stood right behind them waiting for the elevator. It wasn’t even half a minute when the elevator doors opened with a ding. She walked in as all the people in front of her got in. She press the button that had the number two inscribed on it and waited as the doors closed.

She was constantly clenching and unclenching her hands into a fist. She was really nervous. And seeing so many people added more to her anxiety. She hadn’t been to crowded places much and was a little anxious with so many people around her.

When the elevator came to a halt and the doors opened, she rushed out of the stuffy place. She looked around to figure out where the cardiology department was. When she spotted it, she walked there in small steps. There were two more people standing there, maybe they were interns just like her.

She walked to them and one of them who noticed her asked the other one to turn. Now, both of them were facing her, and Ayra couldn’t help but feel nervous under their gaze.

“Hi, I’m Rhea,” the girl spoke up.

“And I’m Jordan,” the guy said with a smile.

“H…hello, I’m Ayra,” she introduced herself. Anyone could have noticed the nervousness in her voice.

“Are you an intern too?” Rhea asked her.

“Yes,” she said and forced a smile to mask her nervousness.

“Ok! They’ll be here any minute now!” Rhea chirped and Ayra just nodded.

No sooner than the words escaped Rhea’s mouth two doctors walked up to them. They waited for a second or so before another one joined them.

But this doctor wasn’t just anybody, he was Dimitri Vittori. Dimitri was one of the most successful surgeons in the country. In fact, the very hospital they were standing in was his. He was the owner of the other successful branches of the hospital under the name Vittori Health Care. Being 36, he had dedicated his life to saving the lives of other people. He was one of the most respected people in the world.

Ayra gulped looking at him. He was strikingly handsome and very intimidating. He had a stoic expression and looked like his time was being wasted the longer he stayed here. He was well-built and the nerves on his arms popped out. His perfect body was hidden under the blue uniform he was wearing. His hair was slightly disheveled and his blue eyes sparkled.

Unlike the other doctors, he wasn’t looking at anyone as his eyes were fixed on his wristwatch.

“So, welcome to Vittori heart care and we are ecstatic to have you here…” one of the doctors started and continued but Ayra wasn’t paying any attention to her as her fellow interns. She was looking at Dimitri with slight fear and nervousness. No matter how good he looked, there was no denying that the man looked like he wanted to kill someone.

Ayra on the other hand, hadn’t been exposed to the outside world a lot. Being an orphan, she was always taken care of by her aunt and uncle. She had been homeschooled up to the point she had to join medical school. She was the smartest and youngest in her class. She skipped two grades in school because she was quite intelligent for her age, therefore landing her here for her internship at 23, whereas other students would normally be here at the age of 26. One of the reasons she was able to intern in Vittori was because she was smart. Otherwise, only the influential and rich were able to get into Vittori.

“I guess it's clear now, Jordan with me. Rhea with Dr. Todd and Ayra with Dr. Vittori,” the lady finished and Ayra snapped her head towards the woman.

To say she was shocked would have been an understatement as she looked at the man in front of her with eyes as wide as saucers. She couldn’t fathom the thought that this man was Dimitri Vittori. Since none of the doctors introduced themselves, she didn’t know she would get to work with the well-known Dr. Dimitri Vittori.

But the more she thought about it, the more she got scared.

“Will you follow now?” A manly voice reached her ears and she looked up to see Dimitri was a few steps ahead of her and he kept on glancing at his watch like she was wasting his time. By the look on his face, she could clearly tell he was annoyed. She looked around to find herself alone. Jordan and Rhea had already left with their respective bosses.

She quickly nodded her head and ran behind Dimitri who was already walking without waiting for her response. Despite being 5’4, she was nothing in comparison to his 6’2 or that’s what she estimated him to be.

One thing everyone had to know about Ayra was that she was an extremely clumsy girl. She was so caught up in trying to catch up to him, that she didn’t realize that she went ahead and collied right into his firm back. She yelped and hit the ground as he stopped abruptly.

“Miss. Rivera, I don’t like it when people don’t use the two eyes they have. Now get up and follow me!” He barked at her making her flinch.

She stood up rubbing her butt and forehead simultaneously. She knew it was going to be hard for her mostly due to her lack of social experience.

“God, please help me,” she said as making the Trinitarian formula. Inhaling deeply, she walked ahead to cover the distance between them.