Apologies

Sophia POV

I woke up again with the sound of the alarm and went to take my medicine, wash my face, prepare coffee and something to eat. I did everything I had to do before leaving my apartment and going to the hospital, I had turned off my cell phone just so I wouldn't know what was going on, it was something I always did, doctor's orders, because after my shift I had to rest and not be overwhelmed thinking about work when I wasn't working.

I greeted people as I went to the locker room and put on my uniform, clocked in and went to reception to get my tablet. Apparently I was still working and in my role, but I was still assigned to the 42nd floor, but as a consultant and not responsible, was this his way of apologizing? Well, it wouldn't work.

I started my shift normally, passing by the trauma ward, talking to everyone and even attending to some cases, when I realized it was lunch time and I went to the cafeteria, took what I wanted and sat down immediately.

I started replying to messages from my friends, it seems the Horoux family had made a small fuss about me not wanting to work with them anymore. I answered everyone calmly, just saying that I was not for sale. I know I'm not a doctor, but I could have been, I just didn't want to and that's why the doctors in that place respected my opinions.

When lunch was over, I went back to making the rounds in the emergency room, until I didn't need anyone to tell me that one of those guards was there. I turned to see the same guard as yesterday with his hands in the pockets of his slacks, smirking and giving a slight nod. I knew what it indicated, I started walking towards him.

“Did you get hit a lot?” I asked smiling in the corner.

"A little... Hyperion is not usually one of the calmest people."

I noticed in his eyes that he didn't regret what had happened, he even looked proud. Strange…

“You and your Greek names.” I rolled my eyes and started to follow.

“My name is Alexander, it's a pleasure to meet you,Sophia Turner.”

“See, another Greek name.”

I gave a low laugh and got into the elevator and saw him press the button for floor 42.

“Where I come from, people like Greeks and Greek gods.”

“Well, if they didn't like it, it would be weird to name you like that.You are my son/daughter and I will name you Greek just because I hate them.”

“Hahahahaha, you are funny.”

“I am, for who is nice to me.”

"I'm glad you think I'm cool so I won't be the target of your wrath."

“Only if you try to attack me again.”

The elevator door opened and then Alexander started walking towards one of the rooms that was empty and as always outside there were two guards. I entered the room and saw that it had been converted into a small office and Hyperion was sitting on the other side of a simple wooden table, with an open laptop.

“Seems like I'm irreplaceable, doesn't it?” I spoke with a crooked smile, without having to raise my head or anything else, my words already showed that I was superior.

"Arrogant..." Hyperion spoke and stood up, trying to intimidate me, perhaps, with his size.

"As much as you." I was holding the tablet with my two hands down and the tablet just below my waist, a relaxed posture.

“Your suggestions worked, and besides, you have the same blood as my son, but I didn't see your name on the donor list.”

I saw him walk and go around the table and lean against it.

“The donation is something voluntary.” My eyes wouldn't leave theirs and for a second I saw them change color, getting darker.

“Do you by any chance want to save my son’s life?”

His voice was a little louder and showed the anger he felt.

"I thought no one was irreplaceable."

"He is my son!"

His scream made the windows rattle and there was an aura around him that would make many bow down, if it was my old one I would have run away crying, but now I am a different person and what I did caught him off guard as I took three steps forward. and I came face to face with him.

“He may be God himself, but that doesn't give you the right to threaten others to get what you want. Unless you really think his life can be sold.”

My voice is controlled and my tone calm.

“Threatening whoever is trying to save you is not going to make people work any better, fear is a despicable feeling and trying to instill it in someone else is even worse.”

My eyes don't leave him.

"There isn't enough money and threats in the world to make your child stay alive."

I took three steps back, returning to my starting position.

“Here we treat lives for the sake of being lives, regardless of social class or anything else. I've seen doctors here save criminals who were on death row while losing a child on the operating table."

There were so many emotions on Hyperion's face now, confusion, anger, pride, sadness, hope, among others.

“As I told Alex, loyalty and dignity cannot be bought. I'm not obligated to do something I don't want to, so when people like that arrive, we can choose whether we want to work or not. I didn't mind coming to work here, even working overtime, even though I hate your type… If you want to blame someone for me wanting to stay away from here, blame yourself.”

I finished my speech and waited for his answer, the seconds that passed were strange and somewhat embarrassing. Finally I saw Hyperion let out a defeated sigh and he dropped to his knees.

“Please forgive me, I…”

I smirked and went to him, at least he had the decency to assume he was wrong and for someone with his power, that was extremely difficult and shameful.

"Thanks. No one can guarantee that your son will survive, but everyone working on his case is doing their best to make that happen.”

My tone of voice was more welcoming now.

"Thanks."

I saw him stand up and I nodded slightly and left the room/office, took a deep breath and started heading towards Perseus' room.

“You really are impressive.”

I heard Alexander's voice behind me and I smirked.

"I know." And I heard him laughing.

“And humble too.”

“Hey, my name is Sophia Humble Turner.”

"Ahahaha!"

Alexander seemed like a nice guy, a little less serious than the rest of those guards. I entered Perseus' room, the first thing I noticed again was that smell, this time a little stronger. I looked around and saw Miriam there, the information from the panels was not good and I saw how nervous Miriam was.

I went to the bedside table, grabbed a pair of gloves, and walked over to help Miriam.

"The kidney and liver are not able to filter the toxins and there is not enough blood to do hemodialysis."

I started to turn him around so we could remove the bandages around his waist.

"We can't put him on the transplant queue, because it would be losing an organ."

Miriam completed very worried.

“In addition, he also appears to be allergic to silver.”

The news only got worse, when we finished changing the bandages I went back to the tablet.

“Hum…” I started to analyze the information in the database, mainly from the blood bank.

“We have 65l of blood from the Bombay team.” I whispered. “I can donate about 500ml, but I would still need to do a complete cycle.”

“No…no, no…” Miriam said, thinking I was going to do something stupid.

“From what I saw, there are several people who can donate more than 200ml of blood, without problems or with very low effects.”

I started doing the math.

"We would be left with 71l, with that margin we can do a session.”

I heard Miriam breathe in relief.

“You can talk to Hiperion, he will pay for these people to come and donate.”

I left the room and started walking towards the elevator, I would go to the blood donation session. Something strange was happening because I suddenly felt tired and a part of me didn't want to get away from this man. I shook my head, pushing the feeling away.

"Are you well?"

I turned my head and saw Alexander with a worried expression.

“Good, I will stay.” I smiled and pressed the elevator button.

“Is he that bad?”

“I am not allowed to speak.”

I pressed the button for the donation floor and saw that Alexander was still with me.

"Hey, shouldn't you be there on the floor protecting the Heroux family?"

“I was asked to stay with you too…”

I turned back to him angrily, but before saying anything he continued.

“No, no… That's not what you're thinking, I swear…”

I saw him throw his hands in the air.

“It's just to make sure you're safe, as it's pretty widespread that you're in charge of that area, so maybe you'll also become something of those who attacked us at the restaurant. “

“Hum… I wasn't very convinced, but…” I spoke more calmly after the explanation.

“I swear on… My family, Heroux, they mean everything to me.” I arched my left eyebrow, he was going to say something else, but decided to change direction.

“That way it even looks like they’re mobsters.” I smirked, it was better not to press.

“And isn’t every billionaire like that?”

"Yes, you are right."

I entered the ward and saw several people there, I went to one of the chairs and sat down. Soon I saw Joshua approaching.

“Hey! Finally! I was already missing!"

I smiled and kissed him back, we've been together for a few months now, but normally at work we don't show a lot of affection, but it was the first time I felt a strange twinge, as if it was wrong to do that.

“My shift will end in 4 hours.” I heard him talking and smirked.

“I go until dawn, I have to follow the procedure of our special guests.” I spoke with some irony and sighed, watching him start to fix my arm to insert the needle.

“Too bad, but I think we have some room to meet.”

Why did his sentence make me feel queasy? Was I getting sick?

“Sleep at home then, it will be easier.”

I forced the words out of my mouth, but it had been a few days since he and I couldn't be alone. Besides, if I was getting sick it would be better to have a general practitioner with me, wouldn't it?

Alexander, too, seemed uncomfortable with the situation.

"Excellent!"

I felt his caress lightly on my hand and I smiled, closing my eyes. In a way being with Joshua was welcoming, even if that bad feeling was still in me.

"I'll come back later to check everything."

I just nodded my head.

“I’m going to take advantage and take a nap.”

I spoke with my eyes closed.

I woke up to Joshua's touch, rocking me slightly.

“Hey, welcome back to the world of the living.”

I looked at him, blinking several times.

“Hum…”

I'm still a little dizzy, apparently I had slept very soundly.

“Come on, So.”

I felt the soft caress on my cheek and instead of feeling welcomed came an eagerness that made me slap his hand away.

“Ouch!”

Joshua wore a hurt expression, but I didn't feel inclined to apologize or feel any better towards him.

"Sorry." I forced the words again. "I think the donation made me more tired and eager."

Well, that was part of the truth.

"All good. Do you feel better to come back?” I saw him take out the stethoscope to check my signs and I just let him. “Look, looks like everything is fine, but you better eat something before you come back full force.”

"Thanks." I smiled and touched my lips to his just to see if the reaction only happened when the contact was more intimate and well, it didn't fail. I could feel my stomach turn.

I saw his smile as he walked away, but my expression was one of concern. Not that I expected to marry him, but Joshua was definitely one of my favorite people and also one of my longest relationships.

“What are you worried about?”

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked to the side to see Alexander, his face was nearly impossible to read, but I sure could see the pent-up anger and concern in his eyes.

“Hum… Hum…” As I was already told, if I didn't want to answer a question, just be quiet, I got up from the donation chair, straightened my clothes and grabbed the tablet that was there on the side.