Prologue

"Good afternoon, Nurse Gia.

"What's up, Nurse Gia?"

"You're getting better and better, Nurse Gia."

"You're even hotter than the sun in the afternoon, Nurse Gia."

I simply shook my head at the pleasantries from the interns at the business where I am currently employed. Because my friend is rumored to live nearby and misses me as well, she planned to meet up with me when I just came out. Although I still had work to do, I first didn't want to go, but by the time my working hour was through and it was time for lunch, the frenzy hadn't subsided, so I went to the Starbucks close to the business.

"Gia!" 

When someone yelled to me unexpectedly from behind as I turned around, I merely groaned and turned around because I realized I had been right to assume it was Curt Stevens. One of the cruel ones tried to court me by flirting with me despite my refusal to do so.

"Where have you been?"

His question caused me to arch my brow. I glanced at him without making any facial expressions after taking the lollipop out of my mouth. "When will you quit acting like a boyfriend to me, Curt?"

I don't understand why he behaved as though he were my lover, even though he was hurt and outraged by my inquiry. "Why would I quit if I was going to become your lover eventually?"

I was able to put up with his actions at first, but now I feel choked. Nothing yet but I'm sure his attitude will get worse if I happen to accept him as my lover. "I'm turning you down now, Curt."

I took another bite of my lollipop before continuing to walk, but a short while later Curt was back on my path. This time, he abruptly grabbed my arm, and when our eyes met once more, he was clearly in pain and enraged. He already had a red face, but I had to stop him because he was aware that I was being serious.

"Have you ever found someone else like me, Gia, huh?!" He raised his voice, drawing the attention of those nearby. I attempted to elude his hold because it was so painfully tight.

I told him, "Let me go, Curt. You're hurting me," and he released his hold on me right away. He then appeared to come to his senses, and he was surprised to see his handprint on my arm. I believe that it will eventually bruise because it is turning red.

"I'm sorry, Gia. I d-didn't mean it," he stammered apologetically.

I was incensed, so I took the lollipop out of my mouth and gave Curt a direct, serious look. "Stop acting like my boyfriend because you're not, Curt, and you never will be."  I walked away from him and threw my lollipop in a nearby garbage can. He followed me as I expected.

"Please, Gia, let's talk about it first. I'm sorry; I didn't want to upset you; don't criticize me; I was just stunned."

"Curt, stop talking; I've already explained everything to you multiple times, so there isn't anything to discuss."

"Gia, please. Give me another chance.” I heard him sobbing causing me to stop and then I faced him again.

His appearance made me gasp. "I'm sorry, Curt, but I can't give you what you want. All I can give to you is friendship.”

“No!" He abruptly turned to stare at me aggressively, making me take a step back. "Gia, you know how much I care about you and how much I have spent on you."

"But, Curt, I didn't ask for it. Please, stop doing this." I'm speaking to him because even though there are fewer people present than previously, he is beginning to re-capture everyone's attention. 

"Nurse McKenna, is there a problem here?" When someone suddenly spoke, I turned to face that person.

I addressed him as "Doctor Charles Manson," which made him stare down at me. He was wearing spectacles and his white robe. He is a little taller than I am, and while his build is not particularly large, it is obvious that he still works out in the gym. In addition, he has a look that attracts females' attention, but I'm not one of them.

"Is he? Is he the one you replaced with me?” I turned to Curt in disbelief when he suddenly said that. It was obvious to him that he was ready to punch someone because of the folding of his two fists. Doctor Manson and Curt are of the same body and height so I don't know what to expect. If they just hit each other a few times, they would both fall I suppose.

"Curt, we are not, and we never will be. Don't let other people sympathize with that illusion of yours," I yelled at him angrily, as I was no longer truly pleased with the stories he was thinking about.

I looked back at Doc when he said, "Go back to the clinic, Nurse McKenna." I don't know what to feel after hearing his order when in fact he could see that I was mending something here and that also made Curt more irritated.

"What's the use of those glasses, you idiot? Can't you see we're still talking? Are you blind, huh?" Curt yelled angrily.

Doctor Manson said seriously, "Those who are talking to those who are shouting are different, Mr. Stevens," which caused Curt to rush toward him and prepare to punch him. However, I stopped him right away, and he turned his attention back to me.

"Stop it, Curt," I angrily made him stop, and just like that it became easy for him to calm down and soften because he knew that my decision would not change. When I looked back at Doctor Manson, he had turned his back on us.

"Gia.." I heard Curt calling me again but I didn't look at him anymore and continued to our clinic here inside the company. 

While walking, I could still hear the whispers of those I passed and their judgmental looks, but I didn't pay attention to that. When I got to the clinic, I pulled out a lollipop from my coat pocket because that was the only thing that could calm me down. When I approached the trash can to throw its wrap away, I turned to Doc Manson's table because a boy was sitting there watching my every move. I don't know why I remembered something when I looked at him. He looks like someone.

I got closer to him until I could look closely at his face and that's when I confirmed that he looked like him. I smiled and it widened, even more, when he smiled back at me. 

"What's your name, young man?" 

"My name is Elijah David." The longer he smiles, the more he looks like that person in my mind. "How about you? What's your name?" 

I smiled. "You can call me Nurse Gia, Elijah," I introduced myself and then took a bite of the lollipop in my mouth. 

"Just call me Eli," he said and then eagerly looked at my lollipop causing me to smile. 

"You want some?" I showed him my hand where the candies I just got from my pocket were there. His face lit up and his eyes seemed to sparkle when he saw the candies and immediately took one. I placed the rest on the table in front of him so that he could take more from there if he wanted more. "Just stay there first, okay? I'll just get dressed." I said but he was already busy eating candies to just even look at me. 

I even laughed because of his cuteness. His maroon-colored suit, which was custom-made, was perfect for him because it was his perfect size. His hair is clean cut and his skin is white. He also has thick eyebrows, although he is still young, it is already noticeable. His eyelashes were also long and curled, giving more life to his coal-black eyes. His nose is also pointed and his cheeks are red while his lips are also naturally red. 

After I finished dressing in my uniform, I immediately went out, but the only thing I found was the door closing, which made me immediately turn to Eli's place earlier and saw that the boy was no longer there and only his bag was left sitting in front of Doctor Manson's chair. I immediately took it and chased after Eli because Doc might scold me if something bad happened to the child. 

"Dada!" I immediately turned to the source of that familiar voice of Eli and then I immediately ran towards it and only a few seconds later I immediately saw him running in the middle of the company's employees.

"Eli! Elijah!” I called him while the employees I was passing by could look at me but I didn't care anymore. 

I was about to reach Eli when I suddenly looked up at the man who was waiting for the boy to come near him. My chest felt like a drum when I confirmed that it was him. Every feature of his face has become more defined and his body has grown even more compared to the last time we met.

"Dada." I heard Eli's giggles when he finally got close to whom he called Dada who immediately picked him up. "Mommy!" From behind the two of them, I saw the approaching woman, and just like before, her beauty did not change. 

I felt like I just wanted to sink to the ground when I saw the smile on his lips. I stepped back until I could completely turn my back on that sight. 

"Nurse Gia!" But I felt like I was immediately stiffened in my position when Eli called me. 

Later on, I felt as if I would be deafened by every footstep I heard approaching me. My chest tightened and he had that familiar effect on me again. 

"Gia..." 

I gasped when after a few years I heard him calling my name again at the same time as his familiar scent hit my nose. Even though I was shaking, I forced myself to turn to him and I was not wrong when the distance between the two of us earlier got closer. I immediately realized that it was him. It was him. I guess my ex-boyfriend is already back in the country with his.. family. 

"I didn't know that you're already back.. with your family... Bryce.."