Chapter Six

FOUR YEARS LATER

California

WILLAND Hospital

Through the bustling atmosphere which was filled with a sense of anticipation that mingled with the comforting presence of healing and hope, a lady stepped her way into the huge, top-rated hospital of the city with grace and sophistication.

Though swelling inwardly with great excitement and anticipation, she looked professional with a perfect radiant face, as she exchanged a few conversations with the nurses at the front desk, and was shortly directed to where she was going.

She had just been appointed as the newest addition to the hospital's physiotherapy medical staff, and she had a lot of thoughts going on in her mind about what the new hospital held for her. It was the biggest and grand opportunity to fully expand her career.

"Welcome onboard, Miss Hall. It is a pleasure to meet you," the Musculoskeletal department head of physiotherapy, Mr. Brown welcomed her. He was a man in his late forties, wearing thick double-lens glasses that framed his small face. His deeply brown eyes seemed to have a lot of story to tell as they rolled uncontrollably.

"It is an honor to meet you, too," Stacy smiled modestly, making sure to not lose her charisma before him.

"Here are all the necessary documents that need to be signed for a final check-in for you as our doctor here, and these contain the other information that you might need to know about this hospital too. Department-specific protocols, workflows, expectations. The list is endless. Go over them," he stretched forth a big folder of files to her, and she took it without hesitation.

"Thank you, doctor."

"I would call one of the doctors to introduce you to the others too. Get familiarized with them, and figure out how things work here. Your job begins fully next week," he informed her lazily, and picked up the table phone on his desk to dial a number.

"I would appreciate that," Stacy responded politely.

"Your tour guide, Nadia Baker, is on the way. She will show you around," Mr, Brown added without meeting her eyes, and picked up his cup of coffee to enjoy his personal time which she had initially disrupted upon her entering.

"Thank you once again," she bowed respectfully and stood up to leave his sight immediately. The moment she opened the door and walked out of the room to the hallway, a beautiful lady was standing in front waiting for her.

"Hi, I am Nadia Baker. And you are Stacy Hall?" The pretty lady who approached her with a calm demeanor asked, as she flashed a warm smile at her.

Stacy's eyes flashed briefly to where her name was embroidered on her white coat, and she liked the appearance of the lady who was standing before her. Everything about her was so simple but exquisite.

"Yes, I am. Nice to meet you too, Nadia," She stretched her hand to take her handshake.

"Welcome, Dr. Hall. I am thrilled to have you here, and I am excited to be your tour guide," Nadia grinned excitedly.

"Thank you so much," Stacy responded delightfully.

"You are so beautiful, Stacy," Nadia complimented honestly as she took a glance at the stunning lady who was standing before her. Every aspect of her appearance exuded a sense of luxury and refinement, as if she had stepped out of a dream of wealth and glamor. For a young doctor, she exuded a regal aura.

"Thank you. You look so great yourself. Your smile is so charming," Stacy returned the compliment truthfully. She liked Nadia's personality already.

They both walked together through the maze of hallways that was bustling with patients, nurses, and doctors in white coats, as Nadia gave a brief explanation of the function of every hallway, room, elevator, and any infrastructure that came their way.

She finally led Stacy to the doctor's office, where several other doctors were gathered, and engaged in conversations while having a brief lunch together before the next ward call. They didn't notice when the door opened or when the two entered, but there was a noticeable change in the atmosphere.

"Hi, Everyone. Meet our new doctor, Stacy Hall," Nadia's voice traveled across the huge room and rebounded so fast, causing everyone to turn in unison at the same time towards their direction. They all stopped their conversation immediately.

'Stacy. You are strong. You can do it,' she told herself inwardly.

"Hi, everyone. I am Stacy Hall, and it is nice to meet you. I hope we can get to know each other more and I cannot wait to learn more from you all," she greeted eloquently in the same way she had practiced over and over again.

They were momentarily stunned.

The lady standing beside Nadia as they both entered was the epitome of elegance and opulence, and she possessed a natural allure that captivated the sight of everyone with her appearance. Coupled with her great appearance, it was not hard to tell that everything she wore was of great luxury. She effortlessly exuded an air of sophistication and grace.

Dr. Smith, the youngest male doctor, extended his hand, "Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Hall. I am Denver, the youngest male doctor. Welcome to our team."

"Welcome, Dr. Hall. I am Stephen, and I have heard great things about your great skills. I look forward to collaborating and learning from you," An older and friendly doctor chimed in.

Stacy smiled, feeling a surge of confidence already, "Thank you, Dr. Guzman. I am so delighted to see you," she flashed a warm smile.

The warmth among her new name colleagues reassured her that she had made the right choice of joining the hospital. However, instead of the usual welcoming smiles and nods of acknowledgment she expected from the females, there was some kind of undeniable strong tension that hung in the air with the manner in which they greeted her.

**…••...** .<•>. **...••...**

"I don't think they like me very much," Stacy mentioned as she and Nadia stepped outside.

"Them? No, they are just awkward. Dr. Smith literally grinned from ear to ear till you left," Nadia disputed her imagination.

"I meant the females," she specified.

"Oh, they? They have never liked me, ever since I came here about three months ago too. They are all like that. Cold and impassive," she explained.

"Are you sure? I felt something stronger than just natural dislike for a new junior," Stacy stated again, as she tried to think of how palpable the intense energy she felt from them was.

"If it is like that. Then it should be expected," Nadia reasoned.

"Why is that?" Stacy asked cluelessly as they entered the elevator together the moment the doors slid open.

"They have talked about you before you came, you know. We all know you already, even if we haven't met you. Stacy Hall. Twenty-eight. The youngest and smartest doctor in her set, who managed to start again after studying anatomy, and finished her degrees with perfect scores. Skilled and intelligent. Aced all the theories and practicals. Landed her second job in the most sought-after hospital in California, after becoming a star doctor in barely four months at her first hospital. Then she comes looking gorgeous, beautiful, and so luxurious like a little miss. Of course, they are intimidated!" Nadia's lips twisted into a smirk as she spoke in admiration of Stacy.

"Oh my! Really? I didn't mean to make an appearance in that…….."

"You didn't even need to get on their bad side at all. They automatically hate you, so you do not need to bother. They still do not believe that I didn't sleep my way to the top because it is so hard to get a job here, when it is for a fact that my mother slept days in front of my uncle's house and pressured him to find me the best job. It sucks already though. They treat my qualifications as lower, and make me do stupid jobs," Nadia lamented with a slight frown.

"So they will think the same of me too?" Stacy asked incredulously, finding it hard to believe that she was already on the bad radar of people she had not even met before.

"Certainly! So, brace yourself my darling," Nadia smiled at her as they came out of the elevator on the first floor, "We have a lot of convincing to do," she added.

Stacy's mind rummaged through the summary of what Nadia had just told her as they took another elevator to the hospital restaurant, and she felt more passionate than ever to make her life different at the hospital. She had studied endlessly for years and started a new path in her life, with the hope that she would be free from negativity and hostility from people.

However, with the way things seem now, her life might not be any more easy even with her great qualifications as she expected.

'They all hate her already.'