Chapter 1

N O E L L E

A smile forms on my lips every time I see my desk name plate and how it shows my name. It’s the name that I worked hard for and dreamt of seeing every time I entered my office.

Dr. Noelle Lewis

Neurosurgeon

It’s a mixture of happiness and bitterness every time I remember the past that helps me grow as a person. “Are you ready, Noelle?” I looked over my shoulder to see the owner of that familiar voice. It’s Maxwell.

I closed the door to my office before heading to the hospital’s auditorium hall. All doctors have to gather in auditorium hall for the announcement of new Hospital CEO. It is said that a well-known and big company bought this hospital and made it their subsidiary.

It is a private and well-known hospital and we can see that it’s doing well; that’s why we don’t know the reason for selling it to a bigger company.

It is the hospital where I rendered my internship, my three years as resident doctor and as a surgeon for more than a year now. This hospital witnessed my hardships, sleepless nights, and frustrations over the years.

“I wonder if they are going to make some changes in the hospital’s management.” I heard Maxwell say while we’re walking in the hallway.

We heard about the new appointee a month ago and since then all doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff have been anxious about how the new CEO will affect our lives. We are hoping he’s as good as the previous CEO.

“We are all worried about it. Let’s just wait.” I said before smiling at him. “Are you tired? Let’s go home right away after the announcement.” I said while looking intently at his face. We both rendered night shifts and we are fully booked for surgeries for the whole week.

Doctor Maxwell Hughes is a pediatric surgeon and I’ve known him for almost a decade now. We both know each other well and no secrets between us.

“Yeah, let’s do that. I need a ten hour sleep.” He said, and we both laughed. Hoping for a longer sleep is a joke to us now. We all know that we can’t even have an eight hour sleep because of unforeseen events in the emergency room.

When we entered the auditorium hall, it was already packed with doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and other hospital staff. Maxwell and I sat on the available chairs at the top. Not long enough, the Hospital President started the announcement.

“Good morning. I would like to thank all of you for attending this announcement. As the president of this hospital it is truly my honor that on behalf of the management, I am given the opportunity to give our new CEO a formal welcome. Your legacy, professionalism, and prior achievements are all known to us, and I hope in this company you will also be able to set new milestones. Please all welcome our new Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Levi Alexander Mitchell!”

Who?

I know I heard those names clearly, but I can’t seem to accept what I heard. It must be a mistake.

I can hear the people around me applauding for the man marching towards the president. They all stood up to welcome him, but I remained sitting. I feel like my body has frozen, my throat has dried out, and my hands are shaking.

“Thank you for your warm welcome.” His familiar voice washes all my doubts that he must be another person. Fragments of my past started flashing in my mind. I embrace myself as I feel like I am falling deeply into the darkest pit of my memories.

No. It can’t be. Why should our path cross again? I have done what I can just to forget him and the things he had done to me. Of all the hospitals in this world, why does he have to buy the hospital where I am working? Is this a coincidence or bad fortune? What am I gonna do? The least that I want to happen is to work for him.

“To those who don’t know me yet, let me give you a little information about me. I’m Levi Alexander Mitchell and I’m the CEO of Mitchell Corporation. We acquired this world-class hospital and made it our subsidiary, so for the next few years I will be focusing my whole attention on managing this hospital.”

I shut my eyes closed as reality hit me hard. It’s not a dream. He’s really here and I cannot do anything about it.

“You will be alright, Noelle.” I abruptly opened my eyes and found Max smiling warmly at me. He’s not standing and applauding like the others. He remains sitting like me.

“I know you’re stronger than before, Noelle. Don’t let his presence affect you anymore. Always remember that I’m always here to protect you.” My tears started falling from my eyes as I felt his sincerity. His words are enough to put my chaotic mind at ease.

He cupped my face as he wipes my tears using his thumb. “Silly girl. I know I’m handsome and hot, but you don’t have to cry for me. I’m all yours.” He said while smirking and it’s my cue to laugh at his old joke. “I know what you’re thinking. I have told you many times that it’s not a joke.” He said with a poker face.

“Alright. I get it.” I said while chuckling. I gasped when he suddenly planted a soft kiss on my forehead. “Hey.”

“I can’t help it. You’re too adorable to resist.” He said as he winked at me. He let go of my face as I shook my head at his remarks. Kissing me on my forehead and chick became his habit.

The new CEO’s speech lasted for fifteen minutes and I don’t remember the rest of his speech as Max and I were talking about our next trip on the weekend. We waited for half of the attendees to exit the auditorium hall before we started walking towards the exit.

“What did you two do earlier?” Alyssa, my best friend, who is also a doctor, approached us when we reached the end of the stairs. Alyssa is an obstetrician/OB. We’ve known each other since college.

“What do you mean?” I asked as we walked.

“Levi stopped talking in the middle of his speech while looking at both of you with piercing eyes!” She shouted before laughing like an evil witch. Max and I chuckled at his unbelievable statement. We are sure she just made it up because she hates him.

“You can’t call him by his first name now. He’s our new CEO, remember?” Max said while glaring at her.

“I don’t care. He’s still a jerk.” She said with an annoyed face. “Let’s grab something to eat before you leave.” She suggested while smiling from ear to ear.

“Don’t you have scheduled surgery today?” I asked.

“I still have twenty minutes.” When we were in college, an hour of lunch break seemed short for us, but now even fifteen minutes is long enough to fill our stomachs. We don’t have the luxury of spending one whole hour to eat because of unforeseen events in the hospital.

“Dr. Noelle Lewis.” We all suddenly stopped from leaving the auditorium hall the moment we heard the familiar voice. He talked using the microphone, so everyone who was still in the auditorium heard it. “You cannot leave without saying hi to your fiancé.” My eyes widened in surprise as I looked at Max, who is now showing the same reaction as mine.

“Oh, shit.” I heard Alyssa curse while looking around us. Murmurs filled the auditorium. I shut my eyes closed as I tried to suppress the anger and annoyance in my chest. How dare he say that?!

“See me in my office. Don't make me wait.” The great CEO Levi Alexander Mitchell said, full of authority and coldness in every word.

Damn.