STEPHANIE

I am so nervous that I can't even describe it. The world seems to have turned against me tonight. Lacey was called on duty, so I was left without a friend to go out with. In the last minute of my shift, a man who needed CPR arrived at the ward, which means that I am not going anywhere until one of the specialists arrives. On top of all this, Nicole kept calling me and the phone kept vibrating in my pocket.

"What's with those surgeons?!" I could barely refrain from swearing.

"They don't have available ORs, as soon as someone is free, they will come down." The nurse shrugged disinterestedly.

They haven't had anyone free for half an hour, and the man has already received four doses of adrenaline. I am afraid that I will not be able to do this for a long time because this man's life depends on the surgery, and the speed it will be provided to him.

"Dr Bennett, you're free," my mentor ran into the office. "I'll take over from here, great job."

"Are you sure?" I asked him.

"Completely, go," he smiled slightly at me and began giving instructions to the nurses.

I respected this man for his knowledge, and the dedication he had for each patient. He only recently completed his residency, but he was full of knowledge. He had no favourite residents and was not one of the corrupt doctors. First of all, he is a good man, and only then an extraordinary doctor.

"Dr Bennett, you're still here," he looked at me out of the corner of his eye.

"Can you let me know how the surgery went?" I asked him before I left.

"Expect my message," he smiled slightly at me.

I was wondering if I should go out at all because it will be ten o'clock soon, and I don't have any company with that, but I realized that there was little chance that I would be free for the whole weekend anytime soon. I took the phone out of my pocket and turned it off. Tonight, I want to be completely free without my sister nagging me. Tomorrow she can give me as many lectures as she wants, but tonight I will relax and enjoy my youth.

I went to the locker room to take a shower, and then pulled on a silver dress with an open back and lifted my hair into a high ponytail because I knew how impractical it was to dance with long hair falling freely. Concerning the makeup, I applied a thin coat of concealer to cover my more than conspicuous under-eye circles, a fiery red lipstick and a bit of mascara, because it would take me more than an hour for all the heavy makeup. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror and pulled a black leather jacket out of my closet and a silver purse. I packed the uniform and then put on my favourite heels. If Nicole saw me like this, I wouldn't have a good time...

I called a cab and got out of the hospital using the back exit. I was lucky, because I waited for it for less than five minutes. I gave the address to the driver with a smile, and I was happily looking forward to coming to that famous new club.

When I would go out I would not use my car because I never sat behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol. This was another lesson I learned from Nicole.

For many years, she had a fear of driving due to an accident in which we lost our parents, but at my urging and a job that required her to own a car, and had to take the driving exam. Although the ride with her was more than slow, at certain moments I would think even people who were walking nearby were faster than her driving.

"Miss, we arrived." The taxi driver's voice returned me from my thoughts.

I thanked him and paid for the drive, and then I entered a club about which I heard only words of praise. The music was loud, and I could smell the familiar smell of alcohol in the air.

I headed to the bar because all the booths were full so far, I skillfully made my way through the crowd to the beat of the music. I have loved dancing and music since I know myself, and I guess that was the reason for the ten-year training that I eventually left due to college obligations.

I ordered a drink and took a couple of sips. I liked the taste of the white wine that was in it, after which I headed to the dance floor. I played and had fun, but I had the feeling that someone was watching me, which I tried to ignore.

I don't remember the last time I had fun like this, but I realized that I have to do this more often from now on. Here I was just one of many eager to have fun, not a doctor on whom the lives of many depend.

I looked across the room and saw that all the booths were full except one, in it sat a man whose gaze I caught on myself, but because of the dim light and light effects, I did not see him best. When I looked a little closer I recognized strong facial features and that blonde hair. Catching my gaze, he raised his glass in my direction and smiled slightly.

Is this man persecuting me?

I knew I should ignore him, but still, I didn't do it because something indescribably attracted me to that man. I headed towards him, and his smile was getting bigger every moment and step I take. He wore a white button-up shirt that perfectly revealed his defined body. The first three buttons were unbuttoned and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

"I see you don't worry about the press anymore, as much as I see you go out to clubs," I said first, then added, "With the antibiotics I prescribed you, you shouldn't be drinking."

"This?" He picked up a glass of whiskey, then poured it in front of me.

"I don't have to worry about the media here, none of them is present," he bullishly smiled at me.

"How can you be so confident?"

"I'm the owner, I care a lot about my privacy."

"Maybe I'm one of them, you can't know that."

"I'd love to give you interviews until dawn," he winked at me, and I felt my cheeks begin to take on a bright red colour. Thanks to the lack of light, if it was brightly lit, I would have been embarrassed.

"I think it's time for me to go..." I turned on my heel and headed in the opposite direction. How did he manage to leave me speechless so quickly?

"Why such an attitude, Stephanie?" He snapped, but I took no notice of him.

I went to the opposite end of the bar and started dancing again, but a man's hand grabbed me around the wrist. I thought it was Leo and I was ready to start a discussion with him, but to my surprise, I saw my ex.

His hair was tousled and I could smell the alcohol coming from him, he was drunk again. Anyone can make a mistake when choosing a boyfriend, but my failures are worth a medal.

"I want to talk," he leaned toward me and whispered in my ear, then pulled me after him.

His grip on my wrist grew intolerably stronger as he led me in an unknown direction. I needed to break away, but I knew he was going to make a scene and I didn't want that.

He took me out of the club through a back exit and then started yelling at me.

"Alex, you're drunk, don't make a fool of yourself. I told you it was over between us," I snapped away from him.

"How dare you call me a fool?" He was louder this time. He seems to be getting drunk tonight more than ever.

I looked for a way out of here that I could easily use, but I was in the dark parking lot behind the club, and the door we had previously passed through was too bulky to open quickly. I regretted wearing such high heels because they can only slow me down at the moment.

"Calm down, you don't want to get into trouble...", I tried to calm him down, but he headed towards me.

I soon hit the wall and he raised his hand ready to hit me. I closed my eyes in anticipation of the blow, but it never came. I opened my eyes and saw Leo holding Alex's hand tightly, Leo's muscles were so tense that I had a feeling he was going to break his arm.

"Apologize to the lady, now!" Leo practically growled.

I saw pure anger in his eyes and for a moment it scared me. There was no sign of that cheerful look and the childish smile he always had.

"Who are you now?" Alex asked Leo.

"As I remember, I was clear." Leo's grip tightened.

Alex swung his free hand at Leo, who was ready to dodge. I have the impression that this is not the first time that he got into a fight, but nevertheless, he just protected me. They continued to fight in front of me, and I continually begged them to stop, but none of them paid any attention to me. Tears began to run down my cheeks as I feared Leo would be hurt because of me.

Leo knocked Alex down, who stayed on the ground, then turned to me, and the anger and hatred that came from his eyes were replaced by worry.

"Are you okay?" He asked anxiously, but I was left speechless.

This was the first time I had witnessed a fight and the sight was not at all pleasant. Seeing my concern, he pulled me into a tight embrace. I felt the movement of his chest as he breathed and it calmed me down.

"It's over, you have nothing more to worry about..."

"Leo, why did you do that?" I asked him quietly, not wanting my voice to crack.

"I couldn't let him hurt you, I hate violence. Don't worry about him, except for minor injuries and hurt pride, he will be fine."

Tears slid down my cheek, and he wiped them gently.

"Everything will be fine," he stared into my eyes.

I took a deep breath, feeling his masculine perfume smelling incredibly attractive. I opened my eyes and saw Alex approaching him from behind in his hands holding the remains of a broken bottle.

"Watch out!" I screamed, but Leo turned too late.

I saw the moment when the bottle met Leo's face and shattered into many small pieces, Leo fell next to me with a bloody face, and Alex fled into the dark street.

"Leo, can you hear me?" I got down on my knees in fear, and he nodded in agreement and I saw fear in his eyes, which broke me.

All the injuries he could get went through my head, this probably exceeds my knowledge and possibilities. I took the tissues and tried to see how much damage there was, but there was too much blood. I took the phone out of my bag and quickly turned it on, calling an ambulance.

"What are you doing?" He asked me weakly.

"I'm calling an ambulance," I tried to stay as calm as I could about him.

"Don't you dare, I'm not going to a public hospital."

I cursed and hung up, calling Nicole.

"I said I wasn't going to the ER!"

I wanted to sharpen him and put him in his place. What is wrong with public hospitals? He is so spoiled and overbearing that it irritates me, but this was not the best time to quarrel.

"I'm calling my sister, she'll help you."

"I'm afraid you need a maxillofacial surgeon."

I cursed softly as my sister did not answer the second call. Of all the times right now she has found herself not answering.

"I'm calling a cab and we're going to her clinic," I told him.

"No, the paparazzi are always in front of the club," he consciously refused.

At moments like this, did he worry that his picture would end up in the newspaper?

He handed me the car keys and I slipped the unlock button. Of course, the most expensive sports car in the parking lot was unlocked. I helped him to his feet and carefully placed him in the passenger seat, fastening his seat belt.

"Do you have a first aid kit in this thing?"

"Trunk."

I immediately opened the trunk and quickly tore the protective foil. I quickly scanned the available medical equipment and of course, hardly any of it was useful. I'm just wondering which expert assembles these sets... I pulled out sterile gloves and all the available gauze quickly opened them and handed them to Leo.

"Get in the car, I saw the reporters!" He shouted at me, "They are really like vultures."

I ran to the driver's seat and quickly took off my heels, because it was safer for me to drive barefoot than wearing it.

"I have to warn you that I've never driven a sports car before."

"Just drive!" He yelled at me, and I started the car.

Why did I hope he would give me a brief guide to managing this?

"Hold that gauze and put your head down!", This time I shouted at him because I saw the camera flashes around us. I stepped on the gas pedal leaving the paparazzi behind.

"Take my phone and call Nicole's clinic," I told him.

"I don't know the password..."

"Can you do something once in your life without asking?" This time I was furious, "It's unlocked."

"Are you really keeping your phone unlocked?" He asked me in disbelief.

"Just call that number and turn on the speaker!"

I tried to respect the restrictions, but in a car like this, it was simply impossible. This was definitely not a car for city driving, but for racing.

"There's no answer..."

"Call until you get someone, because someone is always there."

I continued to get annoyed because no one answered the calls, so much about trusting them. Leo was fine at the moment, but that could change at any moment and I needed Nicole.

We arrived without anyone answering our calls and I ordered Leo to wait for me in the car until I found one of the nurses on duty. I have never met a person like him. He did not worry about the seriousness of the injuries, but more troubled about the fact that his picture would appear on the cover of the magazines. Who is this man and why is everyone following him?

Ana, one of the nurses on duty ran up to me as soon as she saw me, she was worried. I didn't come here often, except in cases of extreme emergency, and she knew that very well.

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