Chapter 4

Mara's POV

It took me 20 minutes to finish up with the dishes in the kitchen. As soon as I was done, I slipped into my crocs, grabbed my handbag and rushed out of the house without even looking back. Because I know that if i don't do it that way, the mom will try to delay me with other chores.

My heart was beating faster as I ran down the road to board a cab. The clock on my phone glared back at me, a cruel reminder that I was running dangerously late.

When I finally got a taxi after standing on the roadside for what feels like forever, I got a taxi...I still wasn't relieved inside the taxi. I couldn't help but keep on checking the time over and over again.

It felt like the car wasn't even moving at all, I will surely be asked to go home and be disqualified today. My knees trembled restlessly and the traffic on the road was alarming! It seems like it wants to ruin my future at all costs.

"Please," I whispered under my breath, clutching my bag tighter. "Please drive faster...i need to get there urgently." I said to the cab driver...he nodded his head and speed off following another direction.

Soon, we finally got to the hospital's big gates. I nearly jumped out of the car before it could even stop.

My stomach twisted in and even though I felt a bit nausea I still forced my legs to move faster into the elevator. This internship is like a lifeline and I can't afford to lose it.

As I hurried through the glass doors of New Era hospital of texas, i could hear voices coming from the waiting floor which was already indicated that it was the first place we are all supposed to be oriented.

Amidst the voices, I'm sure I heard the voice of my friends and coursemates clearly. I was far away looking into the group of students when I saw a tall man in a crisp white lab coat-guess he's a doctor, and he was with another doctor too.

He was just standing straight behind the entrance...the hallway is so long that even running is useless because it will take up to 3 minutes to get to them.

All I could hear was the doctor's deep and smooth voice as it echoed across the hall. "Is this all of you?" he asked calmly ... .I couldn't see his face because he was facing backwards.

Before anyone else could respond, I heard my friend Lila speak up with her cheerful tone trying to soften the tension.

"No, doctor, we're not complete. One of us is on her way. She called to say she's stuck in traffic, but she'll be here soon." I fastened my pace.

The doctor brought up the list on his hand and then I heard his voice again "This is an internship at one of the largest hospitals in the country," he said firmly.

"New Era hospital is not a place for carelessness. My name is Dr. Alexander and this is my colleague, Dr. Bernard. As for the register, I see one name missing. If she is not here, she will not be listed as an intern. If she's late on the first day, you had better tell her not to bother coming at all."

My breath caught. No, no, no.

I broke into a run across the polished floor, as the sound of my crocs squeaked embarrassingly loud in the vast hall.

"I'm here! I'm here!" I shouted, fumbling for my student ID. My lungs burned from the sprint as I breathed loudly.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," I said, my words tumbling out in a rush. "Traffic was terrible and... there were some personal issues at home."

I bent over slightly trying so hard to catch my breath as I quickly fixed the ID badge to my uniform. My hands were trembling as I clipped it into place perfectly ... .I couldn't even look up as I kept my eyes down focusing on the badge...I was too nervous to even glance at the doctors.

He didn't look up either and his eyes stayed on the file he was holding like he was signing. Slowly, I raised up my head after steadying the badge and froze.

My eyes widened in shock and disbelief as I felt like the world was spinning around me...my heart skipped a beat faster than usual.

Standing right in front of me, in that immaculate white coat, was the man from that night, the stranger I had a one night stand with!

The man who dismissed me immediately and called me a gold digger and paid me off...the father of my child.

My mouth fell open in shock. My eyes widened and at that moment I couldn't even breath or look away from him....he raised his face too and his eyes locked onto mine too. Seems like he recognized me?

Why is he here? My mind raced in a thousand directions. Why is he wearing a doctor's coat? Don't tell me....

"Lila..." I whispered urgently to Lila standing next to me, my voice barely audible. "What is he doing here?"

Lila blinked at me in surprise. "What do you mean by what he's doing here? You don't know him? That's Dr. Alexander." Her eyes sparkled with an irritating admiration as she leaned closer in a way that sounded like she was daydreaming.

"You see, he's the top surgeon in this hospital. Some say he's actually the hidden owner of this entire place, though he keeps it a secret."

"People also say he only performs surgery on presidents and celebrities. Isn't he the hottest man you've ever seen? And guess what-he's going to be our boss. Our supervisor for the internship generally!"

Her words slammed into me like a tidal wave.

Our boss? My heart stumbled. My... one-night stand is my boss?

No. No, this can't be real!

I forced a shaky smile at Lila to mask the awkward situation but deep inside I was spiraling. There is no damn way I can stay in the same hospital with him, with the man who got me pregnant ... .he cannot know about our baby!

Meanwhile, Dr. Alexander finally saw through how surprised I was and broke the ice "You arrived late, Almost one hour late. Who told you that you could keep others waiting, Miss Mara?"

I swallowed hard immediately, just the way he called my name nearly made me stumble...he darted his eyes back to files he was holding nonchalantly, like ... ..he didn't know me at all. I knew...he recognized me.

I could feel the sweat already building up in my palms and forehead, maybe he is trying to disqualify me already.

I knew he hated me from that night and wouldn't want me to work near him but I couldn't afford to lose this internship, especially the fact that this hospital is rich enough to pay interns monthly stipends.

I really need that money for my father's medication especially now that Philip had drained out my savings for a useless phone.

I straightened my shoulders immediately, forcing my voice to stay calm.

"Doctor," I said, my words steady despite the storm inside me, "to be honest, I really need this internship. I promise it won't happen again. I will do anything to keep this internship."

For a long and unbearable moment there was silence as his eyes were still fixed on me. Then he slowly narrowed his eyes as recognition flashed across his face. His jaw tightened. I'm finally going home!

Of course he remembered me now, How could he not?

But instead of the questions or accusations I feared, he only said while still staring at me. "We have zero tolerance for lateness here. If it happens again, you're going home. Understood?"

"Yes, Doctor," I whispered, lowering my eyes quickly. My knees trembled with relief and dread all at once.

Without saying another word, he turned sharply to the other doctor and signaled him to follow him. They walked away together down the hall as their white coats swept behind them.

Immediately they were out of sight, I breathed out in relief letting out the shaky breath I had been holding. But even with that i still have one thought in mind, was he pretending he doesn't remember that night or he actually wanted me here?

Either way, I couldn't risk this job and I will try as much as possible to play it safe, i will only have to stay quiet and keep my distance away from him at all cost.

If I stayed in my lane, I might survive this internship without disaster.

Soon, the others left with one of the senior nurses to be posted in one of the departments and I was left alone with one other senior nurse except Lila.

She walked closer to me and said with shock in her voice. "Oh my goodness," she said under her breath, glancing toward the hallway where Dr. Alexander had disappeared.

"That was close.. you have some luck, Miss Mara. Dr. Alexander despises lateness. You're the only person he's ever let off without punishment. Don't do it again, understand?"

I nodded quickly, swallowing the lump in my throat.

The nurse leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Be careful, He's a brilliant surgeon, but he's ruthless when it comes to rules."

"I... I understand," I said softly. My voice sounded far away, even to me.

Lila drew closer and held my hand tightly, squeezing gently. Her bright eyes tried to chase away my fear. "It's all right," she said with a reassuring smile.

"You'll get used to him. Just don't be late again, okay? I can't afford to lose my best friend."

I forced a smile and nodded quickly. "It's okay lila... I'll be careful."

Saying that is more like a waste of time because deep inside my mind, I have a lot of questions to ask.

How on earth am I going to hide my pregnancy from him?

Chapter 5

Alexander's POV

It's been a few weeks almost 4 weeks since that night with her, but the memories still replays in my head like a shadow I cannot shake off. But every time I closed my eyes her beautiful face filled my mind...the way she kissed me, the way her eyes were filled with lust and craving got me captivated.

I've been with a lot of women in my life but I will be honest that none of them ever haunted me the way she does. At some point I thought I was going crazy, on a normal note I was supposed to forget everything about her after paying her off and move on.

Instead, I find myself replaying every sound she made while I was snatching her soul from her body that night as if my mind refuses to let it go.

Sometimes I even had to wonder if she is the same girl from my childhood, the one girl who saved me in a way I couldn't explain. Yeah! I know the thought felt ridiculous but I couldn't stop myself from thinking about it..her presence kept gaining at me.

After that night, I even had to drive down to that same street each day to look for her indirectly, maybe I could see her...but there was nothing. Eventually I had to force myself to let it go, but my heart refused to listen.

This morning began like every other day and I felt so energetic, waking up before sunrise, checking my emails first and marking some important surgeries on my calendar. I dressed up in my crisp white coat and drove off.

Upon getting to the hospital I went straight to the waiting floor which was where all interns gathered for a brief orientation. But there were supposed to be just five of them, which is only candidates who were picked out specifically from hundreds of applications.

But then when I counted the list I saw just four at that point, I got so pissed off because one thing I don't spare is lateness but when she rushed in breathing heavily, my heart pounded against my chest as my eyes widened in disbelief.

What is she doing here?

I was captivated immediately by her beautiful eyes and curvy body from the scrub she was putting on. She is damn pretty! And for a moment, I totally forgot the other interns and was caught off guard. My chest tightened as the memories of that night crashed over me like a storm.

And more importantly....what does it mean that we will be working under the same hospital? This isn't good. This isn't good at all.

I shifted my gaze away from her immediately and kept my eyes on the file pretending to focus on the file in my hand but when I tried to scold her and she pleaded with me, I couldn't get myself to dismiss her again.

And at that moment, I felt like I wanted to protect her. And that was how I signed her file against my rules and allowed her to stay. I could imagine the facial expressions of the other nurses right now.

***

I left with Bernard to my office, my mind still filled with questions and excitement at the same time. Bernard has been my colleague and oldest friend for so long and I was arranging some files on the table when he folded his arms beside me grinning like a five year old child.

"Alright dude," Bernard said with a knowing smirk. "What was that about? Since when do you go easy on interns? Don't tell me you've suddenly grown a soft spot for that pretty girl, Or..." His eyes narrowed mischievously. "Do you have a crush on her?"

I froze immediately I heard that and my hands stopped with the files, I was totally caught off guard and my jaw tightened slightly. I've known benard for so long as someone who has always been annoyingly perceptive.

"She's the girl," I said quietly.

"What girl?"

"The one I told you about. The night I... I had a one-night stand with."

Immediately he heard that his eyes widened in shock and his lips parted slightly in disbelief before i knew it, he started laughing loudly

"No way! Don't tell me she's the same mystery woman you couldn't stop talking about for days. The one who's been living rent-free in your head. Damn, Alex." He giggled but I refused to give him the satisfaction that he wanted.

"Hundreds of interns would sell their souls for a glance from you and you've never blinked. She must be special. And she's gorgeous. I mean, I can see why you..."

"Stop! Please...." My voice came out sharper than I intended. I felt so irritated at his over blabbering tease and telling me exactly how I felt.

But I knew that on the other hand, he was right about Mara, she's just different from the others and that difference scares me more than I'd admit it.

"It was a mistake ... .and that's all. Look, I need to stay away from her. We're going to work together, and I can't afford distractions so anything that happened between us is all in the past and this ends here."

Bernard leaned back, grinning like a cat with a secret. "Sure, boss. Whatever you say. But you might want to sit down for this next part."

"What part?" I asked him, narrowing my eyes.

He tapped his phone, pretending to check something while enjoying my growing annoyance.

"I'm calling the admin. Guess who just got approved to work the same shift as you, for the entire internship? I sent them a message now to allow Mara to work with you for the entire process."

My eyes opened slowly from shock and I stared at him, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach. "You wouldn't dare! Don't try that"

"Oh, I already did," he said with a laugh. "Consider it... fate."

My chest was boiling with anger but even if I had the power to stop that from happening, I just couldn't!

I cursed under my breath as benard chuckled all the way out of my office.

Fate? Now this is the worst part of it all!

Mara's POV

The senior nurse gave me a patient file to submit to the admin's office. I walked down the hallway holding the file tightly. For some reason I felt so nervous on my first day because of him.

My mind wasn't focused on the file in my hand...it was spinning around Doctor Alexander. How am I supposed to hide my pregnancy while working here? The question burned in my head.

And that was when I regretted everything that happened that night. I was the cause of all this and had it been I listened to him when he whispered that we should use protection because he wasn't ready to be a father then this wouldn't have happened.

He didn't want a child yet here I am, carrying his child inside me. This is the main reason why I shouldn't even disclose it to him because if he finds out, he will reject the baby automatically for sure!

I will not give him that power to do that, I will protect my baby even if it means hiding the truth every single day of this internship.

But the problem is, how do I get to hide this pregnancy? How do I hide something that will eventually show up? My uniform has already started tightening around my waist even if it's just 3 weeks.

It can't be hidden for long.

I went into the administration office and found the senior nurse there...I tried to focus and handed her the file I was holding as she handed me my work schedule.

"You'll find your supervisor listed inside, you will be supervised by him throughout your internship" she said briskly.

I thanked her and left the office, flipping through the schedule as I walked. My eyes skimmed the names searching for my supervisor while I mistakenly bumped into someone and the book fell and scattered on the floor.

I slowly looked up to apologize and my stomach dropped. It was him...Dr. Alexandra his eyes were locked into mine and I couldn't help but part my lips slightly at the sight of those golden brown.

His expression was unreadable and I felt my pulse quickening, he looked composed as always but the way he looked at me right now shows he recognises me.

"I...I'm sorry," I stammered, bending quickly to gather the scattered papers. My fingers trembled.

He picked them up instead with a calm precision and scanned through it slowly

"Miss Mara," he said finally, his voice low but clear, "it seems we'll be working together from now on. I'm your supervisor for this internship."

The words struck me like a tidal wave as my eyes widened in disbelief I felt cold shivers rushing down my spine.

"What?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

His expression didn't change, but he just gave the faintest and mischievous smile like a lot planned for me.

"Yes," he said, handing the file back to me. "You and I will be on the same shift. Starting from now."

No! No! This can't happen, my heart pounded against my ribs. I wanted to scream and ask for a different supervisor apart from him but all i could do was just to stand there frozen and staring into his eyes. Of all the doctors in this hospital, why him?

What kind of a cruel twist of fate is this? How am I supposed to stay away from him now?

It seems like I can't stay away from him after all.

Chapter 6

Alexander's POV

I stood still, my eyes fixed on her as she struggled to steady herself after bumping on me. For as long as the moment lasted, it felt as if the whole world had fallen silent, save for the sound of her uneven breathing.

"Y–yes, sir... I mean, doctor..." she stammered, "I'll do just as you say...doctor."

Her movements were hesitant, almost guarded, and when she finally stood upright with the documents clutched on her chest, I noticed she did everything but look at me. Her gaze only stayed low and focused so keenly on the papers she surely couldn't read as she stood.

This bothered me more than I was willing to admit. How could we work together if she continued to act this way?

I leaned forward slightly, trying all I could to remain calm with her, even forming a gentle smile on my face.

"Look at me, will you?" I asked in the gentlest of voices. As the words fell off my lips, her head lifted almost instantly. Her eyes met mine for the briefest second before I myself looked away.

It became difficult to hold her gaze, and everytime I tried, all I could see was that night.

I cleared my throat again in an attempt to shake the memory away. "If you want to get the best out of your internship here," I started in a voice more firmer than before, "then you'll have to work....with an open mind."

When I said that, I summoned the courage to meet her eyes once more. This time,I didn't look away. Slowly and without thinking,I reached out and placed my hand gently on her shoulder.

I felt her warm skin beneath my touch. Also felt the faint tremble in her hand as she quickly pulled away and lowered her face even more. Then she took a small step back, her shoulders stiff,and her eyes avoiding mine completely.

For a moment I felt nothing. I even had the simplest of impulse to take a step towards her and try again. But the moment I looked around and realised that all damn eyes were on me, the longing for her turned into something else–

Embarrassment.

I straightened,my jaw tightening as a rush of anger and pure humiliation burned through me. Never in time past have I showed such closeness to a mere intern. Not once in all these years!

And now, here she was, the same one who had managed to haunt my nights recoiling from my touch as though it meant nothing to her.

My pride took the blow deeply.

"If you'll excuse me," I muttered more to myself, clearing my throat once more and brushing past her.

The faint scent of her perfume lingered as I walked by, only making my frustration worse.

I heard footsteps behind me–the other interns following.

"Doctor, please wait up!"

"Doctor!"

They called for my attention, but I ignored them all. Not even a glance.

Of course they all wanted me to be their supervisor, I could tell from their constant cries. But I didn't care about this.

Getting to my office, I walked in briskly and shut the door behind me, the sound echoing sharply through the quiet room. I pressed my palms against the desk, breathing sharply in an attempt to contain my anger. But it didn't help.

How dare she?

How dare she struggle against my touch before all those eyes? After she invaded my thoughts and made me lose control of myself for weeks?

No woman had ever made me feel half this way before.

And yet, here I was, furious, restless and more drawn to this strange intern than ever.

The shrill ring of my iPhone snapped me out these thoughts. I tore my gaze from the wall and glanced at the screen almost immediately.

Mother.

I made a quiet groan, slowly dragging a palm across my face. With certainty I could guess how this conversation would go–her usual lecture about my finding a wife or her myriad of endless matchmaking I believed she enjoyed.

I let it ring once or twice before picking it up.

"Mother," I greeted, my tone tight but polite.

"Oh, Alexander darling," came her forever smooth and graceful voice. "I hope I'm not interrupting a world class surgery or something?"

"Yeah, you're doing so," I muttered dryly, knowing that she wouldn't cut the call for anything. "What is it?"

Just as I said this,the door opened and Bernard strolled in with a file in his hand. He gave me a teasing grin and silently mouthed, 'Your mom?'

I rolled my eyes in response before turning to the window and sticking my fingers between rows of the blinder.

"Actually, sweetheart," my mother continued, "I have a business meeting this evening, and I can't make it. Something urgent came up. Couldn't help my age, Alexander, and I was wondering if you could attend in my place."

I paused, half expecting her to twist her statement into one of her usual tones, one involving me with yet another woman she wanted me to meet.

But she didn't.

I smiled faintly and stole a glance at Bernard who was now seated comfortably on the chair facing my desk.

"Well,I was worried you were calling to set me up again," I said lightly. "This sounds like a relief, mom."

She laughed softly. "Oh, I guess you needed a break. We all do. The meeting will be a La Bella restaurant, nine o'clock sharp. Just sit in for me ,will you, and represent the wine business. It'll run smoothly, I believe?"

"Of course it would," I said with a small nod. "Consider it done."

"Splendid," she replied in a fine tone. "One more thing. Try to eat something decent for once, okay? A doctor should lead in this aspect."

"Of course mother," I replied, smiling despite myself.

A few more pleasantries, and she hung up before I placed the phone on the desk.

" Well, that was a quick one. What's with the sudden good mood?" Bernard asked,raising an eyebrow.

"Mother called," I said, sitting and leaning in my chair. "And for the first time since I left college, she didn't ask for my consent on a date she arranged,or asked about my taste in women. She did none of these!"

Bernard chuckled. "Well, that's worth celebrating. But, why the call then?"

"She asked that I fill her spot at a business meeting tonight," I explained. "At La Bella. Nine o'clock."

Bernard leaned forward, his grin widening. "You don't say. A business meeting, in a restaurant. By nine p.m.?"

I frowned slightly. "Yes...? What do you make of it?"

He chuckled again. " Your mom's up to something. But that's by the way." Then he leaned back casually, crossing his arms. "So, how's your little... intern time going?"

The question hit me harder than I expected, and my smile faded almost instantly.

"Oh, that," I muttered, sinking back into my chair and staring blankly at the desk. My jaw clenched, and all I could see again was Mara's face–her desperate eyes that night and the rocking motion of her waist to my movements.

Oh God. Not even anger could wipe my feelings away.

"Uh oh," Bernard murmured. "That bad, huh?"

I didn't answer, just exhaled slowly, my gaze hardening.

It was really bad.

Mara's POV

"OMG!"

Lila's voice of a fellow intern cut sharply through the thick cloud of thoughts in my head.

I blinked rapidly, quickly realizing I'd been standing in the middle of the hallway for a longer time than usual, staring blankly at the empty space where Doctor Alexander had just walked away.

My heart still pounded like a drum. Every pay of eyes around–interns,nurses, even a few patients–seemed to be fixed on me. The silver was heavy and very awkward.

Lila's eyes widened as she came closer, her expression torn between amusement and worry.

"Girl, what just happened? You literally froze back there!"

My lips parted, but no words came out. The scene kept replaying in my head– the way he looked at me, the warmth of his hand on my shoulder, and the intensity of his eyes before I... pulled away.

Oh God, why did I do that?

Lila must have noticed how flustered I was, as she sighed softly and reached for my hand.

"Come on, let's get out of here before they burn holes into you with their stares," Lila whispered as she pulled me by the hand and we walked until we made a turn down the hallway, away from the others.

"Are you alright?" she asked gently.

I bit my lower lip and shook my head. "Of course I'm not alright! I just made the good doctor furious in front of everyone!"

My voice cracked halfway through, and I could feel the sting of tears pressing at the back of my eyes.

"Hey hey, calm down," she said smoothly, squeezing my shoulder lightly. "Breathe, okay? You just need to steady yourself. Everything's gonna be fine. Maybe you can just have a fresh start with him tomorrow, alright?"

I looked up, desperate to grasp this silver of hope. "You think that's even possible?"

"Of course Mara. You were just nervous that's all."

I bit my lower lip again, shaking my head faintly.

I was nervous, but that wasn't all. How on earth was I supposed to do this internship under the same supervisor who unknowingly fathered my child?