The Truth

I woke up in my bed in the morning with Sean still asleep beside me. The more I wonder when he had started planning to connect our lives. I remembered my assigned room in the office and how it came next to him. It only meant, wherever I would be--in the office or at home--there would he be also. The more I suspected that there must be a reason for all of these and that these went through careful planning. I swore to myself; I would find out the secret.

I slowly lifted his arm that trapped me in, but it tightened around me, instead. When I moved my eyes to look up to him, a wide grin was already spreading across his face.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"You're tricking me again!" I grumbled.

He chuckled. "Because I do not want you to get up."

"Are you not going to work?" I raised a brow at him while I slowly sat up.

"You are not going to work, but if you like, you can do the interview today."

"I will, after my hospital duty." He released me, so I got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom.

"Read your email from the hospital admin first," he called out. I stopped and turned to him. What did he know about hospital matters?"

"What do you mean?"

"When you were asleep yesterday in the car, I saw your email notification."

I walked back to the side table and picked up my phone. And according to what he said, there was indeed an email from the admin. I glanced at him before I opened the mail. He was still on the bed, lying on his back, arms clasping beneath his head.

Dr. Red Nelson,

Thank you so much for your dedication and service. We are happy to inform you that you are already close to completing your medical residency program. And because of your commitment and your willingness to spend extra hours on duty, we would like to reward you by giving you a break. Take the coming days as your vacation and in preparing for your new responsibility. The number of days during your leave would be counted as regular working days. This means that when you are back, you would also be culminating in your residency training.

I furrowed my brows at him after reading. Why did he know about this? He seemed to read my thoughts because he justified himself.

"Dr. Fabella called while you were asleep. I answered your phone and told him I was with you. He then informed me about everything."

The more the creases of my forehead gathered together. Dr. Fabella would do that? It seemed unlikely. Dr. Fabella was always a man of order and principles, so how could he disclose any legal matters over the phone?

I was about to confront him, but I realized I would only be ruining my secret investigation. So, I just turned towards the bathroom again; my mind was on how I would use my leave.

____

I decided to spend the morning at my office in Laminae. I wanted to plan out the things I wanted to set up in this office. I also decided to sort out the first round of interviews and start meeting some of them later in the afternoon. Since I only need a few staff, watching the videos did not take long. I sent them emails right away, hoping many would be available in such short notice.

"Why should I hire you?" I started to ask the first applicant. She was a fresh graduate who did not like to work in a hospital setting.

I noticed the fine tremors on her lips, as well as her unsteady gaze. She could not look at me directly in the eyes, and her focus was always on the wall behind me.

"Miss Era Ramos, am I that scary?" I asked, amused, trying to break the tension in the atmosphere.

"No, doc." Her voice was a little louder than a whisper that only she could hear.

"Do I look like a monster?"

"No, doc. You're so beautiful," she finally managed a timid smile.

I also smiled back at her and took a deep breath. "Just relax. I won't bite."

I called the next applicant. The first one had never improved. Her nervousness grew worse each minute, so I ended it. She might have a heart attack.

"Miss Precious, tell me about yourself." I pulled myself up and placed my clasped hands on the desk.

This lady shot me a bright and confident smile, giving me good eye contact. "I am the youngest daughter of the family. Not to brag about myself, I am the only child who brought trophies and medals to the family..."

My single question resulted in a litany of many good things about herself. I just let her go ahead; she felt too good of herself, and I was afraid I might ruin her day.

"Next..." I called for the third applicant. I closed my eyes and leaned on the backrest while waiting. I heard the door opened and closed, but I did not move yet. I just got tired of listening to the first two applicants.

A hand lifted my chin, and as soon as my eyes flew open, I saw Sean bending over me, sucking my lips before I could pull up straight.

"Just dropping by," he said, drowning me with his radiant smile.

'No kissing allowed in the workplace. Remember that," I said as I pushed him away, urging to let him go. Deep inside, I got flattered with these sweet little moments, wishing this would last until forever.

However, he pulled me over for another kiss, but the door swung open, and both of us froze in place. A beautiful lady in a business suit came in. Her skirt was short and tight, hugging her flaunting hips. She stood slim and tall, emphasized by her black stilettos.

"Third?" I asked, thinking she was the third applicant. I am a person who has a very poor memory of people and places. I couldn't even remember the names and faces of the post-graduate interns from the previous batch.

However, she did not answer me. Her eyes were on Sean, whose lips had smears of my lip color.