1: Late

"A happy soul is the best shield for a cruel world"

Atticus

***

"Skye, wake up!"

"Leave me alone!"

Suddenly, my warm blanket is stripped away, leaving me shivering in the cold air. "Skye, get up! You're going to be late."

"Just five more minutes," I pleaded. "I'd love to grant you five more minutes, but it's already 8:15!"

"8:15!" I screamed, bolting out of bed.

"Why didn't you wake me up earlier, Nova?" I asked, rushing to the bathroom.

"I came in here at 8:00, but it took you fifteen minutes to get out of bed. Now hurry up! You need to be at work by 8:30!"

Nova is my best friend, my partner-in-crime, my confidante. We've been inseparable for 12 years since we were nine, and now we're roommates sharing a three-bedroom house.

I hastily stepped into the shower, swiftly cleaned myself, and wrapped a towel around my petite frame. Slipping into jeans, a blue shirt, and sneakers, I brushed through my black hair with purple tips and applied a touch of mascara to accentuate my green eyes. Grabbing my keys, handbag, and phone, I dashed out of my room. Descending the stairs, I rushed into the kitchen, snatching an energy bar since I didn't have time for a proper breakfast. Balancing my coat while nibbling on the bar, I shouted a hurried goodbye to Nova.

"Bye, babe! Have a good day!" she called out.

I hastily climbed into my Range Rover, turned on some music, and started driving to work. Upon reaching the hospital, I parked in my designated spot and quickly gathered my belongings before locking the car. I jogged to the entrance, hearing someone shout my name as I stepped inside the building. Turning around, I saw Violet, my assistant, rushing toward me.

"Oh, finally, you're here! I thought you were never going to come!"

"Sorry, Violet. I overslept, but I came as fast as I could."

"It's fine. You need to get ready. You have a surgery in 20 minutes-"

You might be wondering why I have an assistant. Some of you might think I'm some high-flying mogul with multiple companies, but it's not like that. I'm just a Cardiothoracic surgeon—a heart surgeon—who apparently has enough skill to warrant an assistant. I'm not boasting or anything, but I'm considered one of the best in the city, and I'm only twenty-one.

"Twenty minutes! I haven't even changed into my surgery attire. Oh my God, I only have twenty minutes!"

"Okay, calm down. I'm here to help you. That's what an assistant is for," Violet said, attempting to soothe my panicked state.

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The surgery stretched on for six gruelling hours. I fervently hoped it would be my only procedure for the day. Steve Johnson, the patient, required valve replacement due to heart valve leakage. But thank goodness it's over now. The room had become stifling with the presence of nurses and doctors, and I felt a wave of relief as I stepped out, taking a deep breath. I headed towards the elevator, craving a cup of coffee from the cafeteria on the second floor.

"Latte with three sugars, cream, and honey," Brett said, offering a knowing smile as he handed me my favourite concoction.

"You've always been quite the magician," I replied with a smile, accepting the cup.

"Well, I didn't spend five years studying magic for nothing," he quipped, both of us breaking into laughter.

"Glad I could make you laugh. I'll be here from five to eight," Brett said, giving me a playful wink.

I chuckled, shaking my head slightly. "I'll keep that in mind."

Stepping into the elevator, I savoured small sips of the warm latte, a contented smile playing on my lips. Let me clarify something—there's nothing romantic happening between Brett and me. Sure, we've shared a few kisses here and there, but it never went beyond that. Don't get me wrong, he's undeniably attractive, but I simply don't see him as a potential boyfriend.

As the elevator pinged on the fourth floor, I snapped out of my thoughts. With my latte in hand, I exited the elevator and made my way to my office. Ah, my sanctuary within the hospital.

Cream-coloured walls, a spacious black table with a comfortable chair behind it, a large glass wall offering a breathtaking view of the city, two black love cushions adorning the right side, a television hanging on the wall opposite, a brown bookshelf filled with books, files, and picture frames on the left wall near the entrance, and last but not least, my favourite addition—a red beanbag chair.

I closed the door to my office and walked over to my desk, ready to tackle the pile of work demanding my attention.

The blaring sound of my favourite song jolted me out of my concentration. I grabbed my phone to see Nova's name flashing on the screen and hastily answered before the call ended.

"Hey, girl! Are you still at work?"

"Yeah, just finishing up some work."

"At this hour? Are you insane?"

"Damn," I muttered, quickly gathering my belongings as I noticed the time on the wall clock indicating it was already ten p.m.

"I didn't even realise," I chastised myself silently.

"Anyway, I wanted to let you know I won't be home tonight. I'm going to the bar with Stephany, and I'll crash at her place."

"Okay, have a great time."

"Thanks, babes! Oh, and don't forget to buy bread!" she practically shouted before ending the call.

A simple goodbye would have been nice, I thought with a hint of sarcasm.