Chapter - 16 - Dating

Dr.Jason was on cloud nine walking side by side with Gianna from the 4th floor to the cafe on the ground floor. His joyful expression didn't go unnoticed by the female colleagues in the hospital. Jason walked a bit faster than Dr.G as they reached the cafe counter to order the drinks. If he didn't act first, he knew Gianna would pay for the drinks as she was an independent woman. It was his first unofficial date with her, at least for him, so he wouldn't allow her to pay. He ordered an iced americano for himself and a double shot espresso for Gianna and sat at the nearby table waiting for their coffee. Jason admired every cell of her body because he had never got a chance to look at her this close. Gianna didn't bother to talk to him as she was busy browsing on her mobile and looked up only when their coffee was delivered.

Gianna took a sip of her coffee and felt her body slowly relaxing from top to bottom. After a few more sips, she felt her brain was ready to have a conversation and asked Jason casually, "What did you want to discuss with me, Dr.Jason?" Her question startled Jason for a second but he quickly said with a genuine smile, "Well, it's more of a congratulations than a discussion Dr.Gianna." Gianna didn't know what he was congratulating her for and waited for him to continue. "Congratulations! I heard from Dr.Henry that your project proposal was approved. I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you. I was not sure you would say yes, if I asked you for dinner, so I had to settle for a coffee." said Jason with a mysterious smile.

Damn!!! I completely forgot about the project!!! But why would he want to buy me dinner for my project? Gianna thought. Jason noticed that she was distracted and wondered if she was touched by his action. Gianna came back to her senses only when she heard Dr.Jason calling her name. "Oh! Thank you, Dr.Jason." said Gianna before taking a sip from the cup. Jason was happy hearing her response. Gianna then said with a faint smile, "Also thank you for reminding me about the project because it slipped from my mind somehow." Jason let out a laugh and asked her, "Are you really saying that such a big project slipped off your mind, Dr.Gianna?" Gianna looked at him and both of them laughed.

Meanwhile, many female colleagues were discussing how Dr.Jason had coffee with Dr.G and how happy they looked together. Rumors started to spread like a fire that both of them were dating and half rooted for them while the half took sides to criticize. Simultaneously, the rumor soon reached the ears of Dr.Zane, Dr.Ralph and also Mr.Ellerbrock, who was leaving the hospital after visiting his grandson. Dr.Zane immediately dialed Ralph's number to know what was happening because only Ralph would know the real story. After completing their coffee, they slowly headed to their department not knowing what was happening around them. Zane coincidentally saw both of them walking towards the elevator from a distance and didn't understand the reason why would Dr.G agree to date him?

Ralph didn't attend Dr.Zane's call as he knew why Dr.Zane was calling him instead Ralph texted him back saying 'I am investigating the matter, so please drop by the staff station at 8 pm, Dr.Zane.' Ralph already knew Zane was the new member to their 'Gianna's secret fan club' and totally approved of him. Zane read the message and thought that Ralph was more suited to be a journalist than being a doctor. He headed back to the ER to complete his rounds so that he could drop by the staff station at the correct time.

At the same time, Mr.Ellerbrock stepped out of the elevator and saw Dr.Gianna with another male doctor and wondered whether this is the doctor she was dating. Dr.G and Mr.Ellerbrock had a brief eye contact and both nodded at each other. Mr.Ellerbrock took a good look at Jason and thought Dr.Gianna definitely had a bad taste in men. Meanwhile, Ralph roamed here and there to collect the facts and acted as he was Dr.G's personal public relations officer [PR].

Soon, Gianna and Jason reached the department and parted their ways. It was time for the evening rounds and Dr.G dropped by her office quickly to freshen up. She went to meet the team at the department room but to her surprise, there was no one in the room and left to check at the staff station. As she guessed, they were all assembled in the staff station but were in a deep discussion. Gianna was sure that they were discussing something totally unrelated to their subject or work.

Stanley was the first one to notice Dr.G walking towards them and greeted her loudly. Others immediately dropped the discussion of the rumor, so that they don't have to witness the 'Goddess of Wrath'.

They greeted Dr.G one by one and followed behind her to check on the patients. Gianna didn't bother to ask about their discussion because she had a lot of matters on her plate. By the time they completed the rounds it was already half past seven and all of them looked like zombies. It's already been 37+ hours since they last had a nap. They hoped that there won't be any emergencies for the night, so that they can have a sound sleep. Dr.Zane reached the staff station right on time only to stumble upon Dr.G and others who were approaching the same destination.

Dr.Zane didn't have any more excuses to tell Dr.G, why he was here at this time. While he was pondering over excuses, Dr.G looked at him and asked him, "Is something wrong with the charts or the patient, Dr.Zane?" 'She is sly as a fox! Would my excuse be enough to make her believe my purpose for visiting?' thought Zane.

"I dropped by to inform Dr.Ralph about the change in the medication for the patient in the ICU ward." replied Dr.Zane with a charming smile. Zane hoped Dr.G would believe his excuse. They all know it is very difficult to fool her, but secretly hoped she would just believe it.

Dr.G felt her phone vibrating in her pocket and saw that Dr.Henry was calling her. She nodded at Zane and left the station, to answer her call. The group let out a deep sigh and knew, that call saved them all.