Chapter - 127 - No longer timid!

"Sir, we have screened the footage but lost the gang in the southern forest. We tried to track down the trails but no result," reported Mike. Mason stared at the monitor for a few seconds and said, "Let's search the area first thing in the morning. We have to pick their trail somehow." Mike nodded and left to make arrangements.

Mason drew the beast tattoo on the board with a question mark next to the drawing. He jotted down a few points below the tattoo sketch and left the office.

"Good morning, Dr. G!" greeted Alice with a bright smile. Gianna greeted her back with a polite smile. "Dr. G? Didn't you sleep yesterday?" "I was busy sorting out the project. Let's have coffee." Alice nodded and followed Gianna to the cafe on the ground floor. Both of them sat on the chair in a corner with their coffee. Gianna could only bring up the project as an excuse for not sleeping. If Alice knew the real reason behind the sleepless night was the phone call from Rick, she would have fainted on the spot.

Gianna drank a few sips of her coffee and observed Alice. Alice was happy on the surface but was disturbed inside. "Is everything okay, Alice?" Alice looked at Gianna with a faint smile and assured Gianna that she was doing good. Gianna knew she was hiding something and said, "I will always support you, so never hesitate to ask for my help. You told me that you see me as your elder sister. So, you can tell me if anything is bothering you."

Alice looked at Gianna with a confused look and bit her lips, contemplating whether to share her thoughts. She decided to tell her thoughts and quickly said, "Dr. G, I have been told to attend a family dinner today. I don't want to go because they will all start to criticize me. Even though I am capable, they would break me with their words. I don't know what to do." Alice let out a disappointed tone and looked outside the transparent glass.

"We should never run from our problems and have to face them head-to-head. If I were you, I would attend the dinner and have the delicious food till my fill. Let them criticize you however they want, but it will be difficult only if you take it to heart. Just let them criticize you, you have your fill, and tell you to have an emergency in the hospital and leave the place. No one can break you until you give them a chance. Also, am I not with you?"

Alice smiled brightly and said, "I will show them I am no more a timid girl." Gianna told Alice to leave and inform the team to be ready for the rounds. Meanwhile, Gianna ordered another cup of coffee and walked into the ER department. She heard from Alice that yesterday was a busy night for the ER. Gianna knocked on Zane's office door, waiting for his response, and she heard a faint sound from inside.

"Get ready for the rounds. I will be there in 5 minutes," said Zane in a sleepy voice as soon as Gianna opened the door. "I don't have time to go for rounds with you," said Gianna. Zane jumped from his couch as he heard her voice and stared at Gianna as if he was dreaming. "It's not a dream. Here is your coffee. Freshen up soon so you will pay more attention to the patients." "Thank you, Dr. G," said Zane sheepishly with a bright smile.

He knew Gianna was comforting him after reprimanding him yesterday evening. "I will never let you down. I will work harder!" said Zane with determined eyes. Gianna scoffed and said, "As if I care!" Gianna didn't speak anymore and left the room. Zane chuckled and mumbled, "You care a lot, Dr.G. If you didn't, how can I even stand here?" Zane freshened up quickly and happily came out of the room with the coffee.

Gianna quietly walked in the corridor and noticed that it was snowing. 'Snow! I hope everyone will be safe out there! Should I call him? Again this! Forget him, Gianna.' Gianna couldn't take Rick out of her mind from last night as he abruptly hung up the call. She had no idea why Rick, a stranger, had such an impact on her mind and worked the whole night to avoid distraction.

Meanwhile, on the other part of the globe, "Capo, you are here!" exclaimed a strong-built man as he approached Rick with a bright smile. Rick nodded and walked away from the men gathered to welcome him. He went into the quarters and knocked on the door before pushing it open as he heard the response from inside. "Good afternoon, Boss." The man in his late forties sitting on the chair looked up upon hearing the greeting from Rick. "Ah! You are here! Good to have you back, Riccardo!" The man stood up and patted his back, inviting him to sit on the sofa.

"I received a call from Mr.Dawson yesterday night. He was all praises about you for a mere act. I don't know what he would say once he hears all of your achievements!" said Mr. Bernadi Rossi with an excited smile while handing the glass of liquor.

There was a scowl on Rick's face as he heard the name, Dawson.