Congratulations, dear

She sat there, staring at the ocean, her thoughts swirling as the waves crashed against the shore. "Nobody loves me," Giselle said softly, her voice tinged with sadness.

Readers: "Déjà vu... Something is about to happen for sure."

Victor, who had been standing a few steps away, heard her and approached cautiously. "Why do you say that? I've seen your friends love you for sure," he said, trying to comfort her.

Giselle sighed, her gaze still fixed on the vast, dark waters. "I want a man to love me. Love all of me," she murmured, her vulnerability showing through.

Victor paused for a moment, then spoke from the heart. "I love you," he said quietly, his voice steady as he looked at her, his words sincere.

"Really?" Giselle asked, her voice uncertain as she turned to face him, searching his eyes for the truth.

Victor nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Really."

Giselle, a bit emboldened by his confession, let out a soft laugh. "Then kiss me," she said playfully, her words slurring slightly from the alcohol.

Victor's hand instinctively went to his forehead, facepalming at her suggestion. "I don't want to kiss you when you're drunk," he said, trying to maintain control. "When you're sober, maybe. But for now, be good and drink this." He handed her a hangover drink, knowing she wasn't terribly drunk, but still hoping to ease her into sobriety.

Giselle took the drink without much resistance, but as the cold ocean breeze picked up, she pulled the blazer Victor had draped over her shoulders closer to her body. It was warmer now, but the chill in the air made her shiver slightly.

Victor watched her silently, his heart softening as he took in the most beautiful scene....vast, endless ocean waves crashing against the shore, the cool night air mingling with the warmth of her presence beside him. The quiet hum of the world around them felt peaceful, almost surreal, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, alone with their thoughts.

He didn't want this moment to end, but deep down, a quiet ache stirred within him. He wished more than anything that Giselle could feel the same way he did, that she could love him the way he had come to love her.

------------------------------------------------------

"Dominic!!" called Ivy as she spotted him coming to their usual night spot. They had been close enough to drop the formal "Dr. Dominic," even though he was four years her senior, and honestly, he loved it.

"So, you seem to be happier than usual," he observed with a grin.

"Yep!!" Ivy replied, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "I completed my entire internship last month, as you know, and today, for the first time, I got to be the lead in the OT as a cardiothoracic surgeon. And it was a successful open-heart surgery!" she said, practically glowing with pride.

Dominic couldn't help but smile, clearly proud of her too. "Congratulations, dear."

"That's it?!" Ivy asked, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise.

Dominic chuckled. "What else do you want me to say?"

Ivy pretended to think for a moment. "Well, I want a reward!" she said, her voice playful. 

Dominic looked at her, amused. "Alright, what kind of reward are we talking about here?"

Ivy with dramatic flair. "So, here are the things I want. You can gift me any of these three..." 

She paused for a beat, and with a mischievous grin, she began listing her demands.