"What's happening?" I asked my colleague when I saw that the hospital was busier than usual. I mean, the hospital sure is a busy place but it's pretty unusual when all the nurses and doctors are whispering to each other and they all looked excited.

"Dude, seriously? You don't know anything? Don't you check the group chats?" My colleague looked at me like I'm a weirdo or something.

"I don't. Can't you just tell me what's going on?"

We hopped into the elevator when my pager rang. Chief's Office

"9-1-1?" my colleague asked.

"No, Kyle. The chief just wanted me in his office."

"Oh, I think he's only going to congratulate you. By the way, congratulations on your newly published article!" He tapped my shoulder before going out of the elevator.

I stayed because the chief's office was on the highest floor of the hospital's east wing. When the elevator landed on the chief's office, I stepped out. His secretary bowed and greeted me, so I did the same. He, then, lead me through the chief's office.

"Dr. Rain Flores, good morning." The chief greeted.

"Good morning, Chief." I greeted, shook his hand, and seated.

"So, how's my head of cardiothoracic surgery doing?" he looked at me with pride, so I smiled.

"I'm good, Chief Ethan." Dr. Ethan Brabante, M.D, a known General surgeon, now the Chief of Surgery in the hospital.

"Good, good." He chuckled.

"So, why did you page me?" I asked. It's unlikely that the Chief will page me without any valid reason.

"I, uh, just wanted to congratulate you for publishing another research. You really are the best cardiothoracic surgeon. Keep the fire burning!" He said too enthusiastically, and it's an awkward sight.

"Haha thanks, Chief." I casually replied. I leaned my back on the chair, thinking that this isn't what the chief wanted to say. So, I looked at him intently, asking him 'that's it?' with my eyes.

"Alright," he sighs, "Dr. Eliza-" before the chief could finish, the door in his office opened.

"Chief Ethan, miss me?" My heart stopped when I heard her voice. That sweet voice could literally make my knees shake. I could possibly melt just by her voice.

I could literally feel her presence. The presence that I missed and longed for. It's been what? I don't even know already. It's been a while since I saw her.

"Elizabeth!" The chief and I stood up. The Chief hurriedly paved his way towards the door where the woman is standing. I turned around to look at her and man, how I wished I didn't. She changed. She's always the beautiful Elizabeth that I knew. Although, her style changed a bit. It's more mature now. However, she got this cold aura now.

"Hi." She smiled sweetly at me and extended her hand as if she just met me the first time. Pft. First time my ass. 'You were my girlfriend for almost 8 fucking years and now you're smiling and greeting me like I'm just a stranger to you.' But I don't have the guts to tell her that. So, I shook her hand and smiled at her.

"Hi." I greeted back. She let go of my hand and seated herself on the chair next to mine.

'Damn her hands are so soft.' I couldn't help but think of that.

I probably looked like a weirdo, just staring at her beautiful face. Her brunette hair was long and wavy, a style where she hated years before. Still, she has her fair, flawless skin. A coca-cola body. Her brown eyes that could make anybody fall for her. She's just that perfect.

The chief coughed subtly to catch my attention.

"S-So, Dr. Elizabeth Gonzales will be here for a couple of weeks or months for neurosurgeries." The chief told me when I finally looked at him.

Did I hear it right? Elizabeth Gonzales will be here? Damn, I'm screwed.

"What? Why? What happened with Dr. Jewel?" I asked. Not that I didn't want her here. It's just that, I can't do my job well if she's here. Her presence enough could make me go crazy.

"As you know, Dr. Jewel is in her 3rd trimester and requested an early leave because of complications in her pregnancy. So, I thought I could invite Dr. Gonzales to be with us for a while. It's a good thing that she accepted my request. As you know, Dr. Elizabeth is a world-renowned neurosurgeon. So, she's very busy in the states making medical histories. "

I damn know that! It's her dream way back in college and now, she's achieved way more than she hoped for.

"Given your history together, I decided that you, Dr. Flores, will give her a tour and, oh! You should discuss the policies of the hospital." my head totally went blank.

"W-what?" that was all I could say.

"Uhm I didn't want to impose chief. I'm sure I could give myself a tour and my colleagues will help me with the policies." Elizabeth calmly said.

"Dr. Flores is a colleague." the chief argued.

"But he's kinda busy, Chief."

"N-No. It's okay. I was just shocked earlier. S-shall we proceed with the tour?" I said, trying so hard not to stutter but I did anyway. Why am I even nervous?

"Okay. Thank you." she smiled, picked up her bag, and stood up. I, too, stood up and said goodbye to the chief before heading out. I held the door for her and we both walked out and proceeded with the tour. It's not like she didn't know the hospital. Heck, this is where we finished our internship. Though, it's understandable that the chief wanted me to give her a tour since a lot has changed since she left.

"You know, you don't need to do this." She said while we're in the elevator.

"The chief insisted, Elizabeth." I casually said.

"Eliza will be fine since we have a history, " she said.

I just nodded. I didn't mean to treat her so coldly but as much as possible, I like to treat our relationship on a professional level. Not exes thingy. We've been touring for a while now. I skipped those rooms that she knows where they are. So I didn't have to repeat it to her.

"This hallway is for the ORs." she quietly followed while her eyes roamed on the hallway.

"What's the most challenging operation for you?" I asked. Since she seems kind of distant. Cold.

"Separation of conjoined twins," she answered.

"Well well well look who's back!" I guided her to our friends. I still don't get why they didn't tell me that Elizabeth will be working in here so I glared at them, but they just ignored it, so I rolled my eyes

"Cami, Kyle, Rob, Max, Gab, Anne!" She exclaimed. It's evident that she missed our friends. The way she hugged them so tight makes my heartbreak. This is how she hugged me back then.

"Eliza!" they exclaimed simultaneously. After that, they all stood and hugged Elizabeth.

"You've become so beautiful! I bet you have a boyfriend now, don't you?" Cami said while asking Eliza to sit down beside her.

Before Elizabeth could even answer, I walked fast towards the food to buy some for me and for her. Plus, I don't want to hear what her answer is. It will only make my blood boil.