JASMIN

It was finally today. I looked at the sun which was casting a warm glow over the university campus.

Everyone was present, families and my fellow graduates who were as excited as I was.

I stood to my feet on hearing my name and waved at my mother and younger brother who wanted to scream out his heart. They had come from afar to celebrate this day with me as my college was far from home.

I collected my medical degree, my heart brimming with pride. Beside me were my closest friends or should I have said, the craziest people I had ever known. Ronnie, Mick and Jessica. Their smiles matching mine.

The ceremony eventually came to an end, and Ronnie suggested a party for us, aside the normal graduation party.

In as much as I wanted to go with them, I thought about celebrating this day with my boyfriend, Joe. We hadn't been together for so long, just few months but I loved him.

I glanced at my phone, nothing came from him, not even a congratulatory message, it got me worried.

"What are you thinking about Jas?" Ronnie asked.

"Huh? Well. I think I'm just gonna head over to Joe's place."

"Are you sure, Jasmin? We were all planning to go out and celebrate," Jessica said, concern flickering in her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Don't worry, I'll catch up with you guys later," I reassured them with a smile before hurrying off towards Joe's apartment.

On arrival, I opened the door, my heart fluttered with anticipation. However, my excitement turned to shock.

There, in the dimly lit living room, laid Joe and Samantha, locked in a deep kiss, their bodies pressing against each other and both of them naked.

My breath caught in my throat as I stumbled backward, unable to comprehend what I was seeing.

"What... What's going on here?" My voice trembled as I fought to hold back tears.

Samantha's laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. "Oh, Jasmin, did you really think Joe would wait around for someone like you? You were never good enough for him."

What was that? Who the hell did she think she was to talk to me like that. I wasn't here for her. I looked at Joe, wanting an explanation, anything at all. However, all I found was a smirk playing on his lips, his eyes devoid of any remorse.

"Joe?" I called, my voice breaking.

He remained silent, his smirk widening as if reveling in my pain.

I clenched my hands in a fist. "I deserve better than this, we're done!"

I turned and fled the apartment, hoping that he'd come after me, and maybe ask for my forgiveness but I was wrong, glancing backwards, there was no sign of him, he wasn't coming.

"Stupid," I wept. I couldn't believe I could get hurt on one of the best days of my life.

A year had passed since I and Joe broke apart and right now, Ronnie was breaking the news of him being out of the country to me, I wouldn't lie, hit me like a ton of bricks.

He was an asshole and I would never forgive him.

"You with us?" Jessica brought my attention back to the table. We had gone out again still in the spirit of celebration as our application for internship was approved by the hospitals we applied at.

Mick cracked a joke and we laughed. I shook off the overwhelming emotions as the atmosphere changed to that of laughter and camaraderie and we toasted to our success.

As we clinked glasses and shared stories of our plans for the future, Mick, ever the realist, brought up the topic of our internships.

"My hospital is amazing, I'm lucky," he laughed.

"Me too, my boss is sent from heaven, I have a feeling it'll be fun," Ronnie concord and Jessica raised her glass in concordance.

However, I remained silent. I had no idea of what happened in my hospital.

"Jasmin," Mick called. "St. Mark's hospital isn't a joke, they're strict and give no room for slacking or relationship issues."

I glared at him for the last statement but was interested in what he was saying.

"They're the first in the country and third in the world, so I can't help but wonder how your application got accepted, well good luck."

"I got lucky, Mick. Something you don't have," I answered.

"At least I'm not the one placed in a hypertonic condition where I have to work overtime to get approval or be sent home with nothing."

His words cut through the jovial atmosphere like a knife, but he wasn't done yet.

"You better be on your A-game," he continued with a teasing grin. "The rumors are true, St. Mark's is no joke. They have a reputation for being strict. Also, with Nick Thompson running the show, you better watch your back."

"Dr. Nick Thompson?" Jessica asked.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"The owner of your hospital, AKA someone you don't want to mess with. I'd advise you avoid him when you have the chance."

I gulped. "Is that so?" I asked, trying to sound unaffected.

"Yes so. Good luck anyways. A toast."

We toasted and drank to our full. I was wasted by the time I got home and got the best scolding from my Mom as I collapsed onto my bed. I wasn't supposed to have drank much as I was to start work tomorrow, but how could I have said no to my friends. I let the sleep take over me, I would cope in St. Mark's hospital, so I thought."

It was morning. The 26th of June. My brother bursts into my room, rousing me from my sleep.

"Wake up Jas!" My brother Jayden takes extra effort and yells into my ear..like literally into my ear, that nigga really wants to deafen me.

"What!" I snapped seating up.

"Oops, was I too loud?" He asked, with a hidden smirk on his face.

"Yes you were!" My voice rose. Hell yes he knew he was loud but he always pretended not to know, heavens knew that if my Mom was not on my neck for beating him, I would have done the unthinkable.

"You're late and it's your first day at work!" He dropped the bomb.

My whole world momentarily came to a stopped, it was my first day of internship in the hospital, St. Mark's hospital.

The words of Mick rang back in my eyes. I got up from bed, and walked into the bathroom. "Get out, Jay," I shouted.

I stood before the hospital, my heart pounding in my chest. "Dr. Nick" the name kept echoing in my head. "Avoid him like a plague".

I inhaled deeply and walked inside the hospital, I already knew who I would meet and who would assign me. I continued my movement as I observed the hospital and every inch of it.

I stopped by a door and knocked before walking in.

Three other people were in the room aside the man on a lab coat, seated on the chair, two guys and a girl.

"You're late Miss. Hills," the supposed doctor snapped me out of my daze.

"Huh?, I'm sorry.." I apologized immediately hurriedly to stand beside the other three.

"It's good to have you here, I am doctor John by name and I wouldn't give you a very nice welcome because you might as well not last for long. This is St. Mark's hospital and I'm sure you've all heard about the rumors, we don't agree to mistakes, any mistake and Dr. Thompson will throw you away."

"Dr. Thompson, was it Dr. Nick?" I thought.

"Dr. Nick Thompson if you need clarification." He said and stood up. "He'll be meeting you now, come," he walked out through the door and we followed.

"I'm Lisa," the girl whispered to me as we kept moving forward. "I thought I'd be the only girl," she blushed.

"I'm Jasmin, thankfully you're not," I whispered back to her and she gave a beautiful smile, she was beautiful and had short burnett hair.

"What do you know about Dr. Nick," I asked, anxiously awaiting her response which would add to my already terrifying perception about him.

"I heard he's the most handsome doctor to ever live," she whispered and I faced her. She was really so serious about him being handsome, others were worried about his character and strict nature and all she could think about was his beauty, to hell if he was handsome, his name still gave me terrible goosebumps.

Suddenly, as we kept following doctor John, a patient was rushed in by the EMS team.

"I need Dr. Thompson now!" I didn't know who made this announcement because my brain was loaded with confusion due to the tensed environment.

Doctor John who was with us left immediately to assess the patient while I stared.

"Oh my God, he's here," a whispered which could only come from Lisa hit my ears and I turned.

He walked with grace and elegance with three nurses by his side and I could smell the authority he possessed but was I missing something?, He had other doctors that could attend to the patient but still he made himself available, I really wanted to stare at Lisa now and apologized for being stupid at first, he was really stunning.

"What's the case Dr. John?" He asked.

"Mark Johnson, 56, severe internal injury after being involved in a car accident." He explained.

Dr. Nick stepped forward and observed the situation.

"Bring him," he ordered and led the way, I followed, all four of us did. They stopped in a room and Dr. Nick started.

"Nurse Johnson, start an IV line stat and draw blood for a complete blood count. I need to know his baseline parameters as soon as possible."

"Yes, Doctor Thompson," I looked at the woman he had ordered and she began doing as she was told immediately. "IV line started. Drawing blood now," she said.

Amidst what was happening, another doctor rushed to the imaging room to arrange an urgent CT scan to evaluate the extent of internal bleeding while, Dr. Thompson began his primary survey, assessing Mr. Johnson's airway, breathing, and circulation.

"Nurse Roberts, let's secure his airway. We need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario." Dr. Nick continued.

"Right away, Doctor," the nurse replied.

While Nurse Roberts positioned the bag-mask ventilation, I moved my eyes to Dr. Thompson who began to feel the pulse.

"Nurse Morgan," he called out another nurse. "Start a wide bore intraosseous line in his right tibia. We need to establish access for administering fluids and medications immediately."

Nurse Morgan nodded after this, and swiftly started the intraosseous line. Meanwhile, the doctor of earlier returned with the CT scan results, presenting them to Dr. Thompson.

"Dr. Nick," he started. "The CT scan shows a large hematoma in the liver. There might be active bleeding. Surgical intervention may be necessary."

"Notify the surgical team immediately. I'll work on stabilizing him as best as I can until they arrive," Dr. Nick said as he ordered a rapid fluid resuscitation to replace lost blood volume, starting with a bolus of crystalloid solution.

"Nurse Johnson, prepare four units of packed red blood cells for transfusion. We might need to replace his blood loss," he continued.

The nurse who I had identified as Nurse Johnson due to the consistent calling of her name by Dr. Nick quickly retrieved the blood from the blood bank. As the blood transfusion started, Dr. Thompson evaluated the patient's vital signs and the effectiveness of resuscitation efforts.

"Nurse Roberts, keep monitoring his blood pressure every five minutes. Notify me immediately if there are any changes."

"Yes, Doctor Thompson. I'll keep a close eye on his vitals," she answered.

I watched how the team worked diligently with every passing minute, administering medications to control bleeding and stabilize the patient.

Why weren't they good, why weren't they the best, they were smart, fast and careful with all they were doing. I looked at Dr. Nick. How could he be a monster, how could Mick ever think he was a monster, he was a life saver, he was a good guy and I wanted nothing more in the world than to work with him and beside him.

The surgical team arrived and immediately took over.

"Let's get him to the operating room. The surgical team will take it from here." Dr. Thompson said and that was when he left, I couldn't stop staring at him, I admired him so much, I admired alot about him.

Lisa smiling face appeared in my view. "Don't tell me you were staring at Dr. Nick."

"I wasn't," I replied immediately.

"Yes you were, I saw your eyes, they were dreamy."

"No they weren't," I refused. "I was just admiring the effort his team put together that's all."

"Were you?, Hopefully you weren't ogling him, he's mine," she said, I didn't miss the confidence in her voice.

"All four of you come!" Doctor John's voice came and we followed immediately.