Chapter 149 CHANCES

Chapter 149 CHANCES
GABRIELLA

"I didn't want to say this before, Gabby," Brie said beside me, adjusting the IV line before sparing me a sideways glance. "But I seriously think Dr. Samil is clearly into you."

I frowned so hard my face almost hurt. "What?" I turned to stare at her. "Brie, are you actually insane?"

She ignored me and moved on to the patient's vitals chart. "I think she'll need another dose this evening." She scribbled something down before looking up. "You're on tonight, right?"

I gave her a flat look. Brie blinked. "Oh." She tapped her forehead dramatically. "Right. Sorry. I forgot our darling Dr. Samil decided to promote you to bigger and better things."

I rolled my eyes.

"See?" She pointed at me like she'd just won an argument. "Exactly what I'm talking about, Gabby. That dude really…"

"Can you just stop talking about him?" I cut in, trying very hard not to sound as irritated as I suddenly felt. Because honestly? The last thing I needed today was another Samil discussion.

"Trust me, the only person Dr. Samil loves is himself." I folded my arms across my chest. "You have absolutely no idea how frustrating that guy is. Every single interaction with him somehow takes five years off my life expectancy."

Brie gave me a look. Yeah, that look. The one that practically screamed: Really, Gabby?

"Oh, don't look at me like that." I pointed at her accusingly. "I'm serious. He hates me. I hate him. The feeling is beautifully mutual and honestly? I'd like to keep it that way."

I slid the patient's door open and stepped into the hallway with Brie following behind me. "And besides," I continued, "everyone knows he's basically married to his job anyway. Have you ever actually seen Dr. Samil with a woman before?"

Brie didn't answer. Mostly because she was still giving me that look.

"Exactly," I said, deciding silence counted as victory.

"Fine." She raised both hands in surrender. "Believe whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Thank you."

"But I'm telling you now, Gabby, if that dude ever falls for somebody, it'll be someone who argues with him enough to raise his blood pressure."

I stopped walking. Really frowned. "...You're annoying."

"And you're in denial." She countered with an eye roll.

"I'm neither confirming nor denying that statement."

"That's because you can't."

I scoffed. "Anyway," I said quickly, changing the subject before she could embarrass me any further, "I'm honestly grateful I finally left his team."

That got her attention immediately. Her expression softened. "I'll miss you, you know."

My chest tightened a little but I laughed to hide it ‘cause I know I would too. Brie has been one of the few people I actually made friends with here and if I'm being sincere, she's the only one who had stayed close enough to really know me. "I'm not dying, Brie. I'm literally still working in the same hospital."

"I know." She huffed dramatically. "Still doesn't count." Before I could dodge her, she pulled me into a hug. "Come here."

I laughed and hugged her back, relief settling in my chest. "You're ridiculously clingy."

"And you're ridiculously difficult."

"Fair enough.”

"Hey." The voice came from behind us. Brie and I pulled apart from the hug and turned at the same time.

"Hey," I replied first, my eyes automatically dropping to the badge clipped to her coat.

April Jones.

Right. I knew who she was. She was one of the consultants on my new team. Rumour had it she was excellent at her job. Rumour also had it she wasn't exactly the easiest person to get along with.

"Nurse Gabriella, right?" she asked.

I nodded. Beside me, Brie nudged my arm lightly. "I'm gonna head out," she whispered.

"Alright," I whispered back before turning my attention fully to April.

"I assume you've already heard Dr. Samil transferred you to our team?"

"Yeah," I replied. "A few minutes ago, actually."

"Good." Her hands slid into the pockets of her coat. "You're covering tonight's shift."

I blinked. "Oh?"

"The nurse originally scheduled called in sick with the flu this morning, so we needed someone to fill the spot." Her expression didn't change. "That won't be a problem, will it?"

Of course it wouldn't be that simple. I wasn't sure what annoyed me more right now. The possibility that April was deliberately giving me attitude… Or the terrifying possibility that Samil somehow had his fingerprints all over this.

Because seriously? What were the chances that the very day I left his team, I suddenly found myself on a night shift when I'd specifically planned to leave early?

Coincidence. Sure. And now, I was apparently the Queen of England. Still, I forced a professional smile onto my face. "Not a problem at all," I replied. Then I hesitated before asking. "Do you mind telling me when the shift ends?"

For the first time, April looked genuinely surprised. Like she wasn't entirely convinced she'd heard me correctly. Then the expression disappeared as quickly as it came.

"It's a night shift, Nurse Gabriella." There was the faintest hint of amusement in her voice now. "You leave in the morning."

Oh. Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.

"And if I'm not mistaken," she continued, glancing down briefly at her tablet, "you've also been assigned to a home-care case tomorrow at two in the afternoon."

My smile almost slipped. April's expression softened slightly.

"We're particularly busy this month," she explained. "You probably won't have quite as much free time as you did on Dr. Samil's team."

There it was. That sentence. That tiny little stab wrapped neatly in professionalism.

Her head tilted slightly. "I hope that won't be an issue."

I stared at her for a moment. Then another long one. Suddenly, memories of Samil forcing me to take lunch breaks and practically threatening me into going home on time flashed through my head.

No. Absolutely not. I was not about to become one of those people who missed him after leaving. That man was still annoying. Still insufferable. Still unbelievably arrogant ...Right?

I forced another smile. "Not at all," I said politely.

But… Inside, I was already regretting every life decision that had led me to this moment.

"Good. You're welcome on board."

Even then, the smile Dr. April offered barely qualified as one. Small, polite and stiff enough to make me wonder if smiling physically hurt her.

"Thank you, Doctor." I responded.

She gave a single nod before walking off down the corridor without another word.

I stood there for a second watching her leave. And somehow, in that exact moment, I suddenly had a very uncomfortable feeling I knew exactly what I'd signed myself up for.

After a second, I turned, already knowing exactly where I was headed. Straight to Dr. Samil.