Chapter 3: COINCIDENCE IS A THING
"Dr. Craig. Nurse Lowes has given general anesthesia to the patient. Everything else has been prepared as well." Nurse Jacobs calmly informed the Cardiothoracic surgeon after reading the text on her pager. Catherine Jacobs – a surgical nurse for seven years now, is an aspiring surgeon who have been working under the guidance of Dr. Benjamin Craig who coincidentally, is also her professor then later became a close friend. Their solid relationship, inside and off work has been tested multiple times for the past three years since Catherine started attending medical school to forward her career. The 'Iron woman' as what her peers call her had been hearing romantic rumors even at the start of befriending the 'Prodigy of Surgeons' or so they say.
"Alright then." Dr. Craig responded monotonously. He finished his writing which he routinely do every before surgery and carefully inserted the hook of the customized silver pen with his name engraved cursive style, to the pocket hem of his white gown that hanged neatly on his rack. "Let's go." He instructs Catherine. After cleaning her hands, she swiftly assisted the surgeon with his cap, mask and loupes before he proceeded to the washing area where he has to do a 'surgical hand wash' to ensure that no bacteria or any harmful microorganisms will infect the patient. Nurse Jacobs patiently waited inside the operating room where she will help Dr. Craig put on the gloves.
"I can mistake you for a surgeon, you know." Stephanie Lowes teasingly commented after bumping their shoulders slightly.
"Concentrate Steph. You know how important this is for the both of us." Catherine whispers.
"Relax Cath. I can hear Dr. Craig in your words. You don't have to catch this trait from him too!" Stephanie responded in her own defense. They have been friends since forever. Attended the same school since fifth grade and basically know each other's secrets.
"I did not catch anything from him. Stop prying!" Catherine just couldn't admit being nervous. Though she have entered the operating room almost everyday and has assisted Dr. Craig dozen times, being well familiar and emotionally attached to the surgical patient did not occur to her until now.
"How about catching feelings?" Nurse Lowes added giggly and all other personnel present tilted their heads at their direction including Assistant surgeon Dr. Hanes.
"Oops, did I say that out loud?" then everyone smirks. The moment Catherine opened her mouth to debate, the automatic door slides and revealed the well known Benjamin Arthur Craig from the Cardiac and Thoracic department. He is a genius and a heartthrob at the same time - a total fantasy package.
"Were you guys gossiping again? Did I miss the fun?" He questioned right after entering the enclosed area as everyone fell quiet. Catherine hurriedly approached him, almost running to entertain the surgeon. "Nothing important Dr. Craig. Definitely not worthy of your precious time." She replies without looking, using the latex gloves as her excuse to avoid eye contact. Nobody else uttered a word, instead walked towards their designated positions and continued standing. Dr. Craig took a couple seconds to get in the zone before he started asking for the tools.
"We shall start."
A good four hours and twenty - eight minutes passed and the operation was announced as successful. After monitoring the vitals of Mr. Green, they first moved him to the recovery room for further observation. Everyone already exited except Catherine who was still jotting some notes and is accompanied by her ever supportive friend Stephanie Lowes.
"Doctor genius did it again huh. He definitely has golden hands.. and you get to have a share of it's wonders!" Ms. Lowes started the conversation, coercing a love story between Jacobs and Craig. "Shut up Steph! We almost got in trouble earlier because of you. Others might misunderstand." Catherine slapped Stephanie's arms, forcing her to halt these allegations.
"You know what I mean Cath. You've been under his wings for almost four years. There's got to be something there." She continued.
"Well, none of anything you are suggesting. He is such a good friend. I don't want to soil that." Catherine replied seriously.
"Well, I think someone wants to hear more of what you just said." Stephanie looked past Catherine's shoulder. Behind her, right outside the glass door is the last person she wanted to see. Catherine looked at him and immediately averted her eyes.
"I'll leave you two, okay? Give him a chance to talk." Nurse Lowes gently squeezed both of her friend's hands before leaving.
"Catherine. We need to talk."
"There is really nothing for us to talk about Dr. Hanes.. and call me Nurse Jacobs." She coldly responded.
"No. Just give me five minutes, please." Catherine sighed.
"Not here. Follow me."
"Where's Eli?" Blake asked Secretary Shann who is sitting comfortably on a huge maroon couch across the bed while scanning through his tablet for any TV news or articles that needs reporting. Blake woke up a few minutes earlier after being asleep for four straight hours.
"Wow, that was the longest four peaceful hours I ever had since I started working under you, sir." says Mr. Travis. He placed the tab on the lamp table made of oak beside him before crossing his legs and clasped his hands together on his knees.
"I know I messed up man and I'll gladly listen to your sermon later. I just need to see my sister now." He covered his face with his palm.
"You better listen then and I tell you, it's going to be a long one." Shann responded with more vigor.
"Plus, Ms. Eliza only had a few scratches on her arms. It's you who collapsed on our way to E.R. Your fear of..." and the secretary stopped. He know this is something that should not be carelessly discussed and Blake generally doesn't want to talk about it.
"His fear of what? Hospital? needles? Injections?" Eliza's soft voice interrupted the conversation.
"What? no one's willing to talk now?" She continued. "Ms. Eliza, please come inside and sit." Shann stood up and offered a seat. Eliza, wearing pink hospital pajamas stormed in, ignored Shann and sat on the bed where Blake is.
"So, what are you afraid of? Death?" She inquired.
"I am fearless. Did you see the face of that bastard? He looked like a red swollen mango!" Blake boasted. "Well, that blonde was no better off. I turned her into a peeled over riped banana!" a few seconds passed and the both of them burst out laughing to their hearts content.
"You should have seen how funny her face was when I kicked her. It was hilarious!" The only daughter of the Merrick's had a good giggle. She wiped the tears on her eyes.
"That was dangerous though Miss. You should let us handle these matters." Shann suggested.
"He is right Eli. You should not do that again and I'm sorry you felt the need to help me at that moment." Blake supported his secretary's words.
"Urgh! Both of you, stop it. That was nothing compared to all of my trainings with boxing, karate, judo and jujutsu. Stop treating me like a baby. I'm twenty-three years old!" Both guys stared at each other silently.
"Anyways. I'm here to ask you to accompany me."
"And where do you plan to go wearing only that?" Blake asked.
"I just want to roam the hospital. Isn't it weird? It's ours yet we have never been here until now?" She enthusiastically explained.
"We never had a reason to come here on the first place." He replied.
"I bet the media are waiting to get a scoop of you guys. You should stay here and avoid trouble." Shann joined in the discussion.
"We'll be quick Mr. Travis and we will use stairs too to hide from the crowd."
"Well, let's have a brief visit to two floors down then. Let's hurry." Blake gave in to the whims of his sister. The pain from the back of his head and the sore bruise on his face are bareable for a walk. He signaled Shann to distract the guards waiting outside so they could pass the hallway unnoticed. After a few minutes, they successfully fooled the security and are now walking down the first floor down.
"I can hear murmurs downstairs. Don't tell me, it's the Press?" Eliza blurted. They have been very conscious all this time after all.
"I don't think so but I'd like to see who's that." Blake continued walking down the stairs. Each step helped the siblings get a better view and access to whoever is talking and what it's about.
"Catherine, I need an explanation. What did Stephanie say about you and that doctor?!" He grabbed both of her shoulders so she will look at his direction.
"Stop doing this Jonathan. We broke up months ago. Why do you still care?" She shrugged. Emotionless and unaffected.
"We never had proper closure Catherine. I never agreed to this break up." He loosened his grip.
"Well, I'm over it and I'm never coming back. We are done." Catherine emphasized earch word.
"That's deep. A big blow to his pride." Blake whispered to himself but it was loud enough for Eliza to hear.
"She might really be mad with him. What could've happened between them?" She curiously replied.
"Whatever it is. It's none of our business, and since we can't get past them, let's just go back to our room." Eliza nodded her head in agreement and started walking upstairs, careful to not make any sudden sounds. Blake followed suit.
"Then, let me ask you Catherine. Do you really not Love me anymore? or Did you not Love me at all?"
"Jonathan, I was empty from the beginning and gained nothing at the end."
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