MY ART IS LOVING YOU

THE IRRITABLE RICH BOY

Lucia

I am suffering from amnesia. I can’t think clearly. How can such a handsome man exist? I am face to face with an exquisite man. A perfectly angled manly jawline, those pink lips, that short dark brown hair, and those mesmerizing eyes. I don’t even have the right words to describe them. I could swear they are as blue as the vast ocean on a summer day with shades of light brown spots around them. They are perfect. And don’t get me started on his body. He is big and strong, standing about 185 cm tall and weighing around 90 kg. I can tell he works out. I bet his muscles are well toned, he is a bull.

I have a feeling that beneath that suit lies a monument that is worthy of losing my virginity to. I bet he would excel in that department. Just the thought of it sends chills down my spine. My heart is racing so fast that it feels like it is going to pop out of my chest. My hands are beginning to sweat with nerves. This is crazy. I don’t even know him.

Wait, is he looking at me? I glance behind me, but there is no one there. Really? Could he be looking at me? My brain starts functioning again only to realize how absurd my thoughts are. There is no way he is looking at me, especially since I am such a mess.

Wait, he is probably gazing at me because I look like Sayona; pale and disheveled, my hair a mess, like I just crawled right out of a grave. Damn it! Why is it that every time I come across a handsome man, I look like a zombie? This is so embarrassing.

“Earth to Heidi? Can we go now?” Daina’s voice cuts through the voices in my head, coaxing me to return from the sea in his eyes.

“Hello? Is there anybody there? Lucia?” I feel a pinch in my arm. That hurt.

“Hey! Are you crazy? Why are you pinching me? That hurts,” I exclaim, turning around with my back towards the man.

“Well, you weren’t responding. You seem lost in a galaxy far away. What were you staring at that made you ignore me and keep me waiting? Here’s your stuff,“ Daina retorts.

Daina and I are very different, and I think that is why we get along so well. She is impulsive, and just blurts out whatever is on her mind without thinking and she is a fashion queen. I don’t tell her certain things because I fear her lack of discretion, and that man is one of those things, even though there is nothing to say about him except that he is the most stunning and perfect man I have ever laid eyes on.

“I was staring at the Ogre and her buffoons. Let’s get going already,” I say, taking a few steps until I hear her astonished voice. She’s seen him!

“Holy mother of God! I am in love! Did you see those hotties? Where did those men come from?” I want to kill her!

“They are the hospital directors, and we hate them,” I tease her, and she sticks her tongue out at me.

“Very funny. I think one of them is looking at me. He is really hot,” she joyfully expresses. How dare she? I saw him first! “Lucia, doesn’t the blonde one look a little familiar to you?”

“Who?” I pretend I don’t know what she is talking about.

“What do you mean ‘who’? ”Them!” She points towards the room. ”Those hotties over there and I am not talking about the doctors. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed them because I won’t believe you. They look familiar.”

“Oh yeah, I noticed them. I think they are from the bank that is donating everything. Santiago said they are here to supervise. Maybe you have seen them around here.”

“Mmmm no. I would’ve remembered seeing them here. Hey, since when does the child of the Devil smile?” she points out at Dr. Geller, making me laugh.

“With a hottie like that bathed in gold by her side, it is impossible not to smile. Come on, let’s go, Daina,” I rush her.

I want to leave. I don’t like how that man makes me feel. It is odd and unfamiliar to me. I started walking.

“WALK!” I yell at her.

“Right now? Come on. Let me admire the father of my children. Girl, I can’t believe the way the Ogre is smiling at him and keeps on rubbing him. God, I wish I was her right now. I hate her,” she expresses.

“So does everybody else. Come on, I am tired. I want to go home, take a shower and sleep. Plus, I don’t want that witch to see us. She might assign us some tasks or yell at us for invading her space or something.”

“A troll can walk by that woman right now and she wouldn’t even take a glance at it. She is unrecognizable; amazing what a man can do to a woman. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it myself,” she jokes.

The last thing I want is to witness two shameless individuals with their hands all over each other in front of the children. What the hell is wrong with me? This man has turned me into an emotional wreck.

Daina turns around and asks me, “Are you alright? You seem angry.”

“No. What makes you say that? Why would I be angry? I'm just exhausted. Honestly, I don’t like watching those three in there pretending to care about the kids when we all know they only care about the money. And those men who just came by are only here to show off. You know, all rich people are like that.”

“Why do you always assume that all millionaires are bad people?” She questions me.

“Name one millionaire who has done a good deed without benefiting from it,” I challenge her.

“Well, these guys from the bank. They are remodeling this place, and they are not getting anything out of it,” she responds.

“You do know that with this donation they save a lot of money on taxes, right? And we are talking loads of money here. I mean, sure it is a very good deed, but they benefit from it as well,” I continue arguing.

“Whatever. They are doing something nice for us, and honestly a man like that can do whatever he wants, even better if it’s with me.”

“You are going to have to wait in line though. The witch has her claws all over him and I bet she is not the only one,” I tease her.

I take a step back and a huge body, a man standing three meters tall, blocks my way. Daina looks at me confused.

“Excuse me ladies, you shouldn’t be in here,” he commands us. What?!

“Who is this?” Daina whispers.

“Ok, now I am pissed,” I reply, as I look at all these robots surrounding me.

“How dare you say this to me? Don’t you realize this is a hospital and not a battlefield? I am the Doctor here and you are just some poor confused men with weapons. YOU are the one that shouldn’t be in here.”

“Miss.....”

“Doctor”, I interrupt the bodyguard, “And don’t say anything. Just take your men away from here because you are disturbing. If an emergency occurs, you are blocking the way.”

“I am just trying to do my job which is to protect my bosses,” replies the three-meters tall man.

“And I am trying to do mine, but you and your bosses keep getting in my way,” I retort. “Let’s go! Clear off the way! If you want to wait for your bosses, then do it outside. Go! What are you waiting for?” I yell at them, infuriated.

“Gentlemen,” Daina interjects, "if you want to protect your bosses, then only two of you will stay. The rest of you must clear the area in case we have an emergency. This is an Intensive Care Unit.” Since when is she so nice?

Minutes later, they finally clear the area, leaving only two guards behind.

“Much better. Can we go now or are you going to stay here watching the womanizer and the Ogre scenario? Daina?!” I cry out, desperately.

“What? Why are you yelling at me? I’m right here. Let’s go then.”

We headed towards the exit.

“Are you crazy?” she reprimands me, “Those guys could have killed you. They are armed, you know?”

“See why I hate those rich boys? They think they are the kings of the world. Like those two who came here with their battalion ordering everyone around like they own they place.”

“Those seventy-two hours of no sleep are really starting to kick in,” she claims.

I am sure she is right. There is no way that blue-eyed man was actually gazing at me when he had the witch flirting with him.

But one thing I am certain of is that I will never be able to get those eyes out of my head. I don’t have to imagine what my ideal man looks like anymore; I just saw him.

Once we exit the hospital, I receive a message on my phone. Seconds later, Daina gets one as well.

“Oh God, I can’t believe it, a message from the ogre!” Daina exclaims while reading the text message. MEETING AT THE PEDIATRICS CONFERENCE ROOM WITH DR. ODELL. MUST BE PRESENT.

“Ugh, I can’t believe it. She always finds a way to ruin everything,” I complain.

“This is all your fault, you wanted to see the boy. We should have left half an hour ago and we would be home by now,” she accuses me.

“It’s not my fault. I was not the one standing like a statue, watching a man with a pretty face. I couldn’t even see the boy because of those men. It’s too late. They are crazy if they think I’m going back in there,” I defend myself.

“Well, we have to go back whether you like it or not,” she states firmly.

“Technically, I should be home by now. I am sure this is just some stupid thing, and they want to use us for advertising. I don’t want to be part of this charade. I am going home,” I complain.

“Well, they just saw us, so we have to go back.”

With that said, we reluctantly went back into the hospital. Daina had to practically drag me inside.

I hate being right sometimes, like now that we find ourselves in the middle of a hallway full of men in black the Director and his people.

“I told you we are in here for quite a show,” I say, and Daina looks at me with accusing eyes.

I look at the three-meter-tall man who stares at me with narrowed eyes.

“I’ve gotten dirtier looks than that, and I can see you didn’t learn your lesson. Apparently, you enjoy disturbing others. Can’t you read that sign back there?” I point at a sign behind him that reads Intensive Care Unit. You shouldn’t be here blocking the door. Have your men stick to the wall or something “

“And you enjoy arguing, right?” He counters.

“Yeah, and you enjoy disturbing, right? Nobody is going to kill your boss here, or maybe I will, for being so annoying,” I retort.

“Just ignore her,” Daina explains to him. “She hasn’t slept in almost three days, and she is irritated.”

“Let me in, will ya? Ugh, these brain-dead people.”

“You are going to get us killed,” Daina reprimands me.

Finally, we managed to enter the room which was even more full than the hallway, filled with doctors and men in black.

“At least it is worth coming back here just to see that man up close,” Daina says enthused.

I focus on his deep, sexy manly voice. You can tell he has a strong personality, and he knows how to wield his power. I’m completely fascinated with him, like I have never been before.

It feels like I am in a dream and half-expect to wake up any moment. The difference is that man is actually hotter in person than in my dreams.

I wonder what it’s like to be in his arms and what his kisses feel like. I am sensing goosebumps all over my body and my panties a little moist.

How is it possible for this man to evoke such feelings?

His voice is so perfect and persuasive, but there is something peculiar about him. He constantly scans the crowd, as if searching for someone. Who could he possibly be looking for in here? I better stop thinking this nonsense and focus on what he has to say.

“You face a significant challenge every day; not everyone has the will to save lives, especially those of young ones and much less having to handle the emotional toll on their families. It is truly admirable. My family and staff are committed to helping you enhance your working conditions. All I ask in return is your love and dedication to your profession,” he addresses the group.

As he concluded his speech, one of my colleagues, the Chief Resident, couldn’t resist the opportunity to speak and boast about her own virtues and compassion, as if they understood our daily sacrifices. To make matters worse, she expresses her gratitude to the hospital directors, who don’t give a damn about us pediatricians, except for now that they have come to invade the areas these men are providing for us.

“I want to inform you, Mr. Ziegermann, that it is an honor for us, that you invested in our hospital and that you won’t regret it. Pediatrics is one of the most sought-after areas and you can rely on our support for this new project. As witnesses, we guarantee our unwavering effort and dedication to help these children recover,” says Mr. Fermin.

The crowd applauds him when he finishes with his theatrical monologue. I can’t believe this. This man is insufferable. His ego is bigger than this entire hospital. To him, pediatricians are nothing but a nuisance, constantly begging for resources like access to the operating room, or proper medication, etc.

“I can’t believe my eyes or ears”, I tell Daina, ”See how money can buy people?”

And the cherry on top, Dr. Geller continues the speech while shamelessly rubbing her hands all over the sexy man’s body.

“Yes Mr. Ziegermann, these young doctors are incredibly capable. They are intelligent, dedicated, and responsible. They make us proud,” she states and I’m getting an ulcer listening to this.

“Wow, is the sky falling or something?” Daina sarcastically whispers, “When did we become all that? Just an hour ago, we were nothing but stupid, useless individuals only, a burden to society.“

“Why does it even surprise you? They are a prime example of how cocky, arrogant, and fake a person can be, especially when it involves money,” I respond.

The cocky rich boy continues his speech, while Doctor Fermin calls out in front of the whole crowd.

“Do you have anything to share with the class, doctors?” Mr. Fermin asks, followed immediately by Dr. Geller chiming in. “Yes, it must be incredibly important if you interrupted Gabriel, who I am sure is eager to hear what you have to say, right? May I call you Gabriel? He nods, his back turned towards us.

“Yes, of course. We are here to listen to anything you have to say ladies. Apparently, it is so important that you interrupted what I was saying, unless you have no interest at all,” says the elegant man with that manly voice and arrogant posture. Suddenly, his eyes are locked with mine.

This man is as handsome as he is unbearable. Like it’s a huge offense to interrupt him. A typical rich boy who feels superior to everyone else.

“No. Nothing. We are really sorry. We were just saying how much we appreciate this gentleman for this project, right?” says Daina, pleading me with her eyes to play along.

“Yes, that is exactly what we were saying. We are impressed by how in only a matter of minutes you were able to change peoples’ minds and attitude,” I express with sarcasm. Everyone who knows me opens their eyes widely, shocked at what I said because they understood my sarcasm.

“What was that, Doctor?” asks that old bastard, Fermin, again.

“Should I be more explicit, Doctor?” I ask. He looks at me with hatred in his eyes and Daina is pinching me while Santiago is glancing at me with reprimand from the other side of the room. “I meant, somehow this man has made the entire hospital love and respect the entire pediatric staff like never before in only a matter of minutes.” I remained in eye contact with him while I finished saying what I thought. “As you see, it is nothing worth interrupting the great gentleman.” He looks at me with a sly grin on his face.

“Well, it is my pleasure to be able to change something in this hospital and cooperate with your project, Doctor,” he replies arrogantly.

“It is not my project, Sir. It is your family’s. And as you can see, the entire hospital staff is grateful to you.”

I don’t need to take his stupid superiority complex that I find sexy and irritating and at the same time, while that slutty Ogre is constantly trying to seduce him, and I could have been home resting by now.

“Well Mr. Gabriel, shall we go to the consultation offices on the third floor?” asks Mr. Odell, “That way you can check out the progress we’ve made.”

“Sure, which doctor works in that area?" Asks Gabriel, the cocky handsome man who has the name of an angel. Although I bet that is the only angelical thing about him.

“Do you think Odell even knows where that area is? He hasn’t stepped foot in it since I’ve been working here,” whispers Daina, interrupting my thoughts.

“Apparently he does,” I affirm as I turn to Daina. “Can we go now? I told you this was a waste of time.”

She looks around while the Chief Resident and a few of our colleagues explain to the men which Doctors work in the area and what they do.

I turn to the three-meter man and ask: “Is your boss always this irritating and egocentric? Because that explains why he needs this much security. I am sure someone would truly want to kill him someday.”

“Lucia,” someone calls my name, and all eyes are on me, including the cocky man’s.

“What were you saying?” I calmly ask.

The rich man laughs sarcastically while people start gathering around him asking him questions and that is my ticket out of here.

“Excuse me,” the blonde man speaks this time. “Were you here when my wife came over? She is a tall, green-eyed blonde who came in with my mother-in-law.”

Since I had no other choice, I affirmed. It must be the women from the bank. What was her name? Come on, remember.

“Yes, I remember her. She is very kind and concerned about the children and their needs. She was very interested in the premature babies,” I respond.

I wasn’t lying. I genuinely liked her. She was spontaneous and attentive towards the kids. We talked for hours while I was attending the babies.

“Sabrina is very fond of the kids,” Mr. Sebastian says. So that is her name. “She spoke very highly of the doctors on call. Your method, dedication, and love are the reasons why we decided to do this project. I am Sebastian, by the way.”

“Lucia. You look familiar but I don’t remember where I’ve seen you before,” I reply.

“Maybe you’ve seen me around here supervising.”

“No. That’s not it,” I reply as I drastically changed the subject, “So how is Sabrina doing?”

“She is good. She had other things to do so she couldn’t come, and she had to pick up our kids from school.”

“Say hello to her from me, please.”

“Sure,” He assures me, smiling as if he knows something I don’t.

Suddenly, a delicious manly fragrance that reaches into my soul, wafts into my nose and I hear that deep, sexy, and irritating voice.

“Can we go see the rest of the areas? Sebastian, Doctor, I hope I am not interrupting, but I would like to continue visiting the rest of the hospital, or are you too busy?”

He is so irritating. Who does he think he is, talking to me like that?

“Of course, Gabriel, let’s go. Lucia, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again.”

As I was about to say something I was interrupted by our Chief Resident.

“Lucia, I need you to go transfer a boy who needs to be evaluated at another hospital.” Letty ordered me while the rest were leaving.

“What? Now!? Come on Letty, you know I was on night shift, and I was already leaving. I’d be home right now if it wasn’t for this meeting. Please send somebody else to go”, I begged her. It wasn’t fair, there are many residents available, why me?

“Turns out, nobody else wants to go. They are just about to leave. So, it’s up to you.”

“Do you realize you can demand someone else, who hasn’t been here all night, to go the same way you are demanding me? It is not fair. “

“Lucia, none of them want to go. You are going, period. It’s fast, they are just going to evaluate him, you come back and then you can go.“

I was about to explode when Sebastian intervened.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to intervene, but the doctor here is right. I mean, it is not fair to exploit doctors, especially if there are others available who weren’t on night shift, why not send one of them?” How considerate of him.

“Yes, sir. But we are doctors, and we know these kinds of situations may occur at times,” Letty explains.

“Yes, and I think the doctor understands this, however, it is not fair that other doctors with the same capacities and duties as her, who haven’t been working all night, don’t go just because they don’t want to, while this Doctor, who hasn’t slept in 72 hours, as she claims, has to go. That makes no sense and it’s a complete lack of solidarity.

“Didn’t you just say you are the chief resident?” The irritating rich boy intervenes. ”As far as I know, you are entitled to demand which doctor must go, so why can’t you send someone else? Or do you enjoy exploiting your residents around here?”

First, he defies me, then he scolds me and now he defends me. This man isn’t right in the head. Although this side of him is sexy and handsome.

“No sir, of course not. It’s just that ... that the other doctors have other assigned activities” Letty stutters, and I don’t blame her. With a man like that looking at me that way, and speaking to me with that powerful voice, I’d be stuttering too.

“Letty, you know I would go on another occasion, but this really isn’t fair. I refuse to go when I know somebody else can do it.”

I am putting my foot down this time. It is enough that I already must do other people’s work. Ugh, just what I needed; the Ogre coming to spit her venom.

“Gabriel, shall we go to visit the other areas?” she says gazing at us despicably. ”Is there a problem here?”

”Well, actually Dr. Geller, I was wondering, from what I could see and hear, do you usually exploit your doctors?” Gabriel answers in a serious tone, as if he were upset.

“Please, call me Selia, and of course not. Our doctors here get their appropriate amount of rest. Why are you asking me that?”

“Well, the doctors here seem to be having a dispute over some of their duties.” This man just got me in serious trouble. I take a deep breath waiting for my punishment.

“What did you do now, Lucia?” She accuses me. God, please give me patience.

“I didn’t do anything, Doctor. It’s the other way around, actually. Letty was informing me that I must go and transfer a boy immediately, but I just got off an overnight shift, I haven’t slept in 72 hours, I finished my rounds, and she can send someone who just got in to go. She says nobody else wants to go, so I must go, and it is not fair”.

“You know that happens, Lucia, and you shouldn’t be complaining,” she warns me. I knew it.

“Oh, so you do exploit your doctors,” Gabriel intervenes. “The doctor has been working all night, she hasn’t slept, she is done with her shift and now you are sending her to go transfer a patient just because the doctors who ARE on duty don’t want to go. Do you think that is fair?” Aww, I could just jump on him and kiss him all over for that, except I am going to pay for this later. Plus, I don’t like his attitude.

“It is not like that, Gabriel. I didn’t know that part of the story,” she excuses herself. I just told her for God’s sake.

“Letty, how can you ask Lucia to transfer a patient after an overnight shift? Send somebody else,” Dr. Geller commands.

“But nobody else wants to go,” says Letty.

“Well, one of them must go. And obviously not one that has been here all night, so deal with it. Don’t worry Gabriel, Lucia knows we are all equal here. This is just a misunderstanding,” she explains. Yeah sure... misunderstanding ... equal... why not?

I took a deep breath, one, two ... three ... until I got to ten. The hypocrisy of these ogres being so nice today. If it wasn’t for Mr. Gabriel, I’d be on my way transferring that boy to another hospital right now.

“All right Lucia, you may leave. I will figure it out,” Letty finally caves in.

“Thank you,” I said to the doctors and the gentlemen, “Goodbye.”

I storm out of there as fast as I can.