Masked in fine print✨

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✨Julian’s pov*

Two hours after the office had closed, Julian finally closed his laptop and headed out into the night. It was a usual occurrence for him to leave late, his work ethic bordering on manic. As he drove home, he decided to make a detour to the hospital where his best friend, Alex, worked. He wanted to surprise him and catch up on each other's lives.

As he walked into the hospital, Alex's eyes widened in surprise. "Julian! What are you doing here? I thought you'd be buried in paperwork and deals by now."

Julian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I needed a break from the chaos. And I wanted to see how the doctor's life is treating you. How's the medical world been?"

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "It's been wild, as always. But I love it. There's nothing quite like saving lives, you know?"

Julian nodded, genuinely interested. "I can imagine. I've always admired your dedication, Alex. You're one of the few people I know who's truly making a difference."

They sat down in Alex’s office swapping stories about their respective fields. Julian regaled Alex with tales of his business deals and negotiations, while Alex shared stories of his patients and the challenges he faced in the ER.

As they talked, Julian realized how much he missed this – just sitting down and talking with someone who understood him. Alex was one of the few people who didn't try to impress him or ask for favors; he was a true friend.

Just as they were getting into the conversation, Alex's phone rang. He answered, and Julian could tell by the gooey expression on his face that it was his girlfriend, Nana.

"Hey, babe...yeah, I'm on my way...love you too," Alex cooed, making Julian roll his eyes good-naturedly.

As Alex hung up, Julian stood up, a smirk still on his face. "I think I'll leave you to your love life, Alex. Don't want to intrude."

Alex laughed, knowing exactly why Julian was making a quick exit. "Yeah, yeah, avoid the relationship questions, right?"

Julian just smiled and clapped Alex on the back. "See you soon, doc. Keep saving lives."

With that, he made his way out of the hospital, leaving Alex to his dinner date and Julian to his own devices.

Julian trudged up the stairs, his mind still reeling from the events of the day. Maria's warm greeting was met with a brief nod and a murmured response as he continued up to his room.

Once inside, he made a beeline for the mini bar, reaching for a bottle of whiskey. As he poured himself a glass, his thoughts began to wander. Emily's tired face, Alex's love-struck expression, and the endless deals and negotiations all swirled together in his mind.

Just as he was about to take a sip, Maria's voice interrupted his reverie. "Julian, dinner is ready! The table is set!"

He didn't respond, lost in thought. Maria was used to this, though, and simply nodded to herself before heading back downstairs.

Julian remained standing for a moment, his mind still racing. Finally, he shook himself out of it and headed into the bathroom to take a shower. The warm water helped clear his head, and he emerged feeling slightly more refreshed.

He changed into a simple white tee shirt and shorts, his usual attire for dinner at home. Making his way downstairs, he could smell the delicious aroma of Maria's cooking wafting from the dining room. His stomach growled in anticipation, and for a moment, he forgot about the stresses of the day.

Maria expertly dished out Julian's food, the aroma of roasted chicken and steamed vegetables filling the air. As she set the plate in front of him, she asked, "How was your day, Julian? Did everything go well?"

Julian grunted a brief response, not looking up from his food. Maria knew better than to press him, so she simply smiled and returned to her seat.

Julian focused on eating, his mind still preoccupied with the events of the day. Just as he was finishing up, he heard the sound of the front door opening, followed by the clicking of high heels on the floor. His head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he turned to see who it was.

The calm look on his face immediately turned to one of irritation and annoyance. His eyes flashed with anger, and his jaw clenched in frustration. It was clear that whoever was walking towards him was not welcome.✨