The Stars Within

Chapter 3

FLOYD POV

“You know, they weren’t very happy that you left before the job title announcements.” Ethan says to me from the dining table with his mouth full of the breakfast we ordered from room service. I roll my eyes and continue fixing my tie in the hallway mirror by the door of our hotel suite. 

“Does it really matter? I’ll meet them all today anyway. I have more important things to do than attend parties.” my voice dripping with annoyance. It’s not like we didn’t already know who was getting which position. I lean back towards the wall behind me to get a better look at Ethan sitting at the dining table. 

“Hurry up and finish stuffing your face. We have work to do. The clinic opens in an hour and you're not even dressed.” I hear him grunt and move the chair in response. 

“Today starts the beginning of a better world.” I mumble to myself, hopeful that I’m truly heading down the right path. I stare off into a void of nothing as my mind wanders. As I feel myself spiral down in thoughts and worries I feel a hand on my shoulder. 

“C’mon man, you yelled, I got ready. Let’s go!” Ethan tells me while gently squeezing my shoulder to fully bring me back to reality. 

“Oh! Don’t forget it’s your turn to buy coffee!” He says to me laughing.

“You’re the only one who drinks coffee, Ethan.” I say completely deflated. Why do I waste my money on this guys’ coffee addiction?

“Because I’m your best friend!” Ethan says as if answering my silent question. He chuckles and laughs as we watch the vale driver bring around my midnight blue 1966 Mustang. I smile and hold my hand out to catch my keys the vale threw to me. 

“You are impossibly expensive. How are you not a woman?” I say as I roar my mustang to life again. 

“Maybe that’s why you never have a woman. You’re too busy taking care of me!” He bursts into laughter as we turn out of the parking lot towards the hospital. Smirking, I keep my eyes focused on the road.

“Maybe that’s why you never have a woman, Ethan. You’re too busy acting like one.” I chuckle as Ethan acts shocked and offended. 

“Yeah, I deserved that one.” Ethan chuckles as he opens his tablet to go over the agenda for today. 

“Okay. You have to make announcements to your new staff and then you're back to back with meetings until lunch. After that, you have a meeting with all of the head staff of the clinic.” He states matter of factly. I sigh loudly as I turn into the hospital parking lot.  

“Is that all?” I ask sarcastically.

“Well no, but I wanted to let you handle that half of the day first.” He bursts out laughing as I park the car. Annoyed and hungry, I decide to ignore Ethan for the remainder of the morning. 

Determined to get away from him, I leave him in the car and walk inside the hospital. I just need to get some food, then I can handle everything. As the southside hospital entrance door closes behind me, I remember the cafeteria just down the hallway from my clinic. Food. Breakfast, and then work.

…

CYLESTE’S POV

“You can’t be serious.” I say in complete disbelief. 

“No, I’m completely serious.” Sarah says as she crosses her arms. 

“They have complete faith in you and they’re offering you twice your normal pay! That’s more than you make during the holidays!” she says to me again looking more and more impatient with each passing second.

“Look, can I think about it please? It’s a bit sudden right now. I can’t just control the nurses in the ER and the clinic. I need some time to think before I can give you guys an answer.” I just don’t understand why they can’t give someone else the job. 

“Fine. 48 hours. Dr. Wellington was extremely precise, he wants a response from you in 48 hours.” She says as she turns and walks away.

“Wow. So they sent the hound dog to get the prized possession of Saint T.?” Lilly says completely shocked. 

“Yeah. I guess that’s what happens when you’re really good at your job.” I answer exhausted from the conversation. This is just crazy. I need some coffee. Standing from my new desk I turn to leave the clinic.

“I’ll be right back, hold the fort for me Lilly. I need some coffee after that.” I say over my shoulder as I open the clinic door to the hospitals’ main hallway. 

“Take your time girl! I got you!” I hear her reply as I walk out into the main hallway.

It’s only 7:00 in the morning and already the hospital is filled with patients and staff alike. The large hallway buzzes with life and energy. As I make my way through the crowd I enter the cafeteria only to see a line for the coffee machine. I sigh and decide to wait patiently since I still have a full day ahead of me. 

I close my eyes and take a deep breath trying desperately to calm my nerves. I didn’t have a nightmare last night, thank the gods, but now I’m being pressured to be responsible for 2 departments of nurses. Granted they’re right across the hall from each other, but, I’m only one person and this is a two person job! They can’t seriously believe that I can handle all of this, can they? 

I move forward with the line trying to get a grip on the situation I’m currently in. I stare off into space as my mind wanders with anxiety, confusion and anger. I don’t know how much more I can handle. Without paying attention, I move forward and bump into the person in front of me. With a scream and a slap, I stumble backwards into the person standing behind me while holding my cheek.

“How dare you! You spilled coffee on my brand new Louis Vuitton shoes!” the snooty lady screams at me. I roll my eyes and stand up straight to fix myself. 

“Okay lady, I-”

“Apologize.” A mans’ voice demands from behind me. The rich ladys’ lips curl up into a viscous smile. 

“You heard the man! Apologize!” She demands with a smirk playing on her lips. 

“Clearly you misunderstand my intentions.” The man says before I can think of a response. He moves to stand between the lady and myself. My mouth drops open in shock and fear as I realize who he is. My damn boss, Dr. Floyd Paladyn!!! This is just great. Now I really am in trouble.

“I said, apologize.” Dr. Paladyn demands the woman again. 

“It’s her fault for not paying attention! These are $10,000 a pair!” She whines. Could this get any more embarrassing? Everyone in the whole damn cafeteria is staring at us!

“Look,” I sigh. “I’m sorry. Okay?” I just want this to be over already. I seriously regret the coffee decision. 

“Here. Now leave.” He hands the snobby lady a check. 

“Fine. It’s settled.” She huffs and leaves happy with the check. I sigh as everyone returns to their own business. 

“Thank you, Dr. Paladyn.” I say as I tap his shoulder. 

“You really should pay more attention to your surroundings. What’s so important that you can’t focus on walking in a line?” He says as he turns to face me. His voice dripping with annoyance. It’s clear he’s not actually asking for a response.

Refusing to get caught up in more drama, I turn around and leave the cafeteria. I just can’t deal with any more drama today.  Walking back down the hallway, I see the beautiful sun shining outside. Quiet. That’s what I need, a moment of quiet. 

I settle for a small two person bench across the street from the southside entrance doors. The little brown wooden bench sits in front of a forest just outside half of the hospital. The forest has always been a landmark for the end of town and the beginning of natures’ takeover. I smile while I take my seat on the little bench and breathe in the nature around me. 

One side a bustling town full of depression and loneliness, and the other side a gorgeous forest filled with the acceptance and love of Mother Nature. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, listening to the birds, humans and spirits that surround me. Why can’t my life be more like this? Quiet and peaceful. I just can’t ever think straight. Sighing, I let my mind wander.

I need to find a way to tell Sarah no. I can’t run two departments. With determination bubbling inside of me, I open my eyes only to see Dr. Paladyn standing in front of me. Shock and embarrassment flood me.

“Umm…” I clear my throat. “How can I help you Dr. Paladyn?” I ask hesitantly. Isn’t this the same guy who was annoyed from helping me out a few minutes ago? Why is he here now? And how long has he been standing there?

“Are you okay?” His words shock me. Am I okay? 

“I’m fine, thanks.” I say as I cross my arms over my chest and look him in the eyes. 

“I didn’t need your help, but I appreciate it.” I stand with a sigh, preparing to leave my new favorite spot. I move to take a step forward as his hand grabs my shoulder.

“I believe you are my new head nurse, correct?” His voice filled with dominance. Electricity shoots through my body from his hand grabbing my shoulder.

“Umm, yes. I am.” I reluctantly turn around to face him as he releases his hold on my shoulder. 

“I am Dr. Floyd Paladyn.” He says as he reaches his hand out towards me. Hesitantly, I reach mine out to grasp his hand in an electrifying handshake that jolts my inner bones. What is wrong with me?

“I’m Cyleste Astruna, head nurse of your clinic.” I say as our eyes lock together. I gasp silently as I stare into his deep brown eyes. I’m completely entranced as I watch golden flecks dance within the iris of his eye. 

“Beautiful…” I whisper almost silently, instantly regretting the simple word as his eyebrows move to question me.

“Beautiful?” He c***s his head to the side slightly. I sigh and return back to reality.

“It was nice to meet you Dr. Paladyn. But I really must get going, I have your clinic to attend to.” I say as I turn and take a small step towards the hospital. 

“I truly appreciate your assistance earlier. Good day Dr. Paladyn.” And with that I walk away back towards the hospital. What the hell was all of that? Why was I so flustered? Ugh. He annoys me. 

I turn and use the new clinic entrance doors and decide to go in the back office to work on my paperwork for the new patients we have. This will give me some isolated time to think about Sarah and Dr. Wellington. I just need to think.

…

FLOYD’S POV

I stand completely speechless in front of the bench where she left me. Who exactly is that woman? I didn’t mean to offend her, why was she so angry? And what in the hell was that electricity?! 

I turn and sit on the bench as I yank my phone out of my pocket. I need to know more about this woman. Cyleste. What an interesting name. Determined to learn more about my head nurse, I send Ethan a text asking to find out more about her. Starting with her intriguing name, Cyleste Astruna.