The Stars Within

Chapter 6

FLOYD’S POV

“Floyd! Let’s finish our previous conversation while I have a few more minutes, shall we?” Dr. Wellington says from behind me. I internally groan as I turn around to answer his smiling face. 

“Of course, John.” I reply as politely as possible. I see from the corner of my eye Ms. Astruna leaving the doorway as the door closes behind her. Sighing, I focus my attention back onto John. I will deal with her later.

“What can I do for you, John?” I say biting back my irritation. I swear, if he tries to invite me to another get together… I bite the inside of my cheek to control myself.

“How is my hospital staff treating you?” He raises one eyebrow as he looks up at me from his small square glasses. I smirk internally, thinking of the troublesome Ms. Astruna. 

“Very well. They are quite accommodating and hospitable.”I say nonchalantly. I twirl my finger around one of the many flowers in a vase on his desk. 

“I have no complaints so far.” I say as I continue twirling my finger around the petal. 

“Good! Good! That’s great to hear! Now, how about you come up to my place this weekend for a little dinner party. I’ve invited all of our doctors and surgeons.” He says smiling. I knew it. I sigh internally as I drop my hand to my side. I take a silent deep breath and run my fingers through my hair.

“John, I appreciate the offer but I really don’t think you’re going to want me in attendance.” It’s not a lie. I really hate crowds. I only went to the clinic party because it was required, according to Ethan.

****FLASHBACK****

“You have to go, Floyd. It is our clinic, you know? Yours and mine?” I roll my eyes as Ethan shouts from his room inside our suite.  

“Which is exactly why you can go in my place! Just go and pretend I’m sick for the night or something. I’m not going!” I shout back at him. He knows I hate crowds and parties. 

“No! No no no no no no no!” I hear him stomping from his room towards mine. He stops just outside the door to my room, huffing and puffing.

“You really are childish, at times.” I say as I walk across the milky white carpet and open the door.

“Will you leave me alone if I go to this one party?” I give up. I don’t have the energy for this tonight. I have an early morning tomorrow at the office with some meetings and it’s already 10 at night. His face slowly shifts from anger to happiness to content. 

“I knew I could make you! Fine, yes, deal. You go to this one party and I’ll leave you alone about them.” His smile widens as I drop my shoulders in defeat and exhaustion. I turn and walk towards my private bathroom, hoping he would take that as a signal to leave. 

“You know, it has always amazed me.” I roll my eyes.

“What has always amazed you, Ethan?” My voice holding an obvious annoyance. I open the bathroom door to reveal the porcelain white amenities inside. I step just inside the door, grab a towel and turn to look at him. 

“You hate people.” He pauses and takes a step forward. 

“Yet, you’re so good at helping the very people you hate.” His face all twisted in confusion and what? What is that look on his face?

“What’s wrong with your face, Ethan? You’re looking at me weird.” I take a step back and dramatically put my arms up in an X formation. 

“Umm, concern? I’m worried about you, man. You need to get out more, experience people.” He runs his fingers through his hair and turns around to face my bedroom door. 

“It’s what someone feels when they care for someone else.” And with that, he took his leave. I stand there in shock. Worried? For me? Whatever for? Shaking my head I shove it out of my mind and head back towards my private bathroom for my evening shower. 

****END FLASHBACK****

“Hmm. I doubt a man as handsome as you could possibly be a burden during a little dinner party. Do come, enjoy yourself, please. I won’t ask again, Floyd.” John states as he shuffles the paperwork on his desk. Sighing, I decide I can send Ethan in my place if I can pretend to be sick. 

“Seems you’ve convinced me, John. I’ll be seeing you this weekend then?” I say as I walk towards the door to leave. While opening the silent door, I hear John slightly shout back.

“Great to hear, Floyd! See you this weekend!” Now I need to fake an illness. Ethan, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to any more parties. I smile internally as I walk down the semi-crowded halls. For a Friday, there sure are a lot of patients today. 

I turn the corner only to bump into the biggest clown this hospital has. I smirk as she shakes her head in confusion. 

“Lost?”

CYLESTE’S POV

Leaving Dr. Wellingtons’ office is a huge relief. Sighing, I walk out into the hall towards the elevators. I need to finish today's tasks and start on my full transition to the clinic. Dr. Bossy makes me so stressed out! What is up with that guy! Ugh!

Pressing the down button on the elevator, I wait impatiently. I need to get away from here. Something bumps into me, shoving me forward just slightly.

“Oh my goodness! Are you okay ma’am?” A little old lady asks me. Concern written all over her face. 

“Oh, no. Please, I’m alright ma’am. Can I help you through this crowd, though?” I offer as I finally take in the scenery around me. Damn, it is packed today! 

“That would be lovely, miss..?” She smiles and asks.

“Please, call me Cyleste. Where are you headed?” I smile back warmly. She reminds me of my grandmother, I miss her so much. 

“I have an appointment with my son today, he’s taking me out for lunch!” Her happiness appears to be contagious as she has me smiling along with her.

“That’s wonderful, ma’am! What department does your son work in?” I ask, full of happiness for and from her. 

“Oh, my son is John Wellington! Ooh I mean Dr.Wellington.” She covers her mouth while she corrects herself, still smiling. Wait, what?! She’s Wellingtons’ mother?! Swallowing the lump in my throat, I place my patient fake smile on. 

“Why of course ma’am, his office is just this way.” I turn with her and start to slowly lead her down the hall. I listen as she talks about some of her favorite things about her son, making jokes about him as a young man in college. 

I was laughing with her and enjoying our little walk until I bump into something hard and tall. What in the world? Did I hit a wall? I look up only to see the golden flecks dancing deep inside a pair of gorgeous brown eyes. 

“Lost?” His deep voice asks me. Shaking my head, I come back to my senses and stand taller. 

“Nope. I’m taking Mrs. Wellington to her son, Dr. Wellington.” I say as I move to the side to continue on with my boss’s mother. 

“See you at the clinic, Ms. Astruna. I hope this won’t take up too much of your time. You have patients.” Is it just me or does he seem extra grumpy? Nodding my head in response to his statements, I finish leading the way to my boss’s office door. 

Lifting my hand to knock, I make contact with air as my recently made friend walks right through my boss’s door. I smile as I see them rejoice in hugs and sweet words. I turn to leave when I hear my name. 

“Ms. Astruna!” Dr. Wellington shouts towards me. I walk through his office door and smile to his mother. 

“Yes sir?” I ask. 

“You have impressed my mother with your hospitality charms. She wants me to invite you to our little dinner party this weekend. She would like you to be her guest of honor.” He beams at me with a sense of pride and respect. His mother smiles widely from the chair behind his desk. I can’t exactly say no. It’s my boss’s mother. Sighing internally, I put a giant smile on my face. 

“Of course, sir! Thank you, ma’am, for inviting me!” I say as I turn and face the lovely old woman. 

“Please, call me Evelyn dear.” She states sweetly towards me. 

“I look forward to this weekend, dear. Wear something lovely, I want to see you outside of scrubs, dear” She smiles at me as she quietly giggles. I smile back and nod happily as I turn and walk towards the door. 

“Of course, Evelyn! See you this weekend, Sir!” I say as I step out the door. I stop just outside the door and take in a sharp breath. Did I just agree to go to my boss’s house this weekend? For a dinner party!? Oh no… I need Lilly!!

Panic sets in as I fast walk back to the elevator and wait impatiently for it to arrive. I find solitude in the back corner of the packed elevator as I mentally walk through my closet. I have that black dress, but I already wore that to the ceremony. Looks like shopping is taking up my evening tonight. 

The elevator doors open as I sigh. I really hate shopping. But if Lilly comes, it won’t be so bad. I turn towards the clinic and pull out my phone to text Lilly. 

Hey. I need ur help picking out a dress…

 Panic sets inside me as I realize that now I’m going to have to explain why I need the dress. Ugh! Why me!? My phone vibrates and I pull it out of my pocket. Opening my phone, I brace myself for the tons of questions coming my way.

Lilly

A dress?! What? Okay??? Meet me at the mall at 8pm tonight. I’ll be waiting at the food court side. :)

I’m speechless. She’s not hounding me for answers? I take a deep breath and continue walking through the still semi crowded halls. I peak through the glass windows separating the clinic from the hallways. Janet sits at her desk, looking at her computer monitor. 

I enter the clinic and give Janet a small smile as I walk up towards the “employees only” door in the back of the waiting room. I can’t help but feel nervous about this stupid dinner party. Should I invite a plus one? I could drag Lilly with me.. 

“So, mall tonight huh?” I quickly turn around to see Amber, one of my nurses, crossing her arms over her chest. Damn it Lilly! 

“She told you I’m guessing.” I respond as I turn and start walking towards the back nurses station. 

“If you mean that she cornered me in the hallways and threatened my life if I didn’t go, then yeah! She did tell me.” She says as she follows me. I can hear the sarcasm in her voice. That damn Lilly! No, I can’t invite her to the dinner party. She’ll sell me out for sure, making me mingle more and talk. Sighing, I grab a few patient charts and sit on the stool in front of the computer monitor. 

“Okay. Yes, I need to go shopping tonight. I need a fancy-ish dress.” I turn my head towards her, only to find her mouth wide open. What’s her problem?

“You okay, Amber?” She slowly nods with a giant smile on her face.

“Oh, I’m fine girl. It’s you who’s going to suffer. This is your first shopping trip with Lil isn’t it?” Confusion clear on my face as I listen to her words. She chuckles slightly and places her hand on my shoulder. 

“Get ready for the Lill-in-ator, boss.” And with that she turned and started walking back towards the waiting area. 

“See you tonight, boss!” She hollers from the door and waves her hand slightly. Ugh! I really hope tonight goes by fast.