The Stars Within

Chapter 5

CYLESTE’S POV

“Well Angel, this is as good as it’s gonna get today.” I say to my cat and our reflections in the closet door mirror. My mini skeleton scrubs matching with my black work shoes. My black hair pulled back into a half ponytail. I give myself a small smile of approval before heading out the door. 

As I turn on my beat up old bug, I feel an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. I really feel uneasy about today. But why? My cheeks burn with embarrassment as my mind recalls yesterday's encounters with Dr. Paladyn. Sighing with frustration I back out onto the road and head towards the hospital. 

He’s different from the other doctors. His eyes hold something deep inside them. What?! What in the world am I thinking?! Shaking my head, I take a deep breath trying to calm my already completely shot nerves. No, Cyl. Forget about the cute bossy doc and just focus on work today. You have a lot more to deal with than his drama. I silently think to myself.

With my mind made up, I turn into the hospital parking lot and drive slowly towards the parking garage. I need to find Sarah or Dr. Wellington first, then I can handle the rest of the day without a problem. I sigh internally as I park my old bug and grab my bag. I just need today to be a little better than yesterday. 

“Heya girl!” I hear Lilly shout at me from down the row of parked cars. 

“Morning Lilly.” I respond to her as I get out and lock my old car up. Turning I see her blonde curls surrounding her smiling face. 

“You’re grumpier than usual today, boss. You okay?” She asks me. Concern takes over her smile. She’s always so worried about me. It’s annoying at times, but also a bit nice. 

“Yeah, I’m just not exactly excited for the start of today. I have to talk with  Dr. Wellington and Sarah this morning, and I’m pretty sure they’re not going to be happy afterwards.” I say as I slightly turn to walk with Lilly towards the hospital. A small smirk grows on my lips as I think of their possible reactions. Ranging anywhere from small shocked gasps to unrelenting questions mixed with anger. 

“Well, maybe we can meet up for lunch today? Then you can tell me what that smirk is for.” She says giggling. She can always tell when something is off with me. I smile along with her and chuckle. Yeah, she’s annoying at times and usually late, but she’s the only one who has actually ever made me smile. Suddenly, shock covers my face as I turn to look at her.

“You’re on time today!” She laughs at my sudden realization. 

“Yeah, I am. I thought you could use me today.” She says smiling. I could use her? I raise one eyebrow in confusion at her.

“Use you today? You do know you work here right?” She rolls her eyes at my question.

“Ha, you’re hilarious Cyl. Of course I know that. But I was talking more about you passing out on the job yesterday.” My cheeks turn red with embarrassment as I look down at the pavement under our shoes.

“How do you know about that?!” Did he gossip like the other doctors? I thought he was different.

“I overheard a phone call that Dr. Wellington had last night before I left. Something about you passing out in the breakroom. That worries me, Cyl. You gotta take better care of yourself.” She says as she stops in front of the hospital doors to put a hand on my arm.

“Seriously girl, I’m right here.” Her eyes lock onto mine, holding all the sadness in the world. I sigh and lean in for a hug. She really is the closest thing I have to any real friend. 

“Today sucks already, Lil.” I say as we break our hug. 

“It’s about to get more eventful.” She half whispers as we enter through the hospital doors. She moves her eyes to signal where to look. I turn slightly to find the one and only Dr. Bossy. I smirk internally at my new nickname for him. Dr. Bossy.

“You should probably go see what he wants.” She says as she abandons me in the middle of the entryway of the hospital. His eyes never leave me as I watch her leave me in silent shock. She just stranded me here! 

Sighing, I turn towards Dr. Bossy and slowly start walking towards him. He stands there eyeing my every move as I walk down the hallway closing the distance between us. Why do I feel nervous? 

“Good morning, Dr. Paladyn.” I smile warmly. 

“Morning. Are you ready to work today Ms. Astruna?” He asks me. His voice filled with annoyance. How can one guy be so annoyed all the damn time? Looking anywhere but his unwavering eyes, I answer the best I can.

“Nope! Why else would I be here?” I say with a slight spring in my step as I walk around him towards the breakroom. I roll my eyes as I open the breakroom door.  

Sighing, I open my locker to place my bag and coat inside. I still need to tell Sarah and Dr. Wellington my answer. I’m still so exhausted from last night and yesterday. I really need to find answers for my dreams. I jump suddenly from the sound of the locker next to me being slammed shut. 

“You don’t look too great today.” Amber’s worried face comes into view as I barely turn my body. I thought the same thing, but you didn’t need to say it out loud. Ugh!

“Yeah, I haven’t been getting much sleep lately.”  I say as I turn back to my locker to close it. 

“You need a break, boss! You work so hard!” Amber has always admired me. I have to admit, she’s grown on me. I chuckle and walk towards the door.

“Yeah, that’d be great one day.” Though I doubt it will help my nightmares. Jeez, I’ve only been here 10 minutes and I’m already exhausted. Time to make rounds in the E.R., then to go tell Sarah and Wellington my decision. 

A few minutes later and I’m pretty much done with rounds here. I have one last patient to check on this morning. I head towards the E.R. nurses station to grab the patients’ chart, only to find Dr. Bossy talking with some of the other nurses. I see them point in my direction and my heartbeat quickens. I need to hide! I do NOT want to deal with him right now. 

I turn and quickly run to hide inside the apply closet just to the right of me. Hopefully he didn’t see me. I can’t handle him right now. I still have to talk to Sarah and Wellington before I deal with Dr. Bossy. 

Panting silently, I listen for the footsteps that pass the closet door. After a few minutes of almost silence, I decide to test my chances. I slowly open the door and look around for my nemesis. With a sigh of relief I walk out the door and towards the E.R. exit doors into the main hallway. 

I’m not sure what the universe has planned, but my plan sure as hell didn’t work. As soon as I walked into the hallway I ran into a wall. Well… that’s what I thought until I looked up and saw dark hazel eyes with golden flecks dancing within the iris’. His black hair barely covers his slightly raised eyebrows. Man he’s hot!

“Just my luck. I go looking for the hospital clown only to have her run into me.” He says with a giant smirk plastered on his face. How in the hell is he so damn annoying and hot at the same time?!

“I’m sorry, what did you call me?” I ask him, anger clear on my face. This, of course, makes him chuckle. 

“Ms. Astruna, you are impossible to find. We-”

“What if I didn’t want to be found?” I cut him off hastily, not thinking. I seriously hate my word vomit. It happens from time to time, but never in front of my bosses!

“Interesting.” Was all he said before turning towards his clinic. 

I sigh in relief as he walks away through the clinic doors. What is that dudes’ problem? I mean, yeah I passed out one time, but seriously? Now I have a stalker at work? I internally groan with frustration as I walk the hallway towards the staff elevators. Dr. Wellingtons’ office is one the fourth floor on the East side of the hospital. It can take a few minutes to get there, even with the staff elevator, depending on foot traffic. 

A few minutes and maneuvers later and I’m standing outside Wellingtons’ office. A big golden plaque next to his door reads Dr. Jonathan Wellington CEO and Owner of Saint TeResa Hospital.  My hands become cold and clammy as nerves set in. He’s usually a pretty reasonable and logical guy, so why am I so nervous?

“Breathe Cyleste, you got this.” I whisper to myself silently. I take a deep breath in as I move to knock on the door. 

“Enter!” I hear Wellington shout through the door. 

I curl my pale fingers around the semi-golden door handle. With a slight turn of the wrist It opens wide to a giant office with floor to ceiling windows completely covering two walls. They overlook the town we call home. I turn slightly to greet the owner of the beautiful view, but quickly stopped in my tracks. What is he doing here?! 

“I can always come back another time, sir.” I say to Wellington. His face shifts from serious to happy, although his eyes still hold the seriousness that covered his face only moments earlier. 

“No, no. Cyleste, my favorite head nurse!” I roll my eyes. He’s always flattering us before giving us new orders or jobs to do. 

“I have my answer for you, sir.” I say to him as he sits in his chair behind his desk. 

“Wonderful! We were also just discussing that exact situation!” He seems way too happy. What exactly is going on here?

“Oh? Well sir, I’m sorry to report that I won’t be able to take on both responsibilities. I-”

“Oh, never you mind about that. Dr. Paladyn was just telling me of your amazing work with our new clinic!” I stand there shocked. But he hates me..? My eyes move just slightly to the side to see Dr. Bossy smirking up a storm in the corner of Wellingtons’ office. Why is he lying?

“Um, thank you doctor. I appreciate the kind words to Dr. Wellington.”I respond as politely as I can without turning around to look at his smirking face. How do these things keep happening to me?

“Think nothing of it.” He says from behind me. A familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach. Shaking my head just slightly, trying to rid myself of the sudden anxiety, I clear my throat. 

“Thank you Dr. Paladyn and Dr. Wellington. If there is nothing else, I will go back to my post then. I’m sure the folks down there could use me.” Any excuse is a great excuse to get out of here. This room is getting warmer by the minute. 

“Sure, sure!” Wellington waves his hand in the air as he walks happily towards his desk. I turn to leave and feel a presence behind me as I open the door. My breathing stops. Don’t follow me. Don’t follow me. I think to myself as I step out the door.

“Floyd! Let’s finish our previous conversation while I have a few more minutes, shall we?” I sigh inaudibly as I feel his tall body turn stop in place and turn around. Thank the gods!

“Of course, John.” He responds ever so politely. This guys’ emotions freak me out! He changes on a dime! That, or he’s really good at covering up how he’s really feeling. In which case, I would be happy to have that ability.

Well, it didn’t go exactly according to plan, but I won’t complain. I just need to try and stay out of Dr. Bossy's way. The last thing I need is more issues from him. I mean, yeah I’m curious about why he did that for me, but I'm definitely not THAT curious. I think I’ll just let the sleeping dog sleep, or whatever it is those people say. Sighing, I head back downstairs to the clinic. 

“Hopefully the rest of today will go by easy.” I mutter to myself as I press the down elevator button. I look up to see a tall dark mans reflection slightly jogging towards me in the elevator doors. My eyes widen when I realize who it is. Does he ever leave me alone?! So much for staying out of his way. Turning around I smile as professionally as I can. 

“Hello again, Dr. Paladyn.”

“Hello, Ms. Astruna.” He smirks. 

This will be one hell of a ride downstairs.