Ashes of trust

JOY It had been one year since her father died. Joy woke that morning with a heaviness in her chest that sleep had failed to erase. The air felt still, almost expectant, as though the day itself remembered the date. She dressed quietly and left the apartment before she could change her mind. On the way to the cemetery, she stopped at the small flower shop by the corner. White roses filled the front display. Her father and mother had always loved them. She bought two bouquets. Kneeling before the grave, she placed the flowers carefully on the marble. "Hey, Dad," she whispered. "I hope you can hear me from up there in heaven. Say hi to Mum for me. Look... I brought your favorite flowers. I got some for Mum too." Her fingers traced the engraved letters. "I miss you both so much." Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to continue. "I'm no longer an intern at Amrif General Hospital. I'm working as a registered nurse now. I promise I'll make both you and Mum proud." Silence surrounded her, broken only by the wind brushing past the trees. "I haven't forgotten, Dad," she murmured, her voice hardening. "I'm going to make them pay for what they did to you. The law didn't do anything... so I will. I promise your death won't be in vain. I'm going to destroy them. They won't see it coming." She exhaled shakily. "I'll drop these roses for Mum and head to work. Remember what you said? Always arrive on time to make a good impression. I better leave now." A faint smile appeared. "Love you, Dad." --- ONE YEAR EARLIER JOY "Joy, finish your breakfast or we're going to be late," her father called. "Coming, Dad!" She rushed to the table, excitement barely contained. Getting accepted as an intern at Amrif General Hospital felt unreal. Not only was it prestigious - she would get to work close to him. Her role model. "I'm really proud of you," he said warmly. "Your mum would be proud too." "Thanks, Dad." He watched her carefully before speaking again. "One more thing. No one should know we're related. Especially not my boss." She frowned. "Why not?" "I'll explain later. For now, if anyone asks... we're not related." She hesitated, then nodded. "I understand. JOY. The morning sun filtered through the windshield as the car moved steadily toward Amrif General Hospital. Joy sat beside her father, her fingers nervously tracing the strap of her handbag. Today was supposed to be exciting—her first day as an intern—but beneath that excitement sat a tension she couldn't ignore. Her father pulled the car toward the curb near a café. “Hey, can you drop me off at that café?” Joy asked. “I’ll just order a coffee to go and meet you inside. Want me to get you anything?” “No, I’m good,” her father replied. “I’ll go on ahead and park the car.” Then he glanced at her. “And Joy?” “Yes, Dad?” “Make it quick. We wouldn’t want you to make a bad impression on your first day.” Joy laughed softly. “I heard you.” She stepped out of the car and adjusted her blazer before walking toward the café. The smell of coffee and pastries welcomed her instantly. “Good morning,” she greeted. “Good morning to you too,” the barista smiled. “What can I get for you?” “An iced coffee with lots of milk to go, please.” “Here you go. Anything else?” “No, thank you. That will be it.” “Here’s your change.” “Thanks. I’ll go on ahead.” Coffee in hand, Joy crossed toward the hospital. The building stood tall and imposing against the morning sky. This is it, she thought. Her first official day.Inside, the hospital buzzed with quiet efficiency. Doctors hurried through corridors while nurses exchanged charts and patient updates. Joy approached the reception desk. “Hey, I’m Joyline M. Rodriguez,” she said politely. “I’m here about the internship program I’m starting today.” The receptionist checked her computer before offering a polite smile. “You’ll need to head to the third floor,” she explained. “You’ll meet Maggie there—Dr. Sanchez’s personal assistant. She’ll help you with the rest of the process.” “Thank you,” Joy replied. Coffee still in hand, she made her way toward the elevator. Her stomach fluttered slightly. First-day nerves. When the elevator doors opened on the third floor, she stepped into a quieter corridor lined with offices and polished glass doors. A woman seated behind a reception desk looked up almost immediately. Stylish and composed, she wore a knowing smile that felt both welcoming and observant. “So,” the woman said, standing. “You must be Joyline Rodriguez.” Joy nodded. “Yes.” The woman extended her hand. “I’m Maggie—Dr. Sanchez’s personal assistant.” So this was Maggie. “You’ll be interning under Dr. Sanchez,” Maggie explained as they walked through the corridor. “And just a friendly warning—he’s big on punctuality and efficiency.” Joy adjusted her grip on her coffee. “That sounds manageable.” Maggie laughed softly. “Trust me, he’s not difficult. Just serious about his work so try not to get on his bad side.” They reached Maggie’s desk. “Give me one second,” Maggie said. She picked up the office phone. “A minute please, sir. The girl has arrived.” “What girl, Maggie?” a male voice answered. “The one here for the internship program.” “Oh,” he replied. “Send her up to my office.” Maggie hung up and smiled. “Well,” she said, motioning toward the hallway, “looks like you're expected.” The corridors stretched endlessly around them. Doctors moved with purpose while machines beeped softly behind closed doors. Eventually they stopped outside a large office. Maggie knocked. “Come in.” The deep voice made something in Joy straighten instinctively. Maggie opened the door. “Sir, this is Miss Rodriguez. Here’s her file.” “Thanks, Maggie. You may leave.” The door clicked shut behind her. Joy stepped inside. The office was enormous. Elegant. Almost intimidating. Dark wood shelves lined the walls while sunlight spilled through tall windows overlooking the city. She kept her thoughts to herself. Dr. Sanchez stood near the window, his back still turned. He hadn’t acknowledged her yet. So she busied herself with her résumé, pretending not to notice him. Then— he turned. And time slowed. JOY. Their eyes met. Deep blue. And hazel green. The room suddenly felt too quiet. A strange rush of warmth moved through Joy’s chest. He was younger than she expected. Sharp jaw. Dark hair. An expensive suit beneath his white coat. His posture carried quiet authority—the kind that made people listen without him needing to raise his voice. And those eyes— they studied her carefully. Not rudely. Just… intensely. Her stomach tightened. MARTIN Martin hadn't intended to stare. But the moment he turned— he forgot whatever he was about to say. Hazel green. Her eyes caught him first. They were striking—soft yet unsettlingly direct. And for reasons he couldn't explain, something tightened beneath his chest. She looked nothing like he expected. Her figure. Her poise. The confidence hidden beneath visible nerves. He forced his gaze upward again, keeping it on her face. Professional. Stay professional. Still— he felt strangely aware of her presence. “Sorry,” he said, finally breaking the silence. “Where are my manners? Please, have a seat.” Relief flickered across her face as she sat. Martin moved toward his desk and opened her file. “Your résumé is impressive,” he said. “I’ll have you sign this confidentiality form for precautions. Just here… here… and here.” Joy signed carefully. “Thank you,” she said politely. “I assume you were informed you’ll be working under my supervision?” “Yes, sir.” He leaned back slightly. “You can call me Martin.” Joy looked up. “No, thank you. Dr. Sanchez will do just fine.” A corner of his mouth lifted. “Okay, Joy.” Something about the way he said her name unsettled her. Too familiar. Too easy. MARTIN. Interesting. Most interns tried too hard to impress him. But she— she pushed back. And strangely enough— he liked it. He picked up the office phone. “Hello, Maggie? Can you come to my office?” A moment later Maggie returned. “Kindly show Miss Rodriguez to the locker room,” Martin instructed. “Have her change into her uniform and meet me in Ward Room 240.” “Yes, sir.” JOY. Joy followed Maggie down another corridor. “This is the ladies’ locker room,” Maggie said, handing her a key. “Here’s your locker. When you’re done, meet me outside.” Changing into her blue uniform, Joy studied herself briefly in the mirror. Intern. The title felt real now. By the time she reached Ward Room 240, Martin was already there. He stood beside a patient’s bed. The woman looked middle-aged and cheerful despite the hospital setting. Martin smiled warmly. “Let me introduce you. This is my lovely patient, Monic.” Monic laughed. “You flatter me too much, Doc.” Martin gestured toward Joy. “And who’s this beautiful lady?” “You can call me Joy, ma’am,” she said politely. “Call me Monic,” the woman insisted. Martin’s tone shifted immediately. Professional. Controlled. “Miss Rodriguez, you’ll check her vitals and manage patient care. Any changes—no matter how small—you report to me. Understood?” “Yes, sir.” Joy observed him carefully. In his office he had been calm and almost soft-spoken. Here— he was entirely different. Professional. Cool. Distant. She couldn't figure him out. Back in his office later, Martin handed her several patient files. “These are my current patients,” he explained. “Go through them. You officially begin tomorrow, but you may stay and familiarize yourself if you like.” Joy glanced around. “Sir… where can I sit to go through these documents?” He pointed toward the far corner. “If you like, you can use the couch.” “Sure. Why not?” she replied. “Thank you, sir.” She settled into the corner. And tried very hard not to look at him. MARTIN. It didn't work. Not for him either. He focused on paperwork. Charts. Emails. Anything. Yet every now and then— his attention drifted. She smelled faintly of vanilla. And somehow, even while reading files, her hazel green eyes lingered in his thoughts. Everyone else could call her Joy. But not him. Not yet. For now— she remained Miss Rodriguez. Professional. Formal. Safe. Still— he found himself distracted by her presence. And that— more than anything— unsettled him. --