What are we?

Meeting Sam.....

As she walked into the hospital, the fluorescent lights seemed too bright, the beeping machines too loud. Belle's head throbbed with each step. She barely made it to the staff lounge before Clara found her.

"Belle, I was so worried about you!" Clara exclaimed, her face a mix of relief and concern. "I called you so many times last night. Why didn't you answer?"

Belle rubbed her temples, trying to remember. "I... I don't know, Clara. I don't remember much of last night. I went to O’Malley’s for a drink, and everything after that is a blur."

Clara's eyes widened with worry. "You really don’t remember anything?"

Belle shook her head, feeling a pit of dread forming in her stomach. "No. I remember feeling stressed, going to the bar, and then... nothing."

They sat down in the lounge, Clara’s concern deepening. "You must have been really out of it. You didn't even text me back."

Belle took a deep breath, trying to piece together the fragments of her memory.

"Hey uhhh....thanks for the soup and porridge it really did help a bit. you never told me you knew how to make that" .

"Make what?" Clara asked looking confused.

"Clara? the soup and the porridge you left on my dinning table for ".

"Belle, I didn't, it wasn't me I didn't come over" Clara said innocently.

Belle was taken aback, "if you didn't then .......who ......

As she sat there, talking to Clara, flashes of the previous night started coming back to her. The bar, the drinks, the handsome stranger... Her eyes widened in shock and horror as the memories flooded back.

"Oh my God," Belle whispered, her face paling. "I remember now. I slept with a stranger."

Clara's expression turned from concern to understanding. "Belle, it's okay. You were vulnerable and had too much to drink. These things happen."

"No, it's not okay," Belle said, her voice cracking. "I love Steve. I've always wanted him to be the only one. What have I done?" Tears welled up in her eyes, and she cursed herself under her breath. "How could I let this happen?"

Clara moved closer, her voice gentle. "Belle, you can't beat yourself up like this. You made a mistake, yes, but it doesn't change your feelings for Steve or who you are. You're human, and sometimes we make choices we regret when we're in a bad place."

Belle wiped her tears away, feeling a wave of self-loathing. "I feel like I've betrayed myself and Steve"

"Listen to me," Clara said firmly, taking Belle’s hands in hers. "You were looking for comfort in a moment of weakness. It doesn’t define you. What matters is how you move forward from here. You need to forgive yourself.

Belle nodded, though the guilt still gnawed at her. "I just never thought I'd do something like this."

"And it's okay to feel that way," Clara reassured her. "But you have to be kind to yourself. One mistake doesn't erase all the good in you or the love you have for Steve."

Belle took a deep breath, trying to absorb Clara’s words. "Thank you, Clara. I don't know what I’d do without you."

"That's what friends are for," Clara said with a warm smile. "Now, let’s focus on today. We have patients to take care of, and you’re one of the best doctors here."

Belle managed a smile, feeling a glimmer of hope. With Clara’s support, she felt a bit more capable of facing the day. She stood up, straightened her lab coat, and headed out of the lounge with Clara by her side.

The day at the hospital dragged on for Belle . Her patients needed her full attention, and though she managed to maintain her professionalism, her mind kept drifting back to the previous night. Every now and then, she would catch a glimpse of herself in a reflective surface, and the guilt would surge anew.

As the sun began to set and her shift came to an end, Belle realized she was missing something. Her bracelet—the delicate gold one Steve had given her—was not on her wrist. Panic set in as she frantically searched her locker and the staff lounge. It was nowhere to be found.

"Clara, have you seen my bracelet?" Belle asked, trying to keep the anxiety out of her voice.

Clara looked up from her paperwork, frowning. "The gold one? No, I haven't. Did you have it this morning?"

"I think so," Belle said, racking her brain. "I must have lost it last night. I need to find it. It's really important to me."

Clara placed a reassuring hand on Belle's shoulder. "Don't worry, Belle. You'll find it. Do you want me to help you look?"

"No, it's okay," Belle replied, forcing a smile. "I'll check at O'Malley's. Maybe I left it there."

With a determined nod, Belle grabbed her coat and hurried out of the hospital. The evening air was cool and bracing, helping to clear her head. As she walked toward O'Malley's, her eyes scanned the ground, hoping for a glint of gold among the pavement cracks.

Few miles away to the bar she collided with someone carrying a stack of pizza boxes. The pizzas wobbled precariously but miraculously stayed balanced.

"I'm so sorry!" Belle exclaimed, reaching out to steady the stack.

The deliveryman laughed"it's ok " he said looking at her.

"That... Voice....." Belle looked up at him.

"Have we met?" She Asked looking curious.

"I don't think you would rem.....

" you are that bar tender from O'Malley's right? " She asked with certainty not letting him to finish up his sentences.

" Wow! you remembered"

He smiled, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement.

" you were pretty drunk if I can remember" he said trying to tease her.

Belle flushed, a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. "Yes, that was me. I'm Belle."

"Nice to meet you again, Belle. I'm Sam" he said, adjusting the pizza boxes.

"What brings you back here?"

Belle bit her lip, hesitating. "I lost a bracelet last night. It's very important to me. I was hoping it might be here."

Sam's expression softened. "A gold bracelet? I found one after you left. I have it with me."

Relief washed over Belle. "Oh, thank goodness. Can I get it from you?"

Sam set down the pizza boxes and rummaged in his bag, pulling out the delicate bracelet. Belle's eyes lit up as she took it from him, slipping it back onto her wrist.

She rushed and gave him a warm hug.

Sam was surprised at the same time felt a bit shy.

He must have loved the the hug.

"Thank you so much, Sam. I can't tell you how much this means to me." She said pulling away from him.

"Happy to help," Sam replied with a smile. "Hey ..... Uhhh can I get you a coffee at least, to show u how grateful I am" belle said.

" Wow , the bracelet seems to be soo important" he said looking at it.

"Yh, Indeed it is" she replied not attempting to go into further explanation.

"Well, whoever that gave you that bracelet, I oughta thank him cause he got me having a coffer date with a beautiful woman" he said.

"Are you trying to flirt with me Mr pizza guy, or should I call you the bartender guy?? Belle asked with a smile.

They both bursted out in laughter.

" Believe me, there's more to that "he said .

They walked to a nearby café and found a cozy corner table. The warm ambiance and rich aroma of coffee beans were comforting. As they sipped their drinks, Belle found herself relaxing, the tension of the past 24 hours slowly easing.

"So, how long have you been bartending at O'Malley's?" Belle asked, curious to know more about Sam.

"About a year now," Sam replied, stirring his coffee. "It's a fun job, but I do pizza delivery on the side to make ends meet. What about you? What do you do when you're not walking into the bar and getting drunk? "

Belle laughed, appreciating his easygoing nature. "I'm a doctor. It's been a stressful time lately, which is why I ended up at the bar last night."

Sam nodded, his expression understanding. "I get it. Everyone needs a break sometimes. But seriously, don't be too hard on yourself. We all have those nights."

Belle looked at him, feeling a connection she hadn't expected. "Thanks, Sam. I needed to hear that."

He really sounded like Clara.

"What kind of doctor are you?" Jake asked, leaning back in his chair.

"I'm Surgeon" Belle replied, taking another sip of her coffee, I deal with different kind of operations, It can be very rewarding but also very demanding and stressful".

"I can imagine," Sam said. "You must have some pretty intense days."

Belle nodded. "Yeah, yesterday was one of the worst. That's why I went to O'Malley's. I just needed to forget about everything for a while."

Sam smiled sympathetically. "And did it help, at least a little?"

Belle sighed, thinking back to the night. "For a moment, it did. But then I woke up with a terrible hangover and a lot of regret."

Sam reached out and gently touched her hand. "Belle, you're too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and move forward, u need happiness Belle".

Belle looked down at their hands, feeling a warmth spread through her. "You're right. I just... I wish I could turn back time and make better choices."

Sam squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We all have those wishes. But life doesn't work that way. We can only do our best with the cards we're dealt."

"Thanks, Sam," Belle said, her voice soft. "I don't usually open up like this."

"Well, I'm glad you did," Sam replied with a smile. "Sometimes talking to someone who isn't involved can give you a new perspective."

Belle nodded, feeling a weight lifting off her shoulders. "So, tell me more about you. What do you like to do when you're not working?"

Sam's eyes lit up. "I love music. I play the guitar and sing a bit. It's my way of unwinding after a long day."

"That sounds amazing," Belle said, genuinely interested. "Do you play in a band or just for fun?"

"A bit of both," Sam replied. "I have a small group of friends, and we play gigs at local venues every now and then. It's nothing big, but it's a lot of fun."

Belle smiled, feeling a sense of admiration for him. "I'd love to hear you play sometime."

Jake grinned. "I'll hold you to that. Next time we have a gig, I'll make sure you get an invite, Speaking of next time, how about this Saturday?"

" Ummmm....I don't really know I gotta check my schedules and see if ...

"Belle common, give urself some free time I mean there are other doctors and nurses there alright?"

Belle smiled at him.

"So what do u say ? 8:00pm O'Malley's?"

She looked at him "sure, I'll be there".

They continued talking, sharing stories about their lives, their interests, and their dreams. The more Belle learned about Sam, the more she appreciated his kindness and easygoing nature. By the time they finished their coffee, she felt like she had made a genuine friend.

As they left the café, Belle felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew she still had a long way to go in forgiving herself, but with new friends and a bit of kindness, she felt hopeful for the first time in a long while.