The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

9. Enemies

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"Do you know how it feels to be wanted?"

~Motley Crue~

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9. Enemies

Shang doesn't know what to say. Honestly, he barely knows the woman. They've been stuck in an elevator twice. He's read one of her papers on early intervention in complex chest wall reconstructions. There's virtually no overlap in their surgeries. They might as well be strangers.

Mulan seems to understand the silence.

'I've been with someone for six years,' she says. 'He proposed last night, and I realized I didn't want to marry him the moment I saw the ring. Why did it take me six years?'

'When you're in surgery as much as we are,' Shang offers, 'six years is about three months in human hours.'

It brings a smile to her face.