Saturday, 14 December, 02:10 GMT
Phillip looked at himself in the full-length mirror and blew out a breath as he ran his palm over his recently shorn head. He hadn't cut it in over a year, letting his natural afro grow out. The barber shaved all of it off. Phillip hadn't rocked the bald look since college.
He straightened his black bowtie and looked at the reflection of himself in his black tuxedo. He nodded before picking up the invitation with the embossed logo of the Los Angeles hospital. The familiar picture frame caught his eye. He smiled to himself as he looked at her smiling back. He looked over at the small leather box. He picked it up and shut his eyes for a moment. He looked at the photo again before opening the box to see the three-carat diamond ring. He blew out a breath.
He pocketed the jewel box, moving it for the first time since setting it down on his nightstand almost eleven months ago. He'd been to two black-tie affairs within the last month, Aston's November grand opening of his restaurant at the Hilton in L.A. and Lisa's London Fashion Show. He needed the box to keep himself grounded. He took another look in the mirror before exiting his bedroom. He headed to the fireplace to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron to use their fireplaces for International Travel.
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 18:15 PDT
Phillip stepped out of one of the International Travel fireplaces and into the foyer of the Wizarding pub. He checked his wristwatch; reception had just started at the top of the hour. It was a nice leisurely ten-minute walk to the banquet hall that was located next to the metropolitan hospital. The parking lot was quite full and the guests were still streaming into the foyer entrance; 'quite a happening,' he thought, considering it was for a charitable event.
'This was going to be a long night,' he thought to himself as he looked at his wristwatch. 'Go in, stay for an hour and then make your exit, Phil,' he told himself. He lined up behind the other guests, waiting for his turn to check-in.
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 18:45 PDT
Phillip would have never been described as a wallflower at events like this. He mingled with the other guests in the room that housed the donated silent auction items. Many of the female guests seemed interested in him. He just smiled politely as he listened to their small talk.
The waitstaff ushered the guests to their tables at the top of the 7 o'clock hour. Phillip was seated at a table with other notable guests; Hollywood actors and actresses, models, C.E.O.s and the hospital's director, and his wife.
The waitstaff wheeled in warmers and began to plate the guests' dinners. Phillip nodded at the waiter who placed plates in front of the guests at his table.
Everyone began to tuck in. Phillip savored the taste of the medium-rare steak in front of him. Conversations were heard throughout the room.
"Wilhelm Johansson, Director of San Agustin's," the older man said nodding at Phillip.
"Phillip Martinez," the athlete said.
"So, young man, what is it that you do?" the hospital's director asked Phillip in between bites.
The athlete chuckled. "I, um, used to play basketball professionally."
"Really?" the older gentleman canted his head. "For whom?"
"The Celtics," Phillip answered with a shrug.
"Well, you are in enemy territory, son," the older man chuckled. "What are you doing in Laker town?"
"Anything to help aid in the fight against cancer," Phillip laughed. "I think your new cancer wing will help so many of those afflicted, especially the children."
Dr. Johansson nodded, "Thank you for your patronage."
"I must admit, this is the first time I've ever attended," Phillip said. "I've been getting an invite for the past three years. I guess I wanted to see what this was all about."
"Well, I hope everything has lived up to what you imagined," the doctor said.
"Yes," Phillip nodded. "The food is good."
"I agree," the doctor nodded. "The Hilton's new chef is catering this event. I think his name is Baguio. In fact, he has donated dinner dates for our auction later tonight."
Phillip nodded as he thought of his old friend. "To chef Baguio," Phillip said as he raised his wine glass before taking a sip of red wine.
Dinner continued. Phillip looked around the table and smiled. He thought about all of the good that the night's fundraiser was going to achieve. He continued to tuck into his meal.
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 21:00 PDT
Phillip checked his Rolex wristwatch as the waitstaff bussed the coffee cups, dessert plates, and other flatware that remained on the dinner tables. It was already 9 pm; 'a good time to make his exit,' he thought to himself. He stood up with the rest of the guests who turned to the stage as the director addressed the mix of celebrities, athletes, donors, doctors, and other San Agustin staff members.
The message was slightly lost on Phillip as it seemed like the whole room was muffled. It was something about the dating auction that was about to take place with all the eligible bachelor and bachelorette hospital staff members that volunteered. He picked up his ticket from the table as a memento of the night. He was going to take his leave. But he stopped in his tracks as the rest of the guests began to head closer to the stage.
His eyes fluttered as he watched the couple talking. 'Were his eyes deceiving him?' he thought to himself. He took in a sharp breath.
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 19:00 PDT
She blew out a breath as she looked at herself in the mirror inside of the women's locker room in the doctors' quarters. She was ending her long seventy-two-hour shift, twenty-four hours longer than usual. She had only left the hospital for lunch that afternoon just to pick up her garment bag that held the dinner gown she was wearing.
The last operation took longer than expected. The back-up ER crew had already been waiting an hour when Drew and her crew finished up the last suture.
Drew headed straight to the locker room to wash up and get ready for the hospital's annual fundraiser. She had quickly showered and wondered whether she should actually attend the function that night as she put on her black calf-length silk evening gown. She ran her brush through her already drying hair as she looked at herself in the mirror.
She rolled her eyes as she picked up her purse and headed out of the doctors' quarters. She entered the emergency wing to whistles from those who were starting their shift.
"Looking good, Doc Granger," one of the male nurses said.
She shrugged and smiled at them, "I'll see you guys later."
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 19:10 PDT
Drew made her way to the building next to the hospital. She took in a breath before entering the foyer. The reception table was already empty. She slowly entered the banquet hall where the guests were already dining.
She spotted Marco just as he spotted her. He was at a table near the front. She made her way there.
"Glad you finally arrived," Marco said as he hugged her before helping her with her chair. "They only started serving ten minutes ago. I asked them to plate your serving."
"I didn't think I'd make it," she said as she took a sip of her red wine. She looked around the room.
"Director Johansson's sitting three tables down that way," Marco said as he pointed to his right.
Drew looked over to where he was pointing. The grey-haired Head of the hospital sat in between his wife and a bald-headed black man in a black tuxedo. 'Probably a wealthy donor,' she thought to herself.
She turned back to Marco and nodded. They continued with dinner.
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 21:00 PDT
"So, I think I'm going to head on out," Drew said as she stood up from her chair.
Marco looked at her. "Aw, come on, Drew. The evening's not over yet."
She looked at him skeptically as she grabbed her small purse. They joined the rest of the crowd. She watched as Director Johansson walked up to the podium on the stage.
"Good evening, everyone," he said into the microphone. "I am Wilhelm Johansson, Director of San Agustin General Hospital. I'll be emceeing the last event of tonight's festivities, our first annual 'Date Night Auction.' Before we get started with our lovely volunteer bachelors and bachelorettes, I want to thank everyone for coming tonight and taking part in another successful hospital fundraiser.
"Now, shall we begin with the bidding …"
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 21:35 PDT
"Our last date is a British transplant coming to us via Hawai'i," the Director turned emcee began.
Drew turned to Marco and narrowed her eyes at him. He smirked at her.
"She is on the shy side," Dr. Johansson said into the microphone. Marco nodded at her to head up to the catwalk. She gave him a, 'you are so going to get it,' look before she reluctantly started to head toward the stage area. "Let's all welcome Doctor Drew Granger."
Drew made her way to the steps leading up to the stage. Dr. Johansson gave her an encouraging nod. She exhaled as she walked up the three steps, nearly tripping over herself as she reached the top step. She unnecessarily straightened her calf-length black gown. She knew it wasn't the lone glass of red wine she had had during dinner, but she suddenly felt flushed. She turned toward the crowd and gave a slight shrug. Doctor Johansson smiled at her before continuing with his introduction of the English woman. He returned to reading the card, "This thirty-one-year-old surgeon was born and reared in London. She found herself going halfway around the world to get her medical degree and residency in Hawai'i.
"We were lucky enough that she accepted our E.R. position almost a year and a half ago, making her San Agustin's youngest Head of the Emergency Room in our history," the director smiled. "In her free time, what free time.
"Who writes this stuff," the director smiled as the crowd laughed. Drew kept her composure as she canted an eyebrow at Marco. All he did was smile back. The director continued, "Dr. Granger is a consummate and dedicated professional. In fact, she is coming off of an extended 72-hour shift.
"But seriously," the older gentleman continued, "During her down-time, Drew loves to sit in front of a lit fireplace and read the Classics. But don't underestimate her athleticism, she does enjoy going one-on-one on the basketball court.
"Doctor Drew Granger at your service," Dr. Johansson nodded. "And folks, remember, this is for charity. With the help of you as supporters of our hospital, we've already raised quite a bit this evening. But every little thing counts.
"Dr. Granger and the rest of our dates will be hosting a tour of the hospital and the location of our new cancer wing with dinner at the new 8o8 on the Coast Restaurant in the Los Angeles Hilton to follow.
"Should we start the bidding at one hundred dollars," the emcee began.
Drew canted her eyebrow at Marco. He shrugged, "One hundred dollars."
"One fifty," a blonde-haired, blue-eyed supporter raised his invitation. "Two hundred dollars," a black-haired, brown-eyed Latino gentleman raised his invite as well.
"Three hundred dollars," an older, grey-haired man piped up as he adjusted his glasses.
Drew gulped. She looked at Marco again. Marco began to raise his invitation to bid.
"Five hundred dollars," the familiar voice rang out from the crowd. Drew turned to see where the bid came from. She gulped as she saw the familiar blue irises. Their eyes locked for a moment before she turned to look at Marco who also looked to see where the bid came from.
"Six hundred dollars," the black-haired Latino raised his hand.
"One thousand," the grey-haired man spoke up.
"Fifteen hundred," Marco said, smiling inwardly at Drew's predicament.
"Two thousand dollars," the bald-headed young man nodded as Drew looked at him.
"Twenty-five hundred," Marco said, smiling at the former Celtic forward.
"Five thousand," Phillip said as he smirked at the Latino doctor.
"Ten thousand dollars," Marco countered.
"Twenty-five thousand dollars," Phillip said as he took a step forward in direct sight of the prize.
"Fifty thousand," Marco said as he raised an eyebrow at Phillip as the rest of the crowd applauded.
"One hundred thousand dollars," Phillip said as he looked straight at Drew. Doctor Johansson's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Drew's neck and shoulders started to noticeably flush, her thin shoulder straps didn't afford much covering.
She looked back at Marco, pleadingly. Marco nodded, "Two hundred thousand."
"Two hundred fifty," Phillip said as he looked at the other young man who seemed quite close to his old friend before she headed up to the stage.
"Three hundred," Marco countered.
"One million dollars," Phillip said as he glared at the other bidder.
Drew gulped. She looked at Marco who shrugged.
Doctor Johansson almost forgot where he was. He cleared his throat. "One million, going once," he said as he looked over the crowd. "One million, going twice. Date sold to Mr. Phillip Martinez.
"Uh, please come up, Phillip and meet Dr. Drew Granger," the Director said smiling. Phillip was already bounding up the steps.
Phillip took in a breath as he nodded at Drew. The older doctor looked back at the crowd, "Alright, deejay, let the music play.
"Phillip, Drew, please join the rest of the crowd on the dance floor. You two can get to know each other before the big date," the director said as he watched Phillip extend his hand to Drew who took it gingerly, allowing the young man to escort her down to the floor.
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 21:43 PDT
"Small world, huh?" he said as he brought her closer into his chest as the deejay played a slow number. Drew tensed up for a moment before relaxing in his arms.
She looked up at him and took in a small breath, "This is the last place I would have ever thought of bumping into you."
He laughed, "Well, both Draco and Aston kinda guilted me into coming."
She studied his face. "Junior is so dead right now," she said half-jokingly.
"Well, he did say it was for charity," Phil shrugged. "So you took this post? You never mentioned it among the Boston, New York, D.C., and London ones."
"It wasn't on my radar at the time," she said softly. "We're smack dab in the middle of gang central. The innocents are the ones that get caught up in the crossfire. I figured; this is the place that needed the most help."
He nodded. "So, uh, you look different."
"So do you," she said. "You've cut your hair."
He laughed, "Yeah. I haven't worn it this short since our college days."
"You cleaned up nicely," she gave him a weak smile.
"Well, I haven't seen you out of your scrubs in a long while," he said. He noticed her blush.
"So, no plus-one tonight?" she said changing the subject as she looked up at him. "Was Lisa washing her hair?"
He smirked at her, shaking his head. "I thought we agreed that night," he said as he watched her take in a breath. "My personal life is none of your business, remember."
She gulped. "Right," she said, her voice slightly wavering as the slow music died down. She stepped back as the crowd turned to the deejay as he transitioned to a fast mix.
Phillip watched as the crowd began to dance to the fast-paced music. He turned to where she once stood. She was gone. His breath hitched in his chest.
He caught a glimpse of her backside approaching the main entrance of the hall. "Shit," he muttered under his breath. He walked quickly following her.
"Ah, Mr. Martinez," Dr. Johansson said, halting Phillip in his tracks.
"Dr. Johansson," Phillip nodded, looking past the older man.
"I'm flabbergasted with the amount of donations this year," the Director said. "We've made our quota for the next two years. Perhaps it will only be another two years instead of the projected five that we break ground on the new cancer wing.
"On behalf of the hospital, Phillip, I cannot thank you enough for that generous one million dollar donation," Dr. Johansson extended his hand.
Phillip nodded as he accepted his handshake, "Anything for those who are afflicted, Sir. I really should be catching up to Drew, though. We've known each other since high school."
"Wow, what a coincidence," Dr. Johansson nodded.
"I tell you what, Sir, if I may have my hand back," Phillip smiled as the older man let go of his hand and chuckled, "I'll up my donation to ten million dollars if you'll excuse me."
The older man laughed and then looked at the young man. The Director nodded, realizing the young man was serious, "Of course."
Phillip nodded at him as he entered the foyer. He quickly crossed the foyer to the glass doors where he exited the building. The dark parking lot was full of vehicles. He blew out a breath as he scanned the lot.
"Why don't you just whip it out?" a voice said.
Phillip turned to his right and narrowed his eyes at the young man clad in a blue suit and tie. Phillip clenched his fists for a second. "Look, I'm not the idiot that put his girlfriend up for auction. If you really wanted her, you would have outbid me, no matter the cost."
"Wow, Phillip. Drew and Aston never told me how feisty you can be," the Latino doctor smirked. Phillip was taken aback at the fact that he knew who he was. "Marco Esteban, a colleague of Drew's. For the record, Drew would be the only woman I would ever swing the other way for.
"Take out your stick," Marco nodded as Phillip studied him. "Your wand."
Phillip took in a breath as he removed the twelve-inch wooden stick from his inside jacket pocket. He looked down at his mother's wand and then back up at Drew's coworker. "Does she know?"
Marco chuckled. "Of course she does. Now concentrate on her position," the doctor said pointing to the old Buick, "and Apparate before she leaves."
Phillip took a deep breath. He nodded and looked at the car with the red brake lights lit. He shut his eyes for a moment and concentrated on her position and then with a flick of his wrist he disappeared from his spot.
o-o-o
Friday, 13 December, 21:48 PDT
"Oh my God, Phil," Drew yelled, startled at his appearance in the passenger's seat.
"Sorry, still working on my landings," Phillip said as he showed the wand to her. "You weren't planning on leaving without me, were you?