Chapter 1

Santa Bonaventure

This morning, Neil was surprised to see Audrey coming to his office. They didn't talk much since the favoritism complaint. He preferred not to… After all, he denied it and continued to see Claire as if nothing happened. After all, they were both adults and they knew where their boundaries were. They just had to be more discreet.

"Your residents are not here? "

"Good morning to you too. And no, we all finished late last night, so I've told them to come only at 11AM. No need to use them till the further end. If I want them to be appropriate, I need them to be rested."

He looked at her. She was so serious since she was the surgery chief. It was surely because of the title. And that was why he'd rather not have it. He was way much better teaching to the residents and doing whatever he wanted in the OR rather rotting in endless meetings debating over the hospital finances or the next colors of the walls.

"What are you here anyway? Did I forget about a meeting or did I miss a new favoritism complain to fight?"

"Ha ha, ha, really funny, Neil." She was being sarcastic. "In fact, I was just in this meeting where the direction of the hospital has decided that it was time for our attendings to be more careful about ALL their residents."

She paid attention to put the emphasis on the "ALL". Not really necessary. He knew she was still mad about the favoritism complain and his friendship with Claire.

"So now I have to be friendly with the residents… Not my type. You know I always tell them when something's wrong with them. I do the same when they do something right or bold. I don't need the hospital board told me to do so..."

"This time, this is their orders. So you do as they tell. And it starts with you organizing a secret Santa with Morgan, Park, Shaun and Claire."

He looked at her puzzled. "A secret Santa?" He let out a sarcastic laugh.

"You heard me well. You present them the thing as you want but at the end of the month, I don't want to see any clash between your residents between you and one of your residents. You understand what I'm telling you?"

She was so bossy. He groaned but he nodded yes with his head. He knew he needed to keep a low profile. Especially since he still secretly saw Claire during his free time. "OK. You can count on me."

Audrey went out of the office and vanished in the corridor. Now he had to explain this stupid rule to his residents… Find the good words. Explain it was for the good of the team. He will think about it tonight at home while eating a good "boeuf bourguignon" and drinking a glass of red wine. Now he needed to focus on Mrs. Ruzek's surgery which was scheduled on the afternoon.

On the day after, he went to the hospital really early. He thought about the board request all night. He didn't sleep well. He was scared and anxious about his team' s reactions. The favoritism complaint had made all the residents at odds. And he didn't know how a secret santa could ease the tension.

"Good morning, Dr. Melendez."

Shaun came first for the morning briefing. As usual, he sat on his favorite chair and tinkled on his pad. He remained silent until he raised his head to say good morning to Claire who came second. She avoided coming first now, especially after the favoritism complaint. People were already enough toxic, there was no need to add grist to their mill. Seeing Neil outside Bonaventure was the best time she had since a long moment and she didn't plan on stopping now.

"Good morning, Shaun. Good morning, Dr. Melendez."

She smiled at him saying this. Shaun didn't pay attention to anything else but his pad and no one was around. And came to sit next to him at the end of the table. She opened the file in front of her and started to read. Alex and Morgan came back just in time, not to be late.

Neil made his usual debrief about the surgeries of the week and their rotation in the service for the days to come. Morgan tried to take all the credits as usual. Park watched all the details, remaining silent. Shaun asked the questions and Claire took the time to answer with patience to Shaun. Neil watched them. All different, all complementary, all together and at odds.

When the cases were split into the four of them, the residents stood up, ready to go and see the patients. Neil swallowed hard. It was time to tell them about the board's decision. As stupid as it was. "Hey, you all. Could you please stay here a little longer? I've something to tell you."

They remained frozen for something like two seconds and walked back in the office. Neil started to talk. He didn't know how to bring things up. All seemed so unreal. Anyway, the faster he told them about this secret Santa thing, the quicker they could all come back to their business.

"I saw Dr. Lim this morning. She came to inform me of a new decision by the board committee."

He looked at them. They had all their eyes wide open. Claire seemed a little more worried, anxious. The recollection of the favoritism complaint that both still haunted them.

"Don't worry, this is nothing impacting your career. " They all let out a sigh of relief." In fact, they found it was a good idea to organize a secret Santa in each work team to improve the relations between colleagues."

He paused, staring at their reactions. They were as puzzled as he was when Audrey informed him of this idea.

"I know, I had the same reaction. But the members of the board want to enhance the relations between people and it start with a secret Santa. If you agree, we will draw the name of the person we have to make a gift tomorrow after Mr. Rhett's surgery."

They all agreed, nodding. Neil just hoped he won't draw Claire's name. Their least comings and goings were already enough spied on.