Summary: Serena's and Darien's professional careers cross paths. The more they work together, the closer they become. Will they give in to their desires or remain stubborn and distant? Modern day, no senshi, UM love story.
Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi owns Sailor Moon. I claim no ownership of it! Only of this story, which is all mine! This is my first attempt at fanfiction! Enjoy!
Author's Note: This is more of an anguished chapter! Hopefully you enjoy it! Again, so sorry for the lateness!
As always, thank you to all the fans of this story who are following, have reviewed, sent messages, and made a favorite! I really appreciate it all and look forward to a few more chapters for this story!
Enjoy! =)
Loveology
Chapter 11: The Patient
His appearance betrayed how he felt. He may have looked like a million bucks on the outside in his navy Ralph Lauren suit, but inside, he was completely miserable. He missed Serena. Missed seeing her, being with her. His heart ached not having her around. This was an anomalous situation and uncharted feeling for him.
Darien had no idea how he could pull off looking like a goddamn model from New York Fashion Week's runway, but he did and it was effortless. He had his parents to thank, he guessed, for their superior genes.
As he rounded the hallway of the Cardiology floor, he noticed her figure disappear into her office. En route to her office would have him passing by his father's room, so he quickly peeked his head in. His father, Dastian, was being helped into a wheelchair by Travis, one of the hospital transporters. Darien assumed his mother was getting the car ready for his departure. It seems as though he was being released on time as Serena had promised.
"Hey, dad."
Dastian and Travis both looked his way, Darien making his way in the room and over to him.
"Son, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the office with your sister? You know your mother will take care of me and my arrangements."
Darien just smirked before he embraced his father a little awkwardly with him sitting in the lowered wheelchair.
"Don't worry, dad. I still have plenty of time before I am expected at the office." Travis excused himself to just outside of Mr. Shield's room, waiting for his nurse to bring his discharge papers and prescription medication.
"Okay then, what are you doing here? Checking in with your Cardiologist?" He jested, causing Darien to smile genuinely and laugh lightly at the accusation of her being his.
"Just a little 'thank you' gift I would like her to have for keeping you alive for me." Darien brandished the Tiffany Blue Box from his coat pocket for his dad to see.
Dastian noticed the size of the square box to be more bracelet-size than ring size. Though, he figured his son would be happy to give the beautiful blonde doctor a ring box if she so allowed it.
"My, my, my. You hold nothing back with your gratitude. I assume the expense alone on that purchase to be more than my life's worth."
"Your life is priceless. You know this." Darien admonished his accusation, even if it was in a quip of a manner.
"You are quite taken with her. I cannot blame you. I find no faults with her. I would be happy to call her my future daughter-in-law."
"It's too early to jump to those conclusions. I am unsure of my feelings myself. She is-"
"Nonsense! Do not let your mother's wishes for you cloud your judgment. A man should not be married to his career." Dastian reprimanded his son. He was tired of this talk about careers before family madness. That is how he was currently in this position. He was overworked and consumed with his career. They all needed to take a break and relax more. If he learned anything from his recent medical venture was that he needed to take more time off to enjoy life with his family. Even Rei had fallen to her mother's musings.
Darien viewed his father just then with his temper at such talk. His father was such a lover while his mother was more of a fighter. His father's chest was heaving at the exertion. If they didn't quell this soon, his father may never leave.
"You're right. I'm sorry, dad."
Dastian just nodded his head, trying to regulate his breathing again.
"After you settle in, I will stop by and check on you and maybe we can discuss what my future may hold. Maybe you can even help me… help me 'get the girl,' so-to-speak."
That brought a smile to Dastian's lips. "I would like that."
"Well then, take care in the meantime. I have to get to the office, but first, I need to give my thanks." Darien motioned to the Tiffany box before he slipped it back into his pocket.
"Love you, son. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." That statement held a lot. Darien only hoped he could live up to his expectations.
"Love you too, dad." Darien gave him a final hug and squeeze to his shoulders before he left the room.
Travis nodded to Darien as he exited. "You may go back in with him. Thank you." Travis nodded again before doing as Dr. Shields asked of him.
-xx-
Exhaling, Darien knocked on her door lighty.
"Come in." He heard her muffled response through the thick polymer door.
He opened the door slowly, his eyes finding her figure immediately. She was sitting at her desk, writing something down before she started typing on her laptop. Darien took a moment to soak in her features. Serena was concentrating on her typing, her back straight, protruding her chest slightly. Her hair was piled on top of her head in an intrinsic bun. Boy was she a sight for his sore eyes. He could almost feel his fatigue and grogginess slip away. Just seeing her brought him so much joy. He briefly wondered what it would be like to be married to her - to see her every day of their lives.
Due to the silence, Serena stopped what she was doing and looked up. A gasp escaped her lips at his presence and the loving way he took her in.
"Darien!" She said surprisingly as she jumped out of her chair to make her way around her desk and over to him. Clearly she was not expecting to see him. "I thought you were at the office today?"
He watched as she made her way to him, her blouse modest and displaying a pearl necklace between the unclasped buttons at the top. Her skirt though, was sexy and alluring in a form-fitting way. The empire waist showing off her slim abdomen and the flare of her hips. Her ass was probably perfectly round and lifted with the help of those pointed-toe suede pumps...
Serena looked him over, dressed impeccably in another perfectly tailored suit of his physique. Damn was this man deliciously gorgeous. Her fingers were itching to run over his abs and the expanse of his chest and shoulders. The rouge darkened on her cheeks at her thoughts, revealing to him what she was picturing in her head. It brought a sinful smile to his lips. His mind tended to have those same thoughts… perhaps starting them right here in her office?
The heat that was radiating off of him caused her to take a step back from him. She made the move seem casual as she reached behind to her desk to lean upon it. The action only made his eyes go darker, imagining the night he sat her on his butcher table, tasting her smooth skin.
A low growl escaped as he prowled after her, his hands placed on either side of her as his nose rubbed her cheek before sniffing her hair and whispered heatedly in her ear.
"Gods have I missed you, Sere!"
Her eyes closed at his proximity, her breath was turning ragged, and she was unsure what to do with her legs. He was leaning over her, not touching her, but instinctively she wanted to spread her legs apart and wrap them around him.
"Darien, I…"
A knock sounded at her door and they both quickly parted, her standing and walking around her desk to seem unphased by his presence to anyone who may enter.
"Come in," she ordered, her voice a squeak before clearing her throat to repeat it more thickly. Darien smirked at her flustered state.
"Dr. Lunarea, we are all set for discharging Mr. Shields. Would you like to say your goodbyes?"
The nurse, Tempest, could not see Darien from his position behind the door with Tempest only peeking her head in.
"I will be right there to give my farewells to my favorite patient." Serena winked, causing Darien's smile to broaden. His heart was swelling at her love for his father. "Thank you."
"Yes, ma'am. There is also a new admission that I wanted you to be aware of. They are being brought up as we speak."
"Very well. I will be out shortly. Thank you, again, Tempest," she replied, dismissing the nurse.
"Of course." After Tempest's departure, Serena breathed a sigh of relief and rested herself on her desk with only her arms. Darien didn't want to frazzle her further, so he simply walked over to her desk and placed the Tiffany Blue Box on her desk.
"I wanted to stop by and give you this. A token of my gratitude for taking care of my father. I appreciate all that you have done for him. I am forever in your debt."
Serena looked at the box before exhaling and straightening up.
"Darien, this is not necessary." She looked back up at him, not moving the slightest, afraid she would fall to his charms again.
"Please, accept this as my sincerest thank you for all you have done." He indicated to the box with a nod of his head, stuffing his hands in his pocket to keep from reaching out to her. Keeping to himself probably made her feel at ease.
Briefly she hesitated as she stared at the box before she picked it up and slowly lifted the lid. Another gasp from her when she observed what was inside. Serena quickly plucked it from the box, dropping the box in the process to thud on her paper-filled desk.
"This is stunning, Darien!" She turned the bracelet over to view all the intricate details. There were three white-gold strands mingled with pearls and diamonds.
"May I?" He offered with his hand outstretched. She nodded demurely, placing the bracelet gently in his open palm.
He smiled at her as he wrapped the bracelet around her dainty wrist, clasping it securely. Before he released her, he kissed her inner wrist, never breaking eye contact. Serena began to pant at his actions, unable to control her emotions around him.
"I am in awe and completely speechless." She touched her wrist where he had kissed her before viewing the bracelet once again. "You never have to thank me, Darien."
"Just know how much I appreciate everything you have done here. For my father and myself."
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to leave. Serena began to panic. He was just leaving? Shouldn't they discuss things? What did this incredible and probably expensive piece of jewelry mean?
"Wait!" Serena clumsily made her way from around her desk again to rush over to him. She didn't know what to say or how to act after the past couple of days, but she did what her heart wanted and what she felt would convey her gratitude for his thoughtful gift - she threw herself at him and kissed him for all she was worth.
The kiss was perfectly executed - passionate and heated, and would probably leave their lips tingling for hours.
Before things could get too heated, they pulled their lips apart, but kept their bodies flushed together.
"Can we talk soon? Dinner maybe or...? Serena asked breathlessly, brushing his hair strands with her fingers. "Maybe tomorrow? I am off tomorrow…"
How he wanted her. He wanted so much to tell her everything and ask if she would be his. Then he thought of his work priorities. His inner battle surfaced again. "I have a clinical research study to handle tomorrow. Maybe Friday? Before Malachite's party? But I definitely would love to talk to you. About us."
Serena nodded. "Okay, let's try for that."
"I'll call you later?" He asked, his breath tickling her neck.
Before releasing her, he kissed her hard again and abruptly left before he changed his mind.
She leaned on the door after him, resigning to the fact that she was indeed in love with him and would give her heart willingly to him when they spoke next.
Serena made her way back to her desk to retrieve her phone from its charger. She looked at the box her bracelet came in. There were a few papers inside of the box. They were certificates of authenticity. One revealed how the pearls were from the South Sea, making them some of the most expensive pearls in the world. If Darien had the time, she had no doubt he would have dived down himself to find these pearls for her. His love for her just poured out in waves. The second paper explained the diamonds were from South Africa. How he had the ability to collect these jewels and have them prepared in such a short amount of time was beyond her. But it did make her think of how she could repay him for such an extravagant gift.
-xx-
The beautiful redhead was sitting across from him taking notes by typing them on her laptop during the phone conference. It was a long and exhausting conference that he was second guessing. When the call ended, she looked at him expectantly. He knew she knew what he was thinking.
"Danco Industries is a black hole of distressed debt. We should have nothing to do with it." She stated what they were both thinking.
"They are scrambling for money." He agreed, rubbing his tired face with both hands.
"Money, of which they do not deserve from us." Not that it was needed, but she pointed it out by verbalizing it.
Darien just looked at her pointedly.
"If you want somebody to just sit at her desk, answer your phones, and pick up your dry cleaning, then put out a want ad, because that's not me. I'm gonna tell you what I think. And what I think is, if you do this, you're gonna keep doing it." Her hazel eyes were boring into him. Just then, Rei knocked on the glass door before walking in.
"How did it go?" The onyx-haired woman asked as she sat in the vacant chair next to Heather.
"They want 120 million."
"What?! That's absurd! They only need 80!" Rei roared, Heather nodding her head in agreement.
"They are looking to hide their debt from us, yet still have us help them with it, unbeknownst to us, so they would believe."
"We are not helping them, regardless of who their parent company is." Rei was hinting at the fact that their parent company's owner was a long-standing good friend of their father's.
"Let's begin working on an alternative proposal. I don't want to just abandon them. We are only taking the time to do this because of their connection with our father. Let's just be clear on that."
Both ladies agreed. "You are a good man, Mr. Shields."
"Let's just get this over with." He stated exasperatedly.
Heather stood up abruptly. "I will get this typed up and sent to you in 30 minutes."
"What would I do without you, Heather?"
"Let's never find out, shall we?" She winked before tossing her auburn curls over her shoulder and pranced out of the room.
Rei watched Darien as he stood up to stretch, running his fingers through his hair.
"How's dad?"
"He's good." Darien answered as he collected piles of folders littering his desk. "He should be home relaxing."
"That's good. How is Serena?"
Darien stiffened and avoided eye contact. "Good, I presume."
"You presume? You mean you didn't wake up to her this morning? Didn't see her today or yesterday? Didn't speak with her? Didn't-"
"Rei." He warned. This was not a conversation he wanted to have right now.
"Fine. Will I see her Friday at Andrew's? I will just ask her myself."
Her eyes followed his form as he walked to the windows. "Yes, I believe."
"You believe?" Rei threw her hands up in annoyance. She didn't understand his lack of conversation when it came to Serena. She only wanted him to be happy. Rei knew if anything, his lack of commitment was entirely his own fault and was probably having his own frustration with himself.
"Well, I am here if you ever wish to discuss this matter." With that, she made to excuse herself.
He nodded his head before he thanked her as she opened his glass door to leave.
Serena definitely occupied his mind quite frequently. If he was honest with himself, he enjoyed it. He just needed to find a way to handle work and pleasure in tandem.
A knock came at his door and Darien exhaled, assuming Rei wanted to take another jab at his lack-of-love life.
"Yes, Rei, how can I help you now?" He asked before turning around.
Sapphire eyes narrowed at the person invading his life lately. "What the hell are you doing here?" Darien shouted in anger.
The beachy-blonde haired man grinned, clearly satisfied at Dr. Shield's reaction to his presence. His arms crossed over his chest as he leaned on the door frame, his signature plaid-patterned Burberry suit stretching tightly from the action. Darien was undaunted at Ryland's need to always be peacocking around him. "I came to see you."
"I have a meeting." Darien walked over to his desk where he looked through his files to find the one he needed for the upcoming meeting.
"I am letting you know that I am not backing down. I am going to win over Serena again. She belongs to me."
Darien's fists clenched and his lips formed a tight, thin line. "This is not a game and she is not a prize to be won."
Ryland shrugged his shoulders. "I don't view you as competition. I guess I am here to make you realize that you don't have a dog in this fight."
"I don't respond to threats. I make them." Holding the folder, Darien made his way around to the door, standing a foot away from Ryland in a casual stance, not giving Ryland the satisfaction of any worry on this issue.
"I see you as being the type to bring a knife to a gunfight." Ryland came off the wall to puff his chest at Darien. Just then Rei and Zoisite came to stand before the two men, Rei at Darien and Zoisite at Ryland.
Completely ignoring the two newcomers, Darien out right laughed at that accusation, confusing Ryland to no end. "Your gun may send me to the hospital, but my fist alone will put you in the morgue."
Well, that pissed Ryland off. "We will see. Give up now, Dr. Shields. The fight's already over for you. I already have her in almost every way." He boasted before shrugging Zoisite off of him and walking away.
What the fuck did that mean? He's been with Serena this whole week and after their shared kiss this morning, he called bullshit on that. Just another pathetic attempt by Ryland trying to play alpha male.
"All's fair in love and war." Darien returned mockingly. "If you couldn't keep her the first time, you damn sure don't have a chance of it a second time!"
"What the hell is he doing here?" Rei asked, flabbergasted as she watched the man retreat down the hallway.
"He had a meeting with Sanders. He is up against Sander's client." Zoisite supplied.
Darien would break every rule he'd made for himself, and was willing to accept the consequences if it allowed him to love and be with Serena. Within minutes of meeting Serena, he'd known then that there was something special about the enchanting woman, but what he hadn't anticipated was being captivated by her wit, ambition, and sensual warmth.
The proverbial ball was in his court, and he was expected to play hard or go home. He wasn't going home. Not when he had Ryland agree to come out and play.
-xx-
The elevator opened for the group of people to crowd into. Ryland was fuming when he stepped in. He didn't view Dr. Shields as a threat, but as long as he was in the picture, Serena might not commit to him fully. He needed to remove Dr. Shields and prove to Serena that he was the better man.
The chime announced the first floor, signaling Ryland to depart. He was the last to leave the elevator but was able to listen to the conversation a woman was having on her phone as she entered the elevator.
"Yes, daddy, I have a meeting with Darien today. He is taking me to lunch at my favorite restaurant, Kadence. I will get him to draw up the contract on the Ezra Project. Of course, daddy. Love you, too. Bye."
'Darien?' Isn't that Dr. Shields first name? He looked at the woman closely before the elevator doors closed. She looked like the woman he saw Dr. Shields with at some point during the banquet. She was unforgettable with that vivacious body and revealing dresses. Not exactly his type, but he wouldn't deny her. The information she provided began to sink in. If this indeed was her and was about to have lunch with Dr. Shields, then he had a new idea that would help set his plan into motion.
-xx-
"Dr. Lunarea, would you like to have lunch with me today?" Dr. Stevenson asked sweetly as Serena was passing by the nurse's station and making her way to her new patient's room.
"I am not sure I will have the time to take lunch today. Can we try tomorrow?" Serena asked knowing fully well that she did not work the next day.
The hospital-wide intercom sounded three times with: "Paging Dr. Stevenson. Please dial 6841."
Jared Stevenson had to concede to her denial for today, but was hopeful for tomorrow. "Tomorrow then. I look forward to it." He gave her a bow with a smile and turned heel to head to the closest phone.
Serena nodded with a polite smile. She was thankful she wouldn't have to handle Stevenson today, but she needed to figure out what she was going to do about lunch. The cafeteria was not an option. He might see her there. The physician's lounge wasn't an option for the same reason.
"Good afternoon, Serena." She heard as a man walked up behind her and whispered in her ear. Spinning around, she came face to face with Ryland.
"Ryland? What are you doing here?" Boy was he getting that question a lot today.
"Well, I couldn't stop thinking about you and thought I could take you to lunch since yesterday's lunch was so delectable and mouthwatering…"
Serena did not miss his meaning and blushed. She really needed to get her love life situated. Her times with Ryland and her feelings with Darien. What a mess she was.
"I know this delectable little place that I know you will absolutely love." His smile was wicked. He knew it wouldn't be too hard to convince her.
"You're lucky I'm starving." She nodded her head in agreement. "Just lunch!" She turned back to him, his wide grin obvious to all around.
He put his hands up in mock surrender, before criss-crossing over his heart with his right fingers. "Cross my heart."
-xx–
The aroma of the restaurant had Serena's mouth salivating. She needed to do better with eating regularly instead of when her stomach sounded the alarms of hunger. Was it luck or coincidence that Ryland was around lately during these times? Either way, she was thankful for his help.
The restaurant was cute and quaint, with twinkling lights dangling from the exposed ceiling beams above each rounded two-top table. Looking around, it only appeared to be two-top tables here. The place was packed with couples at each table. Kind of romantic, but limited in terms of group sizes. Serena was wondering about Ryland's reasoning for bringing her to this particular restaurant after this revelation.
He seemed a little distracted, looking around as if he were looking for someone in particular. The hostess escorted them to a table in the back, close to the kitchen area. Without a reservation, it was luck of the draw for seating. Serena was just happy they would be able to eat!
On the way to their table, Ryland spotted who he was looking for at the front of the restaurant. Darien and Carina were on display, practically, as their table was situated on a platform by the large arched windows. They must have just sat down before him and Serena because they only had menus with them.
"They have your favorite here: Italian panini." Ryland said with a smile as he observed her scanning the menu. He was ecstatic with how things were turning out. Now, he only needed Dr. Shields to see Serena with him to get his plan in place.
She pulled her eyes from the menu to glance at him, charmed that he remembered her lunch preference, but a little confused with his giddiness. Guess he was hungry and excited for this food?
xx
Ryland was starting to panic. They were nearing the end of their lunch and neither party had yet to notice the other. If only Serena would have paid more attention to the couple at the window, she would see how Dr. Shields's lunch date was fawning over him and how she inched closer to him with her chair or would rub her leg against his from under the small table. He was about to say something until both women stood up simultaneously, though not intentionally. Serena announced to him that she needed to wash her hands and Ryland could see Dr. Shields's date already making her way towards the restrooms. Maybe this wouldn't be a wasted trip after all.
xx
Serena was rinsing the soap off her hands when she heard the bathroom stall door unlock. The faucet at the sink to her left turned on from the lady who emerged from the stall. Serena left the water running as she grabbed a paper towel to dry her hands before turning her faucet off with that same paper towel.
A smile graced her lips as she spun her bracelet around her wrist, mesmerized by its beauty and the beauty of its gifter. Serena had no idea that the lady who was now finishing washing her hands was looking at Serena in the long mirror they shared. If she had, she would have seen the sneer the lady's face contorted to as she watched Serena with her bracelet.
"He gave that to you, didn't he?" Carina asked of Serena before reapplying bright red lipstick to her puckered lips.
"Excuse me?" Serena asked of the lady looking at her in the mirror. Recognition dawned on Serena as she realized who this woman was. Laughing, Carina smacked her lips together as she placed her lipstick back into her clutch.
"You know who I am, don't you?"
Holding the bracelet to her wrist, Serena didn't answer, but she did stand up straighter and lift her chin, gesturing to the woman that she wasn't afraid of her.
"It doesn't matter. You may be his toy of the month, but that bracelet will be your only consolation prize."
Hearing this woman's words and recalling what Ashleigh had said about Darien never mixing business with pleasure, she wasn't sure what to believe.
Seeing uncertainty in the blonde's eyes, Carina proudly strutted off and out the door.
Darien's back was to the restroom area, speaking to someone on his cellphone. Ryland watched as Dr. Shields's date sauntered up behind him, embracing him, causing him to turn around. As Darien did, he caught Serena coming out and eyeing him and how Carina was clinging to him with her curves molding to his figure perfectly.
"Serena?" In shock, Darien pulled his phone from his ear, completely neglecting whomever it was and pushing away from Carina to go towards Serena.
She snubbed him as she walked towards where a beaming Ryland was standing, waiting for her with open arms. Serena didn't allow herself to go into Rylan's awaiting arms, but she did stand near him, crossing her arms over her chest in a protective manner.
Darien noticed his bracelet was still adorned on her wrist, which made him happy, but seeing Serena with Ryland, especially after what she had confessed to him about the asshole and the arrogant son-of-a-bitch's words today, Darien was fuming. Ignoring Ryland's smug look, Darien pleaded with Serena.
"Serena, it isn't what it looks like. This is a business lunch only. I promise you." Darien knew what Serena was thinking and just wanted to explain and make her believe him and then cart her away to somewhere where they could be alone and enjoy each other's company. He looked utterly heartbroken. Just as he had the night this same woman came to his house to seduce him. That thought alone brought back those confusing, gut-wrenching, and angry emotions crashing back down on her. Serena shook her head, not wanting to replay those images in her mind.
"Just like it wasn't what it looked like the other night?" She uncrossed her arms, fisting her hands at her side as she allowed the anger to boil over at Darien.
He stepped back, as if her words struck him physically. 'So she had seen us…' he thought. His face played many emotions, and even though it wasn't fair, he threw anger back at her.
"And what about you? Being with him after the heartbreak he caused you?"
Serena couldn't believe what Darien was saying, and how he was acting now. She wanted to go back and forth with him on this issue, but it just didn't seem worth it, not here and now. She needed to get back to the hospital. As it was, she was already hurting and feeling such anguish, she didn't know how she would continue on today with work. Thank the Gods there was no work for her tomorrow. She would wallow in misery tomorrow, but today, she needed to be strong for her patients. She was now beginning to understand Darien's oath.
"I suppose I need to reevaluate all the men in my life." Serena practically whispered that to him as she walked past him, defeated.
He reached for her wrist, the wrist that was encased with his show of appreciation, but she just turned to look at where his hand was holding on to her wrist. "Please, just let me go, Darien."
All Darien could hear was Ryland's words from earlier: "I am going to win over Serena again. She belongs to me…The fight's already over for you…"
Ryland was undeniably happy on the inside with the turn of events, but was genuinely heartfelt towards Serena and her feelings. He reached for her other hand to pull her away from Darien. He could see how Dr. Shields was eyeing him down, not wanting to give in, but knowing which battle to admit defeat to. There was still a war going on between them, but the victory was looking more promising for him. He would be there for Serena if she needed a shoulder to cry on over breaking things off with Dr. Shields and he would be there when she needed to look for someone to comfort her and love her again.
Darien snarled at Ryland before he dropped his eyes back to Serena. She wanted to refuse to look at him, but when he made circles on her wrist with his finger, she glanced back up at him. He gave her a sad smile before nodding and letting her go. "I'm sorry."
Not long after, Carina was at his side, smirking to Serena and waving 'bye' with her wiggling fingers. It almost made Serena want to turn around and kiss Darien senseless just to wipe that dirty fucking smirk off her face, but she thought better of that. Karma was a bitch and she would get what's coming back around to her.
xx
Serena was having an awful rest of her day. Her patients could barely get a true smile out of her and she felt terrible for it. Standing in the physician's lounge after having just finished an espresso shot, which she wished could have been a shot of hard liquor, just to numb her pain, the intercom requested her presence in the ER. Sighing, Serena tossed her paper cup in the trash and headed out to meet her new patient.
xx
Finishing at the office early, Darien decided to make his way over to the hospital in hopes of speaking to Serena without Ryland or Carina around them. His heart was shattering and he needed a certain Cardiologist to help put the pieces back together again. He tried texting her, but she hadn't responded back yet. Maybe she was super busy at the hospital, but he wanted to see her in person anyway.
Walking down the hall on the Cardiology floor, Darien heard her being paged to the ER, so he headed down there to find her. He would sit patiently, forever, until she was free just so he could try to convince her of his love for only her.
xx
Serena was making her way to the room the new patient was in when she heard a woman crying. At first she suspected that the woman crying was her patient, until she opened the door and saw the woman crying over an older man, saying "daddy" in between hysterical breaths.
The woman was recognized immediately. A hundred thoughts were going through Serena's mind: 'Are you serious? What are the odds? Why me? I hope I didn't put this into fruition by speaking of karma… Can I do this? Should I give this patient to another? What if I can't do this?'
Before she could approach her new patient, the woman looked up at her and the look on her face fell and she seemed to cry harder.
The woman stood up and approached Serena to plead, "Please help him. I'm sorry about what happened earlier, but please just help him! Please!" Then, the woman turned her head to look behind Serena and rushed past her. Serena turned and watched as the woman threw herself into Darien's arms. He hugged her in response and looked back at Serena with regretful eyes as he held her to comfort the woman.
Serena offered a sad smile and looked away. She asked the nurse to close the door so she could focus on her new patient, presumably Carina's dad.