Chapter 28

Spencer's POV

Everything happened really fast.. After I found out that the Metropolitan Hospital wanted me as a surgeon I thought about it really hard and discussed it with my parents.. Of course coming back from war and leaving again they didn't like it but they were proud of me and wanted me to do what was the best for me.. And that I did..

By the end of the week I was already in New York.. For once I didn't think of Ashley.. I didn't bother to send her a letter to tell her that I was here.. I was so fed up with everything that was going on between us.. If she send me a letter probably I wouldn't receive it since it would go to my parents house.. Now I had other things to think about and that was my new job in New York..

I stayed in a hotel for a few days.. The people I talked to in the board told me that they would find an apartment for me since I didn't have any time to search.. So once I was there the next day I was already working at the hospital..

It was harder than the hospital in California.. If I didn't sleep there imagine here.. Metropolitan was one of the best hospitals in the States and it was very demanding.. They had new treatments, they were doing surgeries I didn't know and I found myself reading like I was in college again.. But I liked it.. It was what I wanted since I remembered myself..

My second week in New York, Michael Hurst the President of the Board, informed me about the annual gala the hospital was holding.. I never been to one before and I wasn't sure if I was needed there because I was new.. I would rather stay home and read.. But as a doctor of this hospital I had to, as Mr Hurst said..

So on Saturday night not later than 8pm I was walking the steps to the building.. Being in New York for the first time it was kind of difficult for me to get used to my surroundings..

"Dr Carlin.. It's so nice to see you coming tonight"

"Hello Mr Hurst.. Thank you.."

"I am sorry but I have to be here and welcome my guests.. You will find other doctors inside as well.." I made a step to go inside when he called my name again "Dr Carlin.. How's your apartment? Is everything ok?"

"Yes, its wonderful. Thank you very much"

"My pleasure.. Hello Mrs Culkin.. Hope you have a good night.." I was wondering.. What exactly Mr Hurst was? A man doing PR or the President of the Board?

When I walked inside the place was crowed.. All people dressed formal, women wearing necklaces that cost a billion, cocky men, everything that I despised.. I found myself walking to the bar to grab a drink when I felt someone sitting right next to me..

"Hello.. Is this seat taken?"

"Can you see anyone sitting?"

"No"

"So no one is sitting there.. A dry martini please" I didn't even look at the guy who was sitting next to me but his cologne was driving me insane.. It smelled like patchouli..

"My name is Patrick" he said and gave me his hand to shake.. I wasn't rude.. So I gave him my hand.. "And what is your lovely name?" once the barman gave me my drink I excused myself and left.. I really wasn't here to flirt.. Especially with a man.. And especially with this man..

"Excuse me.."

While I was trying to find a peaceful place to sit I felt someone touch my arm.. It was one of the doctors I was working with.. Actually one of our surgeons and one of the best.. Nicholas Lopez..

"Hello Spencer.. How are you?"

"I am good Dr Lopez.. And how are you?"

"You can call me Nick.. Dr Lopez makes me feel old.. And I am not that old"

"Of course you are not.. But I can't Dr Lopez.. Thank you though.."

"Well in time maybe you will.. It's your first time to something like that?"

"Is that so obvious?"

"You seem lost.."

"And that I am.."

"It's my eight year being a doctor here.. And counting.." while we were talking I saw a woman coming to where we were standing ready to pull my hair out.. I could see it in her eyes..

"Nick.. Won't you introduce me?"

"Of course.. Spencer this is my wife Joan.. Joan this is Dr Spencer Carlin.. One of our new surgeons at the hospital"

"Nice to meet you Mrs Lopez.." I said very politely and gave her my hand to shake only when she took it it was like she was shaking a pig's tale..

"Yeah, I don't know if I can say the same.."

"Joan.." Dr Lopez said really firm and I am sure that something was going on that I wasn't aware off.. "Don't you have somewhere else to go? One of your friends to gossip about?"

"And leave you here to flirt with any girl you see?" I couldn't not believe in my ears.. The nerve this woman had.. I guess what I heard all these years about New York women was right..

"Dr Lopez.. If you excuse me.."

"No Spencer.. Wait.. Joan, we are going to talk later.." and like that we left behind us the fuming Mrs Lopez..

The gala started at 9pm with Mr Hurst giving a speech about poverty in New York and how this hospital managed to treat people of all classes..

At some point I found myself introduced to so many people that I couldn't remember their names.. It was like I was their proud and joy.. There was only one name that I managed to keep and that because I already knew him.. It was Aiden Dennison..

The moment I was talking with Dr Lopez Mr Hurst came with Aiden right next to him..

"Dr Carlin, I want you to meet Aiden Dennison.. Aiden this is.."

"Dr Spencer Carlin.. Nice to see you here.."

"You two know each other?"

"Well Michael, Dr Carlin was the doctor who did the surgery on me.."

"Spencer? How small the world is.."

"Yes it is.." I managed to say and it sounded more as a whisper..

"Dr Carlin, you are in New York.. I didn't expect to see you here"

"Neither did I Mr Dennison.."

"You can call me Aiden.. I am not your patient any more and I was a patient at your hospital for a month.. So I guess being formal is not needed.."

"I guess you are right.." while I was talking to them I was wondering what if Ashley was here.. Of course she would be.. It was a gala so I don't think Aiden would be here by himself.. I couldn't ask him though.. That would be so obvious.. Instead Mr Hurst asked him for me..

"And where is Ashley, Aiden?"

"I don't know.. I haven't seen her.. She might be around.."

"Do you know Ashley Dennison, Dr Carlin?"

"Of course she does.." Aiden said and I looked at him.. He seemed different.. Strange in a way.. "Ashley was at the hospital for the whole month I was there.. So of course Dr Carlin knows her.. Maybe too well.."

"That's great then.."

I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by 'maybe too well'.. What Aiden knew and what was going on? I was starting to want to see Ashley and ask her some things..

I was talking to some people when I was being pulled away again from Mr Hurst so he could introduce me again to someone I didn't know.. Only that I did.. And she was gorgeous..

"Doctor.. I want you to meet someone.. Doctor Carlin will be here with us.. She is our new surgeon.. Spencer, I am sure you know Mrs Dennison"

She looked surprised seeing me here and why wouldn't she? I was here without telling her anything.. In her eyes I could see all the possible questions she wanted to ask me..

"Of course I do.. Hello Mrs Dennison.. How are you?" I said and gave her my hand.. She shook it while looking at me straight in my eyes.. Aiden came right next to her and put his hand behind her, holding her..

"Is it nice that Spencer is here Ashley?"

"Yes.. I guess it is.. How come you came here Dr Carlin?"

"As I said to Spencer there is no need for formalities.. Don't you think sweetheart? Spencer is no longer my doctor and before we leave from there you were already calling her by her name.."

I was looking at them and I was sure that something was going on between them that wasn't good.. Aiden was acting strange..

"Aiden.. I think I saw John somewhere.. Come with me.. Excuse me ladies.." saved by the bell.. Once we left alone Ashley was still looking at me like I was an illusion..

"Why you didn't tell me Spencer?"

"Tell you what exactly Ashley?"

"That you were coming here.. That you would work here.. Why you didn't tell me?"

"Because I had other things to think about.. I guess if I wanted to tell you I always knew where to find you"

"If you wanted to tell me? What do you mean by that?" she came closer to me and her eyes were telling another story..

"Can we not talk about that right here when everyone is looking at us right now?"

"Find me in the bathroom in ten minutes.."

"Ashley, I don't think we should.."

"I'll be there waiting.." she said and left for I thought it was the bathroom..

I thought about not going as I thought about going as well.. We couldn't have this discussion here.. Especially when we were surrounded by people we both knew.. But I did find her in the bathroom in ten minutes as she said.. Once I opened the door and she was sure it was me she grabbed my hand and pulled me inside one of the bathroom stalls closing the door behind us.. She started kissing me so passionately and I couldn't help but do the same.. But I knew what we were doing was wrong.. It was wrong from the beginning..

"Ash, please stop.." she didn't.. Instead she kept kissing me.. "Ashley.. I said stop.."

"What? What is going on Spence?"

"What is going on? Really? Let me tell you what is going on.. Four months after and you are still with Aiden.. And you want to kiss me like nothing is wrong.."

"I tried so many times.. I think he knows something Spence.."

"You tried.. I guess you haven't tried enough.."

"Please don't say that.."

"I am tired of waiting Ashley.. I really am.."

"What?"

"You heard me.."

"I can't go and tell him I am in love with a girl and guess what its Spencer.."

"I never asked you to do something like that.. But.. I just can't do it anymore.. I don't know if I can wait for you to decide when it is going to be the right time to tell Aiden that you don't want to be with him.."

"I told him we would discuss it tomorrow.."

I opened the door and didn't stop while she was calling my name for me to stop.. As much I loved her, as much as I wanted nothing else but to be in her arms and kiss her, all this situation was starting to tire me.. I don't know what was hurting me more.. The fact that she wasn't trying enough for us to be together or the fact that I would lose her eventually..

TBC

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