N/A: Please bear with me as this is my first time publishing here in this platform. I just want to share the idea that I just think of and I wish to hear your feedback about this story, thank you.
Chapter 1: The Mysterious Donor
Cuddy entered the entrance with a promising smile on her lips; wanting to keep the optimistic and confident aura she manage to exert with her morning routine. Staffs welcome her with warm greetings and respectful smile. "Dr. Cuddy, the donor already arrived at the conference room." Cuddy's brow furrowed and she subconsciously check the time on her watch. Did she woke up too late? Her alarm's broken?
"What? They are two hours early. What did they say?" Brenda followed Cuddy to her office. "That you don't have to worry and it's their choice to be early." The woman rolled her eyes and gathered the files she prepared last night; thankfully, due to her pioneering characteristic, she still have full control over the situation. "Thank you, Brenda. I will make it up to you and I'll have them nodding their heads, saying yes for innovating the medical education of our hospital. If my charm's effective, we will be having two brand new MRI machines." Cuddy open the door of her office with a determined smile upon her lips.
Scanning the room briefly before going inside the battle field, she wear her most dangerous smile to make a deal with wealthy-powerful-philanthropist. "Good morning Mr. Johnson. My apologies for keeping you waiting. I did not get notified about the alteration with the schedules." Two men rise from their seat and Johnson guy clasp Cuddy's hand before turning towards the other man. "My boss is ready to make a deal with you Dr. Cuddy, so you can now use your persuasive beauty and fire away. The long wait is over." The woman express her mirth through her endearing laughs that she is unaware of. "I'll leave you two then. I have to run some errands, very busy day." Johnson's eyes glinted when he look back at the man before he take his leave.
Cuddy hides her confusion by saying her goodbye and when the mysterious man turned to her, she couldn't help but to just stare at him, mouth gaping. "I guess, it's still the Lisa I've known." He look at Cuddy as if she is the most interesting thing that ever happened to him. "Uh, should I call someone? Are you okay?" Cuddy engulf the man with her embrace and he reciprocate such gesture.
"My god. Ethan? How are you?" She wanted to ask him billions of question and yet all she could utter is formality. "Never better. Can't believe you are Dean of Medicine now." They took their seat and the woman tried to rationalize her thought. "You scheduled my whole Friday?" Now that she speaks of it, the more ridiculous it sounds. "I heard a dinner can't be slipped into your time table." He speaks in a matter of fact that Cuddy couldn't help but to bit her lips.
Ethan Grant is her childhood friend; she had a crush on him but it's already late when she realized it. He is three years older than her. His parents are billionaire and they own the Grant Resorts & Hotels. This type of business would offer high-end accommodations, exquisite dining experiences, and top-notch customer services.
Memories keep flooding in the more she gawk at the man in front of her. Cuddy smiled at the thought. "What? Do you find me awful?" Ethan inquired seriously, her opinion mattering so much to him. "No. I am just remembering the time when I am in eight grade and you are already a senior. There's this girl Diana and she had a massive crush on you and at the same time a major bully. You helped me recover my books when you bumped on me and she thought I did that on purpose to get your attention." Business is long lost on the table, only recollection of old tales circles the room. "Hell yeah. That woman's a nut job. You did great on stopping her in stepping on you though. One of the best history our school could ever have." Their laugh sounds like music to their ears. "You definitely look different now but back then, you look so innocent as if you can never hurt a fly. Everyone's so shock when you tripped Diana and threaten her to stop harassing you. What did you say that day, gosh." Ethan tried remembering and Cuddy happily answered when she finally recalled the scare she gave Diana. "I told her that if she keeps messing with me, I'll tell her parents how bitch she were." They chuckled at the memory that their chest is constricting due to lack of air.
"W-wait. Before I waste your time, give me those papers. I'll sign it so we could take our conversation to a fine restaurant. I already booked us a lunch to Ruth's Chris Steak House." He winks and Cuddy shake her head in his advances with her. "You should have called. I can't make you sign just because you wanted to grab a lunch with me." She told him honestly to which Ethan smile at. "If I did that, you'll decline and I will only get to see you for five minutes. I won't be able to enjoy the entourage I brought with me here in New Jersey if that happens."
Before Cuddy could respond to Ethan's handsomeness, her pager beeps. "Is that important?" The woman looked down and her face turn into business mode. "I'll just need to check on this one, Ethan." Cuddy stands up while the man gathered the folder and immediately come after the Dean of Medicine. "You didn't need to follow me." She briefly look at him and stop when the reason her pager beeps is already in front of her. "House, what's wrong?" The diagnostician gaze instantly hover over the man beside Cuddy. He already knew that this is not just some random donor that Cuddy managed to pull. Cuddy definitely knew this man.
"Dr. Gregory House." Their stares became so heavy that the air around them thickens. "Ethan Grant." They exchange gestures and House nodded at him. "Did she successfully coax you into buying her toys? Giving into her whims? Saying yes to mommy?" Ethan smirks, tongue in his cheek. "Yeah, but it's the other way around though." House eyed Cuddy suspiciously, something is undoubtedly going on with this man and Cuddy.
The woman get in between the two and let out a sigh. "What is the emergency, House?" The man in question pursed his lips, eyes swiftly gawking at her chest before making a surprise expression. "Whoopsie. You already resolve the crisis with those magnificent pair of-" Cuddy jabbed him on his ribs and softly smile at Ethan before harshly whispering to House's side. "Whatever you are going to do, do it. Stop paging me for satiating your childish outburst." Cuddy sneered and House opened his mouth but immediately closed it as she throw venomous glare at him. "Yes, mistress." He mockingly remarked and limp away.
"Such a bizarre man you got there." Cuddy agreed. "Yeah and bizarre is an understatement." The two went on and stopped at the lobby. "Seriously, Ethan. What are you doing here?" Cuddy confronts him, looking straight into his eyes to see if there is a hidden agenda lurking around. "Don't blame me. Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital is a very promising non-profit entity. I would like to donate to help people. Plus, I get to have a whole day with you so it's a win-win." Cuddy let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. But, I want my MRIs as well." Ethan tap her shoulder playfully. "You got it. Anything you want. Just say it." His eyes roam around the structure of the hospital. "But first, tour me around your baby. I want a first-hand experience. So, shall we start to your clinic?"
"House, what did you need me for?" Wilson manage to say in-between his breath. House is staring straight ahead while sucking on a lollipop. Wilson followed his gaze and he sees the Dean of Medicine is like strolling in a mall, having a date in a regular Friday. Then, making a stop in front of the examination room, the two men can see the enthusiasm across Cuddy's face as she explains inaudible information to Ethan Grant.
"Who's that?" Wilson scrutinize the situation first before narrowing his eyes at his friend. "Donor. A packing donor. Can't believe they are going inside the examination room." House muttered. "Are you worried? It looked like they know each other." House rolled his eyes and sigh at Wilson's inability to see through things. "Of course they knew each other. Do you think Cuddy will waste her time parading the hospital for the donor when she successfully made a deal with them?" He sarcastically yapped. "Wait. House! Where are you going?"
"To search for answers." His eyebrows wiggled and House drag his leg over the clinic.