HIS CLUMSY NURSE

Book 3

Suddenly, it felt like the legs disappeared. Was I starting to see things?

A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and my father's assistant stepped in.

It's time to go

CLARA'S POV

The moment he left, I slipped out of the bed.

"Goodbye, bestie. See you another day."

I rushed out of the hospital room like someone was chasing me. My feet carried me down the hall at lightning speed, but suddenly, I slipped and fell.

"Ouch!"

I groaned and tried to stand up when my eyes caught sight of a pair of female shoes in front of me. My heart dropped. I knew those shoes. Matron Linda.

I tilted my head upward, and her furious expression confirmed it all. I scrambled to my feet and bowed respectfully.

"Good day, ma—"

"Clara!" she barked, cutting me off mid-sentence. I flinched.

"Madam—"

"I've been looking everywhere for you! You were assigned to an old man. What is your report on him?" she demanded, her voice rising.

My heart sank. Grandpa! I completely forgot to check on him.

"Well, I'll just..."

Without waiting to finish my excuse, I turned and bolted.

"Come back here, Clara!" Matron Linda's voice echoed behind me, but I didn't dare stop.

MATRON LINDA

I sighed, watching Clara dart away like a frightened rabbit. A tired smile crept onto my face. Crazy girl.

If not for me, Clara would have been fired a long time ago. I was always begging the nurses and doctors to take it easy on her. My dear Clara.

She knows nothing about life—so clumsy, so carefree, behaving like a child most of the time.

She comes to work late every day. Her nurse uniform is perpetually rumpled or stained. She has no clue about fashion or looking good, and the one time she tried makeup, the entire hospital was filled with laughter.

This is the same Clara who once fell asleep while on duty, only to wake up and find out a patient had passed. The same Clara who would happily "help" patients by eating half of their meals.

It would take a thousand years to describe Clara's quirks.

"God, please always protect Clara," I murmured, "and I pray the harsh realities of life won't be the thing that changes her."

CLARA

"Mum, why do you keep calling me? I told you I'm on my way!" I snapped into the phone.

"It's been over an hour. Why wouldn't I be worried? Or are you trekking again?" she asked.

"Of course. I'm being economical. Do you want your money to finish?"

"Clara!" she shouted.

I ended the call hastily. This woman doesn't know how to appreciate my efforts. Taxis are so expensive. Anyway, I have legs.

Finally, I reached home. My mum was in the living room with my dad.

How do I explain our living condition? Well, we're not rich, but we're not exactly poor either. We can afford our meals, at least.

"I'm back!" I called out, rushing upstairs and massaging my legs as I climbed.

"Welcome, my strong daughter, trekking the world away," my dad teased.

"That's my daddy!" I replied with a grin.

"Honey, you're the reason Clara is like this," my mum scolded. "Clara, don't come crying. I'm not massaging your legs again!"

"My dad will!" I shouted back.

I hurried up the stairs, ignoring them.

"Clara, watch your—"

Too late. I slipped and fell flat on the floor.

"Step," they finished together before returning their focus to the TV.

I got up with a groan. This stupid staircase. I slip almost every day. Pounding my feet angrily against the steps, I muttered under my breath before taking a deep breath.

"I'm fine!" I yelled, walking into my room.

Later that evening, my best friend, Diana, came over. She's a nurse too—though a senior one.

"Clara David, I didn't see you at work today," she said, settling into the chair.

"I was there. I was just busy with... something else," I replied, avoiding her gaze.

"Busy with what?" she pressed.

I leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "I went to the third floor today."

"What?!" she shouted, her eyes wide with shock.

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