JUST ANOTHER ARRANGEMENT

3. ISA COLLIN

One week later.

It's lunch hour. Well, passed lunch hour but I'm finally having mine 30 minutes to three so it still felt like the day just started for me. God knows how long I've been trapped inside these walls. I plopped down to my desk chair with a long, heavy sigh. My legs have been killing me so to finally be able to put them to rest is pure bliss. After I've gathered enough breath, I bend down to pull out my lunch from my bag under the table.

I bought it freshly made and sizzling hot this morning from my favorite food truck on the way to the hospital. But now it's cold from the air conditioning in this cramped office room. Nonetheless, my mouth still waters at the smell of it. Beggars can't be choosers anyway.

I tear a good section of the aluminum wrap to reveal the deliciously messy, grilled chicken sandwich. My heart jumps from the excitement. A guttural sound escaped from between my closed lips after the first bite. Amazing. Just amazing. It makes me feel like going back to the food truck to stuff more money into the tip jar. Whoever invented this recipe deserved a raise.

I was about to dive into another bite when a soft knock came on my door. Moments later, it opened to reveal Linda, sheepishly peeking through the small opening. Half Asian with a petite body and shiny black hair twisted into a low bun. Linda is also very energetic and bubbly like all the new doctors her age. Excited to enter the working society. However sometimes I do feel like she made up most of her reactions due to me being her supervisor.

"Hi." She greeted with her usual giddiness. But I caught a hint of guilt mixed in it.

"Everything okay?" I asked slightly concerned. My mind immediately did a quick run-through of my patients in case I missed anything. My pager also didn't buzz.

"Oh no. Yeah. Everything is fine. It's just, you have a visitor and he looks, I don't know. Scandalous?"

"What?"

"I thought he's a vindictive relative to any of your past patients so I tried to dismiss him but he won't budge. Not until he meets you." Linda paused. Her mouth twitched as a clear sign of an unfinished sentence.

"What else?" I asked.

"He told me he's someone important to you and... he needs to discuss about something with you. So, I made him wait in the consultation room. In case he does something crazy while waiting in the lobby." She winked.

"Don't you think it's better for me to stay in the public's eyes, preferably with the security at the lobby instead of having a private conversation with this guy in the consultation room?" My words were heavy as I reluctantly rewrapped my sandwich and placed it on my table. The limited break time I have is ticking by the clock and it is wasted on some unknown stranger. What a bad way to end the day?

Guilty Linda bounces on her feet. "I'll go get security to wait outside of the consultation room." She rushed. Half of her body was already on the other side of the door.

"I'd appreciate that, Linda." I smile. I shouldn't have said that because of the words coming out of her lips next.

"But he has quite the face and body to die for so I doubt he'd come with a bad intention in mind. And don't get me started on his smell oh my god–"

"Just go get the security Linda." I cut her dreamy thoughts from going any further.

"Right." We exited the office and walked together to the end of the hallway where the banks of elevators were. I would rather stay quiet but knowing Linda, she'll probably be scared to talk to me again after this. So to avoid future complications, I asked about her day which she wasted no time filling me in with every little information. Down to the newly diagnosed love interest between an intern and a doctor from the intensive care unit. Once we reached the elevator, Linda left to turn down another hallway leading to the security office. Promising security to come my way in a few minutes.