Smoking Mirrors

Chapter 7: A Familiar Face

Natalie was busy scrubbing in for her next surgery when a friendly voice addressed her.

"Hey, you must be the new surgeon! Welcome to the team!"

She turned to see a smiling woman, one of the pediatricians, approaching her.

"Thanks! I'm still getting used to the place," Natalie replied, smiling back.

As they chatted, Natalie learned that they had a lot in common and exchanged stories about their experiences in the medical field.

"I'm so glad we met," the woman said, her eyes sparkling. "We're going to have to stick together as the newbies around here!"

Natalie laughed. "Definitely! I'm Natalie, by the way."

"I'm Rachel," the woman replied, extending her hand for a handshake.

Just then, Natalie's brother, Justin, appeared behind her, holding a food bag from her favorite restaurant.

"Hey, sis! I brought your favorite food to welcome you to the hospital," he said, grinning.

Natalie's face lit up as she turned to hug him. "Justin! I'm so glad to see you!"

"Natalie, it's so great to finally see you!" Justin said, giving her a warm hug. "I've missed you, sis."

"I've missed you too, justin," Natalie replied, smiling. "It's good to see a familiar face around here."

As they walked to the hospital cafeteria together, Justin asked, "So, how's the first week been? Is it living up to your expectations?"

Natalie thought for a moment before responding, "It's been...interesting. The hospital's got a lot of great people, but there's definitely some politics at play."

Justin nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I know what you mean. But you'll figure it out. You're a brilliant surgeon, Nat."

Natalie rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Thanks, Justin. You're always the optimist."

Over lunch, they caught up on each other's lives, sharing stories about their respective careers and personal lives. Justin told Natalie about his latest projects as an architect, and Natalie filled him in on her experiences in Europe.

As they finished their meal, Justin asked, "So, why haven't you been home since you got back? Mom and Dad are worried about you."

Natalie hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I just needed some time to settle in, I guess. It's been a big adjustment."

Justin looked at her with understanding eyes. "I get it. But you're coming to dinner at the family's house this weekend, right? Mom and Dad would love to see you."

Natalie smiled, feeling a pang of guilt for avoiding her family.

"Mom and Dad are worried about you, and...well, there's a lot going on with the business."

Natalie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Justin leaned in, lowering his voice. "Dad's been making some...questionable decisions lately. Expanding into new markets without consulting anyone, making deals with shady partners...I'm worried about the future of the company."

Natalie's expression turned serious. "That sounds dangerous. Have you talked to him about it?"

Justin shook his head. "He won't listen. He thinks I'm just being paranoid. But I know you've always had a good head for business, Nat. I was hoping you could...you know, help me out."

Natalie sighed, feeling the weight of her family responsibilities bearing down on her again. "I'll come to dinner this weekend, Justin. But I can't promise anything. I've got my own life to sort out right now."

Justin nodded understandingly. "I get it. Just...be careful, okay? There's a lot at stake here."

"Okay, deal. But just for dinner, and don't expect me to stay too long."

Justin grinned. "I'll make sure to warn them. Love you, sis."

"Love you too, Justin."

In the morning. Michael stepped out of the coffee shop and into the warm sunlight, squinting at the sight of Natalie sitting at a small table outside. The sound of chirping birds and gentle hum of pedestrians filled the air, a stark contrast to the tension that immediately settled between them.

Natalie's eyes met his, a flicker of unease crossing her face before she masked it with a neutral expression. Michael's own heart began to race, his mind flashing back to the painful memories they shared.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here," Michael said, his tone laced with sarcasm as he approached her.

Natalie's gaze never wavered, her voice steady. "Michael. I wasn't expecting to see you."

The sun beat down on them, casting long shadows across the sidewalk. Michael's eyes roamed over Natalie's features, taking in the subtle changes time had wrought. Her hair was shorter, her eyes a shade more guarded. Yet, the essence of her remained the same – a potent mix of intelligence, beauty, and a hint of vulnerability.

Michael's mind whispered warnings, urging him to turn away, to shield himself from the pain she had once inflicted. But his feet seemed rooted to the spot, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"So, Natalie, what brings you here?" he asked, his tone a shade too casual.

Natalie's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, just enjoying the sunshine and the thrill of running into an old flame. You know, the usual."

Michael's smile was wry. "Old flame? That's one way to put it."

Their banter was laced with tension, each word a carefully calibrated barb designed to probe the other's defenses. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, the silence between them a living, breathing thing.

Michael's eyes locked onto Natalie's, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. "So, still playing doctor, huh?" he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Natalie's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Michael, don't start. I'm just trying to enjoy my coffee."

Michael snorted. "Enjoy your coffee? You're always so focused on your career, Natalie. When do you ever take a break?"

Natalie's jaw clenched, her voice tight. "That's none of your business, Michael. And besides, someone has to keep the standards high around here."

The verbal sparring continued, their words hanging in the air like a challenge. Passersby began to stare, drawn in by the palpable tension between them.

As they stood there, the air seemed to vibrate with an almost palpable energy. Michael's eyes burned with an intensity that made Natalie's heart race. She felt a flutter in her chest, her breath catching in her throat.

"What's wrong, Natalie?" Michael's voice was low, husky. "You look like you're about to implode."

Natalie's eyes narrowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Michael."

Michael's gaze dropped to her lips, his eyes lingering on them with an unmistakable hunger. Natalie's pulse skyrocketed, her mind reeling with confusion.

Was this anger or...something else?

The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, locked in a silent battle of wills. The tension between them was suffocating, a living, breathing thing that threatened to consume them both.

Suddenly, Michael's phone buzzed, shattering the spell. He cursed under his breath, his eyes never leaving Natalie's face. "I have to take this."

Natalie nodded, her voice barely audible. "Yeah. Take it."

As Michael turned away, Natalie felt a strange sense of disappointment wash over her. What was happening here? She didn't have time to process it before Michael spun back around, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

"This isn't over, Natalie. Not by a long shot."

And with that, he was gone, leaving Natalie reeling in his wake.