A Melody of You: Book Five

Cristina

We're all supposed to look our very best today. We have famous doctors and people from the board visiting our hospital today. Each department gets a designated big boss and the head of pediatrics gives us his usual speech of encouragement. He tells us not to worry and to just be ourselves. After all, the children are the most important part of our jobs. If they love us and we do a good job, then there's no need to be nervous.

I feel nervous anyway.

But it isn't too bad. Pediatrics is a bit easier. Our department is full of light and warmth. I can only imagine the pressure in the Cardiology department or even the Neurology department.

I sit at the side of a stage in a small lecture room. I know Leanne will be in here soon and I ignore some of the students preparing for their presentations on the stage. I pretend to wear a small microphone on the collar of my doctor's coat for a presentation and smile when Leanne catches my eyes from the entrance. She chuckles and crosses her arms on her chest as she comes to the front.

"What are you doing there? I don't believe you are presenting today." I gesture at my little microphone and she laughs. "Please. You wouldn't be this relaxed if you were giving a presentation."

I playfully gasp at her with offense. "How dare you insult me! You know I get nervous about everything, birthday girl!"

"My birthday was yesterday, punk. Get off of there. You're making the students nervous."

"I get that a lot. It's because I'm near." I playfully push my hair back and wink at a student watching our interaction. They do a small smile and Leanne takes my arm with a roll of eyes.

"C'mon. They're about to start."

"Can I keep the baby microphone?"

"No. Give it back to the students." Leanne guides me to the student on the stage and I frown.

"But I think it's cute." She gestures at the student with a firm look and I sigh. "Fine. Sorry."

"Sure thing," he says. "We could trade spots and you could present if you really want the mic."

"No thank you!"

Leanne and I share a giggle as we join the rest of our colleagues in the audience chairs. I look around to see if I recognize anyone and notice the emptiness by Leanne's side. I turn to her as she reads the program. "Where's Yujun?"

She seems to freeze for a moment before giving me a tight smile. "I don't know. I haven't seen him since yesterday."

I give her shoulder a playful bump. "Did you guys do something yesterday?"

"No. He was busy all day just as I was."

"You did go out though?"

She gave me a warmer smile. "Yes. Don't worry. My family gave me a nice dinner and then Emma took me out. We just got a few drinks and then went back home to watch a movie."

"Okay. So it was a good day?"

She hesitates but genuinely nods. "Yes. It was a good day. Thanks for asking."

I study her odd expression. She doesn't seem upset but she also seems...nervous. So I gently say, "I'm sorry I couldn't see you yesterday. I had the night shift."

"That's okay. How come you're still here?"

"What do you mean?"

"You should be home resting."

I scoff at her. "It's like how you say you don't need food. I don't need sleep."

She raises her brows in surprise and does a quiet laugh. "Let's see if you say the same thing in a few hours. It's about to start."