Whispers in the rain | charles leclerc *ੈ✩

Part 2 🩵 : Chapter 22 : State of grace

7 years Later
Date : 23rd Nov 2032

Jules 🌟

The streets of New York buzzed with the familiar chaos of the evening rush, and the sky was painted with soft hues of dust and the city lights began to flicker to life. I headed through the crowded sidewalk, weaving between pedestrian and street vendors. My destination coming closer. ; Jeff's bar

I pushed through the heavy wooden doors. The warm dimly lit atmosphere of the bar was a contrast to the chilly snow outside.  The sound of clinking glasses and conversations enveloped me as  I scanned the room. There at the table on the far end, I spotted them. Sitting up on high chairs, already in engrossed in a conversation.

"Hi, hi, sorry, I'm late! I got stuck with a patient," I said breathlessly rushing over to them.

"Mrs. Patterson?" Tara asked knowingly. Tara was one of my best friends and a fellow surgeon at Mount Sinai hospital.

I nodded sliding onto a chair and shrugging off my coat. "Yeah, she's still on the ventilator though."

Tara and I had bonded during my early days at the hospital. We spent countless night shifts together, patient crisises, and the everyday stress of our profession, we shared more cups of coffee and late night takeout meals than I could ever count.

"Jules! Tara! Listen up, you guys are never gonna believe this!" Jeremiah exclaimed as his eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned forward to get our attention.

"What? what happened?" I asked intrigued.

"So guess who walks into the office today?" Jeremiah grinned, clearly savouring the moment.

"Jeremiah, oh my God, shut up, it's not that big deal!" Mia said rolling her eyes, but unable to hide her amused smile.

"Who walked in?" Tara, and I asked in unison, leaning closer.

" Ryan Cruz!" Jeremiah revealed practically bouncing in his seat.

I raised an eyebrow, " Ryan? Wasn't he's the big hot shot business man, wemet at the golf thing with Logan? Wasn't he crushing on you, Mia?"

"Yes, that's him!" Jeremiah confirmed and noted vigourously, "So he walks in today, and he bought shares worth atleast half a million dollars in red Bull, just to have an excuse to talk to her again!"

"Oh stop it. He's just being friendly, he bought those shares for business purposes." Mia said waving her hand dismissively.

"Friendly? He's been by the office three times this week alone." Jeremiah countered. "He is definitely interested."

I chuckled, nudging me playfully , "Looks like someone's got an admirer"

Mia rolled her eyes again, but she couldn't hide her smile , "Guys, please. He's just a client. It's nothing."

"Uh huh sure," Tara teased, "Just a client who's in LOVE"

"I'm telling you. It's like watching a romcom unfold in real life." Jeremiah, leaned back, folding his arms with a satisfied grin.

As the conversation continued, the atmosphere of the table grew even more lively. We laughed and shared stories. The city buzzed  outside, but within the cozy confidence of Jeff's it felt like we were in our own little world.

We all laughed and talked for another hour and the conversation flowed easily among us .

Mia had moved back with me to New York, seven years ago, leaving behind her dream job to stay out here and help me with well, Everything.  It was a huge sacrifice, but Mia did it without hesitation. Switching to a desk job at red Bull to be here for me, and more importantly be here for Bella.