Love in the ER

CHAPTER 1

Paris had always been ambitious. Since she was a little girl, she dreamt of becoming a doctor. But life had its own plans. After her parents passed away, she was raised by her grandmother, who struggled to make ends meet. The financial burden on her family meant Paris had to choose a more affordable path. Nursing, though not her first choice, was something she grew to love, especially after getting an internship at the Salameda Health Care Center, a private hospital in her hometown in Mexico.

Her first few days were a whirlwind of learning, meeting new colleagues, and making friends. One of the doctors, a colleague with a reputation for being charming, seemed to have taken a particular interest in her. Though he was friendly and made an effort to include her in social events with other nurses, Paris wasn't interested in anything beyond friendship. She had bigger things to focus on.

Rumors soon began to swirl around the hospital about someone far more important than the everyday gossip.

"You hear the owner's son is coming back from New York?" one of the nurses said as they all gathered in the breakroom. "Dr. Oliver Salameda. They say he's not only brilliant but... so handsome."

Paris had heard the chatter but paid little attention. She was in the middle of preparing for an exam and couldn't afford to get distracted.

"Isn't he, like, some high-ranking military doctor?" asked another nurse, her voice filled with awe. "A sergeant and a doctor? Imagine the stories he must have."

Paris rolled her eyes and continued looking at her notes. Handsome doctors and rumors weren't really her priority. After all, she had her own struggles to worry about. Plus, she wasn't interested in gossiping about a guy she hadn't even met. Still, she couldn't escape the buzz of excitement surrounding his arrival.

************

That Monday morning, the entire staff gathered in the hospital lobby, waiting to meet Dr. Oliver Salameda. Paris stood at the back, her mind elsewhere. She wasn't sure why everyone was so worked up.

The head of the department, Mrs. González, entered the room with an air of excitement. "Good morning, everyone," she began, her voice carrying authority. "As you know, today we are welcoming Dr. Oliver Salameda, who will be joining us after years of experience in New York. We are thrilled to have him back at the hospital, and I'm sure he'll be a great asset to the team."

The room fell silent with anticipation as the doors swung open. Mrs. Salameda, the owner's wife, walked in first, all elegance and grace. Behind her followed Dr. Oliver Salameda, dressed in a crisp white coat, standing tall with an air of confidence.

The whispers started almost immediately. "Oh my God, he really is as handsome as they said," one of the nurses whispered, clutching her friend's arm.

Paris, still lost in thought, barely noticed the commotion. Her friend, Clara, nudged her hard. "Paris, look! It's him. He's even more gorgeous than we imagined!"

Paris blinked, snapping out of her daze. She turned her head to where everyone's attention was fixed, and that's when she saw him.

Dr. Oliver Salameda was, indeed, as handsome as the rumors suggested. He had sharp features, warm brown eyes, and a calm, commanding presence. But what surprised Paris wasn't his appearance—it was the fact that he was looking directly at her.

Their eyes met. Time seemed to slow. The crowd around them disappeared, the whispers faded. For a brief moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room. Paris felt her pulse quicken, and she quickly averted her gaze, confused by the sudden intensity of the moment.

Clara giggled beside her. "Looks like someone's already caught his eye," she teased.

"Stop," Paris whispered, her cheeks flushing. "He's probably just scanning the room."

"Uh-huh," Clara said with a smirk. "Sure, because he's totally scanning everyone else too."

Paris tried to shake off the feeling. She wasn't the type to get swept up by a good-looking face, and yet... something about his gaze lingered in her mind.