Finding the Arteries in Forks

1

The cool mist of Forks clung to Vittoria's skin as she stepped out of her car, breathing in the fresh, rain-soaked air. The hospital loomed ahead, small but well-kept, its brick facade softened by the thick greenery that surrounded it. Vittoria had only been in this quiet town for a week, but already it felt worlds away from the busy life she'd left behind. She was here for a fresh start, and today marked her first day as a nurse at Forks Hospital.

Adjusting her bag over her shoulder, she took a steadying breath and walked through the automatic doors. The faint smell of antiseptic hit her nose, mingling with the sound of soft footsteps and hushed voices. The reception area was simple, with patients waiting quietly, flipping through outdated magazines. Vittoria had spent the last few days preparing herself for this moment—meeting new colleagues, learning the ropes of a new hospital—but nothing quite settled her nerves.

The receptionist, a young woman with glasses perched on the edge of her nose, glanced up with a friendly smile. "You must be Vittoria. Welcome to Forks Hospital."

Vittoria returned the smile, her nerves easing slightly. "That's me. First day—let's see how it goes."

The woman chuckled. "You'll be fine. Dr. Cullen will be giving you a tour before your shift starts. He should be here any moment."

Vittoria's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the name. Dr. Cullen. She had heard about him—how could she not? Everyone in the hospital seemed to speak of him with a kind of reverence, as if he were more than just a doctor, but a figure of mystery. Handsome, brilliant, and a bit of an enigma. She was curious, but nothing more. It was just a job, after all.

Before she could respond, the door to the staff area swung open, and a figure emerged. Vittoria's breath caught in her throat.

Dr. Carlisle Cullen was even more striking in person than she had expected. Tall, with perfectly composed features, his pale skin seemed to glow under the hospital lights. His blonde hair, neatly swept back, framed a face that was almost too perfect, as if carved from marble. But it was his eyes that captivated her—their golden hue was both warm and piercing, holding a kindness that seemed to reach right into her.

He approached with a gentle smile, his movements smooth and deliberate. "You must be Vittoria," he said, his voice soft but commanding.

For a moment, Vittoria forgot how to speak. The intensity of his presence was palpable, and she could feel a strange pull between them, like the air around them had thickened. She quickly gathered herself, trying to shake off the feeling. "Yes, that's me," she replied, extending her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Cullen."

He took her hand lightly, and the warmth of his touch surprised her. Perhaps because his hand is thrice the size of hers. His skin was cool, yet somehow comforting. "The pleasure's mine. Welcome to Forks Hospital. I'll be showing you around today."

As they walked through the halls, Carlisle pointed out different departments, explaining procedures with a calm authority that put her at ease. But no matter how hard she tried to focus on his words, she found herself distracted by him—by the way his presence seemed to fill the room, by the way his gaze lingered on her just a moment too long. The way she somehow imagined how his body would look like without the white coat. The way his muscles would work. The way... She quickly shook her head to get her thoughts together.

He was polite, professional, and yet... something unspoken seemed to simmer beneath the surface. Vittoria could feel it, that undeniable tension, like a magnetic force drawing her closer to him. She caught herself stealing glances at him, her mind wandering to places it shouldn't go. He was her superior, her colleague. This was absurd.

"Are you settling into Forks?" Carlisle's question broke through her thoughts.

She blinked, realizing she hadn't been paying attention. "Oh, yes. It's been an adjustment, but I think I'm starting to feel at home."

He nodded, his eyes softening as they met hers. "I'm sure you'll find your place here quickly. You seem... adaptable."

Something about the way he said it, the way his gaze seemed to hold hers just a second too long, made her heart race. She smiled awkwardly, trying to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks. "Thanks. I hope so."

As they continued the tour, the hospital's usual hum of activity seemed distant, overshadowed by the awareness Vittoria felt in every moment she spent near Carlisle. There was something undeniably powerful about him, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. It wasn't just his striking appearance or his quiet confidence—it was the way she felt when he looked at her, as if he could see past the walls she kept so carefully guarded.

When they finally reached the nurses' station, he turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable yet gentle. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We're all a team here."

"Thank you," Vittoria replied, her voice a little shakier than she'd like. "I'll definitely keep that in mind."

For a brief moment, they stood there in silence, the space between them charged with an energy Vittoria couldn't explain. It was as if the world had shifted slightly, leaving them in a bubble where only they existed. That perfect smile he seemed to wear around everyone had changed into a heated gaze as he stared at her, as if he was breathing her in. She couldn't look away from him, couldn't stop the racing of her heart as his eyes lingered on her one last time before he turned to leave.

"I'll see you around, Vittoria," Carlisle said softly, his voice like a quiet promise. As if he was trying to escape.

As he walked away, Vittoria stood there, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. She had only just met him, and yet, something undeniable had passed between them. It was more than just chemistry—it was a pull, a connection that seemed to defy logic.

Shaking her head, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. This was her first day, and she had a job to do. But even as she pushed the thoughts aside and tried to focus on the tasks ahead, she knew one thing for certain:

Her life in Forks had just become a lot more complicated.