love is you

Chapter 1

Summary: Earn takes on a last-minute endorsement at St. King Hospital, feeling uneasy about the sudden opportunity. During the shoot, an unexpected encounter with a beautiful stranger, Lada, stirs memories of a forgotten night in Athens—sparking a connection that neither can fully grasp, but both feel deeply.

Playlist for the AU:
Little Runaway by Benson Boone

Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Apologies in advance if I have offended anyone's feelings.

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Earn adjusted the pristine white coat over her shoulders, her fingers lingering on the embroidered name tag that read "Dr. Sanithada." She examined her reflection in the mirror, her lips curving into a wistful smile. In another life, maybe she could have been the real thing—a doctor, just like she imagined when she was younger, before her health had complicated everything. The stethoscope hanging loosely around her neck added a sense of weight and authority she knew she'd never truly have. But even just for today, she would savor this illusion. She straightened her posture, chin held high, proud despite herself.

P'Suzie had mentioned the endorsement as another breakthrough project given the reputation of St. King Hospital and filled Earn's already crowded schedule. But something about this particular offer didn't sit right with her. It had originally been given to her friend Engfa, then suddenly, without much explanation, switched over to Earn at the last minute. The sudden change felt calculated, a manipulation she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Earn couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. She knew well that in her world, things rarely happened without an agenda. It was the abrupt change—so neatly timed, so unexpected—that set off a familiar unease in her chest. The kind of unease that often signaled someone else was pulling the strings. She narrowed her eyes at her reflection, amber gaze catching the light. If there was more to this than she had been told, she intended to find out.

She would play her part—smile for the cameras, pose with grace, charm the production team—but she would do it on her terms. She would keep her eyes open, stay alert, and watch for any signs of the unseen forces she had become so used to. If this was just another coincidence, she would let it go. But if there was a reason she had been put in this spot, Earn was determined to discover it.

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The set was bustling that afternoon, the hospital buzzing with more than just patients. Cameramen, makeup artists, and staff moved in a synchronized dance, each person focused on creating the perfect shot while ensuring they didn't disrupt the hospital's daily operations. The air was filled with a mix of hushed conversation, the static crackle of walkie-talkies, and the distant, rhythmic beeping of medical equipment.

Earn walked towards the designated shooting spot, her eyes scanning the hallway. Her stride was steady, but her thoughts were anything but settled. The walls of the hospital were cold, sterile—a wash of pale colors and disinfected surfaces, all of it absorbing the frantic energy of the production crew, swallowing any sense of warmth or humanity.

Suddenly, the coordinated bustle fractured into chaos. Earn turned her head just in time to see a set of double doors burst open, a gurney crashing through, the wheels a blur against the linoleum. Nurses moved swiftly, their expressions tense, their voices urgent. The metallic scent of blood mingled with the sharp tang of antiseptic, clawing at Earn's senses, making her stomach twist uncomfortably. The stark crimson smeared across the gurney and the floor seemed to explode into her field of view, a visceral contrast against the cold whites and dull grays of the hallway.