𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was well past my usual shift hours, and the hushed whispers of the night staff had given way to the quiet hum of the hospital's early morning routine.

I'd been so lost in my paperwork I hadn't noticed the time. The sudden intercom buzz at my desk snapped me back to reality. I picked up the handset, expecting a doctor's order for a patient, but instead heard the no-nonsense voice of the hospital's administrative assistant.

"Nurse Sommer, please report to the CEO's office immediately." The words hung in the air, cold and stark, bringing a rush of confusion and anxiety. I hadn't done anything wrong, had I?

The last time I'd interacted with the CEO had been during my orientation and that was a blur of a handshake and a mumbled introduction. I smoothed my scrubs, took a deep breath, and hoped I didn't look as flustered as I felt.

The walk to the elevator felt like a mile. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows across the deserted hallway. The elevator ride was painfully slow, each floor announcement echoing through the emptiness.

When I reached the top floor, I stepped out into a plush, dimly lit corridor that smelled faintly of leather and disinfectant. The CEO's office was the last door on the left, with a brass nameplate gleaming ominously. I rapped my knuckles against the heavy wood, and the sound reverberated down the hall.

The door swung open to reveal an expansive room filled with mahogany bookshelves and a large, gleaming desk. The CEO, Mr. Castellanos, sat behind it, his expression inscrutable.

He gestured for me to sit, and I complied, my knees knocking together as I lowered myself into the leather chair. He studied me for a moment, his eyes sharp and piercing. "Nurse Sommer," he began, "I've called you here because you have been requested for."

My mind raced, trying to piece together what could be so urgent that it would pull me from my duties. The silence grew heavier, until it was almost a tangible weight pressing down on my shoulders.

I clutched the edge of my chair, my knuckles turning white. "Mr. Castellanos," I finally managed to croak out, "Is there a problem?"

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Not a problem, per se. An opportunity, rather. You see, Nurse Sommer, your dedication and exemplary record have not gone unnoticed. A... situation has arisen that requires someone of your particular skills." His voice was measured, the words chosen carefully, as if each one was a puzzle piece he was placing just so.

My heart thumped in my chest, a mix of excitement and dread. What kind of situation could he be referring to? My eyes darted around the room, searching for clues in the framed diplomas and awards that lined the walls. The only sound was the ticking of an antique clock and the muffled drone of the air conditioner.

Mr. Castellanos leaned forward, his gaze intense. "We have a patient," he began, "who requires around-the-clock care. A... very special patient. They need a nurse who is discreet, capable, and above all, compassionate." He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "I've reviewed your file, and I believe you are that nurse."

I felt a flutter of excitement. A special patient? That sounded like something out of a medical drama, not my mundane night shifts. But the CEO's tone suggested it was serious. "What's the condition?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Let's just say it's... unconventional," Mr. Castellanos replied, his smile enigmatic. "And the circumstances require that you work from their home. They've requested a nurse who can live on the premises."

My eyes widened in surprise. Live with a patient? That was certainly a first. "What's so special about this patient?" I asked, trying to keep the curiosity from my voice.