PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 93: Talking To Ameila

As the bedroom door closed behind Carina, Maya was left alone in the quiet of the room. The soft chatter from Andy and Megan's room was the only sound that broke the silence.

Maya shifted under the covers, trying to get comfortable. She missed the warmth and comfort of having Carina next to her, but she knew she had to make do with her own company for a while.
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Once she reached the car, she got in and fastened her seatbelt. There was no time to waste; she needed to focus on her job and hope that everything would be okay until she returned home.

With a press of the start button, the car roared to life and Carina set off for the hospital.

The drive to the hospital was a blur for Carina. She navigated the traffic with autopilot precision, her mind still on Maya. She mentally ran through a checklist of things she wanted to do when she got home – make sure Maya rested, cook her favourite meal, maybe draw a bath. Anything to make up for her absence.

Arriving at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Carina parked her car in a familiar spot. She took a deep breath as she got out of the car, the familiar sights and smells of the hospital greeting her.

She walked through the hospital entrance and made her way to the attending's lounge to sign in and check what this page was all about.

As Carina walked into the attending's lounge, she was greeted by the sight of Jo Wilson sitting at a table, eating a late lunch. Jo looked up as Carina entered and smiled, waving a cheerful greeting.

Carina returned the smile, glad for a friendly face. "Hey, Jo."

Jo swallowed a mouthful of food and greeted Carina. "Hey! I wasn't expecting to see you here today. Aren't you supposed to be on a day off?"

Carina sighed, leaning against the counter. "I was. But then they paged me, and I couldn't exactly ignore it."

She filled a cup with some coffee, taking a sip. The caffeine was welcome, but she wished she was back home with Maya instead.

Jo looked at Carina and said "Did you had fun house hunting."

Carina's face broke into a smile as she remembered the house hunting trip. "Yes, we saw a few lovely places, and we even made an offer on one."

Jo's eyes widened. "Really? Is it official, then? You've found your forever home?"

Carina chuckled, feeling a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Well, I wouldn't say 'official' yet. The sellers have to accept the offer first. But yes, we found a place we really liked."

Jo clapped her hands together. "That's amazing! I'm so happy for you guys. I bet you'll make the place look so gorgeous."

Carina smiled at her enthusiasm. "Thank you. And yes, I have some big plans for decorating. Maya's just excited that there'll be a gym."

Jo laughed. "Of course, the gym was what sold it for her."

As they chatted, Carina's mind drifted back to Maya, who was sleeping back at the apartment. She was torn between wanting to finish up her work at the hospital and the intense need to be there for Maya, especially in her weakened state.

Just as they were talking, Amelia Shepherd entered the lounge, looking a bit harried but happy. She gave a friendly nod to Carina and Jo before heading to the coffee machine.

Carina greeted her. "Hey, Amelia. You look like you've had a busy morning."

Amelia grumbled, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "You have no idea. It's been a non-stop day of surgeries. I'm glad I get to take a break, even if it's just for a few minutes."