Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Money, Money, Money •|| SHIVIAN ||•

Prompt: Both women are financially successful in their respective fields and wants to find someone who loves them for them and not their paychecks. 

The city was alive with its usual bustle as Vivian Reynolds strode through the hospital corridors, her white coat billowing slightly behind her. As the hospital's chief, her days were a whirlwind of emergencies, decisions, and the heavy weight of responsibility. Yet, beneath her polished professionalism, there was a longing—an ache for something real. She had spent years brushing off those who were drawn to her title and paycheck rather than her heart.

On the other side of the city, Shibhon Serpent slipped into the back office of Celeste, her award-winning Michelin-starred restaurant. Running such an acclaimed establishment brought its rewards, but it also brought its share of challenges—chief among them, the people who only saw her success and not the person behind it.

Both women, tired of meeting people blinded by their wealth, had resolved to try something new. Viv told prospective dates she was a nurse, while Shibhon claimed to be a waitress. It was this mutual decision to hide in plain sight that brought them together.

They'd met by chance at Celeste. Viv had dropped by for dinner, and Shibhon—stepping into her "waitress" role with practiced ease—served her table. Their connection had been immediate, sparked by an easy exchange of smiles and witty banter. Soon, one date led to another, and before they knew it, a month had passed.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

The evening air was crisp as Shibhon parked her car outside the hospital, a rare smile tugging at her lips. Tonight, she had decided to surprise Viv after her shift. Stepping into the bustling lobby, she approached the receptionist's desk.

"Hi, I'm looking for Nurse Vivian Reynolds. Has she finished her shift yet?" Shibhon asked casually.

The receptionist frowned for a moment, then adjusted her glasses. "Nurse Reynolds? We don't have a nurse by that name."

Shibhon's brow furrowed. "Are you sure? She's been working here for a while now."

"Oh, you mean Dr. Vivian Reynolds? Our chief?" the receptionist clarified, her tone light but laced with surprise. "She's definitely still here. She's in surgery right now."

Shibhon blinked, processing the revelation. Chief? The woman she'd been dating had introduced herself as a nurse. She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips as she shook her head. "Of course she is," she muttered, amused.

°•°•°--**--°•°•°

Later that evening, Shibhon sat at the kitchen counter of her penthouse apartment, sipping wine as she waited for Viv to arrive. When the door finally opened, Shibhon looked up, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Hey, you," Viv greeted, walking in with a warm smile.

"Hey, Chief," Shibhon teased, raising an eyebrow.

Viv froze mid-step. "What?"

Shibhon grinned, setting her glass down. "I stopped by the hospital to surprise you tonight. Imagine my surprise when the receptionist told me there's no Nurse Vivian but a Chief Vivian. Want to explain?"

Viv's shoulders sagged as she let out a groan, running a hand through her hair. "Okay, you caught me," she admitted, moving to sit beside Shibhon. "Look, I've had my fair share of people only being interested in my job and paycheck. I just wanted someone to see me for me, not the title."

Shibhon's laughter filled the room, surprising Viv.

"Why are you laughing?" Viv asked, her cheeks flushing.

"Because," Shibhon began, wiping a tear from her eye, "I've been lying too. I'm not a waitress—I own Celeste."

Viv's jaw dropped. "You're kidding."

"Nope. Same reason as you, actually. Too many people fawning over the money and the awards, not the person behind it all."

For a moment, they stared at each other before bursting into laughter.

"Well," Viv said, her laughter subsiding, "I guess we're both idiots."

"Or geniuses," Shibhon countered with a wink. "Because we found each other."

Viv smiled, leaning in to kiss her. "I think you're right."

That night, for the first time in years, neither woman felt the weight of their success—or the loneliness that often accompanied it. Instead, they simply felt seen.

[A/N]

Gave Viv the first last name I could think of because I have NO idea what that woman's last name is. :)