Whether they liked it or not, morning came. Gloomy skies covered the whole of Manila. Everything was at its usual, except one thing. Yesterday, Riza was a doctor. Today, she's a headline. Leni went for her regular duty, so did Riza. Despite their protests, she still insisted to finish her scheduled surgeries that day. "Doktor parin ako".
As the morning matured, reporters showed up to the hospital lobby one by one. Microphones bearing different network logos were all ready as if weapons waiting to fire.
The board of trustees had already gathered in the conference room and the atmosphere had never been colder. The long table was filled with executives who rarely attended early meetings. On the screen, the same headlines flashed before them. Every front page carried the same story.
A member of the board cleared his throat. "We have to consider public confidence"
Another one agreed and nodded. "The hospital's reputation is already suffering". She looked at everyone at the table. "The media is connecting us to Dr. Javier".
Every eye slowly shifted to the hospital president. Ferdinand sat at the head of the table. Slightly massaging the side of his forehead while his eyes scanned through every headlines printed red on the screen.
"Mr. President", one of the senior trustees spoke. "We recommend terminating Dr. Riza Javier. Effective immediately".
"No". Bongbong's voice was firm. "If we do that, para narin nating sinasabi na guilty s'ya".
"It isn't an admission of guilt, sir", the executive countered. "It's damage control".
The president's ears perked up. His finger stopped mid massage.
"Whether she's innocent or not. It's no longer the point". Another trustee added.
"So we terminate her basing solely on allegations?", the president sat up.
"If it means to protect the institution, sir"
"From what?"
"From the consequences of being associated with her".
Bongbong leaned back. He simply stared at the executive, emotions unreadable behind his eyes.
After his silence, he scoffed. "Associated with her?". Everyone turned to him again.
"She's been a physician in this hospital for years. She has operated on our patients, trained our residents. Carried this institution's name on her back long before any of you started worrying about our reputation."
That shut the room down. No one dared to speak as the president's gaze darted on each of them.
His secretary, who had been keeping a distance leaned beside him and whispered something.
"Now?", Ferdinand's expression instantly changed. The secretary just nodded. He looked at everyone at the table again, then sighed. "Put him through".
The screen flickered. Headlines disappeared and was replaced by a familiar face everyone in the room knew so well.
"Good morning", Fernando greeted.
Each executive straightened immediately. "Good morning, chairman", the board almost answered in unison. Bongbong remained still, eyes fixed on the screen.
"I've been told", the chairman spoke again, the room went still. "I agree with the board".
His grandson's eyebrows lifted. "About the termination?"
"Yes", the chairman's voice was calm. "She is at the center of a national controversy involving her family company's doing"
"Allegedly", Bongbong's rebuttal came immediately.
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Always And Forever
Fanfiction"I will love you, always and forever", he said to her while he hugged the woman that he dearly loved, despite the pain that he needed to endure, by letting her go. A story of Doctors who fell in great intoxication at the most unexpected time and mom...
