The Smile

V - Encounter

 Dr Ryder had gotten used to the rhythm of the day : it had been one week since she was a dentist in the Royal Hospital. She made it with the daily routine, and the challenge. Ryder takes out her sweating white gloves. She shakes hand with a young patient and walks him to the grand hall. During her way back to her treatment room, she takes notes, so she could dispose it for Dr Darcy, as a record. She was summoned in Dr Darcy's office. Elizabeth was already sitting at her desk, reading paperwork. As always.

"Please come in."

Her icy tone, almost sudden, was always a surprise. Even after one week, Dr Ryder still felt shy and uncomfortable around Dr Darcy.

"Sit."

She wasn't even looking at Ryder. Suddenly, she glances at her and she almost fell of her chair, crossing this serious gaze. She was undeniably gorgeous and was attractive to Alex. Alex had never experienced such an attraction.

"One week since you've joined us. I must say, I am very proud of your work. You've been able to keep working even when you felt under pressure. You're second in the race.. for the challenge. Good job. But, you are still able to excel, I am sure."

Her voice spited the words without any feeling. Her face kept clear and without showing a small smirk.

"Thanks."

Dr Ryder felt tense. All of these compliments made her uncertain. She noticed irony in her superior's voice. Or maybe she was being normal and honest.

"Do you have anything to say ?

- I.. No, why ?

- I am just asking."

The sentence seemed cold and rhetoric. She looks at her laptop and prints papers, giving them to Ryder she adds :

" Fine. I'm done. You can go.

- Great. Bye."

A smile wanders over her lips and her eyes sparkle as if savoring a joke known to her alone. She hesitates, but finally resolves herself to stand up. Closing the door of the office, she wonders. Of course, Dr Alex Ryder noted Elizabeth cold and bossy, hard-worker, attitude since her arrival. She also heard about her reputation, and confirmed her suspicions on Eliza as someone close-minded, only obsessed by her work. She likes to work alone, and never asked for any assistant and students. The interns sent to her, they were sent away real quick. However, Alex perceived weakness in her, when she sometimes, rarely, insisted her gaze. That is to say, Elizabeth was not usually challenged.

Dr Elizabeth Darcy was now called in the director's office. Madam Eldestein, Lisa, is the director of the Royal Hospital. In her thirties, after she succeeds to her father, she was named in charge of the gigantic clinic. Before, she was only twenty six when she became one of the best neurosurgeons. She never thoughts of retiring. Madam Eldestein loves her work too much, especially her employees. Like Elizabeth and Cate, she considerate her workers as teammates. Since her arrival, she kept inspiring, caring and listening not only at her patients but mostly at the dreamers, like she used to be. Lisa is one truly example of social climbing. Elizabeth sometimes wonders if she could be as good as her.

In Madam Eldestein's office, flowers perfume the whole room. These are gifts from patients, families, friends, secret admirers. Cate and Elizabeth, were sitting in front of their chief, listening closely :

"..Now.. what are the news on Ryder ? Any thoughts ? Madam Eldestein starts.

- She's been doing an amazing work so far.. Quickly and with quite facility, Elizabeth replies right away, with a large smile."