One Last Time

Chapter 7

She is strong

but she is tired.

- r.h.sin

Lana

"Yes, I am returning to work today. Don't worry at all."

I hung up and threw my phone in my bag. I sighed frustratedly as I glare at the distance, getting lost in my own world; I've just had enough.

I got back from Chicago two nights ago and I hated it. Much to my relief, I was finally going back to work. I haven't seen dad in a week and a half so today I was going to see him for the first time in ages.

My Chicago visit was absolutely lamentable and utterly crap, I should've trusted my gut instincts and never have agreed with mom. Dad was always right but so was mom, however I never got along with mom ever since Amelia came along. I would've thought that this situation would resolve itself as it happened years ago, but mom still prefers to hold a grudge. Don't get me wrong, she absolutely loves Amelia with everything and from the bottom of her heart but she still hates that fact that I chose Ivan. When Ivan left, mom blamed me for it, in fact she hated me for my choices and was utterly embarrassed of me.

While all this happened, dad stood by me every step of the way.

I pushed all my thoughts and regrets to a side and drove to work, my second home.

Upon my arrival, there was already so much for me to do and I was content with it as it kept me away from contemplating too much.

"Welcome back Dr Carter, I hope you had a very good time at your time away." Julia, the front desk manager greeted.

I replicated a thin smile and grabbed the pen to sign in.
"Thank you Julia, I hope you're well." I said,

"Very. Oh, sorry but Dr Carter, I hate to bother you with this again. You have piles of prescriptions to sign away and the reports have not been sent off ever since your absence."

I let out a frustrated sigh as I drop the pen,
"Julia, what is going on? I thought there was a replacement for me, was there a misunderstanding?"

"No absolutely not. There was a replacement, a very young doctor however I was very sure that she had no idea what she was doing. I'm ever so sorry, Dr Carter."

"Please Julia. Stop apologising, none is your fault. Just send everything to my department and Zoe will hand it to me. Thank you so much Julia." I smiled,

She nodded her head and I turned to the opposite direction, towards the lift that would take me to my floor. Once I entered my floor, I walked into my floor with all the greetings from my colleagues and reached my room. As soon as I opened my door, Riley and Stephan was in there with multiple balloons and many other things.

"What the...?" I stumble on my feet as my brows snap into a furrow.

"Welcome back!" They cheered,

I close the door behind me as I tried to prevent disturbance to my other colleagues in their rooms. I turn back to them and watch Riley in a shocked expression.

"Riley? What on earth is going on? You are very much aware that this is not allowed in the office!"

"Ah, calm your tits Lana banana! I've asked for Mr Carter's permission and he has accepted." She claimed, "Come on girl, let yourself lose a little." She closed the gap between us and embraced me in a hug. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around her as my lungs took in her fresh vanilla scent. I let out a long deep sigh as I embrace her back. "How have you been?"