It Hurts When It's True (Affaire de Coeur, #1)

Chapter 3: Purple Hyacinth

To Maggie’s relief, Damian Williams was finally given a discharge order by his attending physician. Dose after dose of antibiotics, he was able to undergo swift recover in just five days. But of course it was also partly due to the undivided attention being showered to him by her coworkers. Who would not get well after being looked after by doting nurses who always seem to be there on his every beck and call?

However, Maggie was different given that she did not behave the way the other nurses did around the handsome celebrity. It was not that she was not interested in the actor. In fact, her interest had grown more during his confinement in their ward.

Mr Williams was cordial most of the time except when he was trying to flirt his way with all his bedside nurses including Maggie. Then again, she did her best to be professional around him, not that it was a difficult thing to do. One of her redeeming qualities as a nurse was that she could behave capably around her patients regardless of how good or how bad they treat her. Fortunately, she was able to act in the same way when around that attractive patient of theirs.

Maggie was left in the ward while her other coworkers were spending their time in Damian’s room. Surprisingly, Damian was the kind of public figure who did not mind it when other people invade his personal space even during his private time. As a matter of fact, he always appeared as if he enjoyed being around them and maybe he really did.

She heard noises from the far end of the hallway, signalling that their charming patient was ready to leave the premises of the hospital. She heard footfalls echoing in the corridor which were growing louder as they come closer and closer to the station.

Getting up from her seat, she tried to lean forward to the counter to get a glimpse of the commotion in their well-lit corridor. Tilting her head to the side, she was able to catch the same startling blue eyes which were now surrounded by healthy-looking skin.

They walked together to the nurse’s station and stopped right in front of her. She stood straight and looked at the man directly into his eyes, which she found no difficulty in doing.

“I can finally go home. Thanks to you, ladies.” He spoke, his gaze going from one nurse to another.

At last, he looked at Maggie again and smiled that knowing smile of his. “Thanks to you, too, Nurse Maggie.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Williams. Please take care of yourself.” Maggie replied, the sides of her mouth tilting upwards into her trained kind of smile.

“Of course! I would not want to disappoint all of you, lovely ladies!”

“We are hoping to have you—” the brunette said but was cut off by an elbow to her side.

“We are happy to take care of you, Mr. Williams.” The head nurse added, her eyes sparkling like a smitten girl of sweet sixteen.

The other nurses of the incoming shift snickered at their head nurse’s antics, which was not left unnoticed by the latter. They would definitely get what they were asking for upon the departure of their extremely attractive client.

“Well, I had better go now, dear ladies. I’m really grateful for your care during my stay.” He said, winking specifically at Meg, making heat rise to her cheeks.

Damian nodded slightly at Maggie and walked down the hallway, the sound of his footsteps getting smaller until he reached the elevator. Collective sighs were released, tickling Maggie’s humor bone.

A few days after, everyone at the station were surprised by an unknown man holding a bouquet of fresh violet hyacinth. All three nurses, including Maggie, were dumbfounded as they all looked at the man holding the bunch of blooms in his arms.