Colleagues with Benefits

Chapter Eight

Ria's POV

The next morning had to be by far, the most awkward morning I have to ever experienced.

Ariana and I were sitting on the table eating breakfast in silence the whole time. She kept looking at her watch and I was on my phone, pretending that I was texting.

To think of it, every morning had been a weird morning ever since we had our little talk. We just ignore one another. Its never been like that between her and I, and it's a heartbreaker. She chose her boyfriend over her bestfriend.

I stopped at Starbucks before work, even though I already had coffee this morning another one would help.

I made my way over to the front desk when I heard the nurses whispering .
" Did you see them kiss in the storage room? Ariana is definitely getting it. "

" Yea she is so lucky, I wish I could take him home at night."

" Why? So your children can find out where babies come from and your husband can watch? "

I huffed at that comment, old ladies looking for young love. But it was still nasty how they were kissing practically everywhere.

I have been working on my Slone case for a couple of weeks now and I found a pretty good way into doing the operation.

I have been avoiding Bieber though, so I don't know his progress. Chief was supposed to call us in today to discuss the operation that Bieber and I have been working on.

But we haven't been working together so I guess chief will have to decide on whose plan was better. Im sure mine will win.

It is well thought out and I have alternatives.

Brushing my thoughts away I started to get back to work.

My beeper began to ring after lunch and it was the chief calling for me. When the elevator doors opened the one and only Dr. Bieber with files in his hands. I wanted to spare myself an awkward elevator ride so I turned and walked up the stairs.

I practically ran over to the chiefs office, 7 flights of stairs are a lot. I hadn't noticed they were so much until I was midway through it all.

At that moment I was cursing out everyone and everything including my stubborn self, I should have just taken the elevator.

When I arrived Bieber was sitting on the left chair and chief motioned me to sit on the right chair.
" I want to hear your progress on the Slone case . " was all that chief said.

Immediately Bieber got up and opened up his files, motioning chief to look at things.

I didn't read a word he said because that asshole had his back facing me, most likely on purpose.

I politely sat there and waited for my turn, all of my work was on my iPad which was sitting on my lap with the files open.

Chief suddenly looked up at me and Bieber turned around and went back to his seat. I guess thats my cue.

While walking over to the chiefs desk I made sure I was strutting a bit, you know, for dramatic affect.

" And on the last page are a few patients who have received this treatment and have had good outcomes." I said finally.

I sat back down and waited for the chiefs response on whose method we were going on.

Please be mine.

" What are you both doing? I don't understand, this is supposed to be a team case yet you are both doing your own thing? Why do I sense a bit of competition in this, this is a little girls life we are talking about. Not a game! Both of your ideas seem great, but I need one idea. We cant do two operations on one situation! So I will give you guys one more week to figure out whose plan you will be going with. I am personally disappointed in both of you. You are dismissed. " I left the room in a rush with my mouth still gaped open.

Justin and I have been standing in front of the chiefs office for about ten minutes now, just looking at the floor. Engulfed with our thoughts.

"-iefs right." I read from Biebers lips.

I glanced at his eyes to see the emotion hidden behind them, but he already started to walk away.

I started to walk away before I murmured " I know."

***

I sat at my desk staring at the pictures of the little girl. It was almost midnight and I couldn't stop thinking.
I was being selfish and cruel, this wasn't a game, its a life. And its in my hands.

That part always scared me about being a doctor.

I went over my files again, this must have been the fifth time I went over them.

I honestly thought my way would work. But I wanted to see Bieber's way too. I opened up my email and sent one simple sentence to Bieber.

"Meet me at Starbucks, 8am tomorrow. "

That small sentence must be the bravest thing I've ever done.

***

I walked into starbucks at exactly 7:59am ,and there he was. Sipping on coffee with another one placed infront of him.

Oh god. I thought that Ariana had to leave early this morning, not go on a date with her boyfriend. She must be in the bathroom.

Bieber looked up and saw me, then motioned me to come over.

I stood next to the table and he had a really weird look on his face. I think he was confused.

"Hey" he said. I murmured hey back before he said " Why are you standing?"

" I thought this was Arianas drink and she was just in the bathroom. "

" What? No shes not here, I got this for you. " he laughed then got up and pushed my chair out and motioned me to sit once again.

Why was he being so nice. I took a sip from the coffee he brought me and noticed it was french vanilla with two plumps of raspberry.

How did he know exactly what I liked. It was kinda creepy, but I held back on asking how he knew.

We just sat there talking about the case for a good half hour before we went our separate ways.

*****

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