Chapter 4

I lied to him, putting on my best face; there are white lies that can help you get out of certain situations like this.

“I didn't hear you, I mean; when I turned around, that's when I heard my name, I answered you, I was going to the cafeteria to buy a juice and then to the laboratory to claim some tests.”

Did you see the equipment they're bringing up to the third floor? There are several boxes, incubators, and some beautiful chairs. I think they're for the premature baby clinic.

“I haven't seen anything, but I imagine so. The doctor on duty told me they were accelerating construction and that the directors have been checking on the progress, but I won't believe it until I see it.”

“Valentina, don't be like that, for the few months they've done quite a lot, don't you think?”

“I haven't seen anything, Elena, I only hear them bringing things in, cleaning, but that's it; what's more, I haven't even seen the ladies from the bank again, although it's appreciated if they're doing it and I hope to see them.”

“Why are you always so distrustful? Have some faith, woman.”

“I have faith, in fact, I'm the most positive of all, but I know how things are, how many times have they told us they're going to fix the areas and to this day they're still the same?”

“Good morning, doctors, what will the beauties of this hospital have today?”

Ramón owns the cafeteria, he's been at the hospital for years, he's an older man, so nice and he knows how to cheer up everyone in the hospital, especially if they're on post-call or we've had a bad day, we call him the healer of souls, we wouldn't know what to do without him.

“Good morning, Mr. Ramón, I'd like a hot chocolate and Elena a coffee.”

“Light brown, please, my old man, a good amount, let's see if it gives me strength to withstand the downpour that's coming.”

"Cheer up, girl, there's nothing my coffee can't cure."She hands us two cups of coffee. We look at each other, puzzled, and just as we're about to speak, she looks at us and says,"This one's for your troubles, my girl. Believe me, it hasn't been around today, and you must need it."She winks at us.

“Thank you, old man, you're so sweet. I hope it has cyanide; it's the only way to calm that beast.”

The three of us burst out laughing, paid, and sat down at one of the tables. Some of my colleagues joined us and we started chatting; some of us had breakfast, and others were asleep within five minutes so we could get back to work.

Among them is my best friend, Thiago. We've been together since before we were born. His parents and mine are friends, godparents, so we're like the brothers we never had. We tell each other everything, and he even knows me as well as or better than I know him.

He calls me sweetie, because one day I told him he was my guardian angel and well, I am his sweet companion, that's how we stayed, he was my angel and I was his sweetie.

“Hi Inés, I thought you were doing a doctor's visit.”

I'm heading there, but I came here to get my energy boost to start the day. What about you? I pictured you in the operating room.

“No, the area is closed today, apparently they are going to check the pipes or something in the room, but the directors and some workers are there, they look like laborers.”

"How strange, the hospital may be falling apart, but closing an area, especially an operating room, is a crime,"Rebecca, another of my colleagues, says.

"They seem to be very important people, from what I could tell, they were talking about changes in the hospital and the wards that are closed,"Thiago replied.

"Maybe it's the bank workers, because of the construction and all that. I saw several men carrying boxes and other equipment upstairs,"Elena opined.

“I'm tired, discouraged.”

“Get yourself a boyfriend, I already told you.”

When not? Camila, one of my closest and greatest friends, we studied together since high school and throughout medical school and we did almost all the rotations together, we are like sisters, since we met and since I told her that my experience with men is zero, she keeps telling me to get a boyfriend.

“That's what you need, to get rid of all those ailments and pains you have. You're twenty-five years old, woman, forget your demands, men like the one who wants it don't exist.”

“I already told you I'm not demanding, it's just that I've waited so long that I'm not going to be with the first idiot who comes along. Besides, I'm not thinking about that right now. I'm calm, and all men do is get in the way, demand, and boss things around. No way.”

It will come, I asked the universe for it, its time will come, so let's leave the matter alone.

With that, I got up from the table and went to my restroom.

Today was one of those days where I went from one meeting to another, I traveled the city from one end to the other, I felt exhausted, I just wanted to get home, take a bath, have good sex and sleep, but since the conversation with Bianca about two weeks ago I haven't wanted to call her, I haven't made a decision regarding the matter, that's to say; I know that I don't want to get married or play house, she is a sure thing.

Just because I haven't called her doesn't mean I haven't satisfied my need; after all, I'm surrounded by women. But tonight I want something different, relaxed, without pressure. If I call Bianca, we'd end up talking about the future, and I'm not in the mood for nonsense today. I could call Chloe, but she's very attached; it would be hard to get her out of bed afterward, and I don't feel like making up excuses to make her leave. Vanessa is great sex, dominant, she knows what she wants just like I do, but she likes to be in control, and tonight I want to be the one in charge. So I'm out of options. The others are busy, out of the country, etc. Going to a bar and taking a stranger to a hotel wouldn't be bad, but I'd have to check her out, flirt, and see if she's willing, and I don't have the time or the inclination. So here I am, walking to the office, thinking that these are the moments I wish a woman would be waiting for me at home, available to my every whim and need.

“Mr. Falkenberg, we've arrived, sir?”

That shout snapped me out of my reverie. Johan had been my driver for ten years; after Leonardo, he was my friend and confidant. I would put my life in his hands.