GABRIELLA'S POV

Rrriinngg!!

The shrill sound of my alarm clock pierced the quiet of my room. It was 6:30 a.m.

Pak! I slammed my hand down on the snooze button without even looking.

Shifting under my covers, I curled up again, letting sleep slowly pull me back into the warm comfort of my dreams. I had just started to drift off when "HEY!" I jolted upright as the door to my room burst open. There, standing with her hands on her hips and eyebrows raised like a scolding mother, was Isabella.

"Why are you still in bed? It’s already three minutes past seven! Do you want to be late on your first day? Get up, sleepyhead!" she barked, exasperated.

My eyes flew open. 7:03 a.m.? My heart skipped a beat as I scrambled out of bed.

“Thanks for the dramatic wake-up call,” I grumbled, rubbing my eyes. “But maybe next time, knock?” She just rolled her eyes. “You’re welcome,” she said, already walking away.

Rushing into the bathroom, I began my morning routine. Brushing, showering, skincare, everything done in rush. I settled on a professional look: a soft blue turtleneck and a crisp pair of white tailored trousers. I barely had time for makeup, so I just applied a little lip gloss. Unlike Isabella, I wasn’t one to fuss over contour and highlighters. I grabbed my glasses, slung my bag over my shoulder, and hurried out of my room.

By the time I reached the bottom of the stairs, Isabella was already waiting for me. She handed me a small bag with a cup of coffee and some toasted bread. “Breakfast on the go,” she said with a wink.

I was halfway to my car when I heard her call out behind me. “Gabriella Moore, good luck!” she yelled, grinning and waving wildly like a proud mom on the first day of school. I smiled, returning the gesture with a quick heart sign made with my fingers. “Thanks!” I shouted back before slipping into my car and fastening the seatbelt. As the engine purred to life, I exhaled, finally having a moment to myself.

Let me pause for a second and introduce myself properly.

My name is Gabriella Moore, 26 years old. I’m currently a resident doctor, and today marks my first day at one of the top hospitals in the country. It’s a huge step in my career and something I’ve worked incredibly hard for. I finished medical school at the top of my class, graduated with honors, and was offered a full scholarship throughout my academic journey. My internship results broke records at my university hospital.

Medicine has always been my dream, and I’ve chased it relentlessly. Being the best isn’t just a goal, it’s my standard. My parents have always supported me, and I’ve always strived to make them proud.

Last week, I received the long-awaited acceptance email for my residency. The moment I saw “Congratulations” in bold letters, I screamed so loudly that Isabella thought we were being robbed. That moment was nothing short of magical.

Speaking of Isabella…

She’s not just my best friend she’s my soul sister. We’ve been inseparable since high school. Our friendship has survived drama, distance, heartbreaks, exams, and all the weird phases we went through during adolescence. We often joke that fate put “Ella” in both our names to remind us we were made for each other.

While I pursued medicine, Isabella went after her own dream which is becoming a top-tier makeup artist. She’s brilliant with brushes and palettes, turning faces into literal works of art. After high school, she enrolled in one of the most prestigious makeup academies in the country and now has her eyes set on working for NAVA Entertainment, a top-rated entertainment company that manages A-list celebrities.

Coincidentally or maybe fatefully, NAVA Entertainment is owned by the same business magnate who owns the hospital where I’ll be working. The NAVA complex is just a few buildings down from the hospital. Convenient, right? Isabella’s still waiting to hear back about her application, and we’re both hoping for the best.

Honestly, it’s crazy how different we are.

Isabella is a true extrovert, confident, charming, and unapologetically vibrant. She’s the kind of person who lights up every room she enters. Parties? She thrives in them. She's basically the queen of socializing. She could strike up a conversation with a total stranger and somehow become best friends with them in five minutes.

Then there’s me. The total opposite.

I’m an introvert to the core. Quiet, shy, and very much in love with silence and solitude. My comfort zone is a warm blanket, a steaming cup of tea, and a good manga. I don’t do parties. I find them noisy, chaotic, and quite exhausting. In my free time, I binge-watch anime, read webtoons, and sometimes stay up late overthinking a patient’s diagnosis or my life plans. You could say I’m a bit of a nerd, and I wouldn’t even be offended.

But somehow, Isabella and I just work. She never tries to change me. Sure, she teases me endlessly and tries to drag me into the social scene every once in a while, but she respects my boundaries. And in return, I support her through every dramatic love life twist and career dilemma she faces.

She’s more than just my best friend. She’s my anchor when life feels like it's spinning out of control.

GABRIELLA'S POV

I glanced at the dashboard clock 7:35 a.m. Not ideal, but still within my safety margin. Thankfully, the hospital was only a ten-minute drive from our apartment. Isabella and I had moved to this city years ago when we both gained admission into our respective universities. We found a moderately-sized apartment that had just enough space for two ambitious young women chasing their dreams. Since then, we've been living together, growing side by side.

I started the car and gently pressed the accelerator, careful not to speed but eager enough to make up for lost time. The last thing I wanted was to receive a warning or worse, a terrible first impression on my very first day. I wanted to arrive early, composed, and professional.

The reason I overslept in the first place? Simple. Excitement. Pure, unfiltered, wide-eyed excitement. Last night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept imagining everything, the hospital hallways, meeting other doctors, wearing my white coat, and slowly carving my path toward becoming one of the best cardiothoracic surgeons in the country. My mind had been buzzing with possibilities until the last time I checked the time: 3:32 a.m.

Now, as I pulled into the hospital parking lot, I felt a flutter in my stomach. The clock read 7:43 a.m. I smiled. I’d shaved off two whole minutes. That gave me seventeen minutes to make a good first impression plenty of time, right?

I quickly reached for the mini bag Isabella had handed me earlier, pulling out my coffee and toasted bread. Using the spare two minutes, I rushed through my modest breakfast, finishing the last bite just as I wiped my mouth with a tissue. I wore my bag, gripped my coffee in my left hand, locked the car, and practically jogged into the hospital building.

The lobby was bright and spacious, buzzing with quiet professionalism. I made my way to the front desk where a nurse sat, tapping at her keyboard with a slightly impatient expression.

“Hi, good morning,” I said politely.

She raised her head slowly, looking at me with a scanning gaze that felt more like judgment than curiosity. Her eyes traveled from my head to my waist thanks to the desk hiding the rest of me before she finally responded, “Who are you?”

Ouch. Rude much? I thought.

Keeping my expression polite, I replied, “I’m Gabriella Moore, a new resident doctor. I’ve been assigned to the cardiology department. I just need directions.”

Suddenly, her posture changed. She straightened up and adjusted her tone. “Ah, I see,” she said, almost too politely now. She handed me a hospital map and gave me clear directions to the department.

I thanked her with a slight nod, all the while wondering what caused her sudden shift in attitude. Was it my title? My department? Either way, I didn't let it bother me.

With coffee in hand, I moved quickly toward the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, I slipped my right foot between them. They reopened, and I stepped inside, bent slightly forward with my hand braced just above my knee, trying to catch my breath.

Thank God I didn’t listen to Isabella last night when she tried to convince me to wear stilettos and full makeup. If I had, I wouldn’t have made it this far. I smiled at my white sneakers, my stylish yet practical lifesavers.

The elevator was quiet except for the soft hum of movement and the few frowning faces thrown in my direction, likely annoyed that I delayed the elevator. I bowed my head slightly, muttering a quick “Sorry,” and pressed the button for the third floor.

Ding! The elevator stopped, and I stepped out along with a small group of people. I held the hospital map in one hand, scanning it quickly while speed-walking in search of the cardiology wing.

And then SLAM!

I collided with someone. My coffee cup flew from my hand, spilling all over the polished floor. I stumbled backward, heart sinking as I realized all my efforts to be on time might’ve just been wasted.

“Oh no…” I muttered.

Before I could process it fully, a hand reached out toward me. I grabbed it, allowing myself to be pulled back to my feet.

“Are you okay?” a deep voice asked.

I looked up and nearly forgot how to breathe.

Standing in front of me was a ridiculously handsome guy, smiling kindly, concern written across his face. His features were sharp but soft around the edges, and his eyes were the kind that made you forget where you were. I blinked rapidly.

“Y-Yes, thank you,” I said quickly, brushing myself off. “Sorry, I wasn’t looking.”

“No, it was my fault,” he said, chuckling. “I wasn’t paying attention either.”

As he leaned down to help retrieve the now-empty cup, I snapped back to reality. Checking the time on my watch, I realized I had just a few minutes left.

“Sorry to rush, but do you know where the cardiology department is?” I asked, cutting him off mid-sentence.

He didn’t seem to mind. “Of course. It’s just down that hall, third door on the right. Look for the blue sign.”

“Thank you!” I said, already jogging away.

“Good luck!” he called after me.

I waved without turning back, heart racing not just from the coffee spill or the time, but from that brief encounter. Whoever he was, he had just saved me twice, one from a delayed entrance, and from a mini embarrassment spiral.

As I reached the door marked Cardiology, I straightened my blouse, smoothed my hair, and took a deep breath.

This is it. The first step into the real world of medicine. A new chapter.

GABRIELLA'S POV

Standing just outside the door, I took a deep breath, placing a shaky hand over my chest. My heart was racing not from exhaustion, but from nerves. I adjusted my coat and whispered a quiet prayer of thanks that I hadn’t worn makeup. With how anxious I felt, it would’ve melted off my face by now, leaving me looking like the Joker from the comics. That thought made me chuckle inwardly.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, quietly making my way toward the reception desk. The air was cool and smelled faintly of antiseptic. As I approached, the nurses behind the desk looked up and greeted me with kind smiles.

“Good morning,” one of them said warmly. I returned the greeting politely, and one of the nurses came around the counter to speak with me.

“How may I help you, miss?” she asked.

“I’m Gabriella Moore,” I began, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “I’m here to begin my first-year medical residency.”

“Ah, welcome,” she said with a nod. She handed me a small stack of forms. “Please fill these out and return them later today.”

I glanced at the wall clock, acutely aware of every tick. I didn’t want to keep anyone waiting. “Can I fill them out and submit them later in the day?”

“Yes, but be sure to submit them before close of day,” she replied.

Gratefully, I slipped the forms into my bag, picked up my things, and walked in the direction the nurse had pointed toward. I found the office door, knocked gently, and stepped in.

To my surprise, five people were already gathered inside three men and two women. Their attention turned to me instantly. I felt all ten eyes fix on me at once.

“Good morning,” I said, bowing slightly, voice soft but steady.

One of the ladies stepped forward immediately with an energetic smile. “Good morning! I’m Ava Smith, first-year resident too, so I guess we’re starting together,” she beamed.

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I returned her smile shyly, nodding. “Yes, I’m Gabriella.”

The others introduced themselves one by one. The second lady, a calm and graceful woman, was Emilia Johnson, a second-year resident. The guy sitting closest to her, who had a calm demeanor, introduced himself as Alex Wood—also in his second year.

The other two guys followed. James Burke and Charles Bob—both in their third year of residency. They greeted me with a mix of friendliness and curiosity.

“There’s still one more person you’ll meet soon,” Ava added. “Gabriel Carter. He’s the chief resident,fourth-year and currently with Professor Nathaniel.”

I nodded and murmured, “Nice to meet you all.” Then added, “I’m really looking forward to working with you and learning from you too.”

“We look forward to working with you as well,” Emilia said with a gentle smile. “Don’t hesitate to ask us for help.”

Ava led me to an empty desk and told me I could use it as mine. I settled into the chair, relieved to have a small space to call my own. I brought out the forms from my bag and started filling them in, scribbling quietly as voices hummed softly around me.

Just as I was finishing the last section, the door opened and a familiar voice rang out, “Everyone, to Professor Nathaniel’s office! We’re starting the ward round.”

I froze. That voice. I looked up quickly, there he was.

The guy I had bumped into earlier that morning.

He smiled directly at me and walked over. “Let me introduce myself properly,” he said. “I’m Gabriel Carter, fourth-year resident, and also the chief resident doctor.”

He extended his hand. For a moment, I stared, slightly stunned, then quickly stood and bowed. I reached out and shook his hand, introducing myself too.

“Gabriella Moore.”

“It’s good to have you with us,” he said, voice warm and reassuring.

Then he turned to the others and clapped his hands. “Alright everyone, unless we want Professor Nathaniel to yell at us before lunch, we’d better hurry up.”

We all burst into quiet laughter and rushed out together, heading toward Professor Nathaniel’s office. As we reached the door, Gabriel knocked respectfully.

“Come in,” came the voice from inside.

Gabriel stepped in briefly, then returned with Professor Nathaniel beside him. The professor locked his office, then led the group down a corridor I hadn’t noticed earlier.

“This way,” he said curtly.

I walked in the middle of the group, trying to absorb everything around me. We entered the first ward, and I quickly understood the gravity of what was ahead. Professor Nathaniel moved from bed to bed, asking questions, checking vitals, and speaking with the patients. Most of them were recovering from surgery or being prepped for upcoming procedures.

Gabriel was right by his side, providing updates from the patient charts. It was clear how well he knew the cases. Soon, others Emilia, Alex, and James joined in, giving reports on the patients they were assigned to.

I observed silently, soaking in every word, every action.

When we got to the second ward, I noticed that it housed patients who were mostly scheduled for surgery. It was even busier than the first. We had only taken a few steps when Professor Nathaniel suddenly turned and looked directly at me. Our eyes met.

My stomach flipped.

“Gabriella, step forward,” he said.