CHAPTER ONE

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.

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