CHAPTER THREE

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.

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