Chapter 4

Lucia’s POV

Days went by and it was finally a month that had passed by, we were in a friend with benefits relationship. Over the whole month that passed by never did I ask for his name nor did I get a chance to, as he would always ignore the question or just change the topic. Today was the day that I finally finished my internship as a trainee doctor and now I would finally have my certificate of an accomplished doctor. I was so happy that I finally was a permanent doctor in such a well-known hospital. Mr. De Luca had unexpectedly been helping me out almost every time I was facing some trouble. I questioned it for a while but then just thought myself of being too lucky.  To celebrate today, I bought some makeup with the money that I had been saving. I planned to doll myself as the other female doctors always did. Another reason would be that they would always mock me for being underdressed and not being presentable. I put on makeup trying not to look too obvious yet enhancing myself. I let my soft curls down to have a change from my messy updo that I usually would have. I walked into the hospital thinking that I would be welcomed with happy faces and hugs to congratulate on passing this difficult phase, but on the contrary, I was welcomed with judgmental faces and quite a few comments that already ruined my day even before it began. I was about to speak but then, I saw a girl running towards me like an excited bunny. It was Maria, the same girl who helped me out the other day. She had been helping me to get familiar with the work and she was the only one who would save me from being bullied by the other female seniors. I could defend myself but I didn’t want to cause myself trouble not when I was just an intern but now that I had become a permanent doctor, I promised myself to not be miserable and fight when required. She came to me and said in a mocking voice which was clear enough to be heard by everyone present there, “Oh Lucia! You look so beautiful that I think some people can’t take it in without being jealous. Maybe they’re afraid of being ignored as there’s someone who can finally beat their plastic faces with true beauty?” The group of women who were passing comments on me just a few moments ago went to do their work stomping off angrily. I snickered and asked her wouldn’t they be creating troubles for us later? To this she replied saying, “If they do, we’ll fight them together. You will help me with it right?” I excitedly agreed with her. She then started hyping me up and trying to make me feel happy and said, “Someone has finally decided to let her beauty dominate the human race? Remember to leave some guys for me too or you would have all of them for yourself.” I told her not to hype me too much and told her that I should go to Dr. Marino to report for duty. She then teasingly told me, “Nobody cares about me now! I’m so lonely. Even you are leaving me?” Then she started fake crying. I went and hugged her tight and told her that I would never leave her. I asked her how she wanted me to make it up for her. Upon this she quickly dried up her tears and said, “As you have passed the intern stage you should treat me to dinner, shouldn’t you?” I then told her, “Dinner is on me today. Let’s leave together after work.” I was about to leave she then stopped me and said, “You can ask your brother to accompany us. It would feel more like a family dinner”, after saying this she gave a bright reassuring smile. I was right to be friends with her. She cared a lot about me. She knew that I put Carlo ahead of me all the time and would feel very irresponsible to go out for dinner alone. I smiled and told her that I surely would let him know about it and left for work. Nothing was special about today. It was just like any other day I attended patients but today I could feel the workload of a doctor. I hardly had any time to rest but I worked and treated every patient happily as I was proud of myself helping people and saving lives.

My shift was over and the long day had finally come to an end. I called Maria and asked where she was and I also told her about my shift that was finally done. She told me that she was already waiting at the reception for me and that Carlo had also arrived then. I had texted him and had told him to come to the hospital by this time. He’s really quick when it comes to things like these. I was waiting for the elevator when I saw Mr. De Luca who walked towards the elevator and stood beside me waiting for the elevator. When it arrived, he like a gentleman signaled me to get in first and then he got in himself. He then asked me if I had any plans to celebrate. I replied saying that I had planned to go for dinner with my friend and brother. Why was I reporting things to him that were not concerned with work. Anyways I had told him about it. He anticipatingly asked me if he could join us. I hesitantly told him that he could. I mean how could I just decline him? He was my boss moreover one of the most well-known CEOs. After what felt like an eternity, we reached the ground floor.  I walked towards the reception where Maria and Carlo were waiting for me. Maria had this very confused look as I walked towards them with Mr. De Luca following me. He said, “Hello Miss Maria!” She looked at me for an explanation. I told her that Mr. De Luca would be joining us for dinner. She gave a smile and said, “Oh? It would be our pleasure to be having dinner with you.” I went and hugged Carlo and introduced Mr. De Luca. They greeted each other. Mr. De Luca then asked us to wait as his car would arrive any minute. We patiently waited just when a Maserati arrived. Carlo was already fanboying over it. We seated and Mr. De Luca asked where we would like to go for dinner. I looked at Maria for help as I didn’t know what to say. If it was just Maria and Carlo, I would have just taken them to some cheap restaurant, but now that the CEO himself was with us I didn’t know what to do. Maria smartly twisted the question and said, “Sir, we usually go to the restaurant down the lane. It is close and also budget friendly. Would you like to go and try it?” Mr. De Luca smiled and said, “Obviously, I would love to try it.” We three had squeezed in the backseat and were fooling around. With Maria and Carlo, I was feeling much at ease. We reached the restaurant and got out. We then went in and took our seats. The waiter came with the menus and we started to order. Maria boldly ordered what she wanted, Carlo did the same, but me on the other hand looked at Mr. De Luca and asked him what he would want. He told me not to worry about him and to be carefree. I then ordered what I wanted and he also ordered what he wanted. Before the waiter could go Maria told him to get beer. She then looked at me and said, “Girl, the celebration doesn’t feel like it without beer!” I then sighed and said alright. Carlo got excited and agreed with Maria. But she told him that he would be having apple juice as he was underage. Mr. De Luca snickered; it was for the first time that I saw him so carefree. I kind of melted for the expression that he was having. We started drinking as we were waiting for the food to arrive. I had just drunk a bit yet I was feeling high. All were making fun of the way I acted, I decided to have fun with them. The food had arrived we had it to our hearts content. After dinner, Maria said that she would take a cab to go home. Mr. De Luca said that he would call a designated driver and that he would want to leave us on the way. We got in his car. He unexpectedly sat in the backseat with us. I was seated between him and Carlo. We both were so drunk that we didn’t realize when we slept in the ride. His head was resting on my shoulder, and mine on his. Carlo was also tired and slept. The driver woke us up when we arrived to Mr. De Luca’s house. We all woke up. Mr. De Luca asked the driver why he did not stop on our house on the way on this the driver replied saying that we never told him to halt on the way. Now looking back none of us had informed the driver about it. Mr. De Luca told us to spend the night at his house. We wanted to refuse but then it was quite late and I was a bit high so we just decided to spend the night at his house. It was quite a big mansion. I fainted as I got in. I don’t know if the reason was me being high or mesmerized by the mansion. Anyways, I fainted and I don’t know what happened after that. I was in my senses only the next morning when I woke up. I woke up to find my clothes which were not the same as last night. I washed my face and went downstairs to find Carlo and Mr. De Luca on the dining table who were having breakfast. I went and sat there all uncomfortable. I realized the number of servants and maids that were around us only when I was served breakfast. I then looked at my clothes and then at Mr. De Luca who was peacefully having his breakfast. He understood what I was trying to ask and right away denied and said the aunty helped me change clothes and I had vomited all over. I then took a sigh of relief and had my breakfast. I had got along with the maids and servants really well that I didn’t want to part ways. I thanked Mr. De Luca and was about to go out when he said that he was also going to the hospital and suggested that we could go together. I looked at Carlo and as he gave and accepting look I agreed. When we got out Carlo said that he would take the bus and would go home as he needs to take his books before going to high school. I told him to go safe. I then went with Mr. De Luca to the hospital. On our way we were quite comfortable with each other. We laughed and talked with each other as if we were friends. But when we reached the hospital, I could feel the difference between both of us by the eyes that were looking at him with much respect and looking at me as if I had done something terrible by coming out of his car. I just thanked him for the ride and went to report for work. I knew that people would throw many disrespectful comments on me for at least a week just because I came out of the CEO’s car. That really didn’t matter to me as I knew that I did nothing wrong. 

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