Red-eyed Bunny

Abby, clad in her pristine white coat, finished her morning rounds and emerged into the bustling hospital hallway just in time to overhear Callie and Wendy’s conversation. A smug smirk danced across her lips as she savoured the opportunity to stir up trouble. She approached Callie, her voice dripping with false sympathy. ‘Oh, Dr Hawthorne, I heard about your article. Such a shame it got rejected. I thought it was top-notch.’ Her tone was smooth and sugary, but her words rang hollow. Callie remained silent, refusing to take the bait set by her ex-boyfriend’s conniving fiancée. Abby continued, unfazed, ‘Maybe it just wasn’t good enough, Callie. It’s too bad. Such a rejection might even hinder your chances of getting your full-time position at the hospital approved.’ Callie’s composure remained unshaken. ‘Thank you for your concern, Abby. But as a fifth-year surgical resident, I have offers from other hospitals. Staying at Rosedale isn’t my only option. Besides, you should be more concerned about your own future, especially after your recent near-fatal mistake in surgery.’ Wendy put her hand over her mouth to stifle a snigger. Abby seethed with anger, her facade slipping momentarily. Callie had touched a sore point. Abby had entered the medical field not out of passion or a desire to heal but because it was her parents’ arrangement. Her lacklustre academic performance and penchant for nightlife had hindered her progress. The residency at Rosedale Hospital had been handed to her on a silver platter due to her father’s influence, but even he couldn’t guarantee her board certification. Before Abby could respond with a snide remark, she was summoned away by another nurse, her attention forcibly diverted. Wendy shook her head disapprovingly as she watched Abby sashay away, her high heels clicking on the hospital floor. It was an absurd sight to see surgeons traipsing around in heels during work hours. Wendy leaned closer to Callie, a tinge of suspicion in her voice. ‘You know, I can’t help but wonder if Abby had something to do with your article being shot down. Her family has connections in the medical field, including medical journals. It’s possible she pulled some strings.’ Callie was sceptical. ‘Wendy, I understand where you are coming from, but Abby is with Simon now, and they’re about to get married. She wouldn’t see me as a threat. Besides, her future at Rosedale is secure because of her father’s position as the director. I highly doubt she would go to such lengths.’ Wendy shook her head sagely. ‘Callie, my dear, you’re too naive. Women don’t easily forget their partner’s past flames, especially when they still work in the same hospital. If it weren’t for your exceptional skills as a surgical resident, Abby might have used her influence with her father to get you fired long ago, using some flimsy excuse.’ Callie sighed. ‘You’re probably right. But there’s no way to prove Abby’s involvement in the rejection now. I have to focus on moving forward.’ Determined to put the matter behind her, Callie dove into her daily routine. She busied herself with morning rounds, clinic hours, and attending medical conferences. Throughout the day, she had managed to avoid crossing paths with Abby. It came as a relief, granting her some respite from the tension and conflict that had brewed between them. The hours stretched long, the demands of her profession ever-present. But finally, as night fell and the hospital quieted, she found a moment to catch her breath. The night air embraced Callie as she found solace on the rooftop of the hospital’s main building. It was her sanctuary, a place where the facade of strength could fade, allowing vulnerability to take its place. She gazed up at the starry sky, seeking answers in the vastness of the universe. The weight of recent events pressed upon her, threatening to crush her spirit. ‘How did I end up like this?’ she muttered to herself. ‘A broken relationship, a disastrous blind date, and now my article being rejected. What have I done to deserve all this?’ It was all too much... the pressure, the uncertainty. Lost in her thoughts, she was startled by a deep voice that resonated through the stillness of the night. ‘What are you doing up here?’ Callie turned to face Elias, her eyes wide with surprise. She took in his commanding presence, his strong physique, and the air of authority that clung to him. He wasn’t wearing his uniform, but his erect bearing made his military background plain for all to see. ‘What are you doing here?’ As soon as she asked that, Callie realised her mistake. ‘Sorry, I forgot, your men are still recovering at the hospital.’ Elias’s eyes narrowed as he noticed her tear-streaked face, and concern etched itself onto his features. He couldn’t bear to see her so distraught. ‘Bunny.’ ‘What?’ ‘I said, Bunny, because that seems to be a fitting name for you.’ Callie frowned. ‘My name’s Callie, Callista Hawthorne. And I don’t appreciate you giving me a nickname that like.’ ‘But it seems that every time I see you, you are crying.’ Elias pointed to her face. ‘Your eyes are still red, just like a bunny’s.’ He took a step closer, his long strides closing the distance between them. Callie took a small step back, instinctively retreating from Elias’s imposing figure. She hastily wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, attempting to regain her composure. ‘I’m not crying,’ she denied, her voice strained. She refused to expose her vulnerability to a man she barely knew. Elias’s gaze softened, his concern melting into a warm familiarity. He took another step forward, his imposing frame casting a shadow over Callie’s petite figure. ‘Come on, Callie. You can’t lie to me, remember what happened last time you tried?’ He spoke with a teasing lilt in his voice, a reminder of their previous encounter. Callie’s face burned with embarrassment at his reminder of their passionate kiss. The memory of it still lingered on her lips, even more intense than any encounter she had ever shared with her now-ex-boyfriend, Simon. Her gaze dropped to the ground, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her true emotions. Elias watched her reaction with a mixture of satisfaction and impatience. He leaned against the railing, a cocky grin playing on his lips. ‘You remember that kiss, don’t you, bunny? Which means you should also remember the proposal. I gave you three days to think it over. Now, time’s up, bunny.’