CHAPTER ONE; HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Beads of sweat ran down Ariana's forehead as she tossed from one side to the other.

"Hmmn, no, mum, dad.." She moaned as she gripped the bed sheets tightly. It was obvious she was having a bad nightmare.

"Dad, please stop! Stop!" She yelled from her sleep and then sat up, panting.

"Gosh!" She mumbled and ran her hands into her head.

"This dream again? Why's it hunting me again?' She asked herself.

"Ariana!" Her aunt's voice came and she immediately sprang up from the bed. She wore her flip flops and then checked the time.

It was already 6;30am and she was to resume work by 7;00am. The worst of it all was that she waa just resuming a new branch today. She got transferred a month ago.

"Ariana! Won't you be late for work?" Her aunt voice came again.

"I'm preparing already.."

She hurriedly went to the bathroom and took her bath, brushed her teeth. Soon she was done. She stood by the mirror brushing her not so long black hair down. She breathed out loud and closed her eyes.

Then she picked her handbag and rushed downstairs. She met her aunt setting the dining table already.

"Aren't you eating?" Her aunt, Katherine asked.

"I'm sorry Aunt, I'm late already.." She said and then pecked her aunt then she ran out of the house.

She quickly took the car keys from her bag and then she rushed to the car. She entered it and then drove off hurriedly. She was already late and she was sure that her superior's were going to get mad. She was already known for her lateness at her former workplace.

She got to the hospital and then parked her car.

"REHANDLE SPECIALISTS" was boldly written on the building. It was one of the best hospital in the States, New York to be precise.

It has very many well equipped medical facilities and also has best doctors too.

She came down of the car and then ran in.

Immediately the staff started greeting her.

"Good morning Doc " They greeted and Ariana just bowed her head in response to their greetings.

Ariana smiled as she looked around. It was indeed a beautiful and big hospital. She noticed some staff stood to look at her and make some remarks but she cared less.

She ran towards the lift and quickly entered it.

She sighed and walked out of the lift and then she quickly ran to write her name in the attendance sheet.

As soon as she got in, she met a Doctor in his middle fifties in there. He was a very renowned doctor and one of the best doctors in the hospital and he was her superior. He's Doctor Anderson.

"Good morning new doctor. I guess you are Ariana Jacobs.." He said with a smile. Ariana smiled and nodded.

"Well.." He stood up.

"I have heard a lot of good remarks about you. Your superiors boasted of how you are and that was precisely why you were transferred to the main branch of the hospital cause we need good doctors like you and also at the same time, I received some bad reports also about your late coming and you proved it right by coming late on your first day.." Doc Anderson said and Ariana bowed her head in embarrassment.

" I'm sorry, it would not happen again" She said and raised her head up.

"It better not happen again causd we don't tolerate lateness here. No matter how good you are, you need to be punctual. This is my final warning" He said and then started walking away but then he paused and turned back.

"Welcome and I hope you have a pleasant stay here.." He added and Ariana smiled. Then he walked out.

Ariana heaved a sigh of relief and went to write her name.

As she was writing her name. She felt someone come in.

"Hey new Doctor.." A male voice said and Ariana turned back. She furrowed her brows when she saw a handsome young man leaning on the door , smiling lustfully at her. He was obviously a doctor given from his coat.

"You are pretty.." He said and walked towards her.

"I'm Andrew, one of the hottest doctors in the hospital.." He winked at her and then stretched out his hand for a handshake.

Ariana faked a smile and received the handshake. Andrew smiled and took the hands to his lips and kissed it gently. Ariana cringed her face in disgust and quickly withdrew her.

"Andrew, you've started again.." Another male voice came. Ariana looked up and her eyes widened when she saw him.

"Nathan!" She called and the handsome doctor faced her. His eyes also widened.

"Ariana!" He called also. They immediately ran into each other's arms surprising Andrew and the two female other doctors who came with Nathan.

They broke the hug still smiling.

"Oh my God! You are looking more handsome, Nath.." Ariana smiled and Nathan flicked her head.

"How come you disappeared without a trace?" He asked and she smiled.

"It's a story for another day.." Ariana replied.

"It's enough. There's no time for pleasantries again. We need to get to work..." One of the female doctors said and Nathan sighed.

"Judy, not now. Don't start nagging this morning..' Nathan said.

"I'm the leader of the team and it's my duty to ensure that we focus on our work not on other stuff..' Judy said eyeing Ariana who scoffed.

"It's true, let's get to work.." Ariana cut in and Nathan smiled. He caressed her while Judy rolled her eyes.

They all walked outside.

"I'll just go get my coat from the locker.."

Suddenly theý had noises from a far distance.

I'll just go get my coat from my locker.." Ariana said and Nathan smiled. Judy rolled her eyes at her again but she ignored and went to her locker, she removed her doctor's coat and wore it.

When she walked, she noticed that the noise was too much, she walked up towards where the noise was coming from.

They were wheeling a man in on a stretcher, blood covered his whole head and blood was rushing from his hand.

"Get Doctor Anderson!" One of the nurses yelled.

Another came in rushing towards them and said.

"He's out. He also received an emergency situation. Doc Ariana, Mr Richards want to see both you and Doctor Judy in his office now" She yelled.

Ariana was surprised but she still took the direction where all the doctors were heading to.

Well, Mr Richards was the head manager of their department. He controls all the management and affairs of their department.

She got to his office and knocked on the door and then went in.

She met her colleagues in their already.

"What took you so long, Doc Ariana?" Mr Richards asked.

"I'm sorry sir, I just heard" She said and he nodded.

"Good! I called you all here because we have an emergency and Doc Anderson is not here and you are all under him.

"The patients need to have a surgery as soon as possible so one of you must perform the surgery!" He said and they all looked at each other faces except Ariana who looked straight at Mr Richard.

"So according to your Superior, he said he trusts that Doctor Ariana can do it" He said and everyone gasped including Ariana.

"S,,,,Sir" She said.

"I'm just new here and I've not done any major surgery.." Ariana quickly cut in.

"We all know you got transferred here because of your great intelligence. Prove that you are indeed worth being a doctor in this hospital.." Mr Richards said and Ariana swallowed hard.

"So Doctor Judy, Doc Ann and Doc Nathan, you will all be assisting her in this surgery" He added .

"So go now and remember we have to protect the integrity of this hospital. I trust Doc Ariana. So all of you hurry" he said and they all bowed and quickly went out.

As soon as they got out, Doc Judy was quick to ask.

"How did you do it? Did you sleep your way into this hospital?" She asked and Ariana turned back with a smirk.

"You don't know me so you can't judge me. Stop acting so jealous and let's prepare for the surgery! And just so you know, I'm not so tolerant. The next time you slander me with your words, you will definitely get it back from me!" Ariana said and walked away.

"I hate her! She just came and took everything from me. I should be the one performing the surgery not her!" Judy groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Come on, let's go and prepare " Doc Ann said and held her hand.

Ariana breathed out heavily and then wore the scrub thinking.

"I have never done this before. So how?!" She thought.

"So what? Remember why you became a doctor or don't you any more. You can do it Ariana!" Her subconscious screamed at her and she nodded and smiled as she closed the the locker.

She stared at her parents picture on it and said.

"Mum, Dad, finally. The moment has come" She said and then proceeded to the operation theatre.

In the operation room.

"We have to remove the blood clot in the spinal cord area or else he might die or lose his ability to sense or feel anything" Ariana said and they all nodded.

"Let's start" She added and they all nodded again.

"Ok Doc Nathan, turn on the music" Ariana said and immediately it was done. She breathed in out and out.

"Give the scalpel Doc Judy" She said and immediately she gave it to her.

"Doc Ann, the cotton" She said.

"Now, we have just to drain out the blood clot there" She said.

"Ok, let's proceed"

A few minutes later, the patient started suddenly to jerk up.

"Doc Ariana I think the patient is having a cardiac arrest!" Doc Nathan said.

"Prepare the injection ready Doc Judy!

"It's still not working and his heartbeat is getting slower" Doc Ann said alarmed and Ariana started breathing heavily. Her hands began shaking.

"No, I can't give up. I can do this. I'll save his life. I couldn't save my parents but I will save his life.." She thought.

"I'm not feeling his pulse anymore" Doc Judy said.

"Come on, give me the cardiac defibrillator!" Ariana yelled and immediately it was given to her.

She rubbed the two iron together.

"All clear?" She asked.

"Clear" Doc Judy responded.

"I,2,3 Clear"She said and quickly pressed it on the patients chest and he jerked up.

"One more time Clear?" She asked.

"All clear"

"I,2,3, Clear" She said she quickly pressed it on the patient chest again and he jerked up.

The machine made some beeping sound.

"Yes, I can feel his pulse and his heartbeat now" Doc Ann said and they all heaved a sigh of relief.

Hours later.

They all stood in front of Mr Richards who was smiling so sweetly.

"Congratulations Doctor Ariana, you have proven yourself and Congratulations to the team who helped you. You are so good!" He said and they all smiled except Judy who was still sulking.

"I am sure Doc Ariana that you and Doc Alex will make a great team!" He said and they all furrowed their brows wondering who it was

"What? Who's Alex if may ask sir?" She asked.

"Haven't you heard, Alexander Bills, Doc Fernando Bill's son is coming back from Australia today and he will be resuming here tomorrow" He said and they all gasped.