Catherine's POV
I was sitting in the large new lab hall, its impressive size and splendid appearance catching my eye and filling me with wonder.
I had never seen a lab as stunning as this one. The other places I had been to were luxurious and high-quality too, but this one felt special. No wonder it was ranked among the best labs in the world.
Exploring the place and learning about the different sections today, had been a lot of work, tiring and overwhelming.
I stayed seated after a long, exhausting day, my heart racing and my thoughts stuck on the incident from this morning.
I tried to shake it off, but I couldn't. Somehow, I knew that if I wanted to enjoy my time here, I had to stay away from the boss and anyone that would remind me of New York and it's experiences.
I jumped slightly as I watched the workers carefully carry different samples into the right sections, making sure each one went to its proper place. Amazing.
"Are you Miss Catherine?" a voice asked from behind, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I turned and saw a woman, who I guessed was the senior doctor in charge of the department I was assigned to.
"Yes, I'm Catherine Moore," I replied.
"Nice to meet you," she said with a smile. "You'll be working directly under me for now until you're officially assigned or moved to another level." She spoke firmly, then turned, and I quickly followed.
"First, I believe you've already been shown the things you need to know?" I nodded. "Good. Now it's time to start working. You'll be working alongside your colleagues," she added as we entered the main section, where workers were busy with their tasks.
I stood struck dumb. It was indeed a big facility, and I knew better now why Dad and Mum had insisted I continued here instead.
*****
My first day in the hospital was as exciting as ever, except for the thought of Jack Brown that came off my thoughts despite my every attempt to shove it off.
I exhaled sharply, waiting among the workers for the elevator to move, while we awaited the next turn.
Suddenly, someone tapped me on the back. I turned around and saw a smiling young woman. I smiled back, feeling a little confused.
"Hi, I'm Kelly, your fellow intern," she said, reaching out for a handshake.
I shook her hand politely. "Hi, I'm Catherine," I replied.
I turned back to face the elevator, trying to push her kindness from my mind. Normally, I would've made small talk with her, but for some reason, I felt like I should stay focused on why I was here instead of making new friends, I didn't want to end up in more trouble like I had at my last job.
"Don't you think you're acting a little distant, especially since it's your first day?" she asked from behind.
I turned to face her. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to sound polite but sharp.
She smiled. "I didn't mean to upset you, but I noticed you've kept to yourself all day. Even when you were helping that other lady, you seemed distant," she explained. I bit my lower lip, trying to hide how uncomfortable I felt.
"Oh, that! Don't worry about it. It's just my first day," I said, turning away.
I noticed her sharp intake of air, and for some reason, I felt a little awful for shoving her away. It was unlike me, but I had to put on this new self.
The elevator finally arrived, and everyone started getting in. I followed them. There were only a few of us left, which made it feel a bit less crowded.
As I stepped onto the elevator, I suddenly remembered that Levi had told me the car was being checked by the maintenance team.
I had planned to call earlier to see if the car was ready so I could book a cab if needed, but I'd gotten so busy that I forgot.
I quickly reached for my purse and searched inside, but my phone wasn't there.
That's when I realized I must've left it in the lab. I groaned inwardly.
I quietly stepped out of the elevator and walked down the large hallway back to the department I had been assigned to.
When I reached the entrance, the whole place was quiet except for the distant noise from another department where the night shift workers were busy handling emergencies. That area sounded lively compared to this one.
I slowly opened the door and walked to the spot where I had been standing earlier. I had a strong feeling I had left my phone on the machine while rushing to write reports.
Sure enough, there it was. I felt a wave of relief as I picked it up and turned to leave.
I opened the door, about to step out in a rush, when my chest brushed against a tall figure standing by the door.
The warm sensation settled through my heart. For a moment, my heart skipped a beat. Everything felt as though they never existed.
A gasp escaped my lips but got shredded when I lifted my gaze to his.
"Do you go around bumping into people?"
"I'm sorry I bumped into you. I never knew you were already coming out," he said, slowly pulling away.
"But that was rude," he snapped, narrowing his gaze, but I looked away.
I felt a little restrained. Maybe I was wrong?
"I'm sorry, sir, but I just want to work here and complete the durations without any issues," I asserted.
"Who is giving you troubles? Did anyone give you any today?" he asked, his gaze burning.
I could feel its intensity, and it swayed into my heart.
"Tell me who they are, and I promise to make them pay," he added, his voice serious with dread.
"You really want to know who's giving me troubles?"
"Yes, of course."
"It's you. Just let me be, is that too much to ask? I've barely resumed, and you are all over," I replied.
His eyes remained fixed, confused. The air around became tense, but I shoved my way out towards the elevator.
I paused and entered, typing the down-floor button. My heart was uneasy.
Moments later, I was at the down floor, and I hurriedly moved over to the car parking lot. Only then did it dawn on me I never called Levi after getting the phone.
I hissed, slamming my feet in frustration, then retrieved my phone from my purse to put the call across, but the battery of the phone seemed drained, and it went off just when the call was about to pull through.
Feeling a little frustrated and uneasy, I rushed over towards the gates. I wanted to leave the facility before Jack got down.
My instincts told me he would come after me. The incident from the morning and then this evening's encounter were just unsettling.
I rushed out of the compound and into the streets in search of a cab that could take me home. Normally, Levi should have been here early to wait even without the call.
Didn't he finish up with the repairs?
I walked a little distance from the hospital and stood just at the end of the road, where I could easily see a taxi.
Just when I felt I had got out of reach, a black tinted-glass car pulled over just in front of me.
My heart seethed. Without even seeing through, I already knew who it was.
He was just an asshole.
I looked away, turning and walking forward. I noticed the window lowered down, but I ignored it.
"So you always treat people this harshly? Or is it because I professed I really like you?" His words fell behind my back. I never gave a damn.
I continued in my tracks, hoping he would just go away so I could get a cab home instead.
"Get into the car. It's already late, and this vicinity isn't always safe at night," he said, his tone carrying certainty, but I ignored him one more time, moving faster as his car followed behind.
He hissed, then spoke, "Why are you this stubborn? If you think I want to hurt you, then you had better think twice," he said, and that was it.
I couldn't hold back anymore.
I stopped in my tracks, and so did his car. I turned towards him. "Sir, I don't mean to be rude, but I think you just met me, and all you say is love? Like, who does that?"
"I do, Catherine," he replied immediately, without letting the words settle.
"I do. And when did it become a crime to love someone at first sight?"
"Did you just say first sight?" I asked, unsure where the conversation was heading.
"Yes, I am right. I fell for you from the moment I met you on the plane. Something about you stirs something in me, and that longing is something I want to quench if you accept to be mine," he snapped.
"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not here for love or trouble. I only came back to Italy for work. If there's anything else involved, I'm not a part of it," I said, about to turn away.
But then, a loud, deep rumble echoed from the distance.
I flinched, pulling my shoulder up, but I froze in place.
"Catherine, get in the car now," Jack's voice called out. This time it wasn't cold, it was full of emotion.
But something different. His tone was indescribable. Deeper. Like dread.
I never had time to ponder on his words when a
nother loud sound was heard.
Then my heart sank.
I knew there was trouble.