*Del Mundo Hospital*
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"Okay, guys, this will be our last round for today," Doctor Lewis announced.
"Intern Hemmings, read out the patient's chart," he said again to the girl standing at the far end of the line.
"Uh? Me, sir?" she replied, pointing at herself.
"Yes, you, Miss. Or is there another Hemmings standing there?" Doctor Lewis said coldly.
*Ugh, today's not my lucky day*, Lily thought.
"Oh, sorry, sir. The name's David Lawrence, forty years old. Has prostate cancer."
"Okay. Care to tell us about prostate cancer, Miss Hemmings?" he asked again, making all heads turn toward her.
She wished the ground would just swallow her up. *How could he be asking an intern such questions?* He was supposed to be teaching them, not torturing them. She sighed and tried to recall all the late-night studying she had done. There was no way she was going to let Doctor Lewis shame her in front of all the cute guys present.
"Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland, a part of the reproductive system in men and people assigned male at birth," Lily managed to say.
"So what are the possible symptoms?" he continued.
"Um, frequent and sometimes urgent need to pee, especially at night. Loss of bladder control, loss of bowel control, painful ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction—commonly known as ED, sir," she answered, this time more confidently.
"In your opinion, how is prostate cancer diagnosed?" he asked with a smirk.
"Screening helps catch prostate cancer early. If you're average risk, you'd start screening around age 55. High-risk groups may need earlier testing. Screenings usually stop after age 70. Additional procedures might follow if the screening shows signs of cancer."
Everyone stared at her like she had just saved the country.
"It's good to know you take your job seriously, Miss Hemmings," Doctor Lewis said, before entering the room to check on Mr. David.
He spoke to the patient with such warmth, you wouldn't believe he was just grilling someone moments ago. After the checkup, he dismissed them.
Lily slumped into a cafeteria chair, chewing her sandwich like it had insulted her.
"You good, sis?" Linda, her college friend, asked.
"I swear Doctor Lewis is picking on me," Lily groaned, taking another bite.
"Mm-mm, girl, I think you just got yourself a new suitor," Linda teased, sipping her coffee.
"You wish. He wants me dead," Lily replied.
"Come on, isn't he kinda cute?" Linda blushed.
"He would be, if he wasn't out to destroy me."
Lily stood up.
"Where you going? It's still lunch."
"To study. I'm not embarrassing myself next time."
She walked out and nearly bumped into someone.
"Director Arthur! Didn't see you there. Sorry," she said sheepishly.
"That's okay, child," he said with a gentle smile and walked away.
"You know the director?!" Linda nearly screamed as she snuck up behind her.
"Don't sneak up on me like that," Lily snapped, walking off.
---
"Hello? I'm calling about the drugs I ordered earlier," Director Arthur said over the phone.
"Yes, I'd like to cancel it. No personal reason. My patient's no longer interested."
He waved at someone greeting him in the hallway.
"Okay, thank you."
He entered his office, slumped into his chair, and removed his glasses. He wiped the invisible sweat off his forehead and noticed a parcel on his table.
"Ah, it's here already," he muttered, opening the package. Ginseng tea sat gloriously inside. He took one, sipped, and groaned happily.
"Should I finish this batch and send Ray another one?" he mused, playfully stuffing the fancy wrapping in his mouth.
After a few hours, he decided to leave early. Just as he stepped outside, an ambulance screeched in. Doctors and nurses rushed with a stretcher.
Mr. Arthur groaned internally and moved to help.
"What happened?"
"Accident, sir. Severe head injury," a nurse said.
"Apply pressure. Prep for surgery."
"Without a CT scan, sir?" the nurse gasped. Arthur had a reputation as one of the best surgeons, but seeing him in action still felt surreal.
"Yes, without one. Now hurry."
"But sir—"
"He won't last if we waste time. Move!"
Chaos broke loose in the ER.
"Damn. I've never seen the director like that," Linda whispered to Lily.
"You're telling me," Lily replied as she tripped on a small package.
"What's this?"
"Looks like someone dropped it."
"Guess I'll keep it safe then," Lily said, and they returned to their shifts.
Hours later, as Lily finally clocked out, she stretched and walked toward the exit.
That's when she spotted Director Arthur crouching behind some bushes.
"Sir? Are you alright?"
"Ah, nothing serious. I thought I dropped something around here."
"Need help?"
"Much appreciated. It's just a small box."
"Box? Could it be this?" she said, pulling it out of her bag.
"Oh my God! Thank you, dear. Losing that would've been a disaster."
"Found it in the ER," she said, beaming with pride.
He opened his mouth to speak but his phone rang.
"Yes... Okay, I'll be right there," he said, then turned to her.
"Everything okay, sir?"
"Not really. There's a patient waiting in the ICU."
"I can help! I'll be your assistant today," Lily offered cheerfully.
"Are you sure? Isn't it your time off?"
"I've got nothing planned."
He paused, then nodded.
"Could you deliver that box for me instead?"
"Sure thing, sir," she smiled as he walked off.
---
CHAPTER 4: FREAK ACCIDENT
Lily yawned as her alarm blared. She dragged herself to the bathroom to freshen up.
An hour later, she was dressed and ready. Just as she reached the door, her phone buzzed.
"Yes sir, I'm about to leave."
"Okay. I'll send the address. Thanks again."
Minutes later, Lily sat at the bus stop, rereading the address.
"Del Mundo's residence," she said aloud.
She glanced at the box, curiosity growing. Just as she was about to open it, the bus pulled in.
She arrived at the estate and was already impressed by its sheer size.
She nervously rang the bell. An old man appeared.
"Who are you looking for, miss?"
"I'm dropping off a package for someone named Old Man Ray."
"Ray's busy right now. I can take it."
She clutched the box tightly. "Can I drop it off myself, please?"
He eyed her suspiciously but relented. "Walk straight ahead. First cottage."
She bowed and entered. After walking for what felt like forever, still no cottage. *He could've warned me it was a hike*, she thought.
Frustrated, she turned to head back. That's when she noticed a patch of white lilies tucked in the bushes.
She smiled, took out her phone to snap a photo, and then—rustling.
Right behind the bushes.