The off-duty Date

"Have you heard the news?" Mitchell asked Clarke upon entering his office. She meant to find a way to speak with him, but the latter has been busy.

"What is it?" Clarke asked, not taking his eyes off the documents he was working on.

"Cynthia Walker is finally hailed and healthy" Clarke rose his head up from the papers and looked at Mitchell in disbelief.

"How? I believe Doctor Davis said she would need surgery from a well-experienced Cardiothoracic Surgeon?" He removed his glass, paying attention to Mitchell, who had taken her seat.

"Well, it turns out that Petra Hills is well experienced in that field, and of course, she took the operation" Clarke folded his hands into a fist.

"That bitch again!" He banged his hands on the table. "How many days has she spent in this hospital that she is beginning to take all the glory?" He asked rhetorically.

"You need to see the joy Doctor Davis's face and how Petra Hills was equally given the accolade by other doctors today."

"So she is taking all the glory? I can't stand her!?" He roared the last words in frustration. He ruffled his hair and stood up, facing the window in deep thought.

"If we don't stop her now, we will be second tiers in this hospital," Mitchell indicated, also pissing herself.

"We need to think of something fast. How can we stop her?" Clarke asked, turning to face his dearest friend.

"Well...You are the genius. Why don't you figure something out because this is becoming out of hand? First the President and now Mrs. Cynthia? Petra Hills would soon be the talk of the hospital and the entire country," Clarke gazes at his friend with a mischievous look upon his face.

"Whenever I see that face, I know there is a hidden sinister motive up in your thoughts, so lay them out for me," Mitchell pleaded, getting agitated.

"I will have to keep this one a secret, but trust me, I know if it is executed properly, we would all be saying goodbye to Petra Hills," Mitchell giggled evilly, and Clarke also replied with a mischievous smirk on his own.

"They would not see us coming for sure."

-

Meanwhile, Dr. Kings was anxious, ever since he laid his eyes on Petra, he was hoping to ask her out on a date, but fear of rejection kept him within his shell.

Today, he summoned up the courage to finally do what he ought to have done a few days ago, ask Petra out on a date, and see if she would accept.

Knocking on her door, Dr. Matthew King felt nervous about his idea and considered reverting before it was too late. However, the door opened, and he had no choice but to get in and be a man.

"Doctor King, it is nice meeting you," Petra greeted upon laying her eyes on the tall, honey-haired man standing by the door.

"Here goes nothing," He whispered and stepped into the room.

"What a pleasant surprise to see you in my office" She extended her hand, and Matts wasted no time in taking the handshake.

"I just came by to check on you" Matts knew he sounded stupid, but he just had to compose the little confidence he gathered.

"Oh!! That is great of you."

"Also, let me use this opportunity to congratulate you on a job well done on Mrs. Cynthia walker; you are the saving hero that this prestigious hospital needs" Petra was genuinely touched by his kind words

"I have to admit while carrying out the operation on her, I felt a little nervous but seeing the number of people having faith in my abilities fueled my motivation."

"And you did exceedingly great" They both chuckled, and a comfortable silence followed afterward. Matts was contemplating breaking the news to her right now or holding his peace. Before he could open his mouth to speak, the door opened, revealing Lewis.

"Oh! Hey there, Lewis; it's good you are here. Can you help grab those files from the top of the shelves over there? You know I cannot possibly reach over" Lewis smiled in understanding, and his gaze fell on Matts, who groaned in frustration.

"Good to see you, doctor Kings."

"Yeah," Matts replied faintly, getting irritated by his presence, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"So, Doctor Matts, judging from the look you have on your face, there is something you want to tell me; what is it?" Petra asked, a smile gracing her face.

Matts was nervous and had his eyes fixed on Lewis. Seeing that the intern was focused on his task, he announced it to her.

"Uhm...I don't know how busy your schedules may look and how complicated they are, but I feel that there should be a time you should have yourself,"

Petra sighed, seeing the truth in what he was saying. Working in St. Gregory for the past few days has been hectic, but she did everything to please everyone.

"I understand perfectly what you are trying to say, but then, unlike you, I just resumed working here in the hospital, and it is important that I create a good impression in the minds of everyone," She explained truthfully to the man.

"I understand your point...but then the saying that you only live this life once should be taken seriously. Which is why I am using this moment to ask you to have dinner with me in one of the beautiful restaurants downtowns" Lewis froze upon hearing his words.

"Like a date with you?" Petra asked in disbelief.

Who would have ever thought she would be asked out on a date after her tragic issues with Thomas.

"Yes, a good date would be very memorable, I tell you...so what do you say?" Lewis was displeased by his talk and wished Petra would outrightly refuse

"Yes, I think I will go with you on a date."

****

Thomas had just finished an intense board meeting. Listening to a slow country song while moving along the busy road, he felt his phone ring, and when he tried to pick it up, the device fell below.

He groaned and tried to reach for it, one eye on the road and the other searching for it. When he finally got hold of the phone, he heard the sound of a huge truck coming, and before he could swerve to the other side of the road, the car ran into the car, with so much aggression.

.

.

Meanwhile, Petra was seated graciously in the restaurant that Matts had suggested they have their meals.

She loved everything about the place, from the interior to the music playing in the background. Even the waiters and waitresses had a reasonable manner of approach. Glancing through her phone, she felt a presence, and when she looked up, she was blown away by the fact of Matthews.

He wore an expensive Armani tuxedo, and his glasses made him look cute. Petra was impressed by his sense of fashion.

"Uhmm...I hope I am not missing anything?" Matts asked upon taking his seat and adjusting his glasses.

"You look amazing," Petra complimented, and Matts smiled in appreciation.

"So, have the waiters come over this table yet?" He asked, looking around for the waiters, but none were at sight.

"Yes, one came by, and I simply told him I would need his presence once you arrive."

"Ah!! Yes...." He finally got to see a waiter, and the fine young lad walked majestically over to their table.

"Good evening, sir and ma, my name is Sean White, at your service" His clean, polished accent was a thing to be impressed about, and Petra liked it.

"Good to see you here, Sean...Anyways I will have a Creamy Chicken Roulade with Spinach and Mushrooms," Sean took notes and turned to Petra

"Yea...I will have Surf and Turf Steak, and Lobster Tails" Sean also took note. He left after getting the order.

"So tell me, how has it always been with you?" Petra was confused by the question and so asked

"Uhm...I don't seem to get you" Matts felt like mentally slapping himself for asking such a question.

"Apologies, what I meant to ask is; how has been life before coming in contact with St Gregory."

Petra sighed. She began to reminisce over her days with Thomas, and it was the best she could ever possibly have.

"Well, it has its ups and downs, of course, but in all, I am always glad for not dying when I got to the hospital."

Sean returned with the meals, and when Petra tasted it, she loved the taste of the sweet lobster and how it was perfectly made.

"These people sure know how to make a good lobster," Petra commented, and Matts chuckled. He thought of a question to ask her when her phone suddenly rang.

Petra checked to see who was calling and was surprised to know it was none other than. Davis Hernandez.

"Mrs. Petra, where are you?" He asked, sounding agitated on the phone.

"In a restaurant at the moment, any problem?"

"We have an emergency, and there is no surgeon around to help. You seem to be the only one available. I will need you to abandon whatever it is you are doing and come now!"

Petra didn't need to hear the rest of the statement. She immediately hung up and picked up her bag.

"What is happening," Matts asked, showing concern at her sudden rush to get out of the place.

"There is an emergency at the hospital at the moment, and there is a need for me to be there."

"I will come with you" She turned to look at Matts in surprise. "You will need my help in some way."

"Okay, let's go...."