This week, Megyn was rostered to serve in the female orthopedic ward.
Around noon, she stepped out, heading toward the cafeteria for lunch.
She was halfway there when she spotted a familiar figure standing near the entrance.
Doctor Evans.
She knew he was scheduled to visit this week, but she hadn't expected him to show up on a Monday.
Monday, of all days!
Her steps slowed.
He was deep in conversation with another doctor, but even from a distance, his presence carried the same effortless charm that excited half the female students.
Megyn had never been one of them. There was something about him that always made her uneasy.
Unfortunately, she didn't go unnoticed. Dr. Evans turned toward her with a slow smile, stretching out a hand for a handshake.
"Megyn, right?"
She forced a polite nod. "Yes, Doctor."
"How's your attachment going?" he asked, his gaze lingering on her a moment too long.
"Good," she said shortly, not stopping.
But he wasn't finished.
"Tell me, how do you find the medical field? Do you think you'll survive?"
She exhaled quietly.
Not today, Satan. Not today.
For goodness sake, I'm starting my final year in a month time.
"I'll be fine," she replied steadily. "Thanks for asking."
Dr. Evans chuckled. "Determined as ever, I see."
His eyes flickered over her in a way that made her skin crawl before he finally turned back to his conversation.
Megyn walked away, tension pulling at her shoulders.
There was something unsettling about him—and she had a sinking feeling he knew it.
The next morning, Megyn arrived at the hospital hoping for a smooth ward round with the medical team.
She passed by the registry to pick up her water bottle, which she'd forgotten there the previous week.
She had barely retrieved it when Terry walked in, her expression unreadable.
Folding her arms, Terry leaned casually against the counter.
"You didn't tell me you know Dr. Evans," Terry said.
Megyn blinked. "Good morning to you too... and excuse me?"
Terry smirked. "He was asking about you."
Megyn frowned. "What? He's my supervisor. He was probably just given my schedule."
Terry arched an eyebrow. "Maybe. But he was in Alice's office this morning, and the moment he saw your name on last week's roster, he got very... interested. Not in a supervisor kind of way."
Megyn's stomach tightened. "What exactly did he say?"
"Nothing too suspicious," Terry said, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Just casually mentioned that you're beautiful."
Megyn stiffened.
"Should I be worried?" Terry asked lightly, but her eyes were serious.
Megyn shook her head. "No. He just makes me uncomfortable, that's all."
Terry studied her for a long moment.
"You should trust that feeling."
Later that morning, Megyn joined the medical team for the ward rounds.
Dr. Evans was there.
She tried to focus on her tasks, but the uneasy feeling from her conversation with Terry lingered.
She had never paid Dr. Evans much attention before.
Sure, he was popular—especially among female students—but she had always kept her distance.
The last time he tried to involve her in a suggestive conversation, she threatened to report him to the Dean of students.
She felt that was an improper sexual behaviour from a lecturer.
Now, she found herself watching him more closely.
And she didn't like what she saw.
After the ward rounds, Megyn left to look for Cindy.
She needed advice—and besides, Cindy had been so busy with Jerry lately that they hadn't had a proper conversation in days.
As she walked down the corridor, footsteps approached from behind.
"Megyn." A deep voice called.
She turned, forcing a polite smile. "Doctor."
Dr. Evans flashed his signature, easy grin.
"You're always in a rush," he said, chuckling.
"You're so resolute. I like that."
"Yes, Doctor. I have work to do," Megyn said, shifting uncomfortably.
Without warning, he reached out and lightly touched her arm. It was casual—barely anything.
But every instinct in Megyn's body screamed at her to pull away. And she did.
Dr. Evans raised an eyebrow. "Relax, I don't bite."
"I should get going, okay?" Megyn said tightly.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her heart pounding.
She didn't know what was worse—the fact that he had touched her, or the certainty that it wouldn't be the last time.
Later, Megyn tried calling Cindy and found her at the doctors' quarters—specifically, at Jerry's house.
"...And what exactly are you doing at the doctor's house?" Megyn asked, startled by Cindy's boldness.
"The doctor's on leave, remember?" Cindy said casually. "He asked me to house-sit until he gets back next week."
Megyn sat cross-legged on Dr. Jerry's couch, hugging a pillow tightly.
Shaking her head. She asked,
"Who then is house-sitting your apartment?"
"My apartment is securely lock. I'm not worried about it at all." Cindy said.
Megyn shrugged. "OK. Your circus, your monkey."
There was silence for a moment, then Megyn said, "Cindy, imagine you're my best friend. ..and I don't know you are unwell?"
"I just had a slight headache. I'm feeling much better now," Cindy said with a grin.
"How's Benjamin? Did you reply to the message he sent you?" Cindy asked.
"Yes, I did...He called. We talked at length... about us," Megyn said, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"And?" Cindy leaned forward eagerly. "Tell me more!"
"He likes me... I like him," Megyn said, her smile widening.
"Great!" Cindy exclaimed. "I can see it on your face—even if you seem bothered by Dr. Evans. Speaking of which, did you see him? I heard he arrived on Monday."
"I've been seeing him everywhere," Megyn muttered. "It's like he's stalking me, Cindy."
Dr. Evans had somehow inserted himself into Megyn's once-comfortable world, making her feel constantly on edge.
"Well," Megyn sighed. "He disturbs my peace." She raised her head to look at her friend. "He touched me, Cindy."
Cindy immediately sat down beside her. "Did you tell Benjamin?"
Megyn hesitated. "No. I'm sure I can handle it. I don't want to involve him."
Cindy studied her intently. "Do you love him—you know, Benjamin?"
Megyn looked away. "I don't know."
"Liar," Cindy teased.
Megyn sighed. "Liking someone isn't enough, Cindy. He's gone for two years. What am I supposed to do with that?"
Cindy shrugged. "Depends. Do you want to pause your life for him... or see where things go?" She smiled gently. "Remember, you're still young and not seriously—"
"—Searching. I know," Megyn finished with a smile. "But I've thought about it, and I want to see where this leads."
"As for Dr. Evans, you must tell Benjamin about him," Cindy said firmly. "Remember, they're friends."
Megyn hesitated again. "What can Benjamin even do? He's thousands of miles away."
"But he's still his friend," Cindy pointed out. "He could talk to him—even from a distance."
"That makes sense," Megyn admitted. "I'll tell him tonight if he calls."
"You could text him too, Meg," Cindy encouraged.
There was a comfortable silence before Megyn remembered another matter.
"Oh! We have thirty confirmed guests for Mom's birthday party." She grinned. "Will Jerry be there, now that he's on leave?"
"His absence is not an option," Cindy said with a playful air of certainty.
Megyn's thoughts wandered back to Benjamin.
Will I ever know him the way Cindy knows Jerry?
She left for the wards, ready to finish her shift.