Finally, the tour ends, and Dr. Peters shows me to my office. As I step inside, I am taken aback by its elegance and affluence. The walls are adorned with artwork, and a plush leather couch sits in the corner. A large mahogany desk dominates the center of the room, and a sleek computer sits atop it. I can’t help but feel accomplished as I take it all in.

He bids me farewell, and I am left alone in my office. I sit down at my desk and try to focus on work, but I can’t stop thinking about Ally. I reach for my phone, wanting to call her, but then I remember that I lost her number. I feel a pang of disappointment, wondering if I will ever have the chance to talk to her or if she will be willing to give me such luxury now that she’s found out who I really am.

Just then, my phone rings, and I see that it's my mother. I answer it, and she asks me how I’m settling in at the new hospital. My parents are the owners of the hospital, as well as a chain of hospitals across Richmond, Virginia. I tell her that everything is going well, and I am enjoying my new position as a Chief Neurologist.

As we continue to talk, my mind keeps drifting back to Ally. I can't seem to shake her off, no matter how hard I try. My mother's voice interrupts my thoughts, and I realize that I haven't been paying attention to our conversation. I apologize, and she tells me that my father wants me to attend a meeting with the hospital board next week. I groan inwardly, knowing that these meetings can be tedious and boring. But I also know that it's important to keep up with the business side of things, especially since my parents have entrusted me with the responsibility of overseeing the Neurology Department.

After I hang up with my mother, I try again to focus on work. I open my computer and start going through patient files, looking for any cases that might be of interest. As I read through the symptoms of one patient, I am struck by a sudden realization. The case is very rare, but symptoms are similar to those that I had once read about back in school, and I wonder if there might be a connection. I delve deeper into the patient's file, and my suspicions are confirmed. The patient has a rare neurological disorder that affects only a small percentage of the population, those type of patients a doctor sees only once or twice in their career.

I make a mental note to do some research on the disorder and see if there are any advancements in treatment that might be helpful. As a neurologist, it's my duty to stay up to date on the latest research and developments in my field, and I take this responsibility very seriously.

No matter how hard I try to distract myself, I still think about Ally and wonder if I will ever talk to her again and if we will have another chance to explore the passion and connection we shared. I know that it's foolish to dwell on these thoughts, but I can't seem to help myself. Ally has infiltrated my mind and my heart, and I fear that she will never truly leave.

Ally

Dr. Peters begins the lesson for the day by welcoming us back from our short vacation. He reminds us of the importance of the work we do and the impact it has on the lives of our patients. He then announces that our lesson for the day is on dementia, a topic that I am particularly interested in.

He leads us to a ward where a patient with dementia is being cared for. The patient is an elderly woman who seems to be lost in her own world. She is unresponsive to our presence and seems to be unaware of her surroundings. I observe her closely, noting her demeanor, facial expressions, and movements.

Dr. Peters begins to explain the various stages of dementia, how it affects the brain, and the different ways it can manifest. He goes into great detail about the symptoms and the available treatment options, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. As we study the patient, I am struck by the devastating impact dementia has on not just the patient but also their families. It's heart-wrenching to see someone who was once vibrant and full of life reduced to a shell of their former selves.

After the lecture, we all gather in the conference room to discuss our observations and share our thoughts. Dante is there again, listening to us. Dr. Peters encourages us to ask questions and engage in meaningful discussions. I am impressed by Dr. Peters’ knowledge and his ability to convey complex medical concepts in a simple and understandable manner. As the session draws to a close, I can feel Dante's eyes on me once again. I try to avoid his gaze, but it's hard to ignore the intense chemistry that exists between us. I can feel my heart racing as I realize that I actually have feelings for him.

After the session, I make my way to the hospital cafeteria to grab a quick bite to eat. I order a sandwich and a coffee then take a seat by the window. As I wait for my food to arrive, I find myself lost in thought, thinking about Dante and the incredible night we had in Greece. I'm halfway through my meal when Michael, my colleague, enters the cafeteria. He heads straight to the counter to order food, and I watch as he orders a large serving of pasta carbonara and a large coke.

Michael grabs his tray and scans the room, his eyes lighting up when he spots me. I can't help but smile as he makes his way over to my table, the clatter of his shoes on the tile floor announcing his approach.

"Hey, Ally," he says, setting his tray down and taking a seat across from me. "Mind if I join you?"

I shake my head, happy for the company. Michael and I have worked together for a year now, but we haven't really had a chance to get to know each other outside of work. As he digs into his pasta, we start to chat about our recent vacations.

"I just got back from Greece," I tell him, excited to share my adventures. "It was amazing. The beaches, the food, the people – everything was just so beautiful."

Michael nods, his mouth full of pasta. "Sounds incredible. I went to Italy myself. Tuscany, to be exact. The vineyards there were amazing."

I listen as Michael talks about his trip, his eyes sparkling as he describes the rolling hills and quaint villages. But as he goes on, my mind drifts to Dante.

I try to push the memories away, but they linger at the back of my mind, taunting me with what could have been. Michael notices my distraction and changes the subject, asking about work.

"Dante, the new Chief," Michael says, his voice filled with admiration. "He's supposed to be one of the best in the field. And from what I hear, he's quite the catch too – good looks, impeccable speaking manner, the whole package."

My heart sinks at the mention of Dante's name. I know I shouldn't feel this way – after all, it was just a brief fling – but the thought of seeing him again, especially at work, fills me with a mix of excitement and dread.

"I'm sure he'll be a great addition to the team," I say, trying to keep my voice even.

Michael nods, oblivious to my inner turmoil. We finish our food in silence, and when I push my empty cup away, he glances at his watch.

"We better head back," he says, standing up from the table. "Our lunch break is almost over."

I follow suit, gathering my things and falling into step beside him as we make our way back to the Neurology Department. As we walk, I can't help but wonder what the future holds, both for Dante and for me.

Chapter four

Uncertainties

Dante

Isitatmydesk, going over the reports from the former Chief Neurologist. It's tedious work, but it needs to be done. As I dig deeper into the reports, I notice something that doesn't quite add up. I furrow my brow and try to make sense of the data in front of me.