Elena's POV

I run around the corner before he can see me and peek to see if I've been caught.

Noah looks through each door. In and out. In and out. When he checks the last door he scratches his head and glances around before walking in the opposite direction of me.

I turn my head back around and take a deep breath as I sink into the wall.

I know I'm a coward, but I can't face him right now. Not after what Pierson has told me and not after our kiss.

My life feels like a complete and total mess right now and I don't know how to de-mess it. De-mess? Is that even a word? Uhhh, what's wrong with my brain. It's supposed to be a doctor brain. It should know things.

Wow that didn't even make any sense either.

"What's wrong with you?" Someone whispers in my ear. The sound startles me and I jump off the wall holding my chest to keep my heart from jumping out.

I look to the person who almost gave me a heart attack. "Don't do that Em!" I whisper screech at her. I forgot we were meeting today for our new weekly lunch dates.

She rolls her eyes at me. "You're the one crawling around here like your some high profile, secret spy." She says smiling at her lame joke.

"Ha-ha. Always the funny one," I say sarcastically.

"Why are you hiding?" She scrutinizes me with her eyes before looking around the corner. I grab her and pull her back before Noah comes back and sees her.

She looks at me like I've gone crazy.

She gives me a once over before a light bulb goes off in her head. "Are you hiding from Noah?" She asks perplexed.

"I'm not," I answer with a straight face not giving anything away.

She gives me a long glance over before turning her head back to the hall and yelling, "Noah!" I quickly put my hand over her mouth and lead her into one of the empty exam rooms. I throw her in and slam the door shut. I peek through the window and watch as Noah passes the room by. I sigh in relief.

When I turn towards Em her hands are on her hips and she does that thing where one of her eyebrows shoots up in a questioning manner.

I avoid her gaze by looking at everything but her. She starts to tap her foot impatiently on the floor and it starts to make me feel uneasy. How does she do that?

"Ok. I am avoiding him," I say reluctantly.

"Why?"

"Because...because I don't know why," I tell her.

"E you know I don't like when we keep secrets from each other," she says. She looks hurt and I immediately feel the guilt set in. It's not that I don't want to talk to her about it. It's just I don't want to think about it right now or rather I don't want to face my feelings right now.

"I talked to Pierson and kinda sorta had a date with him and we kinda sorta maybe kissed," I say softly.

Her eyes widen as she lunges towards me, takes my hand, and sets me in a stool next to the examination bed.

"Tell me everything," she says and I do.

"Wow this changes things. Huh?" She comments after I'm done.

"Yeah, it kinda does," I say lowly.

"But what about Noah?"

"I don't know. I still really like him Em. That's why I'm a complete mess right now. I know we went on that one date, but I've really gotten to know him over the past year. He can be something special. He is special," I confess.

"And Pierson?"

"Then there's Pierson. My mate."

The one I'm meant to be with. It should be an easy choice, but it's not. We hardly know each other on a personal level and we hadn't seen each other in six years. But, there's always a but, I feel connected to him in a way that makes it feels like we've been together our whole lives.

I groan in frustration. I feel a major headache coming on.

"If I were you...," she starts, but stops mid-sentence as a knock sounds at the door. I look at the window.

It's Noah looking brightly into the room. So much for hiding.

I get up and open the door and he walks in.

"Hey Elena. Hi Emerie," he says acknowledging both of us. Em tilts her head up as a greeting.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," he says looking at me.

"Oh. I was around," I reply. I mentally slap myself. That was such a dumb answer. He looks at me for a moment before speaking.

"A man called and said he needed to see you. He didn't give me his name, but he said it was urgent and you knew who he was."

I furrow my brows. Who could possibly want to see me?

"It's probably a patient," I state.

"Yeah he said he'll be here at 1." I look down at my watch, it reads 12:45.

"Ok thanks for letting me know Noah." I plaster a fake smile on my face.

He returns my smile with one of his own, but it doesn't reach his eyes like it usually does.

"We're ok right? Me and you?"

I glance over at Em. I can read what she's saying just by the look on her face. "You're on your own here." I glare at her.

"Of course. Why wouldn't we be?"

"You just seem kind of distant lately."

I swallow hard at his statement. He's noticed. I try to come up with a quick reply.

"I'm just busy is all. Still trying to settle in."

It's the best I can come up with.

He just nods his head and looks down.

"I understand. Maybe we can get breakfast tomorrow morning or something. Catch up with each other?" His soft chocolate brown eyes stare into mine. I instantly melt at their sight.

"That would be great."

"Ok. I'll see you around then. Bye Emerie." We say our goodbyes and he heads out the door.

"Nice," Em says from behind.

I turn around and give her a look that says to shut it.

She shrugs her shoulders and gets up to lay on the examination bed. She closes her eyes and I take that chance to leave. She'll probably take a nap in there for an hour or so.

I walk to my office and open the door.

Near the big French doors that overlook the yard stands a man who is faced away from me enjoying the view. It must be him.

"Can I help you?" I say to get his attention.

The man tenses at my voice and after a minute he slowly turns around. The friendly smile I had plastered on fades completely and turns into a thin grim line.

"Hello Elena." His deep voice resonates off the walls and sends chills down my back.

"Father," I return.

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Last Chance hit #58 this week!!!! Ahhh! Moving up in the world.😂

I just want to thank you guys so much for reading and voting.