Chapter 9 How Could It Be Him

I refused to think about him. Scrubbed every inch of my skin raw in the shower, then slathered on lotion, hoping the bruises would vanish faster.

After finally getting some real sleep, I woke up clear-headed. Threw on my best game face and headed to the hospital.

Yannon Memorial was the top hospital in the state—Montrelle City's pride. Every med student wanted in.

I was an honors grad from Montrelle U, and this internship was my shot at locking down a spot.

No screw-ups. No second chances. I had to crush it.

I dropped my backpack on the tiny desk and headed to the locker room to throw on my white coat. While I was buttoning up, voices floated in from the next stall.

"Oh my god, I never thought I'd see him here. Guys like that stick to private clinics."

"Maybe it's some kind of takeover thing. Why else would he show up in person?"

"He could've made the director crawl to him. You know he would've."

I had no clue who they meant.

But one thing was clear—someone big was in the building. And if I wanted to make it through this internship, I couldn't afford a single screw-up.

After sanitizing my hands, I went looking for my supervisor, Dr. Fiona Hale. Grabbed her a coffee from the vending machine on the way. She was tough—strict as hell about academics—but I respected that. She didn't lower the bar for anyone.

Just as I raised my hand to knock on her office door, she came speed-walking down the hall.

"Oh, Gaia, perfect timing. I was just about to find you. Come on—I've got something important, and you're the only one I trust with it."

"What is it?" I handed her the coffee.

She was always like this—fast, sharp, in motion. I was used to it.

She thought I was the most precise intern in the group, and honestly, I was proud of that.

So when she dumped something urgent on me, I didn't blink. Asking was just routine.

Fiona looked flustered, but all business. "A very important man just showed up. Damn it—sorry, I didn't mean that as an insult, just... the situation. He's got a surface-level wound. Honestly, if he'd waited a day, it would've healed on its own. No idea why he came here just for a bandage."

She paused. "And get this—he ASKED for an intern to treat him. We can't say no. And out of everyone, you're the only one I trust not to mess this up."

That made me pause.

Who the hell was powerful enough to make Fiona—who didn't flinch at board members—watch her mouth?

Before I could ask, she was already marching me to the hospital's VIP suite.

At the door, she squeezed my hand and dropped her voice.

"This man's a big deal. Like, could-decide-the-fate-of-Yannon big. So tread carefully."

Then she forced a weird smile at the row of black-suited bodyguards—and shoved me through the door.

Her reaction? Yeah, it rattled me.

I cursed my luck under my breath. I was just an intern, trying to survive without screwing up and maybe score a real job. Why me, though?

But yeah—there was no backing out now.

I stepped forward.

Three bodyguards moved in.

One—a tall woman—came up and started patting me down.

I stayed quiet, didn't flinch.

Inside, I was just hoping they'd go easy on me if I played nice.

After a five-minute pat-down, they finally let me through with the gauze and antiseptic—but took my scissors.

Whatever. I could rip tape with my teeth if I had to.

Forcing a smile, I knocked.

A guy who looked like a secretary opened the door, stepped out, and locked it behind me.

I stood there, holding the tray with both hands, inside the VIP suite.

Then I looked up.

And froze.

It was him.

Lysandro Godino.