Pulse and Petals

Alec

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As the first light of dawn filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse, I'm already wide awake, long before the shrill beep of my alarm has a chance to pierce the silence. Sleep has always been elusive for me, a constant battle against the relentless pull of insomnia.

With a resigned sigh, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and push myself to my feet. I make my way to the kitchen, my steps measured and deliberate.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, a welcome comfort in the stillness of the early morning.

The rich, dark liquid warms my insides, I take a moment to savor the quiet solitude of the penthouse. Perched high above the city skyline, the view from my windows is nothing short of spectacular, a breathtaking panorama of twinkling lights and endless possibilities.

I make my way to the private gym tucked away in a corner of the penthouse, the hum of the treadmill beckoning me like an old friend. Working out has always been my refuge, a way to channel the restless energy that courses through my veins.

As I push myself through the familiar routine, the tension slowly begins to melt away, replaced by a sense of clarity and focus. The rhythmic pounding of my footsteps echoes in the empty room, a steady beat that propels me forward with each stride.

With the workout complete, I head back to the bedroom to shower and dress for the day ahead. Slipping into a pair of scrubs and my favorite pair of socks, I feel a sense of purpose wash over me. Despite the exhaustion that lingers at the edges of my consciousness, I'm ready to face whatever challenges await me at the hospital.

With one last glance at the view from my window, I gather my things and make my way out the door. The city awaits, its endless hustle and bustle a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of my sanctuary above. But as I step into the fray, I know that I'm ready - ready to confront the chaos of the world below, one patient at a time.

******

The pale light filters through the windows of Oberoi-Carson Memorial Hospital, casting a cold glow over the sterile corridors. As I stride through the bustling halls after the first morning rounds, my gaze falls upon Dr. Johnson, one of my residents, standing outside the nurses' station, her expression a mask of apprehension.

"Good morning, Dr. Oberoi-Carson"

"Dr. Johnson," I address her curtly, my voice sharp with disapproval. "Do you have any concept of time?"

She flinches at the venom in my tone, her eyes darting nervously as she stammers out an excuse. "I-I'm sorry, Dr. Oberoi-Carson. I lost track of..."

I cut her off with a disdainful wave of my hand, my patience wearing thin. "Excuses are useless, Dr. Johnson. You were late, plain and simple."

She withers under my glare, shrinking back as if trying to disappear into the walls. "I-I know, sir. It won't happen again."

"It better not,"my voice low and menacing. "Punctuality is paramount in our profession. Your incompetence could cost lives."

Her eyes widen in fear at my harsh words, but I show no mercy. "Consider this a warning, Dr. Johnson. One more slip-up, and you'll find yourself scrubbing bedpans until further notice."

With that, I turn on my heel and stalk away, leaving Dr. Johnson trembling in my wake.

This hospital isn't just any hospital - it's my mother's hospital,a legacy that she built from the ground up. It means everything to me, a testament to her tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to saving lives.

But as much as I cherish the hospital's legacy, I won't hesitate to uphold its standards, even if it means being the bad guy. Punctuality, excellence, and discipline are non-negotiable in my book, and I'll be damned if I let anyone compromise the reputation my mother worked so hard to build.

As I make my way to the operating room, a cold fury simmers beneath the surface, fueling my determination to uphold the standards of excellence that define Oberoi-Carson Memorial Hospital.

For in my world, there is no room for weakness or incompetence. Only the strong survive, and I intend to be the last one standing.

******

As I finish up with my last patient for the day, a wave of relief washes over me. The hospital's been busy as hell, but now it's time to call it quits for the day.

I step into my cabin, ready to grab my phone and get the hell out of here. But of course, my little brother Nick has to show up uninvited. He's always hanging around, looking for trouble. He's got this easygoing vibe that drives me crazy sometimes.

"Hey, Alec!" he says, flashing me that cocky grin of his. "How's life in the land of scalpels and bedpans?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "Just peachy, Nick." No humor whatsoever.

I regard him with a wary eye, already bracing myself for whatever trouble he's about to drag me into. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be busy with your residency duties?"

Nick has always been the polar opposite of me - charming, carefree, and infuriatingly nonchalant.

He waves off my concern with a dismissive flick of his hand. "Ah, you know how it is. Just thought I'd drop by and grace you with my presence."

I raise an eyebrow at his flippant remark, but before I can respond, he launches into the real reason for his visit.

Nick leans against the doorframe, all casual-like. "So, I saw the little showdown with Dr. Johnson earlier today. She was late by 5 minutes! Nobody died."

I glare at him. "They could have. Cut the crap, Nick. What's this really about?"

He shrugs, that irritating grin still plastered on his face. "Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to thank you, that's all."

I raise an eyebrow. "Thank me? For what?"

Nick's grin widens. "For being the arrogant ass that you are. Johnson was in tears after your little chat, and guess who swooped in to save the day?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes again. "Let me guess. You?"

He nods, looking way too pleased with himself. "Damn right. Turns out she's got a thing for the sweet brother. If it weren't for your stellar reputation as the hospital hard-ass, I never would've had the chance to console a crying Dr. Johnson."

"Uh-huh sure. Now get the fuck out of my way."

Nick laughs, unfazed by my grumpiness. "Come on, Alec. Admit it. You love having me around."

Yes but he doesn't have to know that so, I don't bother responding, just grab my phone and head for the door. Nick follows me out, still yammering on about his big date with Johnson.

As I make my escape, I can't help but shake my head. Sometimes, having Nick around really makes me question my sanity. But hey, at least someone's getting laid tonight.