31. Misunderstandings
Eva lay in bed, staring at the ceiling like it held answers.
The room was dim, moonlight spilling in soft streaks across the floor, and all she could replay - over and over - was that moment.
The sound of his startled breath. The warmth of his hands when he caught her. The brief, unintentional brush of his lips.
She covered her face with a pillow. "Oh my God."
Why did she whisper in his ear? Why did she sneak up on him? Why did the universe hate her?
Her cheeks burned at the memory - the look on his face, a mix of shock and something unreadable that made her pulse trip.
He probably thinks I did that on purpose.
She rolled to the side, hugging the pillow tighter. "He's not even thinking about it. He's probably already gone back to being Dr. Machine," she whispered to herself, trying to calm the storm inside.
By 1 a.m., she'd gone from mortified to confused to exhausted.
When the alarm rang, she groaned. "New rule - never wish a surgeon goodnight while he's doing the dishes."
"Come on, Eva, you got this," she told herself, dragging out of bed.
The shower helped a little, the steam washing away the fuzziness of sleep, but her thoughts still buzzed like static.
Just act normal. Like nothing happened. You're a professional. Totally fine.
She stepped out, in her bath robe, and froze.
The laundry basket was empty.
"No, no, no," she muttered. "Three pairs of scrubs. All in the washing machine. Perfect timing, Eva. Bravo."
Her eyes darted around the room.
She remembered - one spare pair, in Neil's car.
And then it hit her.
He brought that bag upstairs last night.
Her stomach sank.
"Oh, come on," she whispered. "Don't tell me he took it into his room."
She peeked at the clock - early enough that he'd probably still be asleep.
"Okay," she whispered to herself. "Mission Scrubs Retrieval. You can do this."
She tiptoed across the hallway, in her bath robe, hair damp, heart racing like she was about to break into a vault. The door to his room was slightly ajar.
Neil was still asleep, or at least looked like it - sprawled on the bed, sheets a little messy, jawline catching the light, one arm resting over his chest.
She swallowed. "Focus, Eva. The bag."
Her eyes locked on the bag perched on Neil's night table. It was just out of reach - the other side of the bed.
Okay. Deep breath. You can do this, she whispered to herself, steeling her nerves.
She tiptoed closer, her damp hair brushing her shoulders, she bent on his chest to reach the bag ,bringing her dangerously close to him. The warmth of the bed radiated, the subtle scent of him filling the room, and she could hear the quiet rhythm of his breathing.
As she leaned over to grab the bag, her hand brushed against his. His arm, half-asleep, reflexively wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.
Her heart skipped a beat. She tried to pull back, but the movement was clumsy, she tried to escape from his grip then his face leaned into her neck and before she knew it - their lips met.
Yes again, and to her surprise accidental! Eva stiffened didn't dare to move.
Neil's eyes snapped open, catching her in the act. His gaze traveled from her damp hair to the robe clinging to her a bit deep giving a good view of her cleavage, then to her startled face.
He sat up slowly, the sheets falling back, bathrobe open just enough - smirk tugging at his lips.
Eva moved as if she touched a hot pan.
"What is happening?" he asked, voice low, amused, and slightly incredulous.
Eva stumbled back, holding the bag like it was a shield. "I-I was just... the bag... my scrubs!" she stammered, cheeks flaming.
Neil raised a brow, not leaving her from his grip "In my room... in a robe... sneaking around my bed... and somehow we end up kissing. Care to explain, Mrs. Morris?"
Her eyes widened. "It was an accident! Totally! I just wanted the bag!"
He chuckled, the sound deep and teasing. "Accident, huh? That's the second one in a row."
And at this point, Eva wanted mother earth to swallow her raw.
Neil smirked, running a hand through his messy hair. "You really don't realize how close you've been getting, do you?"
She stepped back, holding the bag tightly. "I'm... I'm leaving now!"
He didn't move, just watched her retreat with that damn smirk still plastered on his face. "Good morning, Mrs. Morris," he said, voice softening just a hint, "here your scrubs."
She grabbed the bag.She rushed out like to win a gold medal in a marathon.
Her heart was racing, a mix of embarrassment, fluster, and... something else she wasn't ready to name.
---
Eva pushed open the glass doors, clutching her coffee cup like it was her emotional support item for the day after back to back incidents that had happened in past twelve hours .
She had clearly declared to herself last night-two full days of no face-to-face interaction with Dr. Neil Morris, Minimum.Yet the morning she had no other choice than barging into his room just having another kissing episode to frame in her embarrassment series.
After two accidental kisses and one mortifying robe incident, she deserved emotional recovery leave.
She spotted Lexi and Trent already seated at their usual corner table - Lexi talking animatedly, Trent pretending to listen while scrolling through his tablet.
Eva joined them, sliding into the seat beside Lexi.
Lexi was already mid-story. "-and then Dr. Lucas actually winked at me while checking the patient's vitals! I swear, the man could run an IV line straight into my soul."
Trent snorted into his coffee. "Lexi, the man literally even winked at the ECG monitor."
Eva chuckled, taking a sip of her drink. "He probably blinked, not winked."
Lexi gasped dramatically. "No, Eva, it was a wink. With intention. Purpose. That jawline doesn't lie."
Eva shook her head, smiling. The embarrassment from last night was still vivid in her memory-Neil's surprised face, his hand still around her waist, that smirk when he realized her robe situation.
She tried to bury the thought under Lexi's chatter.
Trent leaned back. "You look like you didn't sleep much, Eva. Everything okay?"
Eva coughed, nearly choking on her coffee. "Yeah, yeah! Just... long night. Studying case files."
Lexi gave her a suspicious grin. "Or maybe you were distracted by someone?"
Eva's heart skipped. "Never!"
Lexi laughed. "I'm just saying! The way you flinch every time someone mentions Dr. Morris-it's adorable."
Trent raised a brow. "Wait-what happened with Dr. Morris?"
Eva stiffened. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing. I mean, why would something happen? He's my superior, I'm his resident, that's all. End of story."
Lexi and Trent exchanged knowing looks."Cool!"
Trent "Chill out sweetheart,Breath"
Lexi smirked. "Relax Eve, complete your coffee.I have a follow up."
"Me as well !" Saying that Trent and Lexi left her all alone.
___
Where is this women now?
He had scanned the entire floor twice already. Not in the cafeteria, not in the residents' lounge, not even in her usual corner near the nurses' station.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
Ever since the last two accidental disasters, definitely not for him though.
Eva had apparently mastered the art of invisibility.
It was already past noon. He had gone through two consults, one follow-up, and an emergency call - and yet, no sign of her.
He wasn't sure if it was irritation or... something else.
Wait did she got embarrassed and now hiding from me. Dyam girl.Perfect.
He ran a hand through his hair and finally made his way toward the post-op ward.
As he turned the corner near the nursing station, his eyes caught her - finally.
Eva was standing beside bed number six, the CABG patient they had operated on two days ago.
Charlie. The young man who somehow found a way to flirt even with a pulse oximeter clipped to his finger.
She was smiling. Laughing, actually. Her eyes crinkled, her hair loosely falling over her shoulders. There was that glow again - the same one that could light up the dullest corner of this hospital.
Neil slowed his steps, watching them for a moment longer than he should have.
Charlie was saying something , gesturing with his hand, and Eva laughed again, her voice soft and melodic.
And then he heard it -
"You know, Miss Eva, I missed you yesterday," Charlie said, grinning.
"The ward felt so dull without your smile. You make recovery feel like vacation."
Neil felt his jaw tighten. Oh really.
Eva noting the vitals ," You're recovering well - that's all my reward."
Neil chose that exact moment to step closer.
"Good afternoon, Charlie," he said, his tone calm - too calm.
Eva flinched. She knew that tone.
Her back stiffened slightly, and she turned, her face trying to hide the nervous surprise.
Neil's gaze lingered on her for a second before shifting to Charlie.
"How are you feeling today?"
Charlie beamed. "Better now that my favorite doctor's back, sir."
Neil's brow arched. "Your favorite doctor?"
He glanced sideways at Eva, who was suddenly fascinated by the patient chart in her hands.
Charlie laughed. " She's been taking good care of me."
"Good to know," Neil replied, his voice low. "We'll make sure she continues to."
Charlie chuckled, his tone warm. "You know, Dr.Eva, I feel much better today. Guess seeing you around helps with recovery."
Eva smiled politely. "I think you need some more rest, and-"
"-a discharge."
Neil, who is just behind her, cut in smoothly - too smoothly.
Eva froze mid-sentence, eyes darting to him.
Charlie blinked, startled, before giving a confused laugh. "A discharge? Already?"
"Yes, congratulations you are all good to go!"
Neil glanced up from the chart to his face calmly .
The words dropped like a pin in the quiet room.
Eva knew she meant rest and medication and not a discharge as if now-
"You're healing well. If you keep feeling this energetic, we'll have no reason to keep you here tomorrow."neil spoke checking on his spo2.
Charlie nodded slowly, still unsure if that was a compliment or a dismissal.
Eva just stared at Neil, her lips parting slightly in disbelief.
As they left the room, she whispered under her breath,
"Was that really necessary?"
Neil didn't even glance her way.
"Absolutely. Medical judgment."
She huffed. "Jealousy isn't medical, Dr. Morris."
"Jealousy, What?" he froze and didn't realise it came out loud and realised Eva walking to the general ward leaving him thinking.
The head nurse who heard him say it out loud "Is something wrong, Dr.Neil?"
Neil: "Nothing"
__
The ward smelled faintly of antiseptic and stress.
Neil had just finished briefing Eva on a post-op pain management case - a middle-aged Infective endocarditis patient .
"Monitor his vitals every half hour. Give him Inj. Cefotaxime 1g IV after the test dose," he said firmly before rushing to the next ward.
Eva nodded, jotting it down. "Got it, Dr. Morris."
But halfway to the medication counter, a sudden cramp twisted her stomach.
She gripped the table edge, exhaling sharply.
Not now... please not now.
"These periods I swear."
Murmuring an apology to the nurse, she hurried to the restroom for a minute.
A few minutes later-
Nurse Andy returned, confused. "Dr. Eva said to give the injection," she muttered, misreading the partially written note.
On the tray, two vials sat side by side:
Cefotaxime 1g (antibiotic)
Ceftriaxone 2g (higher-dose, stronger antibiotic)
She picked the second one - Ceftriaxone 2g IV push - thinking it was correct.
Minutes later, the patient winced, his BP dropping slightly due to a mild allergic reaction.
Neil re-entered the ward just then, scanning the monitor.
"Why is his BP falling?"
The nurse stammered, "I gave the injection Dr. Eva said, -Ceftriaxone 2g IV."
Neil's head snapped toward her. "What did she say?"
He grabbed the empty vial from the tray - his jaw tightening.
"That's not what was prescribed!" His voice rose, cold and cutting. "Where's Dr. Eva?"
And as if fate timed it, Eva walked in - hair slightly messy, her face pale but calm.
"Dr. Morris, I just-"
"Where the hell were you?" he thundered, stepping closer. "Do you even check what's being administered under your name? You left your patient mid-treatment?"
Eva froze, blinking. "I- I just went-"
"For a stroll with your friends?" His tone was sharp enough to cut glass. "You gave a verbal order without supervision. That man could've gone into anaphylaxis!"
Her throat went dry.
It wasn't just the cramps anymore - it was guilt, confusion, and the sting of being misunderstood.
"Neil," she said quietly, "I just needed a few minutes-"
"It's Dr.Morris not Neil."
"And a few minutes could kill a patient, Dr. Walter," he snapped, walking off before she could finish.
___
Eva felt as hell after this and for heaven's sake her shift ended.she had just clocked out, still feeling the faint sting of Neil's screams- echoing in her head.
"It's Dr.Morris" Neil's words echoed in her head.
As she stepped out of the hospital doors, her phone buzzed.
Eva took deep sign before answering the trying to be normal cause she knows Ria can judge her mood just by her tone.
Caller ID: "Ria "
Eva smiled instantly and answered. "Hey, troublemaker."
Ria's voice came through bright and dramatic. "Finally! You do remember you have a sister, right? Or did Dr. Machine officially adopt you as part of his equipment?"
Eva hated his name right now but couldn't help.
Softly, rubbing her temple. "Oh, don't start."
Ria gasped. "Oh, I will! You disappeared for days, and now I miss you. Also, you once said you'd show me where Dr. Machine keeps you locked up when you're not at the hospital - I assume it's a dungeon with a coffee maker?"
Eva giggled. "You mean the house?"
"Yes your new house." Ria teased instantly, and Eva could almost see her grin.
Eva rolled her eyes, trying to act normal. "Whatever. Just come over. I'll text you the address."
Ria squealed. " Oh, I'm coming. And I'm bringing up food - because clearly, you need some fuel after living with that boring heart surgeon."
"That gonna help my soul."
"On it!"
__
Neil unlocked the door, loosening his tie as he stepped in. He paused mid-step. Someone was definitely here.
The first thing that hit him wasn't silence - it was noise.
Laughter. Chatter. The kind that echoed through the hall like music and chaos all at once.
Then came the second thing - the smell.
A mouthwatering, spicy aroma wafted through the house - the unmistakable scent of street food.
Neil blinked. "That's... definitely not my dinner."
He followed the sound and smell straight to the kitchen - and froze.
The place looked like a festival aftermath. Plastic bags half-open, food containers everywhere, Hamburgers, fries, donuts,pizza and even a stray paper cup rolling on the counter which stopped at his foot after the long travel.
He exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "They started a street market in my kitchen."
From the corner of his eye, he spotted movement - two figures giggling, half-hidden behind the door to Eva's room.
Inside, Eva sat cross-legged on her bed with a large pizza balanced dangerously on her knee. Beside her, Ria was eating ramen straight from the container with chopsticks she clearly didn't know how to use.
Ria: "Okay but seriously - why do people call him 'Dr. Machine'? Sounds like a villain name."
Eva (laughing): "Because he is! You should see him at work. He doesn't talk, he just commands."
Ria: "Ooh, mysterious and bossy. I see the appeal."
Eva: "There's no appeal! He's terrible!"
Ria: "Mhm, says the girl eating in her husband's house."
Eva groaned, tossing a napkin at her. "Shut up Ria."
Ria: " You're literally living a Wattpad plot."
Eva , shaking her head. "Wattpad plot? Please, it's just- complicated."
Ria: "Complicated? Okay fine. But tell me-" she leaned forward, eyes mischievous- "you two kissed yet?"
"YES"
That's when Neil's voice came from the doorway, calm and cutting through the laughter like a blade.
Neil: "Interesting conversation. And... an even more interesting mess."
Both froze.
Ria spun around, grinning. "Dr. Morris! Long time no see! Still terrifying interns for fun?"
Neil smirked, loosening his sleeves. "Only the ones who turn my house into a street food fair."
Eva blinked, utterly mortified. "Neil- I mean Dr.Morris ,we- I- it's not what it looks like-"
He ignored Eva, eyes glinting. "So, Ria... do you want to know more about the kisses?"
Ria's eyes widened, lighting up instantly. "Wait- what? Yes! Yes, tell me everything!"
Eva froze. "Neil- don't you dare-"
But Neil's voice dipped low, teasing. "Well, the first one was in the kitchen... she tiptoed behind me, whispered 'good night,' and the next thing-"
"Neil!" Eva screamed, cheeks burning red. "Stop it! It was an accident! And more over- we're just a fake couple, okay? You both get it?"
The laughter in the air dropped. Ria's grin faltered.
Neil's smile faded too-just a fraction-but it was enough. His eyes darkened, the humor draining out completely.
He exhaled slowly, jaw tightening before he turned away.
"Right," he murmured, voice quieter now. "Just... fake."
He walked out without another word, the sound of his footsteps heavy against the floor.
The silence that followed made the air thick.
Ria glanced at Eva, concern clouding her playful tone.
"Eva... I think he felt bad."
Eva swallowed hard, staring at the doorway where he disappeared.
"Yeah," she whispered. "I know."
Eva sighed, forcing a small smile as she handed Ria her bag.
"Alright, it's getting late. You should go before the traffic gets worse."
Ria frowned, hesitating near the door. "Eve... once you get a minute, just check on him, okay? Maybe... apologize?"
Eva blinked, caught off guard. "Apologize? For what, Ria? I just screamed once. He's done that uncountable times with me. Don't worry about it."
Ria's expression softened. "Yeah, but... it was harsh, Eve. You didn't see his face."
Eva looked away, brushing it off. "Good night, Ria. Drive home safe."
Ria sighed, stepping out reluctantly. "Good night, sis."
The door clicked shut behind her, and silence filled the space again.
Eva leaned against it, exhaling slowly.
But Ria's words kept replaying - 'You didn't see his face.'
Her throat tightened.
Was I... too harsh?
She glanced toward the hallway, where Neil's door was closed, the faint light under it gone.
It somehow made her heart feel heavier.
"Whatever," she muttered, forcing the ache down and heading to her room.
The cramps kicked again just as she slipped into bed.
"Oh God..." she whispered, curling slightly.
Between the dull pain in her stomach and the heavier one in her chest, sleep came slowly - and restlessly.