«Take care of the drunk, maybe he’ll marry you!» — shouted the head nurse. But no one could have imagined WHAT would happen in a minute…

But now he looked completely different. Clean, expensive clothes, confident posture, a light smile on his lips. Behind him stood two men in strict suits, clearly bodyguards.

In his hands he held a bouquet of flowers, tender white lilies mixed with scarlet roses. Marina felt her cheeks burning. «I just returned from Boston», he spoke, approaching closer.

«Went through a course of treatment». Around gathered nurses, orderlies, even doctors. From the nursing room looked Tamara Williams, her face burning from surprise.

Marina did not know what to say. And he continued. «I just wanted to thank you, if not for you, I would not be here».

He extended the bouquet to her. She cautiously took it, feeling the dizzying aroma. And suddenly he asked.

«Marina, when can you meet with me, maybe go to a restaurant, or just take a walk?» In his eyes there was no arrogance. Only warm sincerity. Marina felt that her heart was beating too fast.

The whole corridor held its breath. Tamara Williams seemed so shocked that she even did not find what to say. And Marina, as if in a fog, nodded.

Tomorrow after lunch. Her voice sounded quietly, but in the ensuing silence it rang like thunder in a clear sky. Daniel’s eyes sparkled.

«Then I will pick you up right from here». He smiled again, slightly leaning towards her, added «Thank you». Then turned and headed to the exit with a confident step, accompanied by security.

In the corridor hung complete silence. Marina looked after him, feeling how something new burst into her life. Something to which she was completely not ready.

The next day Marina could not find a place for herself. She constantly caught the glances of colleagues on herself. Nurses whispered, doctors exchanged looks, and Tamara Williams walked with a stone face, but from time to time threw meaningful glances at her.

«Well, preparing for a meeting with the prince?» snorted one of the nurses, when Marina was changing after the shift. «Uh-huh», — she answered distractedly, understanding that her voice sounds unconvincingly. She was not sure that she is making the right choice…

Why did she agree? But inside still glimmered curiosity. What does he want to say? Why did he come? As soon as she left the hospital, she saw him. Daniel stood near a black car, leaning on the hood.

When he noticed her, he smiled. «Hi». Marina nodded, feeling how her heart accelerates the rhythm.

«Hi». Daniel approached closer, and only now she noticed that his gaze became different. Earlier it was lost and broken.

Now confident. «Are you hungry?» — he asked. Marina was confused, but honestly nodded.

«Then I suggest having dinner». They arrived at a cozy restaurant with soft light and unobtrusive music. Daniel caringly moved the chair for her, sat opposite, and when the waiter left, suddenly looked at her seriously.

«Marina, I want to tell you something». She froze, attentively watching his face. «You were the only person who treated me not as a problem, but as a person».

Marina squeezed her fingers into a lock. «I just did my job». «No, not just», — Daniel shook his head.

«There, in the hospital, everyone considered me written off. And you, you even did not ask who I am». She felt something tremble inside.

«It’s not important to me», — she answered quietly. Daniel smirked. «That’s why I am here».

Marina slightly lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say. «Tell me about yourself», — he suddenly asked. She was confused.

«And what do you want to know?» «Everything», — he answered simply. Marina fell silent, but then still began to speak. About how she dreamed of being a nurse, how she fought for her place, how she first encountered the real pain of patients…