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

In his hands he held a bouquet of flowers, tender white lilies mixed with scarlet roses. Emily felt her cheeks burning. “I just returned from Switzerland,” he spoke, approaching closer.

“Underwent a course of treatment.” Around gathered nurses, orderlies, even doctors. From the nurses’ room Susan Thompson was peeking, her face blazing with surprise.

Emily 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 handed her the bouquet. She carefully took it, feeling the dizzying aroma. And suddenly he asked.

“Emily, when can you meet with me, maybe go to a restaurant, or just take a walk?” There was no arrogance in his eyes. Only warm sincerity. Emily felt that her heart was beating too fast.

The whole corridor held its breath. Susan Thompson seemed so shocked that she even did not find what to say. And Emily, 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. David’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 with a confident step headed to the exit, accompanied by security.

In the corridor hung complete silence. Emily looked after him, feeling how something new burst into her life. Something to which she was completely unprepared.

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

“Well what, preparing for a meeting with the prince?” snorted one of the nurses, when Emily was changing after the shift. “Uh-huh,” — she answered absentmindedly, understanding that her voice sounds unconvincingly. She was not sure that she was making the right choice…

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

When he noticed her, he smiled. “Hi.” Emily nodded, feeling her heart accelerating the rhythm.

“Hi.” David came closer, and only now she noticed that his gaze had become different. Earlier it was lost and broken.

Now confident. “Are you hungry?” — he asked. Emily was confused, but honestly nodded.

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

“Emily, 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.”

Emily squeezed her fingers in a lock. “I just did my job.” “No, not just,” — David shook his head.

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

“It doesn’t matter to me,” — she answered quietly. David smirked. “That’s why I am here.”

Emily 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. Emily 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.

David listened to her without interrupting. When they left the restaurant, the air was fresh, and the streets quiet. “I will give you a ride,” — he offered…