[ U N E D I T E D ]

The afternoon sun reflected off the gleaming river, entering the blue-stained windows of the busy cafe. It was lunch hour, and Zea was having afternoon tea with her mother and Aunt Bella. She sipped on her earl grey tea as she glanced between two. She had promised to meet them right after her shift ended, she was regretting that decision now.

Its been a few weeks since her date with Lucas. Since then, their schedules have been hectic, their irregular off days clashing. However, they did make use of their lunch breaks, meeting up halfway between the hospital and Zea's animal clinic to get food, chat and just spend a few minutes together.

Tomorrow would be the first time since their date that their off days coincide and they planned to make full use of it. And what better way than a movie night at Lucas' home.

But first, she had to get through 20 questions courtesy Ms and Mrs Holson.

"So, who is he?"

"Or she."

Her mother, Kristy, had caught on to Zea. Kristy was barely past her mid-century. At 52, she didn't look a day over 30, with her dyed pixie-cut hair and youthful looks, Zea's mother was a beautiful, modern lady. Strangers, co-workers, friends all assumed they were sisters, and Zea couldn't blame them, their resemblance was uncanny. 

From their chestnut brown hair to their tall, slim build, the only noticeable difference between the two was their eyes. Kristy's rounded, green eyes, were a contrast to her daughter's deep-set cerulean ones, one of the only features she had inherited from her father.

The two ladies stared at Zea expectantly, waiting for answers. Sighing, Zea placed her cup down and cleared her throat, "His name is Lucas. He works at Parksite."

"A doctor too?" Zea nodded at her aunt's question. "How long?"

Zea's face crinkled as she tried to do the mental calculation, "Uh, about six weeks."

Her mum had a bright smile as she picked up her tea, "What kind of doctor?"

"He's a surgeon. Cardiovascular surgeon." Zea answered. She took a piece of scone, plopping an excessive amount of grape jam on it before taking a bite. Kristy shook her head lightly while smiling, fully aware of her daughter's need for sweet foods. 

"That's impressive! Hmm, the name rings a bell. What's his last name?" Her aunt asked clarifying.

Zea swallowed her food and licked her lips, "Brandons, Lucas Brandons."

Her aunt's eyes gradually widened and lit up, she dug her phone out of her Chanel purse. Her mother scrunched her eyebrows at her sister-in-law and took a sip of her tea, not sure why that name was so important.

Her aunt tapped the keys on her phone, before turning it to face Zea. "This Lucas Brandons?"

Zea nodded as soon as she saw his face on what looked to be an online article. She didn't realise Lucas was that well known, a simple Google search and viola, his dashing face was on the screen. 

She didn't get a chance to read the words on the screen before her aunt showed the article to her mum, "Look, Kristy!"

Taking the phone, her eyes scanned through the words, widening at every read.

"He's William's son? It says here that he's expected to take over his father as the Medical Director one day!" Kristy exclaimed. She pursed her lips and nodded slowly, clearly impressed. "You did well for yourself hun, you got quite the catch."

Zea rolled her eyes, this news was actually new to her, she didn't know Lucas was working under his father, nor that he was working his way up to MD. But honestly, it didn't matter to her, she's glad that Lucas has a great job and an ambition, but that wasn't the reason she was going out with him.

"I'm not going out with him for his job or money guys. I have myself for that. He's just a great person. He's confident, sweet, he supports and respects me and my job." Zea stated before she took another sip of the tea.

"I know you aren't superficial to go for status like that," her mother assured, "It's just your past previous boyfriends have been, how do I say this, disappointing."

"Deadbeats." Aunt Bella added abruptly. Zea coughed as the last bit of tea entered the wrong pipe. Her mother nudged her aunt with an elbow, causing her to rub at the sore area. "What? I'm right. They were all unsuccessful and insecure about Zea's dedication to her work. It was time you got yourself a boyfriend who was on par with you."

"Woah, hold it. He's not my boyfriend. We're just dating for now."

It was her mother's turn to roll her eyes at her daughter's rejection of commitment, "Fine. Well if he ever becomes your boyfriend, please introduce me to him the next time I come back."

"You're really going back tonight? Can't you stay another week?" Zea pleaded with her mother.

She shook her head sadly, "I wish I could continue working from London, but any longer without me and the business will go to shit."

"Pfft, you give yourself too much credit, Mother."

Kristy scoffed at her daughter's statement, placing a hand over her heart and feigning hurt, "I can't believe you said that."

The three ladies looked at each other for a few seconds, before they all fell into a fit of giggles. After they calmed down, Zea wrapped her mother's hands with hers, looking at her in the eye, "You're coming back soon, though?"

"Of course, I am darling. Or, you could visit me in Liverpool when you have the time," her mother suggested, lifting their hands to her lips as she placed a comforting kiss onto Zea's knuckle.

Zea nodded, smiling, "Yea, we'll see."

Zea wasn't against going back to her place of birth. She had grown up as a Scouser in the city of Liverpool, and she did miss it. She missed the maritime city's spectacular and unique architecture, bustling with culture and never-ending music, not to mention it's approachable and friendly locals. It wasn't a perfect city, but it was home. 

But alas, she moved away from the Merseyside years ago to stay with her uncle in London. It was much closer to her school, University of Oxford, and now to her workplace. She's only ever returned a handful of times in her nine years of staying in London, and she'd love to go back more if it wasn't for her commitment to work.

Her mother, however, remained in Liverpool to continue her business of owning a few salons and bars in the area. Recently, she decided to take an overdue vacation, bringing her sister-in-law with her. After the trip, she went back home to settle some issues before coming back to London, working from home on her computer. But now it was time to go back.

"Well, let's make the most of the time then," her aunt encouraged. "I'm guessing I shouldn't be expecting you for dinner either, Zea?" She asked, raising her eyebrows suggestively at Zea's day bag.

Zea blushed, pushing her bag under her chair with her food. Her aunt and mother laughed, it was rare to see Zea get embarrassed, and when it does happen, they would never fail to tease her for it.

"I'm just teasing. You're a big girl, just make sure you stay safe, okay?"

"Yes, Aunty, I will." 

The ladies continued chatting, finally straying away from the topic of Zea's love life. 

"Lucas!"

Lucas whirled around with his clipboard in hand, to find his colleague and friend, Elena, jogging towards him. He slowed down his pace to allow her to catch up.

"Hey, Elena, busy day so far?" Lucas asked, eyes concentrated on the sheet of paper in front of him, lifting it to give a final check to the content at the back.

"Eh, when is it not?"

Elena Wendte was specialised in emergency medicine. She was a petite blonde who was in charge of attending to every patient that comes through the doors of A&E, Accidents and Emergencies. Elena would diagnose and attend to the patients' injuries before assigning them to a specific department, if necessary.

The two have worked together for years, exchanging patients, advice and a few drinks every once in a while. Elena was what many would call a work-wife to Lucas, always checking in on him and knocking some sense into him when required. But their dynamic was strictly platonic, throughout the years they've stayed friends, neither desiring to be more.

"Shift over?" Elena asked as she attempted to peek at Lucas' clipboard.

Lucas nodded. Noticing Elena's struggle, he lowered and handed his clipboard over, "I just need to hand this over to Wes. His patient's surgery was successful, but there were some... complications."

"Ooo, heart valve repair. Fun." Elena droned, both she and Lucas knew it wasn't. The two to four-hour surgery required unbelievable amounts of patience and a steady hand, as do most surgeries, and luckily for the patient, Lucas had one of the steadiest hands in the industry.

"Is your shift over?"

Elena scoffed and scrunched her nose, "It was over two hours ago, but apparently, it was peak hour for emergencies, so I decided to lend a hand until it calmed down."

"Ah, the ever-so-gracious Elena."

"Oh, buzz off." Elena rolled her eyes and smacked the clipboard into Lucas' chest, causing and 'Oof' to escape from his lips. "You meeting your girl?"

Lucas mumbled a 'yes' as he rubbed his chest, attempting to soothe the sting, "I'm meeting her at the coffee shop across the street."

They turned the corner and stopped by the reception, the nurse on duty looked up from her monitor and smiled, "Dr Brandons, Dr Wednte, what can I do for you?"

"Hi, Stella," Lucas greeted. He passed the clipboard over the desk, "Please give this to Mr Richardson when you see him. His patient, Ms Carmen, is stable and unconscious. Do update and page Dr Richardson or me if her condition changes."

"Sure thing!" As she took the clipboard and placed it on the file arrange thingy, she turned to Elena, "What about you Dr Wednte?"

"Urgh, Stels, you're my friend, not a patient. Can you stop calling me Ms Wednte?"

"Sorry, Els. Gotta stay professional," the nurse winked cheekily.

"But no, I got nothing for you. See you tomorrow, yeah?"

The nurse nodded, waving at the two before returning to her bright desktop.

Colleagues and patients greeted and waved at Lucas as they walked down the hall. Lucas swiftly returned his co-workers the same general greeting and phrases, not bothering to make time for them.

As the son of the current Medical Director, colleagues always attempted to schmooze him up, hoping it would get them forward into their career somehow. The senior doctors knew that it was of no use to try to climb up the social ranks via Lucas but the new, fresh doctors and residents have all attempted to kiss his arse one way or another. Lucas however, paid no mind to them.

"Hey Elena, wanna join us for coffee?"

"You and Zea?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lucas shrugged his lean shoulders as his feet carried him towards the staff locker room.

"You're asking if I want to meet your new girlfriend? Are you absolutely sure you want to give me a chance to judge her, talk to her and reveal embarrassing stories of you? I accept!"

"Okay, on second thought, forget it. I'll meet her myself, consider yourself uninvited," Lucas warned, slightly shaken by the thought of having Elena scare Zea off.

Elena frowned and shook her index finger, "That's just rude. And it's too late anyway. I'm meeting her whether you like it or not."

Lucas huffed as he entered the locker room. The two separated ways, entering their designated changing room and getting out of their scrubs and into street clothes. They quickly kept their coat into their lockers and exited out the back staff door.

It was less than a five-minute walk from the hospital to the coffee shop. As they entered, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans wafted up their nose. The faint lyrics of alternative pop played out of the speakers slightly drowned by the cashier calling out orders.

The large space was only half-filled with people, dozen of chairs and sofas were empty, a rare sight as the coffee shop was a hotspot for the staff and patients at Parksite, despite there already being a small cafe in the hospital. Lucas wasn't complaining though, this meant he didn't have to queue for 20 minutes like he usually does for a good cup of tea or coffee.

He felt a nudge at his ribs, "You said Zea was a brunette right?"

"Uh-huh."

"You mean that pretty, leggy brunette over there?"

Lucas' eyes followed to where Elena was pointing, and there she was. Zea was sitting on a soft cushioned seat, a steaming mug set on the table as she scrolled through her phone. A smile formed on his lips and he took out his phone. Sending her a quick text.

Look up ;)

"I guessing from the goofy smile on your face it is her."

He ignored Elena's teasing, opting to watch Zea instead. He saw her thumb drag down from the top of her screen before her head tilted up. Her eyes scanned the shop, warmth filled her face as she spotted Lucas, her sharp piercing eyes softened, and her tightly pursed lips transformed into a smile.

The veterinarian stood up as the two doctors approached the table. Lucas reached out to hug her, and she returned in kind, draping her arms around his neck and tip-toeing slightly. He placed a small kiss on her cheek before nuzzling his face into her peach-scented hair.

Zea looked over his shoulder and at her watch, "You're early."

"Yes, I am," He whispered into her ear, still not letting go, "And if I'm early, what are you?"

She pulled away from the hug, a cheeky smile on her face, "Earlier."

Lucas finally released her, stepping aside so that his tall frame doesn't block Elena's tiny one.

"This is my co-worker and friend, Elena. Elena, Zea," he introduced.

Elena stepped forward, putting a hand out brightly, "Hi, nice to finally meet you!"

"Likewise!" Zea beamed and accepted the hand.

"It's nice to finally put a face on the name that has been stuck on Lucas' lips. He can't shut the fuck up about you," Elena kidded without an ounce of hostility.

A smug smile formed on Zea's face as she looked at Lucas teasingly, who blushed slightly and cleared his throat, "Oh really?"

"He goes on and on about you. And if you haven't replied to his texts in a while, he'll get cranky and-"

Lucas clapped his hands together, interrupting Elena's account. "Right so, I'm going to buy a drink. Elena, mint tea, yes?" And he left without waiting for an answer.

The two girls laughed and took a seat across each other. Zea made the first move in striking a conversation, "So how long have you known Lucas?"

"Ugh, too long," the girls laughed once again. Elena continued, "I'm kidding. I've known Lucas since our residency, which was about six or seven years back. We were both assigned to Mr Yorks and were residents for two years before he went to specialise in cardiology."

"That's quite a while," Zea mused, she leaned forward, peeking to check that Lucas was still busy at the counter, before asking Elena, "What is he like? At work I mean."

"Lucas is a major control freak, especially in the OR," Elena stated.

"Lucas? Controlling?" Zea couldn't believe that the ever so playful, spontaneous and carefree Lucas could be that much of a control freak.

"Oh yeah. I've seen it first hand, he likes to have tight reigns in the operating theatre. He's terrifyingly calm but one wrong move and he'll bite your head off. Just ask his residents."

"And that's why I have one of the lowest mortality rates in the country. I don't stand bullshit in my OR." Lucas' low voice declared from behind them. The sudden appearance of his voice sent shivers up Zea's spine.

Lucas placed a warm steaming cup of tea in front of Elena, before sliding into the seat beside Zea.

Elena reached out for her cup, inhaling the sweet scent of mint. "I still think you could be a little softer on your residents. You're worse than Yorks."

"Hey!"

"I'm so glad I'm not your resident," Elena commented, swirling her tea. 

"I'm not that bad."

"You made Nelly cry!"

"I apologised afterwards!" Lucas defended, "She was the only one I made cry."

 "Only one you know about," Elena mumbled while lifting her cup to sip her tea.

Lucas glared at Elena before turning to Zea, who was trying to suppress her amusement, "The residents need to be taught that being a doctor is not all glamorous and high status. They think they learnt everything in med school, but they didn't. If I'm the one who has to knock their arrogance down a peg then so be it. Rather me than some patient or doctor who files a lawsuit against them for malpractice."

Zea reached behind Lucas chair and slid her fingers into Lucas' hair, slightly scratching his scalp, "I get your intent, I had a strict mentor too. You just want your residents to be the best they can be."

"See! She gets it!" Lucas exclaimed, sticking his tongue out at Elena who returned the gesture.

"But..." Zea added sternly as her fingers continued playing with his hair, "Don't pressure them too much. You don't want to discourage or break them."

A smug and satisfied look appeared on Elena's face as Lucas groaned and mumbled, "Fine."

The bell of the entrance chimed, and Lucas' face dropped, more than Zea thought was possible. She could feel him tense and glanced at him, his jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes were narrowed at the newcomer.

Both Zea and Elena followed the line of his stare, the lucky person to be at the end of the deadly glare was a tall blond man. He was well-built, slightly on the stockier side. A strong jaw framed his long face and the white, Parksite's doctor coat hung on his buff shoulders.

Elena turned to Lucas, shaking her head slowly, "Do not initiate."

With an annoyed grunt, Lucas lifted his tea to his lips, eyes not leaving its target, "Wasn't planning to."

"I'm sensing some tension here. Who's that?"

"Cole Hamman." His answer was curt and cold, he drank his tea aggressively and pressed his lips together.

Zea decided to turn her attention to Elena, hoping to get a more detailed and informative answer from her. Luckily, Elena had loose lips and loved getting and spreading Parksite gossip.

"Mr Yorks had three residents; I, Lucas and the last one was Cole. Those two were friends at first before I even entered the picture. But somewhere along the way, they fell out-"

"He's a dick," Lucas interrupted, " I was doing better than him in residency, so that jealous arse decided to sabotage me. Multiple times."

Zea could hear the distaste in his tone, she hadn't encountered an angry Lucas yet, but the current hostility he was spitting out gave her a glimpse of him. She removed her hand from his hair, placing it comfortingly on his knee. Lucas' jaw slackened, he didn't even realise he had it clenched.

"If I recall correctly, you're just as bad."

Lucas shook his finger at Elena. "No, don't compare us. I only pranked him. Nothing that would've sabotaged his career."

"Sure." Elena rolled her eyes and leaned towards Zea, "To make matters worse, Dumb and Dumber both chose the same specialisation. The feud got worse now that both of them are fighting to be the Head of Cardiovascular Surgery."

A huff left Lucas' nose as he gave a last glance as his competition who was currently leaning over the counter, attempting to flirt with the barista.

The beeping from Elena's watch indicated the start of a new hour. She sighed slightly and stood up. "Guess I should get going, my son is probably on his way home from school."

"I guess we should get going too," Lucas said, pushing his chair back. He stood up and lifted Zea with him.

Elena opened her arms and leaned in to give Zea a hug. "It's been a delight meeting you!"

"Same here! We should meet up one day, I would love to find out more of Lucas' secrets," Zea joked, earning a poke at her ribs.

"Of course. Here's my number." Elena handed out her name card, smiling. She jerked her head towards Lucas, "Good luck with that boy over there."

Lucas squinted his eyes and folded his arms as Zea laughed, "You know, I'm glad I don't have to worry about a jealous female friend."

"Hun, at this point, I'd rather go for you than him." The two of them laughed. Elena turned to Lucas and winked, "And if you can't already tell, I so approve of her."

Zea blushed slightly. Lucas rolled his eyes, but the tug of his lips betrayed his look of annoyance. He was glad that one of his closest friends liked Zea, hopefully not too much. 

Elena smiled and waved, "Alright, I'll be off now. Bye Lucas. And I hope to see you at the Gala, Zea!"

Zea and Lucas waved back and watched as Elena exited the shop. Lucas as he placed his hand behind Zea's waist as they began to walk to the exit. She looked at him curiously. 

"Wait, what Gala was Elena referring to?"

Lucas groaned and smacked his forehead. He had been so busy with work the upcoming Annual Charity Gala had completely slipped his mind. "Shit I forgot about that. Remind me to thank Elena for her loose lips."

"I like her."

"I could tell. I'm glad the two of you got along. Well, I might come to regret that soon."

Zea laughed as they walked across the car park, passing the motorcycle bays. "Hmm, no bike today?"

Lucas was slightly surprised to hear a hint of disappointment in her voice. He shook his head and took out his car keys from his back pocket. "Nope. I opted for four wheels."

With a click of a button, the headlights of the black Audi came to life. 

"Now this was what I expected from you."

Lucas chuckled and lead Zea to the car, opening the door of the passenger seat. "C'mon, I'll tell you about the Gala back at my place."

Zea smiled and nodded as she stepped into the car.

"Yes, sir."