Chapter 5 Backroom Deal

• Aaron hitched a ride here with Henry for the purpose of looking for Samantha. Seeing Wisteria come over, he pushed the car door open and got out of the car of his own accord, saying, "I gotta go."
• After he left, Wisteria got into the car and sat across from Henry. Inwardly, she felt somewhat uneasy, having realized that the latter might've mistaken her for someone else. However, she had already felt the benefits of being close to him. The hospital director had always held Samantha in high regard, but he suddenly decided to let her intern at the Northshore General Hospital because of Henry. She decided to catch hold of this guy. Such a stroke of luck and a golden opportunity was the only one of its kind. Now that she had God on her side, she mustn't let go of this guy! "I've made up my mind," she said before looking up.
• Henry seemed to be surprised that she'd make up her mind so quickly. He stirred in a seemingly casual manner, but he was inwardly curious about her answer.
• Surprisingly, Wisteria said, "I don't want anything." For him to promise me marriage, that person must've slept with him. If I ask for marriage or anything else right away, it'll make me seem greedy, she thought. Pretending to compromise herself, she said, "I'm fine with being just friends with you."
• Henry pressed his lips together. He sounded very calm, though his emotions were difficult to read. "Have you made up your mind?"
• Wisteria nodded.
• Perhaps she only slept with me on an impulse last night. I'm not gonna impose myself on her, then, thought Henry. "I respect your decision."
• …
• Samantha was reading a book on medicine in the hospital lounge. She didn't feel like going back to Henry's territory after work, but she didn't want to return home either. Consequently, she had no choice but to kill time in the hospital, but she was fine with it since she could read and study to pass the time.
• Knock, knock! There was a knock on the door before it was pushed open. When Aaron saw her, he asked, "Why are you hiding here?"
• "I'm not hiding." Samantha closed the book and put it on the table before standing up and coming over. "What brings you here, Aaron?"
• "I've got to thank you for the favor you did me, no?" Aaron replied with a smile. "Come on, let me treat you to something nice."
• Samantha shook her head. "I think I'll pass on that one."
• Only then did Aaron notice that she looked unhappy. "What's wrong? Are you unhappy or something?"
• Samantha avoided his gaze, saying, "Nothing."
• Aaron obviously didn't believe it, though. "Just tell me if there's anything. Or am I not worth placing your trust in?"
• "No, that's not the case," Samantha hurriedly explained. Then, she heaved a sigh, saying, "I won't get to work alongside you anymore."
• "Why?" Aaron knitted his brows while seeming somewhat angry. "Did the hospital director change his mind? Who's gonna get the slot for the internship? I'll go look for him."
• Samantha stopped him before shaking her head at him.
• Aaron argued, "Isn't it your dream to become an outstanding military surgeon? What dream are you talking about if you can't even make it to Northshore General Hospital?" He thought this was unlike her. Wasn't she studying and working so hard just to make her dream come true?
• Samantha's eyes drooped. It wasn't that she'd given up on her dream; it was that reality was making things difficult for her. And besides, she didn't want to give Aaron any trouble.
• Aaron pursed his lips. "I got it."
• Samantha gave him a forced smile. "I'll treat you to dinner."
• "Next time." Aaron knew full well that Samantha must've been replaced by someone else for the internship because of a backroom deal or something. She decided to keep silent because whatever she said wouldn't make a difference, but he couldn't put up with this. "I gotta go. It just occurred to me that I had something else to deal with," he said. With that, he turned around and stormed off in a huff.
• He stormed into the hospital director's office right away, having the nerve to do so not entirely because of himself but because he was also from a distinguished family.
• The hospital director was on the phone with someone. When he saw Aaron come in, he said, "That's all," to the other end and hung up the phone before standing up with a smile. "What brings you here, Dr. Cuomo?"
• "It's been decided that Samantha will get the internship, no? Why is someone else getting the slot instead? Who bribed you into giving the slot to someone else? If you don't explain it today, then don't blame me for going after you."
• The hospital director was in a tight spot, too. He explained, "I also have no choice in this matter. Henry told me to look after Dr. Cash, so what can I do?"
• Aaron's furrowed brow twitched when he heard Henry's name.
• "Just go to Henry instead if you're angry about this," said the hospital director as he cleverly passed the buck to someone else. I can't afford to mess with both Henry and this guy, anyway.
• In a fit of anger, Aaron turned around to look for Henry. When he stepped out of the hospital entrance, he happened to see Wisteria getting out of the car. He strode over.
• Wisteria greeted him with a smile, saying, "Hi, Aaron."
• Aaron didn't know what kind of expression he should make. After darting a look into the car, he mumbled, "Uh-huh," out of courtesy.
• After Wisteria left, he couldn't help feeling aggrieved for Samantha, but the person who got her replaced by someone else for the internship happened to be close friends with him. Henry had never cared about any woman before, but now he seemed to have a special relationship with Wisteria, toward whom he had an unusual attitude. It's rare that Henry would actively try to please a woman. Can I put a spoke in his wheel, then? "I don't understand. What do you like about Wisteria?"