Marinette immediately slams the door close and fumbles with turning the lock on the knob.

She chokes on a sob and falls to her knees, grasping the side of the door as she heaves in and out.

"I've got a good listening ear."

Her hands tremble as she brings them to her ears. She graps tightly onto them, trying hard to take away those voices of the past that would always come to harm her.

"Why are you so quiet?"

He smiles at her and presses a soft kiss on the tip of her nose. "My friends said that I've got a good listening ear. I might as well use it especially when you talk about the things you like."

"You're such a dork."

"Yet, you still love me, right?"

Marinette cries louder, "Stop it, stop it!" She squeezes her eyes shut, still trying to drown his voice in her head.

"Come here," he pulls her into a warm embrace. "Tell me everything, and I'll still listen to you."

She forces herself to stand. Leaning most of her weight on the wall and switching the lights on, she trudges to the kitchen. Once she arrives at the counter, Marinette pulls open one cupboard door below her and brings out the first bottle she finds.

It's her stash of various liquor bottles that she only brings out in times of need.

And this situation needily calls for it.

Gin, Vodka, Rum, Tequila - Marinette can open her own bar if she had the time.

She twists the cap open and brings the opening of the bottle straight to her mouth. Marinette winces a bit when the tasteless liquid enters her system but leaves a bit of a burning sensation down her throat and even going down all the more to her stomach. That is when she realizes that she got a bottle of vodka. Normally, vodka is taken as a shot but Marinette is downing it like a normal glass of water.

She heaves out a long sigh and looks up. "What am I doing?" Marinette breathes out, placing the bottle on top of the counter. "Why am I letting myself go through this pain?" She cries softly then buries her head in her hands. "Why must you play with another person?"

"Girl?"

Marinette's head shoots up upon hearing the voice of her roommate.

Alya throws a wary glance towards the almost empty bottle of vodka then looks back at her distraught best friend. She lets out a sigh when Marinette immediately grabs the bottle and closes it in haste before placing it back in the cupboard. Without any hesitation, she asks, "Ice cream night?"

Marinette squeezes her eyes shut and leans on the kitchen counter behind her before crossing her arms. After awhile of silence, she nods. "Yes, ice cream night...please."

Ice cream night is a tradition the two shares when one of them, or even both, is going through something difficult and would need someone to talk to. The ice cream is there to help calm down their anger, dread or nervousness.

And from what Alya would always say, "Eating tons of ice cream is better than drowning one's self in alcohol."

They both head to a convenience store which is still open at this time and since Marinette is the one in crisis, it is Alya's job to pay for the ice cream. That's how the arrangement follows.

"Here."

Marinette looks up to see Alya handing over a pint of ice cream to her. "Thanks," she mutters and takes it from her. Alya also gives her a spoon before taking a seat.

They are both seated at a table outside the store. The neighborhood is quiet since most people have gone to sleep.

The two women first enjoy a few spoonfuls from their own ice cream pints before Alya decides to break the silence.

"So," she starts, "how come I entered to a sight of an almost empty bottle of vodka?" She brings her spoon back to the ice cream and scoops a bit of it before bringing it to her mouth.

Marinette sighs and clicks her tongue. "Please don't start scolding me for drinking that much," she murmurs.

"I think I'll scold you for not leaving more for me. I was planning to mix that with some fruit."

Marinette chuckles lightly then licks her bottom lip as she rests her spoon on top of the ice cream. "You bought the ice cream. I'll buy the vodka."

Alya waves her hand in dismissal. "The ice cream is for you to talk about what's bothering you. I don't want you to clam up again and think that it's alright to keep your feelings within yourself."

"I'm feeling okay now..."

"That wasn't the case with that bottle of vodka."

Marinette scoffs, "Shut up."

"I mean, come on," Alya sighs. "I may not be a doctor but I know that I'm not dumb. Tell me what's bothering you, come on."

She did not want it to be a bother, but it is really growing heavily on her. Maybe Chloé was right when it came to dealing with the feelings of that new nurse. That idiotic newbie.

Maybe she is playing with his feelings, and what makes her more inconsiderate is that she finds enjoyment in playing with his feelings.

But...he's a good man.

Adrien is an honest and good man.

She would consider herself a real devil if she took advantage of such a good man.

"I'm a horrible person, Alya," Marinette breathes out, suddenly losing the appetite to continue eating her ice cream. She props an elbow on the table and rests her head on her hand. "I can't even take another bite of my ice cream."

"That's new," Alya comments then places the lid of her ice cream container back on top before crossing both arms together. "Is this regarding a patient?"

Marinette throws a look of pity towards Alya and pouts, "What happens if I'm the patient?"

Alya chuckles ruefully. "Shut up," she utters with no hesitation and even rolls her eyes. But when noticing that her best friend was serious, she shifts from being sarcastic to concern. "Wait. Are you really meaning what you say?"

Marinette only nods and lets out a heavy sigh. "...It's time for me to tell you the truth. Just don't judge me, please."

And she does tell everything.

Alya knows about her past relationship but it came as a surprise for her to know that she's been entertaining this nurse, who apparently likes her very much, and has been taking the time to even be with him whether it be at work.

Marinette moved her shifts to be the same as Nurse Adrien's and it confuses her until now as to why she's making all these efforts for this measly man. This idiotic yet cute and breathtaking man that could make her heart pound recklessly as well.

What has she done to herself?! What has she done to him?

And he is such a kind and selfless man; a man she does not deserve. She has gone through so much that to have a good person harbor such feelings for her seems unworthy on her side.

She is unworthy of such feelings and emotions. Who is she to have someone like her like that? And for five years? Utter bullshit.

Marinette knows that she is not worth the effort and time. Her lingering feelings for him is too strong to be changed. She knows that she will just be wasting time over that newbie. Yet, why does she still find time to see him?

"Argh, this is frustrating!" she exclaims, "I am so tired!" She buries her head in her arms as they lay on the table in front of her.

"...He sounds like a good man, that nurse," Alya utters softly after hearing the thoughts of the doctor that have been bothering her nonstop.

Marinette squeezes her eyes shut and heaves out a long sigh. "That's a problem," she admits, "because he really is a good man."

"And that is what boggles you?"

"Chloé told me that it seems like I am playing with his feelings."

"We should go out on a date with her again," Alya comments fast. "Also no offense, but I absolutely agree with her."

"And what if maybe that's what I'm doing?! Maybe that's what I really want?" Marinette throws a hand into the air.

Alya pinches her eyebrows together and asks in growing confusion, "Are you saying that you want to impart the same pain on that nurse as well? You'll live with the guilt of doing that forever."

"I'd rather live with guilt than the pain that I've been suffering from for three years."

Yes, it has come to her senses now. She would rather date him and even start being in a relationship with Adrien before she suddenly dumps him and move on with her life. If such selfish ways could make her stop from even having thoughts of the man before Adrien, then she'll take that opportunity without a doubt.

Yet, that would be horrible.

"Don't you find that heartless of you to do?" Alya whispers in concern.

"When was I never?" Marinette leans her head back and squeezes her eyes shut. "Alya, it's been three years," she whines softly, "and I hate that I'm all worked up now because he's coming back."

Alya utters nonchalantly, "Then take away whatever's not your priority."

"Excuse me?" Marinette utters, watching how her best friend scoops another serving of ice cream and shoves it in her mouth. Even a bit of it falls from the spoon. "Oh, God." The doctor grabs some extra paper napkins she keeps in her bag and throws it at Alya. "Be a bit more refined, would you?"

Alya takes it and uses it to wipe her mouth. "Cancel that date," she continues.

"And why would I do that?"

"Girl, you're not only lying to him but you're lying to yourself."

"But..." Marinette trails off then pouts, "I like teasing him, you know-"

"Cancel that date, you selfish bitch!" The other woman seethes out, pointing her spoon directly at the doctor.

"Damn it, woman, calm your tits," Marinette says in exasperation. She frowns when some of the ice cream from Alya's spoon has splattered a bit on her slacks.

Her best friend has always been like that - very...eccentric. Until now, she wonders how they stayed as friends. Though, she would never change her for the world. Marinette knows that her best friend just wants what's best for her.

But what Alya does not know is the fact that Marinette really does have trouble figuring out her thoughts and feelings. Perhaps taking one important part or organ from her body also took a bit of her soul and spirit.

Alya takes a look at the time displayed on her wristwatch. "You got any surgeries scheduled in a few hours? We've been out here for a long time already, and we can't have a cardiac surgeon sleep-deprived."

"Everyone in the medical field is sleep-deprived." Marinette chuckles ruefully and shakes her head. "Got none. That's why I allowed to let my feelings overcome me back at the apartment..." she looks down at her hands laying on top of the table. "It's been a long time since I've thought of...things like that."

Looking away, Alya purses her lips for awhile then sullenly asks, "Do you still regret it? Undergoing that surgery?"

Out of instinct, Marinette brings a hand down to her clothed lower abdomen and sighs. "Well...I mean..." she couldn't find the words to say. It was hard to say it out loud.

She does not regret it. But she regrets how it was her relationship that had to be sacrificed in turn of taking away her physical pain.

"At least I don't feel unbearable pain anymore," she whispers, rubbing softly on the part, "but it makes me sad that he really wanted children through the natural way...and I couldn't even provide such a simple thing."

"Yet, it's not his body. It's yours," Alya emphasizes.

"And could you blame a woman who was very much in love?" Marinette replies, "I wanted to give him everything he wanted. Alya, we were engaged. We were talking about having our own little family and I thought that a lot of my dreams would be fulfilled. M-Maybe..." she stammers, "maybe that's why the fact that he is coming back to the hospital is bothering me because...p-perhaps I can think of such dreams again."

"...with him?" Alya asks reluctantly which Marinette could only shrug her shoulders to as an answer. The action causes Alya to sigh heavily and pinch the bridge of her nose. "You really do need a distraction then. Fine." She raises her hands in mock surrender. "If you like to tease that nurse, then let's reach a compromise. Cancel that date and see how he reacts."

Marinette perks up with her best friend's sudden suggestion, well if it were really a suggestion or words said out of pity. "So...my teasing will depend on his reaction?"

Alya nods once. "But, remember that you do not do it to the point of leaving psychological damage on him."

"Easy!" Marinette announces with glee, a complete 180 turn from feeling melancholic just seconds ago. "He's over the moon for me. I bet the teasing will continue for sure!"

Alya mutters in defeat, going back to eating her ice cream, "You are too full of yourself sometimes."

Marinette shrugs proudly. "I'm awesome like that."

"I beg to differ," Alya scoffs.

------------

"I think we should cancel the date for tonight," Doctor DC says with mock regret laced in her voice. She even plays the part of looking utterly sorry by pouting her lips and even keeping her eyes downcast, not wanting to meet the eyes of the nurse.

She pulled Nurse Adrien away from the break room a few hours after their shift started and brought him to an empty stockroom so that she can raise her 'concern' in private, though she kept the door ajar.

And to say that the nurse was beyond shocked (and albeit nervous) is an understatement.

The doctor runs a hand on her arm. "I'm really, really sorry about it..."

Adrien shakes his head and waves a hand in dismissal. "O-Oh," he stutters, "don't be! Please! There is nothing to be sorry for-"

"I-I just...I..." the doctor looks up and lets out a fake sigh in exasperation. "I'm sorry, Adrien..." she trails off. "This. Us. It won't work."

"Oh!" His eyes widen in realization. "Uh, okay."

"So, I know that it might take you time to move on-" the doctor stops mid-speech as the answer of the nurse finally dawns on her. "Wait, sorry." She furrows her eyebrows. "What did you say?"

"Okay," he answers softly.

"Okay?" She asks incredulously, "You're okay with this?" Her voice raises a bit.

The nurse glances at the side for a moment then looks back at her. "Yeah..." he drawls out.

"But...I...Adri - Newbie, I..." Doctor DC is rendered speechless. This is not going according to plan. She even thought that he would beg her to give him a chance to prove himself. Instead, he says okay?!

The doctor decides to force out a curt laugh. "You're playing with me," she points finger guns at him. "Wow, you are so funny, but I think you are missing the point here," her voice changes to being serious. "I'm saying that we should stop seeing each other outside work and stop going on those casual dates."

"And I said that I'm okay with that."

"Don't you want to be with me?!" Doctor DC suddenly spits out in disbelief which causes the nurse to take a small step back out of surprise.

"I mean..." he stammers, trying to find the rights words to explain himself, "confessing to you has actually been my main goal for five years so after doing that...I did not really expect much. T-That date and all the other stuff we did were a bonus. Other than that, I did not really seek for anything else," he finishes, letting out a nervous sigh especially when he notices that the doctor's eye is twitching.

The doctor breathes out, "...are you serious?" She still cannot believe how things have turned out this way, and they are not working in her favor!

Maybe the nurse is feeling troubled by it? Does he have the right to?! It's the doctor who is in a dilemma here!

"But maybe..." the nurse whispers, bringing a hand under his chin, "if you could allow me to still be a bit greedy?"

"Greedy?"

"I mean, if you'll still allow me to like you even if I'm not looking for a relationship with you."

Not looking for a relationship with me? The doctor thought. She scoffs, crossing her arms and jutting her chin at him, "I can't stop you with that, idiot. It's your feelings. You control them." Huffing under her breath, she turns the other way to walk out of the room.

Nurse Adrien follows right after, out of instinct. "Okay, great!" He exclaims, "Oh! Does this mean that I'll go back to calling you 'doctor' even outside of work?-"

"You do not have the permission to call me by any name aside from doctor!" The doctor spits out and shoves her hands in her pockets as she saunters, following the direction that will lead her back to her office. She makes sure to move fast but the long-legged nurse would always seem to catch up.

"Do you still want me to design that new coat for you-"

The doctor stops in place and snaps out loud at him, "Forget all of that! All the smiles, holding hands, sweet words - those are all nothing!" She throws her hands to the side.

"Cool!" The nurse smiles and gives her a thumbs-up. "See you around, doctor!"

The doctor lets out a sharp sigh of disbelief and turns away to completely leave his presence. And she's thankful that he stopped following her.

Doctor DC grits her teeth and the hands in her pockets have clenched into fists. She is beyond appalled. "I cannot believe him!" She mutters under her breath, "How dare that man w-with luscious blond hair and adorable green eyes say okay!" She turns left to the other corridor and shifts back to her cheerful self when she passes by a colleague of hers. Then she immediately goes back to her sour mood. "Okay?" She continues, still in utter disbelief, "Okay?! The audacity!"

"Of you."

Doctor DC rolls her eyes when Doctor Chloé starts to walk beside her with a smug look clearly written on her face.

"You saw that?" She grumbles.

"I saw it right from the moment you dragged him to the stockroom. I have to give myself a pat on the back for hiding well." And the blonde doctor really does pat herself once on her own back.

Doctor DC huffs in annoyance, "I'm not in the mood for your shenanigans."

"Well, let me just say that you deserved all of that," Doctor Chloé points out then claps her hands in glee. "I had so much fun! It was delectably hilarious! Look at you all bothered!" She brings a finger to her fuming colleague and pokes her cheek in hopes of teasing her more. "Who would have thought that his simple words can rile up the Devil? I think I might start liking him now-"

"Hey!"

Doctor Chloé laughs louder, "Someone's possessive!"

They finally reach their shared office and Doctor DC immediately finds her way to her desk and drops on her chair in defeat. Rubbing a hand on her forehead, she arrives at a sudden realization."Was that a form of rejection? Did he reject me?" She scoffs, "Was he aware of who he was speaking with? I'm one of the most successful doctors here, excuse me!"

Doctor Chloé leans on the desk of the doctor in distress. Raising an eyebrow, she explains, "He was simply putting you in place. Something you must learn even if you are a successful doctor." Then she suddenly goes back to laughing. "I just can't believe that karma hit you so fast! I did not expect it to arrive a day after!" She raises her closed fists into the air. "Success!"

"Chloé!"

"Oh, by the way," the blonde doctor starts, not even minding the sudden outburst of her colleague for one bit, "since you're not anymore going out tonight, think you can pull a 24-hour shift today? Sorry if it's a bit of a late notice."

"I find it better to make myself busy," Doctor DC murmurs, feeling an oncoming headache from the sudden turn of events with that nurse, then looks up at the blonde doctor. "I might as well keep myself occupied. What's wrong?"

"I was hoping that you could be the attending physician of our new patient that got admitted an hour ago." Doctor Chloé walks to her desk and takes the patient's chart to hand it over to the other doctor.

It only took a few seconds for Doctor DC to go through all the data regarding the new patient. "Is...is this it?" She asks unsurely. It's only a page long.

Doctor Chloé could only nod. "Apparently, that patient is not fond of medical check-ups..."

"I'll take him. Even if I know that you're just doing this to torment me by making me see that nurse again."

"Nurse Adrien Agreste..." Doctor Chloé then sighs dreamily. "Saying his name out loud sounds like he's worth a fortune."

Doctor DC drawls out, "Don't start again, please."

"Adrien Agreste, Adrien Agreste, Adrien Agreste," Doctor Chloé repeats then stops herself. "...Marinette Agreste," she whispers then widens her eyes. "That does not sound bad!"

"N-No! No, it does sound bad!"

"Does Alya know about this?" Doctor Chloé gushes, "I can't wait to tell her!"

Doctor DC could only bury her head in her hands in defeat. Finally succumbing helplessly to the never-ending rhapsodies of her annoying colleague.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you all liked this chapter!

I have 10 more papers to pass until Jan. 7 and then I will finally have my break :') i cri. i did not even have a christmas and new year break (i spent all my days on schoolwork). I'm so excited to spend my break writing and maybe watching a bit more of my japanese dramas hahaha (if you want any recs, just ask me!)

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