Oops I forgot to update the story here
So you'll get 2 chapters in a row now...
“You have a date with Abby?” Luka's disbelieving tone brought an even broader smile to Clemente's face. His accent had become thicker and his expression spoke for him.
“Yeah, but don’t tell the others.” He had whispered the last sentence, as though he wanted to make sure that no one had heard him. “I don’t want rumors to start about us. I mean, it's only our first date. I want to take it slowly. Abby's a lady. So any tips to help me?”
“No…” Luka looked at Clemente, wondering if it was some kind of joke. Certainly Abby wouldn't accept to go out with him. He wasn't her style. Not at all.
“Don’t worry I’ll manage.” He soothingly added. “Ah! Here she comes. She sure looks good. We’re even perfect in size. See, I’m not too tall.” As he said that, he looked at Luka as if making a point.
“She likes tall.” Luka growled through his teeth. Clemente just looked past him, not showing that he had actually heard his comment.
“Maybe for now. That’s because she hasn’t been out with me. So pretty lady, are you ready to go?” Offering his arm to Abby, he steered her past a shocked Luka.
“Yes I am.” Abby smiled and questioningly looked at Luka. Why was he staring so strangely? She turned to Victor, who graced her with his best smile.
“I know this French restaurant. Their fish is delicious. You will love it.” He took her hand in his and decidedly went for the exit.
“Weren’t we supposed…” Abby reluctantly followed his lead, alternatively looking at Luka and the others.
“Goodnight Kovac!” Clemente chimed.
“Yeah, have a nice evening Luka, see you tomorrow!” She waved his way, but he didn't offer any answer. He just stared back. With an uneasy feeling, Abby left the hospital at Victor's arm.
“So Clemente finally made a move on her?” Frank told Haleh. He had made sure he was loud enough for Luka to hear. “I wondered how long it would take him. It’s pretty obvious he likes her.”
“I think she likes him too. She insisted that he call her by first name.” At Chuny's little barb, Luka grumbled, still wondering why Abby was even considering a date with Clemente. The guy was just a pain, what could she possibly see in him? This was not good. Once again he cursed his wrong choice of words that night.
“Oh goodnight Dr Kovac.” After having watched Luka motionless for the last two minutes, Haleh had decided to take him out of his stupor.
“What?” The nurse's voice had startled him. He had completely forgotten where he was. How long had he been standing there? Looking at the staff he realized it had definitely been too long. Finally he made his way to the exit, it was pointless to stay here. A nice beer at home was just what he needed. Had he thought of refilling his fridge? “Yeah, goodnight Haleh, bye Frank. Chuny...”
“That’s what I called shocked rigid. If that doesn’t make him act, the guy is hopeless.” They watched him leave. “Don't be late tomorrow, ladies. The show has finally begun. It was damn time!”
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“So how was you date with Clemente?”
“That wasn’t a date, Neela.” Abby answered smiling.
“Didn’t he take you to a French restaurant? I mean that's something.”
“How do you know that?” She looked at her friend, not sure she wanted to know how this information was already all over the ER. “Yeah he did, but that was only an incentive to make me say yes.”
“So how was it?”
“The restaurant?” Abby teasingly asked.
“Yes that, and all the rest!”
“It was an interesting evening.”Abby had to laugh. It had been agreeable. It took her some time to relax at the beginning. Clemente's behavior at the hospital had made her suspicious about his ulterior motives. But he had behaved like a gentleman the whole evening.
“You liked it?”
“Yeah. It was a little weird. I mean I hardly know the guy and he takes me to ‘La Bohême’. The place was far too expensive and I was definitely under-dressed for the occasion. And he bought me flowers, can you imagine that?” As they walked they reached Admit where Frank, Chuny and Haleh were eagerly waiting for details.
“Flowers? Wow! What kind?” Haleh wondered.
“Red roses…”
“Oh, that’s for passion. He sure knows how to treat a woman. That means something Abby.” Chuny chuckled and smiled knowingly at Neela and Haleh. Abby just shook her head. They were all crazy. It had been a nice gesture. The little bouquet had been lovely, 5 tiny red roses with baby's breath. Nothing in common with this morning's bouquet. She still wondered what had driven him to buy her 12 red roses. Had she given him the impression she was interested in him? She frowned. She definitely needed to talk with Clemente. She just wondered where he was. She looked around searching for him.
“Did you go dancing?” Haleh just didn’t let go. Abby had to smile, they sure all looked very excited. She almost felt bad to soon disappoint them.
“Yeah we did.”
“Did you like it?” Chuny pushed. Getting a complete sentence out of Abby was a complete challenge.
“Yeah, I guess.” She smiled, remembering the crazy salsa place they went after dinner. It definitely had been fun.
“Our little doctor has certainly made an impression on you. You look all dreamy and happy. That must have been a hell of a date.” Abby looked up surprised by Frank's little tirade. She certainly wouldn't qualify her evening as a dream date, it had been fun but that was all. She saw him look behind her. As she turned, she saw Luka.
“Good morning.” His greeting was short and his eyes were immediately on Abby. She smiled until she realized, he wasn't smiling back.
“Hi Dr Kovac. Abby was just telling us about her date with Dr Clemente. What did you take at ‘La Bohême’? I heard they have the best chocolate mousse on this side of the Atlantic.”
“He took you to ‘La Bohême’?” Luka seemed stunned. He definitely hadn’t thought that Clemente would take her to such an exclusive place. What was he planning?
“Yeah…” Abby hesitantly looked at Luka. Why did she suddenly feel like a little girl who’s been caught with her hand in the cookie jar?
“And after that they went dancing! And he bought her red roses! It’s so romantic. Are you going to accept another date with him?” Even as Chuny was speaking, Luka didn’t break eye contact with Abby.
“That wasn’t a real date.” She turned to the others. “We had fun but that’s it. I mean… it was… nice.” As soon as the last word left her mouth, he felt a cold shiver run down his spine. Abby looked up at him and saw his eyes narrowing.