Phoenix Ascending

Chapter 1

Dianna Matthews knew her boss, the Director of Hospital X of Hong Kong, was a hypocrite. But this level of hypocrisy pushed down the already dwindling level of respect she had for the man even further.

She was already dressed in her scrubs getting ready for a surgery when the said man called her for a meeting. It was with great reluctance that she accepted the request for this surgery for the young doctor has put in a lot of effort for it and her concentration slipping right before this complicated procedure is not what Dianna really wants right now. And currently sitting in front of the man, hearing his outrageous request has not done anything to alleviate her already low mood.

"Because he is VIP!", as if that would sate her irritation. Despite being a doctor for many years and taken the Hippocratic oath, it has not deterred the man in his pursuit for material wealth in the slightest. Exactly the kind of man she hates.

Dianna chuckled darkly, sarcasm dripping in her voice,

"Excuse me sir. I think that old age has made you senile. For your information, I was getting ready for a surgery when you called me here. Now you want me to attend a VIP for his check up?"

"Of course Dianna. I didn't make you Hong Kong's best cardiothoracic surgeon for nothing. You have to serve him well to make me proud", stated the older man proudly, her sarcasm clearly going right above his head.

The young 26 year old doctor sighed, exasperated. She gave up making this man see reason but there's no way, no way was she accepting his request.

Her gentle father didn't teach her to be rude but he did advice her not to succumb to power by being calm. While Dianna's usual anger management solution was a punch to the asshole's face, it would disappoint her gentle father. And if she didn't do anything and her tigress of a mother got wind of it, she would be punished with 1000 push ups. Scary!!

Ok. Make up your mind girl.

"Sorry Sir. I will not do the check up", Dianna stressed firmly, "Ask someone who is available. And for the record, you didn't make me Hong Kong's best cardiothoracic surgeon , that's my effort and talent." Saying this, the young doctor turned back and walked out of the room. As she was about to cross the threshold of the door, the director snapped out his shock that this young woman would dare to deny him and shouted,

"Dianna, don't you dare get out of that door or else you can kiss your medical license goodbye!"

The sleezy man was so sure the doctor would be scared of his power and reel back in, his face in smug satisfaction.

Unfortunately that wasn't Dianna. Not one to back down, she turned and threatened him in return,

"Then I suppose you can expect me to expose all your dirty dealings then?" The young doctor scoffed at the ridiculous man. "You must think of a fool to hand me an empty threat."

The Director froze for a second. Everyone in the hospital knew about his corruption as it was an open secret. But nobody ever had the guts to screw him in fear of his power. But he knew Dianna and how she behaved when provoked, like an untamed wolf. Fear crept in his spine , that instinctual flight or fight response in full gear, prepared to fly away from the threat right in front of him, the threat of a predator who is about to swallow him whole.

He stuttered in anger and fear, "Y....You dare?"

But Dianna just clicked her tongue.

"No Director. The question is... do you dare?"

Dear forgotten and only misguided anger remained, clouding his face as no words followed. Expecting this reaction, the young doctor smirked in mockery and walked out of the Director's office.

Confidently strutting to the OR (operating room), Dianna though,

"How dare that small man with small ambitions take me for granted? I am Dianna, the great hunter, akin to my namesake the great Greek Goddess Dianna. It seems that working with him for almost 2 years has not taught him a lesson not to go against me."

After walking for a while through the hospital corridors, en-route to the OR, the young doctor forgot about small men and focused on mentally preparing for the complications that might occur when operating on an aortic dissection on the ascending aorta. And on top of that, the tear on the aorta is not small either.

Coming up with Plan B, C, D, E and F, Dianna was ready for anything thrown at her and assuredly suited up with masks and gloves, helped by the head nurse.

"Do your thing, girl! Forget about insignificant things", she internally cheered.

But no such elation or thoughts were seen on her face as Dianna approached the surgery table, her patient out cold, ready to be cut open, with a face as stoic as cold marble. But the nurses and medical assistants all hear her mumbling,

"Is it possible complete this surgery in an hour? The world record is 1 hr and 30 minutes, right? Mmmnn.....". Everyone present could only roll their eyes, exasperated but fondly, all used to her mumbling and definitely expecting another impossible medical stunt.