Chapter 20. Outmatched

Rayleigh made her way to the airport, accompanied by a group of doctors from various departments as well as two others from the orthopedic division. She reached the terminal at around 7:30 in the evening, with her plane scheduled to depart at 9 o'clock.

Tamara, Rayleigh's trusted assistant, had helped her book the flight ticket to Washington, D.C., because she had to coordinate with doctors from other departments who would be leaving for DC tonight. While Rayleigh continues to work, dealing with patients one by one.

She already knows Rayleigh preferred to fly business class when travelling between states, but when it came to international trips, she always opted for first-class accommodations.

However, what makes Rayleigh pissed is when she notices Lauren approaching her with a wide smile plastered on her face. She came as a doctor from the pediatric department, since she's one of the best pediatricians in the hospital.

"I've already booked a hotel for us, so you don't have to worry about it," Lauren said, her tone pleasant.

Rayleigh's expression remained neutral as she responded, "I've already booked a hotel for me and my girlfriend." Without further explanation, she turned and continued walking towards the departure gate, leaving Lauren behind.

"What do you mean 'girlfriend'? Am I your girlfriend now?" Lauren called out, jogging to catch up with Rayleigh while pulling her large suitcase behind her. The excitement in her voice was obvious; the doctors behind them were just watching Lauren with pity.

Rayleigh stopped in her tracks and turned to face Lauren; her eyes narrowed with annoyance. "My girlfriend is only one, Rose Isabelle. Not you. Get that through your head, Doctor Lauren," she said, her voice harsh.

"Why are you being so difficult towards us?" Lauren persisted, her tone laced with a hint of desperation. "I'm the one who's always been by your side, and that girl—who knows what she's doing when she's not with you?"

Rayleigh's patience had reached its limit. She quickly grabbed the collar of Lauren's shirt and yanked her close, her face just inches away from the other doctor's. "Shut up!" she growled, her grip tightening. "Shut your mouth!" With a firm push, she released Lauren, who stumbled backward, her eyes wide with shock.

Behind them, one of the senior doctors had been discreetly recording the encounter, and he quickly sent a message to the group chat, informing the others that he had won the bet.

"Ray! Come on!" Lauren kept pestering Rayleigh, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation as she tried to catch up with Rayleigh, who's leaving her without care in the world.

One of the younger doctors, who had been watching the exchange with a sympathetic eye, decided to help Lauren because he felt pity for her. He gently placed a hand on Lauren's shoulder and said, "I think you should let her go and leave her alone for a while."

His words were wise and measured, but Lauren had none of them. She shrugged off his hand harshly, glaring at him with undisguised irritation. "You don't need to tell me what to do with Rayleigh! I know her better than anyone! I don't need your help!"

Lauren's reaction left the young doctor from the internal medicine department speechless in astonishment. He felt deeply offended, as he had only meant to offer a sympathetic suggestion, yet Lauren had responded with such blatant disrespect.

"What did I say?" The senior doctor, who had won the bet, chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "I told you, Lauren Thompson doesn't deserve a nice gesture," he remarked.

"Wow, she's really something," one of the younger doctors commented. She couldn't believe what she just saw. Now that she understands that most midwives and nurses hate Lauren, she's really got an attitude.

"I know, right?" the senior doctor replied, a wry smile playing on his lips. Without another word, they quickly followed after Rayleigh, who had already been far away, made her way to the concourse, with Lauren trailing behind in a frantic rush to catch up.

As they made their way to the business-class lounge, the atmosphere changed abruptly. Rayleigh, who had business class tickets, paid for all the doctors flying in economy plus so they could wait while seated near each other and could enjoy the snacks that were provided.

The lounge was chic and luxurious, with a relaxing atmosphere that helped relieve prior tension.

Prior to the check-in counter, everyone had to take a major step to keep Lauren from approaching Rayleigh. They saw the side of Rayleigh being the Vice President of the Hospital, not the nice doctor Rayleigh.

Rayleigh's remarks were clear-cut and simple. "I already bought the one by the window," she said. "I believe she isn't paying extra for her assigned seat, right? So, put her far away from my seat." She said this while pointing to Lauren.

The attendant, seeing Rayleigh's authority in her voice, immediately complied with her, guaranteeing Lauren's seat would be put as far away from Rayleigh's as possible.

Rayleigh was sipping her apple juice when she looked at Lauren with hatred in her eyes. "You come to me one more time," she warned, her voice low and unsettling, "and I'm going to punch you in the face, Laur. Don't try me."

Lauren, sensing the genuine threat in Rayleigh's words, quickly relented. "I'll leave for now," she conceded.

Rayleigh is a quiet person; she's rarely angry or pissed off. It's really a hospital record for Lauren to make the nice doctor pissed off at her in such a short time; they feel like Rayleigh is really going to punch Lauren in the face if she keeps pushing her buttons.

Rayleigh was known for her quiet, composed demeanor in the hospital. It was rare to see her show such blatant hatred or aggravation, making Lauren's ability to rile her up in such a short period even more impressive. The other doctors observed the interaction with awe and concern, worried Rayleigh would lash out and physically attack Lauren if she continued to push her buttons.

As everyone tried to calm down Rayleigh and take Lauren away from her, Rayleigh's expression changed. Her features softened, and a gorgeous, bright smile spread across her face as she fixated on her phone. The other doctors were astonished to see the sudden exchange as Rayleigh held the device to her ear, her voice warm and intimate.

"Hi, beautiful," she said. Her voice is soft and melodic.

"Hi, baby, I miss you," came the reply, and the voice on the other end was equally affectionate.

Rayleigh's smile widened as she continued the conversation. "I miss you, too, sweetheart. Is your plane landing in DC already?"

"We'll be landing in Dulles in thirty minutes," she said, clearly excited. "I called to let you know, and then I'll go to the domestic departure area to see you there."

"I can't wait to have you in my arms again," Rayleigh said. She bit her lips, making the other's jaw drop when they saw the difference.

"Me too," Isabelle replied, a deep, contented sigh noticeable. "I'll see you soon, okay? Come to me quickly."

"Okay, beautiful. Be careful; I'll be with you soon," Rayleigh assured her with a tender voice.

"I can't wait! Okay, I'll prepare for landing; goodbye, honey!" Isabelle quickly closed the conversation before Rayleigh managed to return her words; she was already needed on board to check all the passengers ready for landing at Dulles International Airport.

The other doctors could only stare in surprise as the change unfolded before their eyes. The Rayleigh they had just seen, on the brink of a physical fight, left to be replaced by a woman delighted by the idea of reuniting with her beloved.

"Holy sh*t," one of the younger doctors remarked, his eyes wide with disbelief. "She can be that passionate?"

"Did you hear how she was using that baby voice?" Another chimed in. "Do you have it on recording?"

"Damn, she's really whipped," a third doctor observed, a wry smile playing on her lips.

Everyone was completely transfixed, their previous worries and tensions forgotten, as they were amazed at the extent of Rayleigh's feelings for her girlfriend. They had never seen this side of their colleague before, and it left them both startled and impressed.

While they're busy observing Rayleigh, Lauren is pissed beyond belief. She still can't make a move on Rayleigh, and she's upset that Rayleigh has a girlfriend in DC. Her fists clenched at her sides, and her knuckles turned white with the degree of her emotions. She had never felt so powerless, so completely outmaneuvered and outmatched.