Chapter 1. Assignment: Anders
***Dr. Sofie's Nyberg on her way to dr. Hugo Anders' office***
It’s been a long, stressful road of studies, but starting my residency at Helsinki Central Hospital feels like the beginning of something bigger. The kind of beginning that changes everything.
Today is March 15th, already two weeks since Sara, Ben, and I started our residency here. I'm currently rotating between the ER and the Plastics Division, while Ben is splitting his time between General Surgery and Plastics. Sara, always calm and grounded, chose Obstetrics. She is on her path to becoming a midwife. We all studied at the same university, including our friend Merja, though she went into dentistry and has already begun working at a private clinic.
The team is sharp. Most of the new residents are familiar as we studied together. But having Sara with me, my best friend, my everything is what really grounds me. The first week of my internship has been a blessing. Under the guidance of the unexpectedly patient and gifted Dr. Swanson, I've started to see plastic surgery in a new light. It is more than just aesthetics. It is about reconstruction, restoration. For patients who've endured unthinkable and unimaginable things, this work is life-changing. Though I also think of general surgery, but I have some time to decide what to pursue.
I haven't met the head of the department yet, but his reputation echoes down the halls. If I get to train under the best, maybe I'll become one in future.
Still, I wasn't expecting *THIS*.
This morning, when I checked the schedule, my name was listed next to *Dr. Anders*.
Dr. Hugo Anders is the head of the department. The chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
*Why am I not with Dr. Swanson?*
My pulse kicks up. Not the good kind of thrill, more like the ohh-God-what-if-I-fail kind.
I haven't Googled the guy, but rumors say that he is a strict perfectionist. Probably some oldish man with decades of experience. The type who demands order, rules, and precision.
Basically, the complete opposite of Dr. Swanson, whose calm energy made it easy for me to find my rhythm during the first week.
*Maybe I should reconsider this department entirely.*
I know, it's only been a week. But I was starting to feel grounded. Maybe my second choice, ER, would be a better fit to prove my dedication and showcase my skills.
Now I’m about to be thrown into the deep end.
As I turn the corner toward the staff wing, I nearly bump into my dearest friend Sara.
"There you are," she says, adjusting her ponytail with one hand and holding a takeaway coffee in the other. "I heard you’re paired with Dr. Anders today."
I blink. "News travels fast."
"Are you nervous?" Sara asks.
"Is that a serious question?" I gasp.
She grins. "You'll be fine, Sofie. Just... don't let that brooding genius throw you off. It's all part of the legend."
"I haven't even met him yet and I'm already spiraling. You know how can I be. I might say something silly just because I am nervous."
Sara nudges my shoulder gently. "That's your thing. You spiral, then you slay. You've got this."
With a wink, she disappears down the hall. I take a steadying breath and continue on, hoping to find Dr. Swanson or at least someone who can point me in the right direction.
Just as I turn down another corridor, a nurse passing by glances up from her chart.
"Are you Sofie? Dr. Sofie Nyberg? Looking for Dr. Swanson?" she asks.
I nod. "Yes. I was supposed to be assigned to him, but... my name was next to Dr. Anders' today."
Her brows lift. "Ohh..you’re the one."
My stomach dips. "The one what?"
She grins. "They are both waiting for you in dr. Anders' office." Then, with a wink, she adds, "Good luck. He is *delicious*."
*Wait what?...Delicious?*
Did she really just say *delicious?*
What does that even mean? What kind of nonsense is that?
This day is getting weirder by the minute.
My footsteps are shaky as I head toward his office. I tell myself it's just nerves. But it's not. It's something else. Something quiet. Insistent. A strange anticipation.
I don't know what I'm walking into. All I know is that everything's about to change.
But something tells me, after today...
*Delicious what the heck is that...* Focus Sofie, focus!! I should erase it from my memory.
