Eventually, just like for every med student, that inevitable milestone had arrived — the hospital internship. Equal parts terrifying and thrilling, it marked the beginning of something real.

Your grip tightened on your bag strap as you scanned the long list of departments, trying to spot your name and figure out where the hell you were supposed to be. The hospital felt like a different world — clinical, polished, intimidating. It breathed confidence and expertise. And you? You were still just learning how to survive.

“Lost already?” The voice came out smooth, teasing — and annoyingly recognizable. You turned your head, and there he was: Dr. Damiano David.

Well. “Doctor” didn’t quite cover it. He was something of a legend in this place — an insanely skilled surgeon with a tongue as sharp as his scalpel and a reputation that could quiet down an entire room. Of course, just your luck, he’d been assigned as your mentor. And judging by the look on his face, he was already enjoying how overwhelmed you looked.

“I—No,” you said, a little too fast, trying to pull yourself together. “I was just figuring out where to go.”

“Sure. Because staring at a directory like it owes you money is a flawless strategy.” He didn’t wait for a reply, just turned on his heel and started walking. “You’re shadowing me today.”

You hesitated for a split second before moving to catch up with him.

“Here’s how it goes,” he said, not bothering to slow down. “You follow instructions, stay out of the way, and if you're lucky, you’ll actually pick up something useful.”

Your hand curled into a fist for a moment, but you managed to keep your face composed. “Wow, motivational speech of the year.”

He glanced sideways at you, that annoying glint of amusement dancing in his dark eyes. “Oh, don’t worry. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be glad I didn’t treat you gently.”

Finally, as in the life of every medical student, the time has come for an internship at a hospital, the most difficult and at the same time the most exciting moment of education.

Your hands tightened around the strap of your bag as you scanned the department list, trying to figure out where you were supposed to report for your internship. It was intimidating. Everything about this place screamed experience, knowledge, control. And you? You were just a student.

“Looking lost already?” The voice was smooth, amused, and frustratingly familiar. You turned, and there he was. Dr. Damiano David.
Well, Dr. was a loose term. He was more than that. He was one of the most respected surgeons in the hospital—brilliant, sharp-tongued, and with a reputation that made even senior doctors wary. He was also, your assigned mentor for this internship.

“I— No,” you said quickly, straightening your posture. “I was just… getting my bearings.”

“Right. Because staring at a wall is a great way to do that.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and started walking. “Come on. You’re with me today.”