A ONE-NIGHT STAND WITH THE BILLIONAIRE RADIOLOGIST

ing. I got out of bed, walked to the cupboard, and turned it off. My mouth opened wid

nd wiped my face with my

ay like this, and every part of me rejoiced as I slowly made my way to the bat

the events that

had to work part-time jobs to save up for school, but most of the money went t

those who intend to attend college. This initiative is to help parents and guardians w

houlder as I was already half-asleep. He

. If you pass the scholarship exam, your tuition fees will be covere

church, turned toward me. She locked eyes with

wanted to go to college, and now, he

n the chance to prove myself!" I exclaimed. I quickly ran to my room and brought out books to study, determine

. It was, of course, my mom.

g brighter than I had ever seen. I could tell she was just as happy for me as I was f

de smile. Finally, she spoke, "Ariel, I think God is on your side. He has

hard to cram all this information into

both hope and concern. She knew this might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance,

se to myself. I would work as hard as I

rs on end, until I started developing migraines, but I pushed t

mily at the table. But I was so consumed with studying that I hadn't s

d, her voice full of disbelief as I sat down. I

Give yourself a break before you burn out. Yo

but I was determined. I wanted this schola

I'm really not. Please, don't worry abou

a sharp pain sho

urmured unin

rned to me. "Are yo

headache," I r

etting them myself. As I turned to go to the cabinet, I stum

her voice full of panic

asked, but I couldn't res

ed me to

. Mom also pleaded with me to follow the doctor's advice and take it easy on myself, but I remained adamant.

go home? I still have some b

ened with fury a

our excessive reading got you here, and now you want to

ldn't afford to rest, not now. This might be my only

go home now. I have to finish the boo

et out of that bed.

not! You're going to hit someone who's

hink if you die from stress, the exams will still hold? They'll jus

om rebuked. "Then tell your daughter to have some pity on

he cared. Dad is someone who hardly expresses his emotio

e went home, and I headed straight to my room as soon

inally here. Today was the exam day, the

came out with a towel wrapped around my chest.

" she said in a

here to talk to

om?" I r

sh you good luck,"

, Mom,"

there and do your best,"

Mom," I

eves I'll go out there and crush this exam. Did

arm smile. "Make sure to pick a dress that will b

g on to the faith that I would indeed p

ng that would bring me luck, so I wore a purple dress. I don't know how it works, but I've always had thi

y Exam" that had kept me on edge for w

hony asked the moment I

with a gasp, and pulled out a bottle of chilled water. I drank it

sfied, ignoring the crack

ny watched me

kay, honey?

ed deeply, like I had just finished battling a wild

ok, his black eyes sharp as i

aring at me, you

rd right now," he replied,

actly what I'm going to do. Mom, please, no one should

smile sparkled across my face. I hugged

ding and sleepless nights, with not even a spare minute for myself. Now, I was back to being th

traight to my cupb

vorite item in my room. It's made of plastic but painted in a soft shade of pink and light lilac, my

in there, unlike the wardrobe where I jus

held it close. I puckered my lips to give it a kiss and stopped for a second. "Can I do this? Or should I ask

eally dedicated my time to the exams, and I prayed it would all wo

at the door. "Ariel, can

ou I need to rest,

ute, please

me in," I

a burger! He quietly moved closer to my bed. "Here,

ached for his offer. "Aww, thank

. "It's my favorite! How

eone has to save up to get

I raised an eyeb

the burger. "Oh,

ike it?"

aking another bite and was

when I just had a meal," I mused. Anthony gave me a "I

nt he made: "Days like this." What d

hat if you're not selected for the scholarshi

, bewildered. "Why this question a

nted to know if you have a backup plan. You know,

ruth. I had been so focused on preparing for the exams that I didn't think about a backup plan. I

yself in

't mean to upset you. I'm sorry I even asked

You made me realize that, just like me, there are thousands of other girls and boys out there applying fo

u shouldn't put all your trust and hope in it.

from the burger. "I'll look for a backup pla

e will pray,"

mean by 'days like this'?

re of. You've been through a lot of stress, and I th

th those words, one might think you'r

made his