Seekers of the Crypt; the Lost Artifact

Beauford Medica

  After they ate their lunch, James and Garie made their way towards Beauford Medica, the huge hospital that belonged to Garie’s family. As the new project head of the new hire training, Garie will be going to introduce James as the one in charge of training the new hires and interns.

“Are you really up to this position?” James asked Garie.

“I am not required to be there all the time. You will just send me reports of their weekly progress.” Garie answered.

“How about you? British setting is quite different from Chinese setting.” She asked.

“It’s not that different. I’m sure I can manage.” 

  A few minutes of drive from her apartment, they reached the building of Beauford Medica. Garie parked her car and they both climbed out. While Garie was double-checking her car’s lock, James was looking at the building.  

“Let’s go.”

  Garie said and then she led James inside the building. Upon entering the hospital lobby, James has caught the attention of some female staff. They started to whisper and talk about the cutie that had just come in.

  James who was focused on following Garie didn’t give anyone around him any attention. Even when they got into the elevator and some of the female nurses and staff are giggling behind them. 

  Unlike James who didn’t give them any attention, Garie on the other hand was rolling her eyes to no end. She has noticed everyone’s eyes on James the moment they entered the hospital building. She heard all the giggling and whispering around them that is all because of James. Unknown to Garie, James has been very keen on her expressions, and he finds it amusing.

  And when they stepped out of the elevator, James playfully placed his hand on Garie’s lower back that cause the ladies behind them to whisper more. Then Garie led him towards the office of the hospital director so she can introduce James.

“Miss Beauford, how are you?” 

“All good Mr. Stanton,” Garie said smiling at the hospital director.

  Then they turned towards James.

“This is Dr. James Zhang, he’ll be the new resident general surgeon and then he’ll be training the new hires as well as the interns,” Garie told the hospital director.

  Mr. Stanton then turned towards James and smiled as he shakes his hand.

“Mr. Beauford already informed me about you joining our team. I heard a lot of things about you within the medical world and you are considered to be a genius doctor.” Mr. Stanton said and James let out an awkward chuckle.

“I don’t really consider myself a genius. I just study well.” James told him.

“It doesn’t matter; you are still amazing in your profession.” Mr. Stanton said and then he clasped his hands together.

“I should tour you around and show you your office.” Mr. Stanton said and then he led them out of his office and started touring them around.

  And when they got to James’ new office, James immediately tried the chair behind the desk. His office has just right about size; it was kept in a minimalist interior. He stretched his neck before leaning back against the backrest. Garie looked at him and at one point she snorted, making James arch his eyebrow at her. 

“Is there a problem Ms. Beauford?” He asked.

“Nothing, I just happened to see your grandfather in you at that moment.” She said, giggling.

  Mr. Stanton noticed the kind of spark between them and it made him smile.

“The two you seem to be close. Are you two dating?” Mr. Stanton said.

  Garie had her eyes almost pop out of their sockets while James almost fell off his chair.

“Mr. Stanton, James is just a childhood friend. Nothing less.” She said, and then James stood up.

“Don’t speak too soon. We never know what tomorrow will bring.” James teased her and Garie glared at him.

“Shut up.”

“Rύ nĭ suŏ yuàn qīn´ ài de.( ****，***)” James told her.

(As you wish, darling.)

  Garie gave him a deadpan look.

“Xīwàng nǐ yē zhù.( *****)” Garie hissed and walked out of the office.

(Hope you choke)  

  James chuckled and followed Garie, and then Mr. Stanton followed them. Once outside the office, Mr. Stanton smiled at them.

“Shall we meet the new hires?” He asked smiling.

“Sure sir. Please lead the way.” James said. 

  Mr. Stanton grinned and then he led James and Garie towards the hospital social hall to meet all the new hires. When they entered the hall, the chattering died down but as soon as James stepped in, the whispering among the female new hires and interns began.

“Alright everyone, settle down. I would like to welcome everyone here in Beauford Medica. To all those who are newly hired, welcome to the growing family. And to the interns, I hope that all of you learn something here and I am looking forward to seeing you as a new hire staff.” Mr. Stanton started.

“You might be wondering who these people are with me today. First, I want to introduce to you the Project Head of the training program for everyone here today. Ms. Beauford.”  

  Garie gave them a curt nod after Mr. Stanton introduced her.

“I won’t be looking over your shoulder all the time so don’t worry. I will just sign your paycheck. The one who’s going to supervise you, handle all of your affairs during the training is none other than Dr. James Zhang. He is a renowned general surgeon in Southeast Asia and the USA, and he is also our new resident general surgeon.” Garie said as she diverts everyone’s attention towards James.

“Hello everyone. I’m Dr. Zhang and I am looking forward to seeing all of your abilities and honing everyone’s potential.” He said.

“Dr. Zhang will be working closely with you. So whatever you do is under his watch, and he will also be the one to send a report to Ms. Beauford who in return will be signing your paycheck.” Mr. Stanton told everyone.

“Anyone has any questions?” James asked looking at the audience, and then in an instant several females raised their hands.

  James shyly smiled and chose one.

“What is your question?”

“Dr. Zhang I will ask you this question that most of us here are dying to ask...” The female intern started and James nodded at her to let her continue her question.

“Are you dating someone?” She asked and every female in the room are anticipating his answer.

  James just smiled at them and answered.

“Not yet.”

  The ladies all grinned and felt giddy inside, not only because of James' answer but also because of his cute boyish smile. Then one of the tall male interns raised his hand and James called him.

“My question is for Ms. Beauford.” He said and Garie raised her eyebrow.

“And what is your question?” Garie asked.

“What is your qualification to be the head of this training program?” He asked, and everyone’s eyes were on Garie.

“The fact that this hospital carries my surname? I think that is enough qualification to evaluate and sign paychecks. And besides, anyone can read a detailed report; I would know who among all of you who performed well and who are those who performed below the standard of this hospital.” Garie answered with a proud smirk on her face.

  James inwardly smirked at Garie’s savage remark. Then another male new hire raised his hand.

“Are you still single, Miss?” He asked, and now it’s James’ turn to frown.

“She’s not dating anyone. She’s married to her work.” James answered and Garie gave him a look.

****************************.

  After the meeting in the hospital’s social hall, James and Garie went back to James’ office. They both sat on the couch and let out a sigh of relief.

“I can never see myself working in this kind of environment,” Garie said.

“Why? Helping others doesn’t excite you?” James asked.

“I am not built to save a life. I rather stay in the museum, uncover stories of the past for the rest of my life.” Garie said.

“We grew up in a household that looks like a museum, aren’t you tired of it?” he asked and Garie shakes her head.

“There is still a wide world filled with wonders that I wanted to explore. I wanted to be like Uncle Milton, exploring every tomb available.” She told him.

  Then they both fell silent as they both remembered the jade tablet.

“Do you think with the help of this jade tablet we can find the real location of the Lost Artifact?” Garie asked.

“We’ll know once we manage to decipher the whole tablet,” James said, and then Garie’s phone started ringing.

  When she pulled out her phone, she sees Levi’s name and she immediately accepted the call.

“Hey.”

“I am in the airport now. I’ll be right there in eight hours I think. So until I am there, don’t touch the tablet.” Levi said.

“Why?”

“Because I want to be there when you find any other clues. Now, my flight is being called, I’ll see you in a few hours.” Levi said and hangs up.

   Then Garie looks at James.

“Levi will be here in eight hours. He said we should check the tablet together.” She told him and James nodded.

  Then Garie remembered the sample. She grabbed her bag and pulled out the ziplock containing the sample from the tablet.

“I need to run a few tests in this.” She said showing the sample.

“What’s that?” He asked.

“When I first checked the tablet, it has a smudge. I ran an initial test back in the museum and the smudge came out as blood with traces of silicon dioxide and charcoal. Silicon dioxide is a component of sand while charcoal is a component of gunpowder.” Garie answered and James took the sample from Garie.

“What exactly are you looking for?”

“I want to know whose blood is it.”