June 26th, 1981 (Friday)

On Friday morning, after a night full of dreams about Regina and Andrea, Robert arrived in the hospital for another day of appointments.

His phone rang and it was Walter Smith asking him to come to his office. Robert told him he would go as soon as he finished with the patient. He was curious by that call and mentally asked himself: ─ What does he want with me? Is there a problem with Andrea?

Later, he slightly knocked on Walter's office door and entered when he heard his confirmation. The lawyer looked at him with a smile. He asked Robert to sit on a chair in front of him and offered him something to drink.

Walter went straight to the point.

─ Dr. Toledo, your work here has been highly complimented and I'm particularly happy that I've been involved with your hiring. We didn't have much time to get to know each other better and I would like to invite you to a little celebration in a club that I'm a member of. Do you have any plans for tonight?

─ No, I'm free tonight. It will be my pleasure to accept your invitation.

─ We can go straight from work, after six. Is it good for you? I don't have my car today. Would you mind giving me a ride?

─ No problem. I'll just go to my house first to take a shower. But I'll come back to pick you up.

Robert went to lunch thinking about that invitation. Were all the new doctors invited to this kind of event with the hospital's partners? He felt that there was something left unsaid by Dr. Walter Smith. But he would have to wait and see.

At six, Robert knocked on Walter's office.

─ Good evening. Are you ready, Dr. Smith?

─ Yes, we can go.

The club was a delightful place. The night was warm, but pleasant. The final rays of sunshine were still present on the city's skylight, painting the sky with lots of different shades. Some stars already shined on the vast blue over their heads.

The room for the event was big and illuminated by lights on the walls, creating a warming atmosphere. There were many comfortable couches and armchairs spread through the room, also many tables in different sizes. A big "art déco" counter could be seen in a corner of the room and, next to it, there was a small stage with a grand piano. Everything very tasteful. The smell of fancy perfumes and expensive cigars was impregnated in the air.

Walter picked a table for two, near the stage.

The waiter came to get their order and they both decided on cold beer and some appetizers.

─ Have you been here before, Dr. Toledo?

─ No, it's my first time. It's a nice place here.

─ Yes, this is a place where we can relax and forget about our stressful days. The members are well selected. The bar has an excellent wine list and good options on the menu. However, the best, in my opinion, is the music. Divine. It almost time they start playing it.

While they talked, Walter and Robert heard the piano's first chords. Robert was entertained by the conversation and didn't pay much attention to the sound. Suddenly, a mellow voice starts singing a romantic song. Robert turned to the stage and saw that Regina was the one performing it.

Time seemed to freeze for seconds, minutes, hours. Robert couldn't tell. There was no more room or stage or audience. He was swooned by her. How long had Walter been calling him, he wouldn't know. Coming back to Earth seemed impossible.

But, in a supreme effort, Robert managed to transfer his attention to Walter, who had a mocking smile on his face.

─ Sorry. I'm astonished! How could I imagine that your daughter could sing so well?

─ No apologies necessary. You're not the only one to be charmed by Regina's voice. I myself can't get enough of it. She sings since she was little. When she was four-years old she started to learn to play the piano and two years later she already played perfectly. She went to the Music Conservatory and now is a major in Music. She's a conductor in a choir of the community outskirts.

Robert was flabbergasted. ─ Amazing! He spent some time staring at his beer glass, looking for the right way to bring up another subject.

─ I would like to ask you a question, but I don't want to seem too nosy, Dr. Smith. If you can't or don't want to answer me, it's not a problem. But I was wondering and would like to know why does Andrea have your last name?

─ Sorry, but I don't have permission to talk about this matter. What I can tell you is that Clair, or Andrea, has never met her father.

─ So, Regina isn't married? Is she seeing someone? Robert asked a little anxious.

─ Let's listen to her sing, shall we? Everything in its own time.

An hour later, there was a small break and Regina came to her father's table. She was surprised when she recognized who was his companion for the night. She was wearing a dark-green satin strapless dress that made the color of her eyes even more attractive.

─ Hi, dad. Everything ok?

Turning to Robert, she greeted him.

─ Good evening, Dr. Toledo. How have you been?

─ Good evening, Regina I've been well. Your father invited me for a little chat, and I couldn't have imagined how charming the night would be. How's Clair?

─ Andrea, please. Her name is Andrea. She's good. I hope she can remove her cast next week.

─ Would you like something to drink?

─ I appreciate your kindness, but I'm working. Well, if you excuse me, I must return to the stage. Have fun. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Dr. Toledo.

The next hours went by as minutes. Regina sang many songs and finished with a round of applauses.

The three of them left towards the parking lot. Walter got a ride from Regina and Robert went home still emotionally perplexed. It would be another night filled with dreams about her blue eyes, with the addition of her angelic voice.