Chapter 50
Josie’s POV
Spending time in my new office feels so surreal. I enjoy the quiet ambiance and breeze my body gently.
I’ve cooped up in here, reading a book I saw in the drawer. It’s a fantasy book, just the kind I love reading.
Initially, I was reading the book to just kill boredom, waiting for Ashton to come for his classes with me but he never showed up till now.
The book, hence, turned from something to kill boredom to captivating my full–on interest.
“Hmm…but she should accept the request. Gosh, I hate it!” I curse at the heroine who had gotten into trouble after rejecting the help the hero offered.
Somehow the book mirrored my life with Ashton where he’s trying to infiltrate himself back into my life.
So interested, I throw my legs over the table, sighing as I focus back on the book, turning as many pages as I can.
A moment later, I realized Ashton still hadn’t shown up for his lectures. What’s happening?
Isn’t he interested again? I think to myself, my gaze wandering around the open office door.
A thought swiveled into my mind and I’m reminded how I rejected his offer. I guess that irritated him enough to avoid coming here for his lesson.
Absently, I brush my feet off of the table and check the time. It’s already time for lunch.
Phew, gotta dive into the food Diego brought me. At that, I decided to head over to the cafeteria and enjoy the meal there.
My feet clack over the floor as I ease into the cafeteria crowded with nurses, doctors, and visitors..
“Wow. Not what I was expecting.” I say under my breath as I hightail it into the hall, my eyes roaming to discover an empty seat
Oops, I sigh again, realizing the only empty seat here is one, and on the table sits two junior doctors.
“Can I sit with you?” I ask politely, bearing a smile.
“Sure.” One of them offers, pushing the seat out for me. The Torkful of the braised lamb he’s eating.
he exchanges a look with his friend before taking a
Unlocking the lunchbox, the Italian dish Diego made waft the air, slamming into my nose.
The dish looks delicious and appealing in the eyes, wonder how it’s going to taste, I echo inwardly, trapping the crockery in my fingers.
“You ain’t kidding right?” The silent one among the doctors says to his colleague.
“Not at all. At least that’s what going on now here. You’ll see for yourself.” The polite one of the doctors said in reply.
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Chapter 50
I wanted to ask what that was but I rebuked myself from doing so.
With enthusiasm, I scoop as much tiramisu into the watery depth of my mouth.
The young doctors continued their vague discussion and I tuned out their conversation, enjoying every nibble of —
this Italian.
Was Diego really telling the truth about his cooking skills? This tasted more like it was a professional that did.
The string of thoughts pushes me to grab my phone and shoot him a short text.
Tasting the food now, I’m beginning to doubt your words from earlier, Diego. This isn’t your first time cooking such an exotic dish:
I dropped my phone with a thump after sending the text. A few more bites of the food and I felt thirsty.
Great! I had none with me, my bad.
I scuffle away from the seat and turn to the
guys…
“Can you please watch over this for me? I want to get something at the counter.”
The polite one among them nods, “Yeah sure.”
I quickly find my balance and I hurtle down to the counter. In my fluid motion to the counter, I notice their eyes piercing my back.
“Can I have a bottle of water please?” I say to the waitress, shuffling relentlessly on my feet.
Since I had been coming here to this hospital, I’ve never been to the cafeteria and honestly, I feel too exposed now.
When the waitress brings her eyes up to mine, she blinks awkwardly then and steps forward. “Are you Ms. Rose?” She asks cheerfully.
“Yes, I am. Have any problem with me…here?”
She frantically shakes her head at my words then lets out. “Not at all. Just that I’ve heard so much about you.”
Gazing in shocked horror, I ask, still suspended in my moment of disbelief. What could she have heard about me?
“May I ask what that is?” I try with effort to keep the dread coating my throat as I expect her answer.
She laughs halfheartedly and says. “Nothing much. Just some good vibes. Leaning closer she adds. “Though I know there are people who ain’t happy to have you here. Better watch your back like a hawk.”
The waitress’s moss green eyes hover in a particular direction and I’m moved to know what or who she’s looking.
at
There. I hum inwardly, mentally cursing myself for looking at first. Doctor Sandra was sitting by the west window
side.
Even amidst the crowded hall, her glaring gaze met and held mine. I would have said I’m shaken and in fear but I’m not that kind of female anymore.
Chapter 50
“I know. However, thank you for letting me know.”
The bottle of water in hand, I turn to head back to the table I was in but before I can step away from the counter, I see the bemused look on everyone’s face, as they watch me.
Hell, that made me shudder on the inside. Why were they staring at me in such a way? I thought, wringing my fingers over the can lid.
The eyes of several doctors, nurses, and patient visitors were pinned on me.
I’m not sure what must have happened to attract such looks from them.
I
guess I have to find out. I rush to the nearby restroom with my phone..
Swiftly. I call Ashton’s number. Once. Twice. Thrice.
He isn’t picking, making my irritation grow bigger.
I released a pent–up sigh, about to make my way to the restroom when the door was clicked shut with the lock in place, and then a figure turned, freezing me with cold eyes.
“Not you again.” I chant, my irritation evident.
As I round the woman, wanting to shoulder past her, her hand clips my arm, pulling me to a halt.
“What do you want, Sandra?” I bark, hating that I’m actually standing in the same room with this woman.
I actually thought my rash words dampened her confidence when she disentangled her hand from my arm but I
was wrong.
Sandra only let go for a moment so she could slip her hand into her pocket and bring out a cheque.
“I know what you need, Ms. Rose. Take.” She stretches her hand, making the cheque to graze my arm as I look in bemused horror.
“Five thousand dollars?” I spit out still aiming to wrap my head around it all.
At my words, she nods, “Enough to take care of your miserable life…get you good things for the main time. Enough to fetch you clothes that are yours and not your friend’s.”
Sandra’s words feathers my inside with anger and irritation.
How dare she say that about me?
“Let’s cut the chase and get this deal done.” Her words sizzle through me.
Her confidence should have amazed me if I wasn’t wallowing in the pits of anger right this minute.
“How dare you insinuate that?” I bark/my fists taking on a ball shape as I turn to face her full–on.
She practically huffs in contempt at my words before feigning confusion.
“About what exactly? Because
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Chapter 50
everything I said is a fact.”
In a moment of blind rage, I raise my hand to strike her hard on the face but she holds me still, our hands in mid-
air.
“Doing that will cause more harm, I tell you.” She states to my shock.
I rip
p my hand away from hers, tucking the wisps of my hair into the band holding them together.
Mindless of my anger, Sandra continues her annoying, pitched tirade. “Everyone knows you can’t afford a good dress, honey. You’re so miserable even while you’re one of the most paid language teachers.”
My eyes narrow at her words. How did she guess that right?
trarily, Almac doesn’t pay that much. Not the way people see it.
“You…worthless piece of trash!” I let the words slip from my lips, but get intercepted in the middle of it.
“If there’s anyone worthless here, it’s you.” She scoffs before pressing on. “I’m giving you the last chance, Ms. Rose. Take this.” She thrust the cheque forward again as if forcing me to take it.
“What is for?” I ask, maintaining my gaze on her.
She rolled her eyes for a beat, then. “So you’ll leave Ashton.”
“I’m not even dating him,” I say, not letting her finish her words.
“I know. Still, I want you out of his life for good.”
“You’re so ridiculous!” I spit, wallowing in the waves of anger flaming my insides.
Offering a disbelieving shake of my head, I turn to make my way to the door.
Slinging my hand on the door handle, Sandra’s voice makes me pause, frozen in place.
“What about your daughter? Want Ashton to find out about that ugly secret?
Abruptly, I turn and stroke my widened eyes at her.
She… knows about my daughter?
TBC.
