Whitley
I started here right before the pandemic. Teflon Hills Memorial is the best hospital in the city. It’s not easy to get a job here; I knew someone who happened to have a close connection to a surgeon.
A surgeon pulled a few strings just to secure me an interview.
And now?
I might lose everything because of my love for Chauncey. I wanted to check on Chauncey to make sure he’s okay. I’m in love with him, but I’ve been denying it for months.
The night Chauncey was shot by the thugs who tried to kill him, I was working a double shift. The moment they rushed him into the emergency room and then to the ICU, I planned to take care of him and nurse him back to health.
I thought that if I did those things, then just maybe Chauncey and I could be more than what we are and have something real, instead of just meeting up at The Four Seasons twice a week for sex. I could finally leave my toxic situation.
Rhyan ruined it the moment she stepped back into the hospital. She cut off my access to him. I made it obvious by not being able to stop looking at her. I’m a woman myself.
I have dealt with infidelity, and I know when a woman has been with someone I have been with. Rhyan knew I had sex with Chauncey.
There were a few other women in the waiting room for Chauncey, but Rhyan stood out. I see why he married her.
Chauncey’s mom embraced her, and the other women shot her daggers with their eyes. In that moment, I knew she was the one. I have been dealing with Chauncey off and on for the past 8 months.
I cannot afford to jeopardize my career over Chauncey.
I don’t have access to his funds.
I’m married, and if my husband finds out I lost my job because of another man, he will kill me. I have worked extremely hard for everything I have.
I put my job in jeopardy because it wasn’t worth it. I wasn’t thinking at all. I have come too far to apologize to Rhyan for overstepping my boundaries.
I just couldn’t set my pride aside; it got the best of me. Woodrow, a.k.a. Wood, is my cousin, so he let me come inside Chauncey’s room while Rhyan was gone. I wouldn’t say Woodrow introduced me to Chauncey, but we crossed paths because of him.
One night, my husband and I got into a really bad argument at the hospital, behind closed doors, after I caught him with another nurse from a different floor.
Something about them had been off for weeks. The way she avoided my gaze. The way he became defensive whenever I asked questions.
I left.
I didn’t scream.
I didn’t cause a scene.
I just walked out. I ended up crashing at Woodrow’s place that night; we were always close growing up. Chauncey just happened to be there, dropping something off. I knew what kind of man Chauncey was; everything about him screamed bad boy.
My cousin Woodrow does illegal things to make a living. We exchanged numbers, met up a few times for dinner, and eventually crossed the line. I have been addicted to him ever since. I know Chauncey deals with other women, but he has always paid me for my time.
Chauncey told me he was married to Rhyan, but they had separated. He made it very clear to me that he’s never divorcing his wife. I cannot say the same about my husband; he’s looking for a way out because he has a mistress, whom he thinks I don’t know about, but I do.
I hired a private investigator, and I have seen a few things. We have a pre-nup. If my husband gets a hint that I have been cheating on him, he will leave me faster than I can blink.
I won’t get a dime. I’m always looking for a way out. Unfortunately, Chauncey won’t be my way out because Rhyan ruined that; she ruined my plan.
I didn’t expect Rhyan to physically assault me. I love Chauncey with all my heart. That ghetto bitch wouldn’t understand what I shared with her husband.
Chauncey came into my life when I was vulnerable, needing reassurance that I was worthy and could attract another man who wasn’t my husband.
God, I hope I don’t lose my job over this. Woodrow sent me a text. I don’t want to read it because Rhyan had gone off on him, too. I thought I had enough time to leave his room before she came back. I just wanted to lie with him, kiss him, and ride him. I miss him so much. I hope he wakes up soon.
My phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. It’s Mrs. Joseph. I hope she’s not calling to fire me. Our earlier conversation was vague.
I hesitate before answering.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Whitley, are you okay?”
“Yes, but no.”
I was embarrassed to leave the hospital because Rhyan did a number on me. She whipped my ass. I tried to fight back, but I couldn’t keep my footing. That’s not my thing.
I noticed the other nurses were whispering as I left. I’m praying none of this gets back to my husband. I’m sure it will. People talk. I might as well start looking for a new place to live.
“Do you mind explaining what happened this afternoon?”
“Mrs. Joseph, I’m embarrassed and ashamed.”
“Why didn’t you say that earlier?”
“Pride.”
My pride got the best of me this afternoon. I should have walked out when Rhyan said something to me, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t let Rhyan think she had that much power over me.
“What were you thinking?”
“That’s the point. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Whitley, you’re a great nurse, and I would hate to lose you because you work hard and love your work. However, what happened today is unacceptable.”
“I know. You’re calling to fire me.”
“I’m not going to fire you over what happened today.”
Relief washes over me at once.
“Your work speaks for itself. However, if I weren’t the head nurse today, this outcome might be different. I’m going to suspend you without pay until after Mr. Benyier leaves our facility.
I will allow you to use PTO or sick time to cover your pay.
This sex scandal and altercation cannot happen again.
Whatever relationship or fling you have with him, I suggest you end it quickly.
You and I both know how people talk at the hospital.
I’m a girl’s girl always. I don’t want this to get back to your husband, so I’m destroying the footage. ”
Relief washes over me at once.
“Thank you, Mrs. Joseph. I don’t know how I will ever be able to repay you. I really appreciate it because it means a lot to me. I know I don’t deserve it, but thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Whitley. You deserve another chance, but please don’t make me regret it.”
“I promise I won’t.”
I ended the call with Mrs. Joseph. I’m so thankful I can keep my job. I need to leave Chauncey alone because this could have ended very differently. However, I do need to speak with him one last time.
I’m tired of coming second to all these Black ghetto women and white trashy women. I thought things would play out differently with Chauncey, but who knows, they still might.