CHAPTER 29 MINA
“I have to get my purse,” I manage to squeak out, before turning and practically running out of the lobby. I feel terrible leaving Alex with my mother, but I know he’s safe, at least for the time being. I make my way down the hall, heading for the elevators. I catch one just in time, and as I’m about to ascend, a hand stops the door from closing. The doors slide open to reveal Jason, standing there with a smirk.
“Going up?”
I roll my eyes. “Obviously, Jason.”
“I think it’s best if you call me Dr. Visera, don’t you?” he sneers, stepping into the elevator and letting the doors close behind him. He steps uncomfortably close to me, and my eyes water from the pungent aroma of his cologne. “Seeing as how you prefer to view us as merely colleagues.”
I shudder as he runs his hand down my arm. “What do you want?”
“Well, I just think that it’s simply adorable that your mother seems to think your boyfriend is a doctor.” He laughs, a cold, dead laugh that has no trace of warmth. “Wouldn’t it be a shame if she found out the truth?”
“I said, what do you want , Dr. Visera,” I practically spit his name.
“Isn’t it obvious? I want you.”
I try to take a step back, but there’s nowhere to run. The elevator feels smaller than usual, and I can’t breathe.
“What’s the matter, little mouse? No answer?”
Little mouse. In this scenario, that’s how I feel. Like a mouse in a trap with a predator bearing down. Death is imminent no matter how I look at it. I find my voice at last, though it trembles.
“That’s never going to happen.”
“Oh, isn’t it?” He smiles, though his eyes don’t show any glimmer of life. “You’ll be mine, one way or another. I refuse to play second-best to a janitor.”
“You don’t really have a choice,” I snarl, sidestepping his advance, retreating to the far corner of the elevator.
“Are you sure? You wouldn’t want your family to find out who your boyfriend really is, would you?” he hisses. “It would be such a shame to see your relationship implode, all caused by the lie you’re living.”
The thought gives me pause. Would he really try to fuck up what Alex and I have? “Do you really think I’d give you a chance, hell, even a smile, if you messed this up for me?”
“You underestimate me, darling. Sure, you’d be furious at first. But I can deal with that. What I can’t deal with is knowing he can have you, but I can’t.”
The elevator doors hiss open and I take the opportunity to bolt, but he’s right behind me. He grabs my arm and presses me to the wall, leaning his full weight against me. I can feel the firm ridge of his erection through his scrubs. Gross, he’s getting off on this.
“Think about it. One night with me, and your secret stays safe… for now.”
He releases me and steps away, chuckling. Before I can get another word out, he saunters off down the hall, leaving me alone with my tornado of thoughts.
I fight back the tears as I relay what happened to Alex. He doesn’t say anything right away, but his expression does. As my story unfolds, I see flashes of shock, disgust, and rage flit across his handsome features. I finish my tale and wait for his response, my hands trembling. It doesn’t come quickly, and I begin to worry that he will decide this is all too much, and I’m not worth the hassle. At last, he speaks.
“What the fuck, babe?”
“I know, I’m so sorry, I—”
“Why are you apologizing? That dickwad is preying on you, on your vulnerability. He’s disgusting. I out to punch him right in his stupid face.”
“No, that wouldn’t solve anything,” I plead. “That would just make him angrier, and you could get in so much trouble. We can’t afford that.”
“You mean I can’t. You’d be fine, and that’s what matters.”
“No, I meant we. We’re in this together. I love you. I can’t let you do something that would ruin your life.”
“Well, I can’t sit around and wait for him to ruin yours.”
“We’ll think of something. But right now, my mom is waiting.”
“Right, I forgot about her for a second. Laugh like I just told a funny joke.”
I do as he says, lightly swatting his arm. “We’ll deal with this later, ok? Let’s just get through lunch, then we’ll make a plan.”
“Sounds good.”
He grabs my hand and brings me over to where my mother is patiently waiting for us.
“All good, you two?”
“Oh absolutely,” Alex reassures her. “Mina was just updating me on a favorite patient of mine.”
“Oh, good news I hope?”
“Yes, totally,” I lie, smiling and hoping my mother’s bullshit detector is dialed way down. “We’re ready to go now!”
Lunch with my mother was thankfully uneventful. The conversation managed to stay light, though she did try to bring up Jason a few times to Alex, who would quickly change the subject. Today, more than ever, I’m thankful for his sharp wit.
Alex offers to drive me back to work, and as soon as the car doors close, he turns to face me. “I have an idea.”
“Oh, do tell. My stomach has been in knots, I could hardly eat!”
“I noticed. You aren’t going to like this, but I think it could work.”
“Uh oh. What am I not going to like? Now I’m scared again.”
He takes a deep breath and grabs my hand. His gaze is piercing as he looks deep into my eyes.
“You know I love you, right?”
“Yes, of course. I love you too.”
“Do you trust me?”
I can only nod in response, the pit of dread in my stomach reaching a rolling boil.
“Good. Here’s what I’m thinking.” He takes another deep breath before continuing, “I think you should play along.”
“Excuse me?”
“Play along. Seduce him. Give him his ‘one night’, though you’ll make it a night he will never forget but hopefully will wish he could.”
“You want me to sleep with him?” I can’t help the expression of disgust that washes over my face and seeps into my voice. “Are you insane?”
“It shouldn’t get that far. Agree to his terms, get him excited, then turn him so far off he will never want to bother you again.”
“What if I can’t turn him off? What if he forces himself on me?”
“We’ll have a backup plan. We can flesh this out more later tonight, but for now, I think this is the best plan we have.”
It’s my turn to take a deep breath. “I trust you. I hope you’re right.”