CHAPTER FOUR
– ZORA –
“Be sure to come back if anything changes,” I tell my patient as I walk back to the waiting room.
My eyes go slightly wide when I notice the waiting room is practically empty, except for one man.
“Thank you, Doctor Pierson,” my patient states, and then nods at the man before leaving the clinic.
I know exactly who the man is. Helmer Neron. His son, Ramiro, asked me out four weeks ago. We went on one date, and it was almost three weeks ago. Ramiro has asked me out a few times since, but to be honest? I’ve been dodging the man, because he gives me a bad vibe.
“Mr. Neron.” I give the man a welcoming smile. “I do hope you didn’t scare off my patients since there were more than a handful waiting for me when I checked the waiting room fifteen minutes ago.”
The first date Ramiro took me on involved meeting his freaking family. It might have been one of the very reasons I didn’t accept a second date.
Neron clicks his tongue. “Now, now, Zora. I have no need to scare off people when I need some privacy.”
I bite the side of my cheek to prevent myself from mentioning how bribing people with money falls into the same category if you asked me.
During the date with his son, I saw Neron throw his cash around to get what he wants.
Yes, Ramiro didn’t simply take me back to his house as the date...
no, he brought his parents along with us to freaking dinner.
Most of my patients don’t have a lot of money, and it’s an easy enough choice to accept some cash and come by at a later time.
Releasing a sigh, I decide to get this over with and ask, “Why did you need some privacy, Mr. Neron? You could have made an appointment, and my assistant would have made it a priority.”
I glance at the desk and frown. Where the hell is Angie? She’s been the medical receptionist for decades.
Neron steps closer. “Angie went for coffee, and please, call me Helmer.”
“Helmer.” I nod and cross my arms in front of my chest defensively.
I’m very uncomfortable standing in the clinic with this man, knowing I’m here alone. The man narrows his eyes and takes a step back, as if he knows he gives me the chills. He probably does because I’m awful at hiding my emotions and facial expressions.
Neron...or Helmer as he wants me to call him, shoves his hands into the pockets of his slacks and states, “I was wondering what you were doing talking with a biker you used to know when you were younger. Especially since you’re dating my son.”
“Excuse me?” I blurt without thinking as my eyes go wide.
He did not just say that. And how the hell did he even know about Grayer? I guess the saying ‘money talks’ is true. I’m kinda curious who spilled details about me and Grayer, because I’d really like to give that person a piece of my mind.
His whole statement rubs me the wrong way. I have more of a quiet, non-confrontational personality, but whenever it involves Grayer? I always seem to become pissed off.
Which is why I snap, “Who I talk to, and everything in my past for that matter, is my business. No one else’s. The fact I had one date with your son doesn’t give him or you the privilege to shove your nose into my business. Not to mention, you screwed with my job.”
The door behind him opens and I’m thankful to see Angie step inside, coffee in her hands.
“Now, if you’d excuse me, I have some catching up to do.” I don’t wait for his reply and simply turn to walk behind the counter.
I bend over to lean on the desk and glance at the screen of Angie’s computer when I hear her say, “He’s gone, sweetie.”
Straightening my spine, I ask, “Mind telling me why you let him scare away our patients? You included I might add. I wonder what Joe would think about all of this.”
Angie slightly pales when I mention Joe. He’s been the doctor in this clinic working side-by-side with Angie for decades. He’s also the one who ensured my position here after I did my internship.
I’m supposed to work three days a week and be available in case Joe needs a day off.
My contract might involve three days a week, but the past few months I’ve been working every day.
Ugh. I could really use a day off. A good thing I have a week of vacation scheduled, since it’s been a year since I took one.
The clinic really picked up and Joe recently hired a new doctor.
He’s starting tomorrow, and Joe will handle everything while I’m on vacation.
I’m already counting the hours, especially after what just happened.
A week of doing nothing but sitting in my backyard, sipping wine, getting a tan, and reading books.
“Mr. Neron wanted a private moment to invite you to a special family gathering. You’re dating his son, right?” Angie blushes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you wouldn’t appreciate it...I thought it was thoughtful of the man to...”
I release a deep breath and hold my hand palm up. “It’s fine, Angie. He took advantage of the situation. I only went on one date with his son three weeks ago, and I’ve been dodging his requests for a second one. I should have been straightforward and told him I wasn’t interested.”
Angie cringes. “Again, I’m so sorry. Here I thought the man was a gentleman who wanted...” She shakes her head. “Sorry. It will never happen again.”
“Thanks,” I murmur and am happy to see a patient stepping inside.
“Let’s go back to work and forget about the whole thing,” I suggest.
Mentally I remind myself it’s just a couple more hours until I get to ignore everyone and have a full week of blissful me-time. I’m hungry and tired by the time I’ve seen all my patients for the day and am caught up on paperwork.
“Go on home, hun. I’m right behind you,” Angie states and I give her a thankful smile. “Enjoy your time off. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.”
I instantly bob my head. “So very true. I am going to have my feet up for seven days straight.”
We say our goodbyes after she locks up and I decide to get some groceries before I go home. Doing some shopping now means I won’t have to leave the house tomorrow. I’m carrying two shopping bags when I get to my house.
There’s a car sitting in my driveway. My mood instantly drops since I don’t own one, and I recognize who it belongs to. Ramiro. For a moment I want to keep walking, but my feet are hurting and this is my damn house.
The car door swings open and Ramiro steps out. “Zora, you’re late. I thought you worked till five.”
I don’t have to check my phone to glance at the time. This whole thing is strange with his father showing up today, and now Ramiro waiting at my house.
“It’s an urgent care clinic. We closed at nine and ran a little late.” I switch one of the bags to my other hand. “Add grocery shopping...yes, I’m late. Though, I don’t remember agreeing to meet you tonight.”
I reach for my keys and glance at the door instead of Ramiro. Clearly, a mistake when I’m suddenly grabbed from behind while I feel a sharp pinch in my arm. A scream rips from me, but it becomes muted when his hand is roughly placed over my mouth.
The grocery bags fall to the ground and I shift my keys in my hand to try and use them as a weapon.
I hear him grunt as I strike and want to do it again, but my movements become sluggish.
My vision becomes blurry and instead of fighting off Ramiro, I’m also fighting to stay conscious.
It’s a lost cause when I get sucked into the darkness.
I’m disorientated when I slowly awake. My head is throbbing and I quickly close my eyes to keep the wave of nausea at bay. Another wave hits me, and I feel sick to my stomach. My body feels heavy and I know all of these symptoms are from being drugged. I can’t get my arms and legs to work.
I try to think back to how I got here, and mainly...where the hell here is...until I hear a voice. “Finally, you’re awake.”
This is unreal. Yet, when I open my eyes and stare at Ramiro, I know what is happening is very real. He reaches out and I jerk back.
His mouth turns into a flat line. “Don’t ever reject me. You have a lot to learn, and it’s a good thing I have all the time in the world to teach you. Well, one week, but I’m sure we’ll be able to get you in line by then.”
Ramiro takes a seat on the bed and I want to scramble back, but my arms and legs are tied to the bed. I yank at my restraints while true panic hits me. Not just from being tied up, but due to what he just said.
Everyone knows I have a week off and will ignore everyone. Meaning this man has one week where no one will notice I’m missing. A sob rips from me, knowing I’m utterly and completely doomed.