State Of Mind

10

"He did what?"

"He went to Doctor Hammond. He requested he be moved down here for the week to work with you... Doctor Hammond said that Hunter told him you'd been distracted and you'd need some extra hands to keep you accountable..." I stand, my mouth agape as I try to understand what is happening. He went to my boss? He actually told my boss that I'm unable to do my own work.

"I'm sorry, Vera, I tried to tell Doctor Hammond that that wasn't true, that you didn't need him... but his mind was made up" She explains.

"No, it's not your fault, Angie... thank you for defending me..." I walk around to stand behind the reception desk, leaning over to clock in. "I fucking hate men."

"Agreed."

I'd been lucky. I'd managed to avoid Hunter at all costs for a whole week. Last week, the day that Harry and I went to the bridge, Hunter didn't show up at brunch like he normally does. Yesterday was the same; the girls and I went out to brunch expecting to see Hunter - especially considering we got into a bit of an argument last week and I hadn't seen him since. He never showed, and though we were all surprised and even a bit concerned, we took it as a good thing and moved on.

The first time he didn't show, I figured he was just pissed that he'd seen me with another guy - though he has no right to - and kept his distance. He proved that on Monday when I came in.

"I didn't expect to see you out on Friday. Did Harry have a good time?" Hunter sneered, obviously trying to get a rise out of me. I tried to remind myself of the words Harry and I had just spoken the night before. I deserve to be here. I deserve a voice. I deserve to defend myself.

"Harry was the performer at the bar on Friday night, so I'm sure he had a great time, yes."

Hunter glowered at me, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared and as I tried my hardest to hold my ground. I tried to remember Stella, and all the times she'd fought back against him, tried to channel her energy as I held eye contact with him. I didn't give up this time.

Hunter enters the room not ten minutes later, giddy enthusiasm all over his face.

"Good morning, Olivera! I'll be down here with you this week!" He announces. I stare at him blankly for a moment, not painting any kind of emotion on my face.

"I heard."

"Good to see you again, Angel"

"Not my name, Hunter." Hunter finds it disrespectful to be cal led by anything other than his last name in a professional setting, and he's clearly aggravated by the lack of respect on his name but says nothing. Instead, he looks at me.

"Shall we get started on rounds? Are you feeling alright this morning?" His smile is smug, knowing that this time, I can't fight back. This time our superiors are involved and they'll know if Hunter isn't here working with me, and they'll likely know that if he's not down here it's because of my unwillingness to work with him.

Last week, I was proud of myself. I held my own, defended myself, and stood firm. When he told me he was staying on our floor for the day, I looked him in the face and told him we didn't need him, and though I was scared the entire time, I never backed down - he did.

"Hunter, I told you last time, we don't need you down here. We have it covered, I promise."

"Well then, if you have it covered, you won't mind me hanging around. It won't change anything." A smile curved on his face before he added "You won't even know I'm here." He mocked.

"Listen, I let you stay down here last week and see how things are run, you saw how good I am with my patients, and while I would love to have you around again today, I really don't think it'll be a good career choice for you, Hunter." When Hunter's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, I continued.