Cuban Flower

a boss in a man's world- b.v pov

Bianca Valentino as Deva Cassel

Tomboy by Destiny Rogers

Bianca Valentino's POV

Hi, I'm Bianca Valentino, and I'm going to tell you the story of how my world became intertwined with his... "But he who?" you might be asking. We'll get to that in a moment. But first, I'll put into context the beginning of this beautiful mess, and give details of who I am and who the ones I love the most are....

As I said, my name is Bianca and I belong to the Valentino family. I am 22 years old. I live in Verona with my father and older sister, Giulia. Don't ask us about our mother... She decided to go to buy tobacco and never came back (and look, she wasn't even a smoker, supposedly) but we just laughed at the tragic situation. Crying over spilled milk? Never!

We have a very simple life here in Italy: my father, Polo, has 2 jobs in order to have the best for our family (he works as a mechanic and pizaiolo, and sometimes he even sells homemade bread in the neighborhood)... But his passions are art, swimming and his animals (yes, he prefers dogs a thousand times over us, his daughters.... But we don't blame him, because, we would do the same thing as him).

My sister, Giulia. What can I say about her? Someone had to be the rebellious figure here in the house. She is the opposite of everything and everyone, but she is my inspiration and the one who always took care of me in our mother's absence.... She likes wine, hunting animals in the forest, archery training, having fun and committing madness. She loves to feel the wind in her face when she rides her scooter through the narrow streets of the city. When she is not out and about, she is simply tending her father's grocery store or riding through the middle of the countryside on horseback. She is unique and without a doubt a wild and untamed spirit.

Now let's talk about my best friend, Vittoria: she is not family, but she is like family (because I love her like a sister, but also because she almost lives in our house, being, that she decided to date my sister). As I like to call Vittoria, for "Little Swedish Crystal", that name is a nickname within our family circle! But the name has a funny story: from the day I met her, and until today, she has a giant passion for candles, rain, crystals, tea and everything that seems to be connected with witchcraft. Of course, she also has more ordinary tastes, such as arcade machines, theater, and the big city. When she is not present in our home sweet home, she is on watch in nature as a forest ranger (ironic, being that Giulia loves to hunt) or sewing and creating new garments for sheer fun.

And last but not least: me... Where can I start? Everyone seems to have such a spectacular profile, but when compared to mine, I seem so small and insignificant. I consider myself a whirlwind of ideas trapped in a fantasy world, present in real life. Quite confusing, I know. But let me explain the idea here: I take refuge from the cruelty of real life when I read and devour books without any sense of the passage of time. That's what keeps me alive and sane. But there are also so many other things that protect me from the real world... My work as a pediatrician, (children remind me that innocence and love still exist nowadays) my daily rides among the mountains, valleys and vineyards, the sound of my clarinet when it echoes outside on the balcony and I see the couples in love stopping to contemplate the harmony, and my rabbit "Baffi" who comforts me so much in my saddest days.

Shall we begin the journey?

On one of the many tiring nights at the hospital, I was finishing my night shift before my long-awaited day off. Working in this area can be extremely stressful and sometimes not appreciated for the effort that goes into a perfect result. Before I was finally able to check out of my duties and shift, I was called into an observation room that was so familiar to me.

Chiara, a 7 year old girl, whom I cared for and scanned regularly, would have called me before my hours were over. I feel sorry for Chiara...so young and frail, and already spending most of her time on a hospital gurney. She doesn't deserve it...

The little one was crying when I arrived in her room, and my heart broke into a thousand pieces. "Chiara, my love... Hey! You don't have to cry. What happened? Are you okay?".

She, between tears, tried to explain to me:

"Bi, while you were away, the bad man who always comes to see me after you, threw all my toys away, because they are not girl toys. He tore the clothes I was wearing because they were not advisable for a girl like me... The clothes were baggy and dark, and I only felt comfortable like that. I don't want to see the bad man again... Stay with me!".

What do you mean? Doctor Francesco had the audacity to act like that in front of a child by telling her what she can and cannot do and still touch her the way he did because they were not "proper clothes".

In recent times, we have received lots of complaints of discomfort from patients in which the Doctor, has been involved, but this was the last straw... I don't accept any man putting limits on such a small and fragile child.

I calmed little Chiara down and assured her that I would be with her as soon as I took matters into my own hands. But when I arrived at Doctor Francesco's office, all I found was an empty office and a letter.

"To whoever finds this note... My mistakes were not in vain. And I apologize if my traumas have accumulated to the point of, becoming the traumas of others. The children who suffered in my presence are not guilty and never will be. I hope that you will report my crimes to someone capable of analyzing them, solving them, and bringing justice to the innocent. In the meantime, I will be where I can hurt no one. Until then, I apologize for what is already done.".

My eyes couldn't believe what they were rushing to read and hoping it was a visual blunder. But what could I do? Collect all the complaints and submit them to the police? No... Unfortunately, the public safety system we have, is not the most cooperative and fair. So, I decided to take my phone and record a video. Sure it would be a dumb idea, but I would rather give the word and give voice to thousands of people kept silent for too long.

"Hello, listeners... There is no easy way to explain this video other than in the driest, cruelest, most attention-grabbing way possible. I'm Bianca Valentino, one of the pediatricians at Verona Hospital. A hospital renowned for its high levels of service and excellent delivery, here in Italy. But things are not so positive, after the doors. Francesco Moretti, General Doctor of Pediatrics, has been the author of several violations of privacy and rights of these children. Many complaints have been heard and ignored for so long, that when there was even a modicum of courage to bring the situation to justice, the individual slips between cowardice and flees, leaving only a letter accepting his mistakes. But one thing is certain: I am a human being like these children, and I have a right to my own space, my own choices, my own personal tastes, and to my own freedom of choice. I am my own boss in a world where Francesco Moretti lives. I can... I don't know! Be a ballerina, skate, dress more masculine, not wear any makeup and still feel good about myself! I can wear the most extravagant makeup and the most flashy clothes and go play Basketball with my friends. But, I can't do it without having comments directed to me and without feeling intimate and safe.".