The Unwritten Rule | Randolph Bell

Chapter 4

The rest of the day went smooth. Everyone who had been in the OR with Jacqueline said the surgeries had no complications. Everything was perfect, though Jacqueline didn't talk much while she worked. Everything had been reported back to Randolph and he was happy with her performance. Jacqueline, on the other hand, well, she couldn't be more miserable.

Thinking about her sister had put some unfortunate tastes in her mouth that she couldn't get rid of. Her sister, abandoned her two kids to be with her dumb ass boyfriend who was the father of the twins. Jacqueline had adopted them when they were born, they were her children. However, things always came up. As she went to her car, she stopped short when she saw a flat on the passenger side.

She cursed, rubbing her face. There was no way her sister had made it out there that quickly, maybe the boyfriend, but not her sister. Hell, even if they were still together. Perhaps it was just an accident. She took her phone from her bag, texting her brother about the flat. She stood there, just staring at her car.

There was no way, it just had to be a coincidence. It had to be.

"Jacqueline," Randolph walked up behind her, though he was still a few feet from her.

"Not a good time," Jacqueline said as she walked over to her car. Nothing else was wrong with it, nothing that she could see anyways.

Randolph walked to her car, noticing the flat. "You need a ride home?"

The unwritten rule in Jacqueline's book was never to spend outside time with co-workers, that was how problems happened. Let alone her boss, but it was easier to get a ride from him than wait on her brother. She knew no one else to take her home and wasn't comfortable getting a ride from anyone else.

Hell, she would prefer to walk on any other occasion.

"I'm across town, is it out of your way?" Jacqueline asked.

Randolph shook his head. "Not at all, get in."

She followed him to his car and he opened the door for her before getting in himself.

The ride itself was quiet with exception to the directions she gave him. Jacqueline was uncomfortable to say the least. Getting a ride home on the first day of work? Talk about bad luck. As they turned into the neighborhood Jacqueline lived in, she pointed out the first house on the right. The lights were on, but there were no other vehicles in the driveway. It was a brick house that looked like it had three bedrooms and had a large backyard.

"I appreciate the ride home, Doctor Bell."

"We aren't working, Randy is fine." He smiled and pulled into her driveway. "Do you want me to see you in?"

Jacqueline already had one foot out the car. "I suppose, if you want. I owe you for a ride home. You're welcome to stay for drinks." She gave a light smile.

The unwritten rule.

The rule played in her head over and over again, she needed to be careful. She didn't need anyone thinking she was sleeping with her boss. That thought made her stomach even worse. As she stepped out and walked to the door, Randolph was right behind her. She unlocked the door and pushed it open.

In the doorway was a black and white Great Dane. Jacqueline pointed and the dog let out a whine before tracing its steps back to its bed in front of the fireplace across the room.

The door opened to a hallway with white paint. To the right of the door was a staircase that led to three rooms. The hallway led to the living room, all hardwood and a black leather couch in front of the fireplace with a TV over the fireplace. The kitchen was open concept with stainless steel appliances and marble countertops. There was no table, but barstools at the counter. "Come in," Jacqueline said as she hung her keys up near the door.

Randolph shut the door behind him, taking notice of the pictures on the wall of twin girls and Jacqueline. "Nice home, Jacqueline."

"If I'm calling you Randy, Jackie is fine." She looked back as she removed her shoes near the living room and walked into the kitchen. Randolph did the same, looking at the dog that eyeballed him.

Not once did the dog stop staring at him. "He won't bite me will he?"

Jacqueline chuckled, "no. He's friendly as long as you don't present a danger to me." She went into the cabinets, getting two wine glasses. "I don't have anything stronger, but do you drink wine?"

Randolph stood on one side of the counter, watching her. "I do. Where are your kids?"

"Probably upstairs." Jacqueline looked back at him and towards the stairs. "I don't ever have anyone home so they probably think I need some sort of private time." She chuckled setting the glasses down before going into a wine cooler and taking out a bottle of red wine. "They're eighteen, but never once have I worried about them sneaking out." She poured the wine for both and sat the bottle down, leaning on the counter.

Randolph chuckled, "is that right? Married to the job?"

Jacqueline shook her head, "no. I just don't want to end up like my sister was. I don't like talking about family, but there's a reason why. My sister was arrested for drugs, her boyfriend was assault and battery. This is when I was 19. We were twins as well. After that, I'm careful who I bring around them. Doesn't matter how old they are." She took another sip.

She played it safe, he could respect that. He was more surprised she let him come into her home, but the two got along well it seemed.

"Seems like you had to start life early." Randolph took a drink of his wine.

"Something like that," Jacqueline sighed. "But no matter, everything is the way it should be. They're off to college after this year. Again, Randy, I appreciate the ride home."

Randolph smiled, "anytime. Should I pick you up in the morning?"

Dammit, morning. Jacqueline cleared her throat, "no, no it's alright. I'll get there." She smiled, but Randolph shook his head.

"I insist, I'll be here in the morning."