The Beauty of Intelligence

3.

•REINA•

Beauty is the soul of wit.
-William Shakespear

My legs cross over each other as I sit up in my chair tilting my chin up not letting the man in front of me think I am inferior to him. That's what men in the medical field think. They think their God's gift to the world and think we women should kiss the ground they walk on. I would rather cut it from underneath them and watch as they sink into a bottomless pit.

The chief of surgery clears his throat interlocking his fingers together on top of his desk. He makes an effort to avoid my eyes looking anywhere but directly at them. I've never had anyone be able to hold eye contact with me everyone tends to avoid it.

Darell Winesbury made my life hell while I did my internship here he even tried it when I became an Attending but I cut that shit out quickly. I may be quiet and gravitate to letting people do their own thing but I won't let anyone trample over me.

"Chief Winesbury, is there a point to you calling me to your office?" My head tilts to the side as I try to make a read on his face but come up short. He looks regretful. What the hell does my being here for to do with whatever he's regretting?

"Yes, I'm sad to tell you that I will be stepping down from chief of surgery and retiring." My eyebrows shoot up my face as I listen to whatever else he's got to tell me. "And I'm happy to inform you that the board has voted that you be the next Chief of Surgery."

My eyes widen slightly but I'm not surprised I knew this day would come it just came sooner than I expected.

Winesbury looks anything but happy to tell me this information. Darell is the worst kind of human being he's a racist and also a sexist so imagine his surprise he's stepping down just for a Hispanic woman to take over. What a slap to his fat face.

"That's great," I smirk watching his face contort into unadulterated hatred. "Will you be clearing your stuff out today?"

He shoots me a hard glare finally meeting my eyes but quickly directing them elsewhere. "I've already packed up the most of it but you're not moving in as the new Chief of Surgery today. We will announce next Monday."

"What a shame it's better to begin working early if you intend on cleaning a mess," I smile at his red face that looks like its about ready to burst. I stand up from my chair walking over to the door. "I will make this place better in three months than you did in your thirty years, Winesbury," I say before walking out, dismissing myself.

•••

I walk around the mall, going in and out of stores, carrying a ton of bags. I decided since I will be the next Chief of Surgery I will have to dress the part since I won't have to wear scrubs anymore and I can't show up in sweats, can I?

My arms are about to give up and drip the bags when someone grabs onto the bags in my left hand. I instant drawback getting ready for a fight that may never occur. When I started making a little extra money I began taking fighting lessons, shooting lessons, knife throwing whatever that would keep me from being that helpless little girl again.

At first, it started off as that and then it turned into something more. I liked having the ability to permanently cause damage to anyone so I kept going back until I thought I was good enough.

My eyes lock with the mystery man and my step falters a little causing me to almost trip over myself. What the hell? He's quick to grab my arm and set me back upright.

"Careful pequeña espina," his voice is deep and soft in a way I bet he only talks to women that way. Little thorn? He's given me a pet name.

"Do you need something?" I go to reach for my bags but he only grabs the ones in my other hand. "Um excuse me?"

I shoot a glare at him but he doesn't shrink away like I'm used to no he holds my eye contact like it's the easiest thing in the world smirking whilst doing it. Shocked doesn't even compare to what I'm feeling. But this man doesn't look like he has ever been intimidated by anything.

I let my eyes travel down the full length of his body drawing in key details about him. He's around 6ʼ5, 235 pounds of pure muscle, and tatted fully on one arm and the other only around his forearm. His eyes are so narrowed they almost look closed but I see the flecks of green showing. A neatly shaved beard and mustache and black hair shaved down creating silky waves around his head.

Beautiful that's all I can come up with as I take him in. He's dressed in a black shirt and black slacks with a silver chain hanging around his neck. He looks neat rich and... powerful. There's just something about the way he stands and looks I can tell he's powerful.

"It looks like you need my help, hermosa, so I'm offering," he states.
Beautiful.

"I never asked so you can give me back my bags," I hold my hand out for him to give my things back but he just looks at it.

"That's no way to say thank you maybe you need some civility lessons," he jokes nudging me to begin walking.

"Maybe you need some lessons on acceptance since you can't accept that I don't need nor do I want your help," I roll my eyes. "But since you're so kindly offering you can walk me to my car and load my bags up for me."

He nods his head as a small smile stretches his lips while he follows me out of the mall and towards the parking lot. We stop in front of my car and I unlock it for him to put the bags in the back.

"Are you not going to say ʼthank you? ʼ" he asks.

"I didn't ask for your help you insisted so that means you don't need my thanks," I say as I reach for my door but he beats me to it opening the door for me.

"I don't need it but it would be very appreciated," he smirks down at me as my car roars to life.

"Good thing I don't need your appreciation," I send him a sarcastic smile.

"Are you always this mean?" he questions.

"Goodbye."

"Have a nice day, pequeña espina," he closes the door and retreats back from where he came from.
Little thorn.