Falling For The Mob

07 Vincent

Zoë

It was a lot of work, but finally, I began settling into the new role that I took on and can see it as the amazing opportunity to bring much-needed change.

In my first week studying the financial records, it became clear why the divisions were so off. I'm not one to point fingers, but the way Henry has been favoring cancer research and neurology is just so painfully obvious. I knew they were friends, but he didn't even try to be subtle, it's sickening.

Henry is a master at balancing on the line of acceptable behavior. It is not considered illegal for the hospital representative to advise and sway investors to put their support behind certain departments. The only thing he then has to do is charm his way around those who can hold him accountable, which he did perfectly.

Sam is different. It's clear how stubborn she is, but I think right now it's exactly what the hospital needs. She does her own research and doesn't let her decisions be swayed by hospital politics or the need to impress anyone. I find it very admirable, even if she still seems to dislike me and everyone for that matter.

She is very closed off, she seems very lonely. I try to see her as the kindhearted person Addy described, but she often makes it hard to look past the cold, untouchable aura she projects. She's practically famous for it around the city and even in the hospital. I've lost count of how many of my male colleagues have asked me to introduce them or to find out if she is single.

Even if I knew the answer, I wouldn't share it. Above all else, Sam seems to value her privacy and refuses to give any interviews. I do find it laughable, from what I've learned about this woman, she is tough to handle. She'd probably chew them up and spit them out before they can even register what happened. You'd need very thick skin to survive someone like her I think.

As this thought crosses my mind, she looks up from her documents, catching me staring at her. As always, her eyes are so cold and intense, I find myself quickly submitting under her gaze and looking away. I'm thankful for the knock on the door and Joan walking in.

She is the twenty-two-year-old recent graduate Addy picked out to assist me with all the paperwork for this project, and I could not be more grateful for the weight she has lifted off my shoulders.

"I need all three of you to sign these." She places a stack of files in front of me and smiles at us. Addy and I return the gesture, but Sam keeps her focus on the document in front of her.

"Can I get any of you something to drink?" Paying attention to her body language, I've noticed the interest Joan has in Sam. Sam, however, never even speaks to her.

"I'll have some tea, and bring some black coffee for Sam."

"I don't need anything, thank you." I add with a smile before she heads towards the door.

"This is wrong, why is the promotional package going to orthopedics? Last week, we agreed that it would go to pediatrics."

Addy and I both turn to Sam. "Yes, sorry, that was my doing. I think I forgot to email you about it. I realized how much we overlooked them and took some of my own funding and sent it to them."

My nerves kick in as she studies the document. I realize that it looks like I am trying to slip a few changes past Sam. I haven't been doing this long, and I can already see myself getting kicked for this mistake.

"Can we duplicate the package and do both?" She still doesn't look up.

Addy scans a few pages. "Yes, we can dip into the reserves here."

"Do it." She states before signing the document and passing it over to me. "In the future, do inform us in advance."

"You're not mad?" Why I decided to ask, I don't know. She looks up, her gaze questioning me. The air feels thick, and I have no idea what she is thinking.