The Unwritten Rule | Randolph Bell

Chapter 10

That night, Jacqueline failed to sleep. She replayed the scenario over in her head. Over, and over, and over again. What would have happened if Randolph had not been there? Jacqueline tossed in her bed, still unable to find the sleep she desperately wanted. She mentally cursed herself for the situation she was in. One more toss and a glance at the alarm clock beside her bed, she slowly sat up. It was 5AM. She knew she could be ready for work and, most likely, Randolph could come check on her.

"Fuck," she groaned before getting off her bed and heading into the bathroom. She flicked the light on, looking at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were tired, she had dark circles, but the exhaustion could be fixed with coffee. After all, it was better than nothing. Jacqueline turned the sink on, leaning her face in so she could splash water on it to wake herself up.

The same words rang in her head, her and her sister talking later. She couldn't avoid it forever, but she had to try. She wanted no part in her sister or whatever monster she was with now, even if it was the same one. What they had done to her was enough to make anyone's skin crawl. She was finally out of the depths of despair and her sister wanted to drag her back down.

Samantha.

How she loathed her return. Jacqueline placed her hands on both sides of the sink, taking in a breath. It was only a matter of time before her sister found her and got out of prison. What were the odds it would be right when she started her new job?

***

Coffee gave her strength despite hating its taste. It was just a coffee sort of day, that and one of the twins had drank the last Redbull in the fridge. Jacqueline sat on a barstool at the counter, drinking her coffee and looking through her phone. There were text messages from her sister and one from Randolph about coming to pick her up.

He didn't have to do that anymore, but still chose to which she was very grateful that he did. She didn't want to be alone with her sister out. Who knew what could've happened if he was not around. As she dwelled on that fact, there was a knock on her door that caused her to stand from her stool. It would only be two people, Randolph or her sister. Jacqueline gulped down the last of her coffee, going to the door and Randolph stood on the other side as she checked through the peep hole.

'Thank goodness,' she thought before opening the door. Jacqueline had stressed in a white blouse with black pants.

"Are you ready?" Randolph asked.

"Let me grab my things." Jacqueline stepped away from the door and Randolph stepped into the doorway, looking around. He was nervous for her, the night before had been something not even he saw coming. But Jacqueline had also been a private person, least until now. While she had touched briefly on the subject of family, she wasn't specific and it made sense as to why she wasn't.

"You didn't have to pick me up," Jacqueline said as she grabbed her phone and purse from the counter.

Her voice shook Randolph from his own thoughts and he smiled at her. "I don't mind. Besides, we've been riding together for this long, I don't see a reason to stop."

Jacqueline chuckled, going back to the door as he stepped out and she followed suit. She shut the door, locking it behind her and gave it a quick twist to make sure it was locked. "Well, I do have my own car."

Randolph chuckled, "would you rather me not come get you and take you home anymore?"

Jacqueline smiled in return, "that's not what I said. I just... didn't know if it was a burden." The two walked down to his car and he opened the door for her.

"It's not a burden, besides, I offered."

***

For the most part, the day went smoothly. Jacqueline's surgeries were rather routine, but she had good patients that she enjoyed spending time with even though the time was short. By the time lunch came around, she was on another cup of coffee to soothe her nerves, but also to keep her awake. The exhaustion was more imminent on her face. Jacqueline stood at the nurses station, going over the next file in her grasp. She took a drink of coffee, trying to stay focused. A sleepy doctor was definitely not a good one.

As she stared down at her chart, Nic walked to her, holding out another for her. "You seem tired, Doctor Bell."

Jacqueline chuckled, taking the chart from her. "Thank you." She took another drink. "Something like that, feel like I'm running on coffee today."

For the most part, Jacqueline got along with the nurses and other doctors, but she kept her head down and did her job. She preferred it that way, she had enough drama in her own life. More so now with her sister around.

Nic looked at her and sighed, "you should get some rest. The last thing anyone here needs is to lose another doctor."

Jacqueline nodded in agreement, "easier said than done, but I'm going to try. Hopefully, with lunch, things will be easier. While I'm at lunch, please keep an eye on Miss Hayes in room 6. I'll be back after lunch to talk about treatment plans." She smiled at Nic who nodded in response before walking away from the nurses station.

It wasn't like she could just go home. Luckily, she wasn't on call for the night. She wasn't sure she could handle a night like that after not sleeping the night before. Jacqueline rubbed her eyes as she made her way outside to get air and maybe wake up more. She sat down at a table outside, placing her head down, folding her hands behind her head and she closed her eyes. Lunch was only so much time so she needed to catch up on whatever sleep she could.

As she started to drift off, a plate was set in front of her with a sandwich from the cafeteria on it. Jacqueline slowly looked up, taking note of Randolph who stood above her.

"You look... bad," Randolph stuck his hands in his coat pockets.

"Thanks, I thought I looked pretty good myself." Jacqueline sat up, leaning back in her chair now.

Randolph chuckled, "you know what I mean. You look tired, Jackie. Worse than you did this morning, did you not sleep?" He asked, sitting across from her.

Jacqueline shook her head, resting her head on her hand. "Not much. The events of yesterday weighed on my mind." More than just with her sister, but with him as well. What was she actually doing? Taking rides from him? Getting close to him? He was her boss, he was above her, she was making bad decisions and fast. "Thank you for the food, by the way. Wasn't sure I was really going to eat."

Randolph looked at her and sighed, "you should take a day off. You've earned it, don't you think?" The time he spent with her, he had a feeling what she would say, especially with recent events.

"I don't have the time," Jacqueline stated. "Besides, you saw what happened last night. When I work, I don't have to think about things so much."

Randolph understood, he had seen how Jackie acted towards her sister. She had briefly told him the story, but not really why they were no longer family. Not why she hated her sister so much or what she really went to prison for, that was still a mystery and she would tell him when she was ready. Only when she was truly ready.

"Jackie, you need rest. Better to take a day off than risk killing someone or yourself." Randolph looked at her as Jacqueline rubbed her face.

"Right, well... maybe a day," Jacqueline murmured. "Just not tomorrow, but I'll make sure to sleep tonight." Jacqueline picked up the sandwich he had brought and took a bite. She needed to eat to keep whatever energy she had left. "Is your plan to bring me home tonight? If not, my brother is in town."

Randolph chuckled, "I was planning on it, but if you'd rather him take you home..." He trailed off. In truth, he had come to enjoy his time with Jacqueline. She was a brilliant doctor, beautiful, but she was kind. More so, extremely dedicated to the job.

Nodding in response, Jacqueline could only smile. "Him and I will have to catch up another time then."

At the same time, Jacqueline enjoyed his company, but she felt like she was getting too friendly. She needed to watch the boundary lines in the work place. She didn't want to take anything too far. Besides, if he didn't feel the same, things would become very, very awkward.