THE REAL ILLUSORY

Chapter 7

Doctor Richards stood facing the window in his office with a cup of Coffee in his hands. He heard a knock on his door and he said "come in". Nicole entered his office and immediately apologized for not coming earlier. The doctor told her to have a sit as he continued gazing at the beautiful city from his window.
    "Nicole do you know why I hired you?" He asked. She looked around the office trying to think of an answer but she couldn't think of a good enough answer so she said the only thing she could think of "umm....because I was qualified?" She asked.

Dr. Richards said "Yes, you were qualified but that wasn't the real reason".

She sat upright as she asked "then why did you give me the job?". Dr. Richards kept the coffee on his table, walked to Nicole and said

"I gave you this job because when you came in for your interview, you had the same look I had on my face when I applied for a job here"

"And what look was that?" She asked. He sat on his table and said " You had the look of desperation just as I did when I came in here. You had everything to lose if you didn't get this job". Nicole reminisced on the events that took place the first day she came in for a job application and she realized he was saying the truth.
   Dr. Richards said "Nicole you are a really good nurse and I know you're aware of that".

"Yes I know but I'm trying to be better" she said. 

He held her hands and said "then be better, go home Nicole, take a day off or weeks even, Okay?".

"I'm sorry Dr. Richards but I can't do that" Nicole said.

"I tried being nice but you leave me no choice Nicole......You're hereby suspend from this hospital until further notice"

"Wait What?!!.....Are you serious?.....I didn't do anything wrong"

"You've lost focus on your job and that can really affect this hospital in so many ways.......So Nicole pick up your things from your office and leave at once"
Nicole sighed and said "okay I will". She got up from the chair and said " Thank you for everything Dr Richards"

"It's no big deal. I'm just looking out for you.....Take care of yourself love". She smiled a little and walked out of the room.
    As Nicole packed up her stuffs from her office, Kate and Dr. Shamen walked in. Dr. Shamen asked "How was the meeting with Dr. Richards?". Nicole shrugged her shoulders and said "it's nothing to worry about ". Kate was pissed because Nicole never wants to open up to anyone "Typical Nicole, you never open up to anyone, you always want to handle your business on your own". Nicole paused and said "What's your problem?.....you know what? I don't have time for this" then she continued packing her things.

"Ladies calm down, there's absolutely no need to shout or quarrel" Dr. Shamen said as he tried to ease the situation.

"She's getting on my nerves. I don't know who she is anymore...." Kate said.

"Maybe if you had paid close attention to your friend you'd have known I wasn't alright KATE" Nicole replied Kate.

"Oh my gosh Nicole!!!.....what are you talking about? I always asked what's wrong but you always say nothing .....what more could I have done?" Kate asked.

"More Kate!!...More....You could've done more". Kate looked at Dr. Shamen and said "Thank God we told Dr. Richards about her behavior, she really needs help".
Nicole turned to her and asked

"what did you just say?".

Kate paused for a while and the said "You heard me......You haven't been yourself lately and people are beginning to notice".

"I could get fired because of what you guys did......I can't believe you could do this to me Kate.....You're my best friend" Nicole started crying uncontrollably as she packed up the rest of her things.
     Dr. Shamen who was quiet the whole time said to Nicole "Look, you're one of the most hardworking nurses I've ever met but trust me you need to go home and rest".

"Don't ever speak to me again" Nicole replied with so much anger as she walked out the room. Kate walked behind her and said "Nicole his right". She turned to Kate and asked

"So you're on his side now huh?".

"Well in this case I am" Kate replied.

Nicole just walked away without uttering a word. While she walked passed the hallway she cried bitterly.
    Arriving at the parking lot Nicole couldn't stop crying although she continuously wiped the tears off her face. In her state of misery she tried opening the door to her car but it didn't open. She tried once again and it still didn't open "What's wrong with this damn door?" she said. After a while she realized she didn't unlock the doors "Wow Nicole Wow" she said to herself. She unlocked the doors, opened it and threw her things in the passenger seat. She entered inside her car and slammed the door. She placed her hands on the wheel and rested her back on the seat. She continued crying because she couldn't find a solution to her trauma.
     Being in that state of devastation, she received a text from a strange number which said "Hey Love". She picked up the phone to see who sent the text but it was from a private number. Nicole was too sad and depressed to respond to the text so she threw her phone on the seat, wiped the tears off her face, arranged herself properly and then she drove of.