Novel Squares
Chapter 54
Chapter 54
“Gwendolyn, you’re really in for it with the internship assessment next Monday, teased Mamie, her voice laced with a sneer, “Without a mentor to hold your hand, you’re practically out the door.”
Gwendolyn didn’t bat an eyelid, her icy gaze betraying none of the turmoil Mamie hoped to see. Instead, it was Mamie who shifted uncomfortably under the weight of Gwendolyn’s
serene stare.
“Let’s make a bet, Gwendolyn.” Mamie’s temper flared, her ego bruised, “We’ll see who scores higher on the assessment. The loser packs her bags. You in?”
Gwendolyn lifted her chin slightly, standing tall with a voice both soft and resolute, “You’re on. Loser leaves.”
With a huff, Mamie stormed off. Book smarts were one thing, but practical exams were a whole different beast. Gwendolyn was toast.
Gwendolyn made her way back to the locker room, gathered her things, and, as usual, headed to Room 2103.
“Today, I’ll be giving you a massage to help with circulation,” she said, gently assisting Eve to lie down.
Eve peered at her with a scrutinizing gaze before finally speaking coldly, “Miss, you ought to have some self–respect.” The hospital’s rumor mill had been churning, and it hadn’t taken much for Eve to catch wind of the gossip.
“Character is everything in our line of work.”
She continued, her brow furrowed in distaste, “Why lower yourself to being the other
woman?”
Gwendolyn continued her massage, pressing down on the necessary points in silence.
Eve grew more agitated, “There is no smoke without fire. Don’t you dare get cozy with me to reach our Sanford. The Lopez family is a respectable family, and we don’t welcome women of your sort.”
Gwendolyn paused, then looked up, her clear, defiant eyes meeting Eve’s.
Eve faltered, guilt seeping into her voice, “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Damn it, her cold exterior was cracking, and she actually felt a pang of sympathy for Gwendolyn.
Silence spread through the room like a creeping vine.
After half an hour of massage, Gwendolyn’s hands were sore.
다
Breaking the silence, Eve awkwardly praised, “You’ve got better hands than Dr. Yates. You must’ve put in a lot of effort.”
“Fancy some fruit?” Gwendolyn’s voice was a soft murmur.
Eve was about to boast about her refined palate when she instead said, “I eat fruit, but only the finest, the premium stuff. None of that pesticide–laden market rubbish for me.”
“Alright.” Gwendolyn’s voice was velvety as she fetched several glass containers from the locker room and swiftly returned to the hospital.
Opening the boxes one by one, they revealed an array of top–tier blueberries, cherries, pears, and pineapples.
Recognizing the quality, Eve gave Gwendolyn a surprised glance, “Does Bayridge Hospital pay its interns that well, or is it…”
She observed Gwendolyn’s clear–eyed sincerity and practical nature, not the type to seek out a sugar daddy.
“My family prepared them,” Gwendolyn explained.
Not wanting the fruit to go to waste or to share it with her petty colleagues, she decided to offer the
to this temperamental old lady. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Eve nodded, picking up a fork and beginning to eat, “Women should eat plenty of fruit. Good for the skin and the body. When I was young.
Gwendolyn sat quietly, listening to her stories, her mind drifting.
A blueberry popped into her mouth, and she chewed reflexively, its sweetness flooding her palate.
“Don’t take life so seriously, girl. My granddaughter doesn’t have a care in the world,” Eve said, putting down her fork, “Gifts blind the eyes. I won’t give you a hard time anymore.
Eve’s resolve had melted.
Gwendolyn looked at her and allowed herself a slow, gentle smile.
True to her word, Eve didn’t hassle her for the rest of the day. Gwendolyn’s work was simplified, almost leisurely.
At six in the evening, her shift ended.
Then, Gwendolyn’s phone rang, and Marina’s anxious cries came through, “Mrs. Chadwick, Mr. Chadwick’s been in an accident. He’s in critical condition.”
Hearing it, Gwendolyn’s body turned ice–cold, and her heart clenched in agony.