Chapter 14

N O E L L E

“W-Welcome back, Doctor Roberts.” I greeted him as he passed beside me, his arm brushing mine intentionally. I gulped as I felt disgusted. His eyes travelled my body from head to toe.

He is already 50 years old and married. He is a good surgeon and department head. I respect him, but hell, he’s a horny doctor.

I can see the other neurosurgeons eyeing me with pity. They know what this shitty old man is doing to me, but they can’t report it because Doctor Roberts is friends with the previous CEO.

A few months ago, Doctor Roberts started making his dirty moves on me, which I avoided successfully, but his awful effect on me sucks. He tried to touch my legs, breast, and ass, but I did ways to stop him from doing it.

“Thank you for welcoming me.” He said. Maxwell knew what had happened before and convinced me to report him, but I did not do it since he was our department head.

I hope the CEO approves our request. I don’t want to work with Doctors Roberts anymore. I am uncomfortable and scared. “You may now go back to your work except for Doctor Lewis.” Shit! It is what I am talking about. I should avoid him.

The other doctors eyed me worriedly, and I looked at them to ask for help, so they did not move. Don’t leave me with this asshole. “Move! Move! Patients are waiting!” The lively doctor said.

“W-We need to make our morning rounds with Doctor Lewis.” One of the resident doctors said.

“I know. It won’t take long. It’s just a quick update about our department.” He said while eyeing me with lust and I suddenly felt chills all over my body.

I know I should not wish for this, but I hope the emergency room calls me this instant to get me out of here. I need someone to save me from this maniac.

I was startled when my phone rang. I quickly fished it out of my coat pocket and answered the call. “Hello?” I said.

“Noelle, it’s Levi I—“

“Yes, I will be there right away. Bye.” I ended the call as I looked at Doctor Roberts. “The CEO wants to see me. It’s urgent.” I said, and I quickly stepped out of his office.

I breathed out to calm myself down as I heard the other doctors coming out of his office. “Is it really the CEO?” One of them asked when we were walking back to our offices.

I shake my head. “No. It’s one of my friends.” I lied.

“Whoever he was, he saved you, Doctor Lewis.” One of them commented.

“You should do something about him, Doctor Lewis. If I were you, I don’t think I can still work here.” They gave advice that I already know. It’s just that my hands and feet are tied. He is influential enough to kick me out of this hospital.

My phone rings again. “Hello?” I answered it.

“Did you just hang up on me?!” Levi shouted from the other line.

“Chill, dude. I did it because I had to. I have enough reason.” I explained my side vaguely.

“Care to explain, Doctor Lewis?” He demanded.

“I can’t. Anyway, thank you for calling.” I said. “Why did you call?”

“I want to know the reason for your request.” He said.

“Can you just approve it without knowing my reason?” I asked in frustration.

“It’s a no, then.” He said before hanging up. Tsk. Jerk.

My day at the hospital went on with no disturbance caused neither by the CEO nor by the department head. I got home early, and I told Maxwell what had happened to my day. I told him that Levi rejected our change of shift.

“Let’s report him,” Maxwell said while pacing back and forth in front of me.

“We don’t have evidence to prove my accusation,” I said.

“Then resign and find a better hospital.” He suggested.

I sighed. “I’ve been thinking about it,” I said. “But I love that hospital. I have spent my entire career there.”

“I know, but we can’t risk your safety, Elle. Please listen to me.” Maxwell said, almost begging.

“Alright. I agree with you, Max. I will start finding a new hospital tomorrow, and I will submit my resignation once I get in.” I said, and his face lit up.

“Thank you, Noelle.” He said before kissing me on my forehead.

“No. Thank you, Maxwell.” I said before kissing him on his cheek, and I chuckled when he blushed.

The next day, I was preparing for surgery when someone pulled me and placed his arm around my waist. I gasped as I looked at him. It’s Doctor Roberts! I quickly tried to push him away from me but to no avail. He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. I was shocked to the point that I could barely process what was going on.

“P-Please let me go,” I said, but he just smirked at me.

“You were avoiding me since yesterday, weren’t you, Doctor Lewis.” I felt goosebumps all over my body when he whispered near my ears. I gathered all the strength I had and pushed him away.

“What were you doing, Doctor?!” I yelled as I took several steps away from him.

“I was just trying to warn you, Doctor Lewis. I did not see you in two weeks, so maybe we could catch up and talk. What do you think?” He said as he licked his lips. Disgusting!

I shake my head. “No. Please stay away from me!” I yelled before running away.

Shit! That disgusting all man has no shame! What should I do with him?!

I felt my hands trembling in fear as the memory of the past came back to me. No. I should not let my past affect me now. I have surgery to make and patients waiting for me. I have to make it through the day, and tomorrow, I will submit my resignation letter.

I cried to Maxwell when I got home. I told him everything that happened, and he was furious that he wanted to go and beat him to a pulp, but I stopped him. I do not want to drag him into this mess.

I told him my decision about resigning and taking a break for a week before finding a new hospital to work at, and he agreed.

“What is the meaning of this, Doctor Lewis?” Levi asked while staring at my resignation letter. Normally, I should submit it to the department head, but I could not face him.

“It’s a resignation letter,” I said.

“Yeah, I know, but why?” He asked. “I bought this hospital because you are here, and now you are leaving?!” He yelled. There he goes again.

“I’m leaving because of a personal reason, sir,” I said as I avoided his gaze. I can’t keep looking at those piercing eyes.

“Then tell me your personal reason!” He yelled.

“I can’t, Levi,” I said firmly. I can’t tell it to someone like you.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” I was startled by his sudden burst out.

“Then, why don’t you approve our request?” I was shocked to see Maxwell leaning on the door. He told me he would wait for me downstairs. I did not know he followed me.

“So, this is about your request to change your shift?!” Levi shouted.

“It’s not just about our shift, Levi,” Maxwell answered. “I did tell you it’s about Noelle’s safety, didn’t I?”

“So, Maxwell knows all about you, but you refuse to tell me. You are hurting me, Noelle.” He said, and I was taken aback by his words.

Maxwell sighs. “I think we have no choice, Elle. We need to tell him about it.” Worry skates all over Maxwell’s face.

“B-But Max—“

“He deserves to know because he is the Hospital CEO, not because he is your ex-fiancé.” He explained.

Remembering all the things that Doctor Roberts has done to me will trigger another dreadful incident in my life. I’ve tried every way I could just to forget it and move on, but horrible things kept following me regardless of time and place.

My hands started trembling as I bit my lower lip. Maxwell held my hands and smiled at me as if he was saying that everything would be okay. “Wow. Are you guys still aware that the ex-fiancé is still here? You two are breaking my heart.” Levi said, and that made me look at him. He looked mad but still worried about me. “It’s a sexual assault, sir.”