Suddenly, Rachel’s phone rang. Seeing it was her mother, she answered immediately. Hello, mom, is everything okay? Rachel greeted.
Rachel, sorry to call at this hour. I know you probably just finished your shift, but could you possibly send money today? Your brother’s girlfriend needs a checkup. She’s pregnant, you know, her mother said, sounding embarrassed.
Rachel bit her lip and shut her eyes tightly. Mom, I don’t have any money right now, but please don’t worry. I’ll find a way, she promised.
Thank you, child. I’m really sorry to keep asking. We have no one else to turn to, her mother said softly.
It’s okay, mom. I’ll send it later today. Take care, okay? Rachel finished, then ended the call.
She slumped on the bench. Her chest felt heavy. She set down her phone and rubbed her temples.
The door opened and Emily walked in. Oh, Rach, you haven’t gone to sleep yet. You look so stressed.
Is there a problem? Emily asked, sitting next to her. Rachel let out a slow breath. That was mom.
She needs money for my brother’s girlfriend’s checkup, she said. Emily didn’t hesitate. She walked to her bag, pulled out her wallet, and handed Rachel some cash.
Here, use this, Emily said. Rachel was stunned and immediately shook her head. Emily, I can’t accept that.
I haven’t even paid back what I owe you. I should borrow from someone else, Rachel replied. No way.
With other people, you’ll owe interest. With me, you won’t. I know you can’t abandon your family, so don’t overthink it.
Just take it, Emily insisted, taking Rachel’s hand and pressing the money into her palm. Thank you so much, Emily, Rachel murmured, tears forming in her eyes. Enough of that or we’ll both end up crying.
Let’s just get some rest. We have the day off tomorrow. Time for a longer break, Emily said, flopping onto the bed.
After that one day off, Rachel and Emily’s shifts changed to a daytime schedule. Having just come off the night shift for several weeks, morning duty now felt heavier in a different way. The hospital was busier during the day.
More patients, more rounds, and more people to manage. At lunchtime, they went to the cafeteria together. They hadn’t started eating when Rachel noticed Emily was unusually silent.
Emily, what’s on your mind? Rachel asked, opening the container of chicken and rice she’d brought. I have gossip, Emily whispered, leaning closer. You and your gossip again? Rachel teased.
No, this is real. You know Mr. Hamilton is confined here, right? Emily’s eyes went wide. Who is he? Rachel asked, brow furrowed.
Emily almost choked. Seriously? You’ve never heard of Mr. Hamilton? She asked in disbelief. Rachel shook her head and continued eating.
If I knew who he was, I wouldn’t be asking, she replied. Mr. Hamilton is one of the richest businessmen in the country. He owns big hotels, restaurants, and who knows what else.
He’s so wealthy, the entire hospital must be in a frenzy trying to accommodate him. The doctors and the administrators are probably bending over backward to cater to him, Emily said, sighing dramatically. Okay, and what about it? We’re assigned to the ward so it’s not like we’ll be dealing with him? Rachel answered with a shrug.
You never know. Fate might say otherwise, Emily teased before taking a sip of water. Rachel said nothing, continuing her meal.
Several hours later, their shift ended and they headed to the locker area. As soon as they stepped in, they sensed a tense atmosphere. A few nurses surrounded Tiffany, trying to calm her down as she wept.
A noticeable bump marked her forehead and her face was flushed with anger and tears. Rachel and Emily stopped, exchanging confused looks before looking back at Tiffany. They didn’t have to ask what happened because Tiffany launched into a loud tirade, complaining to the other nurses.
Mr. Hamilton threw a cup at me because the water I brought him wasn’t cold enough. Can you believe that old man’s nerve? Just because he’s rich, he thinks he can treat us however he wants. Tiffany sobbed.
Some of the nurses reacted with sympathy, while others stayed silent, clearly afraid of being caught in Tiffany’s rage. Tiffany happened to glance at Rachel and Emily, shooting them a furious glare. What are you looking at? she shouted, and Emily simply rolled her eyes.
Wow, now it’s our fault you got a bruise, Emily muttered. They gathered their belongings and left. Once outside, Emily laughed.
Did you see that? She looked like a rhino with a horn on her forehead. Maybe next time she’ll get two horns, that’s what she gets for being so nasty. Emily joked, still giggling, but Rachel didn’t join in.
We really shouldn’t mock her, Em. Yes, she’s rude, but it’s not right to be happy about anyone’s misfortune, she said. Emily sighed.
Rachel, you’re too nice. If you ask me, she deserves it. At least she met her match.
She can’t hide behind her aunt forever, Emily said, shaking her head. Rachel sighed, unable to ignore her own sympathy. No matter how difficult Tiffany could be, Rachel couldn’t celebrate seeing someone get hurt.
With each passing day, Mr. Hamilton became the biggest topic in the hospital. Everywhere Rachel went, she overheard new stories about him. How he shouted at people for trivial reasons, or harmed them verbally or physically.
Each day brought a new tale from a nurse who’d been ill-treated by the wealthy old man. One was scolded for positioning his pillow incorrectly. Another was cursed at until she cried.
Rachel grew more uneasy with every story she heard, despite never having seen Mr. Hamilton in person. She was just relieved she hadn’t been assigned to his case, and wondered how long her luck would hold. In a hospital, assignments could change in a heartbeat, and a nurse might suddenly face the unexpected.
It was near the end of Rachel’s shift one day, when a senior nurse asked her to deliver some papers to the head nurse’s office on the fourth floor. Rachel promptly obeyed, taking the elevator upstairs. The corridor there was quiet and removed from the ward’s usual bustle.