It took a week before Natasha could resume work, she had written to the HR that she lost her father and hence needed a week break to which was granted to her. Now, she was at her desk, reviewing the files of patients, for she had missed a lot.
While at it, she noticed a file of a patient, the patient is the legal department assistant head. From the picture attached to the patient’s file, she could tell this person was the one who denied her application when she applied at legal. It’s quite unfortunate that the once healthy woman had now been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
Treating heart disease is one of the skills she learnt the hardest during her short stay with Mr. Peller. She became more interested in this woman and thought that she may probably find her way to the Legal department once she helps the woman heal up, the woman can in turn favor her.
When it was 1PM in the evening, the woman came around for a check up. As soon as Natasha realized the woman was around, she went to the ward that she was in and approached her, “hey…”
“Hi,” the woman answered weakly. Apparently, she was going through so much pain. Natasha hoped she didn’t recognize her as one of the many people that had applied at the legal department.
“I’m sorry for your pain,” Natasha sympathized with the woman but she could only nod. “If you don’t mind, I can treat you in the traditional way and I guarantee you all your pain will leave, you will be totally okay.”
The woman looked at her bewilderedly, “traditional way?”
“Yes, I’ll have to make use of acupuncture alongside some other methods?” Natasha said.
“I’m sorry, I don’t believe in all that. If I don’t get better here over a period of time, my husband has promised to fly me abroad for better treatment.” The woman answered.
“Alright, ” Natasha answered. She was about to turn to leave when the woman spoke, “why traditional medicine though? Did you not believe I can get healed by modern science?”
“I do believe you can and will get healed.” Natasha smiled faintly then continued to walk away. Afterall, it wasn’t her turn to attend to the woman.
Barely ten minutes later, Natasha noticed that every staff member became more serious. Those who were murmuring had stopped and had now focused on their work, only the presence of the head of the department can bring about such an effect.
She soon realized that Violet had entered but what’s more shocking is that Violet was walking towards her. As soon as she got to her desk, she smashed her hand on the table and spoke loudly, “do you want to ruin our reputation in this company?”
Natasha felt embarrassed at the way she shouted, all eyes were now on them.
“Have I done something wrong?”
“You still dare to ask, huh?” Asked Violet in an aggressive manner. Violet looked round the staffs setting their attention on them, “this woman is a traditionalist who didn’t even believe in modern medicine. She believed in all these old unverified acupuncture methods of healing.”
Everyone scoffed at the mention of this, for they think acupuncture to be ridiculous. It’s the twenty-first century and some sane person still believes in that ancient method of healing.
“She approached Miss Emily and advised her to let her treat her the traditional way,” Violet said out loud for everyone to hear.
Their reaction was that of mockery and hate.
Natasha’s jaw clenched in rage. She was only trying to help miss Emily, she didn’t expect for the woman to report to Violet. Natasha could only lower her head at the insults and embarrassment being thrown towards her.
Many of her colleagues began to throw low tantrums towards her, some she was able to process while others, she couldn’t. And it hurts!
“You can keep your traditional belief to yourself. Don’t ever pitch it around here anymore. Is that understood?” Violet asked angrily.
Natasha exhaled and stood. “I was wrong, yes but this is not the right way to rebuke a staff member.” Natasha’s voice was not loud like hers but audible enough for Violet to listen.
Violet frowned, “seems you forgot you are technically not supposed to be working here. I’m the reason why you haven’t gone to jail. How dare you speak back to me when you are supposed to be groveling at my feet, apologizing.”
“Groveling at your feet?” Natasha repeated. “Do I look like your slave?”
The few people who could hear Natasha stand against Violet were surprised. None of them had such courage for they knew Violet had a hot temper and would fire staffs in the blink of an eye.
Violet’s eye rolled to the back of her head, “don’t blame me for the calamity that’s about to befall you.” Then she walked angrily and embarrassedly.
Natasha sat, n bothered. The worst she could do is to report to the cops and that is not something she wants as it could ruin her career and even send her to jail, but she won’t let her keep blackmailing her with it and treating her anyhow.
Natasha was still trying to recover from the whole unexpected event that had just happened when skinny Fernando appeared.
“Oh my days! Natasha, you are really bold.” He praised her.
Natasha only shrugged, not bothering to even glance at him.
“What if she reports you to the cops? The consequences will be severe. I can help you plead with her if you want,” Fernando said.
“You knew?” Natasha was stunned to realize that Fernando knew that the certificate she presented here was forged.
“Of course.” Fernando answered.
“I do not think she will listen to you. Her pride will not let her,” Natasha said.
“Why don’t you let me try.”
“And what will you want in return?”
“Come on, Natasha. We are already friends.” Fernando said.
“Fine,” Natasha agreed. But a larger part of her knew that Violet would never heed to Fernando’s plea for she didn’t even value Fernando, he was just her errand boy.
To Natasha’s surprise, everything went normal until the end of the day. Honestly, she had been expecting for her cops to suddenly barge in and then arrest her but surprisingly, nothing of such happened.
When Natasha was done with work, she left alone as she usually does, for she had purposely refused to make any friends at work. She soon walked out of the main office and was now approaching the elevator when Fernando’s voice unexpectedly came through.
“Natasha!”
Natasha paused and turned, soon, he was before him. “It worked.”
“You mean Violet agreed not to report to the cops because you pleaded on my behalf?”
“That’s right.” Fernando smiled, however awkward he looked.
It was hard to believe but at the end, she had to thank him. “I’m grateful.”
“You are most welcome. Anything for you, Natasha.” He said.
“I should leave now,” Natasha said.
“Have you considered the dinner yet?” He asked.
“We can have it tomorrow after work,” Natasha said. Natasha finally understood what he wanted, he will do anything to win her favor, just so she can agree to his date.
“Thank you,” he smiled and made a gesture that she could leave.
Natasha then walked away.
She didn’t go home straight, instead, she went to the laboratory that was under construction. Just as Dmitry had said, he would build a laboratory for her and she in turn, must do everything in her capacity to find a solution to his mother’s sickness.
She supervised them for a while after which she left for her house.
On getting home, she went straight to her kids who were growing fast and big. Their faces were looking brighter than ever and it merries her heart to see how happy her baby is.
Towards night time, the baby had already slept and she was in the living room, narrating the events that happened at work to Naomi. She was only trying to help the Emily woman but she in turn went ahead to report her. Naomi was also stating her opinions.
Both women could be seen having a hearty conversation, it was already 8PM, the last time any of them expect is a knock on the door,
Both women exchanged a surprised glance. “Should I go and check who is at the door?”
Took a while before Natasha responded. “Let me do that.” Then she stood and walked up to the door. “Who is that, please?”
“Well, some people call me the Oyabun while others simply call me by my name, Jucef,” the man’s voice was older. Took time for Natasha to process the name Jucef. Is that not Pavel’s father, what is he doing at her doorstep.
“The engagement between myself and your son is all fake. You should have known that by now?” Natasha spoke.
“I knew from the beginning but do I care?” He asked. “I only want my son to get married, be it fake or not.”
“Well, I’m not the right person for your son. There are many beautiful ladies in Crying Sun, I believe. You can choose a lady for him there.”
“My son confessed that he had hurt you. He claimed it’s because he loved you too much to lose you. I want you to forgive him and get back to him.”
Natasha scoffed, “I believe you do not lag in hearing when I say Pavel and I were never together, we are just friends.”
There was a long moment of silence, Natasha, at some point even thought the man had left. About to turn back inside, the man’s voice came again, “I just came to tell you that getting married to my son is many women’s dreams. Many women will kill for it. Money, we have it in abundance. Power, we have it. Protection, oh we can guarantee the protection of you and the kids.”
He continued, “but if you refuse to be a bride to my son, not even Dmitry will be able to save you. I may not be relevant here in Leaf City, but I have enough men that can cause havoc. This is not a threat, my dear. It’s a call to action. Goodnight.” Then she heard the retreating of steps.