Chapter 7

Catherine

The dining hall is big and bustling with life as we enter. It is more like a high end cafeteria than a dining hall if you are picky, which I am. There are several tables lining one wall and down the middle filled with people of different ages, ethnic background and social status. There are even a few children there together with their parents. At the back there is one table slightly raised above the others, as if placed on a stage. My eyes are immediately drawn to that table and I meet the intense gaze of Mr. Peccati. That has to be the main table. Franco is sitting up there as well and there are three empty seats. One next to Franco and two opposite of him.

“This way.” Pierto’s hoarse voice draws me back to where we’re standing. I break my eye contact with Mr. Peccati and follow him towards the wall lined with a buffet table. There are all kinds of things to choose from and even though my body is screaming for nutrition my stomach is at an uproar.

I choose some fruit, bread, some yogurt and a cup of coffee. Pierto is waiting for me at the end with a tray full of all kinds of goodies. When we make eye contact he turns and heads for the main table. I narrow my eyes at his back and look out over the room. At a table in the far off corner, not too far from the entrance there is an empty seat next to two men and three women. With my chin raised I make my way over there.

“Hello. Is this seat free?” I smile down at the people occupying the table and they look back with confused gazes.

“Oh. Yes. I guess. Be my guest.” The woman next to the free spot says and I place down my tray and pull out the chair.

“Thank you. My name is Catherine Ross.”

“We know that. You are the new doctor. My name is Angelina.” The woman next to me says. “This is-” She doesn’t get to continue her presentation as a shadow falls over us. I look up to meet the angry gaze of Mr. Peccati.

“Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Peccati?” I ask in a sickly sweet voice and a matching smile. Mr. Peccati doesn’t say anything but roughly grabs my elbow and jank me up from my seat.

“Hey! Let go of me!” I struggle against him but he only increases the hold and I hiss out in pain. He may be slim but he is awfully strong. “What is your problem?” He drags me up to the main table and pulls out the chair closest to his. He lets go of my arm and glares at me. I cross my arms over my chest in defiance.

“I would recommend you to do as I instruct or I will personally force you down in your chair. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough already by being dragged up here?” He raises one of his thick brows and I let my gaze sweep over the room. Almost everyone has ceased eating and is now looking in our direction. My cheeks darken with embarrassment and I sit down quickly. “Good.”

He sits down in his seat and soon my plate and coffee appear before me having been collected by Pierto. Pierto’s plate is already sitting in the spot next to me. I pout and glare down at the food in front of me.

“Did you sleep well, Dr. Ross?” Mr. Peccati speaks as if nothing is wrong. As if we are good friends and he didn’t kidnap me yesterday.

“Sure.” I mumble and keep glaring down at my plate but not making a move to put anything in my mouth.

“I hope your pillows and comforter helped you in your transition.” Franco speaks up with a light and unbothered voice.

“Uhu.” I keep pleading uninterest in carrying on a conversation with any of them.

“Today you will inspect the facilities and materials of the hospital wing. You can write down everything that needs to be changed and all things that need to be bought. When you are done you can present your list to me. I will be in my office most of today.” Mr. Peccati says and I shrug and hum in acknowledgement. He sighs loudly at my lack of interest.

“I expect you to meet me with respect. This behavior is not accepted.” The last sentence he growls out and this time I raise my blue eyes to meet his golden brown ones.

“Respect is something you earn, not something you deserve.” I say the words my father always told me in my teenage years when I used to lash out at home when I wanted to take out all the anger from being bullied in school. Mr. Peccati doesn’t seem to enjoy my view on life as he slams down his fist at the table making me jump in my seat.

“Enough! You will be respectful towards me or you will regret it! I can bring you so much pain you would wish for death.” He threatens me through gritted teeth. Fear is coursing through me but I try to hold it back. I am not stupid enough to think he would never hurt me. I’m dispensable. He can always find another doctor.

“If you do, I can not do the job you want me to do.” I try to keep my voice calm and steady as I stare back into his eyes. His jaw is clenched tightly and a vein in his forehead is pulsating with anger. Eventually he takes a deep breath and I see the determination in his eyes. But to my surprise he changes the subject completely.

“You will sit at this table every meal. This seat is yours until I decide otherwise. Any defiance against my rules will be punished in any way I see fit. You decide for yourself if you want to find out how.” With that he picks up his utensils and resumes eating. I narrow my eyes at him but he ignores me and after a few minutes I turn back to my plate.

He might have won this round but I’ll make sure to win the next one. At least I hope I can win the next one, unless my fear gets the best of me. I managed to eat a few pieces of apple, melon and a banana and drink my cup of coffee. I pick up my plate to place it wherever it should be and stand up.

“You can leave the plate, Dr. Ross. Everyone at the main table leaves their plate and the staff takes care of it.” Franco says and when I look at him I am met with a kind smile. I smile back at him.

“Okay. Thank you, Franco.” Then I turn to look for Dr. Davies. He is sitting at the table right by the stairs to the main table. When I take a look at his tablemates and then at the tables further away from the main table I can see a pattern. The tables are arranged in status and rank. The ones at the main table are the highest and the ones closest to the exit are more regular people. When I walk down to Dr. Davies I hear a low chuckle behind me but I don’t turn to see who is laughing.

“Good morning, Dr. Davies. Are you done with your breakfast?” I can see that his plate is empty and the cup of coffee in his hand is almost empty as well.

“Yes. Of course, Dr. Ross. Let me just put this away and we can go to the hospital wing.” He gives me a false smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. I guess he’s not all that happy about me coming in and shove him down the ranking pole. I wouldn’t be very pleased as well.

 Together, and with Pierto in tow, we make our way to the hospital wing.

I wonder who will be victorious in the battle between Catherine and Alessio?