Chapter 9

Catherine

It takes forever to fix up a list of instruments and materials that I want and need. The fact that I don't have access to the internet slows down the process tremendously. I also go through the pharmacy and what I see there scares the shit out of me. Old medication is mixed with new. I use at least one and a half hours just sorting through what can be used and what needs to be disposed of. 

When my list of more acute materials and medicine is finished I walk over to Dr. Davies office. I hope to have him leave the list to Mr. Peccati. After breakfast and then lunch I wish to have as little with the man to do as possible.

The lunch was not much different from the breakfast, except that I went to my designated place immediately instead of trying to sit somewhere else. Mr. Peccati ignored me throughout the meal, laughing and joking with Franco and even Pierto, though he doesn’t seem to be very easy going. If I tried to speak to anyone he would speak over me so I only tired two times, then I decided to look down at my barely touched plate of delicious foods.

When I reach Dr. Davies’ office I see him sitting back in his chair with his feet on the desk and playing on his phone. He’s so engrossed he doesn’t hear me coming.

“Hey. Is it slow today?” He jerks at the sound of my voice quickly removing his feet and sitting up straight at the desk.

“Ehm. Yeah. Not that many in need medical attention today.” He gives me a lazy smile which must have been a panty dropper in college. I am not blind to see the boy looks good with his blond locks and blue eyes. He looks so much unlike Mr. Peccati. Why do I even compare the two? I mentally slap myself.

“If that’s the case, maybe you can run off to Mr. Peccati with the list of things that need to be bought asap? I could use the time to go over a few other things.” He grimaces at my question.

“Isn’t it better if you speak to him? It is you who knows what you have written.”

“You only need to give it to him and say this is what he needs to buy. These things are things we must have and I won't budge on them. You don’t need to explain anything to him.” He squirms in his seat, obviously not wanting to do the task. I would love to not do the task as well. I want to have as little as possible to do with that asshole.

“Fine.” He sighs eventually and gets up. He takes the papers and grumpily stomps out of the hospital wing. I don’t even try to suppress the amused smile that forms on my lips. He’s acting like a big baby.

When he’s left the room I look at the computer sitting on the desk. I can see that Dr. Davies has been surfing the internet and my fingers tingle to go over there and send off an email to Vanessa or my boss or just anyone. I glance over my shoulder at Pierto to see if his focus is on anything but me. Of course he’s staring at me with eyes that say he knows what I’m thinking. He gives me a small shake of the head in warning and I heave a deep sigh giving up the thought of gaining access to the outer world.

I turn back to my office to finish the list of renovations that needs to be done. If I get an approval on them I will need to speak to a construction planner or something, but for now I can do some light sketching on my thoughts.

***

Alessio

I have just put down the phone after speaking to one of our shippers when there is a careful knock on my door. I smirk to myself thinking that it has to be our new doctor with the list of things she needs. This time she won’t be able to ignore me or act like a rude brat if she wants to get her way. I school my expression to one of aloofness and boredom. I take a document that I already have read but I hold it pretending to read it.

“Enter!” I shout out and the door opens a few seconds later. My perfect expression falls into one of rage and I crumple the document in my hand as I see Dr. Davies carefully step into my office. “What the fuck are you doing here?” I growl and he visibly flinches at the anger lacing my voice.

“I, eh, I have a list from Dr. Ross. Things that need to be bought asap.” He says while looking at the floor. This man is terrified of me and that pleases me, though not enough to override my anger at her defians.

“And why is she not delivering it to me?” I clench my fists on top of the desk. I don’t even try to hide my anger and frustration right now.

“Sh-she said sh-she had a-a lot to d-do, sir.” He stammers and I can see the sweat beading on his forehead. When I am in this mood, anyone in my proximity is at risk of serious injury or, in the worst case, death.

“Take them back and tell her she is to come to my office right now.” I growl and start to rise. He stammers a yes and hurries out of my office. I pace back and forth a few times to disperse the worst of my anger. I have to keep in mind what Franco said. I can’t seriously hurt her, or she will be useless and will have to be discarded. And I’m not nearly done playing with her.

When her knock, much more forceful than that useless Dr. Davies’ knock, sounds on my door, I feel in control and calm again. I am still angry and frustrated that she dared to defy me but at least I won’t shoot her on sight. This time I rest my elbows on the desktop and steeple my fingers in front of me.

“Enter!” I growl out. I want her to know that I am displeased with her behavior. She opens the door and confidently steps inside and closes the door behind her. She looks confident until her gaze catches mine and she sees the anger simmering there. But she only stumbles for a second before composing herself once again.

“I have a list of materials, instruments and pharmaceuticals that need to be bought as soon as possible. I have written down their names but since I am not allowed access to the internet I can’t do more.” She says all this in one breath as she walks up to the desk, and she must have a lot of courage to stick in that angry peak at me. She places the papers on the desk on the other side from me. Then she takes a step back and a deep breath to calm herself.

It’s obvious she doesn’t know all the signs of anxiety she’s showing. She has never been taught how to hide her emotions or project an emotion she wishes for others to see. I have to use all my strength to not let my smirk show on my face. Instead I raise one brow and look intently at her. She swallows tightly and for a second she almost brings her hands together in front of her but decides to clench her fists by her sides again. 

“Sit down, Dr. Ross.” I say and motions for the chair in front of the desk.

“I’m afraid I have no time. There is still a lot for me to do at the clinic.” She shifts from one foot to the other and avert her eyes downward as she speaks.

“And I’m sure those things will wait until tomorrow. Show me the list and explain.” She clenches her jaw and with a resigned sigh she sits down in the chair. She picks up the papers and goes through the list of things she wants and needs for the clinic to work efficiently and safely for both personnel and patients. The more she speaks of the materials needed, the more comfortable she gets.

“And what about the peremesis? Is there anything that needs to be done?” She sighs, but now it’s not in resignation. It is a sigh you expel before telling your boss that there was a water leakage and everything was destroyed.

“Yes. All the rooms are old and outdated. The operating theater is dark and hard to keep clean. It doesn’t hold up to any safety regulations and it is overall messy and uncoordinated. All the rooms needed exist but they need to be updated and renovated. The reception and examination rooms need to be freshened up to instill calm and security for the patients.” I scrunch up my brow in concentration and displeasure.

“This will cost a lot. Only these materials will cost half a fortune.” I stare at the papers in my hand. They are thorough with the needed quantity and expected quality. But then I frown. There is nothing for the operating theater. “You haven’t written down anything for the operating theater.”

“No. The room is in high need of renovation and I don't want to place new equipment in there before it is done. The examination room and reception can be used before a possible facelift.” I hum and keep looking at the papers even though I’m not reading any more.

“Then I will contact our construction firm and they will meet with you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Mr. Peccati. May I leave now?” I look up at her. The nervousness from before is gone, or at least very well hidden. Istead a confident and successful surgeon sits in front of me. But the longer I let my gaze linger on her, the more her anxiety returns. I nod once and she is out of the chair faster than lightning. But before she is out the door I call for her again.

“Dr. Ross. Remember what I said at breakfast. I will not hesitate to punish you if you keep on disrespecting and defying me. Consider this your last warning.” I glare at her and she gives me a small nod. “You may leave.” With a quick goodbye she is out the door. I look at the closed door and chuckle to myself. 

It won’t be long before I have to punish my new disobedient little doctor. The thought of punishing her raises excitement in my chest. All the things I could do to induce pain. Lock her up in the dungeon, have her hanging from the ceiling in her wrists. Naked, scared and alone. I can whip her. As long as I don’t physically harm her to the point of not being able to use her hands there is nothing to worry about. Though, I may have to use my personal whips that are more designed to inflict only pain and not injuries. And perhap a few new ones.

I pick up my phone to make a few calls to our supply manager and construction manager. Then I go online to check for the kind of toys I need to torture my disobedient doctor.

How long do you think it is before Catherine will have her first punishment? And what will it be?