Page 51 of More Than a Match

“Oh my god, no! What happened?”

“They asked for my side of the story, so I gave it. I also told them he was harassing my girlfriend, but I didn’t tell them it was you. I didn’t want to drag you into this.”

“Baby, this is all happening because of me. I feel terrible. You can tell HR who I am.”

“They’re going to want to talk to you if I do.”

“That’s fine, I’ll come give my statement right damn now if I need to. Where are you guys?”

“Third floor. My supervisor’s office. I’ll let them know you’re on the way.”

“Cool. I’ll be there in 10.”

I turn and pop my head back into my supervisor’s office. He and the HR woman are standing together, speaking in hushed tones, and they both look startled at my re-entry.

“Hey, so I just asked my girlfriend if she would be comfortable testifying, on the record, and she said yes. She’s on her way up here now, if you have a few more minutes.”

The HR lady’s eyes light up like I just offered her an all-expenses paid vacation. “Absolutely. We’ll take her statement now.”

“Cool, she will be up in a few minutes. I’ll send her in when she’s here.”

I pace anxiously outside while Mina talks to them. Her conversation takes much longer than mine did, and I can’t help the anxiety that keeps bubbling deep in my guts. What’s happening in there? I want to burst in, to protect her. But I know better than to interfere with this. She has to tell her story, her way, if we want any shot in hell of this working.

Finally, she emerges, her cheeks streaked with tears, and she rushes into my arms. I hold her close and gently kiss the top of her head.

“What happened in there, baby?”

CHAPTER 35: MINA

I walk into the room, nervously clenching my fists. My fingernails dig into my palms, a savory sweet sting that keeps my mind focused. I’m terrified of what they’re going to ask me, but I’m here for one thing. To finally bring Jason down.

“Have a seat,” the HR lady says with a smile, beckoning to the chair. “My name is Sharon, I’m with the Human Resources Department. Please state your full name for the record.”

“I’m Dr. Yasmina Abdul, third year resident here. My friends call me Mina.”

“Dr. Abdul, am I to understand correctly that you are in a relationship with Alex Guirero?”

“Yes ma’am, that is correct.”

“And you are here of your own free will, without persuasion or coercion from Mr. Guirero?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Very well. We may proceed.”

The questions go on and on, from the nature of my relationship with Alex to the persistent and unwelcome advances of Jason. I relay the emotional torment I’ve endured at his hands, as well as citing instances of him harassing others. I happily give them Katie’s name as another witness, because she greenlit the idea when I gave her the heads up that this was going down today. The others I’m more hesitant about. I don’t need to drag them all into my shitstorm. Hopefully between Alex, Katie and myself, we’ve got it covered. If not, I know I can persuade the others to at least talk to HR.

Finally, it was time to tell them about the confrontation today. I tell them how he assaulted me in the lounge, and show them my wrist, which has started to bruise. When I tell them how he had violated me, I can’t help it. Tears well up in my eyes and spill out, and I can hardly get the words out. My voice is trembling as I recount the terror I felt in that moment, and how I feared he wouldn’t stop at just a grope.

Sharon is aghast. “He did that to you?”

“He did,” I choke out through sobs. “I kept hoping someone would walk in, but no one came. I was so afraid, it felt like I was stuck. I couldn’t fight back.”

“That is beyond unacceptable.”

“I know, I should have done more,” I cry. “I feel silly feeling so dirty and violated, since it was over my clothing, but I still—”

“No, honey,” she interrupts. “What he did was unacceptable. I’m so sorry you’ve had to endure this. Rest assured, we will be doing a very, very thorough investigation into Dr. Visera. The more testimony we can gather, the better.”

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