Page 52 of More Than a Match

“Thank you,” I manage to say through my tears. “Thank you for listening.”

“That’s why we’re here. Listen, you go home. Get some rest, physically and mentally. You can come back at your next scheduled shift, if you feel ready. We will make sure to schedule you as far away from Dr. Visera as possible until this is concluded.”

I nod, the sound of my bed seeming impossibly good right now. I just want to bury myself for weeks and not come out.

The meeting concludes and I stumble out of the room. Alex is waiting for me, and I fall into his arms, all the tension I’ve been feeling finally released.

He holds me close and kisses the top of my head.

“Hey baby, how’d it go?”

“As well as can be expected,” I sniffle into his chest. They’re sending me home to rest, after the assault and everything.”

“Wait, the assault?” Alex pulls back, his eyes flashing. “What do you mean, assault?”

My eyes well up again as I quickly recount the details of the encounter in the lounge.

“You didn’t mention that before, babe! He put his hands on you?” He grits his teeth and snarls, “I’m going to kill him.”

“No, baby, let it go. HR is going to handle it.”

“Yeah? And if they don’t? I’m not trying to sound pessimistic, but I’ve seen the system fail good people before. Hell, I’ve been failed by ‘the system’ before.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now I just want to go home.” A shiver runs down my spine as I remember. “Shit. My parents know. He told them. I’m going to be walking into a mine field.”

“You can go back to my place if you need. Rest there. Face your family when you’re ready.”

“No, it has to happen, I might as well face the music today. Just get it over with.”

“Ok babe, whatever you think is best.” He pulls me close again, planting another kiss on my head. “Just remember I love you, I’m here for you, and if you need an escape, I’m just a call away.”

“Thank you, my love. I’ll let you know how it all goes down.”

“You better.”

I steel myself as I walk through the front door. I already know what will be waiting for me. My parents are sitting in the living room, waiting expectantly.

“Well, Yasmina,” my mother says. “You certainly have some explaining to do.”

“I know,” I say, tears once again biting at my eyes. “I know I do.”

“Tears won’t help,” my mother chides me. “You’re not a child anymore.”

“The tears are for a long day, mother, not for what you think you know.”

“Well what do I think I know that I don’t?”

“Well first of all, that man who so helpfully shared Alex’s job information with you? He sexually assaulted me today.”

“What?” My father stands to his feet, hands clenched. “He did what?”

“Yes, Papa. He assaulted me, and he’s been harassing me for years.”

My father sinks back to the couch and buries his head in his hands. “How could this happen to my baby?”

“That kind doctor I met in the hospital lobby? I thought he was your friend? How could he—”

I cut my mother off before she can continue. “That ‘kind doctor’ is nothing more than a predator, Mother. He’s lying, manipulative, and dangerous. And I’m done keeping my mouth shut about it. I have a man who loves me. A good man, a kind and gentle man. A man who sure, maybe he’s not a doctor or someone who comes from money. He can’t promise me palaces and jewels, or private jets and exclusive parties. But hecangive me what he does have to offer, and to me that means the world.”

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