Haunted By The Past

CHAPTER 4: AN OFFER

CHAPTER 4:

AN OFFER

Bella wanted to hide under a rock or be at the beach. Anywhere but here right now. This woman was nothing but trouble, but she had to stay on her good side. She sat down while Claudia smoothed out her skirt as she sank down on the chair opposite.

With a resigned sigh, Claudia said, “I’d like you to come back to the practice.”

Bella winced and wondered about her ulterior motive. “I already have a job, my business here. But thanks for the offer.”

Claudia clasped her hands together and looked around the office with sharp focus. “I guess it’s okay here in what you call an establishment, but I thought you might like to make real money. My practice is expanding, and I need extra staff to handle the caseload. I could use your expertise.”

Bella peered down at the floor, her feet suddenly feeling constricted in her closed-toe wedge shoes. She fiddled with the collar of her blouse and fought back the images of the time she’d worked for Claudia just over one year ago. Why would she want to return to a toxic work environment again? She’d learnt from her bad choices and couldn’t face working with her again. “Thanks for the offer, Claudia, but I’m fine where I am. I’d like to expand my own practice closer to home.”

She nodded, but the coldness in her eyes was unmistakable. “I understand but I’m still in Newport, not that far from here. And I’d be willing to offer you a lot more money than what you were previously earning. We’re doing well so I can afford it. At least think about it. I’ll call you in a few days.”

Bella clenched her hands together, nails digging into her skin. She refused to go back to that nightmare. “As I said, I’m fine where I am.”

Claudia tapped her foot on the floor, pressing her lips together. “I guess we should make amends for the past. I know I gave you a high caseload and you were burnt out. Then you were attacked by your patient, but I apologised for that. I really am sorry. I see my mistake now and I appreciate how hard you worked, but, in the end, you became less productive. It won’t be the same again.”

Bella dared to speak the words. “And have you forgotten how that patient who attacked me was your patient beforehand?” It had been the last straw for Bella when she decided to quit. “This client was triggered because of your lack of boundaries. Did you know that? How could you visit his home and get involved in his business and family? He told me all that. He threatened to go to the Psychology Board but I convinced him otherwise. And what about your other clients? Your lack of boundaries with them too? I imagine you’re still doing that. Are you? It’s too risky for me to work for you. It could cost me my licence.”

Claudia avoided her eyes and shook her head. “No, I realised the error of my ways.”

She avoided her eyes. “You can be reported to the PBA, Claudia. You know that.”

“And who’s going to tell on me? You?”

Bella had considered it once or twice, but she didn’t want the stress. She’d had enough stress to deal with in her lifetime. All she wanted was to help people within the boundaries set for clinical psychologists. She looked into Claudia’s eyes and knew she was lying. She was still getting overly involved with her clients, and a strong part of Bella wanted to report her to the PBA, but she worried that Claudia might retaliate in some way. She didn’t believe she was strong enough to fight Claudia, particularly with her connections to unscrupulous family members who were crooked politicians. Even if Claudia didn’t fight back, her family no doubt would. In the end, karma would surely get her.

“No, not me.” She took a calming breath. “Did you forget that when I resigned, you told me never to come back to you?”

Claudia rose from her seat, ignoring her comment. “At least give it some thought. I’ll contact you in a few days or so.”

Bella got up from her chair and walked Claudia out of the office. Mari stared at her quizzically, but she turned her attention again to Claudia and opened the door for her. “Goodbye, Claudia.”

Claudia turned around. “How about we say, see you later for now.” She handed her a business card. “Here’s my number, in case you lost it. But I’ll be in touch and hope to get a yes from you. Take care.” She took long-legged strides towards her car parked at the kerb.

Bella walked back inside the practice with a heavy heart.

Mari was putting away files in a filing drawer and smiled. “Are you okay, Bella? You look a bit frazzled.”

“I’m fine, thanks. Please let me know when my client comes in.”

Mari nodded. “Of course.”

Bella headed back to her office with a deflated posture and closed her eyes briefly as she reached for the case file of her first client. A strong tremor shook her body as she recalled the day her ex-patient beat her. In spite of her challenging experiences, Bella had been able to create an inner safety net. Her inner demons propped up at times, but she had moved on and was starting to build a new life for herself.