The Billionaire's Widowed Assistant

Chapter Nine

Ethan sighed as reality came rushing back to him a moment later. Gingerly, he disengaged himself from Suzy, and showered. In his bedroom, with the door locked. Once he was dressed, he left the penthouse, tossing the master key to the shackles on the bed.

In the elevator, he texted James.

The reply came that he was already there and waiting.

Good.

He instructed the doorman that the young ladies upstairs should go home within 2 hours and the whole place needed cleaning. He gave no other instructions, as the doorman understood the rules, No one was allowed past the lobby unless accompanied with a ‘resident.’ So, he would only see them again HERE if he so desired.

SN, he thought, he could maybe introduce to his club, she seemed adventurous and curious enough. That is, if he ever saw her again. Either, way, oh well, he didn’t care, the last night had been a great f*****g lay, but that was now in past. And Ethan did not look back.

Suzy was a complete mistake. She would need to be transferred to a different office, perhaps in California. He could not have her disrupting this office. She had been fun, but he could tell that she was the ambitious type, looking for a meal ticket, but a limp rag in the bedroom. He really should have listened to Vicki. No matter the p***y, mixing business and pleasure, just doesn’t mix.

He sighed.

Especially Vicki.

There was no way that he could bear to lose her.

As an assistant of course.

She was vital to him.

His business, that is.

He sighed again.

Upon entering the car, James passed back a couple of folders. “Sir, there is the information that you requested.”

Ethan nodded, opening it, “Take me to the Hospital. I will head to the office after.”

He felt guilt and sadness creeping up on him when reviewing the first file. He should respect her privacy, but he felt a strange responsibility toward her.

He wanted to take care of her.

No! He wanted to help his very capable employee who was in a difficult situation. That was all!

Quickly, he made a call. To make certain arrangements. He was completing the call when James stopped the car in front of the hospital entrance. As he began to exit the car, he saw James hesitate. “What is it James?” James just shook his head. Ethan continued, “Why don’t you come up after you park the car? I’m sure that Vicki would be happy to see you. He watched as James smiled, seemingly relieved and nodded.

He quickly made my way up to Vicki’s room. Visiting hours had not yet started as if was early, but no one dared to stop him. Ethan tapped lightly on her door, then gently pushed it open, as he only heard a soft moan. She lay on her bed, her body drenched in sweat. He watched her head toss from side to side, while she continued to moan out “no” Ethan hurried to her side and took her by the shoulders. The second he touched her, she screamed “NO” and bolted upright eyes wide, terrified, and filled with tears.

Ethan sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly to him. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and whispered, “It’s okay, Vicki. I’m hear. You’re safe now. No one will hurt you now.” Vicki shuddered in his hold, before clasping the front of his shirt tightly. She began sobbing uncontrollably. Ethan just continued to hold her and whisper to her that she was safe.

Eventually, Vicki stopped crying and leaned back away from Ethan. He quickly took out a handkerchief and gently, more gently then he even thought he was capable of, wiped the tears that had stained her beautiful face. He even wiped her nose for her. She just sat there, stunned to silence, eyes’ wide, confused, and brimming with unshed tears.

Looking at her lovely face, Ethan felt a strong desire to kiss away her tears, and hold her in his arms forever. She had felt wonderful there, like she was always meant to be there. He yearned to hold her again. Internally, Ethan shook himself. He must be going crazy. There was no other explanation. However, he could not make himself leave her without giving in to one desire, so his hands cupped her cheeks, and he leaned down and ever so softly, kissed both of her eyes, tasting her tears on his lips. Then he sat in the chair beside the bed.

He watched as Vicki, seemingly in a trance touched her other hand to her cheek and caressed it softly. He had never seen anything more beautiful in his life. He called out to her, “Vicki?”

She started, like she had forgotten that he was present. Her hand dropped from her face like it was burned, and her gaze swung to his face, blinking. She hesitated, “Good…Good Morning, Mr. Wright.”

“Vicki, Ethan, remember?” He reprimanded.

Vicki nodded and then breathed out, “Ethan.”

Ethan nodded approvingly at her. “Now, tell me about the nightmare that you were having. I can see by the bags under your eyes, that you have not gotten much sleep.”

Vicki suddenly found her hands very interesting. “Nothing,” she mumbled.

Ethan picked up one of her slender hands in both of his as he leaned forward. “Nightmares only lessen with time and sharing. They may get better if you share them,” he softly insisted.

Vicki just shook her head.

Ethan leaned closer until his breathe caressed the hand that he held so tenderly. “I know is hurts, but you need to let it out so it will heal,” he insisted.

Her shoulders dropped in defeat before she began to summarize the horrible dream. Ethan nodded, then continued, “I know there was more to it, but I will not push you anymore.” He watched as she sighed with relief. “However, this afternoon, you will have a visitor, and I want you to consider talking to her.”

She looked at him curiously.

“She is the best therapist in the state in dealing with traumatic events, abuse victims, and so on.” He clarified.

“No!” Vicki all but shouted, before calming, “I don’t need to see her. I’ll be fine. Besides, I don’t think my insurance covers it.”

“It does. And you will see her,” he insisted, heatedly.

Vicki slumped back down. “Fine,” she sighed, giving in.

Ethan looked deeply into her emerald green eyes, and was transfixed.

They sat there, staring into the eyes of each other, neither one moving an inch.

Suddenly, a sharp rapping at the door broke the spell. James walked into the room, carrying a tray of delicious smelling food. Vicki’s stomach rumble so loud, that the two mean started laughing.

The three of them enjoyed the breakfast of Bacon, eggs, French toast and fruit. Ethan attempted to assist Vicki when she excused herself to the restroom, but she stubbornly waved him away. She slowly, painfully stood from the bed and shuffled her way to the restroom, clasping the back of her hospital gown.

After she returned, they visited for a while until the Doctor entered, “Good Morning, Vic..” he stopped upon seeing Ethan and James.

“Good Morning, Dr. Rosenburg,” Vicki stated.

The Doctor tsked.

Vicki sighed, “Blake.”

Ethan stiffened when he heard that.

Blake hummed happily, “Vic, how are you feeling this morning?”

“Just fine. I am ready to go home.” Ethan snapped his head to her face, disbelievingly.

He was about to argue with her when he heard the doctor chuckle. “Really, Vic? How about you stand up and do 5 jumping jacks. If you can do that without pain, I’ll release you right now.” He challenged.

Ethan watched with jealously when Vicki’s turned fire engine red and she mumbled, “Stupid interfering doctor. Thinks he knows everything.”

Blake just chuckled again, “Well, I know enough. Like you are too stubborn to rest if I were to send you home. Also, I know that your wounds need a couple more days to heal before you even TRY to resume your regular life. Lastly, I know that you do not want your kids, that you speak so highly of to see you in this condition. Besides you’re my favorite patient.” He ended his statement with wink at her.

Ethan clenched his fists tightly.

How dare this Doctor flirt with his….

His what?

Personal assistant?

He deflated.

Why was he so jealous?

No! Not Jealous, Angry!

Because….

Because she had just gone through a traumatic experience and he didn’t want her to be even more traumatized.

Yes. That was it.

Ethan breathed easier.

He stood, drawing all eyes to him. “Well, I had better get going before I miss any meetings.” He stated, looking at Vicki as her face fell to a frown.

She looked like she wanted to say something to him, but instead forced a smile, “Of course, thank you for breakfast. I know that you are a very busy man.

Ethan hesitated, “I can rearrange if need me to stay…”

Vicki quickly shook her head. “No. You arranged almost everything yesterday. You must not lose any more time.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

Nodding, Ethan patted her hand softly, before he and James left the room and headed for the office.

* * * * *

Vicki sighed as she watched Ethan and James Leave. She felt so confused.

Why did she feel so safe with him?

When he had awakened her earlier, she had been in the middle of a nightmare where she had not been to get away. HE had continued to r**e and torture her. Even going so far as to take her to a small cabin in the middle of the woods, where HE kept her trapped, starving her, using her for HIS pleasure. She had watched her face in the mirror as the time passed, like a movie on Fast forward, her face waning and becoming gaunter. Her eyes became lifeless and dull, no spark what so ever. Ethan had awakened her just after she had seen herself so weak that she could no longer even lift her head up off the dirty mattress that she was kept on, when she watched HIM approached her with an evil grin on her face.

Vicki shook her head, willing the memories from the dream away. She could not allow it to have power over her life. She didn’t even realize that a few tears had fallen from her eyes until she felt gentle thumbs wipe them from her cheeks. She looked up to see Dr. Blake looking at her with a concerned gaze.

“Vicki, What’s wrong? Are you alright?”

She pulled her head away from his hands and shook her head, “I’m alright.”

Blake backed up, his eyes pulling down into a deep frown. “Stop!” he barks out, but halts when he sees her flinching away. He sighs, “I’m sorry, Vic. But it is bad when you don’t let it out. Trust me. Talk to me. Let it all out. I know…” He paused, “I just know that keeping in things that bother us is unhealthy and can cause major issues in the future.”

“I…I…”Vicki stammers, before bursting out in tears, her hands covering her face. Blake, wanting to help, but not wanting to make her uncomfortable, patted her head softly. Slowly, her crying slowed and she dried her face. She took a few deep breaths and looked up at him, her eyes still swimming. “I…I…couldn’t sleep much last night. I tossed and turned. When I finally fell asleep, I had a…a… nightmare.” Her words faded away.

Blake sat down. “Go on,” she looked away. “I know that you have more to say.”

Halting, she looked up at him and nodded, “I… yes, the nightmare, it…it… was a…a.” Taking a large gulp, she continued, “It was the…the… attack. I wasn’t able to get away. There was…….a cabin…….Torture……rape……starvation…….dying.” She hiccupped, trying not to cry again.

She looked up at him and saw his eyes filled with sadness. “Anything else?”

“Not really. That was when I woke up….Well, when Mr. Wright woke me up.” She shrugged. “That is it.”

Blake looked at her skeptically. “Alright,” he drawled out. He stood up, “Okay, Miss stubborn. “He smiled mischievously at her, “Let’s check your wounds out, so that you can relax.”

Vicki looked nervous as she watched him remove her bandages and check how well they are healing before applying new bandages. He was so gentle with her, that her heart almost hurt. She inwardly cringed when he had started, but she bit her tongue and allowed him to do what was needed. She fought her impulses to cringe away from him and run and hide in the bathroom. Blake was a doctor and had never hurt her, she reminded herself.

When he was finished, he leaned back. “That seemed a little easier from you, then yesterday?” he inquired, looking at her cautiously.

Vicki shyly nodded.

Blake again smiles mischievously, “Well, everything looks alright for now. I will check on you later, pretty lady.”

Vicki blushed, “Okay, see you later.”

After Blake left, Vicki hurriedly, pulled out her laptop. She video called Richard, and walked him through anything that he had problems with. Then she started answering her and Mr. Wright’s email.

Hours later, Vicki was still working away, answering emails, and messaging Richard to answer questions. She was focusing on typing up the notes that Richard had emailed her copies of the meeting that Mr. Wright had this morning. While she was typing, she had not even registered that the door had opened and someone had entered.

“What do you think you are doing?” Blake almost yelled at her.

Vicki jumped. “What? When did you get here?”

“I brought you lunch! You are supposed to be resting, and what do I find? You are f*****g working! WHY?” He struggled to lower his voice, though it was still filled with anger.

Wide eyed, Vicki stuttered, “I…I… am not doing… I am not use to inactivity. I only just handling this one email. My replacement was unsure as to what to do. So I just logged on for a moment to take care of it.”

Blake shook his head, smiling, “Love, you are a bad liar.”

She sat frozen “Well... I…” She just fell silent.

Blake took her computer and set it aside. Then he handed her a tray of food.

Vicki looked down at the food. “I don’t think that I could eat ALL of this food even on my best day!” She exclaimed. “I didn’t realize that Hospital food was this good,” She continued.

“It’s not,” Blake winked at her. “But I know the best places to get the best food. But that is my secret, Vic.”

Vicki blushed darkly, “Still this is way too much.”

Blake sat down next to her, “Of course it is, I am having lunch with you, Little Lady!”

Vicki ducked her head, bashfully.

Blake chuckled again, and started serving them. Once he placed a plate in front of each of them, he poured them each a glass of Apple juice. He raised his glass to hers for a toast. “To our first Date!” He chuckled when she blushed and looked away.

Vicki looked back at him. “Sure. Like I really want to start dating right now.” She looked at him warily.

“Vic, I know that you’re not ready. I also know that I am your doctor, CURRENTLY. Right now, I just want to be your friend. While I am attracted to you, I will wait for you. I will be your best friend. I will treat you like a princess. And one day when you least expect it, not only will you feel ready, but you will find that you already know WHO you are to date.” Blake’s voice deepened as he talked.

Vicky looked at him sadly, “Blake, I DO NOT date anymore. I DO NOT plan on dating in the future. You should forget about me. My life is always a mess.”

Blake looked deep into her eyes, “Vic, I will not say anything else after this conversation. I will leave you alone, if you answer me a one question. Are you attracted to me?” He paused and watched as she blushed. “Question answered. Now, don’t worry about it. Just try to enjoy this time.”

“But…”

“I am serious. If I end up getting hurt, that is on me. I am a big boy, I can handle myself.”

Vicki just looked at him.