"Why would you like a girl almost a decade younger than you?" Huey asked.
"I honestly don't know! It was never my intention to fall in love with Jazmine, it just all happened out of nowhere," James answered.
It was like any other day in the hospital. People come in sick, doctors and nurses check them, and then we get back to them with the information.
Normal Day!
When it came to nighttime at the Washington Hospital it was boring. Nothing exciting happened unless it was a holiday. For instance, on Halloween, teens and grown people come in intoxicated or damaged from some extreme stunts they pull, on Valentine's Day, a couple of men come into the hospital with a few of their body parts missing.
I remember I had to sow a couple of body parts back to their original spots. Some were easy to do while others were disturbing. It kind of made me afraid to do anything sneaky if I ever decided to date or get married.
Women are a force to be reckoned with!
I was packing up for the night so I could leave and go home. I didn't find nighttime shifts amusing so I rather go do something else to occupy my time. Like going to a bar, catching a movie, looking into a few diseases, or just trying to relax.
I could hang out with some friends but I don't have friends like that. I'm usually stuck at the hospital and I don't really talk to my coworkers like that. So I usually have an open schedule when I'm free.
So tonight I'm just going to go home and probably go to sleep since I have nothing interesting to do.
I was heading out of my office and while I was walking I had seen Jazmine leaving the locker room. She had a long sweater, fury boots, and a purse.
She was leaving the hospital and I had to catch up with her because I wanted to have a quick conversation before I left.
"Hey, Jazmine!" I called out her name. I was jogging towards her because she was very far and it was going to take a long time if I walked towards her.
She turned around and tiredly smiled at me. "Hey James!" she said as I stopped right in front of her.
My heart had skipped a beat and I just looked at her taken back. It was the first time she ever called me by my first name. She usually refers to me as Dr. Anderson, which she is supposed to do, but since we've been getting close I was alright with her calling me by my first name.
"Is something wrong?" she asked concerned. I liked how she cared about the most littlest things.
"No, I'm fine!" I assured her.
"Oh, okay...what's up then?" she asked.
"I was just trying to talk to you before you went home," I said as she smiled.
"Well, lucky for you, I'm not going to be going home tonight," she said as I looked at her funny.
"Why aren't you going home tonight?" I asked a bit concerned.
"I'm working a night shift," she answered as we left out of the building.
"A night shift? For what, you already worked all day," I asked as she sighed.
Jazmine tightened her sweaters around her waist and started to walk down the street as I followed her.
"James, things are just complicated right now," she said with a sad tone.
"How?" I asked once again.
"Look...I have to pay bills so I can live in my house, and the check I'm getting is not doing me any justice, so if I take on an extra shift then it might help my case," she sternly spoke.
It was quiet between the two of us and we just kept walking down the street. I couldn't help but give Jazmine a warning about working extra shifts.
"Just because you're taking on extra shifts doesn't mean it's going to help your case," I warned.
"Yes, it will! I can earn twice as much working two shifts or possibly all day and earn enough to pay my bills," she said as I rolled my eyes. She was being so stubborn!
How does a daughter of a lawyer struggle to pay bills? And not just any lawyer, Tom DuBois! It's obvious the guy makes over six figures. I met him a couple of times, he seems like a pretty nice guy. I would suspect that he would pay for Jazmine's tuition so she could go to college and not have to work a shitty job that pays you less money for working long hours.
I see how draining it is to work as a nurse. Nurses and doctors work almost the same hours but we have to be on call if something were to happen and also bring back homework to study. So we really work longer hours and deserve the paycheck.
If most of them would get a degree it would help their paychecks out. But since they don't have a degree they don't get a serious paycheck. And as I said before none of the nurses there aspire to become something more.
The only nurse I know at the hospital that actually did something with their career is Ms. Grace. She's older than me but when I came in she was a nurse practitioner. I was shocked to know that she worked as a nurse fresh out of high school. Instead of living off of her license, which she earned from high school, she decided to go to college and earn a degree so she can have a higher title and salary.
It's one of the reasons why I respect Ms. Grace. She's practically a doctor if you ask me. I also respect Jazmine as well because she strives to be something more than just a nurse who just got out of high school. But I wish she would listen more than arguing!
"Jazmine, you're practically giving up your time and ruining your body just to earn little money to get by for the month," I said as she rolled her eyes. I was being serious I know how it feels. Not to struggle for money but to give in unnecessary time.
I know I'm a doctor and I should give 99% of my time to my patients but it's also damaging when you kill yourself for work.
"Okay, well I'm not like you, James, I don't have a six-figure salary, I haven't gone to med school, and I most certainly don't have a dick between my legs, so don't tell me what I need to do. I take care of my business and you take care of your business," she said turning to snap at me.
Wow...note to never cross Jazmine!
"Okay, sorry, I wasn't trying to make you upset," I apologized holding my hands up.
"No, you're trying to tell me how to do things but last time I check you're not writing me a check and you're not in the same position I'm in," she said not accepting my apology.
She was about to turn around and go into the café until I said, "If you ask me it seems like you chose to be in this position."
"Excuse me?" she said turning around and glaring at me.
"You heard me," I said standing my ground.
"What makes you think I chose to be in this position?" she sternly asked walking up to me.
"Let's see, you grew up in the suburbs, your dad is a famous attorney that makes six figures, you were top of your class so I'm guessing you got college offers from top schools such as Harvard and Yale and guessing by the position you're in you'd have to be a stubborn naive little girl to lose all of your sources," I said as she glared at me.
Not long after, I felt her hand slap across my face, which really stung and I was holding on to my cheek as I was recovering from her slap.
"Fuck you James!" she lastly spoke before leaving me to go into the café.
That was one of my first arguments with Jazmine. I was of course mad at her because she didn't need to put her hands on me and she got mad because I was warning her.
I've been a doctor for over ten years, don't you think I would know a thing or two about this kind of stuff?
I wasn't trying to say it to be a know-it-all but to really help. I've seen nurses with my own two eyes overwork themselves just to get a check. I just don't want Jazmine to overwork herself because it can really damage her; not just physically but also mentally.
I was going to be the bigger person and apologize to Jazmine because she was right, I didn't know what was going on in her life for her to end this way. It would be best for us to own up to it and put it behind us.
I was once again at the hospital looking for Jazmine so I could go apologies to her. And as always it was hard to locate her at the hospital.
I was able to find her in the staff room by herself eating a salad. She seemed pretty drained. I took a deep breath and then I entered the staff room.
Her attention snapped away from her salad to look at me and I just slightly waved at her. Everything felt so awkward!
"Anderson!" she said greeting me.
"DuBois!" I said giving back the same energy. I walked over to the coffee table to grab some sugar for some odd reason. Why am I grabbing sugar if I don't use it in my coffee?
"Just came to grab some sugar and cream," I added as I started to grab some cream.
"Interesting that you specifically came in here to grab sugar and cream when one, there is some in the cafeteria, and two, you don't drink coffee," she said calling me out.
I just looked at her and just shook my head. Women are so stubborn! Always trying to make a problem out of something.
"Okay Jazmine look, I'm done being petty and fighting over the most littlest things with you," I said as she turned to look at me with her arms crossed.
"So you're finally going to apologize?" she asked trying to stand her ground.
I would have said no because she was really expecting an apology from me when she also had said some stuff. Whenever men and women get into an argument, the man always has to apologize to the woman because we're in the wrong. And what makes me upset is that they don't even notice when they're also in the wrong.
It gets worse when the two are in a relationship because to keep it stable we have to admit we were wrong and they were right. I don't mind admitting I was in the wrong but they also need to admit they're in the wrong too.
Two wrongs don't make a right!
"I'll apologize but I also need an apology from you because you had no right to snap at me when I was speaking to you out of concern," I said dropping my sugar and cream on the table and walking up to her.
"Excuse me?" she said changing her tone once again. Here we go!
"Jazmine you know I'm right! I'm not trying to say I wasn't in the wrong but you were also in the wrong and I think it's fair if we both apologize for what happened a week ago," I said as she thought about it.
"I'm not trying to come in every day having petty arguments with you when we have work to do. You're my only nurse and I have to have a good relationship with you so there won't be conflict in our work," I added.
It took a little longer for her to think it over. She sighed and said: "You're right James, we do need to apologize, so I'm sorry for snapping at you when you were simply concerned for my health and well-being."
Okay, we're making progress!
"I accept your apology! Jazmine, I'm sorry for telling you instead of trying to help in your time of need. And I'm also sorry for calling you a stubborn naive little girl," I apologized.
"I accept your apology games," she said as I smiled.
"Friends?" I asked opening up my arms.
"Friends!" she said getting up from her seat and hugging me.
The hug lasted a lot longer than expected but I didn't mind. It felt really nice for some odd reason.
My heart started to rapidly beat and then I got a little excited down there. Oh shit! I didn't want Jazmine to notice this. This would be highly inappropriate and awkward if she has seen this.
I heard a knock at the door and I looked in that direction to see it was Ms. Grace staring at us. I immediately pushed Jazmine away and fully looked toward me, Ms. Grace.
"Ms. Grace, how can I help you?" I asked as she tapped her pen against her clipboard.
"You're needed in a meeting," she said as I looked at her funny.
"What meeting?" I asked confused as she frowned at me.
"To discuss one of our new patients that coming in," she hinted as I now remembered. We had to discuss a mentally ill person we had to treat.
"Right!" I said.
Before I left I said: "I'll see you around Jazmine."
"Yeah you too," she simply said before sitting down.
I left the staff room with Ms. Grace following behind me. It felt awkward and intense walking with her.
I just felt as if she knew something.
"Dr. Anderson," she said catching my attention.
"Yes, Ms. Grace?" I asked as we made it to the conference door.
"Before you go inside for your meeting, I just want to make sure you're not doing any funny business with Jazmine are you?" she sternly spoke giving me a serious look.
"No, of course not, what makes you suspect such a thing?" I asked.
"Giving that I have been working here for many many years and I have seen stuff go on here and at other hospitals, I advise you do not have any sexually romantic relations with my nurses," she said speaking with wisdom.
"Ms. Grace, I wouldn't do something like that, but what you had seen back there was nothing sexual. Jazmine and I had got into a disagreement a week ago and we simply were apologizing to each other," I explained.
"I can understand the apology but I came in a little early before the two of you hugged and your hug lasted a little longer than what an average hug should last," she said.
"Yeah but it wasn't nothing romantic," I said disagreeing.
"You sure, you seemed a bit excited when you got done," she implied.
"Excited?" I asked confused as she directed her eyes towards my penis.
I looked down to see that I was still a little hard and I had to cover it up with my white coat.
"Look all I'm saying is that I want no sexual or romantic relations between you and Jazmine. That can disrupt our work here if anything were to go wrong. I've seen way too many doctors and nurses get into relationships and it ends badly. Then it results in them performing badly at work. That's why when you're working we highly suggest you don't engage in anything romantic at the workplace," she said.
"I understand!" I said.
"You sure, because if you and Jazmine are in any type of romantic relationship I'm going to have to report this to the board. These types of things are highly unprofessional in the workplace," she exclaimed.
"I get it!" I exclaimed.
She looked at me as if she wanted to trust me but she couldn't.
"Okay, I'm going to take your word for it," she said as I breathe a sigh of relief.
"But you're a good friend of mine James and I would hate to have to report you to the board," she sincerely said.
Ms. Grace left leaving me in the conference room.
"So Ms. Grace gave you a warning to not date Jazmine and you did it anyway?" Huey rhetorically asked as James nodded.
"How did this all add up?" Huey asked confused.
It was nighttime and I was at doing some studies over a couple of things I needed to discuss at a meeting.
I was so involved in my work until I got a call. I stopped what I was doing and immediately answered the phone. It could have been an emergency from the hospital.
"This is Anderson's residence, how can I help you?" I asked.
"James, is this you?" I heard a familiar voice on the other line. It sounded like it was Jazmine.
"Jazmine?" I questioned.
"Yes it's me," she confirmed.
"Why are you calling me this late?" I asked concerned.
"I called because I need help with something and you're the only person who I can rely on," she said.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I got taken in for prostitution and right now I'm in holding," she said as I widen my eyes.
Prostitution? Jazmine doesn't seem like the type to do any of that stuff.
"Where are you located?" I immediately asked.
"I'm downtown at the Washington one," she said as I took down notes.
"How much is your bail?" I asked.
"They said it was going to be $1,000," she nervously answered.
"Alright, I'll be on my way," I said ending our phone call.
I put on my shoes, grabbed my coat and keys, and headed to the elevator.
By the time I made it downtown to bail Jazmine out of jail, she looked embarrassed when she had seen me. When I looked her up and down she was dressed like a decent hooker.
She wasn't busting colors and she certainly didn't smell funny.
She was dressed in a short pink dress that hugged her body, thin golden hooped earrings, pink heels, and her hair were out. She really looked as if she was going to the club.
We walked to my car in silence and I drove her back to my place in silence. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I had to break the silence! This really needed to be discussed.
"Jazmine, what were you thinking putting yourself up for prostitution?" I angrily asked her.
"I don't know," she said with her voice cracking.
"Anything could have happened to you. You could have been raped, kidnapped, or worse, killed for doing shit like this," I fussed.
"I know," she sadly spoke with her head down.
"Just answer this, what made you do it in the first place?" I asked awaiting her answer.
She started to wipe the tears from her cheeks and rub her nose.
"My rent is due and me and my boyfriend don't have enough money to cover it," she admitted.
"Boyfriend? Since when did you have a boyfriend?" I exclaimed. I never suspected she was living with someone.
"I've always had a boyfriend," she said.
"Okay, how did you and your boyfriend end up like this?" I emphasized.
"A long time ago we both decided we wanted to attend Howard University to study to be a doctor and lawyer. When we came to our parents about this, his grandfather was alright with him going to Howard, but my parents were in full disagreement because I also got accepted into other colleges such as Yale and Harvard," she started.
"Okay," I said.
"But what made the situation even worse is that my boyfriend and I wanted to live together when we moved here," she said as I started to catch on to why they're in this situation.
"My parents and his grandfather did not agree with the arrangements and my parents told me to not ask them for any support if I were to go through with this," she continued.
"What about the grandfather?" I asked.
"They don't have that type of money and they were originally from Chicago. Plus his grandfather started to get sick over the years and he needed the money to pay for his medication," she said.
"So, I thought this could be the beginning to my independence. I didn't have to use my parents' money and I was going to earn it myself and go to school. I soon found out the hard way how difficult life was. I thought I could save enough money to pay for my tuition but the hospital is giving me a bullshit ass check," she exclaimed.
"Yeah, but medical school cost a lot of money. Is your boyfriend helping out with the bills and you guys' tuition?" I asked.
"Yes, but even his check is not covering much either. I don't want to go back home and own up to my mistakes to my parents. That'll let them know I gave up," she sadly spoke.
"Jazmine, I know you want to prove to your parents that you can be independent but maybe it's about time that you and your boyfriend give up and just go home," I suggested.
"How could you say something like that?" she asked a bit hurt.
"I'm not trying to be an asshole about it but if it's making you sell yourself for sex and you're barely getting anything out of it then you don't need to be independent at the moment. Maybe you should just go to Harvard and Yale and just get a good start on your education," I highly suggested.
"But I don't want to go to Harvard and Yale, I want to go to Howard," she whined.
"Why do you want to go to Howard so bad? What's so special about the school?" I exclaimed.
"I want to learn about myself," she simply answered.
"Learn about yourself? What are you trying to learn about?" I asked.
"I want to know more about my African side. I know so much about my European or white genes but I don't know much about my African heritage," she sadly spoke.
"Didn't your parents or teachers fill you in on this type of stuff growing up?" I asked, confused.
"No that's the problem. My parents never told me anything about my black side. I grew up in a white community and the teachers never taught us anything about African Americans. The topic was always skipped. The only reason I'm self-aware about it is because of my boyfriend," she said.
"Is he black?" I stupidly asked.
"Yes he is African American," she emphasized trying to hint to me to be politically correct.
"Sorry!" I mumbled.
"Back to what I was saying; I want to go to Howard to learn more about my heritage and who I am. Maybe I can find girls like me there," she said with her tone filled with hope.
I felt a little bad for telling her that she should just give up on her dreams, but I was genuinely concerned for her. She can still be a doctor but she should just get her education paid for by her parents if it takes all of that.
"I have a suggestion," I said as she looked at me.
"How about you focus on paying your house bills and when you have your money in order then you can save up for your tuition. You don't have to be in a rush to go to college. You can still go on campus and enjoy college life," I said.
"If you need help with your studies I can help you with that. Instead of you working late night shifts, you can come over to my place and I'll help you on what you need to know for when you do go to school. If you get top of your class you can get academic scholarships. That way you won't have to worry about money," I said as she started to think about it.
"Where will I get the money?" she asked out of concern.
"You can get a loan for the first two semesters. I know it sucks to be in debt but if you do become a doctor it'll be easy to pay it all off," I said.
"Okay!" she agreed.
"What about money for my bills?" she asked.
"If you focus on your house bills and take the tuition money out, you shouldn't have a problem paying your bills," I simply answered.
I entered the parking lot and parked my car near the building. I turned off the engine and Jazmine and I got out of my car.
"Where are we?" she asked, confused.
"We're at my home," I said as she still looked confused.
"You live in an apartment?" she asked as we made our way toward the building.
"Penthouse," I corrected.
We entered the building and walked into the elevator that lead to my penthouse. When we made it to my section, the elevator doors opened to show my penthouse.
Jazmine and I entered and she was in awe!
"Wow!" she said.
"You like it?" I asked as she looked around.
"Yes the designs look amazing," she said. I had wooden floors, grey furniture, and a nice view from where we were at.
"Thank you!" I said.
"You can follow me to the bathroom so you can get cleaned up," I said heading to the bathroom. She was following behind me and I entered one of my two bathrooms.
"Okay here is the shower so you can get cleaned up," I said pointing at the shower.
"I don't have any clothes," she said as I sighed.
"I'll let you borrow some for tonight and I'll wake up early in the morning to go buy you some," I assured.
"Okay," she said.
"Before I leave, do you need to make any calls back home?" I asked as she shook her head.
"Okay, you can get in the shower and I'll go get you some clothes," I said leaving the bathroom. I went upstairs to go grab an old shirt of mine I haven't worn in years.
All my other clothes were either professional or they went with a pajama set.
I came back downstairs to give Jazmine my shirt but she was already in the shower. Thankfully the bathroom was steamy so I couldn't see anything. I just left the shirt on the sink and left.
I decided to go back and do my paperwork I brought from home from work. It shouldn't take long since I only have a couple of pages left.
Every time I get done seeing a patient I always have to fill in paperwork. It takes longer than expected because I have way too many patients that come in. It got to the point Jazmine had to help me just so we could save up time.
I heard the door open and footsteps coming near me. I assumed Jazmine was done showering and I looked behind me to see her wearing my shirt and her hair was damped. It also surprised me to see how long it was.
"Hey!" she quietly spoke.
"Hey!" I said trying my best to not make eye contact.
Jazmine was half-naked and wearing my shirt, and I hate to say that was turning me on. I felt my dick twitch and I was so glad I was not facing her.
"What's up?" I asked as she rubbed her arm.
"I just wanted to thank you for tonight. You didn't have to come and help but you did," she said thanking me.
"It's nothing! I'm not just going to let you sit in jail. I understand you're struggling with bills and you're trying to find another way to pay them off," I said understanding.
"I just want you to know you can call me anytime if it's an emergency," I said as she nodded.
"James," she said.
"Yes, Jazz?" I asked.
"Can you promise to never tell my boyfriend about what happened tonight? He'll be upset to find out I was prostituting," she asked fiddling with her fingers.
"Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me," I assured.
"Thank you!" she said gently smiling.
She gave me a look that was hard to explain but it made me feel some type of way.
"Where can I sleep at tonight?" she politely asked.
"You can sleep in the room upstairs. It's going to be the one down the hall from my room. It shouldn't have windows," I described as she nodded.
"Thank you James!" she said.
"Goodnight Jazmine," I simply said as she said: "Goodnight!"
She turned around to head upstairs, but while she was walking, I couldn't help but look at her ass. I bit my bottom lip and just felt my dick throb in pain.
God, I wanted to be inside of her!
I had to put my wants and desires in the back of my head because I didn't want to go against Ms. Grace. She gave me a warning to not have any romantic or sexual relationship with Jazmine for the sake of my job. And I had to follow that rule!
"The night you bailed Jazmine out of jail was the night you sexually developed feelings for her," Huey said.
"Yes," James answered.
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this but it did," he said as Huey glared at him.
James seemed like an innocent person from the beginning, but as Huey kept listening to his stories about him and Jazmine, he started to realize that James was slowly falling in love with Jazmine. And the problem was he didn't know it at the time.
Thank you for reading!