After Neela's encounter with Tony earlier she was very shaken up. She couldn't tell Ray because Ray would fly off the handle, and Tony would reveal their like secret rendezvous to the hospital Directors. Neela tried to avoid Ray at all cost for the duration of her shift. When it was time for her to go she ran out of the hospital, she didn't look for Ray to tell him she was leaving. She was feeling terrible for not saying good-bye to him but she did not know what to do.
'God what am I going to do? Who am I going to tell about this without getting myself and Ray in trouble. I can't break up with Ray I love him too much, but I cannot have his career suffer either.'
Knock, Knock
"Yo, Neela are you home?"
'Oh god it's Ray. Maybe I'll pretend I'm not home. No can't do that he probably saw my lights on.'
"One second."
'Think Neela, think crap.'
Neela went to open the door and tried not to show Ray that something was wrong, he could always tell something was wrong with her.
"Ray, what are you doing here?'
"Hello to you too."
"Oh I'm sorry I thought your shift was not over for another two hours?"
"Well, It got real slow and Pratt let take off early. But can I come in?"
"Oh yeah sorry, want something to drink or eat?"
"No, actually I wanted to know if you wanted to go grab something to eat and get a video tonight."
'God I want to say yes but I can't I have to meet bloody Tony for dinner tonight.'
Neela was silent for a second before she answered Ray.
"Neela where you listening to me?"
"Huh, Oh yes Ray I was Um…I made plans for tonight."
"Oh you did what is it?"
"Um… I'm going over to Abby's."
"Oh she didn't mention it when she left."
"Oh I just called her a few minutes before you came so I told I'll come over you know for some girl talk."
"O'kay, so what are you going to talk about? I hope it is about a certain Doctor that is madly in love with you."
"Ray, you are so vain."
"Yeah well when you feel the way I do you tend to act that way. It's been a good couple of months. I have a great girl, a good job, I got back into my writing and recording music, and I am being considered as Chief Resident."
"Oh Ray that is wonderful I am so happy for you."
Neela gave Ray a hug and kiss but knew this might be her last if she didn't take care of her problem with Tony. But looking at Ray's excitement he was so happy for this opportunity and he deserved it. He has worked so hard these past couple of years he has truly out shined. But, their relationship was all the more important.
"Ray listen I need to get ready."
"Why don't I take you there it beats taking the train, and I can help you get ready." Ray said with a cheeky grim.
"Ray, I'm going to be late." Even though Neela really wanted him to stay.
"Come on Neela just a few minutes."
"Ray, your few minutes are not a few minutes, you tend to last a little longer then that."
"Well, are you complaining?"
"No way" 'God I hate having to give this up, I have to find a way out of this mess soon.'
"Alright then so shut up."
About an hour later, Neela looked at Ray.
'God I love making love to Ray and now that bloody wanker Tony is going to take this away from me. Why did I ever bother seeing him? You always seem to complicate things don't you Neela. Now how am I supposed to get Ray out of here so I can go to this stupid dinner? Well, he is sleeping so soundly maybe he'll stay here, no because if Tony brings me home he'll see Ray. Think Neela think. Marie I'll call her.'
"Hello"
"Hey Marie, how are you?"
"Hey Neela what's going on, How's Ray?"
"He is fine, that's why I called you."
"Okay, what's up?"
"I have a little problem, actually a big problem."
"Neela what is it?"
"I'm being blackmailed."
"Oh my god by who?"
"Tony"
"That guy you were seeing?"
"Yes, he has pictures of me and Ray getting on at the hospital. And he told me he would show the hospital directors if I don't leave Ray and go out with him again."
"That dirty, son of a bitch, what a total loser, why would you go out with such a slime ball in the first place?"
"I don't know I was lonely."
"Well you have to tell Ray."
"No way Tony told me not to tell, and Ray would kill him if he knew."
"But, Neela you can not go out with this guy?"
"I know that Marie, I need Ray leave so I can get ready. I told him I was going to Abby's."
"Alright I call you back and you tell him you are going to be on the phone for a while so
to go home and you will make your way to Abby's on your own."
"Do you think it will work?"
"No not really, but it can buy you some time. I think you should tell him the truth Neela."
"I know but I need to see what Tony is really up too."
"Neela I really think you are playing with fire. Please be careful you call me when you get home Neela. And I won't tell Jon, not yet at least."
"Thank you Marie, I will try and handle this before it gets out of control."
"I hope so Neela."
Marie called Neela like she said and Neela was able to convince Ray to go home. As soon as he left she started to get ready. She wore a very conservative black dress. Very simple, not very sexy at all. She had finished getting ready for this disaster she was about to face.
'I have to get Tony to give me those pictures, or find a way to expose him.'
Neela met Tony at the French restaurant at about 9 pm. She did not look happy; Tony noticed the frown on her face.
"Neela, you are not at a funeral you are having dinner. Cheer up."
"Tony you make me so sick, how can you do this to me?"
"Be nice Neela or rock star is going to get his just desserts."
"Tony listen I chose to be with Ray I should have been with him a long time ago but I was afraid."
"Well, now you have me so you don't have to be afraid anymore."
Neela just cringed at the thought of Tony touching her but she had to do this for Ray.
After dinner Neela ask Tony to take her home. Tony was reluctant but he did it anyway.
Ray had notice that Neela was acting a little strange all day today.
'I wonder what was bothering her today, she seemed so distant, oh well I guess it is my imagination.'
After he left Neela's house he decided to go to the diner a few blocks away from Neela's. He enjoyed a nice sloppy burger with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and tons of ketchup and mustard. Neela loves eating the same kind of burger but she hated the mustard. A smile crept up Ray's face, thinking about Neela. He knew she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
'I should be getting ready to leave it's getting late and I want to call Neela to make sure she is okay.'
As Ray was leaving the diner. He looked up the street to that nice new fancy restaurant that just opened up.
'Wow that would be a nice place to take Neela; I think I'll call to make reservations as soon as I can coordinate our schedules.'
Ray was watching the people leave the restaurant when he saw Tony Gates coming out of the restaurant.
'Oh I didn't know Tony could afford a place like that, wait a minute who is that with him?'
Ray kept looking at the woman coming out behind Tony and was in shock when he recognized who it was.
'Wait she looks familiar, no it can't, no please don't be her. Oh my god it is…
Neela'
