Page 19 of Her Wicked Plan

Veronica is intimidating. That is who she is, and she doesn’t hide it. I didn’t expect a session today, but I panicked.

I didn’t know what else to discuss, so I asked what brought her to Black Lake, which earned me a sarcastic answer. Making jokes as responses that I wasn’t sure how to take.

The only thing I could do was stare at her and figure out how to deal with her humor. However, she seemed to think the stare I gave her was more than what it was, given that she said it did things to her body.

I can’t even think about that. I shouldn’t be surprised if a patient said something dirty, given that Edith warned me they would all gawk, but I didn’t expect my patient was the person to use those flirtatious words.

During our next session, I'll have to correct her if she says something out of line like that again and ask her to stop. Will she listen? Probably not, but I have to assert dominance. This is a professional relationship between the two of us.

A soft sigh escapes my mouth, and I open my eyes, thankful that the flood of patients that filled the hall on my way to the common room had disappeared.

Where did they run off to? Back to their rooms? It is too cold outside for them to wander around, given that there is an area for them to do so.

I should probably get to know the schedule for this place. That way, I can navigate around Veronica. I suggested we meet two days a week, which she seemed okay with, but now that I think about it, I don’t know if she has something already planned with the facility.

However, Veronica doesn’t seem to be the type of person for group activities. There is a very good chance she follows any schedule they might provide.

Unsticking myself from the wall, I head towards the front desk, searching for Edith. When I enter through the door, the two women sitting there upon my arrival are back, while Edith is behind the desk, reading more and more papers.

Leaning against the door opening that leads to behind the counter, my knuckle lifts to knock for her attention.

She hums as her eyes leave the stack of papers. “Oh, Dr. Madden! How did your meeting with Veronica go?”

“It was... something,” I admit, knowing that I can be honest.

From the lobby, I hear a light snicker, and when I look at the patient who laughed, who is sitting on the couch with her book open, but she isn’t looking my way. Her eyes stay on the words typed in the book, not giving me any attention other than that little laugh.

“Ms. Parsons, is there something funny?” Edith snaps her head in the patient's direction.

“Only the fact that you think he is going to last with Veronica.” She shakes her head, still unbothered to acknowledge us with her eyes. “Poor guy probably won’t make it to the end of the week.”

“Stop scaring him,” Edith warns. “He is going to be just fine. Both of you need to return to your rooms or the common room. I’m leaving, and you two need to do something else besides hanging out here.”

They both groan but listen. Slamming their books shut, they stand up and head for the door directly opposite of me. Since I am already standing, I walk to the door of their ward and use my key card to open the locked door.

“Thank you, Doctor.” The blonde smirks, flashing me a wink.

Walking together through the threshold, they giggle when I hear the blonde say, “If it doesn’t work out with Veronica, can he be my doctor?”

Laughter fills the hall, getting quieter the further they go. Footsteps from behind me caused me to whip my head around.

“Shall we go to your office now?” Edith smiles.

All I do is nod.

Walking out into the hallway, we head past the door that houses my bedroom. “There is an entrance to the offices from this hall, but I will show you the other way since it might be more complicated.”

We turn down the hall to the cafeteria, walk past where patients eat, and then pass the common room. I can’t help myself. I glance and find Veronica sitting in the chair, her head craned down as she writes in her journal.

“Edith, how can we get any supplies we may need?” I question, taking my eyes away from the curly brunette to watch where I walk.

“All you have to do is write a list down and give it to me. I do all the ordering here.”

“Seems like you do a lot.”

She chuckles. “You have no idea. Dr. Bennett is the man in charge, and I may be the head nurse, but everyone sees me as his right-hand woman.”

“Second in charge.” I smile down at her.