Page 67 of Seduced By a Billionaire

Ella knocked lightly, “Enter,” Deloris said.

Ella stood just inside the door, hands clasped waiting for her instructions.

“Sit.” She did.

“Well, well, well, I’m surprised you came back.”

Ella’s lips tightened and her eyes narrowed, daring Ms. Deplorable to go there. “You called me in for a reason I presume?”

“Yes. Tonya called in sick, so I need you to fill in for her today.”

Her voice shaky Ella said, “You’re pulling me from my nursing duties to be an aide?”

“Exactly.”

“Are you sure this isn’t punishment for my time off?”

“Don’t be dramatic. You know, six weeks is a long time to go short-handed. We had to hire a replacement and she is just starting to catch on. I would hate to pull her when she is still learning the ropes.”

“I would think with my seniority, you would! She could learn quite a bit as an aide. I’ve paid my dues. I have the most seniority on this unit.”

“And I am your supervisor. As my subordinate I expect you to comply without argument. End of story.”

Delores continued, “I’m sure you’re not going to like this either but tomorrow I’m transferring you to another floor. They had someone quit unexpectedly. Better prepare yourself, you could be floating for a couple of days or it could even turn into weeks. Their unit needs you and ICU doesn’t.”

“We’ll see about this!” Ella said seething.

“I hope you’re not thinking about running to your billionaire lover to rescue you.”

Tears shimmered in Ella’s eyes as she said quietly, “Is that all then?”

“One more thing…I had better not hear any gossip come back to me that you’ve been complaining to your peers; we want to keep morale up and disgruntled employees have no place in nursing. Do we understand one another?”

“Completely.” Turning on her heel she stormed out of the office and headed to the restroom. Locking herself in, she let the tears come. She felt humiliated and outraged at the same time.That bitch!But Deloris had called her bluff when she brought Kyle into the equation. She knew Ella wouldn’t lower her pride and ask Kyle to intervene on her behalf.

She stopped in to inform Mr. Fogarty that she had a change of duty and she wouldn’t be his nurse, but she’d still be in and out as an aide.

“You’re telling me that witch demoted you to emptying catheter bags and bedpans?” Mr. Fogarty said incredulously.

“Now Mr. Fogarty, it’s not so bad. Aides are a very important part of a patient’s care. I’m happy to serve.”

“I may put in a complaint.”

“Please no!” she said sounding panicked.

“If you don’t want me to I won’t.”

“Please. It would only make the situation worse. But thank you. Let’s just keep this between you and me, okay?”

“I will.”

Ella erased her name from the white board and entered the new nurse’s name. “Your new nurse’s name is Sarah. She’ll be in soon to check on you. Get some rest. That’s an order,” she said with a smile.

As Ella turned to leave Dr. Thompson entered the room.

His eyes widened when he saw her. “Ella! Great to have you back. How is my patient here doing?”

“Ornery,” she said smiling.

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