I Found Him 💜

~Alexia~

My name is Alexia Okere. I am 28 years old. I am a Registered Nurse in a hospital. I got to work at 0400 to do a 12hr shift. It's only 0430 and I am fatigued. Not due to the job or time. But, because of the physical abuse my husband places upon me. My old bruises have not even healed fully. I head to the front of the Emergency Room as there is loud arguing going on. I see my best friend, Ravyn; also a Nurse, trying to address a group of about 5 people; they must be a family. I head over to Ravyn and ask, "May I know what is going on? Everyone is hearing the arguing in the back and I wanted to help out in any way I could. What is happening?" I ask. "Are you a doctor? Or just another Nurse? We are done talking to you useless Nurses who won't tell us what is going on with my husband!" an older woman shouted.

"Sorry, ma'am. I just got to work so I am trying to figure out how to help. Ravyn, what is the patient's name and date of birth?" I say. Ravyn showed me their information and I headed to the physician in charge of them. "Dr. Thompson, do you have an update on this patient? Their family is being really loud and they are aggravated and disturbing the emergency room area," I say. "Yes, they are being discharged in 15 minutes as it was just a minor fall to his back. He just needs to rest for a week. Oh, by the way, Alexia, are you alright? Is he still hitting you?" the doctor says. I looked away shyly, trying to hold back the tears forming.

"I am doing as I can. No. Um...he's not still hitting me. I'll go and let the family know about the patient now. Excuse me," I say, heading back to the front. I heard him sigh. "Ravyn, you may tell them that the patient is being discharged in 15 minutes and he is going to be alright. I need to step out briefly," I say. "No problem, love. Are you alright? Do you need me beside you?" she asked. I shake my head and say, "I'll be okay." As I head outside, I hear the mother and one of the guys say, 'She just got to work and now she's taking a break? Useless Nurse. What is the field coming too?' That stopped me in my tracks and I turned around to look at Ravyn.

A tear escaped my eyes and I just rushed outside. "Why did you say that?! She found that your family member is okay and will be discharged. Go away. You make me sick!" Ravyn shouted.

I see Eze (my husband) heading my way. I try to head back inside the ER but he yelled, "Don't move! Where is my money?!" I backed into the building. "Eze, the money went to rent, please don't do anything in public!" I cried out. "That money was meant to go to me! You understand! I am in huge debt! Do you want me to die?!" he yelled. I just kept quiet and hugged myself.

I looked around and saw Dr. Thompson and Ravyn with the discharged patient. Someone had unlocked the window and left it open.

"Eze, please. Please forgive me. We were going to be evicted so I had to pay our rent. Sorry about not giving you the money. Baby, I'm sorry," I cry. The guy that had whispered loudly with his mom turned to face us with his family as well.

"Oh my goodness. Not again. Not her. She's such a hard-working beauty," an elderly woman said in the waiting room. Loud for me and all to hear. "Not again? What do you mean?" the discharged patient asked. "He abuses her physically and emotionally. In private and in public. I am her neighbor and it is worse at night. It keeps me up at times," she says.

'I have to apologize for keeping her up,' I think to myself. "I'll be right back. Hold on," I say to Eze. I begin to Mrs. Graham, but he yanks me back by my neck and hair. "Don't walk away when I am not finished speaking to you!" he yelled. "Ow! Let me go! It hurts, Eze! Please stop it!" I cried.

He threw me into a parked vehicle and my back and head hit the window as my vision begins fading in and out. "Eze, please stop. Please. I am sorry for not giving you the money. It's my fault!" I cried. He shouted, "Yes it is! Now you will pay!"

He began punching me in my stomach and kicking me in my legs roughly. My recent bruises had not even healed fully. I see his eyes and they are full of anger! He pulls me back up and slapped me hard across my face that I taste blood in my mouth and feel a busted lip. He pushes me away and says, "Wait until you get home." Then, he walked away.

I look inside the ER waiting area and quickly turn around to get myself back in check and fix myself. I then head back inside to head to work beside Ravyn. I disregard the eyes staring at me.

"Um... Miss? I'd like to ---" the older woman in the group began to say. "Oh no. It's alright, ma'am. You were just frustrated and probably stressed. No need to apologize," I said. She sighed. The one guy that had been talking with his mom before came up towards me.

I finally look at him and I see a god in front of me. A guy out of my league. Built strong. Like a protector. "Um.. Ravyn? Please help them get discharged fully. I will be in the break room to clean myself and then head to work. Please," I say. "Yeah, babe. I got you," she said. As I am heading to the back, someone pulls my hand gently, causing me to stop moving.

"Come with me. Immediately," he said. I pull my hand out of his grip. "For what? Please leave," I asked. "Because I am getting you treated properly. Let's go. Don't make me carry you," he said. "Leave. Me. Alone," I muttered. I turn to walk away, but he picks me up gently and begins to carry me towards Dr. Thompson.

"Treat her and have her off work for a couple of days. Understand? She is not going back to him either. Understand?" he said. I gasped. "I have to go. Dr. Thompson, may I leave now?" I asked. The guy heads over to me and stops right in front of me and says, "You will be staying in here to rest fully. Do you understand me?"

I grit my teeth. "Do. Not. Order. Me. Around," I say, angrily. I get up. Dr. Thompson had somehow left the room already. I head to move past the guy, but he blocks my way. "What is your f*cking issue?! I have a job to do! You probably got what happens if I don't bring home the money to my husband! Move out my way please," I pleaded.

"How long has he been abusing you?" he asked. "It's not your concern. I am handling it. My sister cannot get hurt. I am working to protect her," I say. "And what about yourself? Don't you think you matter to her? She wouldn't want to lose you dead at the hands of that demon you call your husband. He is not a man," he says.

All of a sudden, my door opens and my husband marches inside. "What did you just say?! Who the f*ck are you?! Why are you with my wife?! Alexia, are you cheating on me?! After all I do for you?! Should I hurt Destini?!" he yelled.

I quickly got up that I feel dizzy and almost fall, but the guy I am with, holds onto my side to keep me upright.

"Jax, get in here!" I hear the guy yell. Another handsome guy walked in. "What's up?" he asked. "Go get her sister Destini and bring her here immediately. Got it?" he says. "Got it. But, where is she?" he asked. "She's at my neighbor's place. Here's the address. Thank you," I say.

He heads out. "I'm going to get to her first. Be right back," Eze said, with an evil smirk. I go to move, but I see the guy that had been holding me move in his way. "You're getting on my nerves. What's your deal?" Eze says. "You will stay here until the police arrive to take you away. Do you understand?" he says.

Eze faces me angrily. "Did you plan this? You want to put me in prison? Either way, I made sure you are damaged goods. Nobody will want you again," Eze said. My eyes began to well up with tears but I look away.

I heard a loud thud and turn to find Eze knocked out on the ground. "What just happened?! What did you do?!" I cried out. "He'll live. Sadly," the guy said. I head to inspect his fist.

"You'll need a first aid kit. Let me get it for you," I said. "Don't worry about my hand. You need to rest. I need you to get away from him immediately and no arguments. Understand?" he said. I sighed, coming back to take his hand and treat it with the first aid kit.

My heart starts beating fast by just me touching him. I hear him grit his teeth. "My apologies. All done. Keep this wrapped up for 3 days and water off the wrap. Alright?" I say.

He takes a hold of my hand and I turn to look away from his deep stare as his face starts to move in closer to mine.

He places his finger under my chin and turns my face to look at him. As he continues to lean in...

~To Be Continued...~

Let me know what you think and what could happen next! 💙