Day Two

I was in the middle of going over the list of questions I planned to ask Nathan in a few moments when a knock sounded on my door. I figured it was my assistant and got up to let her in but when I opened the door I was met with a different person.

I knew it was another doctor because of the lab coat but it was put on over a suit, which looked to be expensive. He stood at about 5'9 and had his hair gelled back, giving off an air of superiority. He greeted me with a smile but something from the way his eyes scanned me from head to toe told me to not be too trusting of that smile. It was always the older male doctors I had to watch out for.

"Hello." I smiled and stepped back so that he was able to step inside.

"Ms. Amaya, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Dr. Taylor and one of the board members here at Solidary Ridge." He folded his hands behind his back as his eyes traced over my office, rubbing me the wrong way.

"Dr. Nakajima, and it's nice to meet one of the heads. I wasn't aware I would be meeting you today though?" Or at all, I smiled at him.

His eyes locked on me, "Well I make it a point to great all new employees, especially the ones handling the important stuff."

"That's understandable," I nodded. "Should I be expecting the rest of the board members to greet me?"

"Possibly. We like to make sure things are going as planned so you can expect some of us randomly stopping by or sitting in on your reports to Dr. Camel."

Is that supposed to make me feel nervous?

"I look forward to meeting you all and I'm honored you stopped by. I'll do my best not to let any of you down. I wish I could stay and talk more but my assistant is on her way back and I'm preparing to talk to Patient 000." I said, eager him to leave and I didn't even have to lie.

"Very well," He walked out of my room but stopped to turn and looked at me.

"I look forward to seeing you again."

"Likewise, doctor." I shut the door softly but I really wanted to slam it.

I let out a much-needed breath and took my hair tie off my wrist, putting my hair into a high ponytail. It wasn't the neatest but I didn't feel like pulling out my hair products to make my hair super neat. Plus I was only going to see Nathan and not to some important meeting.

"Dr. Codwell-Nakajima." Ms. Jones's voice caught my attention outside my door.

"It's open," I raised my voice.

I didn't watch to see if she entered but instead slipped on my lab coat and picked up the notebook and case file off my desk. I looked at the handbook and decided I would actually read through it tonight instead of just quick glances I did yesterday. I turned around and saw Ms. Jones, my assistant, standing there holding the cookies I told her to good.

"Chocolate Chip?" I asked.

"Yes, but would you mind me asking why I had to get cookies?" She looked at me confused and I let a chuckle slip out because it made her look like a kitten.

"Because food makes everyone more comfortable and it is easier to get information with a relaxed person," I informed her.

She looked at the cookies before shrugging, "Makes sense."

"Come on, let's go. If there are leftovers you can have them." I told her as we made our way out of my office.

"I would appreciate that, ma'am." I heard her say and I could tell by her tone that she was happy. I quite enjoyed seeing her more relaxed today than she was the day before. No one wanted a stiff assistant. It made for a boring time and being a doctor already had its own boredom.

The process of entering the Patient 000 area was the same as before but this time it was a different guard checking us. I took the cookies from Ms. Jones with a thank you and scanned my card to enter the meeting room. The room was still the same as yesterday and as I sat the cookies down on the table, I thought they made the room seem less cold.

The moment I settled down there was a buzzing and then Nathan's door opened and he stepped out. This time he wore white sweatpants and had a matching hoodie thrown on too. He sat the same way as yesterday with the chair pulled out away from the table, using the other chair to prop his leg up.

"Nathan." I greeted.

"Dr. Codwell-Nakajima."

"You can just call me, Dr. Nakajima. I know it can be a handful to say the whole name." I told him as I flipped open my notebook, holding it so he could see I would be writing but so he couldn't see what I was writing. It would allow him to see I was giving him my trust to know I was taking notes on him. Hiding things always made it harder to build a bond and gather information, which is something I wanted to avoid.

"I prefer, Dr. Codwell-Nakajima. After all, it is your given name and names shouldn't be disrespected." He stated, making me surprised that he had such a strong view on the subject.

Respectable. Names are Important. Why? I wrote it down in my notebook.

"I brought cookies," I gestured to the cookies on the table.

He glanced at them, "Thank you, but I'll have to decline."

Won't take the cookies. Why?

"Don't like cookies?" I let out a little laugh.

He gave me a lazy smile, "Don't like food."

Doesn't like food. Eating Disorder?

"If you don't mind me asking, why don't you like food?" I looked at him as I waited for his answer and for a few minutes he just stared at me before sighing.

"I do mind." His eyes locked on the floor.

Refuses to answer the question pertaining to dislike in food. Why? Trauma?

"Do you like cookies?" Our eyes met.

I nodded, "I like them a lot. Although I don't eat them a lot."

Nathan hummed, "Kind of like me and reading."

Enjoys reading, doesn't do it often.

"Why don't you read more often?"

He tilted his head to the side, "Not many books to read in here."

Lack of books due to.....not asking? Or not permitted? Why?

"Would you like for me to bring you some?"

He looked at me for a minute before replying, "I don't think you're allowed to do that."

Cautious of the rules. Good. Less likely for bad behavior.

"Sure I can and if not, it'll be our little secret." I waved him off.

"Don't get yourself into trouble now." He chuckled lowly.

Worried? Joking? Bitter tone?

I rolled my eyes, "Books are harmless."

"Everything has its dangers."

Pessimistic? Sensical?

"Yes, why is that true, I don't think books are dangerous. They only provide knowledge and enjoyment."

"Knowledge is power and some would like it if others had no power," Nathan stated and it seemed as if his entire demeanor changed. He seemed to grow a bit stiffer and the air seemed to hold a lite tension now, letting me know it was best not to continue this conversation.

"I'll bring you a book next time instead of cookies." I tried to lighten up the mood a bit.

He didn't respond.

Seems to have hostile energy towards something? Dislike for being here?

"Why are you here?" The question was sudden and had me freeze for a moment.

"Because it's my job and I want to be." I closed my notebook and set it down on top of the case file.

"Do you have a problem with me being here?"

Nathan shook his head, "You're a lot different than anyone else who's been here."

I've been told that a lot, "Well I think that's a good thing."

He didn't respond and just stared at me as his eyes seemed to darken in color. He looked at the ground before suddenly getting up and pushing the chairs back where they were. He grabbed the container of cookies off the table and held them close to himself.

"It's a good thing but I don't think for you, that is."

And before I could respond he left.

I was lost in thought as I collected my stuff and then left the meeting room. I was only brought out of thought when I reached my office and Dr. Jones decided to speak up, drawing me out of my head.

"I'm guessing he liked the cookies?"

I looked at her and smiled, "I think so."

In reality, I had forgotten about the cookies and was too focused on our ending conversation and the way he behaved. I didn't even really register he had taken the cookies even though he had told me he didn't like food. So why take the cookies? It didn't make sense and added to the thoughts bouncing around in my head.

"I'm glad everything went well. I was informed to tell you that tomorrow evening you are to give a report on what you have so far." Ms. Jones said as I sat down at my desk, dropping my things down without a care.

"Thank you."

"Is there anything else I can help you with before stepping out?" She awaited my reply.

"No that's all. In fact, why don't you take the rest of the evening off. I won't be doing anything that would require your help later." I told her, anxious to be alone so that I could think.

"Thank you." She smiled before disappearing out of my office, locking the door behind her.

I leaned back in my chair, me being different is good.

"Right?" I spoke out loud before nodding my head.

Right.