Claire.
I stepped into the prison entrance with my head held high and my heart beating loudly in my chest. I was nervous. This was my first real job asides the baysitting job I did back in college to meet survive and again, this was no ordinary job. I was going to be working in a dreaded place made for some of the most wicked beings to ever walk the earth. I was anxious.
I'd gotten an offer to work here few weeks back which I accepted joyfully not for any reason other than the fact that it was close to my family house. It had always been my dream to work very close to my home in Canada after spending years of my college education in Europe, Gemany to be precise. It took about an hour and some minutes drive from the prison to get to the town where my mum lived and I couldn't be more grateful.
The fluorescent lights beamed through the tall gigantic window as I walked through the prison hall lead by the prison senior officer, Chris who gave me a prison tour. We walked through various rooms and officers talking in pairs and I greeted them politely with a toothy smile as they saluted the senior officer in front of me.
"Walk slowly" Chris said calmly as we walked in silence and I discovered that my heels were creating a bit of noise while I walked hastily. A sudden wave of embarrassment washed over me and I quickly reduced my loud steps while regretting my decision to wear this particular heel.
I'd wanted to look professional on my first day and opted for a bold look to make definite statement, putting on a calvin klein baggy blue jean, a black floral designed top and a black blazer on top of it. I'd debated long and hard on what footwear to put on: a black heeled boot and a Golden glass pearled heels. I eventually went for the golden heels because it matched well with my golden jellewries. Well, I guess I made the wrong choice.
"I'm sorry" I apologised, practically counting my steps.
As we walked on, we arrived a paricular area that was a bit darker and emedgy than the rest of building with the cautionary sign, 'Do not Trespass' written boldly on the side of the entrance. I couldn't help but notice the foul stench that oozed through the section. I used my fingers to pin my nose together firmly.
"This block is where the inmates stay, You are not allowed in this area except for severe medical purposes which I must assent to, ok?" He asked as he kept moving forward, his voice deep and stern.
"Yes, sir" I replied obediently.
He took a sharp turn to the left and I followed immediately, grateful that the foul smell had reduced and running a little to catch up with him, my brain taking note not to cause any noise with the heels.
"The other way leads to the kitchen and dining area for the inmates, if you ever need to get something to eat in here, there's a canteen at the , we usually don't eat what the inmates eat, unless you want to"
I faked a smile " No thanks, I think I'll be fine eating from the canteen" He turned to me for the first time during that prison tour and smiled and I couldn't help but revel in his features.
Damn, he was fine.
I'd been admiring him from the moment he offered to aid with the prison guide and even now I caught myself still checking him out shamelessly. I took note of his phisique, he had a mascular build which was sexy and elegant at the same time. He was tall and neatly tanned. His gorgeous blond hair was cut short and neatly and it amplified his already perfect face alot. His cologne was intriguing and it possessed a deep choking effect. I also noticed how his well ironed uniform hugged his body tightly, showcasing his muscles and his tiny waist . My eyes landed on his waist, they were just so tiny and....
"This is the medical section and where you'd be working from now, Doc" He said snapping me out of my thoughts and halting as he got to the entrance of the medical hall. I stopped right behind him too, taking a glance around the room. The wide room was neat and filled with the lingering smell of antiseptic. I smiled at the nurses on the counter and they smiled back then I turned to face Chris who was already looking at me.
"Let me show you to your office, Doctor" He said then he walked away, heading towards a door at the right side of the infirmary. I tagged along behind him still appreciating of the room, it was suprisingly clean unlike the other departments we had passed, every corner of the room sparkled. The white and blue curtains that decorated the room were painfully neat and every single thing in the room was well kept. A cabinet with locked drawers was suited at one side of the room and in it were the basic supplies: guaze, syringes, gloves, medicines and others. I smiled to myself proudly, it was indeed an ideal medical room.
Chris opened a door and walked in, holding it open for me. I smiled shyly as I walked in. He's truly a gentleman.
"This is your office, everything you'll need are all in here and if there're not, you can just ask the nurses to get them for you from the supplies"
I nodded and walked around the office inspecting it thoroughly as though I was looking for a slight error. After being fully pleased with the inspection, I looked back to him and smiled.
"Thank you"
"Don't mention"
Before I could settle into my chair, Chris spoke again, his tone both firm and cautionary this time. "Claire," He began, addressing me by my real name for the first time, "Remember, this job is not personal. You're here to treat them, not befriend them, let alone love them. Don't let empathy cloud your judgment." He warned looking at me intensely, "You'll get alot of them coming at you but you're not to give in to their demands as any unprofessional relationship with the inmates are not advisory and seriously frowned at, do you understand?"
I gulped down hard on my saliva.
"Yes, Sir"
"Alright then, that'll be all for now, do let me know if you need anything or face any challenge" He said turning to exit the office.
"Wait. um.... sorry sir but..... where do I pee?"
He stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me, his eyes widening in suprise.
"I need to know...just incase" I said hating the fact that I had to ask such a private question to a man but still I needed to know, nature calls can be quite demanding.
He walked past me slowly to a door located at the extreme end of the office. It was hidden and was impossible to be spotted at first glance, then he opened the door and turned to me.
"Will this be enough for you, Doctor? I bet it should"
I bent my head down in shame, I was so embarrased that I prayed for the ground to just open up and devour me right there. I heard the toilet door shut and I swore that I heard a chuckle sound. Damn right, he can laugh all he wants, it's my fault for going on to ask him such an intimate question without checking properly first anyways.
"I didn't see it, I swear." I muttered with my head still down.
"With all that inspection?"
I didn't even bother to answer, I just remained in that position, my eyes locked with the ground until I heard the office door open.
"Have a nice day, Doc" I heard him say, his voice a bit teasing than the usual calm but stern voice he used with me, then I heard the door bang and I almost cried on the spot. So much for a good first day, I couldn't even make a good first impression. how will he view me now? Like a frequent pooper or even worse.
I exhaled a mixed sigh of relief and regret, falling back into the chair and burying my head on my desk. My mind kept revisiting the enconter for a while, recounting the disgrace I felt. It wasn't ever going to be the same again between the both of us. My crush and I. Not after I'd stripped myself off my pride before him.
I shook my head and shuffled my thoughts then I sat up straight tucking my hair behind my ear. It wasn't the end of the world, it was just a simple mistake anyone in my shoes would have made and I wasn't going to let that ruin my first day at work let alone the rest of my stay here.