The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 22

"Marcus has experience in budgets, bookkeeping, project management and general administration," Miles continued. "He'll need to learn the basics of hospital administration though." "Yes sir," Bernice nodded pushing aside her family concerns. If her brothers could change, why not Marcus too?

"Thank you, please keep an eye on him and smooth any rough waters that might come up."

"Of course," Bernice nodded.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. Once Marcus was settled into the job her workload should get easier. She could once again focus on seeing patients.

Marcus nodded as he continued to go through the pending files. Bernice admired the way he quickly went through the issues with practiced ease. Years of experience aided him in taking decisive action...still... "Sir...about that account. I know it's difficult to say no to families who are having financial issues but..."

Miles hesitated. His brow furrowed as he contemplated what to tell her.

"...I'm sorry if I over-stepped," Bernice finally said shoving aside the small seed of a thought that occurred to her. "I'm sure you have your reasons."

"...Yes. I do. Please keep this between us. No one else needs to know....for now." "Of course, sir."

***

Bernice pushed aside the memory of that day as she shook Marcus's hand. Seeing him face-to-face however, stirred up thoughts better left unspoken. Unfortunately she couldn't hide all her thoughts and so gave Marcus a stiff smile he mistook for a grimace.

He was certain she was remembering all the bad press he had stirred last time he was in town. No doubt she thought placing Marcus in charge of a children's hospital was the worst idea in history especially after the last administrator. He couldn't do anything about the past. All he could do was continue to walk forward and show he was not the man they remembered.

"Of course. Would you like a tour of the hospital or would you rather get down to work?"

"A tour would be great," Marcus said hoping to ease the tension between them. "It'll be helpful to get the lay of the land and meet some of the staff before we get started."

"Of course, well this is our admissions area. We have a pharmacy and gift shop as well as a waiting area," Bernice pointed out notable features as they walked to the elevator. "The hospital is five floors with general offices on the second floor. The first is mainly our walk-in clinic and emergency services as well as operating theaters."

Marcus nodded letting his eyes wander. The walls of the waiting room were not the standard neutral tones he expected. Instead they were covered in colorful murals with jungle animals peering out of the green foliage. There were also several toy areas and tables for kids to play while they waited.

"The second floor is maternity and pediatrics as well as our labs and test results. Third is for general check-ups as well as our sensory testing and treatment. Last year we opened a brand new wing with the latest in equipment for vision and hearing impaired diagnosis and treatment thanks to a generous donation from the Prescotts."

"The Prescotts?" Marcus repeated.

"That's right. The Prescott triplets used to be patients here, including Alexis who suffered from a condition that made her go blind. I believe the donation was in gratitude for the care and treatment she received."

Marcus nodded. It had been so long ago but he remembered Silas never met his kids until they were ten and their entire childhood had been spent in the slums. He couldn't imagine what that must have been like...to suddenly learn you had children after they had already grown up so much without you or that you had missed so much of their lives.

Silas certainly made good on making up for lost time. Even with Lexi and her brothers now grown up he still had a houseful of young kids with Isaac being the oldest at age eleven. Rumor was they were expecting though Marcus was too far out of the loop to be certain. Macey probably knew the truth but he never thought of asking. He had no interest in gossip. Now that he was back he supposed he would learn the truth soon enough.

They stepped out of the elevator onto the second floor. Here too he saw the waiting room walls were all done with a mural. This one was the African savanna. Marcus wondered if each floor had a different theme. There were a few patients waiting for their appointments or test results as they walked by. Bernice took him down one hallway allowing him to see a few of the examination rooms. Each room also had a mural on at least one wall adding color to what otherwise would be a dreary visit.

"The third floor is our cancer treatment ward and labs and the fourth is for long-term treatment and stays. We have a separate wing for family members to stay in while their children are treated. They are basically hotel rooms and in the child's hospital room there are hideaway beds as most parents like to have at least one or the other stay with the child."

Marcus nodded. None of this surprised him. His grandfather always placed great importance on the people so making such amenities standard was in perfect line with his grandfather's philosophy. He also had no doubt that a greater portion of these amenities were non-profit and free for families who needed to use them.

It was part of the middle ground his grandfather strove for. While the hospital still made money to keep itself running and pay the staff it also helped fund subsidized and non-profit programs.

Bernice turned to face him as Marcus let his gaze sweep over the room. Aloud he asked, "So is every room painted?"

"Yes. Originally we only intended to have murals painted in the waiting and common areas but the artist just kept going," Bernice chuckled and shook her head. "Once my sister-in-law gets a thought in her head she can't be stopped." "Sister?"

"Aubrey Worthington," Bernice explained. "The murals were part of the Prescott donation."

"Really?"

"The Prescotts have always been very conscientious when it comes to charitable donations but Ava is even more active."

Marcus nodded. He had seen Silas and Ava at various events in the past. Though he always gave them a wide berth he, like many others, had noticed Ava's shy, demur persona belied a rather fearsome will when she was stirred to action. On the surface Silas and Avalynn seemed exact opposites yet they truly completed one another. "Would you like to see some of the rooms?" Bernice asked.

"No. Let's take a look at the office and get started," Marcus said with a sigh. He couldn't put it off any longer.

"Of course," Bernice turned and led him back.

Reaching a play area two of the young patients ran up to Bernice eager to show her their drawings. Without hesitation she knelt and smiled greeting them.

"Do you like our pictures, Doctor Worth?" they asked.

"They are very beautiful. I love your rainbow Jasmine. Haley your flowers are lovely."

"We made them for you for taking care of us."

"Well, thank you. These are the best gifts I could ever ask for," Bernice accepted the pictures. "Now you two don't get too rambunctious."

"Kay!"

Bernice stood as the pair tottered off. Glancing at Marcus she saw him watching with a thoughtful look and suddenly blushed. She hadn't intended to show him that but she had dropped her guard without thinking as soon as the kids approached her.