Happiness Never Comes Alone

By Myrlande Thessier Dessources RN BSN

Anabelle is a young nurse who is anxious to work at the prestigious Borjon Medical Center. Getting a job at this hospital, one of the best in Haiti, is difficult for most, but easy for people with connections or from an affluent background. Anabelle does not have an influential background, but her perseverance after three years of filing for a position is ultimately successful. Six months into her job, Anabelle’s peers and patients are impressed with her work and charisma. In fact, she has proven her value to both doctors and patients on more than one occasion, and has become highly respected by all. Furthermore, her strong faith and passion for the word of God sets her apart from most of her peers. Meanwhile, Dr. Gilbert, a well-known physician in the hospital, falls in love with Anabelle; this creates a troubling conflict since Dr. Gilbert was previously engaged to Marjorie, the hospital owner’s daughter. Young Annabelle faces the challenge of overcoming the obstacles and drama of a burgeoning love affair, while maintaining the strong Christian values that have sustained her throughout her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664157361

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Copyright © 2021 by Myrlande Thessier Dessources, RN, BSN

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/16/2021

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DEDICATION

Firstly, I praise Yah, God Almighty, who is the source of my energy.

And secondly to my daughters, Janelle and Rebecca, for their love and encouragement made this book possible.

H AITI IS LOCATED on the

Caribbean Sea, to the east of Cuba and Jamaica, and south of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands. The country shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic to the east side. With eye-catching beaches, crystal blue waters, attractive mountains and luscious cuisine it is hard to argue against it beauty.

Haiti’s capital is Port-au-Prince and the country once was one of the most affluent in the Caribbean. In 1804 after the revolt of the slaves, Haiti announced its independence from France and became the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to completely get rid of slavery in the modern era. However, due to years of governmental dishonesty, cruelty, and awful hurricane seasons, Haiti has now become one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean. The majority of Haitians derived from West Africa, with a good percentage also from Central Africa. Its population is 95 percent of African descent and 5 percent are of mixed African and other lineage such as Spanish, Polish, Indians, Germans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese.

Dr. Jerome Borjon, a famous Haitian doctor, activist and millionaire always believed in growing his country’s strength. Dr. Borjon constantly encouraged others to get involved and invest in their country, therefore he constructed the country’s most prestigious hospital, which sits in the heart of Petion-ville, Haiti called the Borjon Medical Center.

The hospital is a tall and innovative styled building with a grandiose appearance that supports its distinguished reputation. Borjon Medical Center is part of a non-profit organization and is well-known in the Caribbean. In fact, the hospital is equipped with the newest medical technology and the best specialized healthcare professionals that the island has to offer. The hospital quickly became one of the island’s most popular sites with its 24/7 pharmacy, a lovely cafeteria, a beautiful gift shop, a chapel open to all, and other convenient attractions. Essentially, the hospital resembles a hotel due to their emphasis on quality and exceptional care. The hospital is sought after by many people who travel from other countries to receive services that are outstanding and affordable. Borjon Medical Center singlehandedly breaks the implication that all hospitals are sickly places where many people take their last breath; to the contrary, this Medical Center gives hope. Many people in Haiti with dreams of working in healthcare have the desire to work at Borjon Medical Center due to its stellar reputation and the generous benefits provided to their employees.

It is eight in the morning and Anabelle, a young nurse, is in her room and very anxious about the job interview she has in the afternoon. She barely slept last night and spent hours worrying about the interview. Anabelle’s mother enters her room and after seeing her daughter’s face she says, Honey, it will be okay, put your assurance in God because He will lead the way and remember everything will be fine, and embraces her.

Yet, Anabelle cannot stop the nerves that she is feeling.

Anabelle’s father used to own a boat business that helped his family live a comfortable lifestyle in the suburbs. Unfortunately, he fell ill with a kidney disease that consumed the wealth of their family from extensive medical expenses. Anabelle’s father eventually passed away when she was thirteen years old and her mother never remarried. Although Anabelle and her mother are still able to reside in their family home, life is not easy because of their financial struggles. Eager to better her life, Anabelle focused her pursuit on Borjon Medical Center in hopes to find a well-suited position that will offer more opportunities as her career progresses.

For as long as Anabelle finished nursing school, she’s always aspired to work at Borjon Medical Center. Getting a job at the hospital is difficult for most, but easy for people with connections or an affluent background. Although Anabelle did not have an influential background, she had vigorous persistence. After three years of filing an application for the hospital, Anabelle finally received an appointment for a job interview.

Over at Borjon Medical Center, Dr. Mark Gilbert is in his office looking through the files of work on his computer that he has to attend to. Dr. Bernard stops by Dr. Gilbert’s office and waits by the open door frame for an invitation to enter.

Hey, man, come in. How are things going? Dr. Gilbert asks.

Dr. Bernard enters the room and takes a seat, but before he can respond Dr. Gilbert interrupts. Personally, I am so stressed. Ever since Dr. Borjon and his wife left to France, I’ve been left in charge of things around here. As if I don’t have enough work to do already! Yet, that man gives me more work to do. Not to mention that the nursing administrator has a medical emergency and needs me to fill in for a job interview today. On top of that, Marjorie has the nerve to add to my stress by overwhelming me with pressure on with when we’ll get married.

Dr. Bernard shakes his head in understanding and responds, Man, that is stressful. It seems that a lot of women have marriage on their mind once they hit their mid-twenties. He pauses to laugh. Wait, I’m confused. Why don’t you want to marry Marjorie? She’s very beautiful, not to mention that she has many suitors lined up, especially since she is Dr. Borjon only daughter.

To be honest, she is not my ideal woman, Dr. Gilbert states.

Oh yeah, and what is your ideal woman? Dr. Bernard asks sarcastically.

I’m not looking for beauty or money in a woman to help raise my future family. In fact, I need a woman that is worth more than just a beautiful body. I need someone smart, hardworking, and overall a good partner that I can raise my children with. To be real with you, he confides in his friend, Marjorie is not any of that. She is too spoiled. I can’t imagine myself marrying and starting a family with her.

Well, can you blame her? The girl grew up as the only child. And you’re talking about hard working? That couldn’t be further from Marjorie! Dr. Bernard laughs.

Just know that life does not always give everyone what they want. Remember how I overheard Dr. Borjon planning to hand over the hospital to you? Dr. Borjon already trusts you by leaving you in charge while he is vacationing. If you marry his daughter, Marjorie, the hospital is for sure yours man. What else can you want? Dr. Bernard bargains.

The phone rings and Dr. Gilbert answers it. Okay, I’ll be there, says Dr. Gilbert, then he hangs up. Man, I got to go, he says to Dr. Bernard.I was just called to do the nursing job interview that I told you about. We can finish our talk later, yeah?

No problem. And, man, remember to take it easy, okay? That’s doctor’s orders, Dr. Bernard jokes while getting up to leave the office.

Whatever you say, Doctor, Dr. Gilbert replies with a laugh.

Meanwhile at the nursing administration department at Borjon Medical Center, Anabelle sits uncomfortably awaiting her job interview. The secretary at the desk is noticeably staring at Anabelle which makes her feel more uncomfortable. To the secretary’s surprise, Anabelle resembles a female version of Dr. Borjon, the owner of the hospital. Anabelle is dressed old-fashionably professional, hair slicked back to a bun and a pencil skirt that cuts off right before her ankle to show her flashy but business-professional heels. However, it is the look of determination that is uncanny to that of Dr. Borjon. The secretary catches herself noticeably staring and stops while pretending to attend to work on her desk.

Dr. Gilbert quickly passes the waiting area when he enters the nursing department and retrieves the applicant’s form from the secretary. He tells the secretary that he is ready for the applicant before entering the office reserved for the interview. The secretary goes to the waiting area to bring Anabelle into the office.

Hello, Ms. Paul, Dr. Gilbert will be conducting your job interview and is ready for you. You may follow me, the secretary says politely.

Anabelle follows the secretary outside of the office door. The secretary knocks, opens, and enters the office.

Hello, Dr. Gilbert, the applicant is ready, the secretary says to the doctor.

Thank you, you can allow her to enter, Dr. Gilbert responds politely.

The secretary leaves and gestures to the door. Dr. Gilbert breaks his glance from the applicant form when he hears Anabelle’s heels.