Chapter 57: Unwanted Appointment "Well, it.. it’s um..." I stuttered, and Tori waited impatiently for me to explain myself. "It’s not..." "Not? Not?" "Tori—" "Girl, it’s only been a month, and you’re already down bad." "I’m not down bad!" "You’re doing that bendy thing with your mouth," she clarified, crossing her arms. "I hate to break it to you, but your words don’t match your expression." My mouth hung, and no words left me before I rubbed my forehead in stress. This is certainly not how I planned this conversation to go. "I’m shocked." "Shocked?" I snapped, and she gave me an amused look. "What’s funny right now? Because it’s not and... and I’m attracted to the man I spent three years of my life hating. I mean, only someone insane would be attracted to him... Maybe I’m probably just insane too and..." I clenched my fist as my chin tightened. "Why are you smiling...?" "Nothing just..." She shrugged, snorting a bit. "Just in awe. I never thought anything would make my brain undergo several resets in a span of seconds. You deserve an award for this." "Tori!" She sighed, hands falling freely at her sides before she sat on the bed. "You’re in a position where you have the hots for your boss. How’s that for a clearer picture?" "You mean the devil. I’m crazy, aren’t I?" "Yes, you are." I groaned, running a hand across my face. "I don’t blame you, though. I mean, living alone with a man like that would surely get magnetic. Worst of all, this is one-sided, and you’ve got to get your act together and ward this off before this kicks you in the face." "It’s not.... He told me he was attracted to me first." Tori gaped at me like I had grown two heads. "You’re joking." "I’m not..." "The same boss who made working for him a living hell, ate to pieces at every encounter that it seems like most of the time you’re the deer and he’s the lion." Her exaggeration was off the charts, but that pretty much sums up my time with Ares over the last three years. Now that she mentioned it, I couldn’t help myself as I summarized everything. Yes, it was the biggest shock of my life when I found out about his attraction, but strangely, it didn’t feel out of the blue. How odd. It was almost as if I was finally seeing things that weren’t there. Wait... could it be that Ares has been interested in me from the get-go? "Cat!" I jumped. "Earth to earth. Where did you go?" "Sorry." I gulped. What the heck was I thinking? There’s no way. It’s not possible, certainly not. A knock came through, and a nurse stepped in. "Mrs. King, it’s time for your appointment with Dr. Miller." An appointment? 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞 ~☆~ I was nervously seated, and my bad habit came to the surface as I nibbled on my nails restlessly. I didn’t know which got to me first... the thought of being examined or that I was in a room alone with the renowned Dr. Nolan Miller, Director and owner of Midnight General, one of the most sophisticated hospitals you could ever come across. Under his watchful gaze for the last few minutes, I just passed the time by staring at the degrees and awards publications lining the wall. Very impressive. It’s like a star’s born here. "Mrs. King, there is no need to be nervous," he said to me softly. "You look too tense." I forced my hand down on my lap. "Right... It’s just I didn’t know I-I had any appointments." "Forgive me for that, but I did promise Mr. King I would examine you when you wake." "O-Okay." I forced a smile. I should have expected something like this. I hated the fact such an appointment was made without my knowledge. "Then..." He fished out a pen and pulled out a file. My nerves skyrocketed. "B-But really, I’m fine, and there’s no need for anything like this. I think physical therapy would be nice and—" "Mrs. King. I won’t force you if you don’t want this, but I urge you because of what happened. It’s my duty to cater to your well-being." "I’m not crazy." "I never said you were." I leveled my gaze at my hands, heart pounding. He seemed to be observing me for a long time before he spoke. "Let’s do this then... I have spoken with you as I promised I would, so we can call it a day. Under the condition that we talk when you’re ready." "Of course, a condition." "Is that alright with you?" "Yeah! Thanks." I rose to my feet and hurried to the door, but his next words stopped me. "I’m here when you need me. I’m just a call away." I didn’t say anything as I shut the door and leaned against it. My mind wandered to the same soothing voice of a woman. She was just like him at first, but then she acted like something was wrong with me, like I had a problem that needed fixing. I hated therapists since then and told myself that when I became an adult, I would avoid them like the plague. I’m never coming back here. I pushed off the door and walked through the corridors, hugging myself, my mood twisted as more memories of my sessions with her kept popping up. I hurried down the stairs, making a turn towards the next corridor when I bumped into someone, but I was held on the shoulders before the floor became my next bedding. "We have to stop meeting like this. I’d think the universe is trying to tell me something." I lifted my gaze. "Theo?" "Hi!" he said, giving me a big smile. "What are you doing here?" "To see you." He pulled out a bouquet. "Is it too late for a get-well flowers?" I smiled, taking it. "My room is already like a mini garden. But I can make an exception."