Clara.

I shot a glare at the old man.

What was his problem?

I kept my cool.

Had I been the way I was two years ago, I would've given him a fitting reply.

But I've changed.

I sighed and looked at him.

He looked worn out and tired, his eyes red.

Hmm... he must be the father.

"Mr. Martin, allow me to introduce myself," I say as I extend my hand, "I am Dr. Clarisse Thronen and I will be your son's therapist."

The man stared at me in shock.

"Did you just... say... doctor?" he asked, still not believing my words.

"Yes."

"Therapist?"

"Yes."

The man gave me a small smile and walked away muttering something along the lines of "upgrade in life".

Excuse me?

I let it slide, focusing on the older woman and the younger couple.

The older woman got up, wrinkling her nose in disgust at me.

She opened her mouth to say something but I cut her off.

"Mrs. Martin if you have nothing nice to say to me, then I suggest you say nothing or I promise you won't like it."

She closed her mouth and moved towards her husband.

Shyla, Paul and Mike looked at each other.

The younger man got up and smiled at me.

"I am Melvin, Melvin Rhodes."

I smiled back shaking his hand.

The younger woman got up.

"Rosa Rhodes, Melvin's wife." she said in a soft voice.

I smiled at her, getting a feeling that she and I would get along soon enough.

Maybe this entire family needed therapy.
***************************
Eventually we were allowed to see Aiden.

We went inside and as soon as I walked in, he began to smile.

Not a sad smile or a fake ass smile like Mrs. Martin.

But a real bright smile.

I also noticed something.

He had green eyes.

Aha! I was right, Mrs. Martin isn't his mother!

I smirked.

She was probably one of the causes for his stress.

Probably the main cause.

I also noticed that he kept staring at me.

Then he spoke.

"Clarisse?"

My eyes widened in shock.

What the- how the- why?

I couldn't even think straight, all my thoughts went along one line.

How did he know my name?

Now everyone was looking at me and then back at him.

I opened my mouth to say something, but it was though he shut all of the words into my mind just by saying my name.

"Aiden, meet Dr. Thronen, your therapist." said Mike, giving him a look.

He sighs sadly and for some strange reason, I felt sad.

Not sympathy nor empathy.

Just plain sad.

He clears his throat.

"Pleasure meeting you doctor."

"I don't mind you calling me Clarisse Mr. Martin." I said.

For some strange reason, it made me feel good to have him call me Clarisse, like the name belonged on his tongue. It was as if he'd been practicing it like an award winning script.

And it sounded beautiful.

He smiled.

"As long as you call me Aiden." he said.

I smiled.

This will be so easy.
*************************

Aiden.

"What the hell guys!" I shouted.

I'm in the hospital.

Got a whole lecture from the doctor.

Blah blah neglecting health, blah blah.

Today, I wake up and see Clarisse.

At first I thought I was dreaming.

Alas, she was real.

And she was a therapist.

Two years really changed her.

I wish I was there to see when she made that transition.

At first I thought she regained her memory but then she looked confused when I said her name.

But hold on, therapist?

This is a bad idea.

I turned to Paul, Mike and Shyla.

"Do you guys realize what you just did?" I asked.

"As a matter of fact, yes." said Paul.

"Clarisse isn't supposed to be anywhere near any of us. It could harm her, I don't want to lose her again and for good." I whispered.

I love her and if her safety lay in me staying away from her, I'd do it.

Even if it hurt me.

"It's been two years Aiden, had she been affected by our presence, she would've been unconscious on the ground." said Shyla.

I groaned.

"You hired her as my therapist. That would mean that she'd be around me all the time, do you realize how bad that could be for her?" I asked.

"Had we hired another therapist, you'd send them back." said Mike.

"Because I don't need therapy." I snapped, already fed up of this conversation.

"Oh but you do. The bonus is that Clara is doing it." said Shyla.

"Pray tell me how is that a damn bonus?"

"Because if you fire her, you'd have to give her a valid reason. Anything you say along the lines of what you just told us wouldn't be a good enough justification." said Paul.

"Plus, you'd have to tell her everything." chimed Mike.

"And that could be bad for both her and you." said Shyla.

I groaned.

These three had me in a corner with nowhere to go but where they wanted me to.

"I hate the three of you, you know that?" I said, accepting defeat.

"No you don't" said Shyla, winking at me.

"You're not putting me through therapy, you're putting me through torture. Emotional and mental torture. I have to sit with the love of my life and tell her everything except the fact that I love her because my love could send her to her grave." I say, turning towards the window so that nobody would see me cry.

Saying it hurt more than thinking it.

"Aiden..." said Mike.

"No, bro, it's okay. You're not the one who has to stare into the eyes of your beloved for the next couple of days and keep all of the compliments in your mind. You're not the one who has to sit in her presence and resist the urge to kiss her. This is not therapy, this is torture." I whispered, tears running down my cheeks.

They sighed sadly and walked outside.

I sighed.

If only things were different.
**********************************

Aww poor Aiden.

My heart aches for you.

Anyway, stay tuned for more drama.

Ta ta!

-Safiello