The next morning, I wake up with a headache from sleeping late. I prepare myself for work, trying by all means not to think about Lucien.
"I am the doctor, and I am in control," I tell myself before driving off.
Thirty minutes later, I arrive at work and go straight to my office. I wait for 8:00 AM—my session with Lucien. I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself.
Ten minutes before 8:00, there's a knock on the door.
My heart starts beating fast.
"Come in!" I call out, expecting to see Lucien—but it's Linda.
"Relax, it's just me. I wanted to scare you a bit. Morning, girl."
I sigh in relief. "Linda, you know you don't knock. You almost gave me a heart attack. I thought it was—"
She giggles. "Who? The higher-ups? I knew you'd be scared."
"Ha ha, Linda. Get out. I have a session in a few minutes."
"Morning, ladies."
A deep voice cuts through the room.
I look up—and there he is.
Lucien stands at the door, dressed casually today.
Linda gawks at him, then winks at me. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend these days."
I freeze, heat rising to my face.
"Please come in, Mr. Lucien," I say quickly. "And I apologize for my friend's comment."
He smiles, nods, and walks in, closing the door behind him before taking a seat.
Today, I don't sit behind my desk.
I sit directly opposite him.
"Okay," I begin, steadying myself. "Today we'll be starting our session. I'll be asking standard questions only. Is that alright?"
He takes his time before answering.
"Yes… that is fine."
"So, Mr. Lucien," I continue, "could you explain why you are here?"
He smirks.
"You. I am here for you, Dr. Seraphina."
My breath catches.
I stare at him, confused.
"I mean," he adds casually, "I'm here for your service, doc."
He chuckles—like he enjoyed watching me stumble.
"I'm going to need you to respond in clear, straightforward sentences, okay?"
"Why, doc?" He leans forward slightly. "Did you think I meant you… as in you? Come on."
He pulls his chair closer.
"May I ask why you are getting closer to me?"
He smiles.
And that smile… it makes me shiver.
The eye contact. The proximity. It's too much.
"What are you in here for?" I ask quickly, trying to regain control.
"I was falsely accused," he says. "But I do suffer from something mentally. So I need you, doc, to write a formal letter stating that."
I blink.
"But we can both conclude that you are sane, Mr. Lucien. You are not mentally ill."
"Come on, doctor." He leans back, relaxed. "Just one month of pretending… you write the letter… and I walk free."
The way he says it—so easily—unnerves me.
"You do realize I can report you, right?" I say, my voice firm. "My word carries weight. I am the doctor in charge of you."
He smirks.
"Go ahead, doctor. Report me. Let's see who they believe—you or me."
"Are you challenging me, Mr. Lucien? You are a patient, and I am your doctor."
"Now, now," he murmurs. "We don't want you crashing out in front of your patient."
This man is getting the better of me.
I don't know if it's because I'm younger… or because I know exactly who he is.
Mafia.
"Mr. Lucien, please," I say, forcing composure. "We haven't made any progress, and I need to write a report about our session."
"And what's in it for me, Dr. Psycho?"
I exhale slowly.
"I'll give you whatever you want. Now, can you please work with me?"
He smirks, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Your words, doc. Not mine."
After that, he cooperates.
He answers every question—calm, controlled, no games.
And just like that… the session ends.
"Thank you for working with me."
We move back to my desk and sign the formal report.
As he stands to leave, he pauses.
"Dr. Seraphina… don't forget. You said I can have whatever I want."
The words hit me harder than they should.
I only said it to make him cooperate.
It wasn't supposed to mean anything.
But he remembers.
He leaves.
And almost immediately, Linda walks in.
"Girl, don't tell me that was your patient."
I stay silent.
She gasps. "You have got to be kidding me. How can someone that handsome be mentally disturbed?"
I don't blame her.
That was my exact reaction too.
"Linda, I don't know why he's here," I admit. "All I know is I have a full month working with him… and he's difficult."
She narrows her eyes. "So what exactly happened yesterday? You looked exhausted when you left your office."
I can't tell her the truth.
That I was intimidated.
"Girl, you're too nosy," I say quickly, grabbing my bag. "I'm heading home early. That was my only session today. Love you, bye."
I walk out before she can question me further.
But I can feel it.
Linda's suspicion.
And something else…
Something I don't want to name.