Chapter 25

Chapter 25

ALEXANDER STONE

Since I woke up after the nightmare, my eyes have not found sleep. I woke up in a cold sweat, my heart pounding beneath my skin.

I felt shrouded in darkness, and I can still feel the lingering fear from the nightmare.

I continue to stare out the window into the greenery view before me. The nightmares are more frequent and each one leads me deeper into the darkness. Leaving my door open used to be a way to combat the claustrophobia I have even though my suite is enormous in size, but the trauma of being locked up as a child made it seem more calming to just leave it open. It made me feel safe to know that if I got scared, I could leave the room.

But, nowadays, whether the door is open or not, the dreams keep coming.

My phone vibrates in my hand- it's a text from a therapist I swore I would never require. He sent a text confirming an appointment tomorrow.

I was about to tuck my phone back into my pocket when I heard an ear-splitting crash of glass behind me.

Startled, I swiftly turned around to investigate the source of the commotion. To my surprise, I discovered that a delicate glass of water had met its unfortunate demise, shattered into countless pieces upon impact with the floor.

And you know what? It was none other than Diana who was responsible for this unexpected turn of events.

I hurry to her and inspect her body, luckily she's not hurt. There were tiny shards everywhere. Her eyes were on me and it was then that I realized that I didn't have a shirt on. I take a few steps back to avoid turning around and exposing my scarred back- even though she'd seen a snippet a few seconds ago- but I don't make it far before stepping on a sharp shard of glass.

"I'm sorry" She apologized with guilt shown on her face and palm over her mouth.

"It's fine. I'll have Megan clean up"

The pain is brain felt but I wasn't going to let that show to someone like her. I was expecting her to leave but, she didn't. Instead, she carefully rushed over to where I was standing and led me to the edge of the bed for me to sit.

She inspected the area and dashed out of my suite. Minutes later, she returns, kneeling in front of me and using tweezers to take out the shards.

She applied some creamy ointment before looking at me. Her eyes, God, her eyes...

"I'm really sorry"

All this while, I couldn't fight it and just let her do her thing. And in the midst of it all, I felt the urge to kiss her. To envelop her in my arms and trail every inch of her body with kisses.

"It's fine. I should probably start closing the door now. Not used to having a stranger around" I grabbed a shirt close to me and wore it.

The shock of my ugly back must have bat shit scared her. She looked like she wanted to say more, probably ask me how I got all those scars, I could tell she wanted to from the look in her eyes.

Instead, I find a way to change the awkward moment.

"Have you thought about the proposal?"

She clears her throat before starting "Yes, I urrmmm...I agree to your offer and will do my best to contribute to the success of the product. But to do that, I need to go back to the office. I know it's against what you said but if I need to do anything at all, it has to be in the walls of the office. We're getting married, what other rumor is there to spew? You can have me work in the Product Development Department if the sight of being your secretary irks you."

I guess it's a tiny price to pay. I think quickly about it. She wants to go back to the office as a product developer...

Is this another move of hers? What the hell is going through this woman's head? What's her game plan and end game?

"Fine, you can return to the office"

I agree. For now. It's time to give Pharrell a call and have him start tailing her. I don't trust this woman.

*****************

I found myself sitting in the therapist's office, surrounded by a calming atmosphere. The room was cozy, with soft lighting and soothing colors. As I settled into the comfortable chair, I felt a mix of nervousness and relief.

I mean, who would have thought that I, Alexander Stone would someday visit a shrink?

Dr. Anna, the therapist, greeted me with a warm smile and a reassuring presence. Sitting across from me, she's created a safe space for me to open up and share my deepest thoughts and emotions.

I began to talk about my recurring nightmares, the ones that left me feeling unsettled and anxious. Dr. Anna listened attentively,

"I understand how distressing it can be when nightmares resurface. It can feel like a setback, but remember that progress isn't always linear. You mentioned that you thought that you had control over it, how is that?"

"Keeping the door open when I sleep" I answer back.

"I see. We will need to explore what might be triggering these nightmares and work on strategies to bring more peace to your dreams."

"I'm not sure what could be triggering them."

"From your explanation, the dreams keep getting darker but before we can progress, I will need you to come clean and tell me if you suffer from any Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"

This shit is the reason why I never considered going to a therapist. Baring it all to a stranger, my darkest secrets and fears are non-negotiable.

I know it's part of their job and they are bound to confidentiality but still, I couldn't bear the thought of someone knowing me inside out. Even Sophia as much as I loved her, didn't know me well enough.

"Can't we do this without talking about that?" I ask.

"Alternatively, ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Avoid consuming stimulating substances like caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime. Engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as reading a book or taking a warm bath. Those can also help set the stage for more peaceful dreams. Remember, they are only short-term solutions. To tackle this, we must go to the root and if you're not ready to share, there's not much I can do"

"Thank you for the advice. I'll make these changes. I appreciate your support."

"You're welcome! I'm here to support you every step of the way. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. If you ever need someone to talk to or if the nightmares persist, don't hesitate to reach out. You're doing great, and I believe in your ability to find peace in your dreams."