Chapter 58 Office Visit

Chapter 58 Office Visit
“Why are we here, Zeno?” Lyla never guessed or ever thought Zeno would bring her to a psychiatrist. She looked at him, offended and hurt. She didn’t understand why he needed to bring her here, out of the blue, unpredictably. Now that they were already here, standing in front of the office, do you think Zeno would change his mind if Lyla begged?

Zeno held her upper arms firmly, he was looking at her seriously. He brought her to the psychiatrist after long thinking and discussion with Blec. He suggested that Lyla needed further attention, especially to check on her mental health. They knew that her trauma kept reappearing for some reason, which meant it never left her, even when her parents said they had erased those memories.

The trauma stuck to the broken soul.

“There’s something I need to cross-check with the professional. I can’t handle you every time your trauma takes over your body, Lyla. You should know too, so you can control your mind,” he said with a serious expression. His hands pressed her arms, his face leveled with hers. He was looking at her like he was trying to dismantle her feelings, even though he could see it clearly on her face, how she felt discomfort and hurt.

“What are you talking about?” she whispered, feeling sudden lost at his words. What trauma was he talking about?

“It’s better if we talk inside with the doctor.” His actions were careful as he was preventing another break-in of her trauma. He didn’t want to deal with an unwanted personality. If he, so much liked to be called ‘daddy’, then he could just tell her to. Why bother bringing out her childhood trauma for it?

Zeno thought this was a pending doom where her parents decided to just ‘erase’ her trauma and never check regularly about her mental health and how she had overcome it. But he blamed nobody, because he knew they were all hurting at that point and could only see ‘erasing’ it was the best option. Not now, though.

“Listen to me! This is for your own good. But if you’re still being stubborn like this, don’t blame me if one day you’ll get lost and never be found.” Lyla frowned, taking in his words. Even though she was stubborn, she still used her brain to think logically. She acknowledged the kidnapping that happened years ago. But, all she thought it was just a passing moment and past she went through. She never really thought of it as a scar, a trauma.

Lyla pushed his hand off hers, the movement was slow, like she was still thinking it through. Zeno dropped his hands, but his eyes were still examining her face.

“I’m staying home, so you don’t leave me,” Lyla said, her tone was weak and sad as she said it.

“I’m not leaving you, Lyla,” he responded quietly. Maybe it was a promise, or it could be just soothing words. For now.

After that, Zeno led her into the psychiatrist's office, with no fight from her side. He held her hand, but his steps were steady. And with every step, he gave an assuring squeeze to let her know that he would always be by her side. He had made a reservation beforehand, all he had to do was come to the office.

“Appointment with Doctor Anntle,” Zeno spoke to the receptionist as soon as they walked in. It was not a private practice, but Zeno got her the best doctor in the field, he trusted it.

The receptionist quickly typed something on the computer before she confirmed the appointment. “Appointment under Mr. Valentini?”

“Yes.”

“This way.” The receptionist got up from her seat and led them to doctor Anntle’s room. As they got closer to the office, Lyla’s heart beat faster. She couldn’t shake the feeling of nervousness that had engulfed her since they arrived. If she walked into the psychiatrist's office, that meant she had to be ready to reveal her deepest secrets.

Lyla stopped in her tracks right before they had to walk into the office. The door was already open, and the doctor was waiting in her seat. When she saw the client, she got up to greet them. But she stopped when they didn’t move to get in, so she stood awkwardly in her spot, watching them just standing there.

“Leaving is not a way to anywhere, Lyla. Are you going to keep living in the past?” he asked, his tone was soft, but his expression was hard, like he was trying to convince her in a forceful way. His hard facial expression looked like he was dealing with his business partner, pressing the opponent to bow to his order.

“Do you not like me anymore, Zeno?” Zeno rolled his eyes, hearing the sultry voice she used. She was trying to seduce him, he knew that very well. Her tactics to be freed from difficult situations. He discovered her tricks, one by one, she showed them when the situation pressed her.

“Lyla!” he growled lowly, glaring at her to not make a scene. People were watching.

“Okay, okay,” she sighed and finally stepped in while linking arms with him. They faced the doctor who greeted them with a warm, professional smile.

“Welcome, Mr., Mrs. Valentini. Please, have a seat.” Doctor Anntle gestured to the seat in front of her. There was no working desk or computer, there were only couches that looked comfortable and created a relaxing ambience. “I heard Mrs. Valentini is having a hard time with her past trauma. Any stories you want to share before we start? Do I have permission to record for documentation?” Doctor Anntle looked at Zeno, and then Lyla. She showed them the camcorder by her seat and propped it on its stand.

Zeno nodded once, granting permission because he knew it was essential to the therapy session. Lyla turned to look at him and didn’t know what to say. And Zeno, who sensed being stared at, also turned his head.

“Should I start?” Zeno asked. The question and condition that only he had control over.