I rubbed my eyes as I heard that we arrived. I think he has no trust to let me drive or either me. I don't even know if I can drive a long way to his office within the exact time he did. Or maybe I would drive the wrong way again. I looked at the man who unfasten his belt and turned off the engine. Then he leaned toward me, and helped me to unfasten my belt, and leave a kiss on my lips too. Sneaky.
I closed my eyes again, I'm sleepy! And he chuckles, giving me another kiss, before he slapped me tight, making me wince and wide awake.
"Ouch!" I whined and rubbed my tights, getting red over the pain. I glared at him, who was already outside and walking to my door.
"Morning, princess. Let's go." He stretched his hand toward me, and I took it, stepped outside with my tote bag. "You can sleep in my office, okay? Can you wait for me until I'm done?"
I looked at the building in front of me, it's only a three to the four-level building. I nodded and followed his lead, still half asleep. But soon after, I was completely awake as soon as we stood in front of the lift. Here comes another hurdle.
We both waited for the lift and I swear to god my hands are sweating. I closed my eyes and tried to take a deep breath.
"Baby, if you think it's hard, try to count until ten, whenever you're feeling anxious to do something. And if you open your eyes and you still feel anxious, close it again and count to another ten." I opened my eyes and looked at him. He smiled and pulled off his hand from mine.
"Tried it. Close your eyes, and count to ten."
I fidgeted but still closed my eyes.
"Keep breathing in slowly, and let it out slowly, and count to ten every time you do that."
I breathe in and out slowly and count from one to ten. And I slowly opened my eyes and the lift already opened and he was already inside, leaning his back.
"Come here." He said, wrapping his arms together and waited for me. My heart started to beat faster and I tried to move my feet and step inside. "Don't forget to breathe."
Breathe.
I bit my lips as I took a deep breath and jumped inside, standing beside him and closed my eyes tighter. Yes, I jumped to go inside. As if there was a cliff in front of me and if I didn't jump, I'll fall. As I finally enter the lift, my heart drop. It's cold, and cold sweat started to fall from my forehead. I counted to ten again. And the more I counted, the more rapid it thumping.
I think my legs almost gave in.
"Open your eyes now."
I slowly opened my eyes and the lift already opened and I ran outside quickly, panting and coughing hard as I choked my breath, and I dropped. I can't stand up. He patted my back softly.
"You did it, baby. You didn't even hold my hand just now. You are amazing! You're doing great." I looked at him with teary eyes. Am I doing good? I'm choking though?
"But…"
"You're doing great! Later or sooner, you will be able to do it without even counting or closing your eyes," he said, kissing my forehead and picking me up to his room. I glanced at Miss Susan who waved her hand as a hi, and I did the same. I want to hide my face. Lucky me, only Miss Susan saw me. In that position.
He asks me to open the door, and I did. As soon as we entered his office, he put me down on a sofa.
"Are you okay? Do you want some water?" he brushed my hair backward as he asked. I nodded and wiped my tears. God, I'm pathetic!
"Okay, hold on." He walked to his desk and grabbed a bottle of water and passed it to me. I chugged it down and sighed, wiped my mouth and looked at him dearly.
"Thank you," I muttered, making him grinning handsomely, kissing my cheek and biting it.
"Stay here, okay, I have a meeting with few clients, and probably finished around nine. If you're tired, you can sleep here. And if you're cold, you can use my jacket as a cover." he rubbed me tight gently, making me twitch. He stared at my bare skin and bit his bottom lip.
"Wait for me okay?" he whispered, kissing my knees, making me jolt even more. He looked up with dark eyes.
I nodded and leaned forward to kiss him.
"Happy working," I said. And he chuckles and quickly stood up and walked to his desk, grabbing his notebook, pen and even his iPad. He skipped to the door and smiled widely at me.
"Bye, baby. I'll be back," he said, tilting his head before he closed the door and disappeared. I looked around his office and stood up, moving to the bookshelves.
I stared at the files, so systematically organised. All of it is his artwork. I walked to the huge frame, it was a photo, a couple. The photo was taken from the back so I can't see the faces but it's beautiful. They were at the field, and it was sunset. It was a simple photo but it gave you the feeling that the couple in this picture is happy.
I smile faintly. He is talented. I walked around again to his desk, it was filled with paperwork, files and… articles.
What is PTSD?
How to cure PTSD?
How to help someone when they're having a panic attack.
What is a panic attack?
Depression and anxiety.
How to help someone who has a traumatic event?
Is it about me? Did he research for me?
For some reason, I feel touched. The highlight, the scribbled. He's trying hard to help me overcome my past.
I quickly walked to the sofa and sat. Hmm...my legs hurt. Maybe I walked too long, I mean, I went there at ten o'clock in the morning and now three-thirty in the evening. I take off my sneakers and massaging my feet. It's throbbing. And I'm so tired.
But...I looked at myself and sighed. I thought Ayden would be blushed and nervous around me since this is my first time wearing a skirt. But I guess he is immune to it? Since Miss Susan always wore skirts? Or maybe because I don't have long legs?
For some reason, I feel like my plan failed. I failed to make him go crazy around me. I plopped myself on the sofa and closed my eyes.
I feel sad...but I'm too sleepy to be sad.
Wait. Why would I? Why would I be sad because of him? Look at me. I wear something like this for the first time, dolling myself up, for me! For the first time, aI didn't cover my scars anymore. I don't care if people find it unpleasant disgusting, but these are the proof that I am survival! And I am proud of myself. I went out for the first time, not to work, but the mall. It's crowded, yes, and I went there! By myself. Alone. I drove there! I ate outside and I finished my food. I used the lift, without holding hands with anyone.
And that's cool!
I smiled widely and laughed, more like a giggle. Damn, I'm so happy!
I stood up and went to his bookshelf again, I grabbed one album and went back to the sofa. I slowly opened it and looking at mesmerising photography work. He is talented. This album fills with beautiful view shots. Mountains, skies, sunsets or maybe sunrises, flowers, fields, humans, animals, houses, waterfall, summer, spring, autumn, winter, paddy field, frozen lake, rivers, oceans, buildings, just views.
And my eyes fall upon the photo that I know. That rainbow photo. So this is the original one? I think…
As I thought. I love this one the most. It's just a simple snap. But I think I fall in love with this one because of the description at the gallery.