Back in the counselor's office, Cherry could feel how doctor Giles' words sucked the air from her lungs, eluding her from any words and having her mind turn against her. Only her raucous heart working in alignment with the clock hanging on the wall. She thought back to the days she had spent with Brandon, and she knew something was wrong. It didn't take a genius to figure that out, but Brandon's unbridled feelings for her threw her for the loop. More than her own feelings, she wanted to trust the man whose face lits up like neons in her presence.
She swallowed common sense down her throat and shook her head. "No."
I want to trust him. I need to trust him. Something in her told her that the results will be devastating if she didn't trust Brandon anymore.
Doctor Giles' red lips twisted, and her hands gave Cherry's thighs a small squeeze. "You sure?" The doctor asked, to which Cherry gave a terse nod. Doctor Giles let her eyes linger on every corner of Cherry's facet, trying to notice even one awkward wrinkle that wanted to give away the young woman's true feelings, but on discovering zero turbulence, the doctor sighed. "Okay. Just to rule out that the feelings that you have for your husband aren't codependency, I'm going to give you an assignment."
With a swift motion, the woman rose from her feet and made her way back to her seat. With her legs folded over her knees, she extended her arm and directed the Apple pencil towards Cherry. "Ask him out on a date."
"A date!?" Cherry almost sprung from her seat as her face went through different shades of red. "Date?" She reiterated, her voice going an octave higher whilst her eyes pleaded with the woman to retract her assignment.
"What's wrong? You're married, aren't you?"
"Yes, but…" I don't remember getting married or having a boyfriend, let alone a husband, and I surely don't remember ever going on dates! I'm a noob in Romance, a girl delusional by the world of K-Drama and their unattainable men!
Understanding the train of thoughts that must have wracked the young woman's brain, the counselor smiled wryly as she sighed. "Use this chance to get to know your husband. Like really get to know him. If you're still able to tell me in our next session that everything is alright then I will let it go. And this will also be a great opportunity for your husband to get to know the you now. "
Getting the feeling there was no way out of this homework, Cherry mumbled in defeat, "I guess…" and at the same time the alarm went off signaling the end of their first session.
"I will see you at our next session, then." Doctor Giles chimed, already looking forward to the next session. Offering a curt wave to the blanked out Cherry, she watched as the young woman nodded her head, before gingerly grabbing her crutches and hobbling away to the door.
Arriving at the door, Cherry pressed the door handle down, opening the door only to be met with her husband's towering back. Color rushed in her cheeks as she heard doctor Giles' voice reverberating in her mind - "Ask him out on a date"-.
Noticing her presence, Brandon turned around, a smile gracing his face. "You're done, princess?"
"Yes-" Over her husband's shoulder she noticed doctor Simon standing in front of them. He cast his eyes to the side, his face flat and white. "Doctor?" She ushered deliberately, eliciting a startle from him as he jumped in place. His eyes wide, locked with hers, "H-Huh? Yes, Mrs. Graywood?" His mouth morphed into this weird smile, as if he didn't know whether to smile or cry.
She wanted to ask why the doctor was here, but that got overshadowed by worry upon seeing his reaction. "Is everything alright?"
The doctor didn't have to look at Brandon to know that the young man was scrutinizing him with a piercing glare, causing his heart to lodge in his chest. He stuttered like a child undergoing an interview that could determine their fate. "Yes, yes. I'm doing great. I was just, just…" While searching for the perfect excuse for being there, he saw Dr. Giles approaching them. Her gait was slow but careful, her countenance exposing the curiosity etched on her face, as she wanted to know why the entrance to her office became congested.
Relief washed over Simon's face before making his way past the couple and positioning himself behind doctor Giles with his hands clutching her shoulders. "I was just here to discuss something with doctor Giles."
Doctor Giles' eyes narrowed; vertical wrinkles appeared between her brows as her red lips pursed slightly. "What are you talking ab-"
"I will see you both maybe next time. Have a good day!" Simon sputtered those words out in a haste before dragging doctor Giles alongside her cursed filled protest back in her office and closing the door on the couple.
Cherry blinked obtusely. "What was that all about?" She moved her gaze to Brandon, who bobbed his shoulders up and down with a disinterested look on his face. "Who knows? Come, we shouldn't disturb their rendezvous any longer." Brandon offered Cherry his hand.
Rendezvous? Cherry thought only for realization to settle soon in her eyes as her lips rounded. "Oh" Her eyes darted between Brandon and the door of her counselor. "Oh!" With mystified eyes, she lowered her voice and inched her face closer to Brandon's. "Really?"
Brandon didn't give in to her curiosity, nor did he dismiss it. He solely offered her a smile as he waved his lonely hand in her face. "How long are you going to live my hand hanging, princess? It's getting tired."
"I'm not sure if that would be comfortable for me since I'm already holding two crutches." Cherry pointed out, feeling her curious spirit diminish to this shy child. The thought of holding his hand made her nerves buzz with excitement, but they became even more pronounced when she recalled Doctor Giles' homework.
With a playful smirk adorning his face, Brandon rolled his eyes at Cherry before grabbing her hand and whisking her in his arms as he spun both of them around. Cherry yelped, letting go of the crutches and having her arms instead clasping around her husband's neck for dear life.
"Better?" He chuckled in her ear.
She tried to ignore the goosebumps rising on her skin while hushing her heart down, but the growing grin on her husband's face told her that he could feel her heart running a mile. "What about the crutches?"
"We can easily solve that." He bended down and grabbed the crutches with such ease while keeping Cherry steady with his other hand that by the time he stood up again Cherry gaped at him with astonishment.
He only arched his brow, questionable at that expression. "What?"
"Are you the Hulk?" She flopped out her inner question, earning a guffaw from her husband.
"No, you're just too light."