My mind is anywhere but at work. I cannot stop thinking about that stranger that I bumped into last night. I wonder about who he could be and why he said those words to me. Then I realized that all this thinking would not get me anywhere, so I decided to go and see Dr. Perez. I knocked on the wooden door as he told me to enter.
"Dr. Do! I never expected to see you here in my office! What could be the problem?"
Dr. Perez is also a psychiatrist; he is the only person that I feel most comfortable with, and I could tell him almost all of my problems without worrying about a single thing. Perhaps his patients also feel that way about him; he sure is loved by everyone.
"I need someone to talk to, Hunter. Can I be your patient for today? And perhaps do it for free?"
Dr. Perez scoffed. "I can't believe you want me to give you a free consultation! My time and effort are precious, Kat!"
"Oh, come on! You've always done it for me anyway! Please, Hunter, I met someone strange last night. I couldn't even sleep a wink; it kept me up."
"What do you mean?" His tone got serious, and I knew that he would be willing to listen by now. In those dreams that I get every night about what happened to my entire family, Hunter was the only one who knew about them. Talking with him about it would always make me feel better, and although there was nothing that he could do that would help me as those were the memories that my younger self suppressed, for him to actually listen to me was enough.
"Are you sure about that, though? It could have just been a beggar—you know, an old man that was looking creepy and said nonsensical things."
I sighed. "I don't know, but I could not help but think that it could actually happen one day. I have not changed anything about me yet, you know? Especially my last name; it is still Do."
"Then change it," he suggested as my eyes darted towards him. "Get married! Get a boyfriend and start a family!" I rolled my eyes.
"As if it were that easy. Even if I wanted to, I still have not found the rig—"
"Hunt!" The door busted open as the man that I promised myself to give a quick check-up entered Hunter's office. His hazel-brown eyes landed on me, and I quickly turned away. "I did not know you had a guest; I'll come back later!"
"She's nothing like that; this is practically her office, too, you know. As far as I am concerned, Kat isn't a patient but a doctor. But it seems that even psychiatrists aren't safe from going insane." I threw the pillow right onto his face as he laughed maniacally.
"I'm going back to my office," I announced, passing by Riley. I know I haven't done anything wrong to him, but I suddenly find it hard to look into his eyes.
As soon as I got back into my office, I shut my eyes tight to try and relax myself. I convinced myself that I've got nothing to worry about; everything would be fine if I were extra careful from this day on. Another deep breath came out of my mouth as I remembered the idea that Hunter had suggested—to get married. Although that could make it a little hard for those people to locate me, it wouldn't really make any difference, right? Besides, I haven't met a single man who has the potential to be a good husband.
"Boyfriend, huh?"
"What, Hunter's your boyfriend now?"
I squeaked, almost falling off my office chair, as my eyes found Riley standing in front of me. How long has he been there? Why did I not hear him enter my office?
"Oh, are you wondering how I made it inside without any noise?" Riley asked as if he had read my mind. He pointed to the door. "You forgot to close your door, Dr. Do."
Oh, so that is how.
"Please, call me Katarina. You are neither my patient nor a stranger, Riley; call me by my name."
"You seem rather close with Hunter; do you like him?" I almost stabbed my finger with the pen due to the shock. My head shook in disbelief. "Am I wrong? Do you not like him?"
"What even made you think like that? I mean, Hunter and I are friends." Riley took the seat that was in front of my table with a smile on his face.
"That's great! I really thought I had lost to him right there when I hadn't even started yet."
I turned to look at him. "Started what?"
"I like you, Katarina." I swallowed. He was looking into my eyes as he said those words, and for some reason, I could not look away. "I know we just met, but I truly like you."
I cleared my throat. "Aren't you just confused, though? Riley, there are a whole lot of girls that are certainly better than me, and I told you that I do not have the time for romance."
"They are not you, though."
I froze for the second time. Is this the real Riley Martins I am talking to? Does he have multiple personality disorder, perhaps?
"You know, Riley, why don't I give you a quick check-up? There might be something wrong in your brain; you're not thinking straight!" He laughed as he took my hand off his head and pulled me gently close to his face.
"I'll ask you for the second time: would you like to date me?"
I backed up and created space between us. This man is dangerous; how could he have fallen for someone that he had only met days ago? The only thing that he knew about me was my name and that I was his fan from years ago; there was nothing more beyond that. So how could he like me?
"Are you an alien?" I joked.
"And what if I am?" I smacked him on the head as he cried out in pain. "Why would you do that?"
"To make your brain work out properly this time! Have you been drinking and that is why you're acting like this? Are you still drunk?"
Riley groaned. "I don't drink! I am allergic to alcohol! Gee, your hand was as hard as a rock!"
I blushed. I can't believe that I did that to Riley Martins. "That's what you get for saying anything that you like; I need you to reflect on your behavior. We'll talk when I come back."
"Come back if you miss me." He winked, and my face flushed.
"On second thought, Mr. Martins, go home." I slammed the door shut. I rested a fist over my chest and let out a deep breath. I'm fine. Riley Martins is just a huge playboy. You're fine, Katarina.