Chapter four
Seline paused momentarily. Jason was wearing a nose mask, making the job a million times harder. Reading his face would have been easier if it weren't hidden. Still, no harm done—some other method would have to work.
"I respect your privacy, Mr. Jason. We'll proceed in whichever way makes you most comfortable."
"I see."
"Yes, your comfort is paramount," she added.
"By the way, Mr. Jason, since your personal details aren't comprehensive enough, I'll have to ask you a few questions."
"Like an interview?" he asked, his tone carrying a faint trace of amusement.
"No, more like an introduction. The Get to Know Your Patient section."
Jason remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"What is your hobby? If you have more than one, I'd like to hear them," she said, her tone light but probing. She had seen "bawling" written in his details form. Hearing him say it out loud would be her first approach.
"I have none in particular. My interests vary from time to time. I must say, I'm hardly stable."
She relaxed inwardly. At least he didn't say "bawling" or something worse.
"Nothing in particular?"
"Yes, though I seem to have found a new course of interest."
"And what could that be?" she asked, leaning forward slightly.
"You, Seline."
She stared at him, startled, then chuckled lightly. If he was joking, she wouldn't know; the mask obscured most of his face, leaving only his eyes visible. He held her gaze briefly before returning it to the floor. Jason seemed to stare at the ground often. Whether it was out of shyness or an attempt to remain unreadable, she couldn't tell—though she doubted the former strongly.
"Interesting, Mr. Jason. And if I may ask, what was your previous course of interest?"
"It's hard to say. I never thought much about what interested me—it simply never crossed my mind," he replied, tapping his fingers lightly against the table.
"Oh, come now. For there to be a 'new,' there must have been an 'old.' Am I right, Mr. Jason?" She kept her tone professional, studying his every movement… not that there was much to study. He was remarkably still, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"Forget the past, Doc. Let's focus on the present."
"I'd love to, but in order to determine the best way forward with your therapy, I need to know every little detail about you. So, if you don't mind…"
"And how do you plan on finding those details out?" he asked, his eyes locking with hers momentarily. There was a flicker of mockery in his gaze, though his voice remained steady.
"I know you're not entirely comfortable with me yet—it's perfectly normal. That's why I'm starting with the basics, like your hobbies. So, once again, what's your hobby, Mr. Jason?"
"You, Miss Seline."
She chuckled again, though this time it was purely out of courtesy. "I appreciate your humor—it's refreshing. But I'd like you to be serious for a while. As you know, you were scheduled for ten a.m., but you arrived at three. There's hardly time for humor." She kept her tone polite, hoping it came across as intended.
"Now, tell me about yourself so we can determine where to begin."
Jason was quiet, not speaking, not meeting her gaze. Seline interpreted this as submission—or perhaps resistance. Either way, a little encouragement was in order.
"I understand how belittling it might feel to share your problems, but believe me, it doesn't mean you're weak…"