“Dr. Lee is ready to see you now.”

Cynthia led me to Alec’s office at the very end of a long hallway. After knocking on the door three times, she opened it and waited for me to enter before shutting the door silently behind me.

Wow...

Guess this is one of the perks of being the lead psychiatrist here.

Alec’s office felt spacious with its high ceiling and open space. The furniture echoed the same contemporary feel as the waiting room although it felt like it had a more masculine colour palette. Similar to the other clinics I had been to, there was a desk with Alec’s workstation, a comfortable looking arm chair, and the largest piece of furniture in the room - a long three seater, brown leather sofa, which was likely meant for his clients. And, typical to any doctor’s office, Alec’s degree and doctorate certificates were framed and hung prominently on the wall.

Alec was at his desk, busily typing away on his laptop.

And he said he was ready to see me?

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat loudly and waited.

He didn’t even look up to acknowledge my presence.

Keep your chill Lucine, don’t make more trouble for yourself.

This rude asshole isn’t worth it.

I rolled my eyes and cursed internally as I walked right over to the sofa and made myself comfortable. I didn’t know how long Alec would continue to make me wait, so I took out my sketchbook and pencil from my satchel. Passing time whilst sketching was one of the easiest things in the world for me after all.

If Alec thinks he can put me off getting the compensation money this way, he’s sorely mistaken.

My eyes roamed the room, looking for points of interest. Somehow, my gaze naturally fell on the silently working Alec. Taynese was right. Even with his thick furrowed brows and stinky attitude, Alec was undeniably handsome.

He really is good-looking.

I mean... in a completely objective, purely aesthetically-pleasing kind of way.

Alec was wearing a black turtle neck top under his doctor’s coat. Despite the layers it was still easy to make out his broad shoulders and firm chest.

I bet he has really toned muscles.

I quickly looked away and silently cursed my acutely honed observation skills.

Stop it Lucine! Stop looking at his chest muscles!

Wait, why am I getting embarrassed? Is it a crime to look at someone?

But aren’t I behaving like a creep?

Lucine, isn’t professor Adams always saying that we should take every opportunity we get to study the human form? That the only way to get better at it is to keep observing? There’s nothing to be embarrassed about!

That’s right, I should just keep staring at him!

Having gotten over my very awkward, private internal struggle, I gripped my pencil with conviction and started blocking in Alec’s form.

Truth be told, it was a lovely setting. The morning light streaming in through the glass windows behind Alec, had cast a warm glow against his skin. His tousled jet black hair gave him a seductive charm and made his light hazel eyes all the more dazzling. Time passed silently. The only sounds in the room were the scratches of my pencil against paper and the clacking of keys as Alec typed.

The strangely comfortable silence between us stretched on and I became lost in my art.

“Are you always this intense when you’re sketching?” His honey-smooth voice almost made me jump.

I looked up to see that Alec had gotten up from his chair and was now leaning against the edge of his desk. He crossed his arms which drew my attention to the fact that he was wearing black gloves.

Gloves? Indoors?

Had he just put them on? Or had he simply forgotten to take them off?

Wait, that’s not important.

Put your sketch away before he sees it!

“Finally done with your work?” I asked, hoping to distract him as I discreetly kept my sketchbook.

“Yes.”

I waited, but no apology nor polite excuse about making me wait came out of his mouth.

Asshole.

I like you better as a drawing subject.

My sister’s warning to play nice interrupted my mental desire to keep cursing at Alec. I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

“Dr. Lee, I’m here to collect the compensation fee for my phone.”

“So I’m a doctor now? Not a scammer?”

No, you're a complete tool!

I clenched my fist.

Keep calm Lucine!

“As you’ve kindly suggested, I did my research and found that you are indeed a psychiatrist.”

“As you can see.” Alec smirked as he gestured to his office.

My right eyelid involuntarily twitched as my temperature rose.

“Although why a lead psychiatrist of your stature needs to find clients as a life coach on Instagram is beyond me. ” The moment the words left my mouth, I mentally slapped myself.

I guess it’s too late now.

Alec sighed dramatically, “Ahhh... why do I feel like you’re accusing me of something else now?”

So much for not causing any trouble...

Come on Lucine, remember your promise to Alba!

I took another deep breath and internally counted to three before opening my mouth.

“Look, I didn’t come here to argue with you. I just came here to collect the compensation money and to let you know that I’m not going to meddle anymore.”

Alec gave me a look of disbelief for a second before slowly nodding at me, “Right.”

“And... I apologise for what happened at the cafe, I was just trying to protect Rachel. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what I think of you, because if you’re genuinely trying to help her, whether as a life coach, as a psychiatrist, or whatever it is that you are, then... that’s really all I want. ”

Alec studied me, as though trying to ascertain whether I had meant what I had said, before nodding to accept my apology, “Rest assured, I am genuinely trying to help Rachel. As I do with all my clients.”

“Good.”

“Great.”

“Fantastic.”

Alec’s eyes narrowed as he stood up. “But what exactly do you think of me?”

“...”

He slowly walked towards me. Flecks of light swirled in his iris. His voice deepened with authority, “Tell me.”

You promised Alba.

Don’t cause a scene here.

Just get the the money and go home!

“N...No, that’s hardly important! I already apologised!”

Alec walked right up to where I was sitting. His presence towered over me. I could feel his hazel eyes on me. His gaze like a predator stalking its prey. What was it about those eyes? I quickly averted my gaze to his shoes.

“I’m starting to think that apology wasn’t quite so sincere, Lucine. Tell me, what do you think of me.”

His voice demanded a response. As if compelled, I looked up into his piercing hazel stare. Those eyes. Hazel eyes. Hazel eyes shrouded in darkness.

“NO!”

I stood up abruptly and regretted it.

The combination of no sleep, no food and fear had finally caught up with me as the room started spinning. I shut my eyes but only felt the room spin faster. I tried to breathe but it came in gasps. I clutched at my throat.

“Hey. Hey, are you all right?”

I opened my eyes and turned to try to make it back to the sofa, but the floor spun right out from under my feet. I staggered back and my knees buckled. My eyelids fluttered. The last thing I remembered as my consciousness faded to black was Alec lunging towards me, arm outstretched.

Then, darkness.