Nate

"It all started one night at the bar. I was assigned lead detective for Annalise's case at the time, so me, her, and a couple other officials on the case went out for some drinks to celebrate a win. Me and Annalise hit it off really well, once when we started talking, she told me that her husband was cheating on her, and I told her about my wife having stage 4 cancer, we were each other's listening ear. After we got some drinks in our system, next thing I knew, we were in the bathroom stall fucking. It was crazy, because I never expected that kind of sex from her, you know. Who knew this prestigious Criminal Defense Attorney could get down like that. From that night on, I was hooked on the "Annalise Crack", as I like to say. At first, I was just looking to get my rocks off, because she gave me something my wife couldn't at the time….sex. For her, I think she just wanted to cheat as revenge and payback. Our affair went on right underneath out spouses' noses. Some nights I was in her bed while Sam was out of town, and other nights she was in mine while my wife Nia was in the hospital. We did it pretty much everywhere, our beds, her desk, our cars, and bathroom. It started as just sex, but eventually feelings got involved. Unfortunately, I caught feelings for her, so much that I told my wife about her on her deathbed; luckily Nia gave me her blessing.

I thought we had a good thing going, until one night two cops unexpectedly showed up at my door and arrested me for the murder of her husband. She set me up, I couldn't believe, but then again I could. While I was in jail, she even hired someone to beat me up. Let her tell it, she did it all to help me, knowing good and well she did it for her own selfish reasons; it was all apart of her masterplan. Listen to this, the lawyer that got me off was her ex-girlfriend, the same girlfriend that she was sleeping with around the same time as me, but I was more intrigued than upset. Even after all of that, the jail time, getting fired from my job, I still couldn't stay away from her. I always found myself helping her, even risking my own career for her.

I always felt like I should get my own revenge, turn the tables around on her, but I couldn't do it, even though I had plenty of opportunities to. It wasn't just the good sex that kept me coming back, but I cared for the woman, toxic as she is. It is what it is."

"Thank you Nate. Going back to her ex, would her name happen to be Eve Rothlo?", the Counselor asked.

"Yes, that's correct."

"Eve Rothlo, please tell me why you are here at Annalise Anonymous. I would like to hear your story."

Eve

"I met Annalise about 25 years ago at Harvard Law School. I was first introduced to her when she sat down beside me in our Law 101 class. I quickly learned that she was brilliant woman, with a very sharp mind, that intrigued me right off the bat. It wasn't her physical appearance, but I immediately had a rare, strong attraction to her. I'm a lesbian, and I knew I liked women since I was a teenager, but at the time I didn't know if she liked women or not. But to see her challenge the professors in class and go toe-to-toe with them, turned me on in a weird way. I knew she was going to be a big time lawyer one day.

Our friendship started when we were paired together for a big presentation we had to do for our class. It was then that I really got to know her, because we would spend a lot of late nights and early mornings together doing research. Right away I revealed to Annalise that I was a lesbian, I wanted to let her know from me, before she heard it from someone else. Luckily, she was okay with it, in fact, she revealed to me that she was curious, bi curious, but she had never been with a woman, but was attracted to me. I was so glad to hear that.

As time went on, we got closer. During our second year of law, that is when things got serious between us. It was that year that I took her "virginity"; I was her first woman experience. Soon afterwards, we got into a relationship, moved in together, and became partners. I fell in love with Annalise, and she loved me too, but I always felt like she was ashamed to be with me, or ashamed to have feelings for me. It was complicated, because I was a lesbian who was out, and she was a bisexual who was hiding the fact that she liked women. I wanted a future with her, but she had doubts. After about 3 years into our relationship, Annalise cheated on me with her therapist, who eventually became her husband."

Eve choked up, "Sorry, I need a moment"

"Take your time", the Counselor patted her hand.

"She left me for him. Left me without a goodbye or explanation, and that hurt me to my core! I lost contact with her, and didn't hear from her until years later until she needed my help on a case. Foolishly, I obliged! Every single relationship I've been in since Annalise, I always compare them to her, even now in my relationship with Vanessa. Still, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her, and I know It's not fair to my partner, but I can't control what's in my heart. The only reason I moved on was that she wasn't ready to commit. Plus, I knew she still had to work on herself, and she couldn't give me what I deserved. I would be lying if I said I wasn't still in love with her."

"My name is Eve Rothlo, and I'm still in love with Annalise Keating, and I always will be…"

Bonnie

I owe Annalise my life, because she literally saved me, saved me from my abusive father. Annalise was the defense lawyer on a case where I was the witness, and she humiliated me on the stand, so I guess she felt so bad that she took me in and brought me to live with her and Sam. Soon after that, I became enrolled in law school as one of her students. She is the one who taught me everything I know about law.

Our relationship started off good: I confided in her and she confided in me, I looked up to her, admired her, and I wanted to be her. In a way, she was like a mother to me in a way; I became like a child in her presence. As the years when went on, things started to change between us for the worse, Annalise became easily angry and nasty towards me for some reason. She started to resent me, I think Sam is the reason for that. Sam and I was also close, but Annalise was threatened by that. She thought I had a thing for him, when the truth was, the whole time I had a thing for her, but she didn't realize that. She partially blamed me for her failing marriage, and even turned me into her punching bag; never physically, only verbally and emotionally. Even after all the belittlement and humiliation, I still love her, and I'm not ashamed to say that I'm in love with her. I would do anything for her, anything.

At some point our situationship turned sexually, it just happened. After she found out that Sam was cheating, she turned to me for comfort and support. I was there when he wasn't, I was her shoulder to lean on, I was doing what he was supposed to be doing. At first, it was always her asking me to please her, which I had no complaints, because I would get off just as much she would just seeing how satisfied I made her feel. I knew where to touch her, were to lick, how fast, how slow. Her wish was my command.

A few months ago, we had another setback. Annalise fired me Imagine being around someone every single day, close to twenty years, then not seeing them at all. I became really depressed, so depressed that I ended up stalking her. Luckily, we're in a better place now, but it was bad. I even went to Isaac, just to get information on her.

The Counselor was curious, "Isaac?"

"That was her therapist, and he was briefly mine too, but that is another story"…

Isaac

"Mr. Roa, tell me why you're here."

"Well, I met Annalise a couple of months ago when she was referred to me through her alcohol program. As soon as I laid eyes on her, I felt a connection with her; I never felt that about a client before. Immediately knew she was a special woman, but I didn't know just how special .

During our first session together, I discovered Annalise and I had a lot in common. We both dealt with substance abuse, myself, drugs, hers was alcohol. We both lost a child, and I learned that her deceased husband was her therapist. We both triggered each other learning this information. I knew I should've declined her but she was intriguing to let go. Overtime, I quickly learned that Annalise had a dark side. She is very manipulative woman, who always got her way. When she wants something, she doesn't stop until she gets it, and doesn't care who she hurts in the process. I found that out the hard way…."

"Can you please elaborate Mr. Roa"

"Annalise asked me to testify on behalf of one of her students and act as her therapist. I wasn't too fond of the idea, but Annalise picked and picked until I gave in, she even through my daughter's death in my face. On the stand, things got pretty bad, I was accused of harming my daughter. My past came back to haunt me, and that triggered me, so I wanted to take a hit. I needed to get high to numb the pain and grief I was feeling, so I relapsed; my first relapse in twenty three years. I risked my license, my practice, and my life doing Annalise's wishes. I know I could've easily said no and stand my ground, but I wanted to make her happy. I wanted her to appreciate me.

"Mr. Roa, did you have feelings for Annalise?"

Isaac paused, "Yes, I did. I felt for her because she was a damaged woman, and I wished I could've helped her, but I couldn't because I was damaged as well."

"Did you cross the line with Annalise sexually?"

"It didn't get that far, but boy did I want to, if I can be completely honest. She was a volumptuous woman, with the most beautiful skin I ever seen. One day we did get close to kissing, but I blew it. She saw that I was high, so she backed off, then we had a huge confrontation. A few weeks after that confrontation, I overdosed. I couldn't stop thinking about her, or how I disappointed her. I wanted to be with her, but I couldn't and that took me over the edge. That's why I'm here in Annalise Anonymous.

A few weeks after their individual sessions, the "AA" Counselor ordered all four of them to meet at his office for a follow-up, little did they know they would all be meeting their together as a group…

Group Session

Isaac arrived first, he noticed three other chairs were there in the circle where he was ordered to sit, which he thought was odd. Soon after, Bonnie arrived, you would've thought she saw a ghost, when she laid eyes on Isaac, vice versa.

"Julie, what are you doing here? I mean Bonnie", Isaac inquired, with his eyes stretched.

"Is this some kind of joke?" she asked the counselor.

"Just take a seat Ms. Winterbottom", the Counselor ordered.

The tension and awkwardness in the air was thick. It got even stranger when Nate walked in, two minutes later.

"Mr. Lahey, glad you could join us, just take a seat over there." Nate had to do a double take when he saw Bonnie was there. He didn't know Isaac, but his face looked familiar.

"Am I in the right room , Doc?", Nate had to ask.

"You're just as surprised as we are.", Bonnie said sarcastically.

Isaac reached out his hand to shake Nate's, "I'm Isaac, Drug and Alcohol Therapist."

That's when it clicked, Isaac was Annalise's therapist. Nate started to sweat, but shook Isaac's hand with a cautious look on his face, "Nate, former police officer and detective."

"You two know each other?" Isaac asked, referring to Nate and Bonnie.

Before they could answer, the Counselor cut in, "No more talking please. We'll be starting shortly after our last guest arrives."

The three all waited anxiously and nervously for the last guest to show up. They had an idea of what was going on, and they didn't like it. The last guest took forever, showing up ten minutes later.

"Ms. Rothlo, glad you made it!"

"I'm so sorry I'm late, my plane just landed."

Both Bonnie and Nate snapped their heads in the direction of the door when they heard that name. Eve walked in, talking everyone by surprise.

"Get the fuck out of here", Nate sweared in disbelief. "Is this an episode of Punk'd? Is Ashtonn Kutcher gonna come out next?"

"Nice to see you too Nate", Eve quipped, taking her seat.

Bonnie's face was red with envy. Eve was the last person she wanted to see, she could never get Annalise's attention when Eve was around.

"Bonnie, it's been while, long time no see." Bonnie didn't reply, she just shaked anxiously in her chair.

Isaac looked on in curiousity, "Hi, you all know each other, huh? I'm Isaac, and you are?"

"Eve Rothlo, Death Row Attorney."

"Eve Rothlo?" That name sound so familiar." He started to think, "Aha, Annalise mentioned you."

"Annalise?", Eve was shocked to hear that name, coming from Isaac.

The Counselor stepped in, "Ahem. Mr. Roa, as a professional therapist, you should know better than to mention that. Anyways, I guess you all figured out why you're all here. You all obviously have one acquaintance in common, and that is Annalise Keating. Welcome to Annalise Anonymous."

Nate busted out with a laugh. "Are you kidding me?"

"Mr. Lahey, this is serious. Mrs. Keating has affected all of your lives in a major way. We're here to discuss how you can overcome her."

Bonnie started crying softly, "I don't want to overcome her, that is the thing."

"I walked away almost two years ago, and I still think about her everyday.", Eve sighed.

"Mr. Counselor, I really hope you can help me, because Annalise being in my life nearly killed me",Issac pleaded.

"Come on you guys. Doc, please don't tell me I'm this pathetic."

"Mr. Lahey, please don't mock or bash your fellow addicts. From our conversation, you're in the same boat.",

Bonnie then took a jab at Nate, "I guess I wasn't the only one on the 'crack', huh?" Nate clenched his jaw from embarassment.

The Counselor continued his session. "First, I want each of you to tell me a word that best describes Annalise. Isaac, you go first, then Bonnie, Eve, and Nate. In that order please.

"Manipulative", Isaac suggested

"Domineering"

"Strong-willed"

"Evil", Nate called out.

"Hmm, all very powerful, but negative words. Ms. Rothlo, your word could be good or bad, depending how you look at it."

"I meant it in a good way. Ever since I knew her, Annalise was strong-willed and stubborn, but thats needed in our profession."

"You still ony see the good in her, huh? Open your eyes Eve, you saw what she did to me, she framed me. " Nate shook his head, he seem agitated.

"And she got you out of it, didn't she. She did what was best, not for herself, but for all of us." Bonnie shot back, taking up for Annalise.

"You mean your Murder Squad."

"Nate, knock it off", Bonnie had enough of Nate's smart mouth.

Isaac jumped in, "Annalise definitely has some bad qualities. Unfortunately, in the short time that I've known her, I've seen both sides. She means well, but has a cruel way of showing it.

"You all have been hurt by her Annalise one point or another. Was it romantic hurt?", the Counselor asked.

They all looked around at each other, no one wanted to admit it, until Nate finally spoke up.

"There's just something about her, something that has us all in a trance."

"I agree with that, I didn't fly across the country for nothing."

"Everyone wants to please her and wants her approval", Bonnie adding, chiming in.

"Doctor, how can you help us?" Isaac asked.

"What if I call Annalise into this session right now. Then I want each of you to stand up for yourself and confront her with your feelings."

"I don't think that's a good idea". Eve bit her lip nervously.

"Do you perhaps have a dummy or something that can act as Annalise. I don't know about having her here in the flesh.", Isaac suggested.

"She would feel attacked and then shut down if we all bombard her at one time. She wouldn't like that", Bonnie warned.

The Counselor was frustrated, "Just admit all of you are afraid of her, that's why she gets over on you all."

Eve said her peace, "Sir, we all know this woman. We know how she would react if she came here, it would only make things worse."

Nate pointed to Eve and Bonnie, "Those two would only fold under pressure. They would just end up kissing her ass as usual."

"Screw you Nate", Bonnie said flatly.

"Nate, that's not fair. Don't act like we're the only ones that would fold. How many times Annalise have you doing not so legal stuff to help her?"

Nate didn't say anything, because he knew Eve was right.

Issac chimed in, "I would have to agree with the women. It' hard to say no to her, and before you know it, you're doing things that could have you up the river."

"Guys, let's keep all the illegal talk down to a minimum" Bonnie didn't want the Counselor to think Annalise was a criminal, and she didn't want all of their secrets exposed."

"I've heard enough, I think I got the point. I won't invite Annalise here, but just know you are preventing your own progress by not allowing it. Now is a good time to take a break; please stay in the vicinity. There's a cafe down the hall to the left, bathrooms are on your right. Session will resume in thirty minutes."

To be continued…