Sitting in your office, you turn to the young man in front of you, crossing your legs to prop up your notebook. Your current client was John, who was in his late teens, and seemed to be having some social, as well as emotional anxiety. This session would be a long one, though you were glad to help the poor boy, even sitting in the plush leather couch he looked nervous. You clear your throat a bit, and before you can even speak, he pipes up to ask you something.
"So, this is all private right? No one will hear anything I say?" He asks, fidgeting with the hem of his sweater, and you just give him a small smile, hoping it would reassure him.
"Yes, it is all confidential, I promise. So, John, what's brought you to my office today?" You murmur to him, making sure to sound as serene and calm as you always did. You write a few small things down on your notebook before you look up at him again.
"Well..." He tells you all sorts of worries he has, and how he is feeling rather confused about his sexuality. You listen, nodding gently, occasionally asking him a question or commenting, but nothing too intrusive. After a while, he seems to relax, and after the hour and a half session is over, you open the door to let him out, both of you smiling slightly as you said goodbye.
The receptionist (your dearly devoted friend Kiarra), calls you over with a gesture of her hand. Leisurely you stroll over and lean against the counter. "Yes? What's so important that you have to keep me from my inbetween-sessions-nap?" You ask with a grin, and she just rolls her eyes with a wide smile, some of her wild auburn hair falling in her eyes. She always had the most lovely smile... Wait, no, stop. No having crushes at work.
"Me and Mattypuss were thinking of going for coffee. Wanna come?" She asks, forest green eyes looking at you with a playful glimmer. Why she had to give Matuna a nickname you'd never know, actually no, you knew why, it was because it pissed him off.
"Sure, why not. I have time. The one downstairs right?" You say, a hand on your hip. She nods eagerly and jumps out of her chair, ugly cat sweater coming into view. You swore she must have a whole closet devoted to the darn things. She bounces behind the counter, putting up an 'on break' sign which she made herself, soon going to you and dragging you out by the arm. Though you couldn't really complain about it.
Mat is there waiting for you, and you wave to him with a smile, gaining the same gesture in return. Kiarra lets go of you and runs at Mat, who groans as she tackles him in a hug. "Hey Mattypuss!" She squeals, and Mat just sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I thought I thaid I didn't want to be called that anymore." He complains, and soon the two of them are squabbling like children. The sight is one you have seen many times, and you just listen and chuckle to yourself as it continues into the coffee shop.
"Kilian, what are you gonna get?" Kiarra turns her attention to you with another one of her beautiful smiles. Hey, you weren't at work anymore, you could feel however you want.
"I was thinking just a hot chocolate, you know I don't really drink coffee all that much." You muse, and she puffs her cheeks out at you. "That's so boring though! At least make it a hazelnut hot chocolate, or peppermint, or something!" She huffs, and you can't help but smile at her oh so tragic frustration. "Alright then, why don't you order for me then?" You retort, handing her a five dollar bill. She goes from pouty to smiley in about 0.5 seconds when you do, and pulls your collar down to give you a big smooch on the cheek. "Will do Kittyan!" She purrs, soon going in line to wait.
"You are the motht pathetic human being I have ever witnethed." Mat muses from behind you, and you glare over at him with red cheeks. "Shut up nerd." You huffed, though the two of you ended up smiling anyway.
The three of you are sitting around a small table in comfortable plaid chairs, when you suddenly feel your phone buzz. Picking it up you see a text.
Hello.
I am sending this on behalf of my employer.
It seems you are a fairly well renound therapist/counselor.
My employer would like to set up an appointment for December the third at 8 o'clock.
Would this be a reasonable time for you?
You pause as you look at it, wondering how someone had gotten your personal number. Hm.
"Who is it Kittyan?" Kiarra asks, curiously peering over your shoulder to see what you were up to.
"Don't know, they want to set up an appointment for their employer. Weird, but a client is a client." You shrug, and soon text back.
Hello to you as well.
Though your means of getting my attention are odd, I am free that morning.
Consider it appointed.
Though I am obligated to ask, who is your employer?
You wait in silence as Kiarra and Matuna continue talking, and it only takes a few moments until you get a reply.
D. Ampora.
He would like to keep himself at least somewhat anonymous.
I am sure you understand.
He will be there at 8 sharp, do not keep him waiting.
Good day.
You hum in thought as you finally take a sip of the drink Kiarra had gotten you. It was peppermint.
This new client sounded quite interesting, and you would await the date with much curiosity, but for now, you had friends to entertain and other clients to help. Your curiosity could wait until a more appropriate time came.