𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡 | ✓

3 - Sessions

VALENTINA'S POV

It's the next day and when I get to work, I immediately go to Mrs Carol's office. I knew it would annoy her that I was showing up at her office unannounced, but I couldn't handle having another session with Francis be as big of a fail as our first one.

Arriving at her office, I could hear her shouting at someone on the phone, apparently one of our technicians hadn't done their job right, but I had more pressing issues to handle.

I knocked on the door and she immediately quietened down I could hear her cleaning some things around before I heard a brief 'come in'. I stepped into the office and she was sitting at her desk, her face flushed from just yelling.

When she sees that it's only me entering, her shoulders slouch and she pinches the bridge of her nose with her fingers. "Dr Rider." She greets tensely, "You know I don't like sudden meetings."

I nod "I know, but it's urgent Mrs Carol." I stress "Yesterday's session with Francis Whitelock was a fail. It's because of the guards in the room. He won't be willing to talk to me if we're both being watched over."

Mrs Carol is silent for a moment. She knows what I'm asking but I can tell she's confused. "You're asking me to remove the guards that are stationed there for your protection."

I feel my confidence dwell for a moment but after, I nod my head confidently. I want to Francis know that he can talk without feeling threatened. He's already here without a will and he shouldn't be forced to speak either.

My boss sighs and she looks over her laptop, eyes wandering the screen before looking at me once again. "I'll see what I can do, but know that this is a very dangerous move," she says and I smile, thanking her, and leave the room once again.

I return to my desk and look over my schedule, making a mental note that I have to bring some extra material for Alex's session this afternoon.

-

I continued with my work, occasionally talking to my coworkers at the neighbouring desk, and exchanging information. Everything was going well until the door to the room of our working cubicles is slammed open.

Everyone whips their heads around to see who it is and I feel myself freeze as I meet eyes with Chris. He looks angry, very angry. All he has to do is give me a pointed look for me to stand up from my desk, and walk out of the room and Chris follows me closely.

We stop at a quiet corner of a hallway and I fold my arms over my chest, something I do when I feel defensive.

"Can I help you?" I ask, trying to fake innocence but he sees right through me and scoffs.

"Don't act so oblivious." he shoots "Valentina, what the hell were you thinking? Asking Carol to remove guards that are placed there for your protection?" he asks me like I've gone crazy.

I let out a long sigh, he seems outraged right now but I know it's only because he worries for my safety. "Francis is misunderstood and he's been raised in an environment where he had to fight for life every day. He finally has an opportunity to change and surrounding him with more threats isn't going to help."

Chris goes silent for a moment. I look at him for a little longer, crossing my fingers that he wouldn't try and change Mrs Carol's mind. After a minute, Chris finally breaks.

"Fine!" he huffs and I can feel myself light up. "But if he tries anything-"

I cut him off and give him a bear hug "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You won't regret it!" I practically skip back to my desk, humming a happy tune. Glancing at my watch, it was time for Alex's session and I quickly gathered my materials and rushes to our designated room.