The clock tower bell rang through the air, its vibration a dull thud against Nathan's chest as it struck twelve noon. Standing in front of a door with a name tag identifying it as Dr. Wilson's office, Nathan took a deep breath, noticing the scent of stale coffee lingering in the air. Feeling the coolness of the worn brass knob against his palm. Inside, a man sat behind a wide mahogany desk, his face partially obscured by the afternoon sunlight streaming through the window. He wore a crisp black button-up shirt, neatly tucked into his trousers, with his sleeves rolled up slightly. His dark hair, flecked with a hint of gray, was neatly combed. Nathan adjusted his jacket nervously and cleared his throat before pushing open the door. The man looked up, meeting Nathan's gaze. "Hello Nathanael," Dr. Wilson greeted warmly, gesturing to a plush armchair opposite his desk. "Come in. I'm glad you could make it. I was looking forward to our session."
Nathan nodded, a flicker of nervousness in his eyes. He entered the room and settled into the chair, the soft cushions welcoming him. Dr. Wilson leaned forward, his gaze kind. "How long has it been, Nathanael?" Nathan paused, a thoughtful crease appearing between his brows. "One year, I believe." A gentle smile touched Dr. Wilson's lips. "That's right. Quite the journey we've been on together." It had been a year since Nathan began seeing Dr. Wilson for psychotherapy. "Whenever you're ready to begin, Nathanael," Dr. Wilson said warmly. Nathan slowly lowered himself down, flattening his back against the cushions. With a long exhale, his chest rose and fell visibly. He squeezed his eyes shut for a brief moment, then opened them, appearing more centered. "I'm ready," he whispered. Dr. Wilson settled into the chair beside Nathan, crossing his legs and flipping through the pages of his notes.
Briefly, he recounted their previous session. "During our last session, we discussed past trauma and its impact on your decision-making. If I recall correctly, the impact was from some experiences in your childhood. Is that correct?" Nathan closed his eyes and offered a quiet hum of agreement. Dr. Wilson continued after a brief pause. "You also mentioned feeling like your self-esteem is low and that you often prioritize others' feelings over your own." Nathan murmured in agreement, "Yeah, that's right." Dr. Wilson shifted the conversation, his tone gentle. "During our last session, you also mentioned struggling with a past decision. I'm curious, how are things going with your relationship with Samantha right now?" Nathan sighed, a wave of sadness washing over him. "Honestly, things haven't been great with Samantha. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about Amyera, my ex-girlfriend from high school, ever since I bumped into her."
Nathan confessed, "I've never stopped loving her, you see," as a heavy sigh escaped his lips. He raised the back of his hand to his forehead, pressing it there briefly as if trying to contain the rising tide of emotions. "Back then, I did something terrible. I broke up with Amyera out of the blue, with no explanation. To her, it must have felt like a cruel betrayal. She loved me deeply, and my silence must have shattered her heart." A tear escaped his eye and traced a path down his cheek. He sniffled, wiping it away with the back of his hand, his voice thick with emotion. Dr. Wilson leaned forward slightly, his expression one of concern and understanding. "Nathanael," he began gently, "It sounds like you've been carrying a lot of guilt for a long time. Can you tell me why you broke up with her? And why you never explained things to Amyera?" Tears welled up in Nathan's eyes again, his voice trembling as he spoke.
Emotion choked Nathan's voice as he continued, "Amyera... she was the kind of girl who would stick by your side through anything, a ride-or-die kind of person. No matter how tough things got, she'd be there. Even if it meant that she would also get hurt." With a tremor running through his words, a flashback jolted him: Nathan and Amy emerged from the gym, a radiant couple basking in the afterglow of victory. Crowns adorned their heads - Prom King and Queen, voted best couple of the year. Amy looked breathtaking in a flowing black gown that accentuated her dark hair. Standing beside her was Nathan, who mirrored her elegance in a matching black suit. Amy's grin, as bright as the stars peppering the inky sky, mirrored the sparkle in her eyes as her fingers intertwined with Nathan's. However, Nathan offered only a half-smile, a flicker that didn't quite reach the depths of his gaze.
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Captured Hearts: A Photographic Journey of Love
RomanceAmy, a photography enthusiast with a passion for capturing the world through her lens, takes a leap of faith and opens a small business to pursue her dream in the bustling chaos of New York City. Her goal is to turn her passion into a successful car...