Stockholm Syndrome (BWWM)

Chapter 21

The Emory Department of Clinical Psychology was one of the locations that called me back a few days after my interview. The news was good which surprised me because it is a very difficult place to land at job at, but my proposal letter to the department impressed majority of the members. Even though I was the only one with my masters degree, while the rest of them had a PhD under their belt, the team accepted me and my new ideas to bring to the committee.

The first few weeks I had to go through training with my mentor and team manager, Mr. Samuels, and he basically showed me what kind of people I would be involved with and how to deal with the clients. Since I was not going back to school for my PhD for another two years I could not hand out any medications or write any prescriptions. But, with my degree, I could go through counseling with my assigned clients until it was time to move them over to one of the doctors. 

Mr. Samuels helped me into my very own office which was right next to the counseling room I would be also occupying. After I got settled in and had two patients under my eye I was left on my own and there was no better feeling than working after being in school for six years.

It was Tuesday and I was sitting at my desk typing up my new patients information into the system. His name was Jordan Welch and he had been dealing with intense depression ever since his parents died in a car accident unexpectedly. He was twenty one years old and had been living on his own since he was eighteen, but the depression had gotten so bad that he had no interest in showing up at work or even leaving his house anymore. Even though he was one of my harder patients to talk to he was my favorite.

As I finish up imputing Welch's information my phone buzzes with a new text.

Knock. Knock. - S

The stress I had from today's work immediately vanishes and I smile down at my iPhone screen before sending a quick reply.

Who's there? - C

Me. I'm at your apartment. Where are you? - S

I'm about to leave my office, lol I'll have to get used to saying that. Didn't you have work? - C

I left early. Hurry home! - S

Home. I grin at his response. Sam was either always at my place or vice versa I had to admit moving in with him would have been easier, but I could not move in with someone I was not engaged or married to. Marriage. That was another topic Sam and I never brought up. I would never rush him, but deep down I hoped he would ask me in the future.

I clean off my desk, shut down my computer and get ready to head to my place to see my man. As I walk into the lobby I get a few waves from the secretaries. I wave back with a small smile and go to the parking garage where my brand new white Mercedes SUV was waiting for me. Sam had insisted he get me a new car, but I wanted to do something for myself. Now, especially since I had a career I could pay off my car quicker. My car was a present to myself on my birthday in September. Sam threw me a huge party at a club he rented out for the whole night. He invited my friends, family and a bunch of other people just to fill space. There were performers, food and a gigantic cake that remarkably resembled me. It was a little weird watching people eat the cake version of me, but it was delicious so I didn't complain about how strange it was.

Half an hour later I step out the elevator of my apartment building and run straight into a body with a head full of bright pink hair.

"Oops, I'm so sorry." I rush out.

"It's okay." Once we meet eyes she smiles widely. "Hey neighbor!"

"Oh, hey Lauren." I try not to wince. Lauren was sweet and all, but she did not know what personal space was and I felt like she was always trying to get in business that was not hers.