YELLOW

PART 1

"Mr. Baker?"  The psychologist's voice broke through my daze as I lay on the sleek black leather chair, my hands resting over my chest.

I stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought, until I finally registered his repeated calls.

"Mr. Baker?" Slowly, I raised my gaze to meet his, pressing my lips together in silence.

"We were discussing Miss Bourgeois" he continued, his tone steady.

The mention of her name sent a sharp pang through my heart, twisting like a knife.

I shifted slightly, trying to gather my thoughts as I stared at the ceiling again.

"Let's start from the beginning. How did you meet her?" he prompted.
I closed my eyes briefly, allowing the memories to wash over me, then reopened them, my hands instinctively cradling my head as I continued to gaze upward.

---

It was a chilly night in February.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" My best friend asked as I prepared for the evening.
I turned to her, a smile breaking across my face, and nodded confidently. "I'm more than sure. I told you, this one is different."

She crossed her arms and scrutinized me, shaking her head. "You must have really been dropped as an infant if you think this will end well," she teased, lightly tapping my head.

Then, with a gentle touch, she straightened my collar, whispering, "You look fantastic.
She'll definitely like you—though not as much as I like you," she added with a playful pinch to my cheek.
As she left the room, she turned back to look at me, and I mouthed "Thank you, Ginny," placing my hand over my heart in gratitude, mirroring her gesture as she disappeared through the door.

My phone vibrated on the desk, and I leaped over the bed to grab it.

"Waiting for you, I'm ready," the text read. It was from Olivia Bourgeois.

I held my phone like a child with a prized toy, a goofy smile spreading across my face as I bit my lower lip in excitement.
My fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating as I typed and deleted message after message, unsure of how to express what I truly felt.

I could feel a slight sweat forming on my forehead, but I tried to play it cool.
"The wait increases desire" I texted back, tossing my phone onto the bed and rubbing my forehead in frustration.

"Who even said that?" I muttered to myself, glancing around the room before grabbing my keys, phone, and wallet, and heading out the door.

As I approached my sleek black Tesla, I adjusted my outfit—a black shirt with a crisp white undershirt.

My hair was styled neatly to the side, and a bouquet of roses rested in the passenger seat, ready for the occasion.
The short drive to her house was filled with anticipation, and as I arrived, I quickly sent her a text to let her know I was there.
I stepped out of the car, hiding the roses behind my back, excitement bubbling within me.

Suddenly, her front door swung open, and there she stood—breathtaking.
My heart raced; it felt like it was struggling to stay in my chest.
She was a petite blonde with striking emerald eyes, her features delicate and doll-like. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow effortlessly, making her beauty all the more captivating.
A whirlwind of emotions flooded my mind, and I couldn't help but let my jaw drop slightly, though I managed to regain my composure.

She walked towards me, looking up into my eyes. "Good evening, Baker. You look..." she began, softly adjusting my collar, "...awesome."

A cheeky smirk crept onto my face as I met her gaze. "You're not bad yourself, but I think the Tooth Fairy might be offended that someone is trying to steal her job" I replied, playfully covering my mouth with my fist before revealing the bouquet of roses.

"I know it's a bit cliché, but do you know the meaning behind the red roses?"

Her smile widened as she took the bouquet, inhaling its fragrance deeply.
Her eyes sparkled like the finest gems, making it hard for me to find my words.

"No, enlighten me, Baker," she encouraged, her curiosity piqued.

I shuddered slightly as I locked eyes with her, feeling as if the air had thickened around us.
"Red roses symbolize all the qualities that embody a powerful and genuinely beautiful love story," I managed to say, my voice somewhat shaky. "They represent devotion, passion, romance, desire, and true love."

In that moment, her lips brushed against my cheek as she whispered, "We'll see about that."

I opened the car door for her, maintaining eye contact the entire time.
It felt as if her gaze provided me with the very oxygen I needed to breathe, grounding me in the present.

Playfully rolling my eyes at her sass, I watched her settle into the car before rushing to the other side to join her.
As I slid into the driver's seat, I felt a rush of excitement to take her to the secret destination I had planned for the night.

---

"Sixty minutes on the clock, and your session for today has concluded, Mr. Baker," the psychologist announced, cutting through my thoughts.

"What? But I didn't—" I began to protest.

"Marcus, we don't have to cover everything in one go. Some things need to be framed properly. You have a tendency to rush; you must learn to take things slowly. That's your issue. Reflect on it," he replied firmly.

Just then, a knock on the door caught my attention. It was my girlfriend, Elora, coming to fetch me after the session. I settled back into the leather chair, my legs dangling slightly over the edge, a mix of emotions swirling within me.

"Hi, baby," she said, approaching me with the brightest smile, her joy radiating in the room. I stood up, managing a weak smile in return.

"Is this guy making progress, Doctor?" she asked, her hand gently caressing my cheek as her eyes turned to the psychologist.

He nodded, taking a sip from his drink. "Yes, many improvements. I wish you both a wonderful evening" he replied.

Elora always seemed like the happiest girl in the world when she was with me, as if she were living in a beautiful dream. She was petite, with deep brown eyes and dark skin, and her Australian accent only made her more endearing.

As we walked toward the exit of the office, I was the last to close the door behind us. "Don't get lost in your nightmares" the psychologist reminded me. "We'll discuss what happened that night next week."

I nodded silently, not trusting myself to speak, and stepped out into the fresh air.
Together with Elora, we made our way to our Jeep. She had insisted on a larger vehicle, believing it would be essential if we ever decided to start a family.

The drive was intense, filled with unspoken thoughts as I let her take the wheel.

My eyes were fixed ahead, yet my mind drifted elsewhere. Small talk flowed between us, her hand resting on mine, squeezing it gently from time to time. I turned to look at her, but my thoughts kept pulling me back to that chilly night in February, a moment that lingered in my memory like a haunting echo.