Therapist's therapy

Work

Arianna slowly opened her eyes when someone threw the windows open. Blinking her eyes to adjust to the lightening, Mrs. Juliana came into view.
"I knew a little light would wake you up" she settled into the chair beside the bed Arianna.
"What happened?" Arianna's head pounded as she tried to sit up.
"You passed out from the concussion and needed rest"
"And Travis?" with the fight with Jasper and landing her in the hospital, Arianna knew he would be wallowing in guilt by now
"He is at work and well enough to beg me to fire you"
"What?! You can't fire me!"
"I won't, not can't" Mrs. Juliana corrected "it seems Travis sees you more than just his therapist and I can't allow such attachments to grow for his sake and yours"
"What do you have in mind?" Arianna wasn't ignorant of how cunning Mrs. Juliana was.
"You will still work at the company but not as his therapist"
"Then how am I meant to solve who is poisoning him"
"You've been with him for weeks and you have no progress to show for it. So probably a little space is what you need to actually work"
Arianna was guilty she had played the role of secretary and forgotten why she was truly there. As much as she hated to admit it, Mrs. Juliana was right she shouldn't let attachment grow, when she solves this case she would move to another part of the world where no one knows her and she wasn't planning to relive her mistakes.
"So under whom will I work?"
"I of course, you will be sharing an office with Jasper"
"Jasper?"
"You weren't the only person Travis wanted to get rid of. I assume you are fit to get to work?"
"Um sure" Arianna wasn't in the best condition but like all Mrs. Juliana questions, it didn't have any options
"Great you can freshen up in the bathroom over there and meet me upstairs" Arianna got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
In the bathroom was a shirt and suit pants. She took a shower and changed. When she got out of the room she found herself in a hallway although Mrs. Juliana told her to meet her upstairs, she couldn't find a staircase anywhere. She walked down the hall looking left and right.
When she got tired of walking she decided to knock on doors to ask for directions. After knocking on several doors, Arianna was ready to give up and head back but she couldn't remember the room she was in.
Exhausted, she leaned on a door just for it to be opened from inside. Falling backward she braced herself to collide into the hard floor.
"Arianna?"
Arianna realized she wasn't falling anymore but was firmly held in place. She regained her balance and faced Jasper.
"Jasper? What are you doing here?" Arianna noticed his swollen eye when she pulled out of his arms. "You are hurt. What happened?" Arianna brushed her fingers through his swollen eye. He flinched but didn't pull away from her touch.
"Yeah just a silly fight. It will heal in no time" Arianna didn't want to push the topic. She knew the fight was with Travis but for some reason she didn't want to know about what. She didn't want to get closer to the boys more than she already did.
"Boys" she sighed.
"We should probably get to work. Mrs. Juliana is nothing like Travis when it comes to work" he shut the room door behind him and led Arianna down the hallway. About five rooms later, they saw an elevator.
"So that's where it was" Arianna exclaimed
"Yeah Travis and I always got lost here when we were kids. Mrs. Juliana always brought us to work when my mother needed a leave. We would run up and down the halls disturbing all the workers and eventually get lost." He smiled staring into space as he spoke. His smile looked so genuine he really loved Travis and everything they had.  When the elevator door finally opened Harry popped out of it.
"Harry.." Arianna said holding her breath. She thought she had gotten over him but apparently she hadn't they just stood staring at each other.
"Um do you mind?" Jasper said to Harry who was blocking the way. He moved away breaking the eye contact and Arianna caught her breath. "Come on Arianna" Jasper called holding out his hand.
Arianna knew Jasper was aware of what happened between her and Harry but that didn't matter now. Taking his hand would have been simple gesture but it definitely meant more than that. She was done with love roller coaster and wasn't ready to swim into another. So she shut her heart and opened her mind she was here to work and that was what she was going to do.
"I will meet you upstairs Jasper, I have something I need to do"
Even though the elevator door shut immediately she could see the hurt in his eyes as he withdrew his hand. As much as it broke her heart she was making the right decision. Whatever was happening needed to stop. Arianna drew her mind from how awkward it would be to work with Jasper after this but work comes first.
"Perfect timing Harry, you said if I ever needed anything I should ask so I am going to"
"I'm listening" he said folding his hands across his chest
"I need info on everybody who might be able to inherit the company if Travis doesn't"
"That's a weird request. What exactly do you need that for?"
"You promised me a fulfilled promise and not follow up questions" Arianna said straight faced.
"Alright I'll get it to you by tonight. But this makes us even. I hope I don't run into you again in secluded places I don't want to my girlfriend having ideas"
"Likewise"
"And as a bonus I'll tell you this. Don't gamble with these people they are dangerous. And I assume you don't want to relieve past mistakes"
"I can take care of myself thank you. You should worry about your girlfriend. I'm the dangerous one here" just like a john wick movie the elevator opened and Arianna walked in and with a wave, she was gone.
After asking for directions from five different people for directions, she finally found her office. Jasper was behind one of the desks typing intently. He raised his head when Arianna walked in with an awkward wave, Arianna made her way to her desk which was already filled with papers.
"I'm sorry for invading your privacy and questioning Harry. But after I saw you that morning I knew something had happened and I couldn't help myself." Arianna was surprised Harry hadn't mentioned it. Jasper must have threatened him but with what? Arianna had to know.
"How about you make it up to me?" Jasper looked surprised but happy. "I've been dying to see a movie"
"How about after work?"
"Maybe if you help with my pile of work" he smiled and nodded. With that the awkwardness was gone and they did their work in silence each occupied by his imagination.

The theatre was already full by the timed they got there. Since Jasper had booked VIP, it wasn't a problem. They were led upstairs. It was dark and faced the screen directly. There were two cushions conjoined in the middle as well as popcorn and drinks. If Arianna hadn't known better it looked perfect for a date. But she knew better it wasn't a date just a professional get together.
"Sorry only the VIP for couples was available" Jasper blushed. You know in that cute hot way. Arianna was finding it hard to focus on professional and not together when they sat down. She could feel how tense he was and every breath he took.
"Relax, you aren't doing anything wrong" although Arianna was nervous herself, she wanted to be the bigger person it was her idea after all.