𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞.

𝐊𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐖𝐎

Maxine's POV.

"Yes, finally, now I can relax" I said to myself, as I slumped back into the chair and took a deep breath. The day had been rather tiring so another activity I never would have thought I'd look forward to was time alone. And just as I began to doze off the sound of the door coming ajar filled the cone and brought me back to my senses.

I raised my head, and - bam - I was on high alert, completely still. A big woman was standing in the door being imposing but tender all the same. She looked more like an angel that came from heaven; so calm, so poised, like Mama Mary that you see in paintings.

"Are you the psychologist?" she asked softly as the tune of a hymn. "The nurse said to me these words: These are the words of my room. Are you maybe Doctor Maxine Eira Santoro?"

I even had a chance to blink and get a hold of myself. "Ah, yes, that's me. How can I help you, Ms...?"

"Ms. Airis Del Fuego," she said, coming in deeper into the room.

"Ms. Del Fuego," I said softly, waving at the chair in front of the desk. "Please, have a seat."

She paused for a moment, her actions reserved and deliberate as if every action that she takes us a conscious one. Finally, she sat and adjusted the bottom of her skirt constantly.

"Well," I asked her more about the cause for her to be at the center today with more encouragement, "how could i help you?"

She's were nervously rubbing her thighs, and for a second, she looked like she was deep in contemplation. And she lifted her head and cast that load of suppressed misery before her. They stared at each other for a while before she nervously spoke, "I've been having dreams. "But they're not just dreams. They feel... real. Like they have in the past events."

I just bowed and smiled saying that she should go on. "You mean like déjà vu?"

She looked at me thoughtfully, then nodded her head very slightly to one side. "It's more than that. They're vivid. Detailed. Say it out loud, You feel like you have reliving a life that you have never been part of. I am viewing locations that I have not personally visited, faces that are strangers to me... but they people do...

I sat forward slightly, piquing my curiosity. "How long have these dreams been recurring? Do they seem connected in some way?"

She paused, biting the lip as if unsure how much to say. "It started a few weeks ago, but they're getting more frequent. And yes, there's a pattern. All of them revolve around the same place. an old house by the sea. I feel like I know every corner of it, but I've never set foot there. Not in this life, at least."

For a moment, my brow furrowed, and ideas sprang to mind: "Not in this life?"

"That's the thing," she whispered. "I don't think these dreams are just dreams. They feel like memories. .. but not mine. Does that make sense?"

I nodded slowly. "It does. Dreams, especially vivid ones, can sometimes feel that way. There might be psychological reasons behind it, or perhaps unresolved emotions triggering these visions. Would you like to explore these dreams further, Ms. Del Fuego? Perhaps we can unravel what they're trying to tell you."

She relaxed, as if my words had somehow freed her permission to believe in herself. "I'd like that," she said, her voice steadying.

We talked for the next hour about her dreams, breaking down the images, emotions, and themes that constantly recurred. There was something hauntingly poetic in her descriptions-the waves pounding against the house outside; the salt and rose perfume; the footsteps that echoed in empty halls.

When the session ended, I stood up and helped her walk to the door. "Thank you for trusting me with this, Ms. Del Fuego. We'll continue working on this together."

She nodded, a soft expression washing away the tension that had been around her earlier. "Thank you, Doctor Santoro. I feel. lighter already."

--

I could feel my breath release as I closed the door behind her, allowing me to catch up on everything we'd discussed. Before I could so much as sort through my thoughts, however, I turned and spotted someone waiting by the door.

Damian.

She leaned against the frame, impossible to be ignored. The dark eyes met mine, and a small smile played at her lips.

"Guess I'm just in time," she said, smoothing her jacket. "Ready to go, Maxine?"

I smiled, feeling warmth seep into me. "Yeah, let me just get my things."

She waited patiently while I gathered my bag, and we stepped out into the cool evening air. Despite the strange encounter with Ms. Del Fuego, having Damian there grounded me. For now, I could let the mystery rest.

As the cool evening breeze swept around us, Damian finally spoke up.

"I saw Ms. Del Fuego coming out of your office," she said, her voice casual but edged with curiosity. "She's your patient?"

I nodded, trying to keep my tone neutral. "Yeah, she is. Why?"

She shrugged, her movements easy. "No reason. She just... caught my attention. Looked like she'd been through hell but came out lighter, like she'd let go of something big."

Her words hit closer to home than she realized. Ms. Del Fuego had certainly unburdened herself during our session, though her story still clung to me like a shadow.

"She's working through a lot," I said softly, leaving it at that.

Damian nodded, accepting my vague response, and we continued walking. The city hummed around us, but my thoughts went wandering, as they do often, to her.

I glanced at her, her sharp profile illuminated by the streetlights. The way her dark eyes flicked with curiosity, the confident way she carried herself-it was all so familiar, so grounding. I'd had a crush on Damian ever since college, though I'd never dared to say it out loud.

But at the time, her heart has been with Theo. Theo had been impossible to miss-fiery red hair, a tough-as-nails biker who could command a room with her sheer presence. And if that weren't enough, she was a boxer too, known for her strength both in and out of the ring.

Damian had met her at one of Theo's volleyball matches. Theo had played with a vengeance, all power and precision. It was easy to understand why Damian had fallen for her. She was bold, magnetic, everything I wasn't. They'd been one of those couples you couldn't look away from-an odd couple that just somehow fit.

I'd told myself I was fine, that being Damian's friend was enough. But the truth was, each time I saw them together, it stung. I'd tried to bury my feelings, but they'd never really gone away.

Now, years had passed since then; Theo was long gone because Theo had to leave damian for her career, and Damian and I had something here. Something easy to be had, but I still couldn't shake the lingering doubt. Did she see in me anything more than her dependable friend?

"You're quiet again," Damian said, pulling me out of my thoughts. She gave me that knowing look, that teasing smile tugging at her lips. "What's on your mind, Maxine?"

"Nothing," I said hastily, too hastily.

She cocked an eyebrow. She wasn't convinced. "You are a terrible liar, you know that?"

I laughed, the sound a little too nervous. "Oh, come on. You think you know me that well?"

"I know I do," she said, her tone playful but certain.

As I turned the corner, into view, there was the neon glow of our favorite diner. For tonight, I let my knotted feelings slide into the background. Crush or not, having Damian by my side tonight was enough. At least, that's what I kept telling myself.