The Harrington Series Book#2: Naila's Misfortune

Chapter 3: The Shrink

It is a glass building that stands out. The strange angles are forcing me to tilt my head. Bellingerre Consolidate is much taller but less interesting. Little things like this amuse me. I decided to make my way in. The inside proved to be as pristine as expected of a hospital. The floor Miss Victoria is on, only has a few people in the hallways.

After getting directions from a receptionist I started my walk towards the green door with a gold knob. I feel nervous about meeting Miss Victoria. I have never been to a shrink's office before. The whole idea of just sitting there and telling all your secrets to a stranger is scary. It's going to give her power to become aware of my weaknesses.

After reading her name on the front door I walked in. There is no one but I invited myself to sit on an orange sofa. The room is uncomfortably bright and eclectic for my taste. It screams louder than my thoughts. I prefer clean straight lines with muted colour.

In about five minutes, my doubts grew heavy and I stood up to leave convincing myself it is a bad idea.

"Where are you going?" A woman walked in, stopping me before I could reach the door. "Naila?"

"Freya?" My voice became a mere squeak.

What were the chances that I am seeing wrong or she has an identical twin? I have been running from my life only to meet the last person I expected to see. My ex boyfriend's mother!

"Your father is looking for you." She placed her bag on the table near the sofa.

If Wayne wanted to find me he would. But he thinks ignoring a problem is the best way to raise children. Maybe he thinks if he ignores me long enough I will come back home. He is terribly mistaken.  

"You can't tell him you saw me."

"Why are you here in Bucharest?"

"Why are you here? Don't you practise in New York?"

The whole idea of fleeing here was not to be found. Timbuktu should have been my destination or the earth's core if it meant avoiding Cole's mother or anyone from my past life.

"I'm volunteering my services in a shelter here in town. Victoria is my friend and she asked me to step in temporarily."

Like her son, Freya Nora Harrington has a heart of gold. She loves to give and volunteer. I love to withhold and get paid for anything I do or nothing at all.

"Oh! I see. It's a bloody shame but I've had a sudden epiphany that this is a bad idea. Have a lovely day Freya."

I wanted to hurry past her but she blocked me. Her blue eyes tore through mine to the point I felt uncomfortable.

"Cole Michael hasn't been himself since you left. He's withdrawn."

It pains me that I left Cole alone without offering him an explanation. He was waiting for me and I bailed on our plan to elope. What he must have thought of me is part of the reason I am not sleeping well.

"How is he?" I asked.

"You know Cole Michael. He pretends he's fine but he's falling apart on the inside. He loves you."

"I know."

"And you? Do you love him?"

"No." I lied for a reason I don't understand. "I love Nickolas. You know that."

Everyone thinks Nick and I are in love. They ship us together and it was why most people were surprised I turned him down when he proposed. It is easier to hide behind that lie than to face off with Cole's mother about my feelings for her son.