Nameless

Chapter 5 See Who I Am

Author notes: English is not my first language, so please forgive my mistakes and awkward writing. This is NOT for profit. I don't own them. AU (as in Alternate Universe) and maybe OOC (as in Out of Character).

Disclaimer: This work does not contain any kind of medical or mental health care advice. It's just this author bulshitting her way out of this story.

Author notes 2: Thanks to @SunnyAlSorna and @JJSin2020 for editing this. All remaining errors are totally mine. Thanks for your votes and comments, they really motivate me to keep writing.

Author Notes 3: The song is See Who I am by Within Temptation.

Chapter 5. See Who I Am

The next day, Zhan was in front of the door of Dr.'s Lu office 10:00 am sharp. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans and button up. A denim jacket completed his outfit. His hair was styled as usual. Nothing in his appearance would betray how nervous he was.

He was about to knock on the door when Dr. Lu opened it. Both of them were startled.

"Oh! You're here," Dr. Lu said to him as a way of greeting.

"Yes, I just arrived, good morning," Zhan replied, trying to look nonchalant.

"Perfect, let's go," Dr. Lu guided Zhan towards his car, parked outside.

They both hopped in and used the sound of the radio to cover the pregnant silence that fell upon them. This was not supposed to be important or big for Zhan, but he felt particularly restless.

For Dr. Lu, this was important since Yi Bo's father was the brother of his best friend in College. He had witnessed their struggle to help their only son. What intrigued Dr. Lu the most was that Yi Bo's phobias didn't appear to have an obvious source. There had not been an extraordinary event in his childhood. He had been tested for various developmental disorders and he just didn't fit the criteria.

The fact that Zhan and Yi Bo were around the same age, both were his patients, and both had been crippled by inexplicable fears, was too much to be a coincidence. Maybe, they could help each other, at least in a social aspect since both of them were lonely young men.

They arrived at the Wang's residence and Zhan was thoroughly impressed, just the driveway was very long. He was a simple man who had grown up in an orphanage as a ward of the State. At that moment of his life, he led a simple life. He could afford the rent for a single bedroom apartment. His place was really tiny, but it was more than enough for him.

He couldn't fathom a life of luxury, whereas Yi Bo seemed to have lived a pampered life. Zhan was concerned that this would make it more difficult for them to understand each other.

From what he understood about Dr. Lu's idea, he and Yi Bo would have to become friends or something like that. But honestly, what did they have in common? It seemed there was nothing.

Zhan tried to keep his mind open. When the car stopped, he took a deep breath and climbed out with Dr. Lu. He followed him and entered the house, where the interior was even more luxurious than the outside.

An extremely beautiful woman was there to greet them. Dr. Lu and her seemed to be on friendly terms. After they finished catching up, Dr. Lu turned to introduce Zhan.

"Madam Wang, please allow me to introduce my student, Mr. Xiao Zhan," Dr. Lu said.

Zhan bowed to show respect and then he extended his hand. Madam Wang took his hand and said.

"Nice to meet you. Do you think you can help my son?"

Zhan felt completely out of place. He had not thought of a single thing he could do to help Wang Yi Bo, but Dr. Lu seemed confident that getting them to know each other could be beneficial for both of them.

"I honestly don't know Ma'am," he replied feeling embarrassed. "But Dr. Lu is sure I could be of help so, here I am."

"Whatever you could do to help him, I'm very grateful," Madam Wang was finishing her sentence, when Yi Bo reached the entrance hall.

"I don't need any help mother," Yi Bo said in a cold voice.

Zhan stood there surprised by that voice that he had heard just once and yet felt so familiar. He saw the young man in front of him, he seemed distressed and upset. Immediately he thought that if his presence in that house made Yi Bo upset, he would leave at once.

"Yi Bo!" Madam Wang interjected, "don't be rude, where are your manners?"

"What? Are you here to watch the freak?!" Yi Bo said while looking Zhan in the eye, challenging him.

Zhan stood dumbfounded. What was this guy's problem? He didn't even know why he was there! Dr. Lu thought this could be a good thing, but he was obviously mistaken. Zhan frowned, showing he was not pleased with Yi Bo's attitude. Dr. Lu intervened, trying to calm everyone else.

"Please, every one, calm down. Madam Wang, I need to talk to you in private. I need to discuss my ideas with you. As for you Yi Bo," he spoke looking at Bo, "allow me to introduce Xiao Zhan, the person that helped you on the phone line when you had your latest panic attack."

Yi Bo was completely silent looking at the person in front of him. He had been the one? Then he realized he hadn't heard his voice yet. He felt slightly embarrassed by his previous outburst, but honestly he just hated doctors, therapist and their likes.

After he regained some of his composure, he looked at the man in front of him and said, "I'm Wang Yi Bo, nice to meet you." He gave Zhan a slight nod that resembled a bow.

"Likewise," was Zhan's response. He was already fed up with Yi Bo's demeanor.

"I think," Dr. Lu told Yi Bo, "you should show Zhan this house while I talk to your mother, try to get to know each other. We'll talk later." His tone didn't leave room for discussion.

Madam Wang and Dr. Lu went to the library to talk. Meanwhile, Zhan and Yi Bo stood silent in front of each other. Finally, Yi Bo broke the silence.

"Listen, I'm sorry about my attitude. I'm just too fucking tired of being observed, analyzed, researched on." He gave Zhan an apologetic smile, "I assumed you were here for something like that."

"I don't know exactly why I'm here," Zhan responded, still pissed.

"Dr. Lu seem to think we could help each other, but honestly, I don't see how," he continued.

Any other day, Yi Bo's apology would have been enough for Zhan to let the incident go, but today Zhan was not himself. He was feeling everything intensified. This was out of character for him.

"Your song...your voice... calmed me on the phone," Yi Bo told him, "I'd like to know why."

"Oh that! It might be because I'm also a freak and freaks understand each other," Zhan stated somewhat angrily, "I have absolutely no recollection of my first fourteen years and suffer from acute acrophobia, I also have no parents or relatives, so please go recite your tragic sonnet to someone else, preferably someone who gives a shit."

Yi Bo smirked playfully. He liked this guy, really liked him. He didn't treat him like he was made of glass and about to break any minute. He would say the truth to his face and, he didn't seem to give a fuck about the fact that his parents were filthy rich.

He gave Zhan a once over and well... this man was beautiful. That didn't hurt either.

Yi Bo looked directly into Zhan's eyes while a full smile blossomed on his face and he said: "I like you and your shitty attitude, let's be friends."