Chapter Nineteen

31 11 7
                                    

Thanks so much for waiting... Enjoy 😌❤

Linda's POV

I walked out of the examination hall in a rush. I couldn't calm myself and at that time I wished I could fly to the coffee shop.

After seven minutes of half walking and half running to prevent stares, I finally got there. I entered and saw Steve at the far back, seated close to the window. I walked down to him and occupied the empty seat in front of him.

Smiling, I said, "You waited."

He beat his hand on his chest and gasped, "You didn't trust me? I'm hurt."

"It's your fault I don't trust you. You didn't tell me you were travelling to California the next morning. I was supposed to come see you and way before I got to your room, you were gone," I grumbled in his face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd let me go that way," he mused.

"Of course, it was very rude of you," I admitted. "Care to tell me what has been up?" I inquired resting my back on the seat.

"I came back for my final exams, I'm going back to California immediately after. My uncle died, I'll be taking over the company soon." He replied. There was something different with the tone of his voice, like he was trying to showcase some kind of authority.

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry about the death of your uncle."

"No, you don't have to. We all expected it anyway," he said putting a sweet in his mouth.

"How has California been? Are you fine? Your uncle's death didn't trigger memories right? Or did it?" I questioned because those were the things that bothered my mind and increased my longings to see him. He was my first patient, I had to be sure that I had treated him well and that he was doing fine. I had to be sure he had overcome his fears and he could stand on his own. I had to be sure he didn't rely on anyone and his happiness wasn't dependent on any person. I had to be sure his normal life was contained in his own happiness.

He seemed to ignore the question, so I asked again, "How has California been?"

"Fine, my uncle's death did trigger memories, but I was able to fight them." He lied.

I saw his eyes, he was starting to depend on someone again. He wasn't able to fight the remembrance his uncle's death brought. There was someone he was starting to rely on, and that someone was a girl.

"Who is she?" I asked silently, following his eyes.

"Who?" he asked in reply avoiding my eyes.

"The new girl, who is she?" I repeated the question.

"I give up. How could you have known there was someone?" He looked up at me sheepishly.

"I'm a ready made psychologist in heart," I put my elbow on the table and rested my chin on my palm.

"She's not exactly new. She's my supervisor," his eyes were lit up immediately he started to talk about her.

"She's older than you. What's her name?" I didn't mean to pry but I was scared for Steve. He was starting to lean on someone again. It was then I realized something. I didn't actually treat him. He had only relied on me in that period of time and when I wasn't there anymore, he found some else to rely on. This was dangerous.

"Vanessa, she was my uncle's assistant. She's the acting director now." He responded.

"Do you trust her?"

"Of course, I live with her," he continued.

"You live with her?" That reply shocked me, I wasn't expecting that. "What happened to your uncle's house?"

"Her sister is my uncle's wife. She took over the house and I can't bear to live with her," I heard him say and my worry doubled.

"Steve, you can't trust her." I mumbled.

"It's not exactly your business who I trust or not," he snapped at me and I was taken aback.

"Okay, okay," I raised my hands in surrender and dropped everything concerning the topic. "What of Bryan?"

"He should be here soon, with Grace and Jason."

"I want to believe you guys are fine now, fight settled right?" I stuffed my mouth with sweets.
A lot of things were wrong with Steve, I sensed it but I couldn't bring myself to ask him questions anymore. He wouldn't answer anyway. Bryan was right when he said Steve had a habit of been adamant at decisions he made.

"Yes, my best friend is the best you know," he grinned and I smiled.

"Hey guys," I heard Jason's voice behind us. Turning, I saw the three of them, Grace, Bryan and Jason.

"Hey," I greeted back.

"Hey guys," Steve waved, smiling.

We sat round the table and there was an aura of completeness surrounding us. A feeling that was missing for such a long time and of course wouldn't be there for much longer. Soon we would all be separated. Soon we would all be gone. Soon, these moments would be memories in our head. Soon, I thought and smiled as I made sure my brain pictured the moment and saved it in its gallery.

After a few hours, we dispersed and each went to their rooms. Their final exams were soon to be over and they would be gone.

We made the most of the exam period. Although we had to read, we still succeeded in finding time to play and make more memories. There would never be a time like those moments in our lives again.

And true to it, immediately after exam, Steve disappeared just like he said. We didn't bother to look for him. Of course, he had gone back to California.

Grace and Bryan graduated, Jason and I had two more years left in school.

Those were the early moments I had met Steve, lively, funny naughty, talkative (we talked a lot), playful but dependent. My first patient, or maybe not but I did enjoy bringing him back to life at those critical times.

Hey guys, I know this chapter is a bit shorter than usual, but it's sort of a rounding up to the second phase of the story. This is Linda's round up, next comes Steve's round up. Then the next phase where the love story starts in full.

I hope you guys enjoy following..... And please I need your comments, I hope I'm doing well 🙈

Don't forget to hit that little star, vote 😁

Not Your Regular Where stories live. Discover now