Alice Epione starts a new job, one that should finally jumpstart her career. She soon finds out that her dream job comes with a catch, a tall, dark, and handsome one at that.
Will she face the challenge and turn Elijah Howell's world upside down? O...
"Well, Miss Epione... I'm not sure if you understand Mr. Howell's situation, to be honest."
His words make me blink a few times as I try to figure out what exactly he wants to tell me with that statement.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean..."
Dr. Gray sighs, leaning back in his chair as he explains, "Mr. Howell doesn't like to talk to me about you. I am not allowed to tell you about his condition, obviously, but I'd like to know more about you in order to understand if you're a good influence for my patient."
I can't help but frown at the thought that me or my behavior might be bad for Elijah. I don't want to be the reason he's having a hard time to process his issues.
"And what exactly do you need to know about me to know if I'm a good influence?"
"Well, it's obvious you're a strong woman that went through something in her life. I just wonder what it is so I can clarify if your past might be a trigger for my patient," he patiently explains. "It might be easier to understand your dynamic if you told me what exactly made you the woman you are right now."
As much as I understand his reasoning, I also feel somewhat attacked by it, too. I feel like I'm on trial here, like he needs to be content with my answers to give Elijah and me his blessing.
Not that we needed it.
But still. As I said. I want Elijah to be able to progress. I want him to get better, for himself.
"Well, firstly, Elijah already knows what happened to me - I don't think that's the issue. Secondly, I don't quite understand why exactly you need to know that my parents left me to raise a kid when I was just eighteen years old. Is it important for our dynamic that I spent years in a one-bedroom apartment with my little brother, working day and night to afford his clothes and education, all while trying to avoid starvation and a life on the streets?!"
I can literally feel how the fire rages in my veins, a sudden sense of determination seems to strengthen my resolve when I add, "You mean that what I have been through should define me? Well, it doesn't. And I don't need you to force it on me."
Dr. Gray seems taken aback by my reaction, his eyes wide as he studies me for a minute. But then he closes his notepad and throws it on the table next to him as he says, "I'm sorry if you feel I force anything on you - that definitely wasn't my intention. I just... I worry about my patients. More than I should, probably. And I know Mr. Howell's relationship to his family is strained already, I just don't want him to be confronted with any triggers."
"With all due respect," I chime in before he can even continue with that nonsense, "It seems you underestimate Elijah. A lot."
I don't know if I imagine it, but I think I see a hint of a smile on his lips when he nods his head. "That might be right. But he is my patient after all, it is my job to protect his mental health."
"I know it is, but you need to know that I won't leave him. Not because of imaginary triggers that obviously don't exist. So you either tell me what you think I can do to help him get better, or I will talk to someone else who is capable of doing so."
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