A Little Too Dark

Fifteen

Farrah, Liana, and I went to have ice cream after dinner. My mood was still spoiled because of Lorenzo Vigorito. That man is the rudest and insufferable person I have ever met. I told Farrah what happened and she just laughed – she also thought that my behavior was juvenile and now I was more embarrassed. I should have ignored that jerk, but no I had to challenge him. I was honestly angrier at myself than at him. Farrah asked me to go for ice cream after dinner. I wasn't in the mood honestly, but after seeing Liana all excited I couldn't say no.

Liana was enjoying her scoop of chocolate ice cream while I was nibbling on my vanilla ice-cream and Farrah was sipping her tea. "I like this place," Farrah said as she looked around in a busy ice-cream parlor. The place wasn't crowded nor it was empty – there were sufficient among people around – but surely wasn't too noisy or packed. It was a nice place to be with children – since it had a children's play area. After Liana was done with her ice-cream she ran towards the play area – which was right in front of us. I glanced towards the area to see Liana playing with the colorful balls pool.

"Is your mood ever going to be okay?" Farrah asked me sarcastically. I knitted my eyebrows and chuckled, "My mood is just fine. I just – I hate that man." I gritted my teeth. Farrah just laughed at my words. She didn't reply verbally. Soon we were talking about other things and I thankfully for that time forgot about my interaction with Lorenzo. We walked home afterward and soon the day came to an end.

The next morning I had to get up early since it was my first day at work today. I got up early and went straight to take a shower. I changed into a pale pink blouse and black pants with matching black pumps. I tied my hair into a ponytail and applied a little amount of makeup. When I went out of my room – Liana and Farrah were already waiting for me in the kitchen. They arranged a small surprise breakfast for me. There were pancakes and coffee – already prepared for me. On the pancakes, it was messily written 'best of luck' with the chocolate syrup. "Best of luck, Aunty Andy!" Liana greeted me and embraced me in a hug. I hugged her back and kissed her on her head, "Thank you, sweetie." I said back. "I flipped the pancake." She told me.

"You did?" Liana nodded enthusiastically. I chuckled and kissed her cheek soundly, "Thank you, my baby." I said to her. Farrah was standing behind us with a grin on her face. "Best of luck, Andy. I know you are going to nail it!" she said. I rolled my eyes, "It is not like I am going to work in some multinational corporation." I said causing her to hit my arm, "Be a little thankful." She said and I laughed. "I am," I said and hugged Farrah as well.

After I ate breakfast, I said bye to both of them before walking out of the apartment. This is it – it will be my first day at work in New York. I took a cab to get to Dr. Timberlake's clinic. As I predicted there weren't many people around – just two ladies in the waiting room.

Diane was standing behind the counter. She was going through some files. I approached her and knocked at her desk. She looked up and smiled, "Oh hello, Miss –" she narrowed her eyes. "I forgot your last name," she said. I chuckled, "Andrea Hebert." I told her. Diane bit her tongue and snickered, "Oh yes, Hebert. Welcome to your first day of work, Miss Hebert." She said to me. "Thank you," I replied to her. "I was waiting for you." She said.

She pointed towards a couple of files that were resting on the desk, "These are the file of the patients that have their appointment with Aunt Gwen today." She told me. "If someone calls and asks for an appointment – just check this folder on the desktop." She showed me a folder named 'Dr. Timberlake's schedule'. "She is in the clinic until five in the evening." She added. For about a couple of minutes, she told me everything that she couldn't tell me yesterday.

After she explained everything, she left. She told me that Dr. Timberlake would see after she is done with her patients. I sighed and sat behind the desk. For the rest of the day – I had nothing important to do. I answered a couple of calls, updated her schedule, met Gwen, went out for lunch, and played games on my cellphone. It was pretty boring for the first day. More than seven people came and went since I came here. And just like that – it was the end of the day. It was five and I couldn't wait to go home and do nothing. I was packing my things when Gwen came out of her office. "Hey Andy, can I ask you for a favor?" she asked.

I smiled, "Sure, Gwen – anything." I said to her.

"Uh – I have another appointment today. It is a last-minute appointment. He will be here in half an hour. He always comes after the clinic is closed." I listened to her bewilderedly. She sighed, "I will explain it to you later, but you can't tell anyone about this patient, okay? He doesn't want anyone to know that he comes here." she added. "The thing is that I have something really important to do right now. It will not take me long – maybe twenty to twenty-five minutes. Can you please attend to him if he comes while I am gone? I will be back before you know it and then you can go home. Can you do it for me?" she asked.

Everything she said sound confusing to me. Who is this person? Is he some sort of celebrity? Nevertheless, I nodded. "Yes, sure." I agreed, although I was dying to go home, she has done so much for me – this is the least I can do for her. "Thank you, Andy. You are a lifesaver!" she said and before I know she was gone. She rushed out of the door with her handbag in her hand.

"Hey, Gwen! What is his name?!" I yelled out when I realized that I forgot to ask her, but it was too late she was already gone. I thought about calling her, but before I could call her – my cellphone rang. It was a call from Farrah. I answered it.

"Hey Andy, when will you be home?" she asked first thing. I looked at the time and it was fifteen past five. I sighed, "I might get a little late. There is one appointment left for Gwen. He would be here any minute now. Why do you ask?" I asked her.

"Oh nothing, uh – well – Kevin ask me for dinner tonight. I was just wondering if you will be able to look after Liana till I am gone." Farrah asked. I grinned, "Oh – so, you two are going to date." I teased her. I could imagine her rolling her eyes, "He just wanted to know if I wanted to grab bite tonight and I said sure – why not." She tried to sound nonchalant which caused me to laugh, "Fine, it is a date." She confessed. "I am so nervous." She chuckled.

I laughed, "Don't be. It will go great. It is good to see that you two are moving forward. It looks like I am the only single left." I pouted. She laughed, "I'm not his girlfriend." Farrah said. "Yet," I added. "Anyways, yes of course – I will look after Liana. When do you two leave?" I asked her. "After seven." She replied. I nodded, "Okay, yeah – I will be back till then." I told her. "Thank you so much, Andy. I love you." She said. I snickered, "Love you too, sister. I will see you later. Bye." I said before I ended the call and sat back on the chair as I blew my cheeks out. I am happy for my sister – she deserves nothing but the best and I believe that Kevin is the perfect guy for her.

A few minutes past but either anyone did not come nor did anyone call. I was entertaining myself with the new game I downloaded on my phone when I heard the door of the clinic open. I immediately put the phone down and stood up to see if it was the patient of Gwen or Gwen herself. I was blown to see the person standing at the entrance of the clinic. My eyes widened – is he the patient Gwen was telling me about? I gasped, "You." I whispered, but no words came out of his mouth. He just stood there gaping while his eyes widened. He was alone – no one else was with him. His black jacket fitted him perfectly. His hair was a bit messy – it must be due to the wind outside and his face – he looked pale. "Lorenzo." I softly called his name. He blinked twice, but he didn't reply. "Uh – Dr. Timberlake – she is out at the moment. She – she will be here any minute now. Are – are you her patient?" I asked him. I couldn't believe he was here. I never thought I would see him here.

"What are you doing here?" He asked as his eyebrows knitted together. I glanced towards his hands – as they were by his sides. He clenched and unclenched his fist as he asked me. I gulped, "I work here." I told him. I don't know how I was feeling. I was maybe a little scared – confused and curious. Why does he need a psychiatrist?

He clenched his jaws as anger flashed through his eyes. The way he looked at me – it scared me. It looked like he was going to hurt me. He gritted his teeth and took a step forward and I went a few steps back. I was scared of his existence. I have seen him as a rude and insufferable man, but never did I ever saw him like this. I might find him unbearable, but never once I felt insecure in his presence – but right now, he looked like he could hurt me. Anger was radiating from him. "Fuck!" He cursed out loud – startling me before he rushed out of the clinic – leaving me stunned and a little out of breath.