HER'S

Chapter Nine

I WASN'T LISTENING.

I wasn't listening to whatever my therapist was saying. It seemed as if she was talking to herself. All I could hear was her distant voice as it resonated through the four corners of her office.

My mind was glued to my imagination. That strange dream I had.

There was a strong part of me that was so sure it wasn't a dream. But anytime I tried to listen to it, a doubtful question would come back to me.

How could Chase have pulled that off? How could he have been able to get into my room, take me away, and then whisk me back without anyone realising I was missing for a while?

Chase was capable of anything, that was something I knew for sure, but why wait till after two years to show up after I had already gotten over him.

I was lying to myself. I wasn't completely over that man.

My therapist's voice drifted into my ears. "It's important to explore these thoughts and feelings further to understand what might be triggering them. Have you noticed any patterns or triggers associated with these imaginations? “When I said nothing but stared at the empty space beside her head, she tapped me. "Sophia? Are you listening to me?"

That was when I blinked my eyes to reality and met her own eyes as she stared at me. "What did you just say?"

"You zoned out" She narrowed her eyes at me. "Again,"

"I'm sorry,” I let out a whisper. “I just can't get the thoughts off my mind. Its messing with my head and I-"

She cut me off. "Why don't we reschedule another session, then?” She tilted her head to the side. “We can have another session once you've let everything sink in,"

I nodded. “Sure” I grabbed my bag and stood up. “I’m so sorry for wasting your time,"

She stood up as well, passing me a bright smile. “It’s okay. That’s not a problem,"

"Really, "I pursed my lips into a straight line. "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to behave like that,"

"That's not a problem, darling,” Her smile didn't slip off for a second. "Once you're ready for another session, ring me up,"

I passed her a smile, then a nod before leaving her office.

Just as I got out of the building, my phone rang in my bag, halting me. I opened my bag and brought out my phone, staring back at the caller ID.

Matilda.

Swiping my thumb on the pick button, I placed the phone against my ear as I continued walking towards my car parked in the garage. “Matilda,"

"Hey, Soph,” I could feel her smiling widely. “How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, thanks, "I replied, unlocking my car. "You? How are you?"

She literally squealed. "I'm doing great!"

"You sound way too excited,” I dropped my hand bag on the front passenger seat and settled on the driver's seat, adjusting the seat belt around my small frame, dropping the phone beside me after connecting it with the car speaker. “Spill the beans,"

"Guess what?!" I roared the car engine to life as her loud squeal bounced off the insides of my car.

I pursed my lips into a thin line and stared ahead of me, not turning the steering wheel. "We both know I'm bad at guessing, Matilda,"

"Then meet me up?” She suggested, her words coming out more as a question. “Meet me up, and I'll give you the full story. I’m sure you're done with your therapist, yeah?"

"Yep" I turned the steering wheel as I drove out of the garage and onto the did you know I was seeing my therapist today?"

"Matteo had called me this morning asking me to go with you but well, I had my Nana to visit as well so I couldn't come with. He wanted to go with you but an important work came up. That was why he called me,"

I rolled my eyes and let out a puff. “I’m capable of taking care of myself. None of you needs to babysit me" When she said nothing, I asked. “Where exactly are we meeting?"

"Why don't we meet at your favourite ice cream parlour, then?” She asked.

"Sure,"

♡♡♡

I raised a brow at Matilda as she smiled sheepishly, a small blush creeping up on her cheeks. “Will you tell me already?"

"So, I-" She was cut off by the sound of her phone ringing. Passing me an apologetic smile, she brought out her phone, and her smile widened. She looked up and her eyes met my narrowed questioning ones. "I'm sorry, Soph. I need to pick this,"

Before I could say anything, she had stood up and walked away to pick up her call.

My eyes began to trail over my surrounding until they stopped on the waiter holding a tray with our ice cream on it as he walked towards our table.

"Here's your ice cream, ma'am, "He dropped the two bowls, and I nodded at him before he walked away.

Immediately, he walked away, and that was when my eyes caught sight of the white card on my thighs. I stared at the waiter's retreating back and then flipped the card to read it.

'You, Amore mio, have nothing to see a therapist for. All you need is me, and all I need is you. We both need each other.'

My hands shook as I finished reading it, and I got up immediately, going after the waiter, who I was so sure dropped the note there.

I rushed towards the direction he went to. I wanted to find answers. I wanted to know who made him drop the note for me.

I sighed out in relief when I got a whiff of his back, and I continued my journey towards him, avoiding the stares I was getting from people. Just then, my phone rang in my bag, making me halt in my step with a loud sigh.

I wanted to ignore the call and follow the waiter, but I lost hope of finding him when I realised I couldn't find him anywhere in sight again.