My Therapy

Chapter 16

Maddie's POV

I switched breaks with Adriane, cause she just looks horrible. She had colds ever since she came back from work this week, maybe she went somewhere really chilly during the weekends.

I was on counter 1 helping people with whatever they need from property taxes to building permits. Then two ladies came to the counter, one is a tall black haired girl with fair skin and dark brown eyes and the other one is a bit shorter, with blonde hair and light blue eyes.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you today?" I asked both of them. "We actually don't need anything from the City, we're just looking for an employee here. Her name is Adriane, is she around?" the taller lady asked.

"Yes, she's just on break but she still has work until 4:30PM today. Let me see if I can grab her for you" I responded. The taller lady looked at the shorter one, then smiled. Maybe they're Adriane's friends? - I thought.

I went to the break room and opened the door, I saw Adriane sleeping on one of the chairs. She looks dead tired but still attractive. I never dated women before, not that I hate lesbians, but I find Adriane really attractive. Her looks and mysteriousness makes you wonder what it would be like to be with her. I tried flirting with her to no avail but that made me more interested in her.

"Adriane?" I asked, but she's on deep sleep, I don't think she heard me or even noticed I am shaking her to wake up.

"Adriane someone's looking for you" I tried to wake her again. She scrunched her eyes trying her best to open them, that looks adorable. I kissed her forehead and see if that would wake her, she just moved a bit but still not opening her eyes.

From kissing her forehead my eyes travelled it's way down to her nose and then her lips. She doesn't wear any lipstick, maybe a lip balm - the colour of her lips is really inviting. Looking at it closer, it gave me an urge to kiss them. I pressed my lips against hers, while I was enjoying the taste I felt her pull back.

"What're you doing?" Adriane growled at me. If she continues to act like that I'll be more interested in flirting with her, she's just too mysterious and I like challenges.

"I don't know a good way to wake you up" I said smiling, still flirting with her "Oh and someone is looking for you" I almost forgot to tell her and she looked on the door side which I didn't notice I left open.

Adriane stood up and walk past by me almost pushing me over - my, my, don't make me more interested in you - I said to my self smiling.

She went to the two ladies in front of the counter and asked them to sit on the chairs near the waiting area and I made my way back to the counter to assist the next person in line.

While I was assisting, I looked on the direction where Adriane and the two ladies are. Adriane shook hands with the taller lady and from being dead tired earlier, her face is now glowing like she just got all of her energy back. She looks at the blonde lady with a smile I haven't seen before, maybe they're not just friends?

*****

Ella's POV

The lady at the counter told us to wait and she'll check if she can get Adriane to talk with us while she's on break.

I saw her walk towards a door with a sign saying "STAFF ONLY" and I got a glimpse of Adriane inside sitting on one of the chairs, maybe sleeping. The lady with brown hair leaned over to Adriane, I can't tell if she's whispering something to Adriane, looking at her close (too close I would say) or kissing Adriane? No, that can't be. I looked over Julia if she can see better than I am cause she's taller but she's busy browsing her phone.

I looked back to the direction where the lady went and she was still leaning for a moment, then she moved aside where I saw Adriane suddenly standing up from the chair and walked towards our direction.

"Ella, what brings you here?" Adriane asked as she approached us. "Let's sit on this side so we can talk for a bit" she continued leading us near the waiting area where there are a couple of chairs and tables.

I introduced Julia to Adriane and they shook hands, Julia still glaring at me with a big smile. "We're just wondering if you'd like to go out tonight after your shift, Julia insisted in coming over here even I told her that I could just call or send you a text" I told Adriane.

"Well we don't have anything to do for the rest of the day, so I figured we can pay her crush a visit" Julia bluntly said in front of Adriane making me blush. Adriane smiled at me and that made my face even more red, I tried to look away from her maybe that would help in stopping the blood rush to my face.

"Sure, where do you plan to go tonight?" Adriane asked. "Just around, maybe at the mall nearby. I asked my boyfriend to come with us and he's cool with it. He'll finish his shift in a few minutes" Julia said. "Just let me know where you guys will be and I'll catch up, as soon as I'm done here" Adriane answered with a big smile.

We then went to the mall near City Hall to meet Julia's boyfriend Brett. They have been together for 6 months now, Brett is about 6 feet tall with blonde short hair and a stubble beard around his jaw. He knows I date girls and that is not an issue to him, but he haven't met any of my past girlfriends since I'm single when Julia and him became a couple.

"So where's your girlfriend?" Brett asked as he approached us and gave Julia a hug. "She's not my girlfriend, she'll finish her shift soon, so she'll be here in a few" I answered.

"I know a good place to have dinner, it's not fancy, the place is quiet and they also serve alcohol, we can go there and wait for her if you girls like" Brett said excitedly.

"Babe, you don't need to make me drunk just so you can take me home" Julia said in a flirty voice and kissed Brett, then they started making out. "Can you guys get a room, maybe I'll just leave you here and go to the place Brett is talking about" I joked at them as I walk away. "Don't worry princess, your date will be here soon" Brett said.

We waited at the restaurant Brett mentioned, I ordered tea to start while waiting for Adriane. Brett and Julia started drinking tequila, still making out at the couch in front of me.

I'm not really bothered seeing them make out, in fact I've seen them do it a hundred of times since they became a couple. Julia would always invite me on their vacation trips - yeah I know third wheeling is not fun but she also did that to make sure I'm not always alone.

Moments later, I saw Adriane and waved at her to signal where we are seated. Julia introduced Brett to her and he gladly shook her hands.

*****

Adriane's POV

Finally my shift was over! I hurriedly went into the staff room to grab my car keys, I'm excited to meet up with Ella again and her friends.

On my way out, I heard Maddie say "You sure you don't want me to take your shift tomorrow?"

"No, I feel better now, thank you for offering" I responded back. Though I still feel sick, I don't want Maddie to think that I owe her something after what she did earlier; plus I'll be seeing Ella later maybe her smile has magical powers to make me healthy again.

I went to the restaurant Ella texted and I saw her waving as soon as I enter the door. I approached them and met Julia's boyfriend Brett.

"Nice to meet you, Brett" and I shook his hands. I sat down beside Ella and she smiled at me, then asked me how my day was. f**k! I knew that smile has magical powers! I feel I can run a marathon now after seeing the smile of this Goddess.

"Not too bad, some angry citizens but everything else is good" I answered. Ella and I ordered our dinner, Julia and Brett ordered a few more drinks for them.

"So how did you two meet?" Brett asked after taking another shot of tequila. "She's my nephew's therapist" I answered.

"Talking about coincidence. That's almost the same way I met Julia, she went to our office to do therapy sessions on fire fighters after we put out a huge fire that killed 3 people" Brett stated.

"Really? so you work as a fire fighter and she's your therapist?" I stupidly asked though I know the answer "Yes ma'am, told you it's some weird coincidence-s**t" he answered laughing.

"But I no longer do therapy sessions with them, so I don't consider him as a client anymore" Julia defended herself.

We talked about a lot of topics during dinner - work, the University where Ella and Julia graduated, my first date with Ella, how I feel about living in a whole new different country and Julia's plans to have a vacation away from the City just the four of us.

"You know, I like you. I think you'll be perfect for my Ella. I mean, you seem really nice, but answer me and I want you to be honest. Do you have a girlfriend? Like here or wherever you came from?" Julia suddenly asked, her words are slurred, the tequila might have twisted her tongue a bit too much.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend, I have been single for 2 years" I responded.

Julia then slammed her hand on the table "No, s**t! Ella's been single for almost 2 years too! After that stupid bitch...oh man! If I see that face again I'm gonna smack that into pieces! Did you know that b***h ch-.." "Julia! I think you had too much drink." Ella interrupted Julia and looked at her with serious eyes.

I don't have any clue what's going on, I looked at Brett and he chugged his drink and looked away from me. "Yeah, I think I did. Sorry about that. Excuse me, I'll just go to the washroom to wash my face" Julia said as she stood up from her chair.

I looked at Ella, who's looking at her drink playing around with the straw. Something doesn't feel right, somehow what Julia said made Ella sad.

I'm trying to patch up the pieces from Julia's statement - single for 2 years, a stupid b***h, will smack the face into pieces - but none of it made sense to me. Asking Ella would clear it up, but I don't think it's a good idea to do that. I'm confused and worried at the same time.

After Julia went out from the washroom, we decided to leave since she's really drunk. Brett said she'll take her home, so Ella and I walked towards the parking lot together.

"I'm glad to meet your friends. They seem really nice" I said to Ella as we approach her car.

"Come on don't lie to me, I know they're crazy specially Julia, but she's really sweet and so is Brett" she said slightly laughing.

"I can see that, I hope they like me too. So, have a good night" I stepped forward and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "I have a cold, so I don't want to infect you or anything" I said defensively, though I really want to kiss her lips.

"You should have told me earlier, you could have just rest for today instead" Ella said pouting like a kid, I laughed at her "You look like Lyle when I don't give him chocolates. I wouldn't miss a day to be with you just because I have a cold. I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself" I said and winked at her which made her blush.

"If you say so, have a good night and drive safe" she answered while getting in her car. I waved at her as she drive out of the parking lot.

I walked towards my car smiling like a crazy person. Seeing Ella again made me feel better, looks like her smile really has amazing magical powers that can heal any illness I have.

I started the car's engine, then all of a sudden - Ah...Ahchooooo!! I sneezed my brains out again. The powers wore off as soon as she drove away, I just hope I still have enough brain cells left for tomorrow's shift.

-----

*Riiiiinggggg!!!*

The annoying sound of my alarm clock woke me up. Though I am awake, I still can't fully open my eyes, I reached for my phone to turn the alarm off and saw a message from Ella.

"Hope you feel better today"

I smiled and sat up on my bed. I placed my phone on the side table and stood up so I can take a quick shower before I go to work.

Suddenly the walls started spinning, I sat down on my bed again. This doesn't look good, everything around me spins and my head is throbbing, my feet and hands are ice cold. I lay down again and I heard Andrea knock on my door.

"Adriane, get up now or you'll be late!" "Sis, please grab a thermometer for me" I answered in a low voice, she opened my bed room door and placed her hand on my forehead.

"You're burning! What the hell did you do yesterday?" she said angrily her voice banged my ears making my head ache worse. She went to the medicine cabinet to grab the thermometer and placed it in my ear >> 39°C.

"Call in sick now! I'll get you something to eat and your medicine" she said angrily, I know she's just worried but for heaven's sake she doesn't need to shout. I lay in bed and called my boss that I won't be able to come to work today. I also replied to Ella's text message.

"Your healing powers yesterday wore off, lol. I'm gonna stay in bed for today."