FORBIDDEN FEELINGS

“Thump! Thump! Thump!” Ryan felt his heart beating loudly in his chest, though out his life he had never felt this afraid of meeting up with a female. He looked up at the bill board and scoffed loudly as he read its content inwardly. The exterior almost made it all believable, but who knows what it would look like in there? One look at his bandaged wrist, he had a conflicting thought. Was this the right decision? “This is stupid” He muttered to himself and turned to leave when someone forced the door open from the inside. Emma`s pissed countenance dwindled the moment she locked eyes with an initially retreating figure of a sophisticated dressed man. Her eyes widened instantly but she had to hide her amazement, she fiddled with the trash she was holding that also gave away her shock. “Are you here to see me Mr Connor? my secretary said you booked a session” He turned to face her but his expressionless gaze and silence made her feel uneasy, she managed to keep her smile as maintaining her professionalism was part of her vigorous training. After some seconds which felt like forever, the tension between then died down and he reluctantly nodded in affirmation. “Okay, you can come in, I am sorry I just have to be rid of this, my secretary is running late” Emma said with a soft smile raising up the trash bag. Ryan ignored it and walked in, he didn’t like the bland welcome, neither was he impressed by the personality he just met. He swallowed his unease and settled on a sofa opposite her chair waiting for her to show up which she did few seconds later. “I am sorry Mr C….” she started. “You look nothing like your profile suggested” he said rudely. Emma was bewildered, she had dealt with many born rich heir and their saucy personalities was no news to her but why does this man infuriates her more? She forced a smile on her face and sat down on her leather chair. Getting intimidated earlier on by this rude man would tarnish the reputation she had built for years. She crossed her legs confidently and raised a defiant chin at him. “What was your expectation Mr Connor?” “To be honest, a grey haired woman with a big reading glasses would convince me of your competence and experience but here you are so young and stunning”. Emma blushed furiously, his complaint sound more like a compliment to her hearing; probably because it was something she needed to hear that morning after the heated argument she had with Michael her husband before she left home. “I feel more at ease now that you just made me realize my skin care routine are doing wonders; I guess I should spend more on it to keep looking younger than I really am”. Her response amused Ryan, he smiled warmly, the moment he realized he did, he tried to sink back to his usual serious countenance but Emma caught those few seconds of vulnerability and gave him a reassuring smile in return. “I believe you know me?” Ryan questioned suspiciously. “Of course I do, the whole of Los Angeles do I guess”. Ryan smiled sardonically, it is true he was a prominent personality in the society but unfortunately, his recent fainting at the orphanage founder`s award had made his face the most searched on the internet. Unconsciously, he rubbed his bandaged wrist and Emma`s eyes flickered to it but she was quiet, pushing a potential client to spill his gut could make him hide more, she had to make him relaxed. “Do you care for tea or coffee Mr Connor?” “No, thank you, I am staying off caffeine for now” They both kept their gaze on each other and silence ensured between them, Ryan broke their eye contact and looked round the room with an unreadable expression, his eyes finally settled on a large frame on Emma`s wall. His eyes widened when he read the years of experience she has and he tried calculating her possible age. “I am in my mid thirties” she said with a sly smile. “Wow! You can read minds?” “I am an experienced psychologist, I can always read moods, body languages and countenance with no magic required”. Ryan was taken aback, the aura of confidence about this woman amazed him, being always surrounded by females who were hell bent on throwing themselves seductively towards him, he had never found any woman pique his interest as she does. He felt more relaxed in her calmness and smart responses. “You booked a fifteen minute session Mr Connor, do you think you found me worthy of your time?” Ryan chuckled, he looked over at his wristwatch and they had barely three minutes before his booked session elapses. To his bewildment, she didn’t seem to be trying to impress him like everyone else does. She looked like she was ready to be rid of him once the booking time was up. That definitely was it, the listening less judgmental ear he has been searching for all these while and he decided to test her further. “Can I pay for your whole day?” Emma laughed heartily, the rich sound of her voice was musical to his hearing, it felt so natural and moderate. “Mr Connor, I am fully booked for the day, I am sorry, you could make a longer time booking another day when you are sure of my service, I am always ready to walk the journey with you”. Ryan laughed hysterically confusing Emma but she kept her face as blank and pleasant as possible. Their session for the day had lapse and she stood up abruptly. “If you wouldn’t mind, I want to make a cup of tea before my next session commences”. She made for a corner where she picked up her whistling kettle and was about to plug it when Ryan objected to it. He wants to take his leave and was internally prepared never to return when he heard Emma`s word. “Is this the trigger? I mean of you losing consciousness?” His eyes widened at her accuracy and he rushed up to her, Emma backed away till her back touched the wall and Ryan was hovering over her, his eyes boring into hers, their faces only inches apart. She could smell his expensive cologne and his fresh breathe on her face. Her eyes caught his succulent lips as it formed its next words. “Who are you?” Ryan questioned suspiciously. Emma gave him a cocky smile “I am your……”