Dropping Zane to school, Anya entered the Imperial Hospital to attend her counseling. She was aware she shouldn't prioritize physical intimacy in a relationship but it wasn't something to be disregarded either.
If she keeps waiting for herself to be prepared, she will delay their marriage and it would be too late for Zane. And she could go to any length for Zane.
She was entering the hospital when her mobile rang displaying a string of numbers. Anya easily guessed it could be from Team Ace. She answered and heard, "Skye, don't attend the party on Saturday." It was more like a request from Senon.
Anya furrowed. Senon wouldn't say something like that without a reason, "What's wrong, Senon?"
Senon briefed the information he unexpectedly noticed, "There are suspicious men in the team of workers the event management company hired."
The Skylark party wasn't a small one to prepare by Ean alone. So they had signed a contract with event management so that unnecessary workload would drop off from Ean or Alvin.
Since the event was pretty huge, it was common for event management to hire more people temporarily for a particular event. As far as she was aware no one knew about the owner of the Skylark or the Majestic clubhouse.
… Unless, Casper Matthews took interest in the Skylark.
"Are you asking me to run from the problem?" This wasn't how Team Ace was trained.
Senon sighed at the other end. Of course, he wasn't afraid or being a coward. His concern was Anya, "Skye, why do you like to deal with crap on your vacation too? You don't like such parties."
Team Ace clearly knew Anya was definitely on another crucial mission up next. He wished her to relax and enjoy her vacation.
She didn't like parties but, "How can I not be part of an important event in Alvin's life?" It was clearer than the sky Alvin was settling for her. She wanted to be a supportive partner when he did so much for both of them.
Senon laughed at the other end, probably he expected the same, "Never mind, You be careful. If there is anything, let us know. I will probably be back on Saturday morning." He was going out on his mission to pretend like a newly joined employee at a company.
After some more exchange of words, Anya hung up the call and sat in the waiting room, wondering if Casper found out about Alvin's business or if somebody else was up to something.
The event management company would be careful about food and arrangement as high-profile people will attend. It was time for them to make a name so she didn't worry about food being poisoned.
If one has to cause trouble, then it will be from the workers who Senon found suspicious. Senon had sent her a list of those men, she thought to dig into their information when she returned home.
"Anya Owen…" A nurse called out her name to bring her out of her thoughts.
Doctor Bose pointed in front of her while noting down some data in her file, "Take a seat." Anya sat down and patiently waited for the doctor to complete her work.
Doctor Bose was keeping the file aside when she saw Anya. She guessed the name uncertainty, "Owen… Where is your boyfriend? I remember asking him to accompany you."
Anya was surprised to hear her name. She didn't show it as she passed her file to the doctor, "Doctor Bose, my boyfriend is on a business trip. We had an appointment next week but I wanted to see you immediately."
Doctor Bose closed the file thinking she must have had another anxiety attack. Then Anya's case would be more critical than she expected. She stood up grabbed her diary and pointed inside the session room. "Let's talk inside."
The room inside was vast with a glass wall spreading enough sunlight. There was a couch in a corner, and at the other end had a coffee bar. There was a bicycle and treadmill if one wants to do physical activity. A recliner chair for any serious sessions as hypnotism. The room had warm and bright colors to keep everyone at ease.
"Take a seat anywhere you feel comfortable. I will get you water." Doctor Bose gave a reason to see where Anya would choose.
The higher the seriousness, the patients would choose the spots accordingly. She was relieved to see Anya chose the comfortable couch in the bright place.
Doctor Bose placed a glass of water in front of Anya and sat down. "How are you doing, Anya? Have you noticed any changes or improvements in your behavior?"
Anya breathed slowly. First, she spoke about how she was able to stay calm and stop the officers from flipping her house upside down. And how she was able to recover herself with Alvin's presence.
"That's a great improvement." Doctor Bose nodded, writing down something in her diary. She was aware Anya didn't complete her treatment five years ago. Hearing her actively share without waiting for her to question, she was glad Anya was accepting the treatment.
"But Anya, have you realized how much you struggle alone and never tell a soul?"
Anya tilted her head. She did tell Alvin everything when he arrived.
The doctor continued, "Your friends and family don't know what you are going through. You mask it, hide it away, and just focus on meeting the expectation. An expectation for providing for your son and seeing your parents worry-free."
Anya opened her lips to say something but closed again. The last time she dozed off due to a headache hence the doctor didn't get the chance to speak with her. So the doctor wasn't speaking about one event but overall.
"Not just you, people arrive at therapy after years of doing it." Doctor Bose added and saw her nod in acceptance.
Doctor Bose continued, "Crying or panicking is normal in stressful situations. If you feel like your world is falling apart, it's alright to cry. It's a form of venting out pent-up emotions."
Doctor Bose lifted her finger asking for a minute. She brought another glass of water, a coffee cup, and a measuring spoon. She placed the porcelain cup in front of her and explained, "Let's consider, this cup is a jar of your emotions."
She scooped a tablespoon of water, "Let's consider water as your emotions." She poured the water into the coffee cup and repeated as she spoke, "An awful event will make you stressed, angered, sad, helpless, and sometimes afraid. You keep bottling this situation and take care of the situation.
You did a great job at taking care of the emergency without breaking down. Likewise, now it's your turn to get rid of these emotions from weighing you down." She pointed at the almost full coffee cup.
"If you don't empty it when you get happy in the end, you don't have any place to store your happiness. Like this." Doctor Bose poured a tablespoon of water and it overflowed the cup.
"Thus it is important for you to remove those frustrating emotions so that you have space to enjoy those sweet, happy moments with your boyfriend or baby or anyone."
Anya looked at the cup. She related how she lived in the past years. She was burying everything inside her. May it be difficulties at work, or people's behavior toward her being a single mother. She never shared to avoid worrying her parents and also Krystle.
The first time she shared anything was with Alvin. She wasn't sure why she truly did it. Probably she wanted to make space for him by removing unwanted things.
Instead of focusing on herself, Anya started worrying about Alvin who doesn't share anything.
"Is it really necessary to share with somebody?"
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