Vaughn

Leigh went quiet for a bit and clutched his phone tighter, probably weighing his options. He looked down at his screen and checked the time before his grip loosened.

"Pssh... surprise." He uttered mockingly, though lo and behold his iPhone was sitting in my hand within seconds. Curiosity beats pride sometimes, I've learned. I thanked him matter-of-factly before taking the phone to my desk and laying it face down. It hadn't even been a couple seconds since I walked away from him before I heard Leigh pipe up anxiously in his seat.

"What is the surprise, already?"

I shook my head at his impatience before sliding open the bottom drawer of my desk. I fished around for a bit and moved papers aside before finding what I was looking for, something I didn't really need for most clients.

"The surprise is that today, I'm going to include another type of therapy you may like."

Leigh immediately groaned in what I assume was disappointment, crossing his arms with a jaded expression. "Great, just what I wanted! More therapy." He muttered sarcastically.

"Oh come on, you'll like it. Aromatherapy is good for the mind, body, and spirit. It can lessen the effects of stress and promote psychological well being." I guaranteed him as I pulled out a few incense sticks and held them out for the other to choose from.

"Rose, sage, or frankincense?"

"Frankincense, I want to feel like Jesus Christ. It already feels like I'm in 20 B.C., after all" Leigh scoffed dryly as he laid on his back, his hands folded on his stomach as if mimicking an open casket funeral.

"Oh, spare me the theatrics please." I muttered under my breath as I walked over to the small coffee table near his head and placed the incense stick in place. "Take your phone away for two seconds and suddenly it's Before Common Era. Will you start quoting bible scriptures next?"

As I turned to head back to my desk, I felt a tug on my shirt and gazed down to see him wag a finger lazily in my direction. With a pale arm draped across his eyes, he made his voice gruff and did his best impression of a haughty pastor. 

"Exodus 13:4. I am-"

"Alright, smart aleck." I interrupted and rolled my eyes to the heavens, though was mildly surprised by his knowledge of the holy book. "How about, you ARE stuck here for another 20 minutes, so let's get going. I'd like to hear more about this girl, Katalina."

Even though it seemed to cause him discomfort earlier, it was better than talking about family. I wanted to make sure that their relationship was healthy, especially when this person was under the 'best friend' title. Leigh was silent for a while and I started to watch the wispy smoke from the incense begin to waft through the air. Soon the room was filled with a woodland, earthy, sweet like fragrance that could be comparable to a delectable fruit. It might actually be the aromatherapy that helped his lips loosen, because the room was completely hazy with smoke by the time I noticed him stir. Finally, with a calm and acquiescing sigh, the brunet fidgeted and spoke up.

"Katalina... is more than a friend to me, she's basically family... and I would do anything to keep her safe."

I smiled, twirling my pen in hand and bringing it to my clipboard.

We were finally getting somewhere.