"I'm sorry, but Dr. Theodore will be arriving later than usual," One of the receptionists informs me with a distressed look on her once calm façade. "If you wish to, you may stay in his office until he arrives."

"Alright, thank you," I reply, taking a seat outside his door to consider whether or not I should go in and wait.

As I sit and wait, my mind begins to ponder on several reasons to why he's running late.

He could have an emergency he needs to take care of such as going to the bank or taking a family member or pet to their respective hospital.

If it was going to the bank, he could have done it any other time on his day off or break. If it was a family member or pet, he would have stayed behind seeing that he can be quite a caring person.

He could have woken up late because of events from the night before or his alarm didn't go off. He could have gone out drinking with a few pals from high school or he could have had a one night stand.

At the thought of him having a one night stand, a rush of pain shoots through my chest as though I have some sort of "feeling" or "interest" regarding his personal life. It's his life and he can do as he pleases. I'm not his boyfriend or anything.

"Oh? Someone's jealous?" A honeyed voice questions me, a hint of a devilish grin in his eyes.

He kneels before me, much like Aurelius did, his eyes filled with astonishment, almost as if I'm looking in a mirror. Unrecognizable as it is, I try to get it out of my mind before returning to the question at hand - Should I go in or not?

"Go in. You know you want to." He tempts me as he often does like a demon in the form of my imagination.

Based on all I know about him so far, it is fair to assume he speaks only of my inner desires, a few of them I wish I didn't have. This one is no exception to that statement.

As much as I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone, I wouldn't want to invade his office as though I have the right to. I doubt I do. Our relationship is nothing more than a therapist helping his patient. I pay him to listen to me talk about my problems and help me find ways to resolve them. As the thought sets in, an idea comes to mind.

"Let's do this."

...

"Mr. Roman?"

The smooth, sultry voice tickles my ear, waking me from the nightmare I was thrust into. My eyes flutter open to be greeted by a distraught Aurelius. I sit up on the couch, the coat thrown over me sliding down and onto my lap. I stare at him in utter amusement.

"It's nice to see you like this."

Not another minute goes by until I realize I was thinking out loud. Judging by the mischievous look in his eyes, he seems to be ecstatic at the idea of such honesty coming from me. I assume I made him feel better. Heat rises to my cheeks as I stare at him in all his grace.

I turn away from him and instead, stare at the bookshelves. The sound of my "heart" speeding up echoes in my ear as reality courses through my mind. How did I fall asleep in his office? I soon recall the real reason as to how and why when my eyes catch sight of the scented candle sitting one one of the shelves by the window.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Roman," He says to me, getting up and moving towards his chair across from me.

"Aurelius," I call him, pausing to ensure I have his attention.

"Hmm?"

"I was wondering," I start, unsure of how to say what's on my mind without seeming to want to pry in his life. Once I've gathered enough courage, I suggest to him, "How about we talk about your life for a change during today's session?"

I turn back to him, hoping I can at least get a sign that he's thinking about what I've suggested. His back faces me as his body remains still as though he's a statue. A simple suggestion shouldn't make him freeze up this much, but if this is all it takes then this will be a lot more fun than I thought.

"Mr. Roman, were you sent here by my father?"

The questions results in dozens of others to cross my mind. Why would he ask me if I was sent by his father? Who is his father? Is he someone I should be worried about too? Then, it hits me. He doesn't trust me as much as I trust him. I may feel a bit of gratitude to him for listening to me, but there's nothing more to it.

"I wasn't sent here by anyone," I reply, pushing aside the coat in my lap.

"Don't lie to me!" He yells at me, slamming his down on the table before him.

Startled, I jump at the sudden outburst, sliding my hand to my back pocket. If he tries to do something, I'll be prepared to defend myself. He approaches me with a hint of a scowl in his eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sticking to your story like the good bitch you are." A grin dares to appear on his face as he towers over me, his hands trapping me on the couch.

His eyes, clouded by rage, scan my body in search of something. Something inside my chest, thrown down the hole, hidden behind dozens of steel walls, throbs, a sign that it's still alive. As tattered and destroyed as it may be, it brings itself back to life.

"For the last time, I don't know what you're going on about," I tell him, putting an end to whatever is happening.

A moment of awkward silence is all it takes to make things even more awkward between us.

"Forget what I said then." A soft chuckle fills the silence left behind after his statement. He continues to say, "I doubt you would be much of a threat in any way to me."

Everything is fine until his words get to me. Something holds onto the thing inside me after waiting for so long for the right moment to attack.

Sharp claws grip onto it, almost squeezing the life out of it, but then lets it go to recover a little. The, the process repeats itself over and over again. The process, unnecessary and unwanted, is only a way to break it down and beat it into the dust it once rose from. But, it still lives, struggling to live for another day, much like myself.

I understand what it goes through and I can sympathize with it, but I can't bring myself to let it see the light of day again. For as long as I can remember, the darkness has been and will always be my friend. At least I can be comforted knowing it will come back to me whether it wants to or not.