The rest of the day’s lessons flew by in a blur and before I realised, Taynese, Rachel and I were on the bus heading into town. We had insisted so vehemently that Rachel had no choice but to let us tag along.

I rested my head on the bus’ window pane and stared back at the pair of tired pale blue eyes in the reflection. My dark circles were so pronounced it looked like I had smeared coal under my eyes.

Well, at least it’s kind of a look.

Unlike my sister who had luscious, chocolate-brown hair, warm brown eyes, and sun-kissed skin, I was the polar opposite. I had inky black hair, light blue eyes and couldn’t catch a tan to save my pale-white behind. Apparently I took after our mother while Alba took after our father. Not that I could remember since they had both died in an accident when I was just shy of my sixth birthday.

But it wasn’t just my parents that I couldn’t remember. In fact, I couldn’t recall anything from my early childhood. My earliest memories were from when I was about seven or eight, and they were all filled with precious times of just Alba and I. Alba tying my shoelaces, Alba walking me to school, Alba gifting me her precious watch for my High School graduation... I had never felt the need to find out more about my parents as Alba had given me so much that I sometimes thought that the lack of painful memories were a blessing. I was six when our parents died, so Alba must have only been eighteen at the time.

She was only eighteen and had to take care of me.

God. I’m eighteen and I can’t even take care of myself.

“Hey is that bruise on your arm bothering you?” Rachel gave me a gentle nudge.

“What?” I looked down. I had been unconsciously gripping my arm.

Was I in pain? No. But why was it bothering me?

“Nah, it’s nothing.”

“Okay, but you should ice it when you get home...Oops, here’s our stop, let’s go.”

We got off and made our way to Lina’s. We arrived early and used the time to scope out the modern family-style cafe. Taynese and I decided to situate ourselves at the booth that was strategically next to Rachel’s so that we could eavesdrop on the conversation.

“I’ll let ya call it.”

“Heads.” Taynese flipped a coin, and with my usual rotten luck, it was tails.

“Wooyaass! I’m taking this seat.” Taynese chose to sit facing Rachel’s booth since it was the prime location while I was left sitting with my back to the whole show.

Well at least I’ll be able to listen in closer to the conversation.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling.

The bell on the cafe’s door chimed as it opened.

“Don’t look now, but I think Mr Pretty Boy just walked in and ooh girl, he fine!” Taynese leaned forward and whispered.

“Stop making eyes at him Tay! You’ll blow our cover!” I glared at Taynese and he settled back into his seat, opening the menu to look less conspicuous.

“H-Hi Alec! Thanks for seeing me again!” Rachel’s jitters bubbled through.

“...No worries.”

Just two words. But I was suddenly enveloped in a soothing warmth that radiated throughout my body. I heard the leather of the chairs squeak as they both sat and made themselves comfortable in the booth. Within a moment, a young waitress sauntered over.

“Heya Alec. Nice seeing you again. What can I get’cha?” The waitress’ words were dripping with honey.

Awwwwwkward! Is she hitting on him? While he’s with another girl? Wait, they’re on a first names basis? Are they’re friends?

I caught a look from Taynese. He rolled his eyes and made a gagging motion.

Nope, definitely flirting.

“Coffee. Black. Thanks.”

Again, three little words but his deep voice was measured and calm. It was strange. His words should sound curt, but they exuded a professional friendliness that was charming yet not encouraging further flirtation. How did he do that? His voice had such... authority.

The bruise on my arm tingled.

“Miss?” I looked up and the same waitress was standing in front of me waiting for my order.

Shit, did I zombie-zone out again? What did I miss?

“Oh... uh, I’ll have a hazelnut iced coffee with extra syrup please, thanks!”

“Coming right up.” The waitress’ tone with us was lukewarm, but she still mustered up a perfunctory smile. As she turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of her name tag. Susie.

Oh, Susie. I admire your guts for trying.

“So, what happens on the second session?” Rachel’s voice was a lot calmer. I could understand why. Even without looking, I could feel a comforting aura permeating from Alec. Like a warm, fluffy blanket, Alec inexplicably made you feel safe. Unnaturally so.

Which makes you even more suspicious in my books.

“Well, during our first session, you shared quite a bit on your current concerns, so I think it would be good if we spend this session exploring some broad goals so that over the next few sessions we can slowly work towards them, refine them and chart our progress.”

Alec’s words sounded convincing enough, but something about him... Perhaps it was because I had been raised by a lawyer and had grown up attending numerous court trials, listening to victims, criminals, witnesses and everything in between, that I had developed a keen sixth sense over the years.

Something about Alec was making me nervous. The hairs on the back of my neck were telling me to be cautious.

I’m no fool, buddy.

If you’re scamming one of my best friends, you’re definitely not getting away with it.

I took out my phone, tapped on the app and started a voice recording.

Taynese and I sat there in silence as the hour passed. Despite my gut telling me that Alec was definitely a fraud, throughout the session, he said nothing that would raise suspicion. At this point most people would have thought that I was being overly paranoid, but it was his voice. It was just too... soothing.

“As a bit of homework, I’d like for you to get a journal and write down the goals we’ve talked about today on the front page. Subsequently, every time we meet I’d like for you to bring this journal along. Also, feel free to write down any thoughts or difficulties you experience. Try to be as reflective and as detailed as possible. They will help us in dealing with your issues together.”

I heard them get up from their seats.

“I... I just want to say Alec, that I really appreciate our sessions. It’s been really hard for me... with my parents’ divorce. To decide whether to stay with my mom or dad...it’s been the worst. But, somehow... talking with you... I feel less worried now.”

Oh Rachel...

Taynese and I had been there for Rachel when her parents had broken the news to her. We had mopped up her tears and put her to bed. We had dressed her and even fed her when she couldn’t muster the will to move. We would have continued to do more if Rachel had let us, but at some point Rachel had put on a smile and told us she was okay. I knew she was far from okay, but I also knew that Rachel had her pride. Just like me. We couldn’t keep burdening our loved ones.

“I’m glad to hear that you appreciate these sessions, but your friends here don’t seem to share the same sentiment.”

Before I could react, a hand reached across my shoulder and grabbed my phone.

“Hey!” I swivelled around to meet a pair of crystal-clear hazel eyes, narrowed sharp in a threatening glare. It didn’t help that he was tall and I had to really look up. Gone was that comforting aura. All I could feel was myself shrinking in his presence.

Don’t lose Lucine!

“What do we have here? A recording? Pretty sure I didn’t give permission for our session to be recorded.” His voice had gone ice-cold. The air around me felt dry like in winter. I swallowed.

“Recording? What? Lucie, that wasn’t what we agreed on! You said the two of you would just listen in! I’m sorry Alec, it’s just, my friends were worried about me being scammed and -”

“How did you find out?” I asked. Taynese and I had been so discreet. How did he know we were eavesdropping?

Alec let out a smirk as he shook his head.

What an asshole.

“Next time you try to spy on someone, you might want to actually hold a conversation or two with your friend. A couple sitting at a booth, not talking at all for a whole hour? You might as well broadcast that you’re doing something suspicious.”

“Right. Well excuse us for not being good con artists like you. I’d like my phone back now.”

“Not until I delete this recording.”

Oh no you don’t mister.

I lunged to grab my phone and my fingers brushed past his wrist.

“Argh!” As though he’d been scalded with boiling hot water, Alec dropped my phone and cradled his right wrist.

“A-Are you okay?” Rachel worriedly moved to help Alec.

“DON’T.” He barked and backed away from Rachel, but his eyes were strangely locked onto mine. His pupils narrowed into pinpoints. I swear I could see flecks of light swirling in the iris of his eyes.

“Yo is this guy trippin’ on something?”

Taynese is right. What’s with Alec?

Wait! My Phone!

Ignoring him, I picked my phone up off the floor. It’s screen was now black with a major crack running across its face. I tested the power button but nothing changed.

This asshole broke my phone!

“Damn it! Alba’s going to be pissed!”

It’s this creep of a guy’s fault. Did he drop my phone on purpose?

Is this his way of ‘accidentally’ getting rid of the recording?

I felt the rage slowly building in the pit of my stomach.

“Hey! What’s your problem huh?” I stared Alec down.

“Yo Lucie, chill!”

“Lucie, I’m sure he didn’t mean it!” Rachel grabbed my hand and Taynese grabbed my shoulder. I guess they were worried I’d try to punch him or something.

Good thing I can still kick him.

“Well, that wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t tried to grab it out of my hands.” Alec slowly straightened up. His eyes were back to normal.

What is wrong with this asshole?

Does he not know how to apologise?

“Well I wouldn’t have had to grab it out of your hands if you hadn’t taken my phone in the first place.”

“Says the one who was illegally trying to record a session I was having with a client without consent from either party.”

“Cutie’s got a point there Luce.”

“Shut up, Tay.” I turned my hostile glare towards Tay who held his hands up in surrender. Whose side was he on anyway? I turned back to Alec, “Well, thanks to you breaking my phone, I guess you won’t have to worry about that recording anymore huh.”

Alec snorted and shot me a look of disbelief.

“Do you think I’m an idiot? Lucie?”

“No, I think you’re an asshole, Alec. And I’m Lucine to you, thank you very much.”

“Well, Lucine, I wasn’t born yesterday. So while your phone may be damaged, I have no guarantee that the recording wasn’t backed up online somewhere, do I?”

Hmph. For an asshole he’s pretty smart.

Smart and dangerous.

Alec promptly continue, “As you might know, confidentiality is key in this profession. I cannot possibly allow you to have a recording of a private session. Regardless of your intention or if that session was of your best friend’s. So, if you don’t want to get into a whole lot of trouble, you will permanently delete that recording the moment your phone is fixed. And Rachel will see to it that it is really deleted. Am I clear?”

The tone of Alec’s voice changed. It felt heavy with on an overwhelming dominance that left no room for rebuttal. His towering presence was oppressive and his words were like a sharp blade pressed against my throat, forcing me into submission.

Rachel buckled, “Y-yes of course. Right Lucie?”

Yes... I should just delete it...

W-wait, hang on! What? Why am I agreeing?

In the first place the recording is gone because this jerk smashed my phone before I could save it. And even if there was a backup, but why should I listen to this asshole?

B-because he’ll...

Because he’ll what? What could he possibly do to me here? In a public place?

Don’t back down Lucine! Your nightmares are way scarier than this pretty boy!

“No.”

“No? So you won’t listen to me?”

Something about the way he had said that was weird, but I shrugged it off. This whole fiasco was strange.

“I don’t see why I should. I still think you’re suspicious. I mean you don’t post any legitimate credentials on your IG. What kind of qualified professional does that? And by the way, the scam you’re pulling? It’s cruel. Making people trust you with their secrets and worries, only for you to scam them later on? Rachel doesn’t deserve to get hurt like that.”

All of a sudden, the oppressive air around Alec disappeared.

Alec looked confused for a second, then sighed deeply running a hand through his thick black hair. His eyes darkened as if contemplating what to do. He then reached into his back pocket, took out his wallet and retrieved a name card. He placed it on the table in front of me.

“Here’s my name card. I appreciate your concern for your friend, but to be honest, if Rachel had wanted my credentials, she should have just asked for them before our first meeting. Stalking complete strangers is just plain idiocy, not to mention dangerous.”

“I can’t believe you just called us idiots! You’re such a -”

“Also, there are better ways of finding out if someone’s a scammer. Why don’t you do your research first next time? My clinic’s address and phone number is on the back of that. Once you’re satisfied that I am not a scammer, I trust you will do the right thing and delete the recording. It’s not like there was anything incriminating on that recording anyway. All you’ll do is embarrass your friend if it gets leaked. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

“Wait! My phone -”

“Make an appointment. I’ll reimburse you for the damages. ”

Alec quickly sidestepped us and left without looking back. He had left so quickly that all we could do was stare at the door of the cafe close shut behind him.

Good job Lucine, you let that asshole just say whatever the hell he wanted. AND you just let him leave after breaking your phone. What are you? A painting? A statue?

“Soooo, that did not go well, girls.”

“Tell me about it Tay.” I stared at my dead phone, then at the name card. I picked it up.

Dr. Alec Lee, Lead Psychiatrist, Crescent Medical.