CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Lara had considered that decision a lot before making the appointment. It felt odd for her, and she hadn't considered spending money on that before. Yet, at some point, she had understood she couldn't deal with it alone.

On one side, she owed it to her cubs. She needed to become better for them. She owed it to Nate, as well, so that he could have a confident woman by his side.

And, last but not least, she had some money to spend on her account after a whole month of working at the company with little expenses on her side. She was leeching on Nate, but he would have been annoyed if she refused to.

In the end, it was an investment for a better future for them all.

She was right on time when she crossed the door of the studio, and she sat in the waiting room for a minute only before a woman noticed her.

«Are you Miss Clayton, by any chance?» she asked.

«Yes... Doctor Mason?»

«Correct,» she replied with a smile. «I'm Skyler Mason.»

«Uhm... It's the first time I do this, so I'm not sure.»

«Oh, that's good. You've made a wise decision Miss... Can I call you Lara? Is it a bother?»

«Not at all.»

Skyler Mason was around forty. She had medium-length black hair collected in a high bun, and her brown-green eyes were warm and welcoming. She moved with calm, each gesture taking its time and helping her patients relax.

«Young women like you most often disregard their issues and think time will solve it when, most often, time makes things worse. I'm among the most renowned professionals in Norwich, and I'll make sure to help you to the best of my possibilities.»

She pointed at a leather armchair, and Lara sat down and waited.

She had no clue about how psychologists worked, and she was afraid she would end up hiding most of the information and wasting money and time on that new adventure. Yet, trying was a necessity. At least for a couple of sessions. If she didn't feel any improvement, she could change her idea anytime. No one would have found out, after all.

She hadn't told Nate about it, nor her cubs. It would have stayed her own little failure if things went awry.

«Are you nervous?» Skyler asked, preparing a block note and a pen for her observations. She also had a few pictures on her side - if she needed to ask Lara questions or take some tests.

«I am,» Lara admitted.

«It's normal. It happens every time we do something new, doesn't it?»

Lara nodded, trying to relax. She leaned back on the armchair and observed the psychologist with her curious eyes. Could that woman really help her? It didn't seem possible. What was there to help, after all?

She had an issue, and talking with Nate had helped her find out about it. Still, she couldn't see how she to solve it.

«If you have chosen to come here, there must be something that is tormenting you,» the woman continued, removing the cap from the pen and writing a couple of words. «There's nothing wrong in looking for a professional even without pending matters. I mean, it would bring advantages to anyone. Still, most people come here only when they have something to solve.»

«I do,» Lara said. «I have a problem, Doctor Mason. I hope you can help me.»

«Before starting with the problem, we can know each other better. What do you think?»

Lara blinked, confused.

«Is it necessary?»

«It's part of the therapy. Of any therapy. You might have identified an issue to solve, but that doesn't mean we need to toggle it immediately. It's better if I know something more about your character and you begin to trust me before talking about what's tormenting you.»

«Oh, okay.»

«Let's start with something simple. What's your name? How do you feel about it? How old are you?»

«I'm Lara Clayton, twenty-six years old. I'm, oh... I don't know. I feel okay with my name. It's just a normal name, I guess. Nothing special.»

«But it's yours. It's how people call you and how they refer to you. Do you like the sound? Do you like the way it tastes on the tongue? Its meaning?»

«Taste? Sound? It's the name I was given at birth. I've listened to it my whole life, so I can't tell you how it sounds. I've heard it too often to pay any attention.»

«All right. What about your family, then? Who are they?»

Lara's lips distended in a smile while she was reminded of her hungry cubs. Who knew if they were missing her while she spent time talking with a woman with countless degrees.

«I have two kids. Twins: a boy and a girl,» she replied.

«What are their names?»

«Jaden and Scarlet.»

«How pretty. Did you choose them?»

«Yes, that's right.»

«How old are they?»

«Five. They're growing up so fast. Sometimes, it seems like yesterday that they crawled on the floor or couldn't move a finger without my help.»

«Do Jaden and Scarlet know that you're here?»

«No, they don't,» she sighed. «I haven't told anyone.»

«I understand... I'd like to remind you that there's nothing wrong with talking with a psychologist. It doesn't mean you're ill, Lara. I'm here to help you solve a problem. I'm not a doctor cutting away part of your body to save your life. I shall save every side of your character and mind if I want to do my job properly. And I'm not treating an ill patient. You're fine, Lara. Even the fact that you came here voluntarily is proof of that: you're conscious enough to know when you need help, and you're responsible for yourself and your family as much as to look for me.»

«I just figured there's something wrong. And that I risk losing something important if I don't do something.»

«What are you talking about? Is it your family? Are you worried for your children?»

«More or less,» she said.

«And what does your husband think? Oh, does he know that you're here?»