Dilemma

"It's okay,calm down" Alex said, holding her hands and trying to comfort her.

She slowly calmed down. Seeing her hand being held by another man, Clara quickly withdrew her hand.

" Oh, am sorry about that " Alex politely apologized, seeing how uncomfortable his touch made her feel. He took a few steps away from her before proceeding with the results analysis. "You are having such hallucinations because of your mental state. Here, take this back with you. Make sure to put it on when going to bed, so that you won't see things you don't want to see and don't think too much. Just relax yourself and have a good sleep" he said, handing her an eye mask.

With the eye mask in her hands, Clara remained still on the chair. That's right. Why didn't she think about it all this while? With an eye mask she won't be able to see that picture even if she doesn't get any sleep.

" Thank you " she thanked him sincerely. Looking at the file in his hand, she asked "Do I... "

" Nothing is actually wrong with you, you are still fine ", Alex interrupted her. He knew what she was most worried about ,he had already gone through her files and, as long as he was alive, her fears would never become real.

Seeing her inhale deeply to relieve herself,he smiled at how adorable she looked," you are being too sensitive , see how nervous you are just now. I advise you to stop over thinking about things and don't listen to what people have to say about you, just believe in yourself. "

Clara was stunned. How did he know that she was afraid of gossip ? How did he know that she couldn't sleep because she saw things that she didn't want to see?

Do psychiatrists now read peoples' minds ? Or there's only one possibility. He remembered her ! When this realization drew on her, she quickly got up. " Am leaving. Thank you Dr. Qin, with her guards up, picked up her bag ready to run out.

"No, Angle wait! "

She stopped frozen by the door. The hand on her bag tightened but she didn't turn to look at him, she put on a mocking smile " Alex, you also find teasing me fun ", she asked bitterly.

" No Angle, please don't misunderstand me, if I didn't want to forget you, you would have run away. It's because I understand how sensitive you can be " Alex tried to explain. He walked behind her and placed his hands on her shoulder and gently turned her to face him.

" I understand that you don't want anyone to know that you visited a psychiatrist, especially those who are familiar with you, but does not just anyone remember? I'm still that Alex who believes in you, Angle."

"You believed in me yet you saw me as a psychiatrist and you still expect me to buy the nonsense you just said " Clara was so furious that her words were as sharp as the edge of a sword.

The last thing she wanted was to be caught visiting a psychologist. She only came here because she was already familiar with the old doctor who owns this place,who would have imagined she would run into an old friend instead.

Sometimes she couldn't differentiate between her illusion and reality. She feared that she would one day become really mad. She needed to visit a psychiatrist when she was down to see if she was still okay.

She hasn't seen a psychiatrist for a long time. The last time was when she came back from South Africa after the concert tour 3 years ago , when she was cyber abused online. She had withdrawn all her performances and needed to see a psychiatrist..

However, she ran into him for the first time. Alex was her first friend and the only one who believed that she was not mentally ill. What would he think of her now? Will he ever believe her again?

" You are too extreme, Clara, be it as a doctor or as a friend, I will never do anything to hurt you, so please believe me just as I believe in you," he pleaded patiently.

Seeing how sincere he was, she wavered for a moment, then she shook off his hand. "Let go of me, I will never come here again, and please destroy all the files you have on me". She refuses to believe him or take the risk. If the media finds out, she will end up making a headline.

" Please believe me Clara, I really want to help you. The clinic has its own rules. The files can't be destroyed but I promise you that they will be very confidential. All the workers here are bound to a confidential contract .

She saw pure sincerity in his eyes, so slowly calmed down. "I don't want anyone to know that I visited a psychiatrist. It will turn what is not true into reality."

"I understand all this, which is why I can only see you as a doctor," Alex could only wish he could dig out his heart and show her how sincere he was.

Letting off some of her guards, she picked up her bag and said " I will be taking my leave now, I may not be able to drop by for some time". She didn't want anyone who knew her to see her there.

"Well, I don't want you to come, because that will show that you are improving on your own." Alex lied. He so much longed to see her every day,he had waited for three good years to see her again and now she was talking about not seeing him again.

"Thank you, then, I trust that you are very professional , you will keep this a secret."

Knowing that she didn't believe him yet, he assured her firmly " I won't ever let anything out. "

"Okay bye then". With that she left, looking at her lonely backside, her eyes darkened. He suppressed the urge to run to her and give her a warm hug and tell her everything was alright.

His angel, who would not even lift her head and pass by everyone quietly, when he saw her file on his table, he was very happy, but if he could too, he wouldn't want his second meeting with her to be in such a place and with such an identity."

" Clara walked out of the clinic and suddenly she bumped into someone. "I am very sorry ". She politely apologised without even looking at the person.

"Clara Davis ?" The sudden familiar voice stopped her and her heart started pounding. How on Earth did she forget that Alex and Jennifer were once lovers?

" I said that you were the one. What are you doing here? Don't tell me that you've come to seduce me Alex, you shameless woman."

"I don't know what you are talking about, and don't forget that I am now a married woman ". With that, she said, she left a furious looking Jennifer.

"Who do you want to fool?,who doesn't know that you have had your eyes on my man since our college years, you idiotic crazy woman," Jennifer furiously barged into the clinic like a wounded lioness.

" Ma'am doctor Qin is out, " a nurse ran after her, but she didn't even look back until she got into the office. Get me a coffee, I will wait for my boyfriend here " she ordered the nurse.

The nurse left with a bow . Immediately she noticed that the nurse was gone , an idea came into her head and she walked to the desk and started searching until she came across the files she was looking for. With a smirk on her lips she said ", Mrs Reynold, you are finished ". She quickly took some photos before arranging them and the way she saw them.

"Why are you here ?" a deep masculine voice asked and she Fringe.

" Oh, Alex, I missed you" going to place a kiss on his lips, but he gently pushed her away."

"We are no longer together. Why are you here? " he said, checking if his files were still intact. When the nurse informed him that she was there, he quickly ran in, remembering that he had left his drawer open, which had Clara's test result, knowing how much Jennifer disliked Clara...

"Alex, I know that we are no longer together, but can we go on a date for the last time please?" she begged with puppy eyes.

"Okay, I will text you the address and time now you can leave. I am very busy today."

"That's my man, I love you," she said, not forgetting to blow him a kiss before leaving.

When he could no longer hear her footsteps, he quickly removed the files and hid somewhere else.

*****

Jennifer was so happy that she couldn't wait to carry out her plans, but since she didn't want anything to happen to her date, she decided to carry it out the next day.

"Mr Jackson, I've got good news for you. I will send it to you on your email account. Looking for a nice headline for it."

"Hope it's not something that will send me to my early grave" the person on the other side warned.

"Don't worry, I will not only provide you with money ,I will also buy some people to back you up just like three years ago. Are you in or not ? "She asked, puffing out smoke from the cigarette in her mouth.

" In.." the other person answered firmly.

Slowly it's night time, like night. The street lights fell on and the street was bustling..

Xavier was not working at night. Instead, he came back early and went straight to the study room and didn't even go downstairs for dinner.

Clara sat alone at the empty dining table. The food seemed very tasteless to her. Seeing Mrs Leah carrying hot food upstairs, she quickly dropped her tableware and ran towards her, " Mrs Leah, is this sir's dinner ? Let me do it ." She volunteered to bring the food to him.

" Miss Davis, this is my job. Let me do it and please don't interfere " she promptly refused, not allowing her to bring the food to her husband .

She knew that she hadn't gotten any respect here. All she did was eat and sleep , making her days very boring...

" Mrs Leah, I am not trying to interfere with your job. I know that you have not acknowledged me as your madam, but in the eyes of the law, I'm really your boss's wife. Can't a wife bring food to her husband? Just see it as me fulfilling my obligations as a wife " she admires herself for being able to say this much.

She always knows that she has the ability to fight back but she just doesn't want to.

Mrs Leah looked at the young lady in front of her for a second as if she wanted to see through her , before handing her the plate of food she turned to leave, since she still had a lot of things to tend to .

Clara secretly let out a sigh of relief when the old lady left and hurriedly took the food upstairs...

" Boss, everything is set. Mr Johnson agreed to work with us, we only need you to sign this to finalize everything."

Clara was about knocking on the door when she heard Tony's voice loud and clear. She realized that the door was half closed so she could hear everything being said inside..

'This contract is the same one her uncle was talking about, so he finally won the contract. Now everything is over' ,recalling what her uncle said during the day, Clara felt very disturbed. Should she help ?

'Why not! He already hate her. Why doesn't she go all out and make him hate her more? If this is the last thing she does to help her family, that's fine.

" Hmm? Madam, you are here." Tony was surprised to see her. Immediately, he walked out the door.

Clara was pulled back from her thoughts. She blinked her eyes rapidly before replying" I brought dinner. "

"Oh.. "Tony said before walking away.

Clara gently opened the door and closed it behind her before quietly walking towards him. This was her first time in his study room, so she couldn't help but take her time to admire how neat and organized everything was.

The study was very stylish, filled with rolls of well-arranged books both with modern and old charms, yet they never clashed, but as she expected, like his room, it gave off a cold vibe.

At the desk he was earnestly and attentive, working with his head down, his thin lips slightly pressed together, not giving anyone a chance to disturb him.

For a moment, she did not know whether to bring the food over to him or place it on the coffee table . She just quietly stood there with the food.

"Leave it on the table" he instructed, without looking up. Although stunned, she did as instructed. After doing so, she stood where she was..

" Anything else " ? He stamped and signed the contract before pushing it aside, raising his head to face her. She became even more nervous seeing him looking at her so coldly.

" Will you also be back so early tomorrow ?" She asked. She remembered what he said to look at him while talking even though his eyes were so terrifying,as always.

Xavier's face sank "is there anything ?" Tomorrow was a very important day for him why did she have to ask about his schedule?

"No.. it's nothing. Come have your food before it turns cold. I will go out first" Clara said, all this in one breath. As she fled his presence, she didn't notice that his cold face was already sullen.

After closing the door, she saw Tony standing still outside, not even taking a breath, looking as if he was waiting for her to come out.

" You really shouldn't think of taking up boss time tomorrow? " he warned her with good intentions. He stopped on hearing her stupid question.

" I was just asking, I dare not think. "

She just didn't want to be alone on this day after so many years, she just wanted someone to spend that special day with her, even if the person she chose was so annoying and cold towards her.

" Remember this date, 28 of May, don't even dare to take up boss time on this day every year,or else you will be counting death ", Tony warned coldly.

Hearing this, her heart beat intensified. What was wrong with that day? An uneasy feeling hit her. Why did it have to be on the same day?

"If someone has a dark day, it's a dark day for Xavier . Please take care of yourself, madam", with that, Tony gave her a slight nod before heading downstairs..

He has already reviewed too much. If he should continue, he may end up dying first.

'28 May every year.'

There's no need for her to remember this day since it is already engraved in her heart since she was born.She stood still without knowing what to do, she then finally let out a sad chuckle.

That night he didn't come. Inside their bedroom, Clara couldn't get any sleep, even with her eye mask on. It turned out that she was already used to having him beside her in bed.

**********

At about six o'clock she heard Xavier walk into the room to wash up and get dressed. His step was heavy and steady without any pause in between.

She removed her eye mask and ran towards the French window, looking over the hallway and the gate..

It was drizzling outside , and the sky was covered with dark clouds and looking very gloomy..

She saw him walk out dressed in all black, he collected a large bunch of flowers from Mrs Leah and walked under the black umbrella held by Tony and got into the car.