** "Do you think it would be appropriate for you to be his boyfriend?" Doc Alvarez asked without contemplating, even though Mr. Allen and I had just arrived in his office. He did not even wait for us to settle down on the couch, as if he were hurrying to finish the session. "Can you give us some privacy, Mr. Allen?" "Is that even necessary, boss?" Mr. Allen insisted. "I mean, it has been your tenth session with Doc Alvarez, if I'm not mistaken, yet you let and approved me stay. Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut. I swear to my mother's grave." I have sensed something was off with Doc Alvarez the second he asked me the question. He intentionally asked me directly to get my attention. Whatever that is, I must take Mr. Allen out of the picture. It's better to be safe than sorry, knowing Doc Alvarez is asking for an interrogation instead of his usual psychiatric session. "Why do you think it's inappropriate for me and Charlie to have a relationship? I al
** "I guess someone had a good time, huh?" Doc Alvarez said, his eyes on me were too sharp, as if he was about to stab me with it in the chest. "Well. Thanks to you, Doc. I earned a few grand from our last session. I bought a few things for my wife and unborn child. They'd be happy to see those gifts for certain." In our previous session, I sold a few of my truths to Doc Alvarez, as a matter of fact, some of them were thrown at him for free. There were thirteen envelopes in total, each containing a hundred thousand dollars, and each of them was in his possession at that time. I told him more than thirteen, if my memories served me right. Piece of cake! I took them all since I played my part of the game honestly as part of the rule. His rule, not mine. Since it's free money, I bought Clarisse a simple gift. Though it wasn't that expensive, it's the thought that counts. My would would appreciate everything I gave her, especially when it involves our unborn child. "So, what rewar
**“It’s been a while since the last time we’ve met, Dominick. What changed your mind?” Doc Alvarez asked the second we sat across from each other in his office.The last time he mentioned was when he exhausted me with his useless sleeping technique, whatever he called it. He believed, or shall I say, he claimed it, that using such a technique would help me tell the truth without knowing it.Guess what?He almost achieved his goal by doing so. I nearly confessed to him about the dagger that I had seen, which I had attempted to commit suicide three times.If not because Dad threatened me that he would get rid of my unborn child, I could have left the country already.“It’s none of your business, Doc. Can we get this session done already? I have someplace to visit in an hour that’s more important than your office.”“Alright then. How about let’s play a game?” I frowned as I couldn’t believe that’s the only thing he came up to convince me.He then grabbed something underneath the glass t
**“Just close your eyes and listen to the sound of my voice, do you understand, Dominick?” Doc Alvarez said in a calm tone, as if his voice were echoing in my ears over and over again.I moaned shortly in response to his request. It has been two hours since he ordered me to sleep on the cold tiled floor with nothing on it, apart from a blanket.Yes. The audacity to let me lie on the floor. He could have told me his clinic can’t afford to buy a single bed. I am willing to pull a few grand out of my pocket to buy one.If only I had a choice to halt this nonsense.“Where are you right now? Tell me,” he asked again, and it felt like his voice was just around the corner.“In my old room. And it was freezing and too dark. I can’t see anything. Can someone switch on the lights, please?” I replied, my voice trembling in fear.“Don’t be scared. Don’t be scared, I’m with you right now. No one is going to hurt you, do you understand? Listen to me, Dominick. Look for the switch.”“Are you kiddin
Deep inside me, I somehow felt guilty for hitting Mr. Allen harder than he could imagine. I glanced at him from the mirror above him to check the cut on his lower lip.Feeling down and helpless, I lashed out everything on him earlier. I fucking blamed him for ruining my life and for losing everything in an instant.Who could have thought this bastard knows how to surprise me, huh? Perhaps I was not the only one who felt guilty for what happened.Regardless, it won’t change the fact that my anger and hatred toward him have already reached their peak. I couldn’t find any good reason to forgive him or make amends.The length of my disappointment toward him was as far as heaven is from earth. Looking at his face, or even thinking about his name, is already a reminder for me of how I lost everything that I’ve built my entire life.Because he doesn’t know how to shut his mouth for a second. And I won’t apologize to him. Never. Not even in my next life.“How did you know I was in the precinc
I didn’t stop shouting at them to get everyone’s undivided attention, hoping someone, or at least one of these old and fat police officers, would understand basic English.To no avail, I ended up exhausting my voice even after putting in much effort. All the officers who passed the holding cell simply responded to me with a contemptuous look from head to toe.As if they were more bothered than I am.The commotion subsided when a new batch of officers arrived in the precinct. One of the newly arrived officers was talking to those who laughed at me.I understood nothing from their conversation apart from hearing someone’s name - Christoph Miller, making my eyes roll in their direction with my sense of hearing heightened.“Be grateful, a concerned citizen just saved your ass from this hell of a place, Mr. de Guzman,” says the officer who has just arrived.He then walked in my direction and unlocked the gate before he added, “You’re a free man now. Next time, you'd better sleep in a room