1. HE DID IT IN HIS SLEEP

“So, you did it again?”

“Yes.”

“You did it again without realizing it?”

“Yes.”

The bespectacled man, who twice asked the question, now sighed heavily. The two questions he voiced were answered positively. However, the positive answer indicated that there was something ‘negative’ with the other man.

His narrow eyes stared straight at the figure sitting in front of him, trying to dive into the man’s soul even though no words were spoken. In fact, it was quite difficult to understand the figure he had known for a long time even though he had read hundreds of psychology books.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go into therapy or maybe start taking medication, Ren?” A handsome figure, with an ID that read Damien Lau, MD., asked again.

Despite being constantly attacked with a series of questions, the young man in front of him remained calm and undisturbed. The young man, who was called by the name René, then replied, “You are thinking too much. What I’m experiencing is only a mild disorder, right? No need for therapy or medication.’

“You’re right, Ren. But, somnambulism is still a disorder that can’t be ignored. In addition, you’re experiencing it twice a week now, whereas previously it was only once a week. The intensity will likely increase, and it may affect the quality of your sleep.”

The fair-skinned youth with the full name René Huang now seemed to be contemplating the words of the older figure. The disorder began to occur a few weeks ago. At first, he was shocked and a little scared, thinking that maybe he was possessed or something. Therefore, the mixed-blooded man went to visit a psychiatrist he knew for a little consultation.

At first, the psychiatrist asked René not to worry because somnambulism, or generally known as sleepwalking, was actually not a serious mental disorder, and no need to be worried about that. Sometimes, the disorder was not even included in the category of mental disorders.

But, at this time, the doctor who belonged to the surname Lau, seemed to have a different idea only because his arrival today gave the news that within a week, the incident had happened to him twice.

But, for the option of taking medicine or doing therapy, he didn’t think about taking it at all. It seemed too much if this kind of disorder must be overcome with chemical drugs or therapy. It was enough for him with a consultation. The burden in his mind was slightly reduced by doing that. At least, he had someone to talk to.

“Ren,” the doctor called the patient. “As I’ve said before, the disorder can be caused by many things. You said you always get enough sleep, never experience fatigue, nor stress. So, what do you think could be the cause?”

The young man, who was sitting in front of the doctor, suddenly laughed strangely. “You are being weird again, Damien,” he commented. “You are the doctor here. Shouldn’t you be able to diagnose?”

The doctor laughed. His junior figure when they were in elementary school was known as a person who didn’t talk much, but once he spoke, his words could pierce to the bone.

“It’s not easy to diagnose the cause of somnambulism, Ren. The causes are varied, so I can’t jump to conclusions.” The doctor smiled faintly, but then his face turned serious again. “I’m just worried that you’re depressed or too stressed that you’re going through this. You’re really not in a complicated situation, are you, Ren?”

One of René’s eyebrows rose in confusion. “Do I look like someone who is depressed and almost committed suicide? What kind of problems can I have? My career as a painter is very successful. I'm often asked to be a speaker in seminars or art forums and often asked to be a guest lecturer in the art faculty of a prestigious university as well. Is it possible for someone like me to be depressed?”

Doctor Lau couldn’t help but shake his head at the haughty chatter of the younger man. Aside from being bone-chilling, René’s words could make the ears heat up because of the content of arrogance that exceeded the limit. Fortunately, the young psychiatrist was used to hear something like that. René’s arrogance was like daily food for him.

“Yes, you did have a brilliant career, Ren. But, what about your love life? You’re 27 years old now, but you’re still single—I don’t even know if you’ve ever had a girlfriend. You could be frustrated by that, right?”

Ah, the doctor’s words caused René’s face to turn crimson to the ears.

“What’s wrong with being single, Dam? I’m still young. I’m not like you who got married at a young age because your girlfriend got pregnant first.”

“Hey! Elloise didn’t get pregnant first! We didn’t get married because she got pregnant first. We love each other, so why delay it too long?”

“How can you be so sure when you’ve only been dating her for four months, Dam? People thought that your wife was pregnant when you rushed to marry her last month.”

Damien sighed again. The 31-year-old man tried to calm down even though René kept urging him. He was the doctor, so there’s no way he could turn insane just because of the younger guy’s bluntness, right?

“I know people think like that, but I don’t care. Over time, people will know that we got married quickly not because Elloise was pregnant first. In fact, she hasn’t been pregnant yet even though we are already married.”

René gave a faint smile to the figure in front of him. There was a hint of respect on his handsome face. Although there was a complaint at the end of Damien’s sentence, René knew that Damien was happy with his marriage. René was quite proud of that because he was the one who introduced Elloise Monet to his best friend.

Elloise was his college friend, and it was unknown what prompted him to introduce the blonde girl to Damien six months ago. Perhaps, he had the talent to be Cupid.

“It looks like I have to go now, Dam.” René started to pack his things. “I’ve been in consultation with you for an hour. Isn’t that a very long time?”

The doctor laughed briefly before replying, “You call one hour long? I even have a patient who consults for ten hours, Ren. Maybe it’s my handsome face that attracts my patients to spend time here.”

René snorted faintly at the doctor’s confident words. “I’ll see you again if my issue gets worse. You have to spare your time for me,” he said.

The older man laughed again before he replied, “I have a hunch that you will come again in a few days, Ren. Probably just five to seven days before you call me again.”

The patient glared at the doctor. “Don’t jinx it!” He exclaimed. “I’ll leave for real now. Thank you for your time.”

After bidding goodbye, the 27-year-old man waved his hand before immediately left the consultation room.

Another free consultation service provided by Damien Lau for 'his beloved brother.'

That surely wouldn’t be the last. He got a feeling that René Huang's case wouldn't be simple.