Comparing numbers

After lunch, Kris and Tye went back to the small room to have a wrap-up session. This is where Tye would ask Kris about how he felt and how they plan to continue the process.

Kris stood up and looked out the large windows as Tye sat comfortably on the sofa. "I am proud of you."

Kris turned around and smiled. It was a genuine smile. Tye could see that Kris was expressing more and exploring more expressions too. They were not all his stubborn, edgy, and cold expressions.

"How do you feel?" Tye asked.

"I am happy."

"You're still only 1% of the way there."

Kris walked to the sofa across of Tye and sat. "1%? I feel like I am 30% done already."

"It may look like that but no. You respond to aggressive movements. Do you want Madam Li to punch you before you hug her?" Tye joked. "I guess it makes sense that you react to aggression more. It's what you grew up with…Regardless, you won't be 30% until you can interact normally with a female partner."

"What's the plan now?"

"We will warm up tomorrow with the same idea and gradually start with the simple interactions again. Like patting, shaking hands, maybe try dancing."

"And then?"

"Then… we switch up Lena. Just because you succeeded with her, does not mean you can with someone else. But we won't get there until you pass everything else."

"Ok." Kris understood what Tye was saying. Tye did not want to repeat the same events like last time.

"This will be us working with you. However, there is something important that you need to do by yourself."

Kris stared at Tye, waiting for him to finish. "You need to trust Lena more. And the first step is to open more about yourself to her."

Kris frowned. Tye knew that Kris was not someone who liked to share his past with others. Out of their group of friends, only Tye know the full truth about Kris. Kris only shared with Tye because it was part of the recovery process. Tye had taken years of building trust and a relationship with Kris for him to be open about himself. The others only know a few things, some more than others. Madam Li, on the other hand, knows barely anything about the situation.

Kris never talked to her about it. Kris' father never mentioned it and when Madam Li try to get the answer herself, her conclusion was always a dead end. She only knew what they were able to tell her. In the end, she parted her ways with the Li family and her only goal was to be a mother for her son.

"It's not that easy." Kris responded.

"I know. But when was it ever easy? Just get drunk and tell her everything...ahaha" Tye laughed but Kris glared at him. "What? I was just giving you a suggestion. Works on normal people."

Tye turned around and grab something out. It was a small box. "I also got you something." He passed the box to Kris. Kris opened it and chuckled. "It's earplugs. You might need it."

Kris closed the box and put it on the sofa as he got up again. He looked out the window, thinking about something else again. Tye could tell what he was worried about.

"Are you worried about what she would think of you? Why do you care?"

Tye's last question hit Kris. Why does he care? Lena was not close to him either, he does not care what she thinks. Since he was paying her to do this anyways, she would just be like Tye. Kris tried to convince himself.

"I am not worried nor do I care what she thinks. I'll tell her soon."

------

Lena had been so busy with everything, she forgot about her report from Mike Zhao. She opened the email he sent and the attached lab results.

"Hello Miss. Lena Shen,

As promised, I have the results that you wanted. I have them attached and you can see them yourself. As an expert, I can tell you that the pill is 100% safe to use and perfectly effective. The only side effect is some minor pains for the initial intake. However, that was only a small risk compared to the final results. The pill must only be digested fully, not in any other way.

I appreciate you approaching me and I will gladly help you again. Miss. Wu was interested in some other products I introduced to her, maybe you are too. We can discuss them sometime over lunch sometime? I hope to see Miss. Shen then.

Mike Zhao

Research Department Head"

Lena had a broad smile. She did not even say who gave her the pill and this stupid dude already name his client. Lena was quite happy that Mike Zhao was a very stupid man. He can be a bit more useful for her still. Lena replied back that she will be back in City A on Monday and they can have lunch on Wednesday.

Lena wanted to know what other products Mike Zhao have been selling to Eva. She closed out of her email and called Noah. She needed Noah to prepare a few things for her next meeting with Mike Zhao.

She stood up and walked over to Gary. "If you don't wake up soon, I will have all the fun without you."

"You're never fun to begin with."

Lena looked up and saw that Kris had entered the room. "You always sneak in. Do you like to stare at what people do so much?"

"You're just too unconscious of your surroundings." Kris walked over and sat on Lena's chair near the bed. "He just got shot three times and he's still not awake."

Lena gasped. Kris is saying like it was so rare for people to get shot three times and survive. "Are you saying Gary is weak? Well, how many times have you got shot in one sitting?"

"Five.. and that happened a few times."

"I'll make sure to stay away from you after we eliminate our common enemy."

Kris wanted to reply with 'What makes you think you can stay away from me?' but he kept his mouth shut before saying something he should have not said.

"Is that why you have so many scars on your body?" Lena asked.

Kris looked up at Lena. She must have seen him from the last time he showered at her house. "Some of them are gunshot wounds."

"Well, Gary only has one scar on his chest. And he has a full 6 pack abs while you only have 5." Lena defended Gary.