Chapter 9

"Why are you chuckling?"

"I've never heard someone address you with your surname without using your title as a doctor. You come here often?"

"Yes. I'm a patient here"

"You're a...patient?"

More than the fact that a psychologist visited a mental health clinic herself, he was more shocked by the fact that she admitted it so easily.

"Yes. The doctor is an old friend so he's willing to help out. Unfortunately, I can't tell you my illness"

"No, there's no need"

Adam had a feeling if he heard the reason, his mind would crumble. The image he built of Giselle was quite indomitable. Hearing she was a patient herself, it broke something in him. Giselle noticed it too.

"You're this shaken by it? Your symptoms must be severe. Thankfully, Dr. Monroe happens to be good at what he does so I'm sure he can handle your case"

Adam just nodded in response. A nurse walked up to them soon and gave Adam two pills and a cup of warm water. He downed it and after a few minutes, felt drowsy. He yawned, catching Giselle's attention.

"Sleepy?"

"Mmhm"

"The drugs are working then. Just try to relax. You won't actually fall asleep unless you want to"

"Okay"

They sat there for an hour more before a man in his mid forties walked in. He had a hair full of thinning black and white hair. Despite that, his physique was quite alright and he was a head taller than Giselle. When he saw the latter, he greeted her with a hug and smile.

Due to the influence of the antimanic, Adam couldn't even muster an ounce of jealousy. However, there was some spark on embers when he saw Giselle return both the hug and smile.

"You kept me waiting old man"

"I'm only 45. I'm not that old. I had to rush over from my mini vacation when I heard you came back. So, what's up Giselle?"

"Here's your patient. He's obsessed over me"

"There's that offensive mouth. Couldn't you phrase it better?"

"Too lazy to"

"I knew it. Has he been registered?"

"Yup. Had nurse Philip register him and prescribe him antimanic. That's why he's like this. Can you see him now?"

"Let me go set up. I'll call him in soon"

"Okay"

"And Giselle?"

"Yeah?"

".......Never mind"

"Weird" she commented quietly when she was sure he couldn't hear her. Not long after, Adam was called in to the consultation room.

While waiting, Giselle went outside to call Mathew. After a few rings, he picked up.

"First of all, why are you not here? Second, why didn't you call me yesterday and finally, do you want to die?"

"To answer your last question, no, not really. I had a little accident so I had to take the day off. My leg hurts. Yesterday, a minor incident occurred so I couldn't speak much. I saw your missed call but I couldn't call back. Sorry for stressing you out so much"

"Missed call? Missed call?! It was denied!!"

"Eh?"

"You rejected my call!!"

"Why would I do that? I was probably delirious"

"Before, you were way too serious, not even taking a day off but now you're arbitrarily missing work and right in the middle of our busiest months. Do you want to kill me?"

"Of course not. Believe it or not, these last few days were a series of misfortunate events. If you guys hadn't suggested that blind date, it wouldn't have happened"

"Don't you dare shift the blame"

"I'm not. That is exactly the catalyst that sparked these series of events. So, don't be too angry. I brought Adam to Dr. Monroe"

"....What?"