When Bexley's editor Eva Mellon tries to dig up secrets on an impromptu 'Office Romeo', whose oblivious 'Juliet' stands in the way of 'her forever' with fellow colleague Josh, she finds herself eerily attracted to the no-nonsense, intimidating (but...
With everything going awkwardly unexpected in my life, Roms talked me into seeing this weird therapist. My therapist was an old man of around fifty, and looked rather young for his age. His name is Mikhail Starkovich, and I got it way wrong the first time. So I turned up that day and said-
"Hey, Michael!", and he gave me a thirty minutes lecture on etymology.
He has this weird beard covering half of his face, and his eyes are that shade of grey that I have a natural aversion to. However, no matter how lousy he appeared to me, our first session was fruitful. There I was, ready for the next session. I sighed.
"How are you doing, Eva?" Mikhail said in his heavy Russian accent.
He seemed overdressed for a therapy session. A cashmere coat rested on his shoulders as Mikhail smiled from his half-moon spectacles. Whatever he was doing in our therapy sessions was helping me out a lot with Turner. Now that Josh and I had started dating, I couldn't wait to tell him. His spirits were high when he took another sip from his Chamomile tea.
"Good morning, Mikhail!" I waved as I positioned myself in a seat opposite him. A library of books on psychiatry and mental health surmised in his wall-turned bookshelf.
"Eva...You seem surprisingly happy today. Not that I am complaining." Mikhail said. Was it that obvious? I dressed regularly, had my hair tied up in a ponytail, and for once, I didn't skip my morning breakfast. What was so unusual about it? I was going to get some legit info on how to deal with assholes and secret boyfriends. How could I not be happy?
"You think?" I questioned Mikhail.
"Yes. Very well!" Mikhail put in with a chuckle.
"Ahh...So are you going to tell me another one of your magic tricks to solve my problems with Will?" I asked impatiently.
"No. But we are going to talk about the 'other stuff' today." He said as he settled down in his chair. Weird.
"Yeah?"
"Is this about a guy?" He asked.
"Yes." I nodded.
"How long have you been going out?"
"For a week." I said, not ready for what was in store.
"He likes you a lot. Doesn't he?"
"Umm-actually, I don't know." There I said it.
"He does!" Mikhail exclaimed in utter joy.
"He does?" I looked at him questioningly and he nodded his head. How come I don't have a clue?
My jaw hit the floor. Was old Mikhail a psychic? How could he tell just by looking? I was yet to tell him about Josh and me. Now I understood what Romilda was talking about when she preached about him. My eyes filled with a holy admiration for the man I thought was a scammer.
"Tell me more about it."
"I...Um...The thing is, I have liked this guy for a long time." I said
"I see..." Mikhail chimed.
"I couldn't help but accept his proposal. Since then, I have been happy!" I added. At this point, I find Mikhail listening to me attentively.
"Good heavens, Eva dear! You're in love with that Will guy!" Mikhail exclaimed.
Will? Love? Him and I? I looked questioningly at him. Was he nuts?
"Why? No fucking way, I was talking about Josh! Joshua Harris, my co-worker, proposed me. We are going out!" The word was out, and I thought I saw Mikhail's face drooped down. He hunted for his tablet and flashed the screen on my face. It was a picture from the convention ceremony at Bexley's. Will and I dressed in white, kissing each other out of our senses.
"This the guy you're talking about?" He asked. Okay, this man was clueless but adamant about my personal life. He was getting paid to do so. What's the harm anyway? I had to be honest at some point.
"No, no. That is the other guy."I shook my head, pointing out a dazed Josh in the picture.
"You don't love him?" He asked awkwardly. This was escalating to a whole new weird vibe.
"No. But I am trying not to hate Will."I said.
"Well, what can I say about that then! How's this Josh guy?"
"I thought we were going to talk about Will!"
"No, we will talk about Will later. We will talk about Josh now."
"Okay, but I thought..."
"No buts...I know what I am doing. So tell me, Eva, what you about Josh that differentiates him from the guy you kissed?"
"Does that even matter?" I asked suspiciously.
"Yeah. That will explain why you allow Will to kiss you despite having romantic interests towards Josh."
Damn. It didn't hit me up to this moment. Mad or not, Mikhail had a point.
"You are attracted to, Will." He said, and it sounded more like a statement.
"No, I am not." I said.
"Really?" He sighed.
Will's wide grin played in front of my eyes. Really?
I was screwed.
***
After our tete-a-tete, Mikhail suggested I take time and figure out my feelings for Will before things got serious with Josh. But I didn't have time. I was dating Josh, and what more could I ask for when I had all that I dreamed? Plus, I had this instinct that told me that Mikhail was a scam. He charged low, never minded Sunday sessions, and had a terrible interest in my love life which I still find weird.
My phone buzzed when I entered the parking lot at Mason's.
Josh added you to a group chat.
You have 1 new notification from Josh
Josh: Eva, my love. Can't stop thinking about you.
Josh had created a group chat with 13 other office employees and he had texted 'Eva, my love' in the public group. Was it his way of telling the world about us? But, don't I get a say in whether or not to make this relationship public? My heart sank a bit.
Was Mikhail right? I couldn't help but think. What now? The time off couldn't be an option.
Me: Josh, we need to talk. I will see you after work "_".
Take care.
Josh: Okay, darling. Love you. Muah muah.
It didn't seem romantic anymore. Screw guys. I sighed.
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