Twisted Souls || Michael Langdon

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Burgers and Fries

"Okay, boys, that's enough." I raised my hands up and stood, attempting to lead a shocked David out of the room. "One moment, Michael, I'll be right back."

The door clicked shut behind David and I as I shoved the tall man into the hallway. Taking a breath, I prepared myself for his reaction to Michael's unwelcoming attitude.

"Who does that asshole think he is?!"

"Don't call him that! He is my patient and a client of this facility. Show some respect!" Heat brushed up my back in anger when I registered the insult that David had called Michael. Protectiveness swamped me like a wave as I folded my arms across my chest in defiance. "He has a point, David. You should be working, not wasting your time complaining to me on how bored you are."

"He can't go around talking to people like that! He doesn't even know me!" David ignored my words and shook his head, sending lethal glares towards my door. 

"Enough. Drop the subject and go back to your office. I'm sure you'll find something to do." With that, I spun around in my heels and reentered my office. David's angry stomps could be heard through the door as he distanced himself from the room and walked down the hall.

Michael greeted me back with a raised brow, a questioning frown on his lips. Silence spread between us as I walked over and sat on the armchair across from him. 

"Sorry about David and what he said... and did. He's... special, in his own way." I apologized, knowing Michael heard every word that David said.

"No, he's just an idiot." Michael deadpanned, flicking a piece of fluff off his black jeans. "I don't like how he's trying to get close to you."

"We're just friends, Michael." 

"Not to him. His thoughts are filled with hope of you two going on a date together one day."

"Well too bad, I don't feel the same way about him."

Michael stood from his seat, legs striding to where I sat. Slowly, gently, Michael crouched down to his knees in front of me, leaning in until I parted my own legs slightly to allow him to settle comfortably between my knees. Strands of heat wrapped around my nerves, from my toes to my hips, when Michael's hands met my own on the arm rest. He raised a hand to allow his thumb to glide over my cheekbone before tucking a strand of loose black hair behind my ear.

"And why is that?" He asked huskily.

"Because... I got my eyes on someone else." I breathed out and his lips kinked up in a smirk. The fingers wrapped around my wrist squeezed me gently.

"Damn right you do." Michael chuckled and placed his mouth on the bottom of my jaw. Fire ignited and burned on the spot where his lips placed a soft kiss. "Now... are you going to ask me the three things that I'm thankful for today or did you want to try another version of therapy?"

***

It took a good twenty minutes for Michael and I to focus back into his appointment, but I had to remind myself that within my office, he was my client and my responsibility. I was tasked to help him get better and I was determined to fulfill my goal. 

So, after avoiding Michael's attempts to convince me to choose his latter option, I was finally ready to run through his appointment with him. In the end, it was a success and I couldn't help but smile at the noticeable changes in the man that I deeply cared for. His personality, mindset, and behavior has altered within the past couple weeks. He was different from who he was when he first stepped foot into the facility. 

"You did great today, Michael." I smiled gleefully as I closed my notebook. He beamed at me gratefully and stood.

"All thanks to you, Estella."