“You mean my mom has a mental problem?” “Yes, the patient shows signs of a mental problem. She seems to be trapped in a downward mental health spiral: stubbornness, digging herself a deep hole, and paranoia.” Summer nodded as she listened carefully. Those signs were indeed showing in her mom. “But you must be easy on her and don’t agitate her anymore. You know, people who are too paranoid sometimes do things they can’t even imagine.” “Do you have any psychologist to recommend, doctor?” … Harry and the secretary were waiting with bated breath outside the conference room. Senior executives of the company, and the president of another company were sitting at the table. Something was amiss with the company’s president today. Mark usually entered the meeting room with his phone in silent mode, but not today. He strode out of the meeting and answered the phone when his phone rang. After just talking for a minute or two, he sat down, motionless. Seemingly, the other side had
Cold sweat was trickling down Harry’s forehead. He wondered what had caused Mark to blow his gasket. Life is hard for an employee. All documents—with and without errors—had been returned to him, and he had to redo them all. It would be a bad day for the managers of various departments. Harry sighed as he carried the stack of files out of Mark’s office like an office boy. But before he closed the door behind him, he noticed Mark was keeping his eyes on the phone beside him all the time. Was he waiting for Summer to say sorry first? Whoops, this was an arrogant company’s president. The doctor handed Summer a business card of the best psychologist in Santabaca. The treatment would not come cheap, but that was not a problem. As long as Daisy could return to normal and no longer had to suffer, Summer was willing to spend the money. She called the psychologist right away and was lucky to get an appointment with him in the same afternoon. She was overjoyed. She wasted no time to
Mark grabbed her wrist again and forced his words through his teeth in a deep voice. “Don’t you think you owe me something?” Summer frowned and leaned over to kiss him on the lips without thinking much. Mark’s anger dissipated by more than half. He pulled away after a long while. “Hey, go home first. I will call you when I have time.” She had an I-can’t-even look on her face as he behaved like a child. “Have dinner with me.” Summer glanced at the time. “Thirty minutes, Okay?” The two of them went to a nearby restaurant and just got a quick bite. The unpleasant and hurt feelings he was experiencing because of what she said over the phone disappeared altogether when she kissed him. Sometimes this is just how men work; a kiss or even a sweet word could make them forget everything. He seemed to be starving and ordered some more food. But he kept his eating manner graceful the whole time. Summer did not have a clue why he was so hungry and felt sorry for him. “Take it slow
“No! What psychologist? I have a mental problem? I am all good and in good spirits. You can be with the murderer who killed your dad all you want, and I won’t see any psychologist and listen to your crap. Never show up in front of me again!” “Mom, don’t be so stubborn. Let’s see the psychologist; he can help.” “Stop evading the issue at hand. Just give me a definite answer now: leave with him, or stay with me.” Summer shook her head; either way was a painful choice. She loved both of them and did not want to lose either. “Mom, don’t force me to choose.” “I am not forcing you. If you choose me, then we will be the same as before. If you choose him, you stay away from me. If you come to me again, I will slash myself with a knife.” Daisy was adamant, leaving no room for negotiation. She was torn between the two of them, feeling as if her head was about to explode. It hurt her to think of him, of him lowering himself. She promised him she would be brave for him and would try
It was a feminine song, but Mark could sing it with a unique taste of intoxication; it was mellow, charming, magnetic, and moving. Summer listened seriously and attentively, not missing a single sentence. In fact, she wanted to hear his voice and ingrain it in her heart. The surroundings were quiet, and all that echoed in her ears was the sound of the wind, as well as his deep, melodious voice. A long time had passed, and she was still reluctant to hang up. He suddenly said, “Come down. I am in front of the hospital.” Tears burst out of her eyes at that moment. She was afraid of making any sound, so she clenched her teeth, choking back her cry. “I am busy; I don’t think I can go down.” “I am waiting for you. I drove all the way here, shouldn’t you let me see you for a second?” Mark’s voice was deep, yet carried a hint of gentleness. “I am really busy. I can’t make it. I am just making some time to call you. Tomorrow, we will meet in the cafe across the street. I will wait f
She called Mark in front of Daisy and asked to meet in the cafe across the street. When she was about to go, Daisy again warned and threatened her with a grave and serious expression. Summer was tired of it. It seemed that Daisy’s paranoia had gotten worse. Now that she had agreed; what was Daisy still worried about? The cafe The two agreed to meet at 10:00 am. When Summer arrived at 9:40 am, Mark was already there. He was wearing a black suit, his charming face looked tired, his eyes bloodshot. It seemed that he had just rushed over from his office. She walked over, sat down across from him, and looked up. “Why did you come so early?” Mark leaned forward to get close to her, reaching to pick up her dangling hair and stroking her cheek affectionately. “I don’t want you to wait. You didn’t sleep well last night, huh?” Summer subtly avoided his hand by picking up the coffee cup from the table. In fact, there was no need to pretend anything now since she was about to tell him
No one could hurt Mark—not even a bit. But the look in Summer’s eyes and a word from her mouth could hurt him dearly.. Her words pierced into his heart like needles. Mark snickered, his voice hoarse. “Since this is what you want, then I will give it to you. But remember, I will no longer be available to you as no one will stay in one place and wait for someone forever.” For the first time, he loved a woman so much that he offered his heart to her, yet she threw it away. He got up and walked away, his steps not long and quick, as if he still had some expectations. Summer stared at him from behind, panting heavily, and tears rolled down her cheeks as an uncontrollable sadness consumed her. Hearing nothing from her, Mark sneered and laughed, and he never looked back. What else could he expect from her? If she did not want him to leave, she would have spoken just now. What else could he expect? Leaving the coffee shop meant the end between the two of them. It was a complete
The three of them were equally good at drinking. But Charlie was the first to pass out, and Billy was still drinking and kicking Charlie. Using alcohol to numb his sorrow was making the matter worse. He got more upset in the end. He leaned back and stayed motionless. The culprit was still smoking. Charlie’s eyes teared up because of the choking smoke. “Didn’t you quit smoking a long time ago?” “I can’t help myself,” Mark uttered a short sentence in a hoarse voice. “It seems that no one could read the ‘Smoking can kill you’ warning sign on the cigarette packs.” Charlie smiled. Mark said nothing, took out another pack of cigarettes, and lit up again. While Billy was still in a blackout, his phone rang. It was Sherman calling. So Charlie picked it up and talked to her briefly. “I will send this Billy home. You have also drunk too much, Mark. I will find a DD (designated driver) for you.” Charlie was about to make the call. “That won’t be necessary. Do I look drunk to y