"Sara works for my company. Almost all the artists under Wolf consult with her regularly, if needed."Wolf explained as they walked into the building where the psychiatrist's office was located. Not far from Wolf's building—Wolf's own company. The company's name was the same as his own, and it momentarily confused Zoe.[What's your real name?] Zoe asked as they ascended to the tenth floor. Zoe just wanted to distract her panicking mind with a light conversation."You know Wolf isn't my real name?" Wolf frowned.[I'm sure any mother in this world wouldn't name their child after a wild animal.]Wolf chuckled as he read Zoe's writing. "I thought Wolf sounded cool. I chose it carefully."[No. You just chose it to look scary.]"But I am scary, aren't I? I chose that name because my real name is not scary at all. It's too clever."Zoe wanted to know what he meant by a clever name, but they had already entered the psychiatrist's room.Zoe read the name on the door. Sara Salgado. Seeing her n
"Venti caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino, extra banana, extra sprinkles, extra caramel, extra whipped cream, extra ice, extra cinnamon topping, and seven pumps of black caramel sauce."Zoe looked at Sara, who was ordering a colorful drink, with her mouth wide open. She only needed two words to order her drink earlier: warm Americano.The barista behind the counter remained unfazed; she was accustomed to such situations. She even smiled as she handed Sara her vibrant order and Zoe's plain black one."Let's sit over there."Sara pointed to a corner of the coffee shop's patio, and they sat down. The weather was cold, but bearable. What wasn't bearable for Zoe was how Sara could casually consume—eat?—her colorful order with a spoon.Due to the excessive extras, Sara couldn't just sip her drink; she had to use a spoon.[Is our session over?] Zoe asked, writing it on the colorful, cat-shaped sticky note Sara had given her.Sara didn't want Zoe to answer via text but to write it on the stick
"Wolf?""Hm?" Wolf removed the headphones from his head. Becca waved her hand in front of his face to get his attention."What's up?" Wolf hissed. He didn't like interruptions when he was working in the studio, especially during the final stages of deciding whether a song was ready for release or not.This process took time because Wolf was very meticulous—not hesitant to ask for re-recordings or remixing if he wasn't satisfied. Wolf demanded high concentration and despised interruptions halfway through.For almost a week now, Wolf hasn't left the studio, conducting a marathon quality check of many songs scheduled for release next month. His patience was at an all-time low."That Bitch is here."Becca felt no remorse for the interruption; in fact, she cursed whoever it was that came, as anyone earning that nickname was someone she despised."Which Bitch?"However, Wolf couldn't comprehend, as Becca had a long list of people earning that title. Even Iris had called her that when she wa
Sara snorted."If that's her only trauma, she wouldn't be mute. It's another psychological issue. If it's just falling down the stairs, she'll probably be afraid of heights or never climb stairs again in her life. Her muteness isn't because she fell down the stairs. It represents another kind of pain, probably related to a man. Shit! I shouldn't have told you that!"Sara is sharing too much. She shouldn't have mentioned the possibility of a man hurting Zoe."What kind of man?" Wolf, of course, didn't understand. Sara waved her hand, not wanting Wolf to bring up the topic of men again."Look. I just want to say that Zoe's issues might not be easy to handle because she won't open up to me. But that's the core of the problem. She's holding something in, keeping the pain or whatever it is inside her. I won't be able to help her unless she starts opening up herself.""And you're giving up?" Wolf would be disappointed if Sara was truly giving up."I am not giving up, but I need your help. S
Zoe complained because the recording she took a few days ago required a lot of editing. In addition to cutting Max's voice to keep Iris calm, there were also many other voices of people present in the gym at that time.Due to being too focused on Iris, Zoe didn't really notice the presence of many people gathering because of the incident. They were mostly whispering, and of course, it was disturbing because the phone's microphone would pick up all the surrounding sounds. There was a part where Cleo dispersed them, but it was after the final part.Zoe wanted to clarify Iris's voice and remove other voices to make it clearer, but she didn't have the ability to do that. Before Billy found them, Zoe's experience using social media to promote Max and herself allowed her to use video editing to blur faces. But for the voice part, it's usually Max's job. Zoe regretted not participating in working on that part, so she had little knowledge now.Zoe leaned back, supporting her cheek with her ha
"Okay, what confuses you?" Clay asked while sipping the newly delivered blue cocktail.As requested by Clay, they were at the most ordinary bar, where the patrons were genuinely there for company and diverse cocktail offerings. They sat in a corner with a sofa for a more relaxed conversation."How do you make a woman comfortable?" Wolf asked.This time, Clay really spit out the drink he was sipping, causing Wolf to grimace as some droplets landed on the back of his hand."That's disgusting, Clay!" he complained."You dragged me here just to ask that?" Clay used a tissue to clean his lips and clothes."Yeah, you know the answer, right? I want specific details. I don't want broad strokes. Attention and understanding—I don't want answers like that. I want clear examples!" Wolf demanded specificity because if it was just a global answer, Sara had already covered everything earlier. Wolf wanted clear examples.Clay stared at Wolf in amazement. He never imagined such a question would come f
Zoe squirmed as she threw the blanket she wore carelessly, causing it to fall off the bed. It was indeed her habit. She tousled her messy hair, as last night she was too sleepy to comb it, so she just let it air-dry after a shower.Yawning widely, she stretched to straighten her back as she lowered her feet. She was still sleepy from staying up late trying to edit Iris's recording. It just didn't work.Today, Zoe planned to seek knowledge on the internet again. To find more precise tutorials so she could accomplish it. It wasn't convincing, as her findings yesterday didn't meet her expectations, but what else could she do?Zoe lazily walked to the bathroom while suppressing a yawn."What makes you stay up late at night and sleepy?""AH!"Zoe, of course, screamed very loudly upon hearing that. Her eyes widened as she turned around, looking around.Then she spotted Wolf, sitting with his legs crossed, holding a cup of coffee. Staring at her with sharp eyes. Observing, but maybe a bit to
Zoe returned to rubbing her chest absentmindedly. Wolf showed no sign of acknowledging her presence. Zoe finally entered the luxurious kitchen that usually sparkled, holding her phone."How did you know I was coming?" Zoe asked."I heard your footsteps," Wolf replied.Zoe widened her eyes. "I'm not wearing any shoes!""Just because you're not wearing shoes doesn't mean I can't hear you. My ears are accustomed to picking up sounds more clearly. And your eavesdropping distance wasn't far, Zoe." The kitchen wasn't too large, as Wolf knew he wouldn't use it often.Zoe nodded, remembering that Wolf's primary job as a producer was to have a keen sense of hearing."Eat," Wolf said, placing two fully loaded plates on the counter. There were high stools for dining; there was no need for a dining table.Zoe looked at the perfectly arranged meal. Two slices of toast, crispy bacon, and sunny-side-up eggs with the perfect level of doneness. The yellow yolk glistened, just halfway cooked. Saliva ga