The rain lashed against the windowpanes of Camila's car as she drove through the city streets, the windshield wipers struggling to keep pace with the torrent.
The wipers squeaking against the barrage of tapping rain against the windshield.
"Ughh, it just had to rain today," she muttered to herself as she maneuvered around a bus, the spray from its tires momentarily blinding her as the wake of the bus sprayed all over her car. She sighed, her breath fogging up the windshield despite the defroster's best efforts. Her hands clutched the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white against the black leather.
Eventually making her way around the slowing bus, Camila saw the familiar turn towards the plaza sign she saw on Google Maps when she looked up the address.
"Almost there," she reassured herself as she pulled into the lot, feeling a slight relief at the empty parking lot.
She finally pulled into a parking spot outside a nondescript brick building, the rain still pummeling against her windshield as if to dissuade her from leaving the safety of her car. She hesitated, "Just another minute," her thoughts echoed as the defroster continued blowing warm air that radiated to her hair, the rain outside creating a soothing rhythm against the roof of her car.
Taking a deep breath, Camila turned off the engine, the sudden lack of noise emphasizing the drops outside. She grabbed her purse and umbrella, then made a dash for the door, the rain immediately soaking her hair and clothes despite her best efforts with the umbrella. She was already feeling flustered as she stepped into the lobby, her shoes squeaking on the linoleum floor as she made her way to the receptionist.
"Hi, I'm Camila. I have 3:00 session," she said to the figure behind the desk, her voice a little breathless from the dash through the rain as she looked down at her rain dappled clothing.
The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile, looked up from her desk and nodded. "Ok let me just confirm your information, then we can check you in," she said, her fingers typing lightly on the keyboard.
"Last name and birthday?" she added,
"Nichols, 10/27/94" Camila replied, her eyes darting around the lobby looking for something to dry herself with as she waited for the receptionist to clear her.
"Thank you, Camila. You can have a seat, Nolan will be with you shortly", she said, her voice warm and soothing.
Camila thanked her with a polite, close-lipped smile and walked towards the seating area, the plush carpet beneath her feet silencing her previously wet and squeaky footsteps. "Ick" she murmured to herself as she surveyed her reflection in the large mirror hanging by the door close to her seating. Her cream-colored blouse was now slightly transparent, showcasing the outline of her black lace bra. She shook her head, "Typical, first impression and all," she sighed, pulling out a few tissues from the box beside the magazines. She dabbed at her blouse, trying to soak up the water spots that were starting to show through the thin fabric. Her pencil skirt was also damp, but she decided to leave it be for now, hoping it would dry naturally.
"Well hopefully he takes his time," she thought, peeking at her own reflection as she continued pat drying her top and leaving a small pile of tissues on the table beside her.
Just then, a young man emerged from a door down the hallway, his hair slightly disheveled and his eyes scanning the room. He caught sight of Camila and flashed her a friendly wave, but his view lingered on her a moment longer than necessary, taking in her damp hair and slightly disheveled appearance. Taking note of her bra being slightly visible but ensuring he maintained contact above her nose to ensure she didn't notice him catching the detail.
"Camila?" he asked, walking towards her with an outstretched hand.
"Yes, that's me," Camila replied, standing up and extending her hand. His grip was firm, but his palm was slightly clammy, betraying his nerves.
"I'm Nolan," he said, gesturing for her to follow him as he spoke.
"Nice to meet you doc," Camila replied, her voice laced with amusement as she took in his appearance. She surveyed his tight fitting, navy slacks and crisp, white shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, revealing a hint of his forearms. She couldn't help but notice the way the fabric stretched taut across his broad shoulders but also caught the amateurly knotted tie around his neck. Was he in a rush or is this his first day? Camila thought to herself.
"Call me Nolan, please," he corrected her, leading her down the hallway. "I'm still a couple years short of a doctorate."
Camila smirked, "Well, Nolan it is then," she said, her view darting mischievously as she notices his hesitation to maintain eye contact.
Nolan led her into a small, sterile room, dominated by a plush, leather couch and a leather armchair that looked like it had been freshly polished. The room was bathed in a soft, yellowish light from a floor lamp in a corner, casting long shadows along the wall beside it. The scent of burning candle filled the air, with a hint of cleaning fluid used to wipe the surfaces. A large window behind the couch offered a view of the rain-soaked city, the droplets clinging to the glass like tiny diamonds racing along the window.
"Have a seat," Nolan offered, gesturing to the couch as he took his place in the armchair.
"Mind the cleaning or chemical smell, I just moved into this office so I haven't had the time to give it a personal touch yet," he added, apologetically.