"I actually have very good news today and I feel like I should be thanking you, Ms. Hayes." Matt said with a smile as he crossed his legs on the couch.
"First of all, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Olivia? Secondly, I am sure that you did it much more on your own than from me." Olivia smirked slightly and leaned forward putting her pen down on her legal pad and put her hands on her knees through her long black skirt. "But I'm dying to hear what it is!"
Matt looked around the room playing coy, as he built the anticipation of the news. "I got the raise!"
Olivia shouted, "Yayy!" as she jumped up from her seat and bolted to Matt in her low heels. Matt stood up to meet her and the two embraced in the middle of the room. The hug lingered for a second longer than normal, both of them not wanting to be the first to let go.
After they parted, they both sat back down in their respective places. Olivia now wore a full smile in genuine happiness for Matt. "That's so awesome Matthew. I am just so proud of you." She leaned back in her chair, "You really put the work in and I can't think of anyone who deserves something good like that, more than you."
Matthew chuckled and said, "Well I think you would be the only person who deserved it more. Considering it was YOU who helped me in the first place!" He put his hand up before Olivia could respond, "And before you start to water down what you've done for me and how it was 'really all me.' I just want to thank you for all that you have done for me. Our sessions have really given me a new perspective and I genuinely believe that is why I am succeeding now, mostly because of you Misst-." Matthew coughed over his words. "Because of you Olivia."
Olivia felt her heart beating faster, whether it was from his praise, his command of her with his hand, her name, or a combination of all three. Matthew was looking into her eyes intensely with gratitude as if he was looking right through her. Olivia felt like he was undressing her with his eyes and felt a growing warmth in her stomach. She broke their eye contact for a second to regain her thoughts. "Thank you Matthew, that's very kind of you. From where you were when you first came in, to where you are now..." she adjusted her glasses on her nose, "...I'm just.. I'm just so happy for you, truly."
Olivia's mind drifted back to when Matthew had first walked into her office.
---
It was around 6 months ago toward the end of winter. Olivia had recently gone through a breakup about a week to Matt's first appointment. So close to their appointment, in fact, that she almost cancelled and referred him to another therapist but she knew she shouldn't pawn him off for such an arbitrary reason.
The day of the appointment came quickly. Olivia checked her watch and sighed, Matt could arrive at any moment. Preparing herself for his arrival she picked up his file and read it again:
Matthew Jones, 29 years old
6'1", dark brown hair, blue eyes, average physique