"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
Presents with mild depressive symptoms and a general lack of motivation
Seeing these listed off Olivia formed an image in her mind of what he looked like. She also made an assumption of what his personality was. Her mind conjured up Matt had all the same hobbies as her recent ex and was just like him. A tinge of sadness and anger started to rumble in her chest as she felt lonely.
Knock Knock
The knocking at the door brought Olivia back to reality. "It's open!" she yelled, standing in preparation to meet her new patient.
Matthew opened the door and walked in with a soft smile and immediately the first feature Olivia noticed was his deep blue eyes. She walked over to meet him at the door, extending her hand and said, "Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Ms. Hayes but you can call me Olivia." Flashing a smile and examining his facial features
"Nice to meet you Ms. Hayes, I'm Matthew but you can call me Matt." He responded as he met her hand and enveloped it completely. His hand was powerful but soft and had a reaction from Olivia that she tried to conceal.
He was dressed simply but well; bearing a nice gray shirt and some slacks. He wore an older classic watch with a leather band and white sneakers.