Chapter 89
Nathan just sat there, not saying a word.
"Is this still about that woman and that scent?" Harper pushed.
Nathan's eyes got all intense, filled with emotions that were hard to read.
Being a seasoned psychologist, Harper figured she was probably right.
She joked, "You've been coming here every day for half an hour. Are you sure you haven't developed a crush on me?"
Before she could finish, Nathan almost spat out his water, which annoyed Harper a bit. She thought, 'Is it really that crazy to think you could fall for me? Am I not attractive enough?'
"Am I not lovable?" Harper's question hit a nerve.
Nathan nodded and said yes. Harper was definitely attractive, both in looks and personality, a standout in Aurora City's psychology scene.
"Then why the big reaction? Is it impossible for you to have feelings for me?" Harper pressed on.
Nathan nodded again.
"Then who have you fallen for?" Harper kept pushing.
Nathan stayed silent, not nodding or shaking his head.
"You always go quiet at the crucial moments. This is a psychology session, not nap time. You come here every day just to sit in silence. Isn't that a waste of resources? Just so you know, I charge by the hour, even if you don't say a word!" Harper said bluntly.
Nathan didn't argue; the fee was nothing to him.
Seeing that direct questions weren't working, Harper tried a different approach. "How about this? I'll give you paper and a pen. Write down five keywords that describe your inner struggle. I'll seal them, and you can open them months later to reflect. Writing it down can be as relieving as confessing to a tree hole in a movie."
Harper continued, "Keeping these secrets inside for too long can mess with your mental health. Writing them down will help. I know you're strong, but even the strongest have moments of vulnerability. It's perfectly normal."
Harper's persuasive skills were top-notch, and Nathan finally nodded.
Harper was thrilled; she had finally made a breakthrough with Nathan.
She quickly found some paper and handed him a pen.
"Just write five words, think carefully. Once you're done, seal it in this bottle, and I'll keep it," Harper instructed.
Nathan took the paper and pen, thought for a moment, and started writing.
When he finished, he handed the paper to Harper.
"Fold it and put it in the bottle. I won't look," Harper emphasized.
Nathan's expression showed a hint of disdain, as if he was questioning the childishness of this tactic. Since the bottle would stay with her, she could look at it anytime.
"I swear I won't look," Harper insisted.
Nathan nodded but suddenly picked up Harper's electronic lighter, intending to burn the paper.
"Don't burn it," Harper hurriedly stopped him.
"Mr. Kennedy, why won't you listen? I asked you to seal it, but you want to burn it. Do you think I'll peek?" Harper asked.
Nathan inwardly sneered, 'This so-called expert's tactic is too childish.'
Nathan's handwriting was strong and powerful, exuding an extraordinary aura.
By accident, Harper had a good look at what was on the paper when she reached out to snatch it back.
The paper had five words: [disgust, affection, approach, distance, escape.]
The first four words, "disgust" and "affection," "approach" and "distance," were total opposites, showing his inner mess.
The last word, "escape," was his real wish.
Dealing with these conflicting feelings, Nathan just wanted to escape from them.
Harper stared at these five words, like she was looking right into Nathan's soul.
"Since I've seen them, why don't we talk about it?" Harper suggested.
Nathan shook his head.
Writing them down was already a big deal for him; he didn't want to talk about it more.
"Come on, let's talk. It'll help," Harper's curiosity was piqued.
Nathan hesitated but eventually agreed.
"You love and hate someone at the same time? Is that the first conflict?" Harper asked.
Nathan looked at Harper with disdain, shaking his head.
"Are you doubting my skills?" Harper asked, annoyed.
Nathan stayed silent, clearly thinking Harper didn't get it.
The "affection" he wrote about was for the scent on Caroline; the "disgust" was for Caroline herself.
He loved the scent on Caroline but felt disgusted by her. This contradiction was confusing even for someone as tough as Nathan.
"You want to get close to her but fear rejection, so you want to keep your distance?" Harper continued.
Nathan stayed silent because Harper still wasn't getting it.
He didn't really want to get close to the woman; in fact, when she got near him, he felt weird. He wasn't sure if it was because of her or her scent.
But because he liked the scent, he did have a slight hope for her to come closer. Harper was kind of close.
As for "escape," it was Nathan's deepest wish. He wanted to leave Aurora City, far from Caroline and her scent.
Either she left, or he did.
At 4 PM, outside the kindergarten, Nick, in a custom white suit, stood out among the parents like a shining star. His handsome face made him stand out in the crowd, like a proud eagle.
Several moms approached Nick, curious about his kids' names, trying to chat him up and get his contact info. But Nick gracefully declined, "Sorry, I don't use a phone, and I don't know what Facebook is."
As the kids were picked up one by one, the last to appear were the delicate Sophie and Ryan.
Ryan was always calm, never in a rush. He held Sophie's hand, waiting until all the other kids had left before leisurely walking out of the gate.
"Ryan, Sophie!" Nick hurried over.
"Nick!" Sophie called out in her cute little voice.
Nick frowned slightly. Why didn't she call him "Daddy"?
Nick lovingly picked up Sophie and gently said, "Sweetie, can you just call me Daddy?"
"No way," Sophie shook her head firmly.
"Why not?" Nick asked, puzzled.
"Because Nick, you're still in the probation period. You have to pass the test to officially become Daddy," Sophie answered seriously.
"Being a daddy has a probation period? I'm not a new employee. Where does the probation come from?" Nick asked, confused.
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