Destined 2 Love ( Sequel )

T H E G R E A T P R E T E N D E R

Exactly one month later:

Destiny sighed, looking up at the tall building. The weather in Atlanta hasn't been the best lately. It's been raining this entire week, and to make matters worse, Kaleb came down with a fever. As bad as she wanted to stay home and help Kross tend to their son, she had to do this. Pushing the glass door open, a middle-aged woman sitting behind the front desk greeted her.

"Do you have an appointment?" The woman questioned, asking basic information. "Yes. Destiny Jones, 1:15 with Doctor Melendez." She informed. The woman typed Destiny's information into the system, confirming her appointment with Stephanie Melendez, the highest recommended therapist in the office.

The receptionist sent Destiny up to the 4th floor minutes later. On the elevator ride up, she grew anxious. This is all new for her. Destiny wasn't sure if she could sit on a complete strangers couch, expressing her feelings and emotions, but she promised Kross she would try. One soft knock to the glass door was all it took for Stephanie to swing it open.

Her piercing green eyes were almost hard to not stare at. Her smooth, wrinkle free skin was slightly pail, but her long ginger spice hair made up for it. "Hello, you must be Destiny. Come on in." Stephanie smiled. Destiny walked into her spacious office, looking around at the simple decor. "I'm Doctor Stephanie Melendez, but you can call me Stephanie." She spoke, grabbing her notepad and pen from her desk.

She signaled Destiny to have a seat on the brown sofa across from her. Stephanie could sense a first timer whenever one was in the room. She's been a therapist for fourteen years, and is supposedly damn good at what she does. "Before we start, I would like for you to know, this is a safe space. Nothing you share with me leaves this room. You are free to express yourself in whatever form you feel comfortable." Stephanie stated.

Destiny nodded, trying to get as comfortable as possible. "Okay, let's begin." Stephanie slipped her a smile, opening the notepad. "What brings you here?" She questioned, looking over at Destiny. She cleared her throat, "Trauma, heartache, childhood scars... the list goes on." Destiny said. Stephanie took note of all that was said. "All of which are normal for patients." Stephanie reassured. "I've never done this before." Destiny confessed.

Stephanie took a second to look up from her lap, staring closely at Destiny. "It's perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable. Not everyone opens up right away. Some people walk in and start airing their dirty laundry, while others don't even want to discus the real reason their seeking therapy." Stephanie shared. Her statement made Destiny feel a little more at ease than when she first entered the office.

"Now, you said you're here for many reasons." Stephanie glimpsed down at the notepad with the notes she jotted down, "But first, let's get to know you." She smiled. Destiny bit down on her bottom lip before slowly shaking her head. "Do you have any family, Destiny?" Stephanie asked.

"I'm the oldest of four children." Destiny gave her a small smile, thinking about her three siblings. "What about your mother?" Stephanie questioned. Destiny toyed with her acrylic nails while looking down at the peach rug on the floor. "My mom... she's around, but she hasn't always been the best mother to her children." Destiny informed.

The doctor took note of this in her notepad as well. Although Destiny is here in sought of learning to face her trauma, Stephanie wasn't about to force her to open up in their first session. Asking a patient to tackle their trauma right away is very risky. "Destiny, what's the relationship between you and your mom like?" Stephanie asked.