Day 2

Ugh. A dream again? Shit, and I thought ... I hoped ... Lucy...

I woke with disappointment clawing at my chest. Ever since I’d come home, I’d been having these vivid dreams that felt more real than my waking hours. Each one left me feeling hollow when I inevitably returned to reality.

Still, I’d enjoyed the feeling of being able to control them like that, as if I were their master. And now that I thought about it ... it wasn’t too far from reality. Stella had managed with just her words and one hand.

It would be cool if Stella could show me some more tricks. And maybe, eventually, I could try it out myself.

It’s just for fun. Why not?

I pondered this possibility as I dragged myself out of bed. Can’t study on an empty stomach, after all.

When I entered the kitchen, Mom and Lucy were already deep in animated conversation at the breakfast table. Fortunately, there was no sign of Helen – a small mercy that promised a more peaceful morning.

“Oh, there you are!” Mom’s face lit up as she spotted me. “I got home late yesterday, so I decided not to bother you. How’d it go? Did you get the job?”

“Yes! Thanks, mom! This might just be my dream job,” I replied, unable to keep the excitement from my voice.

Mom practically bounced in her seat. “Hooray! I’m so happy for you, sweetie! We must celebrate.”

“Come on, mom, there’s no need to -”

“Of course there is! You finally got a good job, we have to celebrate, right, Lucy?” Mom’s enthusiasm was infectious, her maternal pride radiating from every word.

Lucy nodded vigorously, nearly spilling her cereal. “Of course! Don’t worry, Alex, I’ll take care of everything!”

“What kind of job is it by the way?” Lucy asked, leaning forward with curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

“Yeah, I seem to have some sort of internship, and I’ll be ... we will ... we’ll be doing all kinds of exciting stuff, and I’ll be learning hypnosis, and...”

At that precise moment, Helen walked into the kitchen, her expression immediately souring as she took in our celebratory mood. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

“Why so happy? Did someone show her boobs out of pity?” she sneered, her voice cutting through our cheerful atmosphere like a rusty blade.

I kept my tone light, determined not to let her drag me down. “Ha-ha. I got the job since you asked.”

“Wow, impressive. Which pizza place is it? Tell me so I can avoid it.” Her sarcasm was as sharp as ever.

At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to humiliate that bitch, but I decided to wait a few seconds before answering. I wanted to show her I wasn’t the same emotional, short-tempered Alex from four years ago.

“The best pizza joint in town, Helen. Do you want to come visit?” I replied with mock sweetness.

“Ohh, look at Mr. Fancy over here, and no, I don’t want to see your stupid -”

“Helen! Will you two ever stop this?” Mom’s exasperation cut through Helen’s insult like a whip crack.

I dropped my bombshell calmly: “And I’m working with a therapist, by the way. Thought you’d like to know.”

Helen’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You mean a fraud? I knew it, I always-”

“I’m so glad for you, sweetie!” Mom interrupted, her maternal pride overwhelming Helen’s criticism.

“Don’t jinx it, mom,” Lucy warned superstitiously.

Helen threw her hands up in defeat. “Fine, whatever. I’m leaving.”

She stormed out of the kitchen with dramatic flair, apparently annoyed that her usual tantrum hadn’t captured everyone’s attention as effectively as it once had.

Lucy cast a worried glance after her retreating figure before Mom shifted the conversation to safer ground.

“Lucy, how’s the psychology course going, sweetheart?”

“Everything’s fine, mom. Alex took a glance at my essay and I think I’ll pass,” Lucy replied, shooting me a grateful smile.

“Great, you’ll be top of your class with Alex’s help,” Mom beamed with satisfaction.

Her eyes suddenly widened as she glanced at the kitchen clock. “Wow, kids! Have you seen the time? We have to get going. Alex, are you ready?”

“Yep, just give me a minute.”

“Ok, hurry up and finish eating. I’ll clear the table.”

Mom’s driving proved to be an adventure in itself. She flew through the highway, weaving between cars with the aggressive confidence of someone perpetually running late. I gripped the door handle as she narrowly missed a sedan, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Soon enough, we arrived at the hospital in one piece, and I made my way to Stella’s office, still recovering from Mom’s kamikaze driving style.

“Good morning,” I said, trying to project confidence despite my rattled nerves.

“My, you’re here early. But I guess it’s better this way. Come on in. We’ll start soon,” Stella replied, looking up from her desk with approval.

“Is the appointment scheduled for 9 AM?”

“Yes, of course. The client should be here any minute.” She adjusted her glasses, a gesture that drew my attention to the way her blouse strained across her chest. “I was hoping you could attend one session a day for now, as you should stay focused and watch very carefully the whole time. It’s important that you learn bit by bit and avoid getting overwhelmed.”

“Of course.”

Stella began reading from her notepad, outlining my responsibilities in her crisp, professional voice. I tried to listen, but my eyes kept wandering to her revealing outfit. Her blouse had a low V-cut that showcased her impressive cleavage, and I was fairly certain she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath.

Her breasts are literally bulging out, and she’s completely professional about it. I wonder what she’s really like underneath all that clinical reserve.

“Good. That’s that. Now would you be a dear and get me some coffee, Alex? The machine is just round the corner to the right. Here’s some change. Espresso, please.”

“Sure. I’ll be right back.”

As I fetched her coffee, my imagination ran wild with possibilities about what the day might bring. I wonder what’s coming up today? A client with nymphomania? A hot housewife who needs her passion for sex back? Or more women who can’t cum?

I wouldn’t mind “watching very carefully” as another beautiful woman has an orgasm in that chair...

The sound of knocking interrupted my lustful musings.

“Knock Knock”

“Good morning. Please, come in,” Stella called out.

A woman burst through the door in a whirlwind of stress and barely contained energy. “Phew! I thought I wouldn’t make it. So much traffic! And a car almost crashed into me, damn it! I mean, who taught them how to drive?!”

She paused, seeming to remember her manners. “Um, excuse me. I’m Tilda.”

Tilda was stunning in an obvious, almost vulgar way. Her name sounded exotic, but her body was what really caught my attention – she had a perfect chest straining against a tight top and a flat stomach that led down to a skirt so short it seemed ready to lift and reveal everything underneath.

I watched her with growing interest, wondering when I’d get to see her experience the same earth-shattering climax I’d witnessed yesterday.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Dr. Somnus, but please call me Stella,” my mentor replied with practiced warmth.

“This is my assistant, and he’s going to watch us, do you mind? He’s learning,” Stella explained, gesturing toward me.

“No, no, of course not,” Tilda replied, though her eyes lingered on me with obvious appraisal.

“So, what brings you here, Tilda?”

Tilda launched into her problems with the fervor of someone who’d been holding it all in. “The thing is ... Oh, Dr. Somnus, I’m under constant stress! The whole world seems to be crumbling around me, and I don’t even have time to catch all of its falling pieces.”

She gestured wildly as she spoke, her breasts bouncing with the motion. “I tried all sorts of techniques ... meditation, yoga, massages ... I even take pills. But it only works for a few days, then I just crumble all over again. I’m constantly panicking about work, the kids, and I just ... Ugh!”

Stella nodded with professional sympathy. “I see. Many people face this kind of thing. The world is so chaotic it’s quite normal to not be in control sometimes, and I want to make you understand that that’s ok.”

“It’s normal, and to not worry if you have anxiety sometimes.”

Tilda’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Really? Oh, that’s so relieving to hear ... I feel better already, you are a great therapist, Dr. Somnus! Now, I guess I should get out of your hair, you must be busy...”

“Wait! That’s not all. I can offer you a permanent solution to your anxiety, a way to regain your mental balance, would you like to try it?” Stella’s voice carried a note of excitement.

“Yes, of course!” Tilda replied eagerly.

“Good. Then sit back comfortably and try to relax. Let’s begin our hypnosis session.”

What a boring client, I thought with disappointment. Stress? Seriously? Where are the crazy nymphomaniacs?

“Make yourself comfortable. Find a point on the wall and focus on it.”

Stella’s voice took on that same hypnotic quality I’d heard yesterday. “You stare intently at that point on the wall as the world around you slowly starts to go out of focus. There is only that point and my voice...”