«Live with a system) Chapter 23
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Riley didn’t know how to describe her feeling at that moment. It was as if she had been suddenly struck by something.
The lighting in the film was dim; Alex’s cigarette burned a red hole in the dusky blue. He was looking down slightly, his hair a little long, falling over his eyes. His stray hairs swayed gently. His other hand, with clearly defined knuckles, playfully teased the chin of a kitten. Then, he spoke, “Aren’t you going to eat yet?”
She replayed that scene many times before Googling him. She learned his name was Alex, an artist of Hollywood. He was even the youngest Oscar winner in cinematic history.
The film she watched was four years old; he was still a newcomer then.
Then, she watched many of his films and she had almost memorized the plots.
But Riley’s favorite remained the first one she saw.
Later, she learned of his suspension of all work due to health issues.
At that time, she was in her first year of graduate school, newly employed as an intern at Professor Griffith’s psychological research institute.
Not long after, on a day she was working alone, she received this man she had only seen on
screen.
He had been practically dragged in by his agent, Brenda. Unable to resist, he settled into a seat. Alex didn’t want to make things difficult for her. He wore a relaxed smile but wasn’t very cooperative with the treatment.
Riley went along with him, subtly steering the conversation back on track, discreetly extracting information from him.
At the end of the therapy session, Alex squinted at her, saying, “You’re very smart.” “Thank you,” Riley smiled, tidying up the notes on her desk.“You wanted someone to talk to.”
The man was taken aback, his smile fading.
Riley’s
smile didn’t change; her eyes curved
upwards.“You
smell bitter.”
Alex showed more interest, sitting up straighter.“That’s a cute way of putting it, but is it true?”
It was a lie, of course. Riley didn’t have that ability.
As Alex’s fan, and as a psychology student, she could sense that his state was different from before. It was like there was a massive mountain on his back.
She put away you’d like.”
her smile, turning serious.“It’s true. You can come and chat with me anytime, if
It wasn’t just
just casual reassurance,
To her surprise, she saw him again.
but Riley thought he wouldn’t come again.
Later, Brenda signed a contract and non–disclosure agreement with her. Alex hired her at a high salary to be his private psychologist. This salary perfectly filled the gap in her living expenses.
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< (Live with a system? Chapter 23
Brenda looked tired but also relieved, saying, “I’ve taken him to see many psychologists these past few months, and he’s only willing to talk to you,”
After that, Riley played the role of a rational psychologist very well. Even Alex himself didn’t know she was his fan,
Riley knew everything about Alex’s past his complexes, his pain, his long–standing troubles. She helped him to ease his pain, and heal his broken heart. She also knew all his tastes, preferences, and habits.
Even a broken person could be cured, and she just happened to be the one who helped him put
imself back together.
She thought they would always get along like that.
But Alex changed.
