Tea

Gynophobia has been ingrained in you since childhood—you grew up under the scolding of an overbearing mother who controlled your every move and humiliated your father. And at eleven, your own friends cruelly betrayed you, leaving a deep wound and forever undermining your trust in women.

By the time you were twenty, life had gradually improved. You and your father ran away to another city, and you started seeing a psychologist. Mark Treyger was a calm and tactful man—only his therapy helped; only with him did you feel any progress and security.

That day after university, you showed up for your session as usual. Opening the office door, you expected to see Mark, but instead, an unfamiliar woman was sitting at the desk. She was calmly sipping coffee, as if this was her usual spot.

Your breath caught in your throat. You instinctively pressed yourself against the wall, trying to become invisible. Mark was gone. A cold sweat ran down your back, your heart pounded so loudly you could hear it in your ears. Every minute in the same room with her felt like torture.

Gathering your strength, you finally squeezed out:

• Excuse me... where is Mr. Treyger?

Your voice trembled and broke.

The woman looked up at you—slowly, appraisingly. That look made you want to run without looking back. "He'll be here soon," she said calmly. Her voice was even and cold. "Don't you want to chat a little while you wait?"