Lola Lincoln sat patiently in her office, in the Prince Special Hospital located in the Eastern part of London. She was awaiting the arrival, of her client for the day, Mrs. Harper Hill. The woman in her late thirties hailed from Belton, Missouri. she was American, but moved to London, after marriage. the session with Mrs. Hill was scheduled in the late afternoon that day. Lola was seated on her very comfortable desk chair, with her back facing, the huge glass windows, that surrounded some parts of her office. She was a Therapist, well known around London. She is loved and respected by many, for her excellence and commitment to her job. She was by far, one of the most sought Therapists, in the hospital.  Aside from her never-ending dedication to her work, she has committed beautifully, to the success of the Prince Special Hospital. That was why, she at a young age, had gotten a very high position in the Hospital, as she was the head of the Therapists' Department, which was a lot. The Hospital itself was popular among other Hospitals. The Hospital is a very big establishment, owned by Prince Penn, who was a very important person in London. The Hospital has lots of machines and the best facilities, which has added to the growth of the institution. Its various medical sections and areas are handled by professional experts.     

       Lola being one of these professional experts has added great value to the Hospital. She started working there, five years ago, after completing her master's at the University of Manchester. She started as a normal Therapist, before being promoted a year ago, after the previous Head of the Department, retired. She was promoted because of her skills and ability to help even the hardest clients. To Lola, no client was too tough or broken. She became the youngest, to land that position in the Hospital. She was born into a family of medical practitioners. Her father, in his early sixties, was a retired Surgeon, and the owner of a surgical school, in Manchester. Mr. Arnold Peters hailed from Manchester, where he had a very sound reputation. Her mother thought was from Brighton, and in her late fifties. She was an Optician, working at the Manchester General Hospital. They had been married for more than thirty years. 'We got married in court, and that was it.' Her father would always say to her, whenever she asked about their marriage as a kid. Her father had always been a very hard and practical man, the exact opposite of her mother. While her father would always stand on the fact that the two had a loveless marriage, her mother would tell her false stories about how they met. Gloria Peters was nothing like her husband. Lola took after her mother's calm and welcoming nature. she was a beautiful and dedicated mother, who would do anything to make her daughter happy. 'One-day Lo, you would meet the man, who would love and cherish you for who you are.' Her mother said to her, on her twentieth birthday. 'If only' Lola said to herself two years later, after getting married to Mark Lincoln. It was an arranged marriage like her parents. The only difference was that there was a ceremony, and it did not only end in court. The Lincolns were close friends of the family. Lola had known them since she was little. She knew them to be her father's close friends, and nothing else. She had always heard about their son who was studying outside England but had never seen him until she was told they'd be getting married. His parents had discussed the wedding plans with her's, even before she was told about it. The purpose of the marriage remains unknown to Lola till today. She had no say in the matter and was forced to marry Mark.

       Mark Lincoln is a renowned lawyer, who now oversees his father's law firm. He was just like her father, hard and practical. He was a busy man, and is rarely home, leaving Lola just to herself. She sometimes feels like, he never stays at home, just to get away from her. She feels like he might feel the same way she does, suffocated and strained. They have been married for seven years, and they both live in a house, gifted to them, by Mark's parents, at their wedding ceremony. It was a very spacious house, which Lola sometimes refers to as a mansion. It had up to ten rooms and other large areas. Lola always felt lonely and goes out a lot, because she resented staying alone that way. She was constantly afraid, that her life might remain the same. One thing she always longed for, was to be free from all these burdens, and finally, live the life she wants for herself.

      With a sigh, she put down her cup of coffee and sat straight. It was her second cup of coffee that day. Lola loved coffee. She knew addiction to that much caffeine was bad, but it was something she couldn't do without, no matter how much she tried. She takes three to four black coffees a day, as it reboots her energy, and eases her stress. Her office telephone rang, the sound echoing through the room, and she picked it up abruptly.

'Mrs. Hill has just arrived, Ma'am Lola's secretary, Ann, informed her through the phone.

'Please send her in' was Lola's response, before hanging up. She got up from her chair, and smartly walked towards the sofa in the middle of her very spacious office. Her office represented who she was, calm and collected. The walls were painted a very dim grey color, and the floor was tiled a matching color with the walls. She wanted her clients to feel safe, secure, and comfortable, while in her office. She had also added little touches, to make the room more welcoming. Starting from the shelf in the far corner of the room, filled to the brim with books, to the well-groomed and cut flowers, plucked straight from her garden at home, beautifully arranged in the room. There were also paintings from the local art gallery and many more warm items. Lola herself felt undeniably comfortable and often referred to her workplace, as her safe haven. She had already let down her curtains, to conceal the large windows, and the amazing city view, before taking her sit, on a single sofa, in the room's center. She heard a soft, yet sharp knock on the door.

'Come in' She said. The door opened, revealing the familiar face of Ann, followed by Mrs. Hill. The woman looked a little bit older than her age, due to what Lola assumed was stress. Her blonde hair was in a messy bun. Her face looked pale, and she had a few stress lines on her forehead. She was not wearing make-up and looked rather absent. She was dressed in a red sweater and blue jeans. Ann ushered the woman into the room, and Lola got up to greet her. Mrs. Hill looked nervous and uncertain, as she walked to the middle of the room, where a smiling Lola was standing.

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'Good afternoon Mrs hill' greeted Lola, her smile still in place.

'Good afternoon' she replied, her voice void of any British accent.

'Please sit Mrs. Hill, Ann here would get us something to drink' Lola gestured to the three-seater, across her own seat. Mrs. Hill gave a shy smile, and sat down, while Ann asked what she would like to drink. 

'Water is fine, Thank you.' the woman said, and Ann left the room after that, not bothering to ask her boss, what she would drink, as she knew she would want black coffee.

'It is so nice to have you here Mrs. Hill.' Lola started after they were both seated.

'Thank you. It is nice to officially meet you too.' the woman said, as she looked around the room. She was advised by a close friend, to visit Lola, after explaining her issues to her. She immediately carried out research, on the young Therapist, her friend spoke so highly of. With all she read about Lola, she had concluded that Lola was indeed a young, but experienced Therapist. She had also read that she was a sweet woman, who was happily married and dedicated to her job. She knew she was in good hands and is even more pleased with Lola's reception.

'How are you feeling Mrs. Hill?' Lola questioned, after a while.

'I feel.........comfortable enough' she answered. Lola nodded, just as a light knock sounded on the door, announcing the arrival of Ann. She walked into the room with ease, as she was already familiar with this routine. Balancing the two cups on the table, one containing water, and the other containing coffee, she exited the room. Lola watched as Mrs. Hill took in every little thing, in the room, while she took a sip from her coffee. She allowed her to look around for a while, as she wanted the woman to feel much more comfortable. 

'Tell me a little bit about yourself Mrs. Hill' said Lola, as she placed her cup back on the center table. Mrs. Hill took a while to reply, as she did not know where to start.

'Do take your time please, as I do not want you to feel pressured or overwhelmed. I would suggest you drink water, and relax your nerves.' Lola reassured as the woman had not said a word. Mrs. Hill did as she was told, and immediately she felt lighter. 

'Well, you already know my name. I am American, but moved to London, after marriage.' she started. Lola crossed her right leg, over the other, as she listened to the woman. she wanted her to take her time, as there was no rush. Mrs. Hill swallowed, before continuing. 'I have been in London for three years now' she explained.

'So you moved from America to England? That must have been a huge change.' Lola said.

'Oh yes, it was a huge change.' the woman agreed.

'And how have you been coping with this change?' questioned Lola. Mrs. Hill sighed and took another sip of water. Her palms were a tad sweaty, so she nervously rubbed them, on her jean-clad thighs, all of which Lola had noticed.

'I have been trying to adapt, I guess. I got a job, although I quit____'

'And why did you?' Lola interrupted, raising her eyebrows. She was curious, as to why she quit working.

'I was working in a local library. The stress was too much for me, so I decided to resign.' explained Mrs. Hill, trying to look convincing. Lola could see through her but decided not to push the matter. 

'That makes sense. So you have been married for three years?' Lola asked with a small smile.

'Yes, I have. I got married to John, in my hometown, in Missouri, before moving here with him, afterward.' 

'That is lovely. And how did you two meet?' 

'John had been in Missouri for a business trip when we met. He was there for two months, and we started seeing each other then. We courted for two years, before deciding to get married. It was hard dealing with the distance and all, but we did anyway.' Mrs. Hill told Lola, who was enjoying the beautiful story. 

'You must really adore him.' Lola said.

'Yes, I really do. It's just__I do not know how to say this but, I am not myself in this godforsaken place.' the woman's sudden outburst, shocked Lola. 

'What do you mean?' she questioned.

'What do I mean? I mean I hate it here. I detest everything about this place. I am not used to this type of lifestyle. Where I come from, it is always so peaceful. I miss the togetherness, the serenity, and everything. This isn't the life I want Mrs. Lola. Do you not understand me? I am tired.' Mrs. Hill cried.

      Lola was shocked, as she definitely did not see that coming. She handed over the tissue box, that was on the center table, to the distraught woman. The tissue box was always there for moments like this. Moments when clients like Mrs. Hill would let go, and cry till they feel better. In moments like these, Lola lets them cry and release the bottled-up pain and anguish. Mrs. Hill sobbed uncontrollably, only calming down, after a while. 

'Are you okay?' Lola asked after the woman had dried her eyes out. 

'No, I am not. Please help me.' she pleaded. 

'Be calm Mrs. Hill. We will find a solution, I promise you.' Lola assured the woman, before continuing. 

'Does your husband know about this?' she asked.

'I___I don't know' Mrs. Hill stuttered. 

'You don't know? Well, have you ever mentioned it to him?' 

'I have tried. He should have seen the signs' answered Mrs. Hill. 

'What signs are you talking about?' Lola questioned, very confused.

'John is a very loving and perfect husband. I am very lucky to have him as my husband. But then again, I sometimes feel like he doesn't care.' she started 'He knows how I have been these few years. He often asks, why I am always sad and all that. He did not understand why I quit working and doesn't get why I do not want kids yet. I mean it is very easy. He should have figured it out.' Lola smiled at this.

'Mrs. Hill, I would suggest you talk to your husband about all of these. Some people are unable to understand, certain things, especially, body language. If you do not talk to him about this, it would remain like this, unfortunately. I totally understand everything we discussed today, but I must say you have to talk to your husband.' Lola advised her. They were both silent after this. Lola gave her time to take in, all she had said. 

'You are right. I have to talk to him. I must. I cannot go on like this.' The woman ended up saying, to which Lola was pleased. 

'Great. I would schedule another session for this week. Please do talk to him and let me know next time.' said Lola, and Mrs. Hill nodded eagerly. Mrs. Hill felt a lot better. She was ready to talk to her husband about what has been bothering her. But most, she was glad she had come to Lola.