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right?”

 
    Four
     
     
    Annalise tried to memorize Sven’s latest notes, but for some reason she couldn’t. She sat alone in Sven’s study with a stack of books to read and a tray of refreshments courtesy of Sebastian. For the past few days, Sven had been busy with his own work, and their tutoring had been put on hold. She went to Dune Industry by herself in the morning and spent the whole day perusing documents Sven wanted her to read. After work she drove to visit Robby and returned home by early evening. She ate dinner alone before shuttering herself in Sven’s mancave to study. Most of the stuff she tried to comprehend still didn’t make sense to her, though at least now she understood some medical jargon.
    The sky was pregnant with rain when she had pulled into the building’s garage. By nine o’clock, a full-blown thunderstorm raged outside. Annalise flinched each time a strike of lightning lit the horizon followed by an ear-splitting boom. She hated thunder to the bone. She had suffered from astraphobia ever since she was a child, and it only got worse as she grew older. The abnormal fear of lightning and thunder was amplified when she was alone. She usually surrounded herself with people during thunderstorms. And now being alone in Sven’s study made her nerves frayed.
    It didn’t help that Sven’s place was located on the twentieth floor and there were windows in every room. Even through thick glass, the sound of thunder was too much for her to handle.
    An hour later, she couldn’t take it anymore and sought refuge in her bedroom. It wasn’t much better. She closed the draperies but she could see each time lightning struck. She decided to hide in the closet. Alas. The rich people spacious walk-in closet featured floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The bathroom wasn’t much better. Out of desperation she decided to hide under the bed. Here in the darkness and muffled sound, she had a bit of distance against the raging weather.
    She tried to sleep but couldn’t. The sound of thunder scattered any attempt to regain her composure. She silently prayed for the storm to be over. Judging from the ferocity of the howling wind, the thunderstorm would last all night long.
    She had lost track of time when the door of her bedroom opened and Sven’s voice called out for her.
    “Anna? Anna, where are you?”
    She clamped down, willing herself not to answer. Sven would think her nuts for hiding under the bed just because of some stupid thunder. A heartbeat later, a particularly loud clap of thunder boomed too loud and she couldn’t help but squeal.
    “Anna?”
    Footsteps. The bedskirt was lifted. Sven’s concerned face was visible.
    “Hello.” Anna tried to sound nonchalant but failed miserably.
    Sven kneeled. “What are you doing there?”
    “Hiding. Thunder. Hate.”
    “Oh dear.”
    He took off his shoes and joined her under the bed.
    “Sven! What are you doing?”
    “I’ll keep you company.” Sven squeezed himself in next to her.
    “There’s not much room. It’s cramped.” Annalise squealed again when another clap of thunder erupted.
    Sven quickly hugged her.
    Annalise shut her eyes, waiting for the moment to pass.
    “Why didn’t you tell me you have astraphobia?” he asked. His voice was gentle and soothing to her ears.
    “Irrelevant. Besides, it’s silly.”
    “There’s nothing silly about any phobia. When did this start to happen?”
    “Since I was a kid.”
    “Your parents never took you to a psychiatrist? Astraphobia is highly treatable.”
    “I’m not crazy. I don’t need to go to a shrink. Besides, we lived on the base. If my mom started taking me to see a crazy doctor, people would talk and that would hurt my dad’s career.”
    Sven sighed audibly. “I have a friend who’s an excellent psych—“
    “I don’t need a shrink!”
    “You’re irritated. Do you want me to leave?”
    She answered in a small voice and clutched his shirt. “No, please stay. Sorry.”
    Sven mushed