No.

You stared at Matt and hesitated, but you weren't sure why. The image of Jessica's face flashed through your mind. You shook your head at him and stood aside to let him in. He sighed then shrugged as he stepped into the house. Jessica briskly walked over to the front door, adjusting her dress as she did. She gave Matt a polite hug and showed him through to the lounge room. You shut the door and followed them quietly.

Matt was introducing himself to your family. He shook Joel's hand, then gave Amanda and then Cait a kiss on the cheek. They sat back down on the lounge, and Jessica showed Matt to the armchair, which faced towards the lounge. Jessica looked over at you then quietly walked over to whisper in your ear.

"I'm going into the bedroom for a minute. Stay with Matt and listen to everything he says. I need you to do this for me." She said before promptly leaving.

You walked over to the lounge then leaned against it. Unfortunately it was a two and a half seater lounge, and was already cramped with three people sitting on it, so you tried to look as casual as you could while standing.

"How long have you been a hypnotist for?" Cait asked. She leaned forward as if interested, but she likely couldn't sit back comfortably with Joel and Amanda sitting either side of her.

"Well, I've always had the gift... But I didn't discover it until maybe... Four years ago? I tour the country and perform privately when I can." Matt spoke with a smile.

He gazed over at you then back at your family before speaking again.

"So, if you don't mind... I'll give a demonstration now..." He said.

"Oh, I don't think I want to be hypnotized..." Amanda began to say. She looked over at Joel and Cait nervously.

"Don't worry, there's absolutely no risk. I'll do you after them, if that makes you feel comfortable?" He offered.

"C'mon, mom. Stop being a pest." Joel crossed his arms.

"Oh, shut up. Alright, fine." She agreed.

"Very good." Matt said as he leaned forward and clasped his hands together with a smile.

"Now... Amanda. Please close your eyes... All of you, close your eyes and try to relax... Lean back..." He motioned to Cait as he spoke.

"You will need to clear your mind and be completely relaxed as you listen to me. Empty your mind of all your thoughts..." He spoke in his soft voice.

You sat down beside the lounge and closed your eyes as you listened to Matt.

"Feel your body loosen and relax as you listen to my voice. Your mind is empty of thoughts. You don't need to think. You feel comfortable." You continued to listen as a familiar feeling washes over you, and Matt's voice slowly drifts into a feint buzz. A few words echo through your mind.

...Always listen... says.... I was just thinking... Obey... Normal.

The words drift past as you then listen to the sounds of silence for what seems to be hours before you begin to feel yourself return to the room, an overwhelming sense of joy seeming to infect your mood. You see Matt in the corner of your eye. Jessica gave him a kiss on the cheek as he left through the hallway and apparently out of the door. You gazed around. The room was quite dark, only illuminated from the light shining out from the bathroom door. You looked at your family on the lounge, who were all beginning to stir.

You gazed back at your wife, who caught your eye. She smirked at you as she walked over, then sat down in the armchair.

"Oh... Wow... Uh... Is thingy gone?... Wow, that was incredible..." Joel muttered to himself as he stood up and stretched.

"Yeah... I doubted the whole thing... That was... Fun." Amanda agreed with a nod.

"Hm... Did we go to sleep?.. I feel so happy..." Cait felt her face as she looked at you then at Jessica in disbelief.

"It's quite something, huh?" Jessica spoke with a smile. "Matt had to leave, he had to drive home and it was getting late..." She explained.

"Oh, shit... It's late." Joel said as he looked at his phone.

You checked your own and saw that it was nearly ten pm.

"It is. I was just thinking, there aren't actually enough beds..." Jessica said with a thoughtful frown on her face. You felt a strange and familiar feeling wash over you as she spoke, and you looked at her. You could see from the corner of your eye that your family were watching her too.

"Well... We'll figure it out." She looked between you and your family, then offered a satisfied smile as she stood up and walked towards the kitchen. She flicked the light switch on, which seemed to make everyone snap out of their strange, docile state of mind.

You stood up and followed Jessica into the kitchen. She turned around and spoke to you in a hushed voice.

"Someone will have to share a bed... Let's make it interesting." She spoke with a smirk that made you feel uncomfortable.

"I need you to do this for me." She said, confirming your obedience.

"Okay." You said while listening.

"I am going to make Joel sleep in our bed with me..." She smirked again when she saw your pained expression.

"And you will have to share the guest bed with either Cait or Amanda. I'm sure you've shared a bed with them when you were a kid. It should be fun." She lightly shoved you as she walked past you and went back to the loungeroom. "I was just thinking..." You heard her muffled voice in the next room as she spoke with your family. You began to clean the kitchen, wiping the benches and checking whether the bins needed changing. Eventually you went back to the loungeroom and saw that your family were watching Jessica with glossy eyes and a vague expression.

"Here he is now. Honey, your family have agreed that my idea is good. You'll have to share a bed with someone, though. You choose." She smirked at you and waited.