in the room where you sleep

five

2 weeks

I had flown back home since Johnny still had a couple days of filming to do and I had to get back to work. I arrived at the office and set my stuff down at my desk and sat down. As I was working, my boss walked over and sat on my desk, placing a newspaper in front of me. It was Johnny and I at the Vietnamese restaurant. I looked up him. 

"So this is how I find out?" He chuckles. "I really thought y'all were friends, but I clearly had it wrong." 

"Oh, yeah um, it kind of just happened."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy for you and I love that you're glowing with joy and love. You absolutely deserve it. But listen, I want you to be aware of bad press, which I know you know about. I just don't want your image and reputation to get destroyed over an out-of-context sleeze article. Just promise me you'll be careful? Both of you?" I could tell he was being genuine. 

"Well yeah, of course. I know better."

"Good. I know you do. Oh, the ratings on his article? Through the roof. You're killing it, kid! I think now is a good time to tell you there is a promotion in store for you." I perked up.

"Wait what? Really? What kind of promotion?"

"Editor-In-Chief. My position. I'm getting bumped to corporate and I want you to take my spot. We have a meeting with the higher ups at two today to go over the details. I'm very proud of you. You earned this." He patted my back and stood up.

"Thank you. Really. I'm excited for the opportunity." He nodded and went back to his office. I instantly reached for the phone and called Johnny. After a few rings, it went to voicemail. I left him a message to call me back. I forgot his lunch wasn't until 12. It's hard to contain my excitement.

12:45PM

Work was slow since I had finished what I needed. Finally, Johnny had called me back.

"Hey, doll I'm sorry. We got released to lunch later than expected. What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Oh I am more than okay. I'm amazing. I have really good news to tell you."

"Oh really? That's great, what's the good news, baby?"

"I got promoted to Editor-In-Chief this morning." Johnny instantly yelled and hollered.

"Hayley that's so great! I'm so proud of you! What the fuck? That's- god I'm so proud." I smiled and laughed. 

"I'm so excited. I have a meeting with the higher ups today to go over the details and transition!"

"Oh baby, that is incredible. Look at you! I wish I was there for this moment. I am so unbelievably proud of you, babydoll. That's fucking amazing. I promise you when I get home, we are celebrating. Baby, I miss you." 

"Aww. Baby I miss you too. More than anything. I can't wait for you to come home." He sighed.

"I'm ready to come home. I love my job I swear, I just get tired out is all."

"I know, Johnny. You'll be home soon. Just a couple days to go. We can do this." 

"Man, you're my favorite. You just know. Listen, I'm going to finish eating then I'll have to get back, but I will call you when I'm out of here."

"Okay, sounds good. Be safe, have fun, okay?"

"Yes ma'am. Talk later." We both hung up and It was about the time we had to head into the meeting. I grabbed my portfolio and other documentation I needed to present and I went into the conference room. Fingers crossed I don't throw up. 

5:00PM

The meeting concluded and we all went our separate ways except for my boss and I, as we were headed to his office. I sat down in the chair facing his desk and him. 

"So how are you feeling?" He asked me. 

"I feel great! I'm ready to take this on. I can do this."

"Well good. That's all I needed to hear. On Monday, this office will be empty and you'll be able to get everything moved over in here. I'll be here as well to help out and get you started just in case you need assistance with anything, alright?" I nodded my head. He reached back behind him and handed me a stack of folders.

"I know, it's a lot, but this is everything to do with the job title. What I want you to do is go ahead and take off and take this home and go over everything. Anything you have questions on, mark it for me and we can go over it on Monday and sit down and look it over."

"Great, thank you. I appreciate this. All of it." We both stood up and I shook his hand and thanked him before grabbing everything and heading home. After I got myself settled, I grabbed the files and sat down on the bed, started from page one, reading thoroughly through everything. 

Johnny POV

I decided to come home early. I finished my parts and I was just ready to get home. After a long flight, I had made it to Hayley's apartment around one in the morning. I figured she would have been asleep. I had picked up flowers on the way. I made my way up to her apartment and quietly opened and closed the door. I set the flowers down on the counter and went into the bedroom, seeing her sound asleep. I smiled to myself and carefully got into bed, laying beside her, gently running my fingers through her hair. I wasn't tired, so I just laid there and watched her. I missed her, I missed her voice, her smile, her everything. It's so good to be home. 

6:00AM

I stayed up the remainder of the morning. I look over and she was starting to wake up. I moved closer to her and reached my arm over her body and pulled her to me. She clinged to my arm, feeling all over it. She quickly turned and faced me, eyes wide with tears filling them.

"Are you fucking serious?" She squealed with excitement, now crying. I pulled her to where she was on top of me straddling my hips. She wrapped her arms around me, burying her head in my neck, crying into me. 

"You're home. Oh my god." I gently rubbed her back and squeezed her tight.

"I'm home, baby. I'm here." I leaned up and had her face me, and I kissed her like no tomorrow. I needed this. 

Hayley POV

I refused to let go. I didn't want to get up. 

"I'm so happy you're home."

"I couldn't wait two more days. I needed to come back and see you." He kissed me once more and I just laid there taking in all of him. 

"You know, we have some celebrating to do, miss Editor-In-Chief." I looked up at him and smiled. 

"Oh yeah? And how do you suggest we celebrate?"

"I'm thinking a nice dinner and maybe other things I have up my sleeve, which I cannot give away." I rolled my eyes and chuckled. I sat up and crawled off the bed, walking into the bathroom and brushing my teeth and washing my face. 

"Is there a specific attire?" I asked him.

"Honestly, you could wear a garbage bag and you'd look great." I leaned against the doorframe, throwing the hand towel at him. 

"We both know that's not happening." I laughed at him and walked over, pulling him out of bed to go downstairs to make an absolute mess in the kitchen for breakfast.