A charmed life doesn't always mean Paisley has everything she wants, especially the things she doesn't know she wants. Being a small town coach and counsellor keeps her busy, and on top of all of the local gossip, a job she loves until she realizes...
***Author's Note*** Don't forget to listen to the song above for the full immersive Paisley experience!
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***Author's Note - I have kept this picture in my notes for this story for at least 6 years and it was the original inspiration for Paisley's office. Of course in our story it is much more feminine! Alright, let's get back to Paisley and what the new year has in store for her!***
"I don't know what happened, we had a really nice time on New Year's Eve and suddenly the next day it was almost like he was a completely different person"
Paisley gently nodded, hoping Amelia would keep talking, while at the same time hoping her face didn't give anything away. It had been a week since she had stumbled upon James and his orgy, and it was no wonder his mood had turned sour. Amelia twisted a soggy tissue and stared at the dancing flame of the candle on the coffee table. Paisley realized this would take some nudging.
"In what way did he seem completely different?", Paisley asked. Trying to dig for details at the same time staying professional while keeping her composure, while a knot formed in her stomach wasn't easy. She knew there could only be one reason James' mood had changed so dramatically in such a short span of time, and she knew she should've expected this conversation.
Amelia took a moment before she answered, "So angry, and more agitated than I have ever seen him. At first I thought it might have been something I had done...or maybe he realized I had forced his hand about New Year's Eve, but things seemed fine when we spoke on the phone in the morning.", Amelia started to cry again, "I really don't know what's going on, I have no idea what to do about any of this".
Paisley was determined to get as much as she could out of Amelia about New Year's Day but knew she had to be gentle with Amelia or risk her suspecting something.
"What did you talk about in the morning? Did he say anything out of the ordinary?"
Amelia sniffed loudly, reached for more tissues, and wiped the tears that were running down her face and neck. "Nothing unusual, he just said he had a nice time the night before and was heading out for a walk and breakfast with some friends. I asked if he wanted me to come with them and he said no, it was a guy thing, so I didn't push the issue."
Bloody right it was a guy thing, Paisley thought, struggling more and more to keep what she knew to herself, while knowing she couldn't let Amelia go on like this.
"When did you notice his changed behaviour?"
"That night, when we talked at the end of the day. He was almost...manic? I don't know if that's the right word, but he was snapping at every little thing and eventually I decided to get off the phone and let him be angry on his own."
"Do you think something happened that day to set him off?"
"I think he might've had a run in with a woman in town, he said something like some bitch causing problems but he wasn't making a lot of sense so I didn't ask him more about it. To be honest, I was afraid to ask him anything more. I could hear him slamming doors and throwing things, I really didn't want him to be angry with me so I felt it was best to leave him alone "
