" Bitter Truth ".

29. Sandwiches and coffee

Austin's pov

" Get me some coffee " I instructed my assistant, gently rubbing the back of my neck.

" you need to get some sleep, " Riccardo said sitting on the couch in my office and going through the files for the next meeting that we had in ten minutes.

" Hello, people " Roland yelled cheerfully walking in" why are you here? Isn't it your day off?" Riccardo questioned focusing on the files.

" First I wasn't able to sleep, so I cooked you some sandwiches," he said handing us the box of sandwiches along with coffee" and secondly it's technically my day off is over it's past two in the night," he said leaning against my desk pointing towards the clock.

" But I would take a cheque for the overtime," he said, I nodded my head standing up tiredly wearing on my suit jacket, and trench coat I set my tie. I ran my hands through my hair to make it look less disheveled. "  plus it's not like I was the one who returned from a two-day vacation a couple of days ago and still looks tired...to need some rest..." Roland said indirectly talking to me.

" Can you just shut up? ... Doesn't your mouth hurt?" Riccardo grumbled at a chattering Roland.

"you're just jealous of me....you morgue." Roland spat back being all sassy.

I turned around shutting them up immediately "  be sure to gather all the files...no mistakes...they are a really important client " I ordered Riccardo.

" make sure no one disturbs us in there..." I commanded Roland " yes boss " he muttered.

I quickly chugged on a glass of water, I walked to the meeting room, where the clients were already present. We greeted each other, I signaled Riccardo to start the briefing. Butting in now and then giving my input.

About half an hour into the meeting, my phone started buzzing, I took it out of my jacket pocket and looked at the caller id it read 'shorty'. It was three clocks at night.

I signaled Riccardo to give me a minute as I answered the call " Hazel?" I said but all I could hear was heavy impaired breathing.

" Princess?...princess...." I yelled through the phone " hazel are you there?....answer me...." I said panic-stricken, standing up. " hazel.....answer me....please..." I begged while all I could hear was impaired breathing and people calling out for her...saying ma'am are you alright?

I quickly ran out of the meeting, Roland yelled out " boss" ignoring him I ran up to my car and started the car while still on the call with her. I realized she must be having a panic attack, as she wasn't able to speak anything I have to calm her down.

" ok princess I know you are here...I know you can hear me...I am coming to you now ok...you have to try to be with me ok..." I said. I opened my dash draw took out her medicines and placed them in my jacket pocket.

I took a sharp right almost losing control of the car racing toward her, at this moment nothing mattered to me the red lights, other vehicles even the possibility of meeting in an accident did not phase me out...the eagerness to be at her side was beyond everything, even if it meant that I had to lose myself.

"Ok now, the princess does as I say....close your eyes...block out every sound you hear right now...place your hand on your chest like you are shielding it...now do this along with me breathe in... breath out...again...breathe in... breath out..." I instructed the things that I learned from the classes that I had taken when I got to know that she had a panic disorder.

I kept talking to her simultaneously, texting Roland to come to her place immediately.

" you did so great princess..." I said I could feel her breathing getting stable " now...tell me three things that you see around " I asked being calm.