Lapse [h.s]

Chapter four

What the actual fuck, just happened.

Anxiously walking through the building I kept stumbling all over the place, my eyes were all glassy from the tears starting to prick in the corners.

"Hope everything went well!" I heard a voice behind me call and I can only imagine it was the red haired woman from earlier. I didn't even think to look behind me to thank her, my mind being so focused on getting fresh air.

Feeling the cool outside air hit my face I take a deep breath in an attempt to calm me down. I start heading in the direction of my apartment, the desperate need for a place of comfort right now.

Of fucking course he's the boss of the company I applied for. Of course it would be him doing my interview. Of course I would freeze up and become a little scaredy cat who can't stick up for herself.

I mean who the fuck does that? I said absolutely nothing. Just stuttered over my words and froze up. Now I'm expected to show up at 9am tomorrow?

Absolutely not.

I need to think rationally about this, yes I need a job. And yes it could be just a coincidence all this happened. But there is absolutely no way I am going to work for Harry. There's other jobs out there.

The pay is good but I do not need to get involved with him. He gives bad vibes all around and that is not the energy I need in my life, especially not right now after I've only just got my life back on track.

He knew who I was all along, was the whole process of him taking me back to his apartment and trying to fuck me part of some plan? I feel like an absolute idiot.

The one time I let my guard down the slightest bit and it smacks me right in the face. This is what I get. This is my karma. Right?

Or maybe I do show up tomorrow and put Harry in his place? Tell him I'm not some girl he can pick up at a bar and order around for his little fantasy world.

Unless, he's just playing a part because he's desperate for someone to take this job and he'll leave me alone if i take it. Maybe I'm overthinking it and our meeting at the bar was just a coincidence.

I need to speak to Leah, she'll help me come to a conclusion about this, I'm sure she can talk some sense into me.

— —

Unlocking the door to our apartment I rush through the front door and lock it again behind me. Throwing my jacket off, not caring where it landed and headed for the sofa.

I fling myself down and land with a massive thud, I exhale a massive sigh and let my head fall into my hands.

"Hi lovie! How did it go!" She pauses in her tracks when she sees me sprawled over the sofa. "Oooh I'm guessing not good, or maybe it was good and that's how you want to...celebrate?" She shuffles over and takes the seat next to me.

"It was him!" I throw my arms up in a dramatic sense and smack them back down onto my thighs.

"It was...who?" She questions, clearly not following along.

"The guy from the fucking bar Leah! The guy who tried to take me home and fuck me! What the fuck!" I shout and the next thing I know I let out a sob.

Leah slides across the sofa and throws her arms around my neck, letting me fall into her embrace and just cry.

I feel so stupid for crying over something so small and probably just coincidental but I just can't help it. Yes I was anxious about the interview but also weirdly excited because I wanted to feel the smallest bit normal again after moving back here. Now it all feels like some weird joke. How could this happen, I mean what are the actual chances?

My brain doesn't let me think rationally about things and I always jump to the worst case scenario.

"Oh babe, I'm so sorry. What did he say? Did he explain himself?" She asks quietly.

"Not really, just said he saw me at the bar and thought I'd be good for the job."

"Well that's a good thing, right? He thinks you're good for the job!" Leah exclaims.

"I mean, I guess. But doesn't it seem awfully weird that he took me back to his apartment knowing he was interviewing me the next day?" I screw my face up in confusion.

Leah sighs before answering me. "That is a little weird, yeah. Maybe he didn't put two and two together though, since, y'know. You guys had a little to drink." She shrugs her shoulders.

"But I could have sworn he said something about knowing that's the bar we always go to and he was just observing me." I explain, thinking back to mine and Harry's exchange in the office.

After seeing Harry's face, everything is a blur. I can't remember a word he said clearly and the stuff I do, it's all jumbled up in my head.

Leah pushes up off the sofa and walks towards the fridge, grabbing a new bottle of rosé and starts pouring two glasses.

"Grace, I think you should just accept the job and show up tomorrow. If you go in and really don't feel comfortable you can always leave and never go back. I just think you'd be stupid not to give it a go. We both know what your brain is like and I think it's trying to make a good situation, into a bad one. Hmm?" She walks back in my direction and hands me the glass.

"Isn't it a little too early to be drinking?" I query, taking the glass from her anyways.

"You need it." She gives me a knowing look and I bring my glass up to clink against hers before taking a sip.

"Fine. I'll go in, but only because you sound convincing and you've given me wine." I pause before continuing. "How do you always know what to say in every possible situation? You keep me grounded, I hope you know that." Leaning my head on her shoulder, I let myself finally start to relax.

Maybe I was a bit over dramatic earlier, I just can't help myself. With everything that happened back home, I constantly feel like everyone and any situation is out to get me.

If I go into this job tomorrow and Harry is still an asshole, I can leave it, no big deal. Right?

Picking up my wine glass, I get up from the sofa and start making my way to my room.

"I'm going to go for a nap, I think I need it." I let out a chuckle. "Thanks for making me think a little clearer, I love you."

"I love you too, muffin! I'll wake you up in about an hour with some dinner. I'll make your favorite!"

"You're the best." I flash her a warm smile and close my bedroom door behind me.

Flopping down on my bed, I hear a text message from my phone come through.

Unknown number
15:46 pm
I hope you're ready for your first day tomorrow. Come straight up to my office when you get here, don't talk to anyone on the way up.

I roll my eyes and get under the covers.