SECRETLY YOURS [e.munson]

FOUR

   I stood there with my arm outstretched towards Eddie. He almost looked hurt. He doesn't get to do that. He's the one that walked out on me!

   God! I'm acting like I know the guy. I don't know him at all!

   He opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it and decided to go along with it. He accepted the handshake and grabbed my hand, when he did it's like I felt a spark of electricity run through my body, his touch so familiar.

   "Eddie Munson." He replied dryly.

   "Mr Munson, I expect you not to be late again." I started. My father wants me to do this job so I'm going to do it good no matter who gets in the way. "Not only will you be wasting your band members time but you will also be wasting my time. I expect you to show up on time and not to look like you just rolled out of bed."

   I could hear his friends holding back their laughter. While Eddie might've found this funny once upon a time, I could see how angry I was making him. I didn't want to upset him, but rules were in place for a reason.

   "You work under Kas Records, that means you signed a deal. We may be your last shot so don't ruin it." I finished. Without saying another word or looking at him again I walked out. My father hot on my trail.

   "Well, I certainly didn't expect that out of you." I heard my father say from behind. "I'm impressed.

   "Just doing my job." I replied. "I'm going up to my office to start unpacking."

   I didn't actually bring anything to unpack, but I just need to take a minute without anyone watching my every move.

* * *

   I sat at my desk, my head buried in my hands. First day and I already feel like I fucked up. Not only did I hurt Eddie, but the fact that he practically saved me and we were in that crash together broke my heart.

   I decided to read more about 'Corroded Coffin' and pulled out their file again. I was flicking through the pages noticing they all went to the same school Robin went to. I put a note down to call her later. I last spoke to her about the crash and that night, she was the only one who knew about it. I thought I'd ask if she knew any of the guys.

   I pulled out some newspaper articles that were in the file. I didn't realise how many articles were written up on the fight between Eddie and Jason. I had heard of Jason Carver, I had done a bit more research and by the looks of it he had the respect and love from a lot of people, which in the long run doesn't look good for Eddie.

   I pulled out another article with a photo of protestors. 'Justice for Jason' read aloud in big writing on the front of the photo with a young girl holding the sign. The article explains how Eddie had gotten off lightly and was only suspended from his old record label before eventually getting him and the rest of Corroded Coffin fired from the company.

   I was so busy reading the file I didn't notice someone standing in the doorway to my office. The soft knock on the door was what pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up and it was like he was at my beckon call.

   "Eddie." I greeted with an awkward nod.

   "Amelia." He greeted back making me cringe.

   "Why didn't you tell me you were working here?"

   "You never asked." He responded. "The hell was that about down there?"

   "Eddie I'm-" I was about to apologise when I remembered where I was. I don't owe him an apology! "I was doing my job."

   "You never told me John Anderson was your dad."

   "You never asked." I coldly replied.

   I was about to ask him to leave, but with all the anger and frustration building up, I gained the confidence to ask him what I've been wanting to know since the night of the crash.

   "Why did you walk out on me?" I blurted.

   "What?" He scoffed.

   "You could've at least left a note. But I woke up to find myself in an empty bed, wondering if it was all a dream."

   "That night was a mistake." His words shot me straight through my heart. "It was nothing."

   "It was something to me!" He raised my voice getting angry. He looked around outside the corridor before shutting the door.

   "Millie. It was a spur of the moment thing, it wasn't supposed to happen and it won't happen again. Do you hear me?" He said making my heart break more.

   "Are you saying you regret it?" Tears were now clouding my vision. I looked into his eyes challenging him. He went to say something but I could see him fighting with himself. "You can't deny there was something there. There was something between us, don't lie to me and say you didn't feel it too."

   "You don't want to be with a guy like me."

   "Like what?" I challenged.

   "I'm no good, for anyone." He said a bit quieter this time. "It won't happen again."

   I don't know why, but this felt worse than a break up.

   "I think it's best if you return to your work Mr Munson." I went back to work mode. I refused to waste my time trying to prove something to someone I barely know.

   Eddie turned to the door and opened it to leave, before he completely stepped out, he turned to look at me one last time.

   "Eddie!" A high pitched voice enough to make your ears bleed sounded from down the hallway. I quickly wiped my eyes when a tall blonde haired girl came into view, resting her body against Eddie. A pang of jealousy hit me as I watched him catch her by her waist holding her steady after she practically threw herself at him. I couldn't deny that she was beautiful. She had long blonde hair that reached her hips, tanned skin and her body the shape of an hourglass in her tight fitted clothes.

   "Bethany." Eddie said sounding annoyed at the girl. 

   "Good news, we've made contact with a few radio stations that are desperate to interview you."

   "Woah, wait a minute. What?" I butted in.

   "Can I help you?" She turned to me with a hand on her hip. 

   What a bitch!

   "Eddie isn't ready to go out for interviews yet."

   "Who says?" She challenged.

   "I say! His boss." I challenged back squaring up to her.

   "Why the hell not?" Bethany scoffed.

   "As if the media didn't already hate him enough, we don't need him going out there already before they've warmed up to him!" I shouted. I soon realised what I said and look to Eddie seeing that I had just hurt him for the second time in one day.

   "Thanks." He scoffed before storming off down the hall.

   "Real nice." Bethany eyed my body with discuss before trailing off after him.

   I instantly regretted what I said and wanted go run after him to apologise, but my feet wouldn't move. I was frozen, having to deal with the guilt of what I just said.

   Nice one, Mills.