His Muse • M. Boldy

•T H R E E•

MATT's POV
"Thanks for coming in." Phi said, sitting behind her desk.

"Sure thing." I spoke, hoping I wouldn't have to face too much of her whirlwind of a personality, that I happen to love, today.

"So I have a few things for you to do today." She told me, pulling out a manila envelope filled with papers.

"I was expecting that." I chuckled, lounging in the chair.

And as if out of nowhere she froze. Just like last week. But just as fast as it came on, she was back, her soft smile etched into her face as she pulled a few papers out. Then she took another one of those deep breaths before walking around her desk.

"I know it's a lot but it's an off day and if you're up for it I'd like to get these done today." She spoke relatively quickly, handing me three papers and another stack off the desk. "So I'm going to have you fill these out quick. A few branding things, some for gear, most for interviews. Just do your best to go through them, start with a simple yes or no, then fill out the rest later."

My head started spinning as she spoke, throwing so many ideas and opportunities at me as she walked around her large office gathering things.

"Sorry what do you want me to do with this." I asked, pointing to the Bauer paper I had to fill out.

"Ok just start with that one that's fine." She rushed, taking some of the other papers from my hands. "Just start with the Bauer since they need you out there soon."

"Sorry, I might've missed something. What do they need from me?" I asked, totally confused as I watched her walk around her office again.

Her blue eyes glinted over at me as she froze in place. I watched as her hair caught the light just right before she took one more of those deep breaths she's always taking. I've been wondering why she does this. She always seems ready for the next thing, maybe she's just slowing herself down. Or maybe she just hates me.

Then she was right back at it, like nothing happened. "So Bauer wants you to go out and show the new stick. I guess it's the one you use, they should've reached out to you about it."

"Yeah I got a message about that. I guess I didn't know it was today." I said, chuckling slightly at my stupidity.

"Really Matt?" She asked me, turning on her heel, her ponytail hitting her perfect face.

"I mean yeah. Sorry I just, it slipped to the back of my mind." I shrugged, really not seeing why this is such a big deal.

"Matt this is really important professional stuff." She said, her speech quickening. "The team needs you to do this video, it's not just for you."

"Well I can do it today. I have enough time." I tried to reason.

"There were things you needed to do Matt." Phi half yelled at me. "This isn't just a wing it type of thing. This is a serious business deal. They want to sponsor you, you need to become the face of something. You have the perfect look for it."

I have the perfect look for it?

"Really Matt. It's a big deal it isn't funny you can't just go through life like this. This is the professional world. Appearances matter and I can't have you showing up unprepared when I have spent about a week and a half getting this set up." She said, some of her words morphing together. "I would have been able to understand if one of the interns had sent something wrong, but the fact that you knew about it Matt. Really? Is this really how you want to handle this? There's no shot you can go out there right now, no way. There is a ton of paperwork that I went through and filled out and you have no idea what's happening?"

"Phi, take a breath." I told her. Standing up and going over to her desk.

"Matt this is my job you think I just wing this shit?" She half yelled, running a hand over her head.

"Seriously Phi we can figure this out." I said, trying to calm her down. "What papers do I need?"

"Matt really we can't do this." She said, sitting in her chair and turning around.

"No Phi. Clearly this is important, let's figure it out." I spoke. Clearly she's having some sort of panic attack. Maybe.

"Just go Matt." She spoke, her head now in her hands.

"Phi come on." I said, going to shuffle through the papers on her desk.

"Please just go." She said, sucking in a breath, not able to catch up.

"Phi are you ok?" I asked, rounding her desk to check on her.

Except this time she didn't answer. Her breathing sounded extremely labored and stressed, almost like she was breathing through a straw.

"Hey Phi." I spoke, reaching out for her chair.

"Please Matt." She whispered her breathing only becoming more strained.

"Phi just take a breath." I said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Her skin is so soft.

"No Matt I can't." She said, loudly now. She stood up and I could see the tears streaming down her face. "Can't you see I can't!"

"No Phi sit down you really can't be standing right now." I told her, trying to keep my voice calm as I placed my hands on her shoulders, trying to gently push her back into the chair.

"I'm fine." She said, her breathing becoming less stressed but still labored.

"No Phi you need to just take some deep breaths." I tried again.

"Matt I can't!" She shouted, throwing her hands up to cover her face. "You've seen too much, please, just go. Please."

"Phi I really don't want to leave you here like this." I said, unsure of what to do. I didn't have sisters growing up, so this whole idea of comfort is still new to me.

"Matt please just go. Go. Leave me alone and go." She said, her voice breaking. Breaking my heart.

"I- ok. Just please Phi." I spoke, walking towards the door. But she only looked worse. I've only ever known her to be confident, strong, like nothing could break her. I never thought I would ever see her like this.

Once I was out the door I paused. Unsure of what to do. Of course I can't leave her like that, she's clearly not ok. I don't even know what I did. Well I do, I was unprepared. I guess I'm just not used to being held accountable and to a tight schedule. Maybe thats why people like working with her so much, maybe it's because everything runs smoothly. But man I fucked something up let me tell you. Yeah you fucked everything up. Ha stupid idiot.

"Shit." I whispered under my breath as I turned to head to the media directors room.

JOSEPHINE's POV
"And he fucking talked to the media producer." I groaned, throwing my head into my hands as I sat on the couch talking to Zoe.

"Ok but Phi, he didn't know what was happening." Zoe spoke softly.

"But it's so embarrassing." I sighed, leaning back onto the couch. "I don't even know what I said. It was a full blown panic attack."

"Honestly Phi I really don't think it's as big of a deal as you think it is." Zoe reasoned with me. "Honestly I think it's kinda cute that he was worried about you."

"He already hates me and now he's seen this. He for sure could tell everyone." I groaned again.

"I really don't see the problem." Zoe chuckled. "Plus you're so good at walking around like you own the world. Just remember; you are Josephine Walle, PR Maven."

Exactly. I am Josephine Walle. The most sought after PR agent in all of sports.