𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝

After every high theres a low

The next morning I wake up to my phone buzzing endlessly. I groan as I reach out to the nightstand and grab my phone. My manager's name on my screen doesn't ease the annoyance at all. Only reculantly I pick up, only to be met with Sarah's upset voice.

"Y/n, finally managed to pick up, great. We need to talk. Right now." She speaks and sounds clearly unamused about something.

I rub my forehead and force myself out of Scarlett's warm, comfortable embrace and out of the bed. "Hold on, don't be so loud."

I only hear my manager scoff at the other end and I can picture her how she shakes her head furiously, brows furrowed. "If you think that I'm being loud, you haven't been online today. Have you? Oh right, Ms. sleep in didn't even bother to pick up immediately."

My ears hurt from her constant talking and I fear that she'd even wake up Scarlett. So I sneak out of the bedroom and pace the hallway. My bare feet tapping on the floor, trying to avoid the cold of it. "Oh my God slow down Sarah. What is going on?"

My manager lets out a deep sigh and I could bet it sounded frustrated. "Someone saw us."

I immediately freeze in my tracks, frowning in confusion. "What? Who saw what?"

Another sigh, this time more desperate. I can sense that Sarah's nerves kick in and feel bad for not picking up right away. Okay, I was asleep, peacefully and had a long night. That aside, I still feel worried.

"I don't know who or why now, but they got a picture of us from that session on the couch. It's blurry, kinda. Our faces aren't even that recognizable. Still." Sarah rants on and at the same time I can tell that she tries to talk it down. The picture is blurry and we're not recognizable on it, a sign.

"Wow, Sarah, pause. We're not doing this on the phone right now. Give me 20 and I'll be at your place." I say, wanting to be the one thinking clear and approaching this all calmly. Though my mind feels like going blank at any minute soon. I sigh and shake my head, recalling my focus.

"Not mine. Let's meet at Sammy's. Anything else wouldn't look professional." Sarah shares and I nod quickly, agreeing.

I clear my throat and mentally slap my forehead, since she can't even see my nod. So I quickly add, "yes, noted. Will be there in 20."

With that we end the call and I let out the breath I didn't know I was even holding. My head begins to hurt the more I break my brain about what exactly Sarah was talking about.

I didn't notice that I was still standing frozen on the hallway, until I hear Scarlett's raspy voice getting through to me. Her hand gently touches my cheek to help me focus on her.

I try to give her a smile, but it's not as reassuring as I wanted it to be. She looks even more concerned now. Her eyes staring into mine as if she could see right through me.

"Y/n... what's wrong my dear?" Scarlett asks softly, her voice laced with care and concern.

My dear. How do I deserve this?

I clear my throat and shake my head slightly, giving my very best to stay composed. "Sarah is in a bit of trouble this morning. I promised her to meet up in 20."

Scarlett only tilts her head and I can tell that she's sensing something being off this morning, not only for my manager. But before I don't have any further details myself, I can't let her in on possible rumors. So I give myself a mental slap and muster a smile, hoping that only this time she'd just let me be for now.