Burning Red (Thomas Muller fanfic)

Chapter 6

I just couldn't recognize my own boss – he was calm and relaxed. He could even instruct the interns without having doubt in his eyes. It was a whole new James to me, but Frank said that he used to be like that in the beginning. He just needed a little reminder how good his work is and there was no reason to worry so much. In my mind, I kept thanking Thomas over and over again but to my surprise I didn't see much of him that week.

When the weekend came by, Jane phoned me to remind me of our Sunday brunch. I still had this odd feeling that something was off with Thomas. Why would he suddenly ignore me? Could it be that James told him about the 'no drama' rule? It was all too weird and I wanted to share with Jane but I didn't know how to put it.

-So, how's the blissful period of starting a relationship? – I smiled at her.

-Oh, it's great. I can't stop smiling – even the other colleagues said that I look different...happier.

-Well you did change your hair a bit. – I laughed.

Jane laughed and continued gushing over Mario.

-It's all so sudden but I have this feeling that I want to scream on the top of the world that he's all mine. It's just...ah! – She even giggled slightly.

-I'm so happy for you two! – I smiled at her.

-I wish you could be just like me now! – Jane replied.

-Well maybe in time? Who knows?

Jane frowned a bit and continued:

-I wish you could give Thomas a chance.

-Jane, thank you for the concern. But as I've said we're just friends.

-So not true. You two have a world of your own!

-I think you're confusing Mario and you with us.

-Just hear me out. When we were at the café I noticed how you two had your own language just by looking at each other. To know what the other is thinking just by looking at them – that shows a deep connection and it doesn't happen just with anyone. And on the way to the office Mario told me how you already had your own inside jokes and how you both sung along, forgetting the others in the car. Even Philipp is hoping that you two will see it.

-Well, why can't we just have a deep friendship connection? And how did you involve Philipp?

-Audrey, listen. Bastian didn't ditch him. Mario asked him to come along so he could prove his theory about you two. And Philipp is on our side. He's concerned about Thomas and he knows how sweet you are – you'd be perfect to heal his heart. And he can heal yours. You just have to open your eyes and see it.

-Jane, you're my friend and I get that you want what's best for me – but please don't get me mixed up in all of this. I can't handle it now.

-Oh my God! That's what Thomas said to Mario – you two are so alike.

-You got poor Thomas into this whole mess.

-No, he started asking questions about you and Mario just gave him the same talk. Even Philipp tried but I think he's too scared to admit it to you.

-Jane, please don't tell me he knows about Michael.

-No, he just knows you went through a similar situation as him.

-I feel embarrassed. Please, keep me out of all of this. I'm sorry but I want to go home. It's just too much things for me to process right now. Bye, Jane.

I got up and paid my bill, while she looked at me frowning:

-I never meant to hurt you, Audrey. I'm sorry – please, don't go.

-Sorry, Jane. But I can't really talk to you now –I need some peace and quiet.

By the time I got home I could feel tears on cheeks. I wanted to focus on my job only. I had no time to deal with relationships. Why would Jane do this to me? She knows how important my job is to me. I know she wants what's best for me but why did she have to get poor Thomas involved. I could see in his eyes how careful he was around people – just like me. Once you get hurt, you tend to be more suspicious and cold around people. And I didn't even knew if I liked him – I mean I did. He was nice and understanding, while being a total goofball. And he was very handsome. Wait...where did this all come from? No, I like him as a friend! Or was I lying to myself? I needed to focus on something else. But my phone kept buzzing with messages from Jane, apologizing for the hundredth time. I decided to write to her a message on Facebook.

-Hey, no need to apologize. I'm just confused with everything now.

-Thank goodness, you're okay! I'm so sorry.

-Again – no problem. Just please don't do this again.

-Well, that might be...

-What did you do, Jane?

-Well, you got me so worried that you didn't answer for hours that I asked Mario to check up on you. But he was busy, so...

Just then my doorbell rang and my heart sank.

-Who did you send?

There were only dots in our chat. By this point I was so annoyed. Why can't they just leave me alone? The doorbell rang again.

-I'm coming! – I yelled at the door.

Just then Jane was about to answer but I was so angry that I almost broke my laptop while closing it. I grabbed my phone and saw 30 missed messages from Jane and another 15 from Mario.

I put it down and went to see who they had sent. I could just feel how my stomach was forming into a ball and I hadn't been this nervous since my first day at this job.

I went to open the door and there was a pair of concerned blue eyes looking at me.

-Can I come in? – His voice was soft and gentle.

-Sure. – I moved away from the door, still not believing what was going on. – Come have a seat.