Roommates | Kate & Ana

Chapter 18- New York

On Friday evening, after a lengthy flight, Jack and I arrived in New York, both of us exhausted. We immediately when to our hotel rooms to rest up and prepare ourselves for the conference in the morning. When we finished with the conference, Jack and I did some sight seeing together, stopped for lunch, and then went our separate ways so I can stop somewhere and buy Kate a gift. As I walk down the city streets, I can't help but think over the days events in my head. The conference seemed to go over perfectly, I think I proved to both Jack and the others that I'm going to be a very valuable asset to this company, but after the conference is when everything started to go downhill. Ever since we got to New York Jack's been acting differently towards me. Like he expects something more from me even though I've put all my energy into this job. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was that he did. It's just the way he acts sometimes, it gives me a bad feeling. Instead of dwelling on the growing pit in my stomach, I quickly duck into a souvenir shop to buy Kate her gift.

When I return to the hotel, I notice Jack is sitting alone at the bar. I try to quietly sneak past him, and I think it's working, until I hear my name. I turn around to face him, blushing bright red at being caught. "Oh, uh.. I didn't see you there Jack." I mumble a lie, only making myself seem more guilty. "Come sit down." He motions with his finger for me to come over there and my heart begins racing. "Have a drink with me." He stares at me, smiling confidentiality, waiting for me to come sit down. I don't want to go. This whole situation makes me uncomfortable. But Jack is my boss and I want to impress him. Slowly, I walk towards him and slide into the seat next to him. I awkwardly cross my legs as he orders a drink for me and slides it over to me. "You don't have to do that. I really should be getting to bed anyway." I try to push the drink away, but he shakes his head. "You did an amazing job at the conference today. The least I could do is buy you a drink. You deserve this Ana." I clear my throat uncomfortably, accepting the drink. "Thanks, Jack." I take a small sip, then set my drink down on the counter. "What's that?" Jack asks, looking at my gift bag with Kate's souvenir inside. "It's um... a gift for... someone." I stutter, caught off guard by his question. "Oh, I see....That's very thoughtful of you, Ana." He leans in towards me until I can almost feel him breathing on me, and smiles. "You're a really nice young woman. And Beautiful too. The whole package." He grins, causally placing his hand on my thigh and runs a finger over the smooth material of my black dress I borrowed from Kate. "This is a nice dress. Doesn't really seem your style though." I swallow, my cheeks turning even more red than before. "It's not. I borrowed it from my um....roommate for our trip." I had wanted to wear something more New York style to blend in and to appear a little more adult at my conference. "Hmmm...Well, It looks nice. Consider me impressed." He smirks, his expression ridiculously smug, and I notice he doesn't move his hand away. I wasn't wearing it to impress him, but I can tell by his tone he thinks I did. "Maybe we should take this upstairs to my hotel room. It's starting to get a little busy in here." He suggests, in a much more commanding tone than suggestive. I take a glance around the room and see that there aren't any more people here than before. In fact there might be less. "Actually. I really have to get to bed." I push his hand away with a little more force than necessary and stand up. "Thanks for the drink Jack." I smile sweetly at him, then nearly run to the elevator to get back to my hotel room and away from his creepy gaze and obvious attempts at flirting.

Once I've calmed down and gotten ready for bed I call Kate. I stare out the window at the bright city lights while we talk, trying to think of anything but what happened with Jack. "How's everything going in New York." Kate asks, animatedly. I can tell she's smiling through the phone, but I can't bring myself to do the same. "Fine. I guess." I say, feeling anything but fine. "Are you alright? Did something go wrong at the conference today?" She questions, sounding concerned. "No, no..The conference went well...." I pause, taking a deep breath. I don't want to tell Kate about what happened with Jack. It'll only make her worried and there's nothing she can do about it now anyway. I'm sure when we get back to work everything will go back to normal anyway and we'll both just forget about it anyway. So, what's the point in worrying Kate with it. "I just miss you so much." I whisper, tears springing into my eyes. After the day I've had with Jack my emotions are all over the place, and I really do miss her a lot. "I know baby, I'll see you soon." Kate reassures me, her voice soothing. "I think I should go to bed now. I've had a long day." I sigh into the phone, staring out at the night sky. "Okay, baby, get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow." Tomorrow's never seemed so far away. "I'll try.......I love you." I blink tears out of my eyes and try unsuccessfully to swallow the lump forming in my throat. "Oh, Ana....I love you too." I end my conversation with Kate and climb into bed, tears dripping down my face now. The only thing that can calm me down is the reminder that tomorrow I'll be going home to Kate.

In the morning, I catch an early flight, making up a half-attempt at an excuse to Jack, and return to Seattle much earlier than I expected. I don't call Kate to come pick me up like we had planned, and instead decide to take a cab. The whole ride back to the apartment, I zone out, staring out the window. I just want to go home and hopefully finally get a chance to relax. The driver stops outside the apartment and I hop out. I quickly pay the driver and thank him, before heading inside. I trudge up the steps to Kate and I's apartment, my suitcase dragging behind me the whole way. I stop outside out apartment door and unlock it, my mind still racing with thoughts about Jack. When I open the door, I'm shocked to see not Kate, but instead a shirtless man standing on the other side.