All Areas Accessed - Sequel to Access All Areas

Chapter Nine

"You sloped off early last night?" Jules asks, grabbing himself a brioche roll from off a plate that's sat on the large coffee table in the living area of the premier suite at The Hyde.

Up early for me, looking and feeling like total shit, I rub both of my cheeks with my hands in an attempt to make myself feel more human. "I was tired." Is my gruff reply.

Will then breezes into the suite, looking fresh-faced and annoyingly cheerful. "Ah, it's finally up!" He too, grabs a brioche roll, hungrily biting into it with a smile. "I'm all packed and ready to go!" He chorally announces.

Pouring myself a strong black coffee, I still don't feel human. "Where's Cam?" I ask, plopping a sugar cube into my mug.

"I've not seen him yet." Will says with a big piece of brioche still being chewed around in his mouth.

"Have you seen him, Jules?" I stare across at him, probably looking just as sleepy as I still feel. Anger and too many thoughts before bedtime will do that to you.

"Nah, I haven't." Jules answers, now grabbing a banana to quickly devour. "Probably packing as well, I expect." Carefully peeling back the curved fruit, my long-standing assistant then carries on chatting. "All of our things are being collected from here at five this evening, to then be taken to the airport. Our flight is at seven, so we'll leave here not long after our stuff has been taken."

"Cancel the flight. I also want you to sort out us staying on here for another day." My order is glumly but firmly given just before I take a comfy seat on the couch and a careful sip of my hot and sweetened coffee.

At the same time, both Jules and Will ask the same stunned question. "Why?"

Concentrating on the swirling steam rising in front of my face, I don't even look at them. "Because I don't want to leave until tomorrow night." My reply is quietly blunt.

"But why?" Jules asks, sounding totally peeved. "Everything's booked, Rhys." He's now standing just to the side of me.

My eyes lazily lift to his. "Then unbook everything." Is my stubborn answer. I don't know what I'm actually doing at the moment. I only know that when I got up this morning, I had decided that I couldn't leave without seeing Clara before I do. I just need more time to get things sorted out between us before I head back home. "Those who don't need to be here can leave, but you guys, you're staying on with me." Those are my bloody-minded orders.

Jules knows me well, when I say I want something done...I want it done. There's no talking about it, no negotiations—it just gets done. My payroll. My rules.

"Shitting hell." Jules huffs loudly, grabbing his mobile phone and stomping out of the room like a spoilt little brat. Undoubtedly about to do exactly what I've asked him to do.

Bringing my coffee back up to my lips, I try to ignore the overbearing presence of Will. He's staring at me, trying to figure out what exactly to say to me. "Are you actually going to talk or are you just gonna stare?" I ask, growing more annoyed by the second.

"What's going on, dude?" Will makes his voice sound non confrontational, it's clear yet soft. "Has this got something to do with Clara?"

My fingers grip tighter around my mug, reacting to her name being mentioned. "What if it is?" I ask, now turning my head to look at my really concerned friend.

"Then, I'd say that you're losing it, dude." His dark green eyes darken more on me, framed with furrowed brows. "I'm not sure what is happening, but you need to get your shit together, my friend. Get it all sorted...but you really should be getting on that plane tonight, Rhys."