RC.

Ch7 ................... S

While Ryan sees his sister out, I start clearing the glasses.

I had a gret evening and I'm really relieved that we were able to talk with Jenny.

To be honest, I was very apprehensive!

In picking the tray up, I notice that she's forgotten her phone.

(I'll take it to her.)

Shit ! I hope she hasn't taken the elevator yet. I pick her IPhone with the very girly case up, smiling and I put the rest down.

I hurry to the exit, hoping that she'll still be there.

I slow down when I hear them speaking in low voices.

An alarm triggers in my brain, all the warning signals are blinking red. Something's wrong.

However, I don't dare interrupt their conversation.

Jenny:"If you really care about this girl..."

(They're talking about me?)

I step to the side, keeping a low profile, to follow their conversation.

Jenny is already in the elevator and her brother is standing in front of her, blocking the doors with his hand, looking down.

I can't see his face. I can barely make out his sister's features, half hidden by Ryan's posture.

Jenny:"You could have taken her elsewhere than to your bachelor pad ..."

(What?)

I must have misheard ...

Listen carefully.

R:"Jenny..."

I see Ryan's broad chest expand as if he was taking a deep breath.

Jenny:"Does she know, that this is where you bring them all ...?"

(That he brings them all...? All his conquests ...?)

For a moment I hear only the beating of my heart, hammering heavily against my temples.

I press my hand against my chest trying to calm the sharp pain that's oppressing me.

I don't understand...

Jenny:"I've never approved of this ... this place that you reserve for your one night stands."

Jenny:"There's no soul here, Ryan ..."

My heartbeat is accelerating dangerously.

(So what, am I? A one night stand?)

Jenny:"Making me come, here, for a meal! ... Don't you dare do it again, it was a mockery!"

Ryan lets his hand slip down taking a step back. He then runs a hand through his hair, visibly exasperated.

Jenny:"It's nasty Ryan, and it's gonna explode in your face."

(Right now, it's my heart and self-esteem that's come crashing down pathetically to the ground!...)

Did he really take me for another one of his bimbos?

I feel pathetic! All this time... I've been nothing more than his latest conquest?! Nothing more than the girl he's sleeping with?! In his office, in his bachelor pad! That's what I am?

I can barely breathe, it's as if the oxygen's been sucked out of me. It's not possible ... Ryan and I... It's special! ... He wouldn't have been so affectionate, had all those attentions ...

No, no ... There's bound to be an explanation ... Ryan showed me he liked me, he ...

Jake's words come back to me like a smack in the face: "He should never have taken you there, you're better than that!"

(Jake was just warning me!)

To think that I didn't want to hear about it! What a fucking idiot I was! Jake was just trying to open my eyes, and I brushed him off! I'm not any better than all those little tarts!...

All of sudden, Jenny's eyes freeze in my direction.

Ryan turns his head towards me and what I read in his eyes tears my heart out.

His expression is that of guilt. The look of someone caught red handed, with nothing to say in his defence.

I walk towards them like a zombie. I don't really know if I want to cry, to scream, to laugh at my stupidity or just kick the shit out of them both.

I hand her her phone, speaking in a toneless voice.

T:"You forgot this."

She just takes it, without a word.

I feel Ryan's eyes fall on me as the doors close on Jenny.