In Time

Chapter 10

He loves the food though; I can see it in his face. Ash and I keep a healthy conversation going on over dinner, trying to include Matt every now and then, but his replies are short and to the point. When we're done with dinner, he even helps clean up. But he's angry with me, I know that. When I had tried to talk with him near the sink, he'd just brushed away my attempts leaving me hurt. After that, I stopped trying. The atmosphere has changed and when Matt says he should get going to only Ash, I know things have possibly changed between us.

However, Ash's phone chimes at the moment and she says its super important and bounds up the stairs, leaving me in a super twisted situation. Matt kisses her on her cheek and lets her go. He goes to the hallway and I trail him. When he takes his blazer I help put it on and sadly, I notice how he tenses up, the anger roiling inside him. He jerks away and moves towards the door.

"Matt, look I didn't think you'd get this serious, I'm"

"You knew I hated parties!" he's turned to me with such anger and such hatred in his eyes that I shrink away. I've never seen this side of him before and I'm confused and a bit scared too. "You're a fucking tease, Jennifer!"

And just like that, he walks out of his sister's house, slamming the door behind him. Releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding, I walk back to the sitting area and pick up all my stuff; I need to go home. Matt's voice is ringing in my ears. My phone vibrates and I almost decided to ignore it but seeing that it's Mrs. Bradford I don't.

"Hey, Jen" she says in a croaky voice.

Frowning, I wonder what's wrong. "Are you alright, Annalese?"

"I'm okay. Just down with a fever. And a cold"

"You should take better care of yourself, Mrs. Bradford" I nag. "How did it happen?"

"I have no idea. Listen, the reason I called you is that I need you to cover for me tomorrow. I was supposed to meet the guy along with Ann, but"

"Of course, no need to worry about that. I'll report to you after the meet, anyway. But you take care of yourself alright?"

"Yes, honey. Chill. Now bye. I'm feeling so very sleepy" she murmurs on the other side. Already half asleep I bet.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Bradford"

I close my eyes for a second, leaning against the couch. But loud footsteps on the stairs galvanize me into action. By the time Ash reaches the bottom of the stairs, I'm standing there, hands full of my stuff.

"I have an early morning meet tomorrow, I'll get going alright?" and kiss her on the cheek, as she does the same to me.

"What about Matt?"

I pause on the way out, as I slip over my flats from the morning. "He's understandably upset, I pulled a trick on him. I hope he'll come around soon"

"Ah, he's Matt, no worries" I try to stop worrying about that. She probably knows better; she's his sister after all.

I go home soon thereafter, and after a short phone call with Ann where we just talk about the change in the plan and the location I need to show up at, we end the call. Thank god I didn't have to first go to the office tomorrow- I'd have to directly go out to this place out of town and halfway between our town and the city.

Soon, I'm in bed, and wondering if I should call Matt and apologize. But Ash said he'll be okay and will come around soon right, my mind counters. And he's her brother for God's sake. She knows him well! So finally decided not to call him, I connect my phone to the charging port and promptly fall asleep.

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