RC.

Ch8 ............... O

Last night, Ryan came up to my apartment. We talked for a long while and I finally fell asleep in his arms.

When I woke up this morning it was already late. Ryan was gone. He had left me a word ordering me to stay at home and rest. The note was accompanied with croissants.

 Needless to say that I gobbled up the latter but I disobeyed his first recommendation and came to work in the early afternoon.

I wanted to see him, to make sure he's okay. He sent me a text message telling me that he was in a meeting for most of the afternoon.

All of sudden, there's a knock on my door. I take my eyes away from my screen.

T:"Yes, come in."

Lisa and Matt enter the room. They don't look too good.

Lisa:"We just saw the news! When exactly were you planning on telling us?"

 Lisa is looking at me, frowning, her hands on her hips, whilst Matt watches me holding his hands in his pockets.

I'm a little surprised by my friend's aggressive attitude.

Uh ... Hello ...

T:"Hello to you too... "

T:"Wait the news ...?"

Lisa:"Yes, I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I heard about it! The whole company's talking about it!"

Matt motions for Lisa to calm down. She sighs and stares at me, pouting.

Matt:"Are you ok? We heard about that guy who tried to shoot Carter ..."

(Shit, the news has already circulated in the New York papers?)

At the same time, what was I expecting? Somebody shot at one of the most influential men in town!

T:"No ... I ... I'm fine "

I feel devastated, they've always been there for me and I didn't even think to warn them. I just came to my office like a robot. As if nothing had happened.

Matt casts a dissaproving look to Lisa, then comes up to my desk.

Lisa:"Are you alright, Tayla. I mean, obviously, things weren't very easy for you last night"

My friend's words comfort me. I put the pen I'm holding down and gently rub my forehead.

T:"I ... It was horrifying ... that guy almost shot Carter in the middle of his speech."

Lisa's face relaxed and regains it's kindness. She was just scared for me.

Lisa:"Did you see it all?"

(I saw that creep.)

T:"During the speech, I felt something was wrong ...There were a lot of security guards and then ... there was this guy who jostled me. After that, everything went so quickly"

My friends stare at me. They both let themselves drop simultaneously into my two visitor seats.

Matt:"It's just crazy!.."

T:"Yes ... something worthy of an action movie ... the police came they questioned me but I couldn't help much."

Matt:"That's not what the newspapers say"

I stare at Matt, puzzled.

Matt:"You're a star now, angel!"

I know he's trying to make me laugh, but I'm not really in the mood. Feeling my discomfort, Lisa pursues.

Lisa:"They say you came between Ryan and his assailant and that it's thanks to you if he's still alive."

T:"I ... I just screamed when I found myself face to face with the guy and saw that he was armed"

Lisa:"So you got between them? It's no bullshit?"

T:"Not really... Well, yes ...
it's complicated"

Lisa:"For christ's sake Tayla! What were you thinking?!"

T:"I don't know ..."

(Oh yes, I do know. I know very well!...)

Matt:"Meanwhile, the snapshot of you in Carter's arms is all over the city..."

Matt:"Everyone's wondering who the mysterious girl is that he's holding so closely ..."

I stare at Matt, frankly uncomfortable. It's all very well talking about my love stories with Lisa but with Matt, it's really weird.

(I take it lightly.)

T:"Well, at least you have the merit of solving the mystery before all New York!"

(And play innocent.)

T:"Just his assistant."

He looks at me unconvinced. Quite honestly, I don't have the strength to face his questions today.

Lisa:"These newspapers! ... Always ready for gossip!"

Lisa saves my skin. Between girls, we understand each other, fortunately. But I  also know she's not finished with me and that she's going to want us to talk about it later.

Matt:"Do they know who that guy was, and why he attacked our boss?"

(Stay evasive.)

T:"Probably an unscrupulous competitor..."

I don't want to involve my friends in this story. I'm already worried as it is for Ryan...

Matt:"And..."

Lisa:"Matt, I think you should stop bothering Tayla with your questions. We'd better leave her alone"

He looks at Lisa offended. Matt is adorable, but  it's true that, for now, I just need to forget about it all.