RC.

Ch10 .. B

Matt puts the hot coffee down on my desk and watches me busying myself with a puzzled eye.

Matt:"Don't worry, they're just looking for some juicy information. The young assistant having a love affair with the big CEO is in the bag for them."

Matt:"But when they realise that there's nothing to know, they'll forget about it."

T:"That's the problem, Matt!"

Matt:"What? Why? Because you're sleeping with the boss are you?"

He teases, all smiles as if it were the joke of the century. I stare at him unflinching. There's nothing to laugh about.

Matt:"What? You are sleeping with the boss?!"

This time he sounds much less chirpy. My friend's expression has changed.

I breathe out heavily to hide my turmoil and calm myself.

Tell Matt my love issues, is just surreal! He may be my friend, but he's still a guy!

(I be honest.)

T:"Yes! it's true! The Journalists are right to ask themselves questions!"

Matt:"Fucking hell, Tayla..."

My friend has lowered his voice. He passes a hand through the thick tuft of his dishevelled hair, like every time he's upset, and looks at me sideways.

Matt is as comfortable as I am with this conversation.

Matt:"You mean you ... well ... you ..."

T:"Yeah."

Matt:"Ok..."

A rather unpleasant silence falls over the room, cooling the air as it settles.

Matt:"To say that I didn't notice a thing!"

T:"Well, we didn't exactly shout it from The rooftops!"

T:"And what concerns us is our business..."

(As well as all the New York tabloids...)

Matt stares at me, as confused as before. He's the kind of guy to give a little slap on the shoulder and crack a joke to lighten the atmosphere. But right now he's at sea!

Matt:"Ok... Well..."

T:"Yeah, I know, I'm in big shit!"

Matt:"No, not necessarily... Then again ... Fucking hell Tayla... he is the big boss ... I mean, it's Carter we're talking about here... "

T:"Do you think I did it on purpose? Do you think I don't know who he is?"

Matt:"Well... "

T:"Matt! If I could have avoided falling for him, I would have saved myself the trouble! Believe me, compared to him, the worst roller coaster ride in the world is a seaside attraction for old age pensioners!"

T:"But there it is, it just kinda happened!"

Matt:"Listen ... I'm not here to judge you but ... it kinda sucks..."

T:"No kidding! Are you lecturing me?"

Matt:"Hey Calm down!"

T:"Calm down! I witness a shootout, I'm harassed by a journalist and now I'm being lectured by my buddy! Sorry, but I think you should be able to understand if I say that ... I'm sick and tired of it all!!"

I wave my arms in the air, like a desperate seagull trying to take off from a puddle of oil.

Matt looks at me kindly and walks towards me.

Matt:"Sorry ... I didn't want to hurt you ..."

I know. You, Matt, wanting to hurt me, that's just not possible!

T:"Matt ... I'm swamped by the situation completely ... I don't know what to do..."

Matt:"Hey... Don't worry... We'll sort it out, okay ...?"

T:"Mmh..."

My friend comes closer and takes me in his arms. I gladly press my nose up against the leather of his jacket.

A few tears trickle down my cheeks. I sniff a little inelegantly, but with Matt, I have the right to.

Matt:"Try not to drool on my jacket, I'm still fond of it. The girls like it."

I laugh at the same time as I sob.

Matt always finds the words to make me laugh, but he also has a reassuring shoulder to rest on.

Matt:"It's gonna be okay, Princess ..."

(He's sweet... But it's not that simple... )

I close my eyes and let myself be lulled. I'd like to believe it. But, deep down, I know it won't be Okay! It's all going to be painful. I've known that ever since I fell for Ryan.

The rocking is soothing. We forget all too soon that reflex that appea sorrows.

Suddenly my office door opens without warning!

I nervously move away from Matt and my blood turns to ice as two sharp eyes stare at my friend and me.

Matt:"I ... Uh ... I'll go ..."

Ryan looks daggers at Matt. I don't like it...

He can be so intimidating when he's like that!

I make a small contrite sign to my friend before he closes the door leaving me with Mr. Intense.

I remain silent. I dont know what's going to  happen, but obviously, it hasn't started too well!

Ryan clenches his teeth. His hands inside his trouser pockets, he just stares at me.

No need to have done years of study in behavioural psychology to see that he's seething with jealousy!

T:"Ryan ... Please ... Leave him alone ... He's my friend ... and god knows how much I need a friendly shoulder right now."

I don't have the strength to face his gaze. I lower my eyes onto my desk and a tear trickles down my cheek onto one of my files.

I hear Ryan coming over. I close my eyes.

His hands rest on my shoulders. I start to move away.

Ryan looks at me sadly.

He tries approaching me again and come to stroke my arm.

R:"Is it me making you cry ...?"

T:"..."

His gaze is insistent. As if he were trying to sound me out. No need to resist him.

T:"What do you think...?"

Ryan sighs putting a hand against my neck and invites me to rest my head against his chest.

I go with his flow. Like I always do when he touches me ...