RC.

Ch10 .... D

This evening, I want just one thing: slip into a warm bath and read a good book by candlelight.

Firstly, that thought helped me get through the day. And secondly, it's the kind of thing I used to do before knowing Ryan.

The days when I had a normal... and boring life!

My little dream of cocooning at home has just burst. Lisa has texted me the link to an article ...

The journalist form this morning seems determined on ruining my life!

The bitch managed to steal a photo of me, to disclose information about the position I hold at Carter Corporation and to make the connection with the inauguration assault.

I'm completely panicked. Now I'm
exposed to those who are harassing Ryan. Who knows what they are capable of?

Several newspaper have relayed the gossip and little me, who was
anonymous a few hours ago, is now making the headlines of several New York rags.

So I'm entitled to: "The mysterious girl is none other than Ryan Carter's assistant..."
Or another nice one: "Does Ryan Carter expect anything else from his assistants?"

And so on...!

And, as if that wasn't enough, the idiot knows who I am!

In other words, my projects of relaxing evening have gone down the drain. No pun intended.

I never imagined being famous one day! Honestly, if it were to happen I would have preferred it to happen differently.

I would have liked to be an artist, it would have been so much nobler than being the assistant who the city's most fantasised guy is sleeping with.

What a mess...

I just want to be left alone!

I was happy in my anonymous world with my little everyday worries and my very SIMPLE life.

My phone rings snapping me out of it for a second. It's Lisa!

Lisa:"Shit, did you see it!"

T:"Yeah... What a scoop... "

Lisa:"Sorry for being the bird of ill omen but I thought that the sooner you knew the better!"

(You thought right.)

T:"No, you did well. It's just that right now ... I feel under pressure ... I don't know, maybe sometimes it's better not to know ... I would have had at least one night of respite..."

Lisa:"I understand, you poor thing ... This story is getting blown way out of proportion!"

(And she doesn't even know everything!)

T:"Thanks to journalists..."

Lisa:"Yeah... What are you gonna do?"

(Hang myself.)

T:"I don't known. I was thinking maybe of buying a rope before writing my last wishes."

Lisa:"Don't talk nonsense."

T:"I'm kidding, I'm desperate, but not that much!"

Lisa:"Pfft ... They'll stop harassing you at some point!"

T:"Yeah ... I think that on the contrary, I've given them a bone to chew."

Lisa:"You should talk to Ryan about it."

T:"Yeah ... I'll call him. But... The harm's already been done!"

Lisa:"He's going to go crazy ..."

T:"Possibly..."

Lisa:"Do you want me to come round?"

T:"No ... It's sweet of you but I'll be fine."

Lisa:"Are you sure? I  can bring some snacks and we'll have a quiet evening in."

(I don't feel like it.)

T:"No, really, I'm not hungry and I wouldn't be good company, I think I'll hide under the covers and wait for it all to blow over."

Lisa:"You're in the doldrums..."

T:"Totally..."

Once I've hung up, I take few steps towards Ditchy's cage.

He didn't even notice me coming in. You'd think he didn't love me anymore.

Honesty, if my hamster starts too, I'll definitely hit rock bottom!

T:"Are you sulking?"

Here I am, kneeling in front of a small wooden house, asking for forgiveness from a big sulky hamster!

I could have found it funny a few days ago but right now, it's just pathetic.

Ditchy doesn't move an inch. In fact, I think  he's in deep sleep.

I sigh, falling heavily on the sofa.

I look for Ryan's number, frowning. After a few rings, he finally picks up.

R:"Tayla? Is there a problem?"

(You bet, pal!)

I put it to him gently.

T:"Well ... I've just seen some new articles that have been written about me."

I clear my throat. (Go straight to the point.)

T:"I've made the tabloids headlines..."

R:"What?"

T:"A journalist harassed me with questions this morning and she managed to get information on me."

T:"You and I are the new gossip-provoking couple of New York."

I hear Ryan sigh.

R:"Don't move."

I hear talking in the background. He's obviously not alone. He's talking to someone.

Then some footsteps, a door closing and then silence.

R:"I'm in a meeting with my lawyers."

T:"I won't bother you any longer then."

R:"No, they'll wait. Do you have the journalist's name?"

T:"I should be able to find it in the article, why...?"

R:"Because she's gonna regret ever having run into you."

He marks a silence. I can see him from here passing a hand through his hair or tightening his tie irritably.

R:"That idiot doesn't have the slightest idea what she's done!"

T:"Ryan ... I don't think you need adding to your troubles right now ..."

T:"You have enough to deal with as it is, and what's done is done."

I hear him sigh. I can sense that he'd like to be with me.

R:"I'm not in New York, otherwise I'd have come over right away."

T:"It's okay. I just ... needed to talk to you about it."

T:"I'd really have appreciated it, but I'll be fine ..."

R:"Okay ... Stay at home tonight and don't open to anybody. I'll send someone over to keep a look out in front of your apartment block."

T:"Ryan ... It's really not worth it ..."

R:"I'll call you after my meeting."

Okay, let's just say that he's pig-headed.

T:"Okay."