I looked at the clock hanging on the wall in my office. It was 15:30 and I was tired as hell.
Anna had gone through everything that I needed to do, everything I needed to check and everything that was expected of me. Which was a lot.
I skipped lunch because of what I and Ashton talked about earlier. He may be a dick, but he’s a dick that sticks to his word. I couldn't risk anybody talking to me today.
My stomach was growling at me. Begging me for food.
I released a breath of air and gathered my things before leaving my office.
”Hey, did everything go alright?” Pazzi said coming up behind me.
”Yeah I guess, there's a lot to do and remember but I'llmanage.” I said giving him a weak smile.
Just when he was about to say something, my stomach growled again and it sounded like two wolves fighting in there.
”Have you eaten anything?” I shook my head.
”No, I skipped lunch. Speaking of which, you probably don't want to be seen speaking to me or you might die. And honestly, I don't want that on my consciousness,” I said, jokingly.
”I’ll take my chances,” He said after he had laughed.
”You wanna eat? I know this great burger place not too far away,” I wanted to decline his offer and go home to my bed. But my stomach had other ideas and as soon as she heard the word ’burgers’ she growled again.
”It’s settled then,” He said with a smile, and we walked to the elevator.
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”Oh my god these are amazing!” I nearly shouted in the restaurant as I inhaled the burger with no shame.
”Yeah they're the best, you should try their pizza,” Pazzi said as he chewed on some fries.
”No thanks, I think I'll stick to the burgers,” I said and chewed of another piece.
We had talked about our lives for an hour or so, and I told him how I wanted to be a painter but changed direction. I didn't tell him about my parents however as I didn't want yet another pity look thrown my way.
Pazzi was originally from Italy and moved here when he was eight with his parents and his younger sister. He was very vague as to what his parents did for a job but rambled on about his sister. The two of them seemed very close, it made me wonder what it would’ve been like if I had a sibling. Maybe I'd still be on the painting course, have my own gallery. Maybe I would've followed my dreams instead of my parents.
Thinking down that path, however, only leads to disappointment. I’m alone and that’s reality.
He told me how he and Ashton have known each other since their teens. How their families knew each other and they quickly became like brothers.
In Italy, his parents owned a wine yard where Pazzi used to run around with their dog. It sounded lovely. But something happened that forced them to leave and they knew people in America so they came here.
”Why are you so nice to me?” I asked him as we were walking to the car.
He looked at me like a question mark.
”Why wouldn't I be nice to you?”
”If you've known Ashton since your teens, then you know me, and you know what happened. So I ask you again, why are you so nice?”
Pazzi sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
”Yeah I know. In all honesty, I don't know exactly what happened, and I don't think Ashton does either. I think you do but something is keeping you from telling him. I don't think that you just up and decided to break his heart. I think that there is more to the story, and disliking you for no reason seems both immature and a waste of time,”
”Could you maybe tell him that?” I said with a pout.
”Sorry Elena, that is between you and him. He won't make it easy for you, I know that much and so do you. But I'm here, and you can always talk to me,” His words warmed my heart. Something that hadn't happened in a long time.
”Thank you Pazzi,” I said with a smile.
Pazzi had dropped me off by my apartment building earlier and we said our goodbyes. I was now in the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of wine.
I dropped myself down on the couch and turned on the tv, trying to process everything that is happening right now is impossible, so I decided not to.
Keeping up with the Kardashians was on and I thought that watching other people's drama might take my mind off my own. And if not, at least I could pretend for one night, that my life wasn't messed up.
I was watching Khloe and Kim discuss something when my phone lit up beside me.
’Pizza tomorrow? - P
A smile formed on my face as I re-read his message.
me: ’I think I want that burger again…’
Pazzi: ’You’re so boring’
Me: ’Nope, just classic,’
Pazzi: ’Classic maybe, class no.’
Me: ’I thought you were going to be nice to me!’
Pazzi: ’I am. But I'm also honest ;)’
Me: ’Fine, you win. Pizza tomorrow.’
Pazzi: ’Good choice, you’re going to need someone in your corner’
Me: ’You don't say…goodnight Pazzi’
Pazzi: ’Goodnight,’
I went and brushed my teeth and went to bed.
I re-read our messages one more time, finding something very odd. I recognize these texts. But I can't remember why.
I shook that thought away and decided to go to sleep. I'm going to need to be rested tomorrow.
I was answering a few emails and booking meetings for Ashton. I couldn't believe how many people wanted to meet him. Why in the world?I rubbed my eyes and looked at the clock. It was 12:30, almost time for lunch.I finished up the last few emails and closed the computer before heading out. I saw Pazzi over by Ashton's office, I was about to go up to him when I saw Ashton and Jasmine walking out.I froze.Jasmine was wearing a short skirt and a blouse, she was holding onto Ashton's arm and batting her eyes at him.They walked towards me and I turned around, ready to walk back into my office before they saw me.”Ms. Shaw,” Jasmine's high pitched voice rang and I rolled my eyes. Here we go.
”What just happened?” I said to myself as I sat in my office by my desk with my face in my hands.Ashton had just fingered me. In the building restaurant.I told him that I hadn't slept with anyone except for him, which was true but I shouldn't have told him that.He saw me talking to Jason, was that it? Was that why he was mad?Or was it because I was late? He is quite serious about work so maybe it was the tardiness.Regardless of the reason, it cannot happen again. It can never ever happen again.What if they find out…A knock on my office door broke me from my thoughts and I called for whoever it was to come in.Pazz
Today was Saturday, meaning I had no work to get to, no boss to see and nothing planned for the entire day.I woke up and went to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast and coffee.Whenever I work I normally just buy a bagel for breakfast, but now that I have the day off, I pamper myself a little bit.I made blueberry pancakes and carved a mango putting everything on a plate. I whipped some milk and poured it over my coffee along with caramel syrup and put everything on a tray.I walked over to the tv and placed the tray on the table before switching to a channel I felt like watching. After nine minutes of not finding anything, I clicked on Netflix and pressed on F.R.I.E.N.D.S. A show that always worked when nothing else did.
When I woke up I felt like I had slept for a week straight. I was so rested and happy for the first time in a long time.I looked at the clock and panic settled in me as I saw the time 18:13. I had slept for over three hours, it was only supposed to be a nap.I flew off the bed and headed for the shower. When I was down I dried my hair as fast as I could while I applied my makeup. I swear to god if I end up looking like a clown I'll cry.I opened my closet and dug through my things trying to find something appropriate.I had a lot of party dresses and a lot of professional clothing.But I was just Ashtons assistant, I probably wouldn't get that much attention anyway. I opted for a white mid-length tight dres
We ran out into the restaurant and saw Ashton standing over Preston throwing blow after blow to his head.Blood was spurting everywhere and if Ashton continued, he'd kill him.Everyone was standing around with wide eyes witnessing the horrific scene, but I didn't feel bad for him. I wanted him dead but I didn't want Ashton to be the one to do it.”Ashton!” Jasmine yelled trying to get him to stop.I walked slowly up to him and put my hand on his shoulder.Ashton stopped and turned around. His eyes were black and his whole posture was predatory-like.”Let’s go, Ash,” I said. He looked down on Preston who was barely breathing.
I was fluttering my eyes open, slowly but surely I was starting to see. I had the worst migraine and my body felt as if it had been thrown off a cliff.”Hey there,” came a voice and when I turned I saw Pazzi sitting by my bed.”Hey, what’s happening?” I asked him. Shocked by the fact that he was in my bedroom. This can't be good.”You don't remember do you,” He said.I shook my head and got a Deja Vu feeling from the last time I woke up with him near me.”You were almost killed last night,” He said and I looked at him in shock.”What?””Do you remember dinner?” He asked
”She’s fine, still asleep,” I heard someone speaking but it sounded far away.”We won't know until she wakes up, wait, I think she is. I’ll call you later,” I groaned as I turned and twisted in my bed. Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hands. I let out a big yawn before I opened my eyes and sat up on the bed.”Good morning sleepy head!” Pazzi was here, why?”Not so loud, I just woke up,” I whined and turned to drink from the water bottle that I always had on my bedside table.”Sorry, how are you feeling?” He asked me with a smile on his face. How can he always be so cheerful?”I’m good, I feel really rested. If you don't mind me asking, why are you here?” I asked him with one raised brow as I pushed aside the comf
I was back at the office sorting paperwork. I was an hour late but luckily Ashton was out with Pazzi on a meeting so nobody noticed.I opened the computer to see which paper goes where and then mail the recipients.I was about the send the mail when I got a notification of a mail I didn't recognize.I opened it up and groaned loudly when I read it. It was from Mr. Carlson, I had decided to call him that from now on.He wanted me to meet him in his office.I swear to god if he mentions his encounter with Jasmine, I'm going to kick him in the balls.I closed the computer back up and walked over to knock on his door. After one knock the door opened and I walked in.&nbs