In his grasp 2

Here we go again

“Hey! How did it go!” Ryan asked with anxiety showing through his tone. He came to pick me up because my car is in the garage and Joe had to work, Tom was out of town too so he wasn’t able to come and get me. So luckily Ryan was free to pick me up. “Yeah... I... I think it went okay” I smiled still stuttering from the nerves. He pressed his lips together and said “I’m sure you did great and I bet they loved you”. I flashed him a sarcastic look and he laughed. I climbed into the passenger seat and he  asked me where he was dropping me. f**k! Joe said he was swamped at work and I didn’t want to bother him to ask if I could stay in his apartment as his dad is still in town, I no longer live at the dorm since two days ago, I haven’t managed to get the money together yet to get a place and I really didn’t want to stay at my mums. My car was going to be another hour at least in the garage so I can’t even get dropped off to collect it. “Uh...” I paused whilst I had a think.

I’m going to have to go and see Joe because if I stayed out with Ryan and Joe found out he wouldn’t be happy at all, especially if I didn’t tell him. So either way I am going to have to go and see Joe regardless. “I will direct you” I smiled and he turned the engine on. The office wasn’t too far away but it would have taken me a good hour and a half to walk there from the centre. As per usual, Ryan was there to help. We had a right laugh in the car and I was generally really enjoying my time with Ryan. We have become great friends and I’m okay with that. I may not like Ashley but she makes him happy. 

Soon enough we pulled up outside Joe’s work building and Ryan looked up at it in ore. “Are you okay?” I asked him as his jaw was hanging to the floor. “Does he own this entire building?” He said still gawking at the building. I nodded and he said “wow”. Suddenly a hint of jealousy invaded his eyes and he looked away lowering his brows. “Okay... well if you want to hang out later then just gimme a bell” he gritted his teeth trying to compose himself. 

“Thanks Ryan, I will and thank you so much for picking me up. You’re a life saver”. I grabbed his arm with appreciation and then stepped out the car. Once I flashed him a quick wave I walked toward the building and took the elevator to Joe’s office. I didn’t want hang out with Ryan without Joe’s permission, nor did I want to go to his apartment without letting him know I was there. “Hey Cass” I grinned as I saw Cassie typing away at her desk. “Hey Lauren” she smiled nervously. She seemed very in edge but I shrugged it off and knocked on Joe’s door. “Just a second!” He shouted

There was rummaging of papers and knocking sounds that seemed like it was something hitting his desk. I then heard him giggling before it went quiet. Joe opened the door and saw me standing there. “Lauren! I didn’t know you were coming” he said in shock. I looked at him a little concerned as I pushed past him to enter his office. 

“I came to ask if it was okay if I hung out in the apartment?” I said scanning the office for clues as to what he was doing. The desk seemed messy and full of scattered papers. “Of course you can baby girl” he gasped as he tried to calm his breathing. He swallowed and walked over to lean on the desk in front of me. “How was your interview?” He asked in panic as if he had forgotten he dropped me off earlier. “Yeah I think it went really well, I just have to wait for a call” I replied positively. “That’s brilliant Lauren, well done baby girl I know you will get it”. He was seeing very sweet to me and I couldn’t understand why. I mean he has always had a sweet side but not like this. 

“Is everything okay Joe?” I scrunched my face up trying to read his expression. “Yes baby girl, I’m just so busy but I wanted to hear about your interview” he said with his arms folded. I continued to gaze at him before nodding my head and standing up. “I will leave you to it then”. I pushed my lips against his and I could taste lipstick, but I wasn’t wearing any. I stepped back from him and narrowed my eyes at him. I looked closely at his skin and saw traces of make up all over his face and his cheeks were slightly flustered. I went to ask him but decided not to for some reason and walked towards the door. Before I opened it I turned around.

“Joe...” I said seeing his expression that hints to me he’s doing something he shouldn’t be. “Hmm?” He replied. “Are you okay if I hang out with Ryan this evening?” I asked as if to kind of taunt him a little for reassurance. He scrunched his face up for a second and then said “yeah, sure baby girl” and then smiled. That’s so weird. He would hate it if I went and spent time with Ryan. 

“Is someone here Joe?” I asked frowning at him. “Huh? No! What makes you think that?” I stared at him and noticed him bite the inside of his mouth and clench his jaw. He only ever does this when he is nervous or up to something. I couldn’t ignore it anymore and searched around in anger. His face went from nervous to scared. “Lauren what are you doing?” He huffed and I walked towards his desk. I looked under it and saw lacy material and pulled it out. “Who’s are these Joe?” I exclaimed holding up a red thong. He looked at me in shock and I waited for him to try and make up some bullshit excuse but he just stared back at me. I rushed around looking for the owner of the thong and then opened his closet. Demi was standing there in a skin tight red dress and nothing else. Her make up was all smudged and she seemed like she had been caught out.

“Is this a f*****g joke?!” I yelled and Joe hurried towards me with his hands out to calm me down. “Baby girl, I know what this looks like but...”

“Don’t touch me Joe” I said in a calm tone. He paused and then laid his hands on my arms. “Get off!” I shouted and stormed towards the door. I heard him calling after me but I ignored him and ran to the elevator to get away from him. As I was in the elevator I dialled Ryan’s number and called it by the time I had gotten to the bottom floor. “Ryan, can you pick me up”.