Chapter 5
Red decided to bring Tanya along; after all it was good to know that she wasn’t the only one that would suffer through this situation she would now refer to as the mission. After a few minutes, she decided to just come out and tell Tanya what had happened; at least she wouldn’t be lost when certain comments or conversations occurred.
“I called you last night you didn’t even answer your cell. Don’t tell me you were trying to get lucky again because I swear I am not dealing with the aftermath.” Tanya said picking up her cup of French Vanilla coffee and taking a sip of it.
“I went to see Lance because I found a couple of clues that can lead us to the missing money and one thing led to another and I slept with him.” She ran for cover because she didn’t know how Tanya would react. Tanya laughed, so hard she was holding her stomach and hoping she wouldn’t wet her pants.
“Do you think I am going to kill you or something? Dude, come out of there. Honestly, tell me was it good? I want details.” Tanya was more amused than mad. She knew Red’s philosophy when it came to getting involve with clients, she would most likely give the case to Cindy Bell and just move on.
“He’s got such great, stamina. Oh yeah, that was amazing.” She explained in not so many words.
“Um…you have a rule not to get involve with clients. Look at yourself! You are a total mess, this isn’t you Red. Look out this window you are one of the top auditors in the state. Are you willing to throw everything away because one night you let your hormones get the best of you?” Tanya was making a good point and hitting that guilt button. She knew Tanya was a little hurt because Lance was her favorite but she knew that her friend meant no harm.
“I know what I am going to do. With your help, of course I will finish this project. That’s exactly what I am going to do, because…I am a god damn professional!” Red finished saying before Tanya busted out laughing again. “What now?”
“You really need to stop watching The Wedding Planner. You’re not J.Lo.” Red just rolled her eyes and got ready for her meeting.
(Later that morning on the other side of town)
It was cold outside, the grass was covered with ice and so were the roofs. The people that were outside jogging, those brave exercising freaks of nature were enjoying the morning run. He wondered how they actually could have the drive to do that, it was 33 degrees outside for god’s sake.
He pulled into this pink building he never seemed to escape, not even in his dreams, walking in not even noticing the girl sitting in the front desk.
“Hi Lance!” She said in her cheerful voice.
He just kept walking and ignored her completely. Lance didn’t want to deal with anybody, he had to see her until this matter was settled and that scared him. Not because he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was played, but the fact that he didn’t know how she was going to keep it on the professional level. What if she actually did give the case to somebody else?
What do you do when you know something is not good for you? Do you walk away? She kept asking herself as she looked into the white wall. She saw him staring at her; she raised an eyebrow at him and noticed the massive quantity of caffeine he carried.
“Are you sharing your coffee or are you just bragging that you can buy lots of it?” She smiled at him, because a distinct memory of him attacking her breast hit her and she had to hold back the moan that almost escaped her lips and the heavy sigh. This was going to prove to be harder than she ever imagined. Keep your cool, she thought to herself.
“I figured you might like some. I think I didn’t bring enough for everybody.” He said turning to the girl that was sitting across from Red. “Excuse me, I don’t mean to be rude but who the hell are you?”
Tanya looked at him and blinked twice before answering. “I’m Tanya, Red’s assistant. There’s a lot of work to be done so she brought me along so we can speed up the process. I hope that’s not a problem. We did clear it with your management.”
“Okay.” He simply replied.
“Don’t worry about the coffee I already had some this morning. I’m good to go.” She finished going back to the paper she was reading.
He looked at her again. Red was completely into her work, not even looking at him. He should have known that she was going to get weird. Most girls do, but he never thought that she was that type of girl. Despite of what she said to him on the phone, to him it wasn’t a one time thing.
“Tanya, do you know Red very well?” He asked not looking at Red but focusing on Tanya’s hazel eyes.
“Yes we are good friends,we work together and we are also roommates. Why do you ask?” She knew were this was going and was not liking it.
“Tell me, is she a player?” He asked. That was enough to get everybody’s attention, including Red’s. "WHAT?"
“Let me ask you something. Do you remember what you accomplished on the twenty second year of your life?” Red asked. Tanya knew were this was going. She was going to make her point.
“I was mostly on tour. Why? What were you doing on the twenty second year of your life?” He was mocking her.
“I buried my fiancé. So I am sorry if you feel that I played you. I’m not a player as you were trying to prove just now. When something like that happens to you call me and let me know exactly how it feels. Then you might understand why I don’t get mixed up with my clients. In case you are wondering, yes he was my first client.” She replied grabbing her things and walking away.
“Red?” Tanya called. "Where are you going? We got tons of work to do"
“I’ll be working from home. Call me if you need anything.” Red replied walking out. Everybody ran after her but she just walked away.
Josh was looking at the situation and felt somewhat
responsible. He did know what happened because he got it out of Lance. He
grabbed his things and said he was going home to sleep. On his way home, he
noticed her car parked next to
“Are you following me now?” She joked.
“Red I am so sorry. We had no idea…I had no idea.” His brain was swimming in a sea of nothing. There was nothing he could say or do to make her feel better.
“That was almost four years ago. I don’t appreciate people referring to me as something that I am not. I don’t play people but your friend on the other hand thought so. I’m pretty sure that Tanya gave him a piece of her mind. I’m not worried about him, I just didn’t really feel like working there today. Don’t you live close by?” She finished. She did note the rambling.
“Yeah, you are more than welcome to work from my place. I’m just going to sleep for a while.” He replied.
“Sure, why not?” And with that the twosome went to the house next to the lake. She did notice the way he looked at her, there was something more there for her to explore. Not now, this would have to wait.
She made a mental note whenshe saw rosemary planted next to his door. But it can't be? She thought.