***NOT EDITED***

*

[RECAP]:

"What the fuck?"

Immediately my head snapped up to see Mr. Collins eyes closed firmly shut and his hands clasped behind his head.

I used the opportunity to hurriedly open my suitcase, grab a pair of clothes and run into the bathroom. I pressed my hand to my chest, my heart beating seemingly wanting to burst out of my chest.

After I changed, I found Mr. Collins lying on his bed this time, and his eyes snapped open, meeting mine. After a few awkward seconds staring at each other, he cleared his throat.

"We need to talk."

*

I swallowed nervously, "Talk? About what?"

He sighed looked at me blankly and then he climbed off the bed, stalking towards me.

I caught whiff of a masculine odor coming from his body, although enticing, I pretended to wrinkle my nose in disgust. 

"Ew! Go take a shower first!" 

I watched him carefully, awaiting for his reaction and this guy smirked. 

"You can't escape me that easily Ms.Diamond. We will talk after." He said firmly before turning on his heel and into the bathroom.

Once I heard the door slam shut I let out a loud sigh. I quickly rummaged some more in my suitcase and pulled out my cellphone and my wallet. Then I zipped it up and quickly dashed out of the room, leaving Mr. Collins but taking my sanity and hopefully my dignity with me.

Once I locked the door behind me, I broke into an immediate sprint. I dashed to the elevator and then decided against it and instead took the stairs. I took two at a time dashing down until I finally reached the bottom, and ran out of the hotel.

"Have a nice—" The receptionist greeted but I was soon out of the door and speeding across the parking lot.

I finally stopped to catch my breath and pulled out my cellphone to call probably the one and only person who could help me right now. 

Jeff.

He picked up on the second ring and immediately I told him to meet me in front of the McDonalds near the hotel and to hurry. 

"Without delay, ma'am. I'll be there in five minutes" He said and the call dropped.

With that I jogged over to the sidewalk and began a light sprint to McDonalds, receiving a few stares along the way. 

I didn't care, I was running for my life, well not literally, but you know what I mean. As soon as I reached McDonalds, a black Maybach pulled up.

The window rolled down and I saw Jeff smiling at me.

"Jeff at your service"

With a relieved sigh I hurried and opened the door and got in. Immediately after, Jeff pulled out, speeding out onto the streets of Venice, Italy.

*

"Where are you heading Ms. Diamond" Jeff asked me after some silence.

I sighed and looked out the window and said, "Anywhere...anywhere but here."

"Yes ma'am" Jeff said, after a mocking glare he said, "Er, I mean Tiara"

I lightly smiled and returned my thoughts elsewhere. I was suddenly feeling guilty of all the things I have done in my time with Mr.Collins.

The little voice in my head kept repeating the same word over and over again: Unprofessional

Then even a louder voice: Mom

I immediately cursed, my hands shaking a bit. How could I have even had the heart to do what I was doing with Mr.Collins right now? I'm supposed to be worried about my mom, and I was too busy—

I cursed some more, opening my phone to look at the picture of my mom. The last picture I had before she was diagnosed with acute leukemia, and the doctor had said she had only a few months before the cancer developed into chronic leukemia.

The only treatment that the doctor said will help cure the cancer is a stem-cell transplant. It cost about 350,000 dollars and I had already deposited more than a 100,000 dollars. It would take me years to pay it off, and I considered taking out some loans but my mom forced me not too. She made me promise to never even consider it. 

Involuntarily, my leg bounced up and down as my mind raced with thoughts. I could only think of how my mother was feeling and how she was doing. Half of my mind was telling me to tell Jeff to go straight to the airport so I could head back home while the other was arguing that I could potentially be fired if I were to leave, leaving me no way to pay for my mom's treatment. 

Of course I choose the most rational option: to stay.

But staying was the last thing on my mind when Jeff said he received a call from Mr.Collins.

Uh oh.

*

Jeff had pulled to a curb, right near Starbucks, then answered Mr.Collins call. I could tell whatever he was saying was so terrible, a grim look settled on Jeff's face.

Only one way to settle this.

I handed out my hand, motioning for Jeff to give me the phone. He did so reluctantly, but placed the phone into my hands.

Mr.Collins was still shouting, thinking Jeff was on the phone.

"I WILL FIRE YOU. YOU HEAR ME! FI—" I interrupted him before things could get any worse. 

"Woah there, hold your horses. First of all, you are not firing anybody on my watch. And I'm coming back soon, ok?"

I didn't wait for a response and ended the call.

"So...starbucks?" I asked Jeff.

His only response was a low chuckle, locking the car and following me inside.

We both ordered our drinks, I ordered an Iced White Chocolate Mocha with an Iced Lemon Loaf Cake while Jeff ordered a vanilla latte and a cinnamon roll.

We sat down and ate our respective foods in complete silence, both of us with a lot on our minds. 

Jeff broke the silence, "Miss...Tiara, Is there something wrong?"

I glanced at him, to see concern etched on his face. "No." I lied, "Why do you ask?"

"Your eyes, they're red and puffy, like you were crying." 

I grimaced, rubbing my hand over my eyes. "I'm fine. Just a lot going on outside work."

He nodded knowingly, "I understand, but if you ever need someone to talk too, I'll be there."

I smiled appreciatively, "Thank you."

He nodded again, he opened his mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by his phone. The ringtone blared in his pocket and he hurriedly pulled it out, looked at it, and then showed me the screen.

I almost choked on my drink when I saw the caller ID.

Mr.Collins

Jeff picked up the phone and putting it on speaker.

Outside. NOW. Was all he said before he dropped.

We hurriedly stood up rushing to the door and then I paused.

"Wait, I think I need another drink. Do they sell alcohol here?" I meant it jokingly but Jeff gave me a blank stare and tugged me out the door.

Jeez. Ever heard of a joke.

All thoughts of making a joke fleeted from my brain when I saw an angry Mr.Collins, leaning against the side of the car.

His stare pierced through me before pushing off the car and opening the door. Me and Jeff both stood still.

Was I supposed to get in or Jeff?

After several moments of not moving, he stalked toward us, then grabbed my arm, hauling me inside and shutting the door behind me.

Then he exchanged a few words with Jeff before entering the car and driving off, leaving Jeff on the side of the road with the Maybach.

I so wished that I was in Jeff's place right now.

I slinked down in my seat, waiting for what is to come.

*

We arrived at an airport.

When Mr.Collins pulled in, immediately someone rushed to the car, waiting outside. I got out, followed by Mr.Collins who pulled out my suitcase along with his and setting it on the ground. 

"Mr.Collins sir, let me take that for you." The man said, reaching for our suitcase.

He nodded and asked, "Is our plane ready?"

"Yes sir." Then he led us to straight to the plane, weaving between people and lines.

Mr.Collins had a firm hand placed on my waist, as if making sure I wasn't going to run off again. We didn't speak, and for some reason, my stomach was queasy with guilt and shame.

I won't be surprised if he really fired me after all.

His hand tightened as if sensing my thoughts and pulled me in front of him, keeping me a safe distance from the curious glances and onlookers. When we finally made it outside, he quickly dropped his hand and left my side, walking up the stairs to the plane, taking two at a time.

I followed behind him, slowly and entered the plane. Mr. Collins was nowhere to be found, so I took the luxury of sitting at the far back, and took the window seat. 

The next thing I knew, a firm hand grasped my shoulder. I jumped slightly and found the culprit to be Mr.Collins.

He jerked his finger behind him, stepping back he waited until I stood up. He quickly turned and opened a door I hadn't recognized before.

I stepped inside cautiously, recognizing the room I slept in the first time on the plane. There was a chair sitting in the middle of the room and he gestured for me to sit as he leaned on a counter.

Then he spoke the first words since picking me up: "So, you want to tell me what happened or should I fire you first?"

I gulped and looked down at my hands. "Um...nothing happened, I just wanted to get some....some breakfast!"

I took a small glance at him and saw his eyes burning into me. He was clearly angry but there was another emotion I couldn't place that I saw in his eyes. I gulped again and looked back down at my hands.

"Are you fucking Jeff?" He asked quietly.

I looked up at him in shock. "What?!"

"You heard me. Are you fucking Jeff?" he said again, his jaw clenched.

I stood up angrily, "How dare you! How dare you accuse me of something I have never done!"

He smirked casually, as if I was discussing the weather, "You think I haven't noticed your little act. You are just a little slut—"

I slapped him across the face, "Never EVER call me that word! You are so STUPID and IDIOTIC, how can you not even see the truth!"

I felt hot angry tears streaming down my face as I struggled to slap him once again.

He flinched a little, not satisfying enough, I stepped up closer to him and said, "I HATE YOU! AND I QUIT!"

I stormed past him, only stopping to retrieve my luggage.

"MS. DIAMOND!" He shouted at me, angrily crossing in front of my path. "I believe you are forgetting, that you are my plus one to the meeting we have with Mr. Usurp."

"Move out the way."

He stared at me, not moving, "No."

"Mr.Collins," I fumed, "get OUT of my way!" Without waiting to hear his response I shoved past him, making my way to the entrance of the plane.

Once again, Mr.Collins stepped in my path. 

Lord help me.

"Ok look, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said what I said." He looked almost desperate now, sad even. But I didn't care, I would rather sooner leave than to stay one more minute with him.

So I calmly walked up to him until we were eye level, and said:

"Fuck you."

He flinched, and I took the opportunity to walk past him and climb back down the stairs of the plane.

Surprisingly as I was leaving, I ran into Jeff, who was parked outside the plane. With one look at my face he reached inside the car and pulled something out.

"Here. If you ever need anything, or someone to talk to, call me." He handed me a card with his number on it.

"Thanks Jeff. I will." With a small salute I walked past him and back into the stuffy airport.

And that's when the tears fell.

*

Just a side note, the warning at the top of the chapter will only be reference by

I will get to work on the next chapter as soon as I publish this, so there will be no delay. Forgive me for the long wait you guys had to endure! I hope it was worthwhile :)

If you did like this chapter be sure to comment, vote, follow and share!

~Starlight87