My Addiction

Chapter Thirteen

Ryan's POV

I've noticed that Jessie has been acting strange lately so one day when I was fetching a file she send me, I decided to go through her things. It might not have been the right choice but it seemed sensible at the time. I was about to open the desk drawer when I spotted an open envelope just beneath a few papers, curiosity killed a cat they say but that's what saved me not exactly but almost. I picked it and checked inside and I was shocked to find pictures of Astrid and me in a bar, they seem intimate so that would explain why she's locking me out but honestly, this could mean anything and why didn't she just confront me about it? Maybe girls should come with an introduction manual or something. I quickly put it back and heard back to the conference room

" Finally, l thought you got lost " James comments then sighs

" No, I just got caught up with something. did I miss anything?" I asked taking a sit

" not exactly but Ms. boss over here is kind of not in a good mood" he leaned in to whisper. I turned to look at Jessie and she wore the sternest look I've ever seen. I quickly got back to doing my work and gave an internal prayer that the meeting ended soon. I was finding it hard to concentrate and at the same time, I pitied the people who were presenting because she was giving downright cruel comments and sending them back because according to her, they were unsatisfactory. the meeting ended an hour ago and I've been trying to get a word with her but she just seems too busy, she's buried herself in her work she has burly looked up unless she's being talked to. I'm working in her office today because it's a very busy day.

" you could have just asked me you know" I started breaking the unbearable silence. I was sitted next to her in the back seat of her car as Jimmy drove us home

" what are you talking about?" she asked while staring out the window, I don't know if she was trying to hide her expression, or maybe the view was marvelous but I was determined to not let the matter pass.

" I think you know what I'm talking about, otherwise I don't see any other reasonable explanation for pushing me away and I also noticed you being too absorbed into your work. You rarely do that these days"

" not everything is about you, Ryan, have you thought that maybe I have better things to do?" she said her gaze still at the window and her voice had so much calm you would think she wasn't bothered if you didn't know better

"Please do tell me what these things are?"

" Okay fine, what do you want from me?" she questioned giving me her full attention

" I want to know you have been avoiding me, is it because of the pictures on your desk?" I said then added quickly before she could bust " and before you say anything I wasn't trying to prey or anything I saw it by mistake the envelope was open" lied well partly but that's not important right now

" Why do you even bother asking if you already know?"

" it seems to be bothering you," I shifted in the seat, then cleared my voice " so I thought that maybe if I cleared things up, it would help change your view of things"

I could see her confusion as her eyebrows frowned

" what's there to clarify? that you were out having fun? everybody does that sometimes" convincing but the was a slight pain in her voice

" We have reached your place ma'am " Jimmy announced,

" okay thanks, Jimmy , please do drop Mr. Jones at his place" she's got to be kidding me

" no need man I'll find my own way home. I still have unfinished business" I said, getting out of the car

" it's hard getting carbs here you know,” she said as we made out way through the corridor

" who said I plan on going back home?" I challenged

" okay, make yourself comfortable then. I'm going to have some sleep " she turned to walk away

" she is my sister you know, the girl in the pictures. I didn't think it was such a big deal even if it could have been someone else. we were just having a few drinks that's it. I thought we trusted each other, you could have just asked me if something was bothering you instead of pushing me out" with that I left not giving her time to reply, two can play this game. If she wants to play silent then so will I.

I was about to call Tom to pick me up when I saw Astrid and Brandy arrive.

" Hey bro, leaving already?" Astrid greeted

" Hey guys, yeah, I have something important I need to take care of. I was about to call Tom to pick me up" I said with the most real smile I could master

" you could just use mine, brandy can drop me off " she offered

" yeah sure see you later then," I said and headed to the car. I needed to get out of there, I was finding it hard to control my emotions. seeing as I didn't want to do anything or converse with anyone I just drove straight home. I kept checking my phone when reached home in hopes of maybe finding a text or even missed call, anything at all but I didn't find any and that hurt even more. After a while, I just decided to take a bath and go to sleep but sleep was too much to ask for I guess. we might have not been officially together but there was no doubt the was something going on between us and I expected her to at least ask if there was any concern instead of just playing the silent card I tossed and turned until sleep finally found me.