❝We're on the right side of rock bottom
and I hope that we keep falling,
we're on the good side of bad karma
cause we keep on coming back for more.❞

Chapter Nine:
The Silver Jubilee
(cont'd)

"Are you sure you want to come?" Tim boomed over the loudspeaker for the umpteenth time. I groaned, loud enough for him to hear despite the fact I was ten feet away from my phone, rummaging through my closet to find the perfect dress.

"Yes. Yes I am. I can't miss out on the silver jubilee celebration Tim, it's a big deal for the company."

"I get that but he is going to be there."

"Don't you think I'm aware of that?" Although Tim couldn't see me, he knew very well just how I felt about the possibility of running into Hans. I couldn't have a repeat of what happened at the bar happening again, with me bolting and leaving the party. Not only would that be utterly embarrassing but it would be like admitting defeat...at whatever this gamble was. At the same time, I couldn't count on Tim showing up and rescuing the day every time. Things hadn't exactly changed between the two of us - we were still friends. After silently deducing the reason behind my sadness was none other than Hans, he had come to accept that a part of me did reach out to the tall, raven-haired stallion. Unlike other men who would have seen it as an opportunity to pounce, Tim gave me the space I needed and never once attempted to kiss me or proclaim his feelings for me again. That didn't mean I denied the tension between us that would flare up when we were alone together; in the office, at the bar, at his place or mine. It was palpable but ignored. I didn't have time to waste on feelings again.

My hands shook ever so slightly as I paused, staring at the dress in front of me. The red stain had never left, effectively ruining the beautiful white that Helena had bawled her eyes over when I showed her. The rouge-turned-pink stains had settled permanently into the soft synthetic, serving as a memory of that first night. A memory I'd never had the heart to throw out.

A pang of wistfulness hit me square in the chest and I pushed the dress to the back of the rack, continuing to look through the remaining hangers. I sighed and turned back to glance at my phone on the bed-top. Tim was a perfect friend but he just wasn't Helena at helping me choose what to wear.

"What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"I'll get there myself, don't worry."

Tim paused and I knew he was going to ask me 'you sure' again but I cut him to the chase.

"Yes, mother, I'm sure. I'm a big girl and I can get myself to the prince's ball. Now let me get ready, and I'll see you there in an hour, okay?"

"I don't appreciate the attitude Tris, but fine."

I giggled and said the classic 'I love your stupid face, Tim-Tim' for which I got a snort before the line went dead. I could deal with Tim later. I could deal with the thoughts running around my head that going with him to the party was almost like an official date. Almost. But right now, I needed a dress that would make Hans eat his heart out for ever dropping me...and nothing in my wardrobe did the job. Internally groaning, I flopped down on the bed, grabbing my phone and sifting through my contacts to check if Helena was online. Truth be told, I didn't want to go to this party.

Sure, the twenty-five year anniversary of the company marked an important milestone. Helena said I was lucky to be going for the big bash, noting that a lot of her business-journalist friends wanted to go but couldn't secure an invitation for the upscale party.

'How long are you planning on running away from Hans? Sure, he's been acting like a total bitch for...what? Three months now? Sooner or later, you've got to tell him to get off his high horse and face you like a real man.'

To which I'd countered by telling her that we hadn't been in a relationship to begin with and to him, I was probably just sex.

'If he thought of you as just sex, he wouldn't have laid himself out to you like he did that night. He wouldn't have gone through so much effort to make sure the deal that could have fired your ass again got secured, that too by getting in touch with your douchey ex.'
She had a good point. But when I reminded her that that was the last night Hans and I had actually interacted, Helena had moved onto the wilder theory that he possibly liked me. There couldn't be a bigger joke than that...I mean the guy lost his virginity to a stripper. Yes. That was my pathetic defensive argument, and it definitely didn't work on Helena who all but stared me down like I was an idiot.

'The guy obviously digs you. He's scared of feeling anything for you at this point which is why he's distancing himself. For all we know, he might just be trying to work out his emotions.' Helena had given up after that. 'I don't know, bro. Guys work in weird ways. That's why I prefer girls. They're so much easier to understand and don't beat around the bush as much. Figuratively, that is.'

Real subtle innuendo there, Helena. In the end, all she had done is confuse me even more. Flicking through my phone, I realized that the bi-queen wasn't online. I didn't have the heart to call her up either, knowing she was currently facing a lot of shit at work with deadlines on the latest magazine issue and all.

I went through the options I had in my mind. I could go to the celebration with the best look I could whip up, stick to Tim's side as his date the entire time, avoid Hans and retire home early. Or, I could not go at all, stay home, order in and Netflix.

Ugh, the agony.

Of course, there was a third option available: I could go about this night the safe way but that would mean calling up someone who would, without a doubt, report back to his make-out buddy... I decided to be stupid and do the safe thing.

With a heavy sigh, I sorted through my contacts before finding Jasper. I took a moment to mentally prepare myself for the conversation before pressing the dial button. The ring went on for a while, before he finally picked up, ever so enthusiastically, "Hey, Tris! What brings you to call me up tonight? Is anyone dying?"

"Hey, Jasper," I chirped, trying to match his upbeat tone and not roll my eyes at what he'd just suggested. "How's the party prep going?"

"Great," he drawled, and I could make out giggles in the background. "Half the volunteers are already knackered."

"You're the one that promised them unlimited drinks if they helped out," I laughed, remembering the day he made the brief but exciting announcement on our floor, and the kind of reaction it incited from the younger ones (especially Jaden who'd leaped at the opportunity...kids these days).

"Anyways," Jasper sighed heavily into the receiver, making me smile. He sure was dedicated to the task of organizing this whole thing. Nothing short of a man as powerful, not to mention determined as him. "What's up Tris? Anything I can do for you?"

Oh Gods, help me.

I tried to be as verbally eloquent as possible, but Jasper being a whiz, saw right through me before I could get the sentence out.

"I was wondering if it's necessary for everyone to be present at the-"

"Hans isn't coming."

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. Literally. I clutched my chest at the spasm of pain that shot through it - psychological or not, I was panicking.

"W-w-what? I wasn't calling to ask about-"

"Oh, cut to the chase Tris. I know you both well enough to figure out what's going on in your heads, and for your kind information, Hans isn't attending the party."

Seconds of silence followed where I analyzed whether I should go for the subtle approach or just be direct with Jasper who, evidently, knew exactly what he was talking about. At the end, I settled for a resigned and quiet, "Why?"

"Because come midnight, it's his birthday."

I wasn't expecting that. "His birthday?" A billion questions popped up in my head, all of which I wanted to ask Jasper without seeming like a brown-nose. Who was he spending the birthday with? Was he even celebrating at all? If so, did he have another girl to keep him company? Are the rumors true? If not, will he be okay alone? I didn't even know where to start. In the background, I could make out the clatter of plates and glasses calling Jasper's attention as he let out another sigh, muttering something to the person behind him.

"Listen, I have to go now. And no, you don't have to come to the party. It's not an obligation to be here tonight. I'll text you his address, okay? Go, and see him." Jasper paused, catching his breath before adding, "And stop over thinking things Tris. That's what's gotten both of you into this mess. Just be honest with yourselves and act on how you feel, okay?"

It was too much information to process at once and I wasn't even given time to react as Jasper ended our call. My hand dropped to my lap and I stared at the screen, wondering what the hell had just happened. Seconds later, two messages popped up, and keeping to his word, Jasper had sent me the address. It was the second text that had my heart twisting inside of my chest as I reread the words; once, twice, three times before it sunk in.

P.S. He's alone.
You know what that means.

I arose from the bed, dropping the phone on the covers. My eyes zeroed in on the white dress I'd shoved to the back with a smile unfurling on my lips. Jasper was right.

I knew what to do.

_____

Song: Rock Bottom by Hailee Steinfeld feat. DNCE

Vote goal: 50

Requests are open for my new work up on Wattpad - /insatiable/!

I'd love it if you guys can take the time to check it out as I'm kind of fishing for readers with that one! Please feel free to comment and submit any requests you might have for what you want to read. 

This is a really fun exercise for me, as well as for you as I'll be delivering the romance you want to read. :) So don't feel shy! You can comment on the first page 'rules', or message me if you have anything you'd like me to write. 

Prepare yourselves for the next couple updates! Things are about to get real. :D

Happy New Years' in advance, everyone! <3