Worth The Risk

Chapter 3|| Anger Management

I tossed the bag of peas back in the freezer, chuckling at Diamond who arrived 15 minutes ago hungover worse than anybody.

"I told you not to get smacked last night"

"Shut the hell up" she mumbled into the table I hopped on the kitchen island, Sean smirked at Diamond

"Are you nervous about today?" He asked referring to the call from Newhouse yesterday, I shook my head

"No. I'm not really sure what he needs though.. I'm just glad he's giving me a chance to save my job"  I think glad might be an understatement, this is something that I've wanted to do since high school. I guess I just wish that I had someone to help me when I was growing up- I wish I was able to help my aunt.. I turned my attention back to Sean. I opened my mouth to speak and was cut off by Diamond clumsily running to the bathroom -almost crashing into the closed door as well- and loudly throwing up, I winced slapping Sean who was laughing on the arm

"Why the fuck did you let me drink, Shay?" She whined loudly rinsing her mouth
~~•••~~

I parked my car and got out, walking as fast as I could toward the door. How the hell am I literally late to everything? By the time I made it to Mr.Newhouse's office he was outside pacing, I took a deep breath before approaching him

"I'm not even gonna mention you being late, but listen this is about that favor that I asked you for on the phone the other night..." he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck

"What is it?" He cleared his throat, I nodded stepping toward the door.

"I- I need you to be open minded" I paused when he stepped between me and the door handle

"I-okay? Can we just go in?" I asked nodding lightly to the door with my head he hesitated stepping aside and holding the door for me. I reached for my phone, quickly putting it on silent and froze when I looked up. A man sat at the table wearing a sleek grey- and obviously extremely expensive- suit. His long dark hair was neatly braided and freshly lined up, nicely complementing his stubble and perfect eyebrows. In one of his earlobes was a single square diamond earring. I held my breath as my brown eyes connected with his caramel brown eyes briefly, I made sure to take in his face. He was immersed in something on his phone screen, not noticing that we'd entered the room. Newhouse urged me forward, speaking up slightly

"Anashay this is Able Bowers, the manager of Josiah Easton" Josiah Easton? I didn't have time to think of where Id heard that name before a short stocky man stood up and offered his hand to me. I shook it forcing myself to look away from Josiah. I smiled tightly at Able and settled in my chair crossing one leg over the other, the meeting began and I was handed a folder. Josiah Easton? I thought again flipping the name over in my mind, trying to rake my brain for some type of memory.

"So those are the basic details, do you have any other questions?" The sound of my boss's voice brought me back to the meeting at hand. Shit I wasn't listening, and from the look on his face he knew I wasn't listening as well, I quickly composed myself sitting up straight

"So.. how long will I have to work with Mr. Easton?" Josiah looked up at me

"At the minimum, a year. You will check in monthly with reports on his progress" I was quiet as realization hit me, the news, the club-Sean's eye. My eyes flickered to Josiah and I noticed the light purple bruise stretching from under his eyes to his cheekbone. This time a smirk slowly spread across my face, he glared lightly

"Okay. I accept"

"Thank you for taking up this offer, Anashay" Able smiled sweetly at me and the meeting was dismissed. Everyone shuffled out of the room, I was the last one out.

"You seem familiar" I let out a yelp dropping my stuff, Josiah stood leaning against the opposite wall with a blank expression. He held his suit jacket in his hand, now only wearing a white button-up shirt, arms wound tightly across his chest. I tore my eyes away from him and twirled the ring on my pinky with the tip of my thumb.

"I doubt you know me from anywhere," I said back slightly annoyed. Before I could register that he'd even move from the wall he was in front of me. I felt my heart rate spike at his closeness, his lips tugged up into a smirk making me take a step back from him. He placed a hand on the wall behind me, lowering his head to look into my eyes.

"The club? The other night?" I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning so that I was against the wall and raising my eyebrows at him. He squinted and I replayed the last moments of that night in my head
_________
Sean pushed me back and lunged at the man, I groaned loudly dropping my head in my hands.

"Shay what the hell is going on?" Diamond was at my side, a small crowd formed and I noticed a girl on the other side of Diamond rush forward to grab Josiah. She was yanking him by his arm but he simply brushed her off throwing more punches
"Shay do something!" I pinched the bridge of my nose

"Fine!" I kicked off my shoes angrily storming toward the both of them, people moved aside and I pushed away the girl tugging Josiahs arm. He looked up at me and I punched him in the face, his head jerked back and he fell to the side motionless. I heard several 'ooh's from the crowd behind, I let out a breath bending over to help up a drunk Sean
"Let's go now" I sneered at him
—————
I forced myself to keep my face plain and my voice even, Josiah just glared at me.

"You remember me, Shay?" My name rolled off of his tongue, nearly making me shiver. I ignored him taking my things from his hands with a little more force than intended, he was now grinning at me

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice even as I moved around him and walking toward the elevator.

"Go out with me"

"No." I simply said, trying to get away from him as quickly as possible, he followed me to the elevator, much to my displeasure.

"No?" He said almost sounding offended.

"I know. It's hard to believe that someone said no to you" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, he leaned against the wall next to the elevator frowning

"I don't take no for an answer, Shay. You knocked me out in front of everybody, the least you could do is go out with me" I turned my back to him to press the down elevator button

"Well you're gonna have to. I'm not going out with you Josiah-" He grabbed my arm forcefully pulling me around to meet his angry expression

"I just said I don't take no for an answer. So unless you want to upset me, I suggest you rethink your answer" I paused for a second, furrowing my brows at him. Did he just threaten me? I turned so that I was completely face to face with him and narrowed my eyes

"I don't know who the hell you think you are, or why you feel like you can intimidate me but I would advise you to watch how you talk to me-" I stopped mid-sentence  to snatch my arm from his grip

"Put your hands on me again and I'll give you a second black eye to match the first" I said, making sure my words held every bit of threat that my calm demeanor didn't. He clenched his jaw at me and I could tell that the things I said only made him angrier, the tension between us grew almost unbearable until the sound of the elevator bell made me turn my gaze away from him.

"I will see you at our first session, enjoy the rest of your day Mr. Easton" He stepped forward just as the doors closed, shortly after I heard the loud 'thud' of him punching the doors. I let out a breath closing my eyes, what the hell did I get myself into?