Worth The Risk

Chapter 4|| First Session

I pulled out a notebook and a blue pen, settling back in my seat and writing on the top of the page
'Josiah Easton 2/22/2019'. I took a deep breath and checked the time. 10:15. He was 15 minutes late, I blew air out of my cheeks and leaned back in my chair. Luckily I didn't have any other clients because if I did-

"What the hell, Josiah!" I shot up out of my seat, placing myself in front of him to steady him as he stumbled in the room.

"I'm here. Sorry for late being Shay- fuck I'm going to throw up-" he slurred before running over to the small bathroom in my office. I cringed as he emptied his stomach into the toilet

"Josiah" I called out, making my way toward the bathroom to see him hastily rinsing his mouth in the sink over and over, I flushed the toilet and stared at him. Why is he being like this? He leaned against the sink, shoulders haunched breathing heavily. I looked down noticing that his left hand was bandaged. From when the idiot punched the elevator doors. It was eerily silent in the room as I approached him, he must've sensed me moving closer because he looked up at me which was a bad idea. He toppled over falling clumsily on to the ground, I rushed forward grabbing him and gently sliding to the ground beside him. I furrowed my brows

"You're drunk?" I mumbled, on my knees at his side. It's not even noon and he is shit faced drunk, I sighed moving to get to my feet

"Come on get up, you need to go home Josiah" he draped his arm around my shoulders allowing me to help him to his feet, luckily for me I'm 5'8 because if I were any smaller he would have completely crushed me. He mumbled things to himself as I swiped my phone off my desk and tucked it into my back pocket. His head started to drop and he slowed down, beginning to drag his feet.

"Don't pass out on me, I can't exactly pick you up and carry you out of here" I pleaded, he opened his eyes and nodded at me, mumbling something about how good I smelled

"I- I am okay-" he mumbled standing up on his own. I finally made it downstairs without too many people noticing us, how had he made it up the stairs this drunk? I heard slight commotion at the front doors and Josiah's grip on my hand -which I hadn't realized he'd grabbed- tightened. I pushed open the exit doors only for us to be bombarded by people with cameras, shouting questions and snapping pictures of us. I shielded my eyes from the flashing finally spotting a man emerging from a black car that had 'Easton' printed on the side in gold metallic cursive. I felt his hand leave mine and people walking through town as well as paparazzi crowded around him, almost knocking me over.

"Josiah?!" I shouted feeling myself start to worry and panic.

My ears buzzed annoyingly as people shouted things at me from all directions, the crowd felt like it was closing in

"Who are you? Can we have a name please?"

"Why are you with Josiah, are you his new girlfriend?"

"Can I get a picture? Over here!"

My breathing quickened as I immediately felt overwhelmed, where the hell did he go?

"Jos-" suddenly everyone was quiet and staring at something back in the direction of the office building, the sudden shift in the atmosphere made my heart beat faster-if even possible.

"Where the hell is she?" I heard his booming voice over everything, sending a chill down my spine. I pushed through people until I could clearly see him. He stood a few feet away from me wearing a dark expression - and was still very drunk. In front of him on the ground was a sprawled out man with a broken camera laying beside him. I felt my own fists clench and my anger grow. My expression hardened and I slowly lifted my eyes from the mans camera, to Josiah's bloody knuckles and eventually up to meet his eyes. We made eye contact and I saw a flicker of guilt flash on his face, but it was gone as quickly as it came

"Let's go" I demanded , surprised by how strong my voice was considering I just nearly had a panic attack. He looked down at the man he had knocked out, then back up at me. I turned away heading toward the car and he stumbled behind me joining my side, the bald man looked between the two of us.

"Who are you?" He addressed me rudely, I raised my eyebrows at him finding it harder to keep my temper at bay

"What you need to do is be less worried about who I am, and more worried about who let him leave so drunk he can barely stand on his own" I said evenly, feeling myself get angrier by the second. I glanced back and noticed that the paparazzi were still across the street, now more focused on the camera man who was regaining consciousness. I let out a small sigh of relief. The man went to speak again, I cut him off

"Instead of arguing with me you should get him home" He pursed his lips opening the door and looking at Josiah

"Get in the car" He ordered him turning his back to me, I tucked my hands in my back pockets and turned to head back inside

"What about our session? " When I looked back Josiah was getting back out of the car and arguing with the bald man

"Josiah you have to go. And stop yelling the paparazzi are out there!" He scolded, I bit my lips crossing the street back to the office building. As soon as I entered the building a few people in the lobby were watching, I ignored all of them heading back up to my office.