Chapter Text
You need to stop doing this.
Jason’s word echoed in Ysaline's mind. The radio silence between them gave her a lot to think about it.
It’s been a week now since he found her in the woods. The ankle had healed fine already, but she never got a chance to thank him.
And to apologize.
How ironic that a near-death experience made her realise he has been sincere all along. Never a question about her work place. Her coworkers.
Maybe he really did just enjoy her company. Or rather have a good laugh at her expense.
In any case, the realization that this man actually wasn’t a bad man hit her hard. And made her feel very guilty too.
“Are you going to order something? Or…” Tasha asked, nudging Ysaline's elbow.
Ah.
“ One hot chocolate and one coffee please. To go.” Ysaline's quickly answered, realizing it was her turn at the coffee shop.
The nerves were getting to her. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea?
“You know, I found your nervousness funny at the beginning. But now I am getting worried, sis.” Tasha continued, leading Ysaline to the pickup counter.
“Well, I am about to destroy my pride. Telling somebody they were right all along and that my behavior was… well, childish.” Ysaline explained with a sigh.
Her order was ready. No more stalling.
“If you say so. Well, I will be waiting here. Emotional support for when you are back” Tasha said with a little smirk.
Ysaline poked her on the side before grabbing the cups. Tasha stuck out her tongue but Ysaline exited the café before she could respond back.
Alright.
Time to finish this.
Her feet led her to Goldreamz. Her hands were clutching the cups almost possessively.
Does he even like coffee? She couldn´t recall anything that hinted at it. The memories of his kitchen were a blur.
He will make fun of her. Absolutely. Maybe even make a unnecessary comment about her appearance.
You need to stop doing this.
Yes. She will stop.
She will thank him for everything and promise to stop calling him.
Maybe a tad dramatic. He didn´t even say she was a burden.
But he didn’t deny it either.
And it is really time to get her own shit together.
A voice was calling out to her, snapping her mind back to reality. She was very much already inside the company’s lobby.
It was Danica walking towards her.
“Ysaline! I heard about the horror orientation event… How is your foot?” she asked with a gasp.
“Not only did they make you run… but getting lost??? Terrible organization”
The last comment made them both chuckle.
“I think nobody is setting foot in that forest again. Luckily, I just twisted my ankle so nothing serious.” Ysaline said, smiling back.
Danica was being polite. But it was also very obvious that she absolutely wanted to know why Ysaline was here.
She probably knows about Jason’s part in it all as well.
How did he describe it?
Leaving work right away. Driving an hour. Running in the rain and then carrying me back to his car.
It really was almost like a Disney movie.
“Speaking of the event… Is Jason in his office? I need to talk to him.” Ysaline finally said. Every word feeling like a confession.
Something lit up in Danica’s eyes. Was she holding back a giggle?
“He’s up there. Next appointment is 2 hours away. And between you and me….” She started whispering, coming a little closer.
“I am pretty positive he already saw you walking in from his glass window.” She finished, ending the sentence with a wink.
Ysaline nodded slowly, trying to maintain composure. And most importantly, her face.
After whispering a quiet thank you, she finally made her way up the stairs. The cups barely felt hot anymore, thanks to the rising nervousness building up in her body.
She walked past various employees until she saw his office.
The door was wide open.
It somehow felt like she wasn´t walking anymore. More like floating across.
“Good afternoon…” she said, though it sounded more like a whisper.
She found Jason in the corner of his office, holding a heavy binder filled with documents.
He turned. Visibly surprised but shrugged it off immediately.
“You’re here.” He said, placing the binder back in a shelf.
“Please, sit.”
Ysaline placed the coffee cup while he closed the door behind her.
By the time he sat down in his office chair, she was still standing.
“Are you waiting for me to pull out a chair or-“
“No no, I won’t be long. And I’d prefer to stand.”
Now he was leaning forward, confused.
“First of all, that coffee is for you. I… wanted to thank you. For saving me in the forest.” Ysaline said, pointing at the cup.
He was about to say something, but Ysaline help up her hand.
“And… I also wanted to thank you for all the times you have helped me for. Not that you were always great at it, like the time you played a terrible fiancé…”
“I thought you were here to thank me.”
“I am. In my own way.” She chuckled, crossing her arms.
He had opened the cup’s lid and took a sip. The bitterness threw him off a little.
“I also have hot chocolate. You can have it instead, it’s the one on the right.”
“I am not about to steal a lady’s hot chocolate…”
That one made her laugh. But it didn’t change what she was about to do.
“That being said… I also want to apologize. It’s a bit shameful to realize you’re not a bad man after all. I have… misjudged you.” She confessed, slowing down near the end.
His eyes were focused now. Eyebrows narrowing.
“Is this a confession?”
“It is a goodbye.”
The word made him choke on his coffee. Coughs that were quickly followed by a few glasses of water. And some paper towels.
“You’re leaving?” he asked, standing up from his chair.
“And leave Devenementiel defenseless? Not on my watch.”
He rolled his eyes but still walked towards her regardless.
“I am simply… going to let you be. No more calls. No more requests for help. Your life can return to what it was.” She explained quickly, feeling a different emotion building inside of her.
Their last conversation seemed to replay in his head. A part of here was hoping he would also remember the question… and give her an answer.
But she knew that was not going to happen.
“…I see.” He responded quietly.
His eyes were meeting hers. As if they were looking for something.
“I will greet you at work events, of course. It’s the least I can do. God knows how many favors I owe you at this point” She continued, smiling.
He didn´t respond.
He just kept starting at her.
It was time to go.
With a step back towards the door, she gave him a final smile and slowly pulled the door open.
“Take care of yourself, Jason. I’m sure we’ll cross ways during the next competition.”
And with that, the door closed behind her.
She was pretty sure she left the hot chocolate behind too. Perhaps something sweet to leave him with.
It only took her few blinks to find herself outside again. Her sister saw her walking out from the cyfe and approached her.
She was saying something, but Ysaline couldn´t comprehend it. Everything felt so… slow. And heavy.
She kept on walking, Tasha keeping pace.
“Okay, now you are freaking me out. What happened??” Tasha asked confused.
They kept walking until Ysaline was sure Jason could not see them anymore from his office. Then she finally stopped and let out a big sigh.
“Sorry about that.” She said to Tasha, giving her a hug.
“Everything is fine. Now…” Ysaline continued, grabbing her phone.
“I have a viewing to go to. Are you coming?”