Charlie was confused he didn't know why Nathan suddenly got angry and aggressive towards him... he looked questionly from Nathan to Audrey.
Charlie. facing Nathan, calmly 'buddy... what's going? What am I missing in this equation?'
Nathan. Angrily ' I don't like this Charlie, I don't!!!' Paused to take a breath 'the fact that you're forcing yourself on a woman that isn't interested in you is all so annoying!!!'
Charlie. Shocked 'wait, what!!! Forcing myself? How? When? Can somebody please kindly explain what's going on? Plus how are you both related Nate?'
Audrey was quite and confused, she didn't expect Nathan to be lurking close enough to hear her conversation with Charlie and his outburst was the last thing she expected to happen... she knew she had to intervene, it was the only way out of this mess.
Audrey. Throwing a pleading look towards Nathan 'I'm really sorry about this Charlie, Nate didn't mean what he just said... please just give me 1 minute...' Looking at Nate 'come with me please' turns to leave...
Charlie. Calls her back 'Hold on Audrey, this matter seems serious, why not take it outside the office?' Smiled at her confused expression, then continued 'it's fine I will cover for you plus its less than one hour to close.'
Audrey. Relieved 'you're always a sweetheart, thanks Charlie.' Went back to pick her personal belongings, smiled at Charlie 'I'll see you tomorrow.' then turned to Nathan, calmly 'do you need to get your things from your office?'
Nathan. Quitely 'no, not yet. I still have to come back to the office.'
Nathan Quitely murmured his thanks and good bye to Charlie, he didn't know what possessed him to make him act the way he did earlier, Charlie is his friend, he should have been more considerate but then again, he knew he was really bothered by the closeness he sensed between Charlie and Audrey.
Nathan. To himself 'maybe it's best we leave it this way...' he knew he had to have the conversation with Charlie, he is not an asshole, he won't begin acting like one now.
Charlie on the other hand knew there was something up he just can't tell what it was yet if only Audrey would let him in then he can stand by her and protect her. Nathan is not a bad guy but then again, you can't tell who's bad and who isn't these days....
Nathan. Quitely to himself 'I think I need to have a talk with Nate, Audrey won't tell me what's going on, so Nathan might.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Audrey stares angrily at Nathan, she couldn't help it. Sitting across from him in a small but very stylish café, she felt like jumping on him and beating some sense into him. Nathan on the other hand couldn't help but feel remorseful, what right did Charlie have to try to get close to his girl? He knew he had to apologise maybe it'll make their awkward relationship not drift too far away than it already has.
Nathan. Trying to breaking the silence 'so, about what happened in there, I'm really sorry.'
Audrey. 'You know I work there and you know you're my boss right?'
Nathan. Solemnly 'yes'
Audrey. 'Are you then trying to get me fired or better still, will you be happy if I resigned and move back home?'
Nathan. Wide eyed 'Ooh come on D, stop threatening me... come on baby, I'm sorry.'
Audrey. Sighed 'don't you get it Nate, I'm trying my best to make sure my work life doesn't get entwined with my personal life...'
Nathan. Cuts in 'I know that Drey, I had it under control I wasn't going to...'
Audrey. Interrupts 'you clearly didn't know any damn thing Nate!!! In there you were visibly going to make me the new gossip of our firm!!!' She took a deep breath in then out all trying to calm herself 'I promise I'll leave and you'll never get to see me or Zane for the rest of your life if you keep this up!!!'
Nathan was shocked to his bones, this wasn't a threat as he knew Audrey would do that and more if he pushed her. He knew how lonely and miserable his life was after she left, he wasn't going to gamble on any feelings he felt and loose Audrey and Zane!!!
Nathan. Immediately held onto Audrey's hands and Stared into her eyes 'I didn't know I was hurting you D, I'm really sorry about that.' Paused 'I don't intend making you a subject of gossip I just got really angry seeing you close to Charlie.'
Audrey. Calmly 'Charlie is my friend, I should be able to discuss whatever I like with him Nate.'
Nathan. 'I'm not against that babe, I just don't want to loose you ok? There I've said it again!!!'
Audrey. Smiled 'yes you just did, again' Sighed 'what were you coming to do when you went all commando on me and Charlie? Or are you now monitoring my every move?'
Nathan. Frowned 'I wanted to ask if it'd be OK for Zane to spend Sunday afternoon with me at my parents place.'
Audrey. 'Chloe already asked'
Charlie. 'Oooh... she beats me to it then.' Paused 'so?' He patiently awaited her answer.
Audrey. 'I told her that I'll have to get back to her with my answer as I had to talk to Zane first but as it stands, Zane is dying to spend time with you so it's fine with me. I'll tell him about it when I get home.'
Nathan. Smiling 'I had so much fun with Zane too. I enjoyed my time with him.'
Audrey. Smiles 'what time will you like to pick him up?'
Nathan. Paused momentarily to think 'I'll come get him by 9:00am.'
Audrey. 'Ok, that's fine by me.'
Nathan. Reluctantly 'if you don't mind, how about accompanying us?'
Audrey was surprised about his request, she wasn't expecting an invitation to tag along... she didn't know what or how to answer him. She did felt like she needed the drive as if she stayed home alone she'd be bored to her bones and she'll like to see the kind of environment Nate was taking her baby to but then again, what if Nate makes advances towards her when they're alone? She wasn't sure she had the power to stop him... she was about refusing his invitation when he suddenly cuts into her thoughts.
Nathan. 'Don't think about it too much D, come along and I promise you an exciting afternoon plus I'll like you to be there so Zane don't feel lonely as he's meeting his grandparents for the first time.'
Audrey. To herself 'shit!!! That's true....' she rolled her eyes. 'Fine!!! Under one condition though.'
Nathan. 'What D?'
Audrey. 'NO funny business whatsoever.'
Nathan smiled to himself, he knew he has gotten to her... no backing down now.
Nathan. To himself 'if I'm lucky, before the end of this weekend you'll be all mine.' He looked Audrey in the eyes, smiling 'yea babe, no funny business.'