*1 Month Later *
It had been one month and John and Adaline saw very little of each other. Liz had managed to put a wedge between the two and no matter how much Adaline hated it and wanted to see John, she knew he had made his decision.
She had been moving on, even taking up a few dates with Jeff. He had been single since they broke up, only having a couple relationship along the way that didn't last. But, they had been talking just about every night and Adaline enjoyed getting the attention from a male again. She hadn't been able to tell John about her and Jeff talking again, but she decided to stay out of the middle of his relationship and just merely make herself happy for one.
She knew she would have to see John in a few minutes and after slipping her shoes back on, she walked out the door to catering before their meeting. Her phone rang as she entered and she smiled seeing it was Jeff.
"Hello, stranger." she greeted him cheerfully.
"Hey, sweetie. How's it going?" he asked.
"Good. Just getting some fuel before I sit down and do some work I have to finalize John's schedule for Vince by the end of the working day." she said, laughing.
"Sounds fun. So, are you going to the Supershow this weekend?" he asked.
"I am. I plan on enjoying myself and act like a fan for the night." she replied.
"Who's that?" came a voice behind her.
She turned and met his cool, blue eyes and sighed. She hadn't spoken to him for several days and it looked as if he wasn't getting much sleep.
"Jeff, I'll see you this weekend, alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll call you back later, is that alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, sure. I'll talk to you then." she said, clipping her phone shut and staring at John. "Can I help you?" she asked, turning back around and looking at the food.
"So, you and Hardy...."
"Me and Jeff are none of your business." she snapped.
"Sorry." he said, throwing his hands up. "I am your friend still, aren't I?"
"Yeah, John. You are." she said, sighing.
"Just wondering if there was something going on you haven't shared with the rest of the class yet." he said, bumping her shoulder.
"No, John. We're just friends. If something happens, you'll be the first to know. Or whenever you call." she said.
"Hey, that goes both ways, ya know?" he shot back.
"I just don't want to intrude in your relationship." she replied.
"Oh, Addie. Shut up." John said angrily.
"Excuse me?" she said, arching her brow.
"Sorry, I'm just on edge here lately."
"Yeah, I can tell." she agreed.
"Look, I'm sorry I haven't called or anything it's just I've been really busy with...."
"I know. I plan your schedules, or did you forget that little fact too." she snapped.
"Addie, come one. Stop." he pleaded.
"Sorry, John. What's up?" she asked.
"Nothing, it's just Liz and the wedding and the baby.... my career... you." he said, looking into her eyes.
"What about me?" she asked. "I should be the least of your problems."
"No, you're not a problem. You never have been. It's just... I miss you." he confessed.
"I miss you, too John, but I don't know." she said, turning again.
"Addie, please don't turn your back on me." he said, grabbing her arm.
"John, things are different with us now. I mean, when was the last time we sat down and we're about to act like we used to?" she asked.
"I know, I know..."
"If it weren't for Liz...."
"Hey, what does she have to do with anything?" he said, releasing her arm.
"She has everything to do with it and rather you admit it now or later, you know she's the source of why we don't talk." Adaline said.
"Liz hasn't said or did anything to you." John cornered.
"No, that she might be innocent on, but is she really that trusting John. The little bitch is hiding something." Adaline said, waving her fork at something.
"Don't call her that." John growled.
"Fine, whatever. Look, you and I have to work later, so I'm going to eat and go to my room. Find me when your ready to work." she said, walking away.
"Addie." he said, calling after her. "Adaline!"
She continued walking, until she got to an empty table and sat down, her face feeling extremely hot and her thoughts racing a mile a minute. She had never heard John stand up against her, especially when it came to Liz.
She watched as he stormed out of the room and down the hall. She smiled before turning back around and staring at Randy. She groaned and rolled her eyes.
"What do you want?" she asked, slamming her fork on the table.
"You two need to stop fighting and just kiss and make up." Randy said, taking a bite from her apple.
"Do you mind? And that Randy, is never going to happen." she said, grabbing the apple from his mouth.
"Addie, are you happy?" he asked.
"Do you stalk John like this too, asking him umpteen million questions?" she asked, side-tracking the question.
"You didn't answer me. Does Hardy do it for you?" he asked, arching his brow and taking the apple again.
"Randy, shut up." she said, taking a bite from her lasagna.
"I'm just saying, when you two realize you love each other, you'd be happy. Do you really wanna see John happy?" he asked.
"Of course, I do." she snapped.
"Tell him." Randy urged.
"Tell him what Randy?" she asked.
"Tell him how you feel."
"What? You mean that he gets under my skin, pisses me off, makes me feel like shit oh, and most of all – how I'm supposed to be his best friend, yet we never see or speak to one another anymore, but when we do we always fight. You mean like that?" she asked.
"Not what I had in mind. The sooner you both stop fighting it, the sooner you both will be happy. Think about it." he said, walking away.
She picked her trap up and through the entire thing into the nearby trash. She had had enough. It was time she needed a break away from things. She had 2 weeks saved up of vacation time and getting away from everything was just what she needed.
She stormed out of the cafeteria and walked down the hall, entering John's room without even knocking. John was busy reading some papers on the couch while Liz was laying on the couch.
"I'm taking some time off." she declared, handing him a paper from her hip pocket.
"Adaline, what are you talking about?" John asked, standing up.
"You heard me. I have 2 weeks saved up that I need to take before the end of the year. I'm taking them now. I need a break, John. I need space from this business, from nosy as people but most off all from you and her." she yelled.
"Addie, calm down." John said.
"John, don't try and change my mind. It won't work. She meddles in your life with every small detail. Get her to be your assistant." she said.
"You're not..." John asked.
"I'm not saying right now. All I know is some time off. I'll decide then." Adaline said, glaring at Liz.
"So, leave already." Liz ordered.
"You know, for once you and I agree. I would love to." Adaline said, smirking.
"Addie, just think about it, please. You know I...I need you." John said, following her out the door.
"John you haven't need me for a long time and this past month, you've proved that." she yelled.
"Addie, I do and you know it, it's just...."
"Complicated, right? John, do me a favor, would ya?" she said, smiling.
"What, Addie. Anything." he said, seriously.
"Grow some balls, stand up to her and for once, say whats on your fucking mind." she screamed before turning on her heel and walking down the hallway, leaving John and Liz speechless.