Y/n POV
"I felt absolutely terrible" Dalton said as I pulled into a parking spot
"She forgave you, that's all that matters in the end, but you need to work on wanting to go public. Who knows how she's feeling. She's spent most of her life in the public and eye and to be with someone who wants nothing to do with the public is so hard" I tried to explain
"I know, but I don't know if I'll ever be ready to go public... well I guess I have to get used to being public since I'm already out there" he rolled his eyes at the thought of not having privacy
"See, nope. We're not doing that. You can't blame Ariana for what happened. She didn't know there were paparazzi. None of us did. You're just going to have to suck it up, because in the end, if you really love Ariana, you won't care as long as you're with her" I said
He looked at me with a certain look on his face. Like my words were sinking into the right spot
"Okay" he said looking down into his lap like a little kid does when they get in trouble
"Good. Now, are you ready to go in?" I asked
He nodded
"Then let's go" I said turning off the car and making sure I had everything before actually stepping out
Dalton and I walked into the building together as we talked about Ariana a bit more
"I think it's crucial that you realize that she won't settle for anything less than what she's had before so she could leave you if you don't get your shit straight. I really don't want you getting hurt because of it. You just need to learn how to deal with the public eye and not take everything out on Ariana because she simply can't control it" I told him
He nodded
"Hey Kelly" I smiled and nodded at her as we walked in
"Y/n" she greeted me back
"I'll see you later" I told dalton because I wanted to talk to Kelly
He nodded and proceeded to go to the elevator so he can make it to his office
"How was your night?" I asked
"So relaxing. You're right, those bath salts do wonders" she said
"I've been telling you" I smiled
"I should've listened sooner" she said
"Yea, you should have" I laughed a little
"Oh shut up" she lightly shoved my shoulder
"I'll see you later" I said as I started to walk to the stairs
"You too" she smiled
***
As I'm about to check my email, my door opens
"Did you see the email?" Dalton asked
I shook my head no before I spoke
"I was about to check" I said
"I'll save you the time. There's an emergency meeting in five minutes" he said
"Oh shit. Okay" I laughed
"So come on" he said
"I have have a few minutes though" I said
"It sounded pretty serious, so you might not wanna wait until the last second to show up" he said
I nodded and got up
I followed dalton out of the office and to the biggest conference room since he informed that's where it will be
"Did the email say what it was about?" I asked
"Nope" he shook his head
"Damn, okay" I said
Dalton and I walked into the conference room and already saw a handful of staff members waiting for it to start
"Does anyone know what this is about?" Some guy asked
The crowd erupted with "no's"
I look over to see Kelly talking to someone else. She sends me a little smile before continuing her conversation with said person
Sooner or later, Aaron walks in and everyone is silenced
"Alright. Good afternoon everyone. How are we?" He asked
The room erupted in people saying "good"
"Good" he smiled
"So as you know, a handful of people go out of state every year on a little business trip for a month or two in order to get business across more than just California" he steered
Dalton and I shared a look that said "ohh, this meeting" before Aaron continued again
"I had no one volunteer. I don't know if it's because no one really read the email, or because you all didn't want to go, but we need people to go, so guess what we're doing!" He cheered
Everyone shrugged
"We're drawing names from a hat" he said
Everyone groaned
"Wow, really? I would think you guys would want a free vacation" Aaron laughed
"It's hardly a vacation" Dalton laughed and so did everyone else
"Right, well let's get started shall we?" Aaron asked
No one responded
"I think we all get the idea of this. If I pick your name, you're going on the trip. No if's, ands, or buts and if your name is chosen, I'll email you where you'll be going" he said
Everyone nodded despite not wanted to do this
"First up we have... Raul" he said picking a name out of a hat
Surprisingly, Raul cheered
"See, that's what I'm looking for" Aaron laughed at his excitement
Not gonna lie, I kind of zoned out. There was no reason for me to listen unless my name is called, which I really hope it's not, but if it is, it can't be that bad
"And finally we have... Dalton" Aaron said as he pulled the last name
Just then, Dalton groaned
"I just fixed things with Ariana" he whispered to me
"Tough luck?" I said not sure what else to say
"You think?" He asked sarcastically
"Sorry Dalton" Aaron said since Dalton did in fact groan
"I'll email everyone that was chosen where you'll be going. If your name wasn't chosen, congratulations, you get to stay here" Aaron said
I fist pumped in the air and I saw Kelly do the same
"If you are staying here, schedules are going to be a bit different, I'll let you know why and how. As for the people leaving, you'll leave Friday night, so that gives you two days to tell your families and or significant others. Again, I'm really sorry for those who didn't want to go, but it had to be done. You're all dismissed" Aaron finished
Everyone nodded and began to make their way out of the room
"Lucky us" Kelly said as she came up to Dalton and I
"Lucky you" dalton mocked
We couldn't help but laugh at his bitterness
"It's not funny, I just fixed things with Ariana and now I have to leave for like a month maybe more" he dropped his shoulders
"She'll still be here when you get back" I said trying to make him feel better
"I guess" he said
"Poor thing" Kelly rubbed his back in a comforting manner
"I gotta go" he said going back to his office
Kelly and i both nodded as we shrugged our shoulders
"Poor guy" she frowned
"He'll be okay" I shrugged
That caused her to laugh
"I better get going" she said
I nodded
We said our final goodbyes before she went back downstairs to her desk and I went to my office
A/n
No, this is not a fever dream, it's true. I'm updating. I miss you guys ❤️