I stared at the clock. The ticking sound was almost killing me. It was silent at the office today and there were only ten people working. I had four long hours left at work. The heartbreaking feeling of Andy being on the other side of the world made my nerves itch.

I finished the last sentence on my article, sighed and went for a cup of tea.
- “Hey Nicole!” Seth gave me his goofy smile when I entered the kitchen
- “Hey Seth, how’s it going?”
- “so, uh… We’re going out for drinks tonight at Harrys. You wanna join? We’re leaving right after our shift.”
I thought some distraction would help me get my thoughts off Andrew, so I gladly accepted the invite.
I was still ripped up and insecure about the contract. I’d promise Andrew I would think about it while he was gone. But honestly, I felt uncomfortable with the whole thing. Four other women actually agreed to this? It’s not like an ordinary relationship with exes. No, this is so completely different to me.

I sat down at my desk after a fifteen-minute tea break and I noticed an email from Andy.

---

Subject: Questioning
To: Nicole Cox
From: Andrew Biersack
Date: 1 June 2014, 11:01

Dear Miss Cox,
Thank you for the company yesterday. I really enjoyed it.
Although I did not like how you questioned me about my previous submissives and my past.
Please know that it’s all for your own cause, miss Cox.

Andrew Biersack,
Lead singer, Black Veil Brides.

---

I smiled to myself as I thought about our unexpected trip to the park. But he seems to be his usual professional self again. “I like the childish Biersack better” I muttered to myself as I hit reply.

---

Subject: Why so serious?
From: Nicole Cox
To: Andrew Biersack
Date: 1 June 2014, 11:22

Hello sir,
Thank you, I had a great time. I think you need to get loose more often. I’m looking forward seeing more of that when you get back to the states.
Regarding the questions, I think I have the right to ask whatever questions I want. I want to know that this means, what I’m in for. For the second question, I just wanted to get to know you. I feel like I don’t know you better than as the lead singer of some rock band. So if you excuse me, I’m going to keep asking you questions, sir.

Are you jet lagged?

Nicole Cox
Los Angeles Daily Magazine

---

Subject: Persistent are we?
From: Andrew Biersack
To: Nicole Cox
Date: 1 June 2014, 11:41

Does that mean you’ve made up your mind, Miss Cox? If I didn’t know any better I would say that you’re smitten by me.
I think my actions showed yesterday that I can get loose, miss.

I told you, I’m all scars and heartache. And for the record, my band isn’t just ‘some rock band’. We’re black veil brides. I ought to get you a copy of our record as soon as I can.

No, I’m not jet lagged. Although the time here is almost 8 pm so there’s a time difference. I’m about to hit the stage in an hour. I hope you will have as good evening as I.

Ps. I saw what you did there, in the subject.

Andrew Biersack
Lead Singer, Black Veil Brides

---

Subject: I don’t like rock n roll
From: Nicole Cox
To: Andrew Biersack
Date: 1 June 2014, 11:59

Dear Mr Biersack,
I wouldn’t flatter you to admit that I might be smitten by you. I would say it’s equivalent, sir.

Looking forward to listen to that piece of music. Although you know I don’t like rock n roll music. I prefer a classic piece before a loud and noisy one. Maybe I can teach YOU something about real music, sir.

I will probably not have a nice evening, since you are being on the other side of the world. I’m going out for drinks with Seth and my colleagues.

Ps. Yeah, I can be funny!

Have a nice tour!
(Don’t kiss too many girls.)

Nicole Cox
Los Angeles Daily Magazine

---

I pressed send and I hope he wasn’t getting upset about the fact that I’m going out with Seth. He certainly didn’t seem too happy about me working alone with Seth at the office.

I jumped when Seth came up behind me.
-“Nikki! We’re going for lunch. Wanna join us?”
-“Uh, yeah! Where are we heading?” I locked down my computer and got my bag.

We had a fabulous lunch at ‘the Tavern’. I enjoyed a large cup of tea and fished up my phone from my purse and checked my emails. Sure enough, there was one from Andrew.

---

Subject: Who’s Seth?!
From: Andrew Biersack
To: Nicole Cox
Date: 1 June 2014, 12:10

Miss Cox,
I’ve asked you this before and I’m going to ask you again. Who is Seth? You seem to spend an awful lot of time with this Seth-guy, on and off work. I don’t see how this can be my blame. I have a job. This is what I do, miss cox.

If you like a good classic piece, you’re gonna like our recent album. Maybe I’ll introduce you to Jinxx one day.

Have a nice day, miss Cox.
(I would never kiss another girl that’s not you.)

---

I smiled a little to myself. He actually cares about me. I decided to leave him hanging. What does he have to do with my life and friends anyway? He’s not my boyfriend. Unfortunately

We walked out of the restaurant and the sun were warming and welcoming. Seth put an arm around my shoulders and we laughed at a bad joke our colleague pulled. I breathed in the atmosphere and I realized I’ve missed having fun with my friends. I’ve barely hung out or had time for someone else than Andrew lately. My heart ached a little when I realized I haven’t talked to Tara in almost a week. I broke away from Seths grip and picked up my phone and dialed.

- “Tara? It’s me, Nikki.”
- “Hey girl! I’ve missed you. You’ve been kind of a stranger lately.”
- “I know, I’m so sorry.” I muttered sad
- “Is it the ‘Biersack Syndrome’ that has been holding you back?”
- “I don’t know, Maybe. I needed some time to think.”
- “Come on, we used to talk shit all the time before. We promised that no guy would ever come between us. Although, if it was going to be a man… It might as well be Andy fucking Biersack huh?” she laughed at the irony of that.
- “haha, yeah I guess. So listen uh, Seth and I are going out for some drinks tonight with some colleagues. You wanna join? Please?”
- “I have some plans, but I can cancel them for you, my baby girl!” I rolled my eyes with a wry smile. Tara just couldn’t resist mentioning the two-years age gap between us. For Christ sake, it’s only two years.

We hung up and I was very excited to meet with Tara again. Although I knew she was going to interrogate me about Andy, I know I couldn’t say a word about what I really wanted to discuss. I feel so bad for shutting Tara out of all this.

Notes

I should've update yesterday but I didn't know what to write. My brains were out. haha.
I hope you will like this chapter. I know it's not much happening. :(