These words stood out to Ann and they felt like someone just pushed a knife through her heart. 'Ouch' she thought.
"Joe, I'm not stupid and I'm not blind. I see the way you look at each other. I saw it already at our first meeting. It's very clear to me that you have some kind of feelings for each other. And I'm sorry that I have to be the one to say it, but Ann if you want to stay in the band, you have to quit whatever it is. That's the truth. I would like to hear something from you now. You've been very quiet." Ann opened her lips, but before she could say anything Joe interrupted.
"I'm not going to let some stupid rules dictate my life." He chuckled shaking his head in disbelief. "And I don't mean this situation now, because it's a misunderstanding, I just mean it in general. And why fire her not me?"
"Let her talk, Joe. You've said enough." Said Travis focusing his attention on Ann. She tried to wrap her mind around what to say. Joe sat back in his chair and continued to shake his head whispering 'unbelievable' to himself.
"I understand your concerns, Travis. What we did last night was bad, we let our guard down. This kind of life is something new to me. I never thought going to a restaurant might be taken away like this. This shouldn't happen." Joe turned to look at her, not really happy with her response.
"You agree with him? You agree to live like a fucking prisoner?" He raised his voice, making Ann'a heart skip a beat. Yet another face of his discovered.
"Joe, calm down." Said Travis with a hand gesture. "This shouldn't happen, indeed. But it did. So now, we have to somehow get out of this situation. Tomorrow you have an interview at the local radio, they'll most likely address the rumors. We have to come up with a good way to respond."
"Yeah, for example: get a fucking life." Joe responded with a chuckle, still visibly furious.
"Joe, seriously. Calm down or I'm going to have to ask you to leave." They were both filled with anger. Ann felt small next to them. She decided to speak up again.
"We can fix it. Joe just needs to say the truth, that it meant nothing and they'll let go off the topic."
"If it was that simple. Unfortunately, this will probably be a topic that will be dragged for the whole tour, so be prepared for that." He sighed and sat back in chair. "Okay, I might get in trouble for this, but today's meeting will just be a warning. I'm not going to fire you, Ann. I see your potential and it would be a shame to let you go. But I need to hear, from both of you, that whatever it is that you're developing, will stop after this meeting."
"I can't promise you that, Travis. Life's not black and white. I don't know what will happen in a month." Joe said.
"I know, Joe. I get it. But just think that Ann'a job is on the line here. Next time I'm not going to be so nice. I have some people above me too and they were ready to fire Ann today. So please, don't treat it like an attack from me. I'm trying my best to somehow make this work." Ann could sense that he really meant it. It was his job after all. He had to do it like that.
"Okay, can we go now? I've had enough of this conversation." Said Joe while standing up.
"I just need you both to sign this." He slid a piece of paper that stated that they were not going to pursue further their relationship during the tour. Joe chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.
"I'm not going to sign this." He looked away and walked nervously around the room.
"Joe, I understand you, but it's a must. Ann, here you go." He slid the paper to Ann and passed her the pen.
It felt like signing divorce papers. She knew she had to do it. It was for the best. She realized that she really let her guard down and almost lost her dream job because of some guy. She didn't want to listen to Jazz and to Jinjoo, she thought she knew better. That he wasn't trouble, he was the exact opposite. But he was definitely trouble. She would never allow something like this to happen. For a moment, she was even ready to actually be fired, so she can keep getting to know him. But then she remembered the warnings. That his longest relationship lasted two months. He would play with her and dump her when he would get bored. He wasn't worth it. Her main focus now was her career. With a shaking hand she placed her signature under the statement.
She could feel Joe's eyes on her. She knew it will make him mad. But she didn't care anymore. This thing they had between them was destructive and would never turn out to be something more anyways. She knew this was for the best. He let out a chuckle and came up to quickly sign the papers. She was to scared to look him in the eyes. She could feel the anger pulsating through him. He dropped the pen and looked at her one last time.
"It was nice knowing you, stranger."
His words were sharp, cutting through her like knifes. He was harsh, the spark in his eyes whenever he looked at her was now gone. He was hurt. He didn't bother to look at Travis, instead went out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Ann could feel the tears building in her eyes.
"You've made a good decision, Ann. I'm proud of you. Joe has this effect on every woman, but believe me, you'll be just another one for him. I can't let you loose an opportunity like this for a fling." He reassured her. "Do you want some water? You've gone very pale."
"I'm fine. Thank you." She stood up and without saying goodbye, she left the room.
As soon as she closed the door, the tears that she was holding back, now ran freely on her cheeks. She rushed to the elevator and once she entered, she slid down the wall and sat on the floor, letting go of all her emotions. Two days ago, they were together in the elevator, their passion for each other over the roof and now she was all alone, crying, knowing that she's a stranger to him. He hated her. She not only lost the physical part with him, but probably also the emotional. Even though she knew, what everyone was saying was true, she couldn't help it. Even if it was meant to be just a fling, she wanted it. She wanted him. 
The elevator opened and she picked herself up, wiping the tears from her face. She sniffed and rushed out of the building, trying not to make eye contact with the secretary. She exited, hoping that Joe wasn't waiting anywhere on her. Fortunately he wasn't. The sky started to cry as well, letting out a pouring rain. She jumped in her car and drove home, tears still falling out of her eyes.
She knew Jazz was disappointed in her. But she needed her, she needed a hug. When she entered their apartment, she rushed to her room and threw herself on Jazz, who was laying on her bed. Jazz quickly pushed her away her hands on Ann's shoulders.
"Did you get fired?" She said with a concerned voice.
"Almost." She whispered between sobs.
"Come here." Jazz pulled her into a tight hug. Ann needed that. Not another lecture about how stupid she is. She knew that already.
"I'm done, Jazz. We're done. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you right away."
"I'm just happy you came to your senses finally. And you did it in the last possible moment. You have to be careful. You can't loose this job."
"I know. He hates me, so it'll be easier." 
"Well, we hate him too. Fuck him." Stated Jazz and Ann laughed at her.
"Thank you, for being here for me." She hugged her again, before a doorbell made her jump.
"Relax, I ordered pizza." She laughed at Ann'a reaction. "I'll get it, go put on some movie."
Ann walked to the living room and started scrolling through Netflix'a movie suggestions. She wanted a comedy, something that will take her mind off of today. She heard Jazz talking with the delivery man as she read the description of one of the movies. 'Sounds good.' She thought and put down the remote.
She frowned realizing that they were talking a lot and it seemed as though they were almost shouting at each other. It was all a blur through the closed doors, so she didn't really hear what they were saying. Ann thought that they probably messed up her order or something. She decided to go out and try to save the situation. When she reached for the door handle it opened and she saw Jazz with a look in her eyes that she couldn't read. It was like she was scared, angry and shocked at the same time.
"I couldn't stop him." She said before moving away and getting her a good look as to who was now standing in the hall of their apartment.
Joe.