[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

Panic and anger bubbled through Jess' professional facade like water boiling over. She clenched her fists behind the desk, ribs tightening as she struggled not to hyperventilate. What had this creep asked of Roxy for her to react like this?

The customer frowned in concern. [color=green]"Is everything ok?"[/color] he asked, his manner polite and gentle despite his intimidating appearance.

Jess nodded. [color=teal]"Yeah, it's..."[/color] She trailed off as the man in the suit strode past. Only now did she realise part of the shivery sensation running through her body was excitement, not just fear. The thought made her want to throw up. [color=teal]"It's nothing."[/color] She nearly gasped at the sound of her own words, spat like venom. [color=teal]"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean for it to sound like that,"[/color] she blurted as the leather-clad man's eyes widened. She tried to inhale deeply, only for the air to rush back out. [color=teal]"What I meant was, there's no need to worry."[/color]

Just then, Roxy reappeared, cursing under her breath. The anchor was in no fit state to deal with a customer right now, as Jess knew all too well. If that just now had only been a fraction of what Roxy had experienced, just how bad had things gotten, and how bad were things going to get?

[color=teal]"Ah, hey,"[/color] Jess called, attempting to act normal again, even though her efforts had already gone out of the window. Trying to force her expression into a mask of composure, she turned back to the customer. [color=teal]"Thank you for your patience,"[/color] she said, not just referring to how long he'd waited, as she reached for the notebook and pen. [color=teal]"So, what is it you need doing?"[/color]

As he spoke, she scribbled down notes and details. Full motorcycle service. Her stomach sank all over again. It wasn't the customer's fault, but a complex task wasn't likely to help matters right now, unless Roxy viewed it as a distraction.