B10 - His Desire

by Love, Annabelle

My relationship with Stacy couldn’t have come at a better time.

  Wallowing in sorrow, I was searching for something to hold on to, something to believe in. Of course, I didn’t know if I could believe in us yet, but the notion of having her in my life as my girlfriend and not my enemy was a glimmer of hope in my darkest days.

  I couldn’t deny it; I couldn’t even hide it. I was struggling to cope with the loss of my mother. I wanted to keep it inside and not show it to the outside world… My pain was just too fresh, but, no matter how much time went by, it wouldn’t change the horrible truth. Anna didn’t die of old age in her bed, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She died a young woman, all alone, victim of someone’s malice. It was my duty to find whoever committed that despicable act and bring them to justice. And I wouldn’t stop until I saw those fuckers behind bars.

  The next morning, I logged in to my email account and started scrolling down the hundreds of new emails. Most of them were from aspiring young artists, looking to make a name for themselves.

  Poor kids… They would never know that I wasn’t going to read their messages, not in the state I was in. Searching for new talent was one of my favorite activities, there was such a thrill when I found those diamonds in the rough. Yet, with my mother’s death still weighing down on me, I just couldn’t find the will to click on any of those emails.

  I minimized the browser window and let out a long exhale, a moment before someone barged into my office. It was Frank Masters, my boss, but this wasn’t like him at all. Usually, he let my secretary know he was there or rang me up himself, asking to see me.

  “I’m starting to worry about you,” he confessed, striding towards my desk. “We’ve received more than ten complaints from people who said they’ve contacted you in the past few weeks, but never heard back from you. What’s the matter, Marshall? Have you been approached by someone else?”

  I paused for a long while. “My mother was murdered, Frank,” I explained, keeping my voice down.

  “Oh…” He gasped in surprise. “When?”

  “A couple weeks ago,” I murmured, rubbing my jaw.

  “Why the hell didn’t you tell me anything?” He asked, thrusting his arms out to the side.

  “I just… I’m sorry.”

  “Damn it, David!” He shouted, tossing a fierce glare down at me. “You lost your mother and you didn’t think to let me know? I understand wanting to keep things to yourself, but you should have told me! ”

  “I don’t have an excuse, Frank,” I spoke in a weak voice. “You have every right to be mad at me.”

  “Look, I know how you feel. I’ve lost my mother, too,” he lowered his tone. “And a brooding PR specialist is hazardous in our line of work. Take some time off. You need it and it’ll do you good.”

  “I’m not sure about that,” I voiced my opinion, pursing my lips.

  “I beg to differ,” he disagreed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Losing a parent leaves a hole in your heart that can’t be filled. You need some time to mourn her.”

  “Maybe,” I said, dragging my gaze away from him.

  “I know I’m right,” he declared. “Have the cops come up with any suspects yet?”

  “No, but I suspect a developer called Consolidated Building,” I told him. “They bought every house in her neighborhood, except hers. She wouldn’t sell, so, they killed her.”

  “Really? That’s a little far-fetched if you ask me,” Frank spoke his mind, looking at me with doubtful eyes, “and possibly too obvious. Why would such a large company risk that?” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Have you considered that it might not be them? Is there anything you didn’t know about her? Did she have any enemies, or people who really didn’t like her? Was she seeing anyone?”

  “Not that I know of,” I replied, intrigued by his words. “Why?”

  “Now I’m positive that you need some time off,” he assumed an emphatic tone. “I thought you were smart, David. Did it even cross your mind that a pissed off ‘someone’ could be behind this?”

  “Not really,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in denial.

  “Three weeks,” he announced in a businesslike voice. “Get out of here, mourn her, go find who killed your mom. After that, I expect the real David Marshall to get back and be the usual, money-making machine.”

  “I’ll try. Thanks a lot for this, Frank,” I gave a nod of appreciation. “You’re right. I haven’t been performing to my usual standards lately, but I just...”

  “Couldn’t,” he finished my sentence. “No worries. Like I said, I’ve been there. Give me a call if you need anything.”

  At that point, he turned around and walked out of my office. He was still in sight, when I felt a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. My ideal job had turned into nothing more than a burden. I was distracted, having lost the will to keep doing what had made me a fortune over the years. Now however, I could mourn my mother, without concerning myself with my duties. And I had Frank to thank for that.

  Before leaving the building, I texted Stacy.

  Heading over to Flushing Cemetery. Could use some company. If you’re busy, forget I asked.

  ***

  Stacy

  “If you’re busy?”

  David hadn’t lost his sense of humor.

  He had given me a mammoth task, one that could take weeks to complete. I had to dig into one of New York’s largest construction companies, starting by interviewing more than thirty people, but that wasn’t the best part of it. The best part was that they were all down in New Jersey.

  Luckily for him though, I was just about to leave Manhattan when I received his text. Moreover, he was going to visit his mother’s to-be-grave. He’d mentioned that Mrs. Feldman had sorted the details, but as Anna’s death was still an open investigation, they were waiting for her body to be released. It was nice of him to request my presence in such a personal moment. If anything, it showed me how much I meant to him.

  Walking into the pathway, I spotted him heading towards the gate.

  “David!” I called out his name, quickening my pace. “David, wait for me!”

  Stopping on his tracks, he whipped his head around. “Hey, girl. I was going to wait for you at the entrance.”

  “Well, you won’t have to,” I said, catching up to him. “I thought you’d be at work this early.”

  “I was. Frank told me to get out of the office and made me take some time off,” he spoke, his tone calm. “He might be a dick sometimes, but he’s understanding, I’ll give him that.”

  “That’s good news,” I commented as we walked through the black gate. “You need some peace of mind these days. I doubt you’d find that in between those meetings you mentioned the other day.”

  “That’s true,” he agreed as I marveled at the lush greenery. Just beyond the gate, the branches of a massive cedar tree were hanging several feet above the ground. Numerous trees stretched out for as far as the eye could see, towering over headstones, the freshly-cut lawn, and bushes alike. It was as if I had just entered a small forest in the heart of the city.

  “This must be the greenest cemetery in New York,” I remarked. “It’s definitely the greenest I’ve ever been in.”

  “Believe it or not, it’s her choice,” David said, sliding his fingers into my palm. “She was one of Jake’s biggest fans; she was dying to meet him. When I drove her up to the mountains nearby where he lives, she just loved the landscape. She said to me, “I’ve spent my whole life in a concrete jungle. I’d like to be buried somewhere green.” He pointed over at an empty hole in the ground, under the shade of an elm tree. “Right over there. That’s where she’ll lie.”

  Strolling closer, he pulled a small picture out of his pocket, and lifted it up to his face. She was a beautiful woman, with long, blonde hair and a radiant smile. It was such a pity she had died so young. I was sure that if I ran into her and David, I would mistake her for his sister. He had her eyes, that dark shade o
f green, and her lips were somewhat thinner than her son’s.

  “Hey, mom.” He assumed a soft voice, halting inches from the grave. “How have you been?” He asked, dropping to his knee, his grip tight around my hand tight. “I’m not going to lie. It’s been lonely without you.”

  Can I give you some privacy?

  I swallowed my thought, the moment it popped into my mind. He was talking to his own mother. I felt like I was intruding. Yet, with my hand still in his grasp, my options were limited. David wanted me there, and I just couldn’t interrupt him.

  “This is Stacy,” he went on, throwing a quick glance up at me. “You know, the redhead I’d told you about, the girl who kept shooting me down. I took your advice and guess what. We’re dating now.” One corner of his mouth quirked up in a half smile as he blinked back tears. “She’s decent, mom. She’s definitely the kind of girl I’d want you to meet.”

  He raised his hand up to his eyes, the sound of his sniffle making me kneel beside him.

  A few months ago, that man was the epitome of rudeness. Now, he was actually someone pulling at my heartstrings. I couldn’t believe it, but I couldn’t deny the truth in that fact. He had mentioned me to his mother, even though we’d been exchanging harsh words. He had even asked her advice on how to convince me to go out with him…

  Witnessing his emotional breakdown brought tears to my eyes. I eased my hand out of his grasp and curled it around his neck, leaning sideways over him.

  “I miss you…” he whispered, his trembling fingers brushing the edge of the picture frame. “I miss you so much.”

  There were dozens of things I wished to say to him. I meant to praise his courage for allowing me to see him cry. I knew how hard it was for some men to let women see them cry. More than that, I wanted to tell him that I’d work day and night to find the people responsible for Anna’s death. Still, I kept my mouth shut. This wasn’t the place or the time for kind words and promises. David was letting out his pain. And he was allowing me to witness and share the burden. All I could do was stand by his side and comfort him…

  Chapter 11

  David

  Luckily for me, Stacy didn’t say a word about what happened at the cemetery that day. Even when we met in my apartment that night, she treated the whole thing like it had been erased from her memory. I wouldn’t mind sharing some of my conversations with my mother about her. It was a secret that I had already revealed to her. However, reminiscing about the past might just tear me apart further. I wouldn’t be able to calm down, and there was a good chance that I would break down again.

  Ever the professional, she managed to interview another fifteen people in the next five days. The results of those interviews were not what I expected, though.

  Anna’s old neighbors pretty much repeated the same things we knew already. Consolidated Building would show up early in the morning, try to convince people to sell, and show them some properties in walking distance from their neighborhood. It might have been an aggressive strategy on their behalf, but nothing seemed sinister about it. Okay, they were a constant pain to those folks, but no one could recall threats or warnings. On the surface at least, they appeared to be polite professionals who were just trying to do their job, without resorting to violence of any sort.

  And then that evening came the text I had been anticipating for almost three weeks.

  JFK. We should be landing, and be out by 9:30pm.

  Jake and Michelle were coming back home.

  I had missed that grumpy bastard. Sure, we lived almost three hours away, but that had never been a problem. I loved to drive back and forth from the Catskills Mountains. Hell, I liked it so much that I did it at least once a month. Whether I had to tell him about a potential prospect or mess with him, visiting him used to serve as an escape from reality. And in my hour of need, I didn’t have that. I had to endure every single moment of agony, without my closest friend.

  I called Stacy with the news of the happy couple’s arrival and asked her if she wanted to tag along. What a stupid question… I realized that after she squeaked her positive response.

  Sunlight was fading away when my BMW M3 rolled into her street. Stacy was on the curb on the right, her gaze settled on my car as its growls echoed throughout her neighborhood.

  “Hey, stranger,” she greeted me with a smile, pulling open the passenger’s door.

  “Hey, Red,” I leaned across and pecked a short kiss on her lips. “I haven’t seen you smiling like that since the first night we spent in my apartment.”

  “Speaking of which, have you told Jake?” She posed a question, belting herself in.

  “Nope,” I said, shifting my focus to the road up ahead. “Hold on tight.”

  Pressing my foot hard down on the accelerator, I felt the torque throwing me back into my seat as I drove off and Stacy’s eyes snapped wide open.

  “Dear God!” She squealed, fear written all over her face.

  “Relax, honey,” I replied in a calm voice, as we reached the stop sign at the end of the street. “I just wanted to give you a taste of what this baby can do.”

  “Please, don’t do that again,” she requested, casting a sideways glance over at me. “I haven’t told Michelle, either.”

  “Let’s tell them together,” I suggested, my eyes sparkling with mischief. “Can you imagine the look on their faces?”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” she commented. “Not tonight, though. And not in an airport.”

  “You’re right,” I admitted with a nod. “They’ll be tired. I mean, who wouldn’t be tired after three weeks of sunbathing and sex? Hell, I’d be exhausted.”

  “It’s nice seeing you in such a good mood.” Stacy flashed me a bright-eyed look. “To be honest with you, I’d been wondering when old David would come back. He wasn’t the kindest person in the world, but at least he had a good sense of humor.”

  “That guy is never coming back,” I stated in a stiff tone. “He was terrible to you. He thought he could win you over by being smooth. That jackass.”

  “We were both terrible to each other,” she corrected me. “I couldn’t see it back then, but it’s clear to me now. Let’s leave the past in the past, shall we?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I nodded in agreement, glad that we were on the same page. I thought of continuing the conversation and pointing out how helpful she had been in the past few days. But, that wouldn’t be so wise. We would be picking up our friends soon. And, as much as I loved my cars, they weren’t the place for confessions.

  More than half an hour later, the roar of a massive jet taking off caused the windows to vibrate, telling me that we were nearing our destination. People were pouring through the exits while she and I approached the arrivals terminal. I checked the time, amid a mix of chatter and bus engines ringing in my ears. It was 9:25pm.

  Jogging past Stacy, I looked at the huge board across from me.

  Kingston (KIN) American Airlines A320 Landed 9:05pm

  “Phew,” I sighed in relief. “We’re right on time. They should be clearing customs now.”

  “David, there’s something you should know,” she put some force in her voice. “I might have mentioned me having a new boyfriend to Michelle.”

  I didn’t have time to ask more details. Stacy’s eyes crinkled and a smile of bliss burst upon her lips. Jake and Michelle had just emerged from a small crowd, his 6’4” stature standing out. For once, my friend looked like a normal human being. Relaxed, tanned, in a white, floral shirt and a pair of blue shorts.

  “Heeeey!” I cheered, opening my arms. “Welcome home, baby!”

  “How are you guys doing?” Even his voice came out slower than usual. “It feels good to be back.”

  “Man, I’ve got to go to the tropics!” I told him as we exchanged a hug. “Look at you! You’ve turned orange.”

  “Awww, it was so amazing!” Michelle said, tilting her head to the side. “Barbados, the rest of the Caribbean... I loved it down there.”

  �
��I promised myself to visit Barbados again sometime in the future,” Stacy spoke, grinning from ear to ear. “Come on. You guys should get rid of that jetlag ASAP.”

  “Girl, I thought you’d pick us up with your new boyfriend,” Michelle maintained, stepping closer to her. “Where is he? David, do you know that guy?”

  “Ah, not really,” I replied with a flinch.

  “Well, I’d very much like to meet the guy who’s the best sex she’s ever had,” Michelle added with a laugh, making her way to the exit.

  “Really?” I cocked an eyebrow, a smug smile forming on my face at her bombshell. “The best sex she’s ever had?”

  “Don’t,” Stacy silently mouthed to me, discouraging me from pressing on.

  I silently laughed inside… I couldn't wait to find out more details. Soon enough, I would have to insist on learning why she considered me the best sex she’d ever had…

  Chapter 12

  Stacy

  Ah, Michelle… What did you do to me?

  Or, perhaps I should ask ‘What did you do to David?’

  The answer was simple. She had just awakened the kid in a candy store within.

  I could just imagine what he would do next time we saw each other.

  He would probably ramble on for hours about his exceptional skills in bed. He would gloat, gloat and then gloat some more about his moves and the way he touched me. So far, he had kept that side of him at bay. I had no idea how or why, but the smug executive had been rather restrained and sweet to me.

  Perhaps I owed that to his grief. He had suffered a terrible loss, and loss does tend to alter people’s behavior, at least for a while. Whatever the reason behind the change in his behavior, I had a feeling that I would suffer the course correction the following night.

  As if that thought wasn’t enough, Michelle waltzed into the office the next morning, more cheerful than ever. At first, I believed that the tales of her vacation in the Caribbean would help me avoid talking about the identity of my new boyfriend.

  She and Jake had just come back from a world of sunshine, turquoise beaches, white sands, delicious food, and great hospitality. For more than two hours, she showed me hundreds of pictures of the two of them on the beach, splashing around, enjoying cocktails and kissing in the sunset.